[sparky]

Hi...its me again...miss procratinator....I have been searching around this forum and reading others peoples stories..and It seems everyone has a different way of coming off these things....for me I believe this hesitation I am facing is because when I quit and I will...it will be for ever....I cannot picture myself trying to have this super strong will power..weaning..cold turkey..my desire for the pills is too strong during times that I have run low...I know I must sign on to a rehab program...and confide in my closest..because that will certainly hold me accountable...I have never been one to be so unable to quit a bad thing...this is a new evil...Do you understand? I don't want to fail...so all this hesitation is because I've got to do it right and be prepared to never ever get another script again...

[Mtnskr]

Sparky..

How much do you take and what?


Mtnskr

[Mtnskr]

Hi again

I feel like I am desperate....I log on to this board twice a day and feel like noone else is here....I need some advice about how to taper...as I have the Suboxone..but am scared to start it..I don't know why but I am....There have been some serious problems with me and my family..but trust me you would be really surprised the extent of them..medical wise with my husband...Has anyone come from a 12-15 pill (norco) a day habit and recovered?

PLEASE


Mtnskr

[Paragirl]

Check out thhis link and read around, there is excellent info about sub tapering etc.

http://www.heroin-detox.com/

Don't be deterred b/c it says 'heroin' detox. It's a site for active, recovering & recovered addicts of all kinds. People are there 24/7 and a huge portion of the threads are about opiate addiction(PKs being one).
Anyway, I'm not trying to poach here, I really like both message boards(this one & that one), however if you're looking for info specific to sub tapering, it's a great source of reliable, knowledgable info.

Wishing you the best of luck

PG
If we don't change direction soon we'll end up where we're going.

[Paragirl]

quote:Originally posted by Mtnskr

Has anyone come from a 12-15 pill (norco) a day habit and recovered?

PLEASE


Mtnskr

YES!!! You can do this w/o a doubt. ANYBODY can recover with enough support and determination. Read some of the stories at the link I gave you above. They will give you goosebumps but more importantly they will give you tremendous hope...you can get clean

PG
If we don't change direction soon we'll end up where we're going.

[tinkers]

mtnskr

Hi hows things going for you don't sound to good! I was taking any wear from 10-25 norco vics oxy perc what ever I could get my hands on I tryed the taper many times it never worked for me I would just go back even harder I know wear you are coming from I was there for many years and I was very affraid of the sub what if it dident work how sick would I get how long until it would work if it didnt how long until the vics would work again been there done that truth the sub does work right away (1hr) or so I thought it was nothing short of a wonger drug I'm thankfull every day for the opritunity to use sub and that I'm not wear I was months ago if you need help I will try very hard to monitor this page today good luck I will pray for you.

[Isa]

Dear friends,

I have been reading posts on this site for several months and today
is the day I am getting my toes wet!
I have been taking some form of codeine since I was 10 years old. I am now 56...

Recently, I asked my husband to help me and I gave him all my norcos 10/325 with the understanding that he would give me 4 pills a day to start. I used to take about that many for many years until recently when I had surgery and started to take 12 a day.

Two weeks ago, I found my old reserve and hid 15 pills in our bedroom. Ah,,the guilt was overwhelming, so I put all the pills back and told my husband exactly what had happened.
But the other night, I found a small hidden supply and I stole and ingested 4 pills! The next morning, I felt so pathetic, and once again, felt compelled to tell him the truth. Initially, he looked angry, and once he calmed down, he told me that today, as a punishment, I wasn't getting ANY Norcos! I felt that this was justified and he tried to support me through the day. The next morning, he offered me the 4 Norcos but I told him that maybe I could go through another day without them. I ended rolled up in a corner in a little ball and eventually took 2 clonazepam.

