[michelle1122]

yay! i am happy to hear that... tramadol just went in the garbage!!
someone i know just told me they are getting some percs tonight... i told them please dont get me any i dont want to take them ever again! so thats a plus... as i was writing back i was back and forth but i sent the no go message and i wont even have em in front of me!
i am just really happy i had that ONE bad night and 1 ********py day...
the night was the worst but i am doing really well and i am sooo happy... and i am glad to hear that i seem to be one of the lucky ones... i have read a lot of ppl having bad a bad week or 2 and me just 1 or 2 days! whooo... count my blessings and never put myself thru this again casue i hear each time you go thru w/d it gets worse

[Robert_325]

It absolutely gets worse each time you relapse. The next time could be horrid. You can quit for six months and after you take pills again for about 2-3 days you're right back at the worst you've ever been. They never give up trying to get you back for a very long time.

I don't want pills anymore but I've been dealing with stopping for ten years. It's taken a long time to get where I am today getting my fiance's oxycodone out of her RX bottle for her and I don't even consider taking one. I don't want any period. And it's not hard I just don't want any at all. It wouldn't even be fun for me. You will get there too eventually.

You never have to use again! That is very cool. God bless.

[michelle1122]

unfortunatly i think if they were in front of me i would take em and use... but that is why i am doing everything i can to stay away
cause there is that knock in my head that says oh u can just take a couple for the weekend or just one or 2 a day will be okay... but then i actually think about it and i KNOW i will continue more than just a week or 2... i would prob. continue for a year again!
i know i have to be strong here!!

i am proud of you cause u can go get them and not have urge at all i cant wait to get to that point. congrats!! xoxox

[Opee]

Originally Posted by Robert_325

It absolutely gets worse each time you relapse. The next time could be horrid. You can quit for six months and after you take pills again for about 2-3 days you're right back at the worst you've ever been. They never give up trying to get you back for a very long time.

I don't want pills anymore but I've been dealing with stopping for ten years. It's taken a long time to get where I am today getting my fiance's oxycodone out of her RX bottle for her and I don't even consider taking one. I don't want any period. And it's not hard I just don't want any at all. It wouldn't even be fun for me. You will get there too eventually.

You never have to use again! That is very cool. God bless.

I couldn't agree more. I've been off the boards because I've been using, then kicking, using, then kicking. This is a bad one. I've tried kicking 3 times in 4 months or so. I'm on Day 5 and FINALLY feeling better @ 60%. It does get worse each time. Some people can be a casual user and pop a few pills once a week or so and control it. I am not one of those people. I can tell you that the last 6 months have been rocky as hell for me. 6-7 days is the most I've gone in probably 8 years, so tomorrow being Day 6 is a big deal for me. Day 10 is what I keep focussing on.

I found a Lifeline by the name of Kara and she has done more for me over the last 3 days than anyone ever has. You know you're out there, Girl, here's to you, Sweetie!

Opee

[karaboo]

Originally Posted by Opee

I couldn't agree more. I've been off the boards because I've been using, then kicking, using, then kicking. This is a bad one. I've tried kicking 3 times in 4 months or so. I'm on Day 5 and FINALLY feeling better @ 60%. It does get worse each time. Some people can be a casual user and pop a few pills once a week or so and control it. I am not one of those people. I can tell you that the last 6 months have been rocky as hell for me. 6-7 days is the most I've gone in probably 8 years, so tomorrow being Day 6 is a big deal for me. Day 10 is what I keep focussing on.

I found a Lifeline by the name of Kara and she has done more for me over the last 3 days than anyone ever has. You know you're out there, Girl, here's to you, Sweetie!

Opee

Hon, you're not giving yourself enough credit. You're doing the work of getting clean, I'm just providing comic relief and cheering you on

[george bailey]

I was taking 6-8 percocet (10/325) per day for 2 years, and have managed to replace them with the same amt. of vicodin (5/500). I am now down to my last few and scared to death. I am definately an addict, and know I need to get out of this mess.
I like the way they make me feel though... really like it. And I'm scared I won't ever get to have that euphoria again. My (back) pain, to be perfectly honest, isn't deserving of opiates, but I just like the high. Whatever I do will have to be done at home. My wife is an angel, and will help me. But I am genuinely scared.
What can I do? Thanks to anybody who bothers to read this.

