[zippersmom]

Hi everyone. I want and need to get off vicodin now. I have 4 pills left and no access to more. I've been taking anywhere from 3-6 a day (5 mg hydrocodone/w tylenol) and have been on them off & on for a year.

I started due to knee pain, got a scope then 2 1/2 months ago, total knee replacement surgery. My orthopedic surgeon and primary care physican will not give me more and actually, I am glad. I want off of them now.

I'm not interested in getting a script for the sub stuff I've been reading about. No judgment - just I know this is the time for me to quit - period.

I'm asking for tips and support.

Thanks!

[money_chick]

You just came to the right place!

Alright, so at most you take 30 mgs of hydro a day. Is that correct? Thats pretty darn low, though it seems hard to you. You can do this pretty easily.

Go get:

Immodium
Valerian Root (even if you have valium or xanax)
Hylands Lge cramp pills with Quinine. Its in the vitamin isle,, in a red box at Walmart.
Fish oil
Multi vitamin
Soup
Ice cream ( trust me here)



First thing, when are we quitting? Tomorrow? GOOD! Gives you plenty of time to make a store run. Get some towels and other laundry done, and I will meet you here later. LOL

I'm Money, nice to meet you.

(PS- I've withdrawn from every darn opiate out there at some HiGh doses..... you'll be fine. There are wonderful people who will walkk you through every step....)


AND NO BEING SCARED. It wont be that bad at all.

My screen name on AOL is in my profile, so IM me if you like.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by zippersmom

Hi everyone. I want and need to get off vicodin now. I have 4 pills left and no access to more. I've been taking anywhere from 3-6 a day (5 mg hydrocodone/w tylenol) and have been on them off & on for a year.

I started due to knee pain, got a scope then 2 1/2 months ago, total knee replacement surgery. My orthopedic surgeon and primary care physican will not give me more and actually, I am glad. I want off of them now.

I'm not interested in getting a script for the sub stuff I've been reading about. No judgment - just I know this is the time for me to quit - period.

I'm asking for tips and support.

Thanks!

Money_chick is right. This won't be all that bad. You'll feel pretty badly for four days or so, maybe a little longer, but then each day will get a little better. Just post as you go along and you'll receive lots of suggestions. You've made the decision, now just go through the steps. You only have to do this one time and then you never have to use again. God bless.

[cagirl]

Hi and Welcome Zippersmom....Yes you are at the right place...First of all Congrats for wanting and being ready to quit for what you are taking it wont be bad at all ....You will feel bad for maybe 5 days or so, but everyones different.....When You do feel bad from WD's just keep in mind its only temporary and you are not alone, and you will survive we all did here....Keep Posting and Good Luck to you...Keep Positive !!!!!

[zippersmom]

money and robert - thanks so much!

yes 30 mg is the most but the last 4-5 days only 15 mg per day. i'm home from work with a horrible chest and head cold so i'm thinking perfect time to do this since i'm already off work.

i'll keep checking back and thank you thank you. i don't feel alone now.

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by Robert_325

Money_chick is right. This won't be all that bad. You'll feel pretty badly for four days or so, maybe a little longer, but then each day will get a little better. Just post as you go along and you'll receive lots of suggestions. You've made the decision, now just go through the steps. You only have to do this one time and then you never have to use again. God bless.

We're all going through this. One hour at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time. Believe me, it can get rough, but it gets better. I found Aleve, tylenol PM & tylenol arthritis to be very helpful and definitely the valerian root. Orange juice and gatorade were good too. I'm on my 3 week TOMORROW! good luck, post a lot, and have faith. I feel so good today, just 4 or 5 days ago I felt totally hopeless. You can do it! Peg

[money_chick]

Hell, youre never alone here... we're like stalkers...lol.

Just kidding. You'll be fine. Just be prepared and don't let your mind scare you, ok? That's very important. If you are reading horror stories of withdrawls- STOP. They'll only mess with your head.

I'm clean since 9/23 after using for.... well.... bout ten times as long as you. And I did it cold turkey, too. And I LIVED!!!