Yesterday, I refused the Norcos again and told him that I wanted to keep trying to quit; however, I added that I may want a Darvocet and would he please give it to me if I asked for it. He agreed, and I took it with some relief. Not much, really, and it depressed me that I took it.
Today, I am on the verge of cracking, he knows it, so he gave me a Darvocet this morning.
I feel so depressed and weak..I can't concentrate, and I am now convince that I will never be happy again. I am dying to ask him to give me 4 Norcos a day, just like before.
Also, I must tell you that I have been seeing a psychiatrist who knows about my Norco problem and has tried to help me, but to no avail. So, she decided to take a course so that she could prescribe suboxone and instructed me to study that medication.
Here is finally a question to anyone who can answer it: Should I go back on the Norcos and wait for my doctor to complete her course sometime in July? I almost am afraid to disapoint her since she is taking the course just for me as I would be her firt patient on suboxone. I do worry about getting my name on a list somewhere because I know that doctors can only prescribe this drug to 30 patients at a time. Or.... do I continue what I have been doing, no Norcos, some clonazepam and one Darvocet a day.
I just am so terribly sad and feel like life is no longer worth living if I have to feel like this. I am ashamed of my attitude, and frankly, I hate myself for it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this extra long email.

God bless all of you, thank you for allowing me to read all your wonderful posts!

Isa

[Isa]

I am back today because I am crawling out of my skin and really feel like telling my husband to please give me my Norco ration again until my doctor is finished with her course allowing to prescribe Suboxone. My previous post stated that she will be ready in July, but, I meant to write sometime in August.
I can't concentrate on my work, and I feel extremely week. Is that normal?
Thank you to anyone who is kind enough to answer me.

Isa

[Mtnskr]

Hi again..

So I am putting off the Sub until Wednesday now....as I still have enough pills for two more days..how pathetic....How is everyone else doing out there?

[Lazer]

I have been on chemo, had my Kidney taken out and a lesion from the original disease that moved to my lung removed. I have OCD, Hypochondriasis, and Panic disorder. I live in fear most of the time, I don't know why (I have a wife who screams at me a lot and am in large debt as well). I started taking Darvocet-6 a day for aches and pains that were unexplained for about 2 years. I found out it makes me feel confident and sharp. But the last 7 months I have gone up to about 11 to 13 a day. I am afraid my liver is damged and I am going to leave the world. Has anyone taken as much as I have? I haven't read anywhere about people having serious consequences from the pills. I am trying to get off of them even though they are the only thing that makes me feel brave enough to go outside and face people. The pharmacy knows I'm addicted. When they fill out my prescriptions on the first day I am able to get them, they throw down the bag with the pills in them on the counter in disgust for the cashier to take care of me. I am so ashamed. Could someone walk me through a typical scenario(if there is one) so I won't feel alone. I have been lurking on this board on and off for a year but I am still not able to grasp what people are saying. Maybe it's my OCD working on me. Please don't laugh at me. I read all the symptoms of an addict and they ALL fit me. Can someone please give me good advice? Thank you.

[sparky]

Very close to starting subx....can anyone who is doen taking or still taking report the experience further please...

[tinkers]

Hi

Board has been very slow about sub it works its better then narcs read my past post its there black and white it seems to me people are affraid of change and so was I but you will be a much happer person on the sub at first you will be alittle worried like if you forget them at home unlike the vics you dont need them all the time you may try to take more then you need thinking they will get you high (they don't) but you might try just do it it works you wont regret it.

[mpvt]

Buprenorphene should always be used before methadone!!Buprenorphene is working very well for most people.The people that are having trouble with it are the ones on high doses of methadone.These patients need to understand that in order for buprenorphene to work they must get their dose down to 30mgs a day or less and be STABLE.If your not stable on 30mgs then it's not likely the buprenorphene will work very well.This drug is really helping alot of people get their lives back on track and I always point people with opiate problems towards it.....Dave

[Isa]

To Lazer,

About the Darvocet, there is a form of Darvon without acetominophen, and a pharmacist could tell you which one. As far as destroying your liver, I took 12 to 15 Tylenol 1 for 25 years and it contains a lot of acetominophen and 8 mgs of codeine. I chose it because in Canada, you can get it over the counter. I recently had a liver function test, and it was normal, but that could change...
I worried so much about my liver that I switched to Hydrocodone, got hooked on the codeine, and am now desperately trying to quit. If you read this board and look for my name, (I am new),you will see where I stand.
I am so sorry that you are going through all this, and I wish you my very best.
Since I am dealing with my own demons, I don't feel qualified to give you advice but you have my full support.
Best of luck,
Isa

[Lazer]

Thank you Isa.

[cluelessNJ]

Chrish~ Thanks for my congrats! I can't believe I made it. Still going strong. I think quitting has been by far my greatest accomplishment.