[Robert_325]

george ... you've done a good job actually making that switch to the 5/500 vics. That is a step in the right direction. Now you need to finish this off. Check out the following link to the Thomas Recipe. This has helped LOTS of people with lessening the effects of opiate w/d. It works. It won't make symptoms disappear but it helps. Good luck and God bless.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...wal-35169.html

[melinda7.5]

Hi george
Once you get thru the w/d...You will do fine...I started running after i quit my drugs...I only run a mile a day, but when I get done I feel like Im on the top of the mountion no drug could ever touch that...

The thomas recipe that Robert told you about works great...
and here is a little more stuff to help with the mental side of things...
Keep us posted on how you are doing...
Talk to you later, Melinda

Time for some technical talk... One of the things which increases "dependence" is a spike in drug blood plasma levels. Addicts do this on purpose to get a "high". They do it by Snorting (Very fast delivery), IV Injections, Chewing up meds and taking on an empty stomach.

The above all produce the most amount of drug in the blood in an attempt to get a buzz. These spikes are one of the reasons we addicts get hooked faster than a COMPLIANT Chronic Pain Patient.

Being compliant means they take only as directed. The goal of compliance is to maintain an even blood plasma at the minimum amount to treat PAIN and NOT to produce euphoria (a high).

Since the blood plasma levels are lower, the levels of dopamine at the synaptic cleft do not spike so the receptor sites do not downregulate or decrease in number in response to the initially MUCH higher level of dopamine released as a result of spiking.

Addictive dosing behaviors, the large doses associated to Spike the blood plasma level, vs the lower low dosing and more often which is the KEY factor to the physical changes the brain makes which cause dependency.

Dependency is the actual physical changes to your body which cause withdrawal. Addiction is the BEHAVIOR of taking the drugs to get high, not as prescribed, and when not needed for clinical reasons. It is the un-manageable behaviors associated with lack of control.

Which comes first... Dependence or addiction? Usually it's addiction, but it can be the other way, but the key issue which causes the progression of addiction are the behaviors.

Addiction is what makes you take more and more, spiking doses, etc. This in turn increases dependence. The higher your dependence the higher the tollerance... Round and round you go. The addiction merry-go-round.

How to break the cycle? The only way is to change the behavior. That is a very difficult thing. Pain is usually a very good motivator. So is Euphoria. When the pain out weighs the euphoria one starts to consider breaking the cycle. Unfortunately the pain being eliminated by the drug is a driving force. Then the addict associated the RELIEF of th pain to the drug instead of the drug being the CAUSE of the pain.

SOoooooooo what to do? Break the cycle.

Many have to hit bottom to do that. That's the point where the pain of using overwhelms the relief of using. It's an emotional point which is different for different people. Not every one has to hit a bottom to quit. The sooner you quit the less pain and suffering you have to experience.

For folks who are on smaller doses and their disease has not progressed very far, they have not felt the extent of pain addiction can cause. Only conceptualizing how bad it can get may not be good enough to motivate a person early in addiction to quit.

Intellectually we know what lays ahead. We hear the truth from others, but yet we continue to use. It is not until we get a glimpse of the pain that lays ahead do we become to believe we need to quit. One HAS to believe that in fact addiction does lead to the loss of everything and eventually Jails Institutions and Death.

Addiction is a lot easier to nip in the bud physically but maybe not emotionally because one has not experienced the pain first hand. Some need more pain than others to quit. Some don't make it and end up end stage and their addiction wins.

If you want to get off of the pills you have to change your behavior.

1) STOP SNORTING your pills!
2) Stop spiking your dose!
3) stop taking enough to get high

You will never quit until you do that. Weather you can or not is up to you.

You have to come to a point where you make the decision you want to quit. The en you have to make a plan then you have to execute that plan. SIMPLE .... but not easy.

The solution from a clinical point of view for you at your point of addiction is so easy. A simple taper, and change the behavior. In short break the cycle.

How to do a taper is easy. Changing the behavior is the HARD part, but you have to want to change.

