[Shaffer216]

My first introduction to painkillers, and the amazing sense of power they gave me was when I turned 18 had a bad tooth and continued to milk the ER for hydrocodone, that is until they told me to stop coming for a high and basically kicked me out the door, (GOOD THING THEY DID). Soon after that run in with hell.... before I knew it of course, I joined the Army. I had the best time of my life in the Army! I was first stationed at Fort Benning GA for basic training. My MOS at that time was 18x meaning I am infantry going to RIP (Ranger In Processing) After I completed all my training in February of 2004 I was sent to my PDS permanent duty station. And joined arms with the 216th ranger bat at Fort Riley Kansas. Things could of never been better didn't think about painkillers or any drug in that matter. I met a beautiful German girl, got married. My battle buddy hurt his leg on the shooting range and like any army doctor they fed him percs like they were candy. I thought in my head yessssssss i get to be superman again only this time I have something to prove. Good thing he ran out and only gave me two. So skipping ahead a little, Are BAT was got orders to deploy to Baghdad Iraq in the winter of 2007. We went on for about 5 months with nothing getting blown up and nothing shooting, at least at are convoys. And if you have ever been to Iraq or near FOB Rustamiya you would know that even 10 days without rockets coming down on you is a blessing from GOD himself. We all go out on my 164th day down range thinking nothing but plesent thoughts and how much we couldn't wait to get that R&R, and all of a sudden I hear nothing but winggggggggggggg and a slight tingle threw my whole body, we got lucky and the IED broadsided are rear end and flung are Humvee 180 degrees with only a couple of cracked glass windows and a pepper sprayed trunk we all made it alive and well beck to the base after the bastards ran and hid after taking a cheap shot at us. Second time I was blown up, I didn't get so lucky. I took 3 shrapnel wounds in my left leg 1 week later i was good to go back out and continue on with my squad, not that i had to but as an E-5 i wanted to show no weakness to the new men. That very day i went out we were briefed on a new explosive called an EFP, and let me tell you those things will pepper an abram3 threw one side and out the other not missing the people inside as well. We were out on a normal patrol and wham hit us on the passenger side as we were getting in the Humvee after an on foot patrol in dirt town. I didn't have my door combat locked....THANK GOD..... the impact threw me out the passenger door and 35 yards down a dirt hill, as i lay there unable to move thinking everyone has left me as the rounds cook off in my Humvee with everyone still inside watching them was the worst thing I have ever witnessed in my life. I later woke up in a black hawk being rushed to Baghdad ER where i later woke again 6 hours later with no foot and a lot of skin off my butt. This is the begging of a 2 year struggle to get my life back from painkillers, and i was up to about 25 a day thinking hey there giving them to me so whats the problem. I then ran out one day because i was taking way over the recommended amount, started to freak out at the reaction my body had because of the loss i had. My mind said whoaaaa, i need to get more, i called my doc and told him i made a huge mistake and flushed the pills down the drain because i didn't want to take them anymore so he gave me 120 more without a question. And the amount goes up over the years to about 80 every week. I decided on my own 5 days ago to get the heck off the pills no matter what my doctor said. I still feel like ******** and my body urns for more. But my mind being as clouded as it is, still knew what i needed to do to save my marriage my job that i have now and the future so near to come. I beg anyone and everyone to stay as far away from progressive use of painkillers. Ya it feels good but just wait till its all over.... You will rather be dead then to live the first 4 days of withdrawal. Hope everyone gained a little from my story. Best of luck to all going through the pain i am at this moment and remember to be strong and stay far far far away from methadone!!!!!!

[Robert_325]

I sincerely hate to hear of our service men and women going through so much pain and trauma serving our country. I am indebted to you for all you've done for those I care about most. There are some other vets in our group that will probably post.

You should be proud of yourself making it through the fourth day. That is huge in the detox process. Let us know what we can do to help. Things should start getting better for you soon.

My hat goes off to you my friend. God bless.

[Shaffer216]

Yes 4 days of detox with no help from medication was hell, all i took to help with the restlessness was vitamin B6, One a day for men, and potassium. And of course plenty of hot baths, i'd say maybe 10 a day will do the trick . This website and the posts that everyone has left is what led me to choose cold turkey and just get off. 5 days of pain seems more logical then 1 year plus for alternative solutions, pain doctors don't care about your mental state......all they care about is if your in pain or not....and when your not i suggest going to yoru primary doctor and ask for assistance for cold turkey withdrawal, that is if you can take the work off, and the family can give you some days to rest and complain about how much life sucks.......

I plan to keep you guys informed throughout my journey.

[Robert_325]

If you've been reading a lot you've obviously read a lot about things to do for different w/d symptoms. If anything is happening that you're having problems with let me know.

Detox is hell but there are things like imodiumAD, gatorade, L-Tyrosine, B-6 and most of all exercise. Exercise will help you more at this stage than anything. Swimming would be great for you.

Stay in touch. God bless.

[Shaffer216]

at this point about 94 hours since my last pill i feel a lot better then the first three days, and in my eyes thats a blessing in its own. And yes with what little energy i have, I try to take my dog on a walk if i don't fall down first that is haha little humor about the one foot man ;D or a small bike ride around the block, or i tread water in my pool for about 30min, oh and best of all that seems to help the most is push ups. I just can't kick this burning feeling in my back that runs from the top of my head to the center of my back. More annoying then anything. But right now that is the only symptoms i am having, And i hope to be rid of them soon!!!!!!

[Shaffer216]

Sorry for elaborating on everything especially if your going threw withdrawals the last thing you wanna do is read a lot

[miranda25]

Your story is so surprising. I've never thought about all of our military people who get injured and then are just given painkillers.

I am contemplating getting off mine. I know I need to, but I am scared of the withdrawls. I know I have to in order to save my marriage also. Are you moody with your wife? I need the support, but I don't know how I will act and I don't want to push people away. I wish I was already on day 4 like you.

I have not taken any today yet. A big step! Good luck with your journey.

[Shaffer216]

During the first 3 days all the things you don't want to happen will happen. I had the same fear day in and day out about withdrawals. But i knew i had to do something better. Painkillers not only took over my emotions but they took over my life my judgment, and that isn't gods way of life, the day you let painkillers take over they make the decisions there on out until you show them who is bigger and stronger inside. I missed a lot, and i tell you 4 or 5 days of pain is well worth the feeling of becoming bigger and more proud then you have ever felt in your life. I would love to tell you what helped me the most. But remember nothing will replace cold turkey and nothing will be faster. (besides rapid detox) that cost over 20k and really to be honest it wasn't that bad and will only be worse if you think its the end of the world.