I hope you are ok. I haven't been around much. Crazy at work because everyone likes to buy houses before the school year starts. Exciting but VERY busy! I think about and pray for you and your family. I hope all is still alright on that front! Send me an email. We gotta catch up!

Girlie~ How are you? Post let me know how your doing!

Tinkers~ I'm glad you are still so active on here. I know my first few months I was here non stop.

Everyone trying to quit~ Keep going! It can be done.

Not so clueless,

CLEAN DATE 1/23/06

[JTMoney]

quote:Originally posted by chrish1

Hey Kirks, I know how you feel. I can remember when I was 3 days clean, and it was a stressful time. I thought I was having a heart attack about once or twice a day. My heart rate was about 110 per minute, and I was anxious as hell.

As for using "just pot" recreationally, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. I've smoked plenty of pot in my day. I was a daily user also for several years. If I am smoking pot daily, I would view that as a problem in itself. It does affect users in negative ways, even if the user doesn't realize it (yet). I recommend doing a little google research on the long term effects of pot use. There is a lot of scientific evidence showing brain damage, psychological dependence, and other issues. I've seen the actual brain scans, and the brains of long term pot users are almost identical to the brain scans of schizophrenics.

The biggest issue with just using pot and alcohol is the fact that they are gateway drugs to more destructive drugs to an addict. You are an example since you were just using those, and they led you to a more destructive drug to you, painkillers. Time and time again, people come into the NA rooms and talk about how it started with "just alcohol" or they were on the "marijuana maintenance program," and it led to something more destructive. That is why we are what we are... addicts. In many other cases, what the user has never had a problem with, becomes the problem itself, given time. It is always a sublte increase. I'm not saying this from my first hand knowledge, I'm telling you what many others have experienced. Why not listen to the countless others who have been there?

You are doing great by putting together a few clean days. Remember, you don't have to worry about tomorrow. Just don't use today.
I recommend finding a sponser and going over the first step. Anyway, I hope this helps some. Whether or not you want to use pills or other drugs is your choice, but I am just giving my opinion. It is a hard pill to swallow. It was very difficult for me to accept that I can't use drugs in any form, but I have accepted it. But, you know what... It's not nearly as bad as you might imagine. As a matter of fact, it's one of the best things I have ever done for myself, and I feel good today.

Chrish

Clean Date: 10/11/05

--ONE DAY AT A TIME--

*NA RECOVERY LITERATURE**

http://www.na.org/ips/eng/index.htm

***HOW TO FIND LOCAL NA MEETINGS****

http://www.na.org/links-toc.htm

Jimmy T

[JTMoney]

Well, I too have been reading this forum for some time and this is the first time I have posted anything. I did not feel I could comment on something I could not do myself. I have been taking some form of pain pills for over 2 years now. It has cost me 2 really good paying high level jobs. I just went to the doctor 4 days ago and he prescribed me SUBOXONE. My friends I will tell you that without a doubt this drug is a miracle drug in my opinion. I use to eat atleast 6-8 10/500 or 10/650 loritab/loricet daily and on a heavy usage day 10-15. I am now on my 4th day and I dont even want one. I know its really hard to believe. I have tried to quit several times and I have a stong will and alot determination(i'm a former Marine) and was unable to. Ive been through the serious withdrawals (cold sweats, body aches, stomache problems, no energy etc) This medication(suboxone) works and I cant understand why more doctors dont prescribe it. It is working for me and I think it would work for the rest of yall. You can get off of the painpills even if you are a heavy user. Dont give up and try to get a phyciatrist to prescribe it for you. Its working for me...I dont even have the urge to take a painpill. Good luck

Jimmy T

[JTMoney]

Sorry for the other post where I accidentally used someone elses post...I appoligize.

Jimmy T

[cluelessNJ]

quote:Originally posted by sparky

Very close to starting subx....can anyone who is doen taking or still taking report the experience further please...

Sparky~ How are you sweetie? Did you start the sub?

