[mpvt]

Can you find a doctor who prescribes buprenorphene.This is a perfect drug for your dad.He won't have any withdrawls or cravings and he can detox slowly off of buprenorphene with little or no withdrawls.......Dave

[hollow]

Here is the link to find a sub Dr near you:

http://buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/bwns_locator/

This drug is a miracle...I was doubtful that it would work for me since I was taking soooo many norcos, but it did, and it will work for you too and your loved ones!

I have my life back thanks to this drug.

L.

[Bennie84]

Hello again all. As promised, I am keeping u all up to date with my progress. I missed yesterday, but I didnt falter:P Today was a bit difficult, I had a really bad shoulder pain, but after much mental debate, I decided to take 2 extra strength ibuprofin's in the place of a tab. So there ya have it Another win for me. The withdrawals are almost completely gone, aside from a craving here and there and the obvious almost constant thought of the pills (just the thought, not the craving), I'm fine! God bless you all again!



DAY FOUR AND FIVE FREE

[lailee]

Hello,

Couple of weeks back I had a wrist fracture when I had a fall while working. I had to go through a small surgery on my left wrist. Doctor had placed two titanium wire in my radius bone to keep the distal tip in place. Two days back doctor had removed the plaster from my hand. After removal of plaster I am suffering from wrist rigidity problem. My doc adviced me some physiotherapy. I am doing but it pains a lot at times. I am really searching some painkiller which may be mild in nature and will help me in doing my normal work.
I used to take Ibuprofen 400 as a home medicine used to advice by my friend., but I hard some real bad effect of this type of pain killer.

[Mags007]

Lortab is highly addictive, I have been on them 1998 and still going strong, and want to stop. I can not I have tried and and tried I look on this board every day hoping to find something to help me to stop, I need help and I am ashamed to ask for it, but I have to the conclusion that there is no help out there.

Sincerely
Mags007

quote:Originally posted by AxAxAx

Hey Ambien Lady I love ambien too,it makes everything distorted and makes me hallocinate and feel good too, it's a different kinda high! You will be ok Ambien isnt physically addicting,it helps with withdrawal from pain pills too,and Lortab isnt that addiccting,quit before you move on to bigger and badder things like oxycodone/Contin! Jon..

John

[hollywogger]

Mags~

I know how you feel. I thought I was doomed to a life of pills and unhappiness for the rest of my life. May I suggest an online support group that I belong to. It is Pills Anonymous through the MSN groups. It is very supportive and informative. It has become like my second family...truly. There are people out there that really care. Good Luck!

~Hollywogger~

[Bennie84]

To Mags:


You can beat the addiction. We all can. I'm on day six now, almost a week cold turkey. The withdrawals are hell yes, but once you get through them, you DO see the light at the other side. I am so happy now that I can see that light. I can wake up in the morning now, and the thought of a pain pill crosses my mind, but not in the sense that I need one, but I think almost every morning, "Wow, I used to have to have one right now, just to feel the way I do right NOW!".

My point is, once we've gotten addicted for so long, we need the pills just to FEEL normal. I've read from several sites, and spoke to a dealer who owned a pharmacy and he explained the addiction to me like this, and it makes alot of sense. Your body naturaly produces Endorphins, and when you take loratabs and other pain killers for a period of time, your brain stops producing the endorphins, making you dependent on the pill for that "feel good" experience. When you quit, your body needs time to start producing the endorphins again, and thats why in the withdrawals you feel like dying. But after your body begins producing the endorphins again, you'll notice the change, and you'll start to feel better and better everyday.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and life is great at the end of the tunnel. Sure I'm tempted to take a pill, trying to fool myself into thinking that its just one, but then I know that the vicious cycle will begin all over again, and I would have to go through the withrawals all over again, or I may never quit again. I have to stay strong, and my energy comes now in leaps and bounds compared to when I had to take an 80 mg oxy just to get this kind of energy. Granted I dont feel euphoric, but hey, who needs that anyway when you know the consequences of the pills. Like I said in one of my posts before, I'm also one of those people who have to take double to get the same feeling as a normal person would. And I'm just 21. I have too much to lose being on these pills, my company and my partner's trust, my future wife (currently in a very strong relationship), a good example to my little brother (how can I tell him not to do anything when I do it myself?), my health, and so many other reasons such as the pancreatitis that runs in the family and the pills can induce an attack.

I would advise you to check with your doctor about subutex (i think thats how its spelled) or buprenorphene. I hear they are very effective from members of this board and others as well. Or you could go cold turkey, if you want to hack it like me. You could taper off, and while it does work, you really need dicipline for that, or get someone to hold your pills, because without the dicipline, it will be hard to not take more than what you are trying to limit yourself to.

I really hope this helps Mag. If you have any questions or concerns, post, because believe it or not, this is actually a step in the right direction, by coming to this site, and now by posting.

If my company was strong enough I seriously would create a program that helps people quit this devil medicine by affording them the money to get the drugs that help you quit. I think I'm still a bit too small in the business world for that, but unfortunately I'm sure this problem will still be here in 2-5 years. God bless.

