[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

I have a question for the forum.
If you read my story you can see that I do have some rather severe injuries to my feet and knees (lots of muscle and tendon damage plus). Usually 2 times a month or more I get flare ups that are very painful. I used to take large quantities of vicodin which the docs gave me quite liberally. Well since that is off the table forever what are some safer alternatives, and no tylenol and motrin are not even close to strong enough to help.
I heard that Darvocet is a possible alternative, that I will have less chance of addiction with it. Is it a safe alternative or not ???

Just curious.....

Once again, be honest with your doc, and he'll point you to the right alternatives. Keep pushing and i'll keep pulling.

[Robert_325]

Musicman is right. DON'T EVEN consider a darvocet. Wrong choice. Give yourself some time and the Motrin/Ibuprofen will work better. You still have opiates in your system. Be patient. God bless.

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by Robert_325

Musicman is right. DON'T EVEN consider a darvocet. Wrong choice. Give yourself some time and the Motrin/Ibuprofen will work better. You still have opiates in your system. Be patient. God bless.

Robert, how long does vics/percs and morph stay in your body?

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

I have a question for the forum.
If you read my story you can see that I do have some rather severe injuries to my feet and knees (lots of muscle and tendon damage plus). Usually 2 times a month or more I get flare ups that are very painful. I used to take large quantities of vicodin which the docs gave me quite liberally. Well since that is off the table forever what are some safer alternatives, and no tylenol and motrin are not even close to strong enough to help.
I heard that Darvocet is a possible alternative, that I will have less chance of addiction with it. Is it a safe alternative or not ???

Just curious.....

darvacet has an even larger quantity of tylenol than vics(plus its an opiate & a worthless 1 at that) and you have had enough tylenol I would stay away from it for awhile to let your liver do some healing. I read you take tylenol PM to help you sleep. If you like the sleep effect it gives you just take benadryl thats the sleeping ingredient in it if you take for pain and sleep try advil PM. you have been abusing your liver with acetaminophen(tylenol) sometimes that gets overlooked when we abuse painkillers but its just as bad for your body if not worse than the opiates. I agree that motrin 800mg is the best for pain but if its not enough for you talk with your dr about non-narcotic pain relief beware of ultram/tramadol they are also addicting even though they are marketed as nonaddicting meds. I havent found a really good effective way to relieve pain except hot showers, hot tubs when I can get to one(rarely happens), motrin, and heating pads or ice packs when its stabbing pain. GREAT job on getting clean and THANKS for your service to our country

[money_chick]

I'm still having alot of pain myself, and I cant seem to find somoe relief. I am taking etodolac and hylands leg cramp pills for my back pain, but it doesnt help much. When the pain is unbearable, I make Kratom tea, but only very occasionally.

I'm sorry you hurt. I understand and it STINKS.

OMG !! Thank you all for the input on these questions....It is so nice to know that you all care enough to reply. Ok since Darvocet is an Opiate forget it. I have a Drs appointment next week and I will discuss this with him. I agree and I am worried about the fact that I put so much tylenol into my system. I no longer need or use the Tylenol PM I just took it to help with the worst of the w/d pains. I have plenty of Motrin 800 with a bunch of refills and when the next flare ups come I will stick to that. My Dr also perscribed me indocin which is a 3rd generation NSAID and it seems to help reduce the duration of my pain. I have to resolve myself of the fact that opioids of all types are off the table forever. I do not want to get hooked and go through this again !!!!
I just hope and pray that my story and input helped some of you as well, your posts helped me more than I can say.

10 days clean and going for more !!!

Originally Posted by pbs8218

Once again, be honest with your doc, and he'll point you to the right alternatives. Keep pushing and i'll keep pulling.

I would like to thank you especially, I am a very competitive person, i guess it is in my military blood Our little back and forth day by day has helped me get through the worst and for that i can never thank you enough ! I hope I helped you as well in some small way.

THANK YOU !!!!

[pbs8218]

Melinda, have you heard from lilbri? Just want to see if he's ok Peg

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

I would like to thank you especially, I am a very competitive person, i guess it is in my military blood Our little back and forth day by day has helped me get through the worst and for that i can never thank you enough ! I hope I helped you as well in some small way.

