Superbowl weekend I tore my meniscis and ACL. I was given 7.5/325 norco. For about a month I took probably 4 - 6 a day (mostly just 4). On March 15 I had knee surgery and was given the same post op. Here it is 4-23 and I'm still taking the pain med because I like how I feel, and not so much for pain. The amount I have been taking is slowly creeping up on me. In the past 1.5 - 2 weeks, I've taken 120. I guess averaging 10 - 14 a day? not sure, haven't done the math. Anyway, my ex husband is an addict. I know how bad this gets. Its time for me to STOP now before this gets out of hand. Today is day one. My question, since it's only been a few months, and high dosage has only be the past 2 weeks or so, how bad is this going to be? How long? Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
The following user gives a hug of support to jilas0127: monoxide (04-25-2012)
Hello there,
Looks like you and I are going through the same thing. I am halfway through day 2 .... I am glad that I am not the only one going through this. Hopefully you and I can encourage each other to keep strong anf keep going. My first day wasn't too bad. Some stomach irritability, lethargy, post nasal drip.... Today I am having a hard time going back to sleep. My muscles feeling like I've been hit by a truck. Keep drinking water anf keep your chin up. Just know that you are not alone !!!!!
The following user gives a hug of support to monoxide: jilas0127 (04-25-2012)
wow... kuddos to you. I'm just really scared. I saw my ex go thru withdrawl and it was not a pretty sight. He's used for years and years though. he is currently in an 8 month VA rehabilitation home for homeless/addict veterans. I'm hoping since I've only "dabbled" for a few months I won't have much withdrawl.
I think it depends on a few things , how much you were taking, how long you were taking and how adjusted your body got to it.
I think we can both do it though...
How are you feeling today ?
Well, yesterday morning I took 3 and that left 2 left. I was going to only take the one of the 2 if I had night restlessness. By 6pm I felt miserable I just wanted to sleep. I have a son that will be 3 next month, so he has ENERGY. I took my last two last night. This morning... I'm feeling "ok". I'm very tired and lathargic. I feel like I've got cold sweats or something and my body is kind of achy. My son is going to his dad's parents tomorrow night thru the weekend. If I can just get through today, tomorrow and Friday, I think I'll be ok. I can "try" to sleep during the weekend. Ug. I'm not looking forward to this.
Omgoodness..... I have a son that is 17 months. I understand completely. I'm hoping the worse part of my wothdrawl is over by tomorrow, I have to work. Fingers crossed fir the both of us.
About four years ago, I had a tibial rodding (which required my knee to be dislocated in order to get the rod through the med. cavity), screws put in place, and an osteotomy to fix an osteoid osteoma-stricken area and restructure my tibia due to constant fractures and stress. After the surgery, I was on oxycodone for the summer. Right away, I needed the medication because the pain was so intense, but I was still in my teens so I healed fairly quickly. However, the pain resided for about two months total...I had a 3-4 month supply of oxy though. After the pain was gone, I took the oxy anyway because of its 'good mood' factor. I became addicted over the course of just a few weeks, and forcing myself off the medication was extremely tough. I started withdrawing by only taking it once a day, then every other day, and then stopped. Yes, you are going to experience anxiety and irribility, but it is well worth a clear mind and reduced dependancy because it really does consume your life. Medication is supposed to administor to your needs...do not allow your needs to be administored by the medication.
The best of luck to you and just know that IT CAN BE DONE! Its tough, but in only a few days after withdrawing completely your attitude will get much better! I have great faith in anyone who is willing to stop allowing addiction run their life!
The Following User Says Thank You to Jakepod34 For This Useful Post: monoxide (04-25-2012)
I am starting to feel worse as the day goes on. My musles are starting to feel restless and I'm starting to have a bit of an upset stomach. I just want to go to bed. I'm hoping when I lay down it will be a little better. Here we go......
I am starting to feel worse as the day goes on. My musles are starting to feel restless and I'm starting to have a bit of an upset stomach. I just want to go to bed. I'm hoping when I lay down it will be a little better. Here we go......