DAY SIX FREE

[Bennie84]

Hi everyone again. Gotta keep this one short, got lotso work to do. One week today I decided to finally quit pain pills for good. And now one week later at the 7 day mark, I'm feeling absolutely wonderful. Still cravings here and there, and I smoke now more than I did before, but one thing at a time My best wishes and warmest regards for anyone who is going through this as well. Thanks everyone again, because if it weren't for this site, I would probrably be taking the pills still.



DAY SEVEN FREE

[smilemore]

Sorry I haven't updated or responded- I've been kinda out of it for a bit. Thanks Bennie for the response and I'm tryin man. GOD am I trying.

So I've taken only 1 today - compared to the normal 2-7.5mg hydrocodones + a 15mg rapid release oxycodone every 6 hours. THIS SUCKS. I can't sleep. I can't stay off the friggin toilet (sorry guys but you know how it is). I'm all cold sweaty - then I lay down to try to sleep and I start profusely sweating. Its INSANE. This is just so IRRITATING. Its SOOOO much easier to just take the damn things. And its not like its a cheap habit either. Its expensive. Of course it is. It wouldnt feel so good if it didnt cost a lot.

I have 10 hydrocodones and 5 oxycodones. My PLAN is to taper off and lower the dosage. But who knows what'll happen in the morning when I wake up and either a. puke or b. run to the bathroom for the umpteenth time.

Anyone find that tapering off works better? Any advice how to do it? Going to a clinic/doctor anything in that way is completely out of the question and I'm FLIPPIN OUT!!!!

I also wish the best to your father Stephanie. Bless you and your family.

to smiling without pills

[wish-i-never-started]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time visiting this site, i don't want to say that i am happy that i am not the only one going through this constant battle because i know how much it sucks and how bad every1 is feeling, or has felt at one point, but it does help to know i'm not the only 1 and that i am not going crazy. But let me congratulate and thank all of you for coming forward and at least sharing a little something, it has really helped reading all of you're messages. I really did love each and everyday of life before I started taking pills, but in my head they made life sooo much better, I wasn't shy anymore, I found myself (as did others) wittier than ever, and I was all around more outgoing than i had ever been in my whole life. Yet, the inevitable downside came: people were noticing my addiction more and more, I got very, very iiritable without pills, I lost probably the best girlfriend i'll ever have, and I lost my job.
My addiction was vikes and perks (both 7.5 mg), whichever i could get my hands on and at the least 10 of either a day. I really feel like i'm going nuts right now, today is my 2nd day off and i haven't been able to sleep for a little over 33 hours, but i know it'll be ok and worth it because i have succesfully quit painkilpllers for a few months before i started again. I know that SUCCESSFULLY isn't a great choice of words because i did start again, however i do feel it was a success, I was just WEAK and gave in when i was drunk 1 night because my dumbass thought that because i finally felt good without them that i would be able to control that habit the second time around. Really not the case, I wound up taking fifty in my first two days back on! and the withdrawl is twice as bad this time around. I do however have more hope than I previously had after reading what everyone else had to say. This time I am quitting cold turkey because I don't trust myself, but i do want to let smilemore, doggy and anyone else who needs the advice of tapering off and mildly avoiding withdrawl symptoms know that it DOES WORK. Last time i quit i was lucky enough to be invited on a 12 day cruise with my parents (who had no idea about my addiction). I figured to myself that this was my perfect opportunity to get myself off pills. I was away from my usual environment, plus i knew it would be relaxing enough to do so, without everyday annoyances attracting me back to my normal routine of doses. I knew that the only way to not go completely crazy and jump off the side of the ship was to sneak a bottle of vikes on and slowly wean myself off. The first day was hard, REALLY HARD, because the ship attendants had lost my luggage and thats where my pills were stashed. I really felt like i was gonna die (that really scared me), but they finally found my bags and i got the pills. Now here's where the tapering off comes in: I had 65 pills with me for 12 days, i'm sorry i dont remember my exact schedule but it was someting around 2 pills every 6 hrs the first two days, then 1 and a half at the same rate for several days, then down to 1, and eventully just a half of one until it din't even bother me at all if i missed a dose, however i did have to take 2 everynight before bed til the last few nights arrived. Yes it was very hard to do, but it did work and that's all the advice i can give on it. I'm sorry for taking up so much space but i feel better telling my story and i just wanted to give hope to anyone else who needs it right now. Good luck everyone and i will be posting updates if you're interested. Thanks for reading and let me know if you need some1 to talk to.
-Jon

[Bennie84]

Hello everyone again. Here I am at 4am in the morning workin my butt off again....companies require sooooo much work. I work more now than I ever did before! But I'm printing out a buttload of docs, so I have some time to post. I faltered yesterday, and took one loratab. However, surprisingly, it gave me one hell of a headache! Needless to say I now know for sure I am no longer addicted. I'm still going to count yesterday as a free day, because I AM free from it at last.