If you are taking 6 pills a day... then start taking them in even doses and don't take like 3-4 at a time. 24 hrs divided by 6 = 4 hrs. So only take one pill every 4 hrs. Then take 5 pills in 24 hrs. That's 4.8 hrs. Then 4 pills a day... break pills into 1/2's so you have 8 1/2 pills. and take 1/2 a pill every 3 hrs. Etc.

If you can't stick to a taper give the pills to a friend to dispense.

Mean while .. you have to start changing the way you think and the things you do... You should educate yourself... Good place to do all of that is NA or AA. It's FREE and takes up time. It forces you to be doing something other than sitting around with nothing to do and just thinking about using.

It's not the only way, but it's a good place to start. Take what you need from it, and leave the rest.

If you take the same amount or less every day and don't spike your dose you will eventually quit.

30 mg of Hydro can be tapered to 0 in 2-4 weeks painlessly. The PAWS will be minimal too.

The ball is in your court. We can not make you do anything. Only YOU can.

When you are ready is up to you. If you need to stay "out there" using and see for yourself how bad it will get that's up to you.

My recommendation.. Start to QUIT now! It will be a whole lot easier.

[magsj]

Hi Michelle-

Got a message from Melinda regarding your urine being so dark. Im a urology nurse so thought I'd see if I can help. I know this is repetative and sounds so simple, but the easiest way to see if there is something going on or not is to drink a lot of water in the morning and see if the urine gets lighter later in the day. I can tell you that most of the time it is from not enough water intake. Is the urine yellow or is it brown? Dark brown urine can be caused my old blood coming from either the kidney or bladder, but this isn't very common. Try the water and let me know if it doesn't clear up, or, if it has a redish tinge or if it's dark brown.

Congratulations, sounds like you are truly on the road to recovery!!!!

Best Wishes,

mags

[Opee]

Hey All,

Cruising through Day 6! I got drunk last night so I am having difficulty differentiating between a hangover and withdrawl, but it feels more like a hangover, because I felt better after lunch. I am doing OK.

I had a moment of weakness yesterday. I had a date last night and at like 3:30 in the afternoon I just freaked out thinking I can't do this without pills! I called my guy and left a message. He returned the call at 6:45 as I was getting ready and I told him I got weak and to disregard. I don't need anything. I credit Kara to much of that, she has been my rock. Our constant emails and texts of encouragement are keeping me going. I felt very proud of myself for telling him no. He is a friend and said he was glad I made that decision. Then I got drunk and felt less proud, but as I rarely ever drink (except on my occassional dates) I don't feel to bad about it. Haven't had a drink in 2 weeks and it WAS my birthday (and a date, so there you go). I cannot believe tomorrow will be Day 7. It has been years since I"ve had a "Day 7." That is almost unreal to me. I took my last Klonnie this morning for work and am glad to have tapered off those. I have a few more Xanax, but they'll be gone soon. I'm doing it this time. I really am. Thank you to all of you, I can honestly say I would not be sitting here at Day 6 without this forum. This is a special place full of special people.

Warmest regards,

Opee

[melinda7.5]

Hi Opee
your right Kara is an angel in disguise.I'm really proud of you...
We all know what your going thru...
I'm not trying to scold you but try to stay away from alcohol you know how it is, you do things you would never do when we drink...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... getting clean is the best present you could ever give yourself...
Have a great day !!!
Melinda

[Opee]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi Opee
your right Kara is an angel in disguise.I'm really proud of you...
We all know what your going thru...
I'm not trying to scold you but try to stay away from alcohol you know how it is, you do things you would never do when we drink...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... getting clean is the best present you could ever give yourself...
Have a great day !!!
Melinda

Hey Mel,

That simple post meant alot to me. I know drinking is bad, but I can't beat myself up for a few daliances a month. Ya know what, I am having a good day. Better than I've had in a long time. Kara is a very special person and has been in constant contact with me for the last few days. She says I'm not giving myself enough credit, but I think she's wrong. I would not be here as I sit without her. Or all of you frankly. Tomorrow is Day 7, REALLY looking forward to Day 10!

