Hi! This is my first post here but have read the boards for the last few days. Your experiences have been a God send to me and I now know that I will get thru this and be free of the addiction forever.

I'm on day 6 of C/T withdrawal from Hydro. I've been taking 50-60mg (10/325) for about 7 months now. I had been given Hydro in the past for various ailments, dental surgery, etc. and always liked the high. Once I gained access to the drugs to a regular basis, I became a regular user. Never felt that I was becoming addicted....until I ran out last Saturday. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif

I have endured the w/d symptoms this week - flu-like syptoms, fatigue, no sleep, no appetite, escruitating headaches and major depression. Some of these symptoms are finally easing up a bit but I'm still have bad headaches and even worse depression. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

I'm not in a position to confide in my family or my doctor (who did not RX the meds, got them via online pharmacies) about my addiction. I did see a doctor yesterday about the depression (not solely related to the w/d) and was prescribed Zoloft and Midrin for these headaches. I guess my question is, will the antidepressant work for w/d related depression? And how much longer might I have these symptoms?

This has been the most debilitating event in my life. I have 2 year old twins that I haven't been able to care for as I normally would and this aspect of the w/d is enough, in and of itself, to keep me from going back.

Thank you, in advance, for any advice you can offer.

Lizzilee

How great you have been off for a week! you should be proud. maybe the worst is over now. as far as the physical part anyway. I would think the antidepressants should work for you, if those dont,there are many others you can try. I think the depression will be somewhat temporary, until your body gets used to not being on the drug and produces it's own protection for the depression. I am anticipating my own depression since I will be going into detox monday and have requested amitriptyline to try to help.
Others on this board can probably help you more. Keep up the good work!

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Never forget the fallen heros of 9-11

lizzilee--i just wanted to say that 6 days is QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!!! I would say in a day or so you should feel better, although those anti-depressants sometimes will give ya some nasty side-effects for the first two weeks or so....so keep that in mind too! I don't think it will be any different than what you've experienced in the past few days. I can totally relate, I have 4 kids--ages 14, 13,12,22months and when i went thru w/d it was virtually impossible to care for them. You are doing a wonderful thing for them, by getting off of pills....I wish I had the strength you have
Congrats again and hang in there
LISA

Cetiya ~

Thank you for your kind words! Today is certainly a better day than a couple of days ago and I've just got to keep trudging along. It's hard, specially knowing that I've got refills remaining on these prescriptions and that it's just a phone call away. I've cashed out my credit cards so that I can't purchase the meds (from OP's) and I think I feel pretty safe in that.

Good luck to you on Monday. It's a huge step in the right direction.....you can do it! Will you have access to the boards? Please post if you can and let me know how you're doing. I'll be thinking great thoughts for you.

Lizzilee

Lisa ~

Thank you but I can't take any credit for having the strength to get off of the pills....I probably wouldn't be off of them today had I not run out and couldn't get refills quick enough.

I really didn't know that I had a problem. Some days I would take 1 or 2 pills and not miss taking more. The w/d certainly came as quite a shock to me.

My children have been at Grandma's for the past two days and I'm looking forward to picking them up tonight and holding them tight. They are truly the light of my life and my inability to care for them the past few days is a guilt that is almost too much to bear. Although maybe too young to realize what's happened, I can only apologize to them for being "sick" and make sure that I am the best mommy to them from here out.

Again, thank you for your support and kind words!

Lizzilee

Ha! I wont even have a phone in my room. this next week will suck but I have to do it. I also have plenty of drugs left and refills as well, but I know I cannot dare take a pain pill for, I'm guessing, at least 6 months. Dont you get your refills either or you will have to go thru this all over again. I convinced my doc to give me some muscle relaxants since I can no longer take any pain pills. I hope I am not ruined for life. I want to be able to take a pill for pain if I need it. I think I should be able too eventually, as long as I am sure the addiction is broken. I never craved this drug or abused it so maybe someday I can take a vicodin or something again with no problem, just like I have been doing for 20 years before I met this pain specialist. I was never addicted until this year. I know a lot of people give up and start taking them again but I am confident I wont be one of them. (yeah, I know everyone says that) but before this doc put me on the evil fentanyl, I never had a problem with opiate before. Seems to me if I dont crave them now, I shouldnt crave them once I'm off. guess I'll find out here soon.
Keep up the good work, and soon you will feel better.

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Never forget the fallen heros of 9-11

we are all different when it comes to w/d's..for some the sleep non excist- is the major problomo or the flu symptoms,restless legs,anxiety,diahrea,ect...for me i hate no sleep for one month..its why i always relapse along with feelin crappy/depressed...ive done all opiates for 19 years..tried detox 600 t5imes..my habit was about 40 -50 10mgs of hydro daily...for you only 7 months so your w/d's may subside quick...maybe within 2 - 3 weeks or may go faster....thing is if you want to be free dont use nothin...it will prolong your sobriety dates....seek help/support for the w/d's where you can....here on board,a/a or n/a....the chef

Good luck to you guys . . . I know quitting pain meds is so difficult especially when you're in the midst of the withdrawals and you know that just a couple of those powerful pills will make you feel better!

Don't let your mind play those games with you . . . those pills are sooooo seductive!

Have a great day.

Cetiya ~

I'm sure this coming week will be very, very difficult for you. Know that you're doing the best thing you can for yourself right now. I'll be thinking of you and looking forward to hearing from you as soon as you can.

I've wondered myself about taking pain meds in the future. I do have some semi-elective surgeries that need to happen this year and not sure what will happen with the pills. My desire for Hydro certainly didn't come out of the blue....I've taken it off and on for 20 years with no problems. I just wonder if this monkey will come back if I have to take it again? I do not have any cravings for the pills now (other than to know that I wouldn't be suffering w/d if I took them) so it would seem that I should be able to take something prescribed, as directed.

Best to you,
Lizzilee

Chef ~

Thanks for your thoughts. From the reading I've done here and on other boards it does seem that w/d is different for everyone....both in symptoms and intensity. Personally, for me, my biggest problem is the depression.

I'm hanging tight and feel like I'm getting stronger every day. Boards like this are a tremendous help and my only place to go for motivation and support.

Lizzilee

Hopefortoday ~

Thank you! I was so tempted yesterday and the day before to order my pain meds. All I could think of was how just a pill or two would take away all of the physical and emotional pains. I'm glad that I made the decision not to. Now just to keep with it http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Lizzilee