Just let us know anything you need.

Oh by the way- This isnt for everyone but some ppl have trouble with bendryl CAUSING restless legs which you will have anyway, so look for a OTC sleep aid without that active ingredient, ok?

[opiatelover]

With the amount of hydros your taking you really shouldnt have much withdraw problems. But ive found that darvocets work well to ween yourself off opiates. Talk to your doc and tell him your withdraw symtoms. But i honestly think you could rough it out since its such a small amount. I dont even mess with hydros anymore. I could take 10 of the 10/325 and not feel a thing. I wish i were u

[money_chick]

Opiatelover, look at my screen name...lol...

Anyway, I know what you mean. In the end of active addiction I got nothing no matter what or how many I took.

Sounds like you may be headed there too. Bad place.

[zippersmom]

i like reading your comments about not letting my mind go off, letting my thoughts get scared and - also not looking at some websites listing horrible withdrawals. i was reading them and was freaking out.

i've already had times in the past where my mind starting saying i needed it and felt anxious.

besides the obvious i want to quit because i found i don't wanna do anything unless i have the hydros in me and the pill bottle in my purse.

i'm also happy to read about my dose being fairly small. i know it is but mentally i can't seem to grasp that. but if you folks could make it on larger doses - i can!

i'll keep checking and posting. you all are the BEST

[Junkie781]

Hey Zippersmom, you'll be FINE! If you can just get yourself through the next few days, by this time next week you will probably be wondering why you ever thought you needed those pills in the first place. Everyone withdraws a little differently, but, depending on your body chemistry and weight, the duration of your drug use and the dosages you've been taking, you could recover from this (Physically, at least) relatively quickly.....be grateful that you haven't graduated to something heavier than what you've been taking......

This place is a great resource for supportive and understanding people. Keep checking in here and hang in there it WILL *definitely* get better for you!

THe key is not using. Just don't use for a day.

[zippersmom]

I still can't get over the support. Thank you so much everyone.

I took one this morning; one 1/2 hour ago (so almost 8 hours apart) and have 3 left. I'm wondering about what to do with the 3. In one way, I like that they are here - the idea of having nothing scares me. But on the other hand I have 3 days ahead of me, not working. This would be a good time to go through withdrawal.

I'm concerned about going through withdrawal while being at work and will be back to work on Monday. I really can't call in sick. I've been off for 2 1/2 months already from my knee replacement surgery and only recently returned.

I have already been having "restless legs" (although only the one with the new knee) and one of you wrote that I would have this condition during the withdrawal. So, now I'm wondering if it's because I have been cutting back so drastically the last couple of days. Maybe it's withdrawal and not from my surgery?

Even with my horrible chest and head cold I took money chick's advice and went to the store. Bought o.j.; some other sugar-free juice; soup. I already have tons of vitamins, minerals - so I took an extra dose of those too. I'm taking Aleve Sinus & Cold - 1 every 12 hours. It really helps with my stuffy nose. And have vicvaporub on me cause of the cold.

So, I can' really tell what I'm feeling is from my cold, or cutting way back.

One thing I've realized is I don't wanna get into a huge head trip...like, "OMG I'm going through withdrawal!!!". It would be easy for me to do.

So, to counteract this I'm reading all of your posts about every hour.

Yes, I'm so thankful I didn't get into something heavier. A month before my surgery I was taking around 10 7.5's a day. So, it's a good thing that my surgeon has cut me back.

You all rock. I'll continue to read!!!

[icandoitin08]

You are in the right place and will get a lot of the support you need. Try not to focus on it all day. Don't look for w/d you will know when it hits. Try to keep busy and go about you day the best you can. It is ok to take a nap if you are tired or lay on the couch and do nothing. Sometims people need to hear that it is ok to take a break. I know I need to hear that sometimes. Keep posting everyone here can help. It will be nice to spend the Holidays not all pilled up. That is what I am looking forward to!

Good luck to you!