Smilemore,
I went cold turkey because I actually did try before to taper off. I ended up lowering the doses down, but then they would spike, and I would take more, defeating the purpose of tapering off. I just said to hell with it and went cold turkey. WD's are bad, and yes I know what ur going thru, and I wanna tell ya that you can do it. I know you can. You already have the desire. Something I learned as a young entreprenuer, "You can do anything if you truely want to." If you really wanted to go to alaska and you had a big enough reason to, you'd find a way to get there. So the same rule applies, If ou really want to quit, and if you have a big enough reason or reasons to, you'll find a way to quit.

Things that help through wd's
1.) Video games!! Anything that absorbs your time
2.) Movies, not t.v. cuz t.v. had commercials, giving you time to be distracted
3.) Water, healthy uplifting foods, like fruits and stuff.
4.) Do some outdoor activities, even if it's just walking aroung the block to take some of the edge off

5.) Cleaning...I hate that one, but it takes up time, and you see nice results:P
6.) People, if you can. Someone who you trust, who can so stuff with you to absorb time.
7.) I know more drugs isn't the answer, but for the first 3 days, I took some sleep gel caps before I went to bed. They help with the sleep. I recommend the equate sleep gel caps from walmart.
8.) Showers...nice long ones.
9.) If you can, sleep as much as you can. ANYTHING to absorb time.


Things not to do: (I've actually tried these things to see if they would help..)
1.) No coffee! Trust me, I tried, it gets you jittery and intesifies the cravings.
2.) Watching regular commercial filled tv
3.) Alcohol. I thought it would take the edge off, but I was so wrong. Made me sick.
4.) Heavy fattening foods. I lovem, but during wd's they seem to make ya feel worse.
5.) Energy pills. Same as the coffee, Jitters and intensifies cravings.


Thats about all that I can think about for now, but if i come up with more, I will post them in my progress posts. I hope this helps you guys, anything I can do to either help ease the pain, give encouragement, show that there is hope and happiness after the wd's, or give any advice that I know, I'm happy to give. God bless you all.

Oh yea, WHEN you do quit, dont make the mistake I did yesterday by taking one!

DAY NINE FREE

[cyclist]

Hi,new to site. I was totally paralyzed from Guillain-Barre 1992 and never regained functioning back in my stomach, still have severe gastroparesis and as a result xtreme GERD, etc. I cannot under any circumstances take NSAIDs or COX2 inhibitors for pain. I also have an extremely high metabolism, thus creating a very high tolerance. I have never "abused" anything in my life. Yes, in college, I drank tequila like water, but when finished college, just quit. I have always been very athletic, recently competing in 1/2 iron man races until stress fractures have stopped me from running, so I went to bicycle (cycling)races and long distance (100+ mile)events. Long story short, 3 years ago following bike crash with concussion, the only med that worked and lasted with my metabolism was oxycontin. I was on 120mg daily (I am female 130 lbs.). I rec'd medication from dr that knew my history (metabolism, stomach problems,etc). I had to move but kept driving the 150miles back to my dr for a year until he retired. I am now in a very consertive city & when I went for f/u visit couple days ago with dr here, he stated "good news, your pain does not warrant narcotics." (I currently have another stress fracture right leg, osteopenia, and now 3 bulging discs in back). Anyways, he put me on a 1 1/2 week taper, immediately taking me from 120mg to 60mg for few days, then 40mg then 20mg. After much thought, I do want to be off but I quit myself cold turkey before and thought I was going to die. The sweats, hot/cold, xtreme depression and my biggest problem is that my pupils dilate to the point that I cannot see at all!! Has anyone else had this symptom? I cannot afford to miss work (my ex- wiped us out financially and left me homeless with one dime to my name) and no one in this town even knows I take the med. I have worked in the medical field for 17 years and cannot risk losing my job. I have found myself not able to focus (between the withdrawal and the fact that my back injury just occurred and I just had injections in it), sweats, etc. I am also alone here, not really knowing anyone and no support system. I happened to stumble on this site by looking for herbal remedies to help and I immediately felt less alone. Any suggestions would be helpful and just encouraging words. I really want to get over this as quickly as possible, as, if my back allows, I would like to do a couple more races this year but have felt so ************, I have not been able to do anything. It takes every ounce of energy in my system to get out of bed, shower, and go to work. Once there, I feel I have been worthless and non-focused, depressed, and blurred vision due to pupil dilation. I never abused the med and had always felt that addictions were a sign of weakness,until now, but your body becomes physically addicted whether you abuse or not. Thanks for listening and any help will be much appreciated. Again, I cannot take off work and cannot share this with anyone here. Thank you.