Warmest Regards,
Opee

[melinda7.5]

Hi opee
the reason why i said that about drinking was because one of the times I quit pills and went out for a few drinks, and I blew it and took a bunch of pills and it was a big set back for me...
I don't know if you read businessman's post when he went out and got drunk
he didn't blow it and I felt bad for him but boy was it funny the way he told it...
Tell Kara hi I don't get to talk to her as much as I would like...
and as far as you go...you are well on your way...
keep up the great work...
Melinda

[Opee]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi opee
the reason why i said that about drinking was because one of the times I quit pills and went out for a few drinks, and I blew it and took a bunch of pills and it was a big set back for me...
I don't know if you read businessman's post when he went out and got drunk
he didn't blow it and I felt bad for him but boy was it funny the way he told it...
Tell Kara hi I don't get to talk to her as much as I would like...
and as far as you go...you are well on your way...
keep up the great work...
Melinda

Hello World! You're right, Mel, I used to drink and then want to score blow, but THAT habit is a solid 4 years dead. Day 7 and I feel good! A sauna last night, a sauna this morning, a tanning bed session and a gallon of water. Let's go! Bring it on, World! I feel better than I've felt in a long time.

Now before I get too far ahead of myself it's only been a week, but it's such a major accomplishment for me personally. I told Kara I'm getting ready to pick up my son and I used to be miserable if I didn't have pills i.e. a ********ty Dad. I'd let him play PS3 all day while I laid on the couch feeling ********py and angry because I had no pills. Not today!

Can't wait to say Good Morning on Day 8. Man, Day 8, that almost sounds like a dream considering the last 6 months!

Warmest Regards,
Opee

[Robert_325]

Opee .... good for you! A week is a miracle if you're anything like I was. You should be proud of yourself. You're past the very worst of it. Now you have to focus on staying clean and getting better mentally. It takes time. But as long as you don't use it will get better every day. You never have to use again. God bless.

[karaboo]

Hey everyone, I'm still around, just having computer issues. Posting from my phone is a pain , but I'm here everyday reading

Melinda and Opee, I'm no angel! I know that most of you here would do the same for me, and to be honest, I am getting back soooooo much more than I give! This forum is a lifesaver, and to think that I can provide the same encouragement I have recieved is humbling to say the least. I can tell you thoughts and screw ups that I am too embarrassed or ashamed to tell others, and it is so cleansing to have the understanding, support and occassional ( and needed) kick in the butt!

You guys are family to me, and being there for one another is what families do (or should, anyway).

Opee, you are doing so good, and day 10 is just around the corner =}. Keep on truckin! One day at a time! Let go and let God! And all those other 12 step slogans LOL.

I'm heading to bed now, and yes mom & dad (Melinda & Robert) I did brush my teeth LOL

G'night!

~Kara

[michelle1122]

morning all....
today is day 7 for me... exactly one week will have passed at 5pm!
the only thing that sucks is that my foot is killing me!
i dont think you know that the reason i was on the pain killers in the first place is cause i have had this really horrible pain and inflammation in the ball of my foot... i cant wear my heels anymore (which i have hundreds of dollars worth of course) it hurts to walk and i really cant do too much without it hurting... even wearing sneakers bothers it sometimes... it just hurts all the time... well it is absolutely killing me today!! BAD...
i have 800 strength motrin which i am taking but that doesnt work!
i have gotten cortisone shots before... they seem to work a little for a while... but usually it hurts worse for 2 days before the injection starts working...
motrin is obviously okay for me to take... i hope lol
and is the cortisone shot okay?? what about anti-inflammitory pills?
i just want to make sure i dont go back down the wrong road...
i need to do something about this pain... it is sooo bad!

[Opee]

Originally Posted by karaboo

Hey everyone, I'm still around, just having computer issues. Posting from my phone is a pain , but I'm here everyday reading

Melinda and Opee, I'm no angel! I know that most of you here would do the same for me, and to be honest, I am getting back soooooo much more than I give! This forum is a lifesaver, and to think that I can provide the same encouragement I have recieved is humbling to say the least. I can tell you thoughts and screw ups that I am too embarrassed or ashamed to tell others, and it is so cleansing to have the understanding, support and occassional ( and needed) kick in the butt!

You guys are family to me, and being there for one another is what families do (or should, anyway).

Opee, you are doing so good, and day 10 is just around the corner =}. Keep on truckin! One day at a time! Let go and let God! And all those other 12 step slogans LOL.

I'm heading to bed now, and yes mom & dad (Melinda & Robert) I did brush my teeth LOL

G'night!

~Kara

Did you floss?

Day 8 and I feel great (hey, that rhymes)! I popped a Xanax more out of habit than anything, I really don't think I even needed it. I only have 7 or 8 left and I think I'll just put them back. Rockin' and rollin'. It was funny how I felt pulling into work today (I work 9am-8pm Mondays - hate it) vs. last Monday. Day One coming off another bender, zombied out on Klonnie and Immodium. Just a train wreck. I'm actually excited today, I have a few fat car deals coming in and am making some money. Which I need desperately as I'm still in dutch a little for last week's "episode!" I told Kara a friend called last night and asked if I needed anything. I told him I was broke and did not need anything. He said, "cool, it's here when you're ready." I didn't bother to tell him I wasn't going to BE ready anytime soon. This ends now. Financially and physically. The best part is, I put myself in such a spot that I can't buy them if I wanted to, and I don't want to. It's alot easier to quit when you remove all your options.

Again, I feel good! For anyone struggling, what helped me the most was Pottassium pills every morning and afternoon, Klonopin, Immodium and a ton of water. As soon as I started hitting that sauna, that was huge. I jokingly told Kara the sauna is my new DOC!!

Much love,
Opee

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by michelle1122

morning all....
today is day 7 for me... exactly one week will have passed at 5pm!
the only thing that sucks is that my foot is killing me!
i dont think you know that the reason i was on the pain killers in the first place is cause i have had this really horrible pain and inflammation in the ball of my foot... i cant wear my heels anymore (which i have hundreds of dollars worth of course) it hurts to walk and i really cant do too much without it hurting... even wearing sneakers bothers it sometimes... it just hurts all the time... well it is absolutely killing me today!! BAD...
i have 800 strength motrin which i am taking but that doesnt work!
i have gotten cortisone shots before... they seem to work a little for a while... but usually it hurts worse for 2 days before the injection starts working...
motrin is obviously okay for me to take... i hope lol
and is the cortisone shot okay?? what about anti-inflammitory pills?
i just want to make sure i dont go back down the wrong road...
i need to do something about this pain... it is sooo bad!

michelle .... has anyone ever told you what the problem in your foot is? It sounds just like what is called a "neuroma". It's a common problem actually. I had to have mine surgically removed from my foot. It was like an ice pick was being jammed right through my instep and down through the ball of my foot every time I took a step. It lasted for months before I finally had it removed. Of course it's never bothered me since.

You should ask about it at an orthopedic surgeon. It was one of the most painful things I've ever had. If that is it you get it removed and it will never bother you again. It's a quickie surgery and a few days to let your foot get over the surgery. You use a crutch for a few days and that is it. I was never so happy to have anything fixed it had hurt SOOOO badly. I hope that is it and they will fix it for you. God bless.

Originally Posted by jworley35

Yes -- for me the bad nights are the worst -- I feel like my skin is crawling mainly on my limbs (arms & legs) and I just toss and turn and sweat and am cold -- truly, truly awful. I am happy to be on day 4 now and I do feel a little better today aside from the major headache I had when I woke up this morning. I took some tylenol for that -- but I feel like I might be able to actually get some work done today. Yesterday (day 3) I could not get ANYTHING done, and I felt soooooo bad. If every day moving forward gets better, I think I can actually kick this for good!

Also -- thanks for the advice on the getting up instead of fighting the sleeplessness. I will see if tonight is better than the last and if not, I will just get up and take a walk or something.

Thanks so much again!

Jeff

Your story sounds just like mine, I too was hooked on vicodin and at my peak I was up to about 12-15 a day. Feel free to read my story at Veteran Vicodin Addict. Just as with you the muscle pain and cramps at night were the worst I used tylenol PM and flexril (a muscle relaxer) to help me sleep. It was about day 5 or 6 when it started getting better for me.
Please keep it up you are doing so well and the worst of it will be over soon.

Best Wishes and keep up the strength to win...IT IS SO WORTH IT !!

[michelle1122]

robert -- it took years before someone finally took an MRI -- they first took x-rays and thought it was fractured even tho there was nothing on the x-ray... they put me in a walking boot, then on crutches... nothing helped... finally they did an MRI -- it says there is fluid or something under my big toe (where it flexes)
i actually have my MRI reading right here... it says probable focal tendinosis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon (lol whatever that means) and it says small intraosseous cyst of the proximal phalanx.
drs. have called is sesamioditis...
whatever that is... and only one doc of all 10 i have seen have said to maybe get surgery to take out the sesamoid bone...
surgery worries me though...

what do you think? does that sound like anything you know?? lol sorry for the doctor terms... i still dont understand why its been like this... FOR TWO YEARS! i am in such pain and it sucks bad

[Robert_325]

michelle ... I swear it sounds EXACTLY like the neuroma I mentioned. The symptoms are identifcal. I had the problem for a year before having it fixed. They did shots in it, all kinds of garbage first and nothing would fix it. I finally told the surgeon to remove it and it's been perfect since.

It's right in the center of the instep and down into the ball of the foot. A neuroma is caused by trauma and sometimes they go away and sometimes they don't. It was literally driving me nuts. I could barely walk. They simply cut into the instep between the toes and remove it.

I think you should ask an orthopedic surgeon about it being a "neuroma". I'm serious. It hurts so badly and if that is it they can fix it in an hour. It's SOOO worth the surgery. They did it with a local. I didn't even have to be unconscious so that should relieve you if surgery scares you. I would surely talk with a specialist about it. It's fixed so easily if that is it.

I bet 10 to 1 it's a neuroma like I said. God bless.

[michelle1122]

robert - i looked up neuroma - that is more towards the middle of the foot... my pain in right under the big toe on the ball of my foot... on the outside of the foot...
if u look up sesamoiditis - that is exactly what it seems to be... and it doesnt give much help on what to do to make it go away... or at least nothing that i havent tried already

[caughtagain]

Hi Everyone. I have read and re-read post after post. I have been inspired by all the accounts that I have read. Today is day one for me, and I am asking for the groups help. A little bit about me. Well, I am in the executive world, not that means anything with this drug/medication, but my point is, No one knows of my struggle, my pain, my fear, my absolute horror. I do not doctor shop. I do not drink, I do not smoke. I am just someone who hurt their back almost a year ago and thought they could handle the dragon. The irony is, my hurt was legitimate, my overuse brought back memorys from 16 years ago when I did all of the above that I now do not do. You see I was and addicts addict. I could convince any Doc I wanted to give me what I wanted. I would wake up on the weekends and my sole purpose would be to go to a hospital or dentist and get what I needed based on my ability to sell the symptoms. Man was I a sham. Anyway, I lived two lives. Secretly...... I beat the dragon, but obviously did not sleigh him. My use was 7.5 vicodin 10-15 a day. I was using OC 20 3 times a day, but tod my doc i wanted off, so I switched myself to the vic's. So here I am, done in my mind. I do not want to go back to 16 years ago. I want to be an advisor like so many on this forum. But I need to beat this. As far as Support, you are looking at it. no one, nada. I have worked through my many attempts. Although as many of you know, the "flu" is always there. I sure would apreciate eveyone's help. As far as what I am doing. Kind of doing a modified THomas. Immodium, L-tyrosine, I work out twice a week (light work out)Thanks again.

[Robert_325]

michelle ..... I believe you as you would know where it hurts. I just wanted to be sure it wasn't something being overlooked. My surgery was actually between the second and third toe and the incision was a good few inches. But it did start under the toes at the front end of my foot.

I just know it really hurts to walk when your foot hurts that badly. There was NO medication that made the pain go away so I didn't even bother. I hope you can find something that helps it. I know how you feel with a bum foot. You can't do anything that requires you standing up without it hurting. God bless.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by caughtagain

Hi Everyone. I have read and re-read post after post. I have been inspired by all the accounts that I have read. Today is day one for me, and I am asking for the groups help. A little bit about me. Well, I am in the executive world, not that means anything with this drug/medication, but my point is, No one knows of my struggle, my pain, my fear, my absolute horror. I do not doctor shop. I do not drink, I do not smoke. I am just someone who hurt their back almost a year ago and thought they could handle the dragon. The irony is, my hurt was legitimate, my overuse brought back memorys from 16 years ago when I did all of the above that I now do not do. You see I was and addicts addict. I could convince any Doc I wanted to give me what I wanted. I would wake up on the weekends and my sole purpose would be to go to a hospital or dentist and get what I needed based on my ability to sell the symptoms. Man was I a sham. Anyway, I lived two lives. Secretly...... I beat the dragon, but obviously did not sleigh him. My use was 7.5 vicodin 10-15 a day. I was using OC 20 3 times a day, but tod my doc i wanted off, so I switched myself to the vic's. So here I am, done in my mind. I do not want to go back to 16 years ago. I want to be an advisor like so many on this forum. But I need to beat this. As far as Support, you are looking at it. no one, nada. I have worked through my many attempts. Although as many of you know, the "flu" is always there. I sure would apreciate eveyone's help. As far as what I am doing. Kind of doing a modified THomas. Immodium, L-tyrosine, I work out twice a week (light work out)Thanks again.

You can do this. Sounds like you've been here before so you know how to get clean. It's staying clean you'll need the work on. In the meantime add some vitamin B-6 with the L-Tyrosine. It helps with absorption. Drink Gatorade for any dehydration from diarrhea. It has lots of electrolytes. Although the imodium AD works well for diarrhea. Take it as needed. Take HOT showers/baths and get some regular exercise even if you don't feel like it. Even a good walk around the block is the best medication there is for opiate w/d. Do a walk mid-evening then hit a long, hot bath about an hour before bedtime. It will help you get a little sleep at least. And unless you have medical problems it wouldn't hurt to take valium/klonopin as needed for a few days. Even an ambien for sleep is not a big deal. Keep us posted how you're doing. You'll get plenty of support. You can even start your own thread if you like. You'll get more replies that way. God bless.

[michelle1122]

you are completely correct... it is the worst pain in the world and i have been hurting so bad since yesterday... i am not sure what i can do to help this... i even wear a little pad under my arch to help distribute weight more evenly so not as much pressure goes to where the pain is...
nothing helps and its horrible... but i guess we will see what the doc says... i feel like they have all said the same thing - anti-inflammitory pills and rest... but i dont do anything that would be considered not rest... i dont work out... i just work at a desk all day and get up just to go to the printer and go to the bathroom then after work i cook and then lay on the couch with my husband... i really dont do anything to irritate is and i def. dont wear my nice shoes... so i dont undersatnd why this has been like this for 2 years!
foot pain is the worst in the world i feel like i am going crazy
but on another note -- i am on day 7 and i feel great!!!

[caughtagain]

Thanks for the information. For now, I think I will stick with you all. It has taken me this long just to join in. The strange thing is, I as much as I read, I just cannot wait to get to the other side, which I figure will be about a week.... Is there a formula to determine severity of WD. with what I use now that is.? 10-12 7.5 a day for 3 months... Before that I was taking oc 20mg 3-4 times a day. Man I can't wait for each dayto pass. Thanks Robert.

[michelle1122]

i would say that it is different for each person... i was taking about 6 or 7 7.5 vics a day for at least a year...
just do what robert suggested and i think it will help you a lot... he sure helped me a lot

just keep remembering why you are doing this... it will get better - i promise
i am 1 week clean and so happy

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by caughtagain

Thanks for the information. For now, I think I will stick with you all. It has taken me this long just to join in. The strange thing is, I as much as I read, I just cannot wait to get to the other side, which I figure will be about a week.... Is there a formula to determine severity of WD. with what I use now that is.? 10-12 7.5 a day for 3 months... Before that I was taking oc 20mg 3-4 times a day. Man I can't wait for each dayto pass. Thanks Robert.

The worst of it will last about 4-5 days most likely. Then each day will get a little easier. Once we get to a certain point, even though one person takes more pills than another, it seems the w/d are pretty similar for the most part. So just don't use no matter what and by the weekend you should start feeling better. God bless.