I have been taking Hydrocodone for about 5 years now. As everyone who has taken it they start with a low dose and then it goes to larger and larger. I am now taking about 10 - 15 10mg hydrocodone a day and need some help getting off. I feel like I am in a spider web of problems. I really want off but when I go more than 24 hrs without I have two dillemas.
1) The withdrawls are very hard for me and I don't know how worse they will get. So I start up again.
2) I end up with bad back pain again and compromise again that I need it.

Doctors have yet to find my problem but my bigger problem is my addiction and the Illeagal doctor shopping I do to get the meds.

Can someone give me some info on how bad my withdrawls will be if I quit more than 24 hrs? How long will they last? And what is the best way for me to quit. I can accept some discomfort but not sure how bad it will be if I quit cold turkey. I know this is ussually the best method for me.

Please help and someone give me some support.
Thank you.

Bart,
You've got a pretty good habit going there,and five years is quite a while to have it.Withdrawal will get progressively worse and peak around the third or fourth day.Symptoms start to subside after that,but trouble sleeping can persist for a while.Hot/cold sensations,anxiety,irritability,stomach cramps,nausea/vomiting,diarrheaand sleeplessness are all a part of the fun when you detox from this stuff.It can be rough,but people HAVE done it cold turkey,you just have to brace yourself to feel pretty miserable for a few days.Some people have had symptoms subside after only two days,others up to seven.
Now, you say you "compromise" about needing the pills again for back pain-how bad IS your back pain??
Also,if you find you can't quit these things cold turkey,there ARE alternatives and help out there.But,here's the big thing-it takes complete honesty,and having to admit to someone you need help.There are doctors who can give you meds to take at home to help with the withdrawal symptoms,or you can do a hospital detox.And then guess what??No more doctor shopping-that was a BIG thing with me,what a relief to be able to quit THAT full time job!!!
You CAN get thru the withdrawals,you CAN do this.But, you can't do it alone.Welcome to the boards,you've come to the right place.
How far are you willing to go to get clean???
Strength,Stacie

Bart, you have come to the right place. My situation is similar to yours, in that I have some serious back issues, as well. The only difference is my usage was about double yours. In terms of withdrawal symptoms (everyone is different), how you feel after 24 hours is what you can expect for about 3 to 5 days. You will feel achy, be sweaty, probably have diarrhea, chills, sleepless, and generally feel like you have the flu. No way around this. The good news is that it is only for a few days, so plan accordingly. After you get over the hump of those first few days, you will feel better each day, but expect a month of getting back to normal. I can tell you it is well worth it. The withdrawals aren't going to kill you, but your body has been influenced by a chemical for a long period, so it takes some time to restore, which it will. If you can, you may want to time your withdrawal for the weekend, so you don't need to worry about feeling awful at work. Take some Motrin for you back, take hot showers, try to take walks or excerise, which really helps (even though you won't feel like doing it). Do it anyway. Cravings subside quickly. Tell me, are you going to come clean with your doctor, or do this on your own? If the former, he can give you a couple of medications to help with the symptoms of withdrawal (clonidine and trazadone). Let me know, and I will give you more detail. I basically went cold turkey and I am here to tell you about it!

hey bart...listen dude..i was using 80 mg of oxycontin 3 times a day at one point when i realized i had issues...i went cold turkey for 3 days and picked up where i left off, but used only 2 a day afterwards...i then went cold turkey again for a few more days and was using 1 a day...during the last few weeks i used 1-3 times a week and suffered the other days...i am now 4 days with nothing!, i mean NOTHING...well except the tylenol pm which does nothing for me...but dude stay on it and you can beat this, here i am, i mean i feel like crap, but im hoping when i get up tomorrow ill feel better, and the longer you can stick it out, the better off you will be!

Hi bart, I just wanted to say be careful with your doctor shopping. I was doing that alot last year, and it got to the point where my insurance blue cross put a limit on prescribtions and also sent letters to the doctors telling them I was getting pain meds from the other doctors. Am trying to get clean now also from darvocet and vikes. But I am so scared of the withdrawels.
south249

Hi Bart

Youve come to the right place.. withdrawels are different for everyone but figure on a week or so of flu like symtoms.. it peaks around day 3 or 4 usually. Then a few weeks of "the blahs" maybe. Not as bad as you may think.. I thought my wds would be much worse than they were. Give it a shot, ypu may be surprised at yourself.

Am trying to get clean now also from darvocet and vikes. But I am so scared of the withdrawels.
south249

South, theres nothing to be afraid of. Id be more afraid of being hooked for life and what the pills slowely do to you. If youve ever had the flu, thats basically what you can expect.. good luck!

im on 60mg of methadone for chronic pain/addiction...i have a bad back too....didnt want to go thru w/d's and had to deal with tthe pain...alternatives....chemical maintance,last resort...methadone,suboxone,