[mpvt]

Hi Cyclist:Is there any doctors in your area prescribing buprenorphene (suboxone,subutex).This drug will take your withdrawls and craving completely away.After you stablize (a couple of weeks) then you can detox of the drug with little or no problems.This is not a new drug but it is a fairly new treatment that is having tremendous success(sp).I would definately look into this treatment otherwise your heeded for a rough time.There is always methadone until you can find a doctor to get buprenorphene.Let me know how you make out.Hang in there you don't have to go through the pain of withdrawls anymore......Dave

[pthelps]

Dear cyclist ,
I posted on page 31 or 32 with some of your physicaly addictive problem .Only used enough pain meds to get through the day ( if that is what you call
it ) .. I also have some of the same stomach problems too except motabolism .I started tapering off in late June from 180 to 90mgs so on a half on the first day I started feeling better (usually 5--7 days .I did it on a whim because I was feeling so much better from ajmost 3 monthes of physical therapy and message therapy . The first tapper off 180 mgs to 90 mgs I just thought i had one of the worst flues that I have ever had .It continued every time I tapered down .So I do not know if cold turkey is better or not .I think if I had known it was withdrawls I was going through the first time I would not have continued .I didnt tell my pain doc because I was between appointments and I had to know if I could do it first ,WhenI told him he gave me cholidine . and a nerve pill for sleep and chills and a sleeping pill .To me it was trading one dependence for another .So I used them very sparringly .They say that that sub what ever works with withdrawls but some it is like trading one bad thing for another .

AS far as the buldging discs .Try physical therapy with a spine specialist before you choose surgery .Surgery mess up so many nerves and muscles and most times it makes it worse . Everything went down hill after my two fussion surgeries If I was you I would find a pain doc because they are the only ones who understand pain and people in pain..I have been very lucky because i am off pain meds but believe me I am still in pain ..They say some times the pain is masked by pain meds and flare up when trying to go off of them . I have gone off of most meds keppre ,neurontin . mobic and antiflamitory ,avinza !80 mgs prednasone ,.Still take muscle relaxers , prevacide .Phenergran and blood pressure med .I found that anti flams when taken for a long time can hurt the muscles and stop them from producing an amenio acid that biuilds muscles .
There is a great web site called pain aid I found it when surfing the net looking up physicali dependent to pain killers on google . I am very proud to say I do not crave the pills but I want one to get rid of the pain but I know it will start the cycle again .

I have been in pain for 7 pius years and major pain meds for 6 years .These things take alot of time and I still am trying not to take the pain meds for pain because I do not really feel any worse without them just used to the crutch .I cut out white sugar , flour caffenne and trying to eat healthy and use herbs .Try that web site pain aid they have some good Ideas on how to stay healthy .Read their disclaimer though because they go by it .Pick one doc .
or nurse to ask at a time .
Good Luck and get rid of that doc..When a doc doesnt believe you are in pain they can,t see the forest through the trees and I bet they think you are drug seeking .Don't let them bully you into something before you are ready .You have alot going on and you might need the pain relief to have a life ....
Let me know how you are doing . pthelps

p.s.......
Note has anyone heard from crissie21 from a couple weeks ago ..I was woundering how her and her little girl were doing ?????????????????????

[mgrnjr]

This is my first time on this site and I am touched by all of your stories. My boyfriend has been battling pain killer addiction for pretty much the last two years. However after reading your stories it is clear to me that i have not dealt with him in the most compassionate manner. It has come down to me basically stalking him and screaming at him constantly, i cant believe the things that have come out of my mouth. I dont know how to help him. He lies about using because he knows how i will react. I can just look at the size of his pupils and know if he is high or not. It is ruining our relationship and his life. He has a bulging disk in his back so he has access to the pain killers he can also just buy them from someone, it is not like they are hard to get. I want to trust him i dont want to have to make sure his pupils are big everytime i see him!! How do i help him??

[JesterX]

well u have to stay by his side, I finally quit after the last 8 months trying too and I had noone, but if he doesn't have the will too quit, or he doesn't want too, then he's not going too and theres nothing ur gonna be able too do about it, i used to always poppem, but i went to the doctor for a regular check up , he found out what was going on, then showed me a diagram of what they do to your insides. It was nasty and I couldn't believe what it did too my liver and stomach. He said it was 5 times worse than alcohol on ya. So be easy with him and wait till you can find a way to make him wanna quit, or i hate too say it, find rehab center or go get xanax from the doctor cuz thats what I did, and I never got addicted to the xanax but the withdrawls wasn't nothing compared to with out them, I am now not on anything and I can feel my body repairing itself inside and it feels real good. OK than. Hope everything works out

-Matt

If you belive in you heart you can, than you shall succeed

[cyclist]

