my boyfriend has quit using hydrocodone 3 days ago and he's still having massive leg cramps. he woke up at 4 this morning and couldnt go back to sleep because he hurt so bad. he was taking probably 30 pills a day. hes been extremely suicidal and depressed and im wondering what I can do to help him through this. we're expecting our 3rd child in a few weeks here and he has to keep himself clean for the sake of not only himself but our children as well. I don't know what to say to help encourage him to not go back to his old ways. A lot of his friends still use them and keep calling trying to sell them to him and I don't want him to give in again. he quit cold turkey and im wondering if that was the way for him to go. also any advice from anyone recovering from hydrocodone abuse would greatly appreciated. also, his Dr. will be returning his phone call tomorrow because I finally got him to agree to tell his Dr. about this and he's scared about what the Dr will say and do. How does he explain to him that he's been obtaining them illegally and what steps should he take with his Dr. as far as treatment goes/ thanks.

I was in the same boat 7 weeks ago and I can tell you that the worst is almost over but if he is that bad then by all means tell his dr whats going on.I wouldn't tell him about how they were obtained but I would tell him how much was taken.There are meds that can ease the pain and make it alittle more comfortable for him.For tonight you can give him Benadryl to help him sleep and take some hot baths for the leg cramps.I would also take Advil or Aleve to help with the general body pain.When I quit I did it cold turkey and it was extremely uncomfortable for me but it can be done.I am on week 7 and I still have issues here and there but I do feel alot better.Hang in there

Stay Strong,
Ken

my boyfriend has quit using hydrocodone 3 days ago and he's still having massive leg cramps. he woke up at 4 this morning and couldnt go back to sleep because he hurt so bad. he was taking probably 30 pills a day. hes been extremely suicidal and depressed and im wondering what I can do to help him through this. we're expecting our 3rd child in a few weeks here and he has to keep himself clean for the sake of not only himself but our children as well. I don't know what to say to help encourage him to not go back to his old ways. A lot of his friends still use them and keep calling trying to sell them to him and I don't want him to give in again. he quit cold turkey and im wondering if that was the way for him to go. also any advice from anyone recovering from hydrocodone abuse would greatly appreciated. also, his Dr. will be returning his phone call tomorrow because I finally got him to agree to tell his Dr. about this and he's scared about what the Dr will say and do. How does he explain to him that he's been obtaining them illegally and what steps should he take with his Dr. as far as treatment goes/ thanks.
I know how he feels but I would have bad cramps in my arms starting around 2 and 3 a.m.. I would get up and take a HOT shower, as hot as I could stand it until the hot water ran out. This would relax my muscles and I would cover up from head to toe holding in the heat under the covers and drift off to sleep. It took me a couple of weeks to get the meds out of my system but once I did I said I would run if anyone Vicodin to me again. I was on them for roughly 5 months due to a bad break of my tibia/fibula which I am still recovering from over a year later but God is good, it could have been worse. Hang in there and hold his hand, he needs all the support and prayer :angel: he can get.

my boyfriend has quit using hydrocodone 3 days ago and he's still having massive leg cramps. he woke up at 4 this morning and couldnt go back to sleep because he hurt so bad. I don't know what to say to help encourage him to not go back to his old ways. A lot of his friends still use them and keep calling trying to sell them to him and I don't want him to give in again.

For his leg cramps have him put a pillow under his knees with a heating pad under his knees but on top of the pillow. Moist heat works the best and it really does help. Keep the heat as hot as he can comfortably stand it and keep it there all night. If he doesn't like it under his knees then do it on top or both...one under and one on top. It really does help.

As for the friends...they are no friends if they are still trying to sell him the pills KNOWING he is trying to get off. He needs to dismiss them from his life because he will never stay clean. If he gets clean then WHY would he still want them in his life. He needs to be responsible and consider his family now and foremost himself. It's sad but true...if he is going to commit to staying clean then he has to unload that baggage ("friends") from his life and beleive it or not....life will go on without them.

Best of luck!
AoM

Tell him (and you) to hang in there- the worst of the physical withdrawals should be over in a couple of days.

Try something called "BioFreeze" for his leg cramps (after soaking in a good, hot bath with Epsom salt)- this works wonders! Take some Aleve, too!

Like AoM said, he needs to telll his "so called friends" to please no longer offer him hydro's and if they can't respect his wishes...find some new friends!

Things will get better, sleep deprivation may last awhile though- if he gets desperate, he can try an RX called "Ambien," but I would just use it for a week or so. Or, try "Melatonin-" you can get it at a health food store or even WalMart!

Good luck and God speed his recovery (and your sanity for sticking by him :) ). Take care,
michelle

Also, when i told my doctor and told him how many I was taking, he DID ask me where I was getting them and I just said 'everybody has them. Friends at work, relatives, etc.' That was a good enough answer for him. Good luck and personally, going to the doctor for me was the best thing I ever did. I'm taking something called Suboxone to help me and it has changed my life. However, it is for true chronic relapsers who just can't stay clean, no matter how badly they try.

Thank you all SO much.