THANK YOU !!!!

How long were u in the military? Was it Airforce? I had a friend that died back in Saudi Arabia/kuwait, im not sure. Army, great guy. "Always the good die young" huh? I could never imagine any of my sons ever having to go fight in any war, just being more than 10 miles away from me and I still panic, at almost 20 and almost 22, i think they're ready for Mommy to step back. But I can only imagine the agony of your family wondering what was going on when you were gone. My cousin was in the Navy, anytime he was called out, he was never allowed to tell his family where he was or call them. Did you see alot of combat? Were you around the people in Iraq? If so, were they nice to you? Sorry for being so nosy, I just find it very interesting. I KNOW you will make this, you sound SO committed, you are so strong in your conviction to stop, that even a day ahead of you, i feel like I'M following you. That make any sense? Peg

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

OMG !! Thank you all for the input on these questions....It is so nice to know that you all care enough to reply. Ok since Darvocet is an Opiate forget it. I have a Drs appointment next week and I will discuss this with him. I agree and I am worried about the fact that I put so much tylenol into my system. I no longer need or use the Tylenol PM I just took it to help with the worst of the w/d pains. I have plenty of Motrin 800 with a bunch of refills and when the next flare ups come I will stick to that. My Dr also perscribed me indocin which is a 3rd generation NSAID and it seems to help reduce the duration of my pain. I have to resolve myself of the fact that opioids of all types are off the table forever. I do not want to get hooked and go through this again !!!!
I just hope and pray that my story and input helped some of you as well, your posts helped me more than I can say.

10 days clean and going for more !!!

Dont worry about the tylenol just steer clear if you can if you have to take it from time to time it shouldnt hurt any. I didnt mean to worry you. I dont want to cause any undue stress at an already stressful time but I wanted you to know darvecet is completely worthless for pain(at least at your level) has too much acteminophen and is actually an opiate though you could probably never tell! not even sure why they make it anymore. I guess for peps with no drug history but even then I think its useless. Before I ever used opiates I was perscibed it & it didnt touch my pain as well as 1-200mg motrin did.

Originally Posted by pbs8218

How long were u in the military? Was it Airforce? I had a friend that died back in Saudi Arabia/kuwait, im not sure. Army, great guy. "Always the good die young" huh? I could never imagine any of my sons ever having to go fight in any war, just being more than 10 miles away from me and I still panic, at almost 20 and almost 22, i think they're ready for Mommy to step back. But I can only imagine the agony of your family wondering what was going on when you were gone. My cousin was in the Navy, anytime he was called out, he was never allowed to tell his family where he was or call them. Did you see alot of combat? Were you around the people in Iraq? If so, were they nice to you? Sorry for being so nosy, I just find it very interesting. I KNOW you will make this, you sound SO committed, you are so strong in your conviction to stop, that even a day ahead of you, i feel like I'M following you. That make any sense? Peg

I was in the Air Force for 15 years, I reenlisted for the last time for 6 years in 2006. 3 months after I reenlisted for the last time the military doctors referred me to the medical review board. They decided to medically retire me early so in June 2006 I retired. I receive a disability retirement from the Air Force and the VA.
I spent a lot of time all over the US and overseas including the middle east. I did 2 tours in Iraq and Kuwait and along with my family spent 2 years in Eastern Turkey near the Syrian border. I did see some action in Iraq, first in Kirkuk we were under mortar fire from insurgents almost daily. On my second tour in Southern Iraq my convoy was fired on many times, one round missed my head and hit my rear view mirror by inches. The worst memory is that of a friend of mine killed in action, I still mourn to this day. I guess for someone in the Air Force I saw more than most but despite the bad things I would never trade my time in the military for anything, it was my privilage to serve. The great thing is where I am now, I have a great high paying position with the Department of Veterans Affairs so I feel like I get to give a little back to my fellow vets. I hate to say it but my family got used to me being "gone". I spent so much time deployed and away for training and other military business that it was a regular part of my life. The good thing is my wife and kids have had the privilage of living in diffrent parts of the US and world. I would support any of my kids if they decided that the military was what they wanted to do.
Ok I am not ahead of you we are almost even I yes I think we will both make it !!