[money_chick]

I understand not wanting to miss work. I say go cold today, and by monday morning I think the worst will be over. You will still be tired and lethargic, but you could make it. I've seen one woman here work through 100 mg a day oxy withdrawl...

You got Valerian Root, right?

Yeah, the RLS sucks, and I figured you had some wds when I saw you had cut to two a day. That's another good reason to jump off now.

I kept 2 or 3 pills when I quit too. After a couple days ( when I knew I wasnt gonna die) I flushed them. Its all in your head. Just do NOT use them, ok?

Wouldnt it be great to be sober for Christmas? It'll be my first sober one in.... um.... a long time.

We're here. Tell us when you've taken that last pill, and we'll walk you through.

[opiatelover]

Money-Chick. No worries. Ive been to that bad place before. I am 24. I started taking pills when I was 12, and by 16 I was doing meth very bad. For almost 4 years I was hooked on that ********************. I've been clean from it for 5 years. Nowadays, I just prefer good opiates. I do it well. I function well. Worked at the same place for 2 years,(and thats alot to say from where I've been. Sometimes, I go 2 whole weeks with no pills, and I've never had major withdraws, oh yea, except when I got strung out on those oxy's. That was FREAKIN BAD! Anyways, just thought I'd tell you a little something. Everyone else on here seems to think I'm some wacked out, anal plunger, with major problems. WRONG!!!!!!

[learning_to_be_free]

I think with the amount your using your w/d should be mild and short take a cal/mag supplement for the RLS and eat bananas. follow what you can of the Thomas Recipe if you dont have it is at www.dpeg.org talk to the dr about maybe a 5-7 day supply of valuim so you have a slight chance of getting some quality sleep and your not so anxious through out this process. Have you told your dr you feel that you are dependant on these meds? if so they probably wont have a problem with the very short valuim request. Above all w/d will end then you can start your life again. You have got support here.

[money_chick]

I dont think that...lol... I know whats out there. I ran in some strange circles.

If you can quit meth, why not just stop opiates? YOu and I know you wont always feel good. Stop while you're ahead, I say...

[rock1101]

You seem like you are in the same position I was when I first came here wanting to detox. Your dose amount was the exact same as mine was.

For me it took only 3 days and on to the 4th day before I started feeling better. Your detox SHOULD be very short. But, everyone is different, so you just never know how long it will exactly take.

Just go through the steps that money_chick gave you. Remember Immodium works great. One good thing that will make the detox easier is keeping those mean bathroom trips in check.

When you feel the worse, try to listen to music that will make you feel better, lay and bed and watch tv, and do whatever you can to keep your mind of the withdrawals.

Now if I were you, I would do my best to find someone who had some valium or xanax to give you, so you can get through it a little easier. These will make the detox a bit easier.

Take many hot baths, for the baths will help you with the restless legs you might experience when you go to bed, and the ice cream works great too.

You can do this, it will be quick for you. The only thing you have to remember is not to make the same mistake I did. My first detox was quite easy, and I was off the pills for a while until the cravings got to me and I relapsed. I don't know if you crave them, but I did and still do to this day. Don't let yourself talk you into getting back on these pills again, because the next time you detox will be so much worse.

I hope the best for you. -John

[zippersmom]

again my sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation for sharing, your support. i'm doing pretty well...at least now. yesterday and most of today was bad bad bad. i decided i needed to go to the local urgent care center - my head cold went to my chest - i've been coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose like crazy - and today i had a fever, body aches so bad i could barely stand it.

i'm not sure how much is w/d or the cold/flu - but i guess it doesn't really matter. the dr. gave me an antiobiotic script, and cough syrup with codene. the cough syrup took the edge off and i can lay down without constantly coughing. the only pain med i'm taking is ibuprofen.

great idea on the calc/mag - i will do. bought some bananas too. am still downing the vitamins, minerals. i hate the restless legs stuff. am not a bath person but i think i'll take you up on the suggestion.

no, i didn't tell either dr (orthopedic surgeon or primary care) that i was concerned about w/d. i really don't wanna go that route.

one of my co-workers had knee replacement surgery 6 weeks before me. we've shared pill stories and he's in a lot worse shape than me as far as the number he takes and what (percocets). i emailed him today about you all, and he just emailed me back - saying he wants to get off em too and thinks he'll check the website out.

see the great work you all do and how important it is??? your kindness, encouragement, support and non-judgment has a broad reach.

jeez - i feel this weird bond with you all and haven't even met ya.

until my next post.....