Thanks to all who have responded thus far. To Pthelps, I guess a fortunate thing is that besides all the meds I cannot take because of my stomach problems, I also cannot take benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc.). Because of my metabolism, instead of calming me, they make me extremely agitated and physically violent, so luckily, there is no way that I can use these to help but "trade one addiction for another" as I feel the same way. You recommended seeing a pain doc, it was a pain doc that told me that my pain did not warrant narcotics. He also told me that "my back was fine, you've never had back surgery." I took my MRI films to my orthopedic doc who just shook his head because he noted "bulging discs, lumbar spondylosis, sacroiliitis, mild scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease" I had no idea anything was wrong with my back until just a couple of weeks ago when I twisted the wrong way and have been in ungodly pain since from the bulging discs. My problems had always been with my knees from many years of running and pounding, and hip pain. With regards to the med many people have noted that works wonders, I do not know if anyone in the area prescribes it. As I said, I am in a bigger city now that where I lived but it is about 10years behind in everything and very, very conservative (regarding everything). Whereas it may be easy to acquire pain meds or help elsewhere, you cannot attain either here. Luckily, I am getting back on my feet from my ex's escapades and hope to move in the next few months. I am trying hard, but have no motivation whatsoever. All I have left in the world, and all the social contact I have at all here, is thru my biking and working out and for the last 2-3 weeks since back injury, I have not been able to do anything and for me I honestly do not want to live if I can't be active. Then on top of this, that doc who decided to wean me off suddenly, I am very depressed. I will not have surgery, as everyone I know (including patient's at the practice where I am employed and one of the other rn's, who have had surgery have more problems after than they ever did before. I honestly do not know anyone that it helped. I am in Physical therapy and hopefully this will help. I am trying hard to make myself do things even though the withdrawals are terrible. My back hurts but I may try to bike a few easy miles today. Thanks everyone, I cannot express how much I appreciate it, as I am truly alone here and going thru this is terrible enough on its own but without any support system, it is 100x worse. Thanks again. Hanging in there, Cyclist.

[pthelps]

Dear Cyclist.
Medicine often has opposite effects on me too.I see one thing that is very harmful to your health and that is thoughts of sucide you use buzz words and do it like it was nothing .Oh my god I have been there too .That is what the doc . should have treated first .I can not tell you after fighting taking anti depression drugs because I was too proud and felt if I was depressed I was weak .Those old type antidepression drugs have opposite effects on me amitrypline Elevil and so on .I first tried celexa for 6 or 7 montheswith not much change .My happines arrived about 6 weeks after I tried wellbutrin .I felt like my old self again .I take a high dose .if you notice a difference but it is not enough ask for more ........You can not cure or help yourself completly untill you lessen those thoughts of suicide .Most people faced with long term pain with n o relieve in site have the same thoughts I know I did Even small ones after anti depressiants .There is hope out there my friend you will have to seek it out and do not give up .It always helps me to think that there is always some one else way worse than me .Have you seen any of the vets who have come back from Irac . If you read back on this site threr are all kinds of horror stories .

Have you thought to let one of your workout friends know you are hurt .Maybe they know a good doctor for your back .I saw a neuro surgern for my neck .He did backs too .What you have is very painful but time and pyhaical therapy helps keeps thoes muscles from going bad and getting trigger points .They were the worse for me .

Can you try another doc .Dont seek out drugs seek out a reason why you feel so bad ...Go back to that pain clenic and see the psycoligist and reexplain your case .My first visit to my last pain clenic took my pain meds way downand told me I hade rebound headaches .After suffering for 2 days in hell i got brave and called back for another appointment and saw someone else .They could see I was in pain and I explained that I 'v played the headache game for a long time and it was my neck and two unsuccessful surgeries ,nerve radiopathy ..two impinged shoulders /corprol tunnel in both wrists .ulcerative colitis atheritis .pain from my head down my spine to the shoulder down my arm to my hands and to the shoulder blades that were full of trigger points .I have degenerative disc desease at three levels cervical .thorasic and lumbar .You may not have any choice about surgery it sounds like you have some spinal involvement .You can't ************ with that .Believe me I would be the last person to sugest surgery . I had no choice either . Try looking those words on your mri report on the net or ask your physical threapist .My physiacl therapiist the third one was a spine specialists and is the reason I am pain med free for the first time in 6 years >I was on some heavy **** and it did not take care of half of the pain .Trigger point shots helped for a while and lessened in time .Botox shots in the muscles helped for a short time until the last shots I recieved to the back of my skull gave viral meningitis .It doesnt hardly ever happen but it does happen .Message therapy helps too way more than I ever thought .

Try that pain aid board I told you about .They have doctors and nurses who answer questions like your back problem they have a nutritionist and a lisned message person who is great .It is also a place where you can explor your rights to pain medicine if you need it . Why didn't the doctor give you an anti depressiant when you went to your pain doc,,.I didnt tell you some of the stuff I have to make you feel sorry for me I wanted to let you know even though you are full of pain now there is hope that one day you might be able to be regular .I feel now that I am on the same page as most people .If you listen there are many people in a lot of pain if not physical mental pain with regular stuff .I have been pain pill free except for 4 small small ones 2 for headache and 2 for muscles for 4 weeks Monday .I also took keppra for migrains neurontin for nerve pain ,prednisone mobic an anti imflamitory relpax and maxalt for migrains avinza 180mgs a day MSir 30 mgs sometimes actiq losengers ,liquid phenergran f and reglan for vomitinng many others for things as they popped up .I only take wellbutrin and baclofen and prevacid 2 times a day.Please see that there is hope .I exercise mostly stretching .walk for an hour a day and ride a bike ststionary one for 15 mins to a half hour..Just a few short monthes ago I couldnt do ant of them ..So dont give up .If you need to email me you can do that by ussing this site to find my email address .

Good luck and god bless it does help to ask him for help .Remember how he suffered much like us ..

Keep trying and try not to let pain claim your mind too .It is bad enough it controls your body .PLEASE try the pain place again and that pain aid place on the net .Just ask and I will get you the exact address for you .