Originally Posted by learning_to_be_free

Dont worry about the tylenol just steer clear if you can if you have to take it from time to time it shouldnt hurt any. I didnt mean to worry you. I dont want to cause any undue stress at an already stressful time but I wanted you to know darvecet is completely worthless for pain(at least at your level) has too much acteminophen and is actually an opiate though you could probably never tell! not even sure why they make it anymore. I guess for peps with no drug history but even then I think its useless. Before I ever used opiates I was perscibed it & it didnt touch my pain as well as 1-200mg motrin did.

You are correct while I am not going to stress about it I am still concerned that I did take enormous quantites of Tylenol over the last year and if there are alternatives that do not involve using it I will favor those for a while. I have plenty of Motrin 800s so I will stick with those as needed until I see my Dr next week.

THANKS AND KEEP IT UP !!

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

I was in the Air Force for 15 years, I reenlisted for the last time for 6 years in 2006. 3 months after I reenlisted for the last time the military doctors referred me to the medical review board. They decided to medically retire me early so in June 2006 I retired. I receive a disability retirement from the Air Force and the VA.
I spent a lot of time all over the US and overseas including the middle east. I did 2 tours in Iraq and Kuwait and along with my family spent 2 years in Eastern Turkey near the Syrian border. I did see some action in Iraq, first in Kirkuk we were under mortar fire from insurgents almost daily. On my second tour in Southern Iraq my convoy was fired on many times, one round missed my head and hit my rear view mirror by inches. The worst memory is that of a friend of mine killed in action, I still mourn to this day. I guess for someone in the Air Force I saw more than most but despite the bad things I would never trade my time in the military for anything, it was my privilage to serve. The great thing is where I am now, I have a great high paying position with the Department of Veterans Affairs so I feel like I get to give a little back to my fellow vets. I hate to say it but my family got used to me being "gone". I spent so much time deployed and away for training and other military business that it was a regular part of my life. The good thing is my wife and kids have had the privilage of living in diffrent parts of the US and world. I would support any of my kids if they decided that the military was what they wanted to do.
Ok I am not ahead of you we are almost even I yes I think we will both make it !!

Even though it would put me in a padded room, I also would support my kids wanting to enlist. In fact, my oldest did look into and was declined for a heart murmur!?!? My second oldest son would also probably have been declined, not that it was an interest for him, because of a cyst in his brain, NOT life threatening, as long as it doesn't grow too much, which it hasn't in gosh, 10 years or so. I think you're family has really been blessed and lucky to have lived in so many places, think of how much that has added to just who they are now. I wonder if your wife ever had difficulties? She must be as strong as you. I can't imagine getting news like that about my husband being injured like that. I hope you keep posting for a long time, I really enjoy hearing of all your adventures, here and abroad! heres to 10 more!! Thanks. Night....

Well here I am at 11 days clean, it looks like all the basic physical symptoms of w/d are gone but the mental stuff is come on strong. I am doing everything I can to keep my mind occupied but the thought of getting high on vic still keeps creeping in. This deamon will be tough to defeat but I am now more determined than ever.

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

Well here I am at 11 days clean, it looks like all the basic physical symptoms of w/d are gone but the mental stuff is come on strong. I am doing everything I can to keep my mind occupied but the thought of getting high on vic still keeps creeping in. This deamon will be tough to defeat but I am now more determined than ever.

sounds like you're having a "BANG UP" day like I am. Hang in there, please push hard and i'll pull. It's going to be a rough one. Peg

Originally Posted by pbs8218

sounds like you're having a "BANG UP" day like I am. Hang in there, please push hard and i'll pull. It's going to be a rough one. Peg

Last night from day 10 to day 11 was a bad one, the physical stuff is gone but my mind was going wild with urges, I could only get 4 or so hours of sleep. Robert warned me that once the physical stuff was over the real battle is in the mind. I will stay strong and keep up with you !!!!

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

Last night from day 10 to day 11 was a bad one, the physical stuff is gone but my mind was going wild with urges, I could only get 4 or so hours of sleep. Robert warned me that once the physical stuff was over the real battle is in the mind. I will stay strong and keep up with you !!!!