Norco, whose main med is hydrocodone is one of the lesser opiods and therefore not quite as bad as some of it's big brothers. You weren't taking it very long, but in the end there you were taking a pretty hefty dose. Generally the recommended way to get off prescription pain meds is to taper, so that you don't have to go through withdrawal, and it's safer, it allows your body time to easily adjust to the med not being there. But, you've stopped so, just go with it. There are some things you can do to ease the wd's. Stay hydrated constantly, try to keep some bland food in your stomach, nibble on crackers, bread or dry cereal, that will help with the nausea/vomiting/diarreah. Your going to have body aches all over, ibuprofen is good for those and it's safe, don't take tylenol, you've been taking large amounts of tylenol in the norco and that's bad for your kidneys/liver. Lot's of water will also help flush them out. Imodium is helpful for the diarhea, if that becomes a problem. If you have trouble sleeping there are several safe options, benadryl, melatonin, or valerian root. Hot, hot baths work well for the body aches and restless legs. If you do get the restless legs, don't try to sit still through them, most people think if you just force yourself to sit still it'll go away, it won't and you'll just drive yourself crazy. Get up, take a walk, get some fresh air. Try to take a few walks every day, just getting out of the house and in the fresh air will help with the general "feeling like crap". Once your lil guy is at gramma's, if your tired, sleep, the more you can sleep through the easier it is. By Monday you should be feeling much better, the worst of the wd's will probably be over. It can take a while for the legarthy, sleep issues, stomach issues to go completely away. Also the mental side of the addiction can last for a while, sometimes months...your mind will play games with you, try to convince you that you have to have the drugs....ignore it, keep yourself busy, don't create a lot of open space or time to sit around and think about it. You've got a toddler who I imagine is pretty active, so you probably don't have a ton of free time to sit around and that will be a good thing for you.
Your doing great, stay strong and hang in there. It's hard, but it will be so worth it in the end.
Thank you Katlin - My ex husband said he can give me a couple of strips of suboxone. and he said if I take a 1/4 strip twice a day for 4 days I'll feel better. Do you think it's a good idea? i do not know much about that medicine.
Personally, no I don't think it's a good idea. Your ex is in a totally different class of addiction than you. And Subs are not the kind of drug that you take for a few days and then stop. They are for hardcore addicts who can't detox and need a daily maintenance med, those people then become addicted to subs and either use them for years or have to detox off of them.
My philosophy has always been, "If your going to quit the pills, then QUIT the pills, don't trade one addiction for another. You tell yourself, Oh, I'm only going to use these for a few days just to help, but when you stop taking them all the same wd symptoms will be there waiting for you and you'll start the subs again, before you know it your addicted to a much stronger substance than you were in the first place."
This is going to really suck for a few days, I won't lie or sugarcoat it for you, but you seem to be determined and doing pretty well with it, hon just quit the pills. *smile* You can do this.
Well, you will be glad to hear I opted against it, for the exact reason you said. I'm going to tough it out. I don't "crave" them or feel like I have a "pchycological" addiction to them, honestly, i could take them or leave them. I just need to get through this "ick" feeling.
Good for you! With the short time that you were on them you may escape alot of the really bad stuff and just have to withstand a few days of the crappy icky feelings.
But your strong, and there are folks around here who are glad to help you through it, if you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on.
Hang in there girl.
Kat
The Following User Says Thank You to katlin09 For This Useful Post: jilas0127 (04-25-2012)
I'm not having RLS, I'm having RLA (arms) OMG, it's driving me crazy!! I'm sooo tired. I'm just getting over bronchitis, so I'm coughing terribly as well. I had my dr. call in a refill today of Tussinex which has a little bit of hydo in it, hopefully that will help the arms. other than that, I had a good evening. was able to play with my son and keep him smiling, so it was awesome.
Heat works on the RLA for some, you can use heating pads, since it's not possible to live in the bathtub! Or you can make rice buddies. Take a long tube sock, fill it 3/4's of the way with regular old white rice and tie the end off in a knot. Then you just toss it in the microwave for 3 or 4 minutes, depending on how hot you want it, and lay it on your arms when they get that itchy, tingly, jumpy feeling.
Do you realize the Tussionex has Hydrocodone in it, this is the narcotic that you are currently trying to detox off of....
I know is the same, but I would imagine there is not much in there. It's not controlled (they didn't ask for ID) It never made me feel like the norco did while I was taking it last week for bronchitis.
Norco Withdrawl... not quite a addict yet... 