[chris Sherman]

i quit taking pills about 36 hrs ago i feel like **** reslly bad

[cajintx]

I have never posted at one of these forums, but I feel compelled to share my experience with everyone, and perhaps get pointers from everyone else too. I had a pinched nerve approximately a year ago, and began using hydrocodone for the pain. I eventually had surgery to replace the disk, but continued the use of hydrocodone (prescribed) for another 3 months or so. Then my doctor took me off of it completely. I was still experiencing pain, and trying different over the counter methods to deal with it, with not much luck. My primary care physician is not one to dispense pain medication, so I was pretty much on my own. For the past 6 months or so, I have been spending big bucks purchasing the hydrocodone from another source. It is so true what everyone says, that you become so addicted to that you feel you cannot function without it. I have only been taking 50 - 60 mg. per day (5-6 10mg pills). And even this has been hard to stop. It is true that when I started to get low on pills, I would panic - how was I going to survive without it even for a day. Luckily, it was never more than a day that I went without it. WEll, this time, I haven't had any for 3 days. I knew I was going to feel the pain. The first day was of course, the worst. I have spent 2 days in bed. But today (day 3) is much better. I have been taking Ambien to sleep at night, but I still sleep restlessly. I have taken .25 mg of Xanax 2 or 3 times a day for anxiety, and 800 milligrams of Advil for general pain. Also, I read somewhere that immodium (over the counter) has something in it similar to the opiate in hydrocodone, but it doesn't make you high because it doesn't break the blood/brain barrier, so I have been taking a dose of that too. I've heard other people say to take it for diarrhea, but I haven't had that problem. The craving is still there. And I feel nervous and irritable, but not near as bad today. On another forum I read to take L-Tyrosine, B-6, Potassium, and Vitamin C - and this cuts down drastically on the detox problems. So I'm going to the drug store today to invest in these. Anything to try and feel better. I'm going to try and hold out, although I'd love to just get some more hydrocodone. But I know that I'll have to go through this again soon. I'm hoping I'll feel normal again in a couple of days.

One of the main problems I have had trying to cut back in the past is fatigue. The hydrocodone gives you energy as well as mild euphoria. Hopefully the vitamins and drinking lots of water will help with fatigue and I'll survive it.

Good luck to others trying!
WORKING ON DAY 3

cajintx

[cyclist]

Thanks again, everyone, especiall PTHelps. I actually did go out Sunday and biked 45miles (which is next to nothing for me). I wanted to stop after 4 or 5 miles from the back pain and just not feeling good but pushed on. The 2nd half of the ride I believe some natural endorphines kicked in because I felt much better (was down to my 40mg weaning). I bought some resistance bands to work out with since I can't do weights right now and actually made myself workout with them Monday and Tuesday. There is a race this Saturday and I am thinking of giving it a shot; however, am at 20mg per day now & today was very irritable/hateful. Also, I am so very competitive, it will depress me further when my time is so off from what it should be, but I keep telling myself the social interaction and activity will actually be better for me in the end that just staying inside and giving up. My orthopedic doc did call today and schedule me with neurosurgeons and my appointment is aug. 25th, as he feels like I have nerve compression because after sitting for a while my left left goes numb and when biking Sunday, the pain stayed in my back on my right side but on my left side, it radiated down my butt cheek, down my left leg, into the bottom of my left foot and into my big toe on that foot. My ex has actually been worried about me, as we are friends now, some of the time, and has checked on me often. He actually overhead another patient at his doctor's office that was talking about the pain doc that decided to "wean" me, how he had been thru back surgery with problems since, etc. and they decided to wean him off his hydrocodone. So maybe this pain doc is just being extremely (and too) conservative but, most importantly, he will not listen and does not seem to care. The day he told me he was going to wean me, I asked him "what about my back problems, along with numbness I have had on the left side of my thoracic spine for several months that has never been addressed (although each visit I brought it up, as the area of numbness grew). He again said "I am going to wean you....", I replied "sir, this is not about being weaned and not about narcotics", He stated "well then what do you want??" I told him "I want to know what is wrong with my back so that it can addressed and fixed so that I can get on with my life." He did nothing. He was very patronizing and just would not listen. Thank goodness for my orthopedic doc who did and found what he did on my MRI films. Sorry to vent, but I have worked in healthcare all these years and would never treat a patient the way that I was treated. I just do hope the neurosurgeons can do a nerve block or something so that I can get on with my life. I think I will be okay without the meds (and I never what to feel like ******** again for so long, it seems to be taking forever, but I am impatient and wish detox could be over within 24hours) but I just can't take not being able to be active. Thanks so much for everything. Still hanging in there.

[pthelps]

Dear Cyclist ,
I was so glad to hear from you . I am so glad you are feeling some what better .Out and about is good .Do you think you should be doing all of that with your bad back ???? If a mri doesnt show anything you might want to try a meylogram they can see things a mri doesnt ..My Mri report said and saw only a few things wrong ...The meylogram showed massive dammage from an exploded disc .When the neuro surgen got in there he said that bits of the disc was stuck in nerves and muscles every where .Meylograms are very pain full .