Not so clueless,

CLEAN DATE 1/23/06

[heystacie]

My daughter's father is addicted to hydrocodone and ambien. Evidently he's been mixing the two. What is the prognosis? What does the course of treatment look like? How likely is recovery? This combo is new to me - what are the effects (both physiologically and psychologically) of this cocktail? My daughter is asking questions and I want to make certain I provide accurate information.
Thanks,
Stacie

[cluelessNJ]

quote:Originally posted by heystacie

My daughter's father is addicted to hydrocodone and ambien. Evidently he's been mixing the two. What is the prognosis? What does the course of treatment look like? How likely is recovery? This combo is new to me - what are the effects (both physiologically and psychologically) of this cocktail? My daughter is asking questions and I want to make certain I provide accurate information.
Thanks,
Stacie

Stacie~ Welcome. Do you know how much he is taking? How long he has been using?

Unfortuatly, unless her father wants to quit he won't! I know thats not what anyone wants to hear but its the truth. He can't try to quit for anyone else he has to want it for himself.

Not so clueless,

CLEAN DATE 1/23/06

[SWEET BITTER PILLS]

Doggy, It is hell to go CT. She needs to do a MD supervised detox. There are meds that help control the w/d symptoms and it won't last forever, even tho it seems like it now. My advice is STAY AWAY from Suboxone or Subutex. Methadone,Suboxone, your STILL addicted. You will get strung out on that, and no matter what they tell you, you'll just prolong the misery of withdrawal. Best of luck to your girl...

GOD BLESS.

[GCM415]

Hey everyone, I just thought I'd post since I've been reading through some of your posts. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on my situation, since I'm not sure whether mine is objective in regards to it. Anyway, I've been on pain meds for about 4yrs now. I was in a terrible car wreck, and spent a few months in a coma. I ended up going through many internal surgeries, and also having to rehab 6 compound fractures in my left forearm, broken shoulder, broken wrist, broken collar bone, and I also severed the radial nerve in that same arm, so needless to say, I was a mess and am lucky to be here at all. Anyway, throughout my hospital stay, I was on Dilaudid, and Morphine via a PCA pump. At any rate, when I left the hospital, they gave me Lortab to ease the pain, but as you can imagine, it wasn't much of a substitute after 3 months of Morphine/Dilaudid. Obviously there was no way for me get prescribed that strong a pain med, so I ended up just using the Lortabs they prescribed. Well, about a year after I got out, I noticed that I was now taking STRONGER meds by going to a different physician. He would prescribe me 28 Percocet 10's every week, and I would take 4/day exactly. After awhile, I noticed that I really wasn't in as much pain for me to constitute such a strong pain med, so I stopped taking them and started getting prescribed Hydrocodone 15/80, which I "think" is not at strong, even though it has 15mg of Hydrocodone (as my understanding is that 10mg of Oxycodone is stronger than 15mg of Hydrocodone). Anyway, I was taking 4-6 of those 15/8's for awhile, and then I decided that those were too strong to constiture the pain I was in, so I went down to Norco 10/325, and was taking about 4/day of those. It was around the time I started taking the Norco's I realized that I although I have pain from this, and at times it can be BAD, I can see that my body is just feeding an addiction that I have, or it seems that way. At any rate, I've now tapered the dose down to 5mg, and take roughly 4-5/day, so I've gone down substantially, but I can't really tell where I'm at with this thing. I wanna try to taper off even more, down to 2.5mg, and I think I can do it, but I wanted some opinions on what other think of where I'm at, and how I've progressed. Is the Subexone a good idea in my situation? I really think I can live with the pain, and just deal with it, but I know I'm gonna go through so withdrawals like crazy after being on this for so long. Basically, in MY mind, I feel like I've made progress towards getting off them, but I can't tell if I'm fooling myself. I feel like I've been "somewhat" responsible with my meds, in the sense that I've never taken more than one at a time, and I pretty much followed the directions on the bottle in regards to taking them, but I know in my mind that I'm not in as much pain as I think these things are meant for. Of course, I haven't had to go through my pain without it yet (lowered dosage or not), so I don't really know what to expect. Any thoughts on this? Thanks ahead of time for the replies, and I must say that I'm very happy for all of you that have helped yourself or sought help. You truly are a strong group! It's really very refreshing to see these days! Again, thank you ahead of time.

-George

[sparky]

Cluless.....no I have not started....but I 99% sure I will...hopefully before this month is up....I have been procrastinating about the hows and whens....and the having to be "in" withdraw before you take it is causing a big mental roadblock...although I am getting great support from someone who is in the midst of the subx treatment....thanks for your concern...I notice there are some people who feel the subx is not a good choice...please those of you who are doing or finished with subx..please report how you are feeling....do you just feel addicted to another opiate..or do you feel you are actually healing yourself from addiction??