Thats what I call the MENTALS! they come and go when you least expect it. it sucks. I'm going through a night and day so far of NO SUPPORT...This sucks. Go from a great day 10, to a so-so day 11, and a truly F'D up day 12! and the 13th--Thanksgiving!! wonder what that lucky number day has to bring. Time will tell, and I really don't care at this point. Hope your day gets better. Peg

Originally Posted by pbs8218

Thats what I call the MENTALS! they come and go when you least expect it. it sucks. I'm going through a night and day so far of NO SUPPORT...This sucks. Go from a great day 10, to a so-so day 11, and a truly F'D up day 12! and the 13th--Thanksgiving!! wonder what that lucky number day has to bring. Time will tell, and I really don't care at this point. Hope your day gets better. Peg

I am keeping real busy here at work and the episode last night seems to be over. I am feeling more "normal" than ever today. I will be at a big family gathering tomorrow and I look forward to interacting with lots of family and friends in a sober manner. I figure if I have fun and keep busy tomorrow it will help keep the mental deamons away.
Day 11 and still pushing hard !!!

Sorry I disappeared for the long weekend I had a wonderful time with family and friends. Had a big family gathering on Thanksgiving and actually went to the movies and mall over the weekend, took in an NBA game on Saturday. Needless to say I had a busy and fun filled weekend and I did it all without drugs !!!
Yes I am still sober and loving it. One thing I noticed is when i was heavy into the vic I had no energy, I didnt feel like doing anything, I actually gained weight because I was so lazy. I am now starting to get my energy back, I actually get off the couch and do things with my family and friends. I wonder if any of you experienced the same thing ??

I am now on day 16 and all the physical w/d stuff is gone but the mental is there, i do think about using every now and then my brain is telling me I am in pain somethimes when I know I am not. I have a feeling this part will be a long battle.

Staying Clean !!

[SoMuchToBeCleanFor]

Glad to hear from you again ABS! I had no doubt you were staying clean, but I always think the worst when I see people disappear. I'm so happy for you. I'm overjoyed that you actually had fun with your family over the holiday. I did a lot of reflecting on Thanksgiving, thinking about how symbolic it was that I could be so thankful for the strength to be clean. I'm on day 9 1/2, and despite the insomnia and mental battles, I'm doing okay. I'm calling a substance abuse counselor today to make an appointment, so that should help with psychological issues. Robert said the same thing to me, that the mental battles are the hardest. He also told me that I should get into NA/AA, church, therapist and/or a substance abuse counselor to help with the long-term mental battles because most people can't do it on their own. Not that you can't, I just wanted to pass along that advice he gave me, because I know we all value his advice. Hope your day is great. Good to hear from you.

Originally Posted by SoMuchToBeCleanFor

Glad to hear from you again ABS! I had no doubt you were staying clean, but I always think the worst when I see people disappear. I'm so happy for you. I'm overjoyed that you actually had fun with your family over the holiday. I did a lot of reflecting on Thanksgiving, thinking about how symbolic it was that I could be so thankful for the strength to be clean. I'm on day 9 1/2, and despite the insomnia and mental battles, I'm doing okay. I'm calling a substance abuse counselor today to make an appointment, so that should help with psychological issues. Robert said the same thing to me, that the mental battles are the hardest. He also told me that I should get into NA/AA, church, therapist and/or a substance abuse counselor to help with the long-term mental battles because most people can't do it on their own. Not that you can't, I just wanted to pass along that advice he gave me, because I know we all value his advice. Hope your day is great. Good to hear from you.

You say you had no doubt I would stay clean and I really appreciate your faith, I came close a few times during w/d to using again it took a lot to resist. Same here I was very thankful to staying clean and I plan to continue. Yep Robert said that to me too the mental stuff can stay with you long after the physicals end. I hope your day is great as well and I am proud of you too day 9 is where the worst of it starts to end I hope you see the light at the end of the tunnel now....STICK WITH IT !!!

[pbs8218]

Hey, haven't heard from you lately. How are you doing? Are you still pushing? Going on 3 WHOLE WEEKS for us!!! Are you doing ok? Peg

[cherry14]

Hi AFSGTSAM,

I haven't posted on the forum here in ages, but for some reason came on yesterday and have been engrossed in the threads (the stories are so inspiring).