Those natural endorphans are great ...Getting off of pain pills is very hard..I took it as a chalenge only because I had the best SPINAL physical threapist.She actually moved tthe pinched nerves away from the discs ..There are certain exercises you can do to you our spine that can move the nerve away from the spine ..She lengthen the ligiments and tendons with her hands.She listened to every thing I said and knew what to adjust when things weren't working .If you can find a spinal physical therapist that specializes in backs ...

The pain docs said after I told him I had already cut my pain meds in half he didn't think I would be able to go off of pain meds because of the damage >Twq appointments before that a nurse practioner I saw that month said that it was next immposiable to go off of pain meds after the pain doc who put me on them said I could go off of them if I didn't abuse them Do you see my chalenge ???? I had to prove the first two wrong ....Talking about competitive>..I did it myself I had something to prove (them wrong) .I could not have done it if they toid me to get off of the stuff and refused me medicine .You see I still have my crutch and can take the pain meds I still have some left and can get more from the pain doc if I need them >>I dont take them because I have chalenged myself not too and I do feel better .Some of the pain is still there but it is not constant which helps alot .I have gotten a real bad headache from the few I have taken the apin meds .If I had known about the withdrawls I don't know if I could have done it .

You are very brave to try and get off of the stuff but don't if you need it and can get some .You do have rights to pain meds if you need them ..Good luck I hope they can find out what is wrong .I am glad the other doc called you back .Remember you have to stick up for yourself because no one else will . If a doctor doesnt respect you dont respect them ..Dont be afraid of them tell them how you feel if you can ..Have you thought about anti depressants ????
Keep me posted Pt helps

[PoppyQueen]

My turn. I first fell in love when I was 16--with painkillers, that is. Severe menstrual cramps were lessened with Darvons. Anyone remember those? Didn't make the pain go away, but who cared? I felt good. Well that was 34 years ago.

I have been addicted to one type of pain killer or another since. There were a few times when I would go long periods without pills, but I was drinking pretty good. When I was 19 I had whiplash injury which was never treated. I've been in pain from that since. I go to chiropratic, have had acupuncture, etc. all while taking vicoprofen. I've always been on something. All my life I've been excited to be in pain. Oooh, root canal, cool, I'll get pain killers for that! You all know how that is.

But 5 years ago, head pain escalated to something that couldn't be diagnosed, even after 2 MRI's and a neurologist. So my good old doc started prescribing Vicoprofen 7.5. Well, the pain didn't go away, but damn did I feel good! It must be love again! Well, I haven't missed a day. My good old doc just prescribes more, even giving me two scripts so I could bounce pharmacies. I've been really trying to keep it together. When pills are bountiful, I'll take about 12 a day. And on top of that, I take 3 - 4 Fiorinol as a kicker--you know those headaches. Of course, I'm on an anti-depressant, too.

OK, my story is about the same as everyone elses. I would love to stop, but I would love to just keep taking pills. All you kids in the early 20's or late teens, if you can stop now, do it. You will be facing a lifetime of this addiction just as I am. Right now I'm staring down a bottle of 60 pills that have to last 10 days, and that's tough. I start withdrawing easily and really cannot picture myself being without. I don't do withdrawal well, and I haven't had to yet (this time). Just cutting back is a major chore. Naturally, I'm in pain most of the time. I'm really trying to keep things under control, not really succeeding. I know my doc would prescribe something stronger, but I just can't go there. And I haven't gone the internet route yet, and I can't go out on the street, I wouldn't know where to look (thankfully).

And you know what? Nobody knows but me. Sound familiar? Do I want to share this with my spouse? Absolutely not!

So I'm just writing because it's helpful. I'm pretty sure I will never ever forget my first love and will always want to feel that way. Many of you people inspire me and I think, maybe I can do it, too. Maybe I'll try the Suboxene route. But how do I get over this love affair?

Poppy Queen
"Poppies will make you sleep..."

[mingum]

How long does it take to become addicted to Vicodin, and at what dosage about?

[jiliyania]

This is my first time writting and I really need help, or should I say my husband does. He has had back problems for a year now. He was first put on percoset, then tramadol , methadone, methacarbonal, morphine and a few others i can;t spell. These are all the pills he takes at the same time. His doctor is prescribing them so he says it is okay. He takes way more than he is suppose to and now they just put him on ambien to sleep. Basically I need to knock some sense into him, but do not know how. I know he is addicted and it is ruining our life. He thinks I am just being a *itch, but i love him and we have a little baby. We don't deserve this. I know he is in pain, but i have problems too that hurt and i don't take meds 24/7. He needs to learn to control it. I need help. I hope someone out there can give me some advice. He is so different. Moody and always tired. He realy does nothing anymore except things he enjoys. I am trying very hard to help him, but I am running out of time. I feel he is gonna die soon, i have told him he is being selfish, but he doesn;t see it. Please, help me and give me advice.