[rtoliver1]

Im in your same boat DONT PSYCH YOURSELF OUT!!! I have been on about 30-40 MG of hydro a day for about 3 years and nver let myself get out of hand. When the online Pharms went bust and my DR got mean, 2 days a go when i was about to run out I said IM DONE!!! Im sick of chasing pills, IM sick of waking up in WD, Im sick of being sick of this stupid habit.

I went cold turkey 2 days ago and it really isnt near as bad as I thought. I have been wanting to go off for years now but have been scared of WD...Im in your same boat, we dont take to much. I would feel like ******************** after not taking a pill for 8 hours. ...it seemed like yesterday when I went cold turkey that 8 hr mark i felt like HELL...but it didnt las t long and now at a day and a half Im feeling not to bad.

THIS IS ALL MENTAL....dont get scared!!! and dont listen to people trying to get you on SUB or Methadone YOU/WE dont need it!!

I still have 20 pills left and once you set your mind to it...you dont want to take them. Every Hr that goes by, its a hour closer to being HYDRO free.

GOOD LUCK YOU CAN DO IT....

[money_chick]

Glad you posted- I was worried! Today is sunday, so I assume you posted that last night since the time on this board is so goofy. Yeah, alot of that ache was pribably wds, but whats its even matter? YOu are doing great.\


When was the last pain pill taken? I can sort of judge where yo are that way.

You're cough syrup does have codiene, and thats an opiate too, so only use it till the cough is under control. Its not much- maybe 20mg in it- so dont even worry. Just stop using it as soon as you are able too.

You got the leg cramp pills? It says take two, I always took three. But the RLS will pass in several days.

So, when did you take the last pain pill? Friday?

Hang in!

[zippersmom]

moneychick - yes, friday was my last day. no i haven't gotten the rls pills yet but dang i was at the pharmacy yesterday and forgot.

bad headache this morning but am gonna take some ibu.

i'm still on only parttime hours at work cause of my knee surgery. so that will help.

rioliver1 - WAY TO GO!

back to bed

[windy gurl]

I also want off this merry go round. I have 25 Hydros left. I have cut them in half to try and taper off. I am tired of the game. I am scared but I know I cant keep on this road. I have been on them straight for a year. I take 3-7 a day depending on my day. I do take them not for pain, but for a buzz, which i rarely get anymore. I know this is all mental, but the thought of not having them scares me. HELP...I want to get off them I am tired of them controlling me.

[Sue13]

I have been doing a slow taper off the hydrcodone (down to 2 today) but I am going to try to c/t it.

Really sick of this.

Sue

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by windy gurl

I also want off this merry go round. I have 25 Hydros left. I have cut them in half to try and taper off. I am tired of the game. I am scared but I know I cant keep on this road. I have been on them straight for a year. I take 3-7 a day depending on my day. I do take them not for pain, but for a buzz, which i rarely get anymore. I know this is all mental, but the thought of not having them scares me. HELP...I want to get off them I am tired of them controlling me.

Hi windy gurl
I'm glad you posted,I too was addicted to a lot of pain med's for about 3 years
I did a taper and then quit when I was taking two 5mg vic's a day.I was sick for a few day's still but OH my friend it is so worth it.I have money again.I never have to worry if I have enough pills for the day.Life really is good again.
You really need to try it...LOL
Let us know how we can help
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[Sue13]

Windy Gurl and anyone else on this thread...

I am in my first...say ... 6 hrs of c/t. Got rid of all the scripts and hydros I had left (except for chickening out and taking 1-1/2 this morning at 7.

I would love to have pals going through the first few days with me, so Windy Gurl, join in.

Sue