[cluelessNJ]

quote:Originally posted by sparky

Cluless.....no I have not started....but I 99% sure I will...hopefully before this month is up....I have been procrastinating about the hows and whens....and the having to be "in" withdraw before you take it is causing a big mental roadblock...although I am getting great support from someone who is in the midst of the subx treatment....thanks for your concern...I notice there are some people who feel the subx is not a good choice...please those of you who are doing or finished with subx..please report how you are feeling....do you just feel addicted to another opiate..or do you feel you are actually healing yourself from addiction??

Sparky~ Para girl listed a site on the previous page. They have a great suboxone board. Check it out. There is alot of great information there. Many pople currently on and detoxing from sub.
The mental part is very hard. I think you only have to be in mild withdrawl to start. I'm not 100% on that though. I went ct from oxycontin. Keep me posted on how you are!


Not so clueless,

CLEAN DATE 1/23/06

[tinkers]

Sparky

Hows things you know you sound like a tipical addict putting things off asking the same question over and over and hoping to get a different answer the facts are the facts and one day you will start the sub go cold or you will use to you die thats a fact if you cant stop on your own the sub is the way to go I think they say wait 12-16 hours until you take one so you shouldent be that bad in w/d I know I felt great the next day my first day I was a little sick not w/d sick just funky but my wife was great and she thanked me the first morning for getting our lifes back yes it is trading one for the other but sub dont give you that high fealing you just feal good and as time goes buy you depend on it less and less I think that people that had a bad time with it got off it too quick you shoud try a matanence plan over time and slowly ween off and yes it is much easer to ween from these than the pain killers my doctor isent pussing me to get off them i'm doing it in my own time i started at 3 tabs a day and now i'm on 1.5 getting ready to go to 1 so i would have to say at this time either s h i t or get off the pot if you know what i mean sounds like you want to quit you just need to doit.

GOOD luck

[tatata]

Hi All, No codeine since Monday. Still had the runs this morning and took 2 Imodium and got that sorted out. Still feeling like I was having a heart attack though so I took 25 drops of Lexodan, now I don’t know if that was a good idea as I want to come completely clean, but I must say, they have done their job. I can’t keep any food down and I can’t stand the smell of cooking witch is a bit awkward as I have a family to cook for and they haven’t got a clue what I’ve been up to. Please can someone tell me when I’ll start feeling better? Thanks

[tatata]

Hello Again, Well tomorrow will be a week since I stopped taking codeine pain killers (240mg a day for about 3 years). And I’m feeling much better. I even had my first meal today. I stopped having the runs thanks to the Imodium and I haven’t got any cravings because I haven’t got any pain. Even that went away today. The pills were prescribed for me originally for bad headaches due to a vision disorder and a series of eye ops gone wrong. So as you can see my medical state hasn’t healed so this leads me to believe that may be the codeine was actually bring on this awful headaches is I didn’t get enough and on time. Took less Lexatan today as opposed to yesterday and hope to get back to my normal dose with in a few days or even better carry on tapering it off all together. I haven’t craved a pill for 3days now but then again I haven’t walked past a chemist yet and wont be doing so until Tuesday. So please think of me. Thanks and good luck to All.

Tatata

[julz]

I also battle this addiction. I've always said that I don't have an addictive personality... but here I am at 5am, I can't sleep because my legs won't stop kicking and I can't get comfortable. I'm getting constant shivers, my nose is running and I have no energy/lack of motivation. And this is due to the fact that I've been on a good one for almost a year, taking at least 12 pills a day, and as of 48 hours ago, my connection ran out and so did my supply. And I am HATING life!! I feel like a ************** junkie (and well, I guess by definition, that's what I am!) I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get rid of these "kicky legs" that won't let me sleep, or any tips at all on how to cope with this terrible come down. But the scariest part of it all for me, is I can't even say that when my dealer re-ups in a couple days, that I won't go and get back on them. I should just get through this, and be rid of this devil. I'm scared though. I like them too much. This is the second time that I've gone through this. But not by choice. If the pills are there, then I will take them. This is such an awful thing to deal with......