Thank you so much for your military service, first off.

Second, congrats on your progress on getting/staying clean.

I was wondering if you'd had your doctor appointment yet? You talked about not knowing what you can take. If you still continue to have issues with the leg/foot, etc pain, I wanted to offer some suggestions. A referral to pain management may be helpful, as they can do much more than just give narcotics. A nerve block may be an option for relief. There are also oral meds available for nerve pain, such as Neurontin and Lyrica. I personally take Topamax (not for the same type of pain you have, but for chronic pain nonetheless)...it's an anti-seizure med, is used for migraines, and can also help nerve pain. There is also a wide range of prescription NSAIDs if the ibuprofen doesn't cut it (from naproxen, to diclofenac, to toradol PO).

I'm sorry if this post is a little off the original topic.....it just occurred to me as I read through this thread, so I wanted to put it out there.

Again, congrats and best of luck to you on your continued success!

Originally Posted by pbs8218

Hey, haven't heard from you lately. How are you doing? Are you still pushing? Going on 3 WHOLE WEEKS for us!!! Are you doing ok? Peg

Yep I see three weeks coming up tomorrow, funny it feels like it was much much longer than that since I got clean, it feels like a lifetime. Funny thing happened on tuesday I came down with an awful cold. I was actually home on sick leave for a couple of day, terrible head cold. I stayed in bed and took lots of nyquil and rested it is Friday now and I am back at work and feeling better. Anyway three weeks is great we have to keep pushing forward I am right behind you !!

Originally Posted by cherry14

Hi AFSGTSAM,

I haven't posted on the forum here in ages, but for some reason came on yesterday and have been engrossed in the threads (the stories are so inspiring).

Thank you so much for your military service, first off.

Second, congrats on your progress on getting/staying clean.

I was wondering if you'd had your doctor appointment yet? You talked about not knowing what you can take. If you still continue to have issues with the leg/foot, etc pain, I wanted to offer some suggestions. A referral to pain management may be helpful, as they can do much more than just give narcotics. A nerve block may be an option for relief. There are also oral meds available for nerve pain, such as Neurontin and Lyrica. I personally take Topamax (not for the same type of pain you have, but for chronic pain nonetheless)...it's an anti-seizure med, is used for migraines, and can also help nerve pain. There is also a wide range of prescription NSAIDs if the ibuprofen doesn't cut it (from naproxen, to diclofenac, to toradol PO).

I'm sorry if this post is a little off the original topic.....it just occurred to me as I read through this thread, so I wanted to put it out there.

Again, congrats and best of luck to you on your continued success!

Thank you for the kind comments and supportive words. Serving in the military was a privilage for me and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I have an appointment this afternoon with my doctor I will let you know what he is able to do for me and I will mention some of your suggestions as well.

THANK YOU AGAIN !!

[pbs8218]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

Yep I see three weeks coming up tomorrow, funny it feels like it was much much longer than that since I got clean, it feels like a lifetime. Funny thing happened on tuesday I came down with an awful cold. I was actually home on sick leave for a couple of day, terrible head cold. I stayed in bed and took lots of nyquil and rested it is Friday now and I am back at work and feeling better. Anyway three weeks is great we have to keep pushing forward I am right behind you !!

Yeah! You don't post much, so it's nice to hear from you. Glad things are going well! Your big day tomorrow! It feels soooo good! I said the same thing you said today, how ironic, that it feels more like a lifetime...It's funny how all our stories on this awful road are so similar as is the road back...talk to you tomorrow on your day.. Peg

Sorry for the long delay I have had the worst head cold known to humanity for the last week, I missed 4 days of work and had a cough that was so bad I thought I was going to lose a lung. I am technically on day 24 clean from vicodin !
Now for the news while I was sick I went to the Doctor, my cough was so bad it was actually painful and the doctor gave me coedine based cough syrup. I took it as perscribed and it helped my cough a lot !! I know with my addiction history it was a risk but I took it anyway. Needless to say now that I am 90% recovered the cough syrup is used up and I am not feeling any addictive effects. I think I was lucky and dodged a bullet there. So I will continue my clean days count not withstanding that little "relapse".