THanks you so much
Jiliyania

[pthelps]

Dear Jilliania.
I do not have any real Ideas how to help from experence myself .Tramadol .percecets and morphine are all pain controling narcodics .Tramadol in a schedule 1 which is not regulated like the others but it is addictive and may be more .Is he taking all three and the others too ???Is one doctor gtving them or more ???Is it a pain doctor ????Is he taking them as prescribed or is he running out earily ????? Is he really in pain ???????

It depends on how you answer these questions as to what I think he might need . the first is either understanding or tuff love .If he is in pain he will need help .If he is addicted he will need even more help ...People in pain will do almost anything to get rid of it which might be what he is doing .At pain centers there are alternative methods to get rid of pain that helps .There is message or physical therapy to help .Try to find more infromation about these
and involve him .Pain medicine changes a person and it is usually not for the best .People in pain feel isolated from life and can be very depressed when we find the right antidepressant our personality gets better .A persons tolerance builds fast and can be why he is taking all three pain killers ..Everyone has a different pain level and we can't feel his pain or yours ...You cant judge a man until you walk a mile in his shoes ...Find out if he really is in pain and go from there .

I am sure my family felt like you do before .I ended up not being an addict but because of time I became physically dependent to pain killers .I was lucky the third time in 6 years i took physical therapy and it worked a long with message therapy . I wish you luck finding what is wrong with him .If he is addicted there is medicine that helps with withdrawls .There is subtranox (wrong spelling ) that gets rid of all withdrawls .Check back on the site for the name and suggestions .

Tread lightly and try to be compasionate when asking questions .It always made me more trusting when a person acted like they believed I was in pain and really cared .

I told you I didnt really have any advice how to get him off the stuff .If he is in pain he will need your help ... Watch the baby arround him if he falls a sleep that easy . You have a long road to hoe find some help for yourself and I wish all three of you the best . If he has a certain condition I can direct you to a good web site . Just let me know ... pthelps The pt stands for physical therapy

H

[NoPulp]

hello, i am a 31 year old guy and i have been dependent upon percocet and other opiate pills for about a year. i have tried to detox many times and find the withdrawal so hard to deal with. it feels like i want to craw out of my skin. it's so hard to remember just how bad it is when you have the pills then when it hits you remember just why you take them. i know that if i could get passed the withdrawal i wouldn't have a problem with staying away from the opiates. but here is my question...someone told me that imodium helps with some of the withdrawal symptoms not just the diarrhea. does anyone know if this is true or not? i never really used imodium when i was withdrawaling but even if it helps eliminate 10% of the bad feeling i'll do it. i know that imodium is an opiate. anyone know? i'm going to be doing my own home detox here in a few days. if you ever want to chat online when you need help i'm here. i will need someone to talk to when i withdrawal so if you want im me on aim/aol: NoPulp2000.[?]

[NoPulp]

hello, i am a 31 year old guy and i have been dependent upon percocet and other opiate pills for about a year. i have tried to detox many times and find the withdrawal so hard to deal with. it feels like i want to craw out of my skin. it's so hard to remember just how bad it is when you have the pills then when it hits you remember just why you take them. i know that if i could get passed the withdrawal i wouldn't have a problem with staying away from the opiates. but here is my question...someone told me that imodium helps with some of the withdrawal symptoms not just the diarrhea. does anyone know if this is true or not? i never really used imodium when i was withdrawaling but even if it helps eliminate 10% of the bad feeling i'll do it. i know that imodium is an opiate. anyone know? i'm going to be doing my own home detox here in a few days. if you ever want to chat online when you need help i'm here. i will need someone to talk to when i withdrawal so if you want im me on aim/aol: NoPulp2000.

[hooked]

HI everyone. I need help!! My addiction started when my husband had an affair about 9 months ago.I called my doctor and he gave me Lortabs. Ever since its like thats how I deal with the emotional pain. It makes me numb and happy and in a good emotional mood. I tried to quit a couple times but god my legs hurt sooo bad. and I have NO ENERGY! How long does this last? A couple of days or what? It sucks!! Anyway, I am now taking about 5 Lortab 5's a day and he gives them to me whenever I want them- no questions asked. I need some advice. Espcially about withdrawl symptoms and how long it asts. HELP!!!!!

stacy cole

[terese]

quote:Originally posted by pilot

Want to introduce myself. I am a father of two and been married 22 years. I am 46 and been without cartlidge in the right knee 33 years. I started having some back pain along with knee pain a few years ago. I found that when I took hydrocodine It made me feel great not to mention got rid of pain. The most hydro I have taken is 3 a day. I would get a prescription and take the 50 tabs in a month or so. When I stopped took a day or so to feel normal from some mild side effects.
Well, I must admit, if it were easier to get I could have found myself taking a bunch of pills.
I had a DR. prescribe tramadol a month ago. I found it took away the pain and I couldnt believe something non narcotic could work so well. I take only two a day which is a total of 100mgs. and I can do stuff around the house without getting too grouchy. Now I am hearing that it can be addictive... I called several pharmacys and they said I could take two a day forever and no problems....health wise. I wish that were true because it would change my life. Is two a day tramadol no big deal..?? What do you think. Any input is appreciated.
take care,

Terese