I wish all of you much success in your quests to be clean...

Stay Strong !!

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

Sorry for the long delay I have had the worst head cold known to humanity for the last week, I missed 4 days of work and had a cough that was so bad I thought I was going to lose a lung. I am technically on day 24 clean from vicodin !
Now for the news while I was sick I went to the Doctor, my cough was so bad it was actually painful and the doctor gave me coedine based cough syrup. I took it as perscribed and it helped my cough a lot !! I know with my addiction history it was a risk but I took it anyway. Needless to say now that I am 90% recovered the cough syrup is used up and I am not feeling any addictive effects. I think I was lucky and dodged a bullet there. So I will continue my clean days count not withstanding that little "relapse".

I wish all of you much success in your quests to be clean...

Stay Strong !!

congrats on your 24 days!!! If you are feeling no urges from the cough syrup I wouldnt worry about it either but that was a huge risk so soon in your recovery. I get cronic bronchitis and get perscribed vicutuss atleast once a winter. I dont know what Im going to do this year. Even though Im an opiate addict I havent ever abused that cough medicine it never gave me euphoric effects I never even thought about taking more than perscribed. I didnt even think about the fact I use this med in the winter until you brought it up. This winter I will ask if anything else could be as effective. If not I will probably use with caution. I know how it is to cough all day and even worse at night I cough to the point that I throw up. I will be praying to God that he spares me the bronchitis flare up this year. I could really use a break I so glad you made it through w/o complication. Proud of you for making it 24 days Keep Up The Good Work

Originally Posted by learning_to_be_free

congrats on your 24 days!!! If you are feeling no urges from the cough syrup I wouldnt worry about it either but that was a huge risk so soon in your recovery. I get cronic bronchitis and get perscribed vicutuss atleast once a winter. I dont know what Im going to do this year. Even though Im an opiate addict I havent ever abused that cough medicine it never gave me euphoric effects I never even thought about taking more than perscribed. I didnt even think about the fact I use this med in the winter until you brought it up. This winter I will ask if anything else could be as effective. If not I will probably use with caution. I know how it is to cough all day and even worse at night I cough to the point that I throw up. I will be praying to God that he spares me the bronchitis flare up this year. I could really use a break I so glad you made it through w/o complication. Proud of you for making it 24 days Keep Up The Good Work

Yep I tried using the over the counter cough syrup and it didnt help much as bad a coedine is for someone in my position it really does help a lot with the cough suppression. I didnt get the same high from the cough syrup I did from the pills then again I was pretty sick with a fever and all so I probably didnt notice. We are all diffrent if your bronchitis does start up who knows if coedine will cause a full relapse is it worth the risk for the relief I guess only you can make that decision.
The strange thing is for most of my life I rarely got a bad cold and they usually lasted for short periods of time. I wonder if the vic abuse affected my immune system, this cold was really bad.
It is 24 days and seems like a life time ago do you feel the same way ??

Keep me posted...

Thanks !!

[Junkie781]

Originally Posted by AFSGTSAM

I am now in day six without vicodin, most of day 5 I had a basic case of the icks...I was tired and felt like I had a minor cold. Then by the evening of day 5 my muscle spasms and pain started up again. I took some tylenol and a couple of flexril (a low grade muscle relaxer/not addictive) that seemed to settle the pains and twitches enough to go to sleep and I actually got over 8 hours of sleep last night. Here I am at day 6 and the fog is starting to clear, I still have a little bit of the ick but nothing too bad. My wife has been very supportive she made all my favorite comfort foods and did what ever she could to get me through this. I have been going to work through all of this and I found it in my case to be helpful, I knew if I stayed home I would think about the pills all day and probably end up at the VA Pharmacy getting another refill.
Now a few questions posed to all of you...........

Did any of you find it better to go to work during the detox process ?
In my case the muscle aches and spasms have been the worst part of this, any of you find the same thing ?

Thank you all for your positive feedback....I cannot tell you all how helpful all your posts to me and stories of addiction have helped me get through this.

Thanks Again !

WOW!! There was no way I could go to work with withdrawing, no_freaking_way....!!!

Not much to say right now, I quit taking Oxycontin 4 days ago so I'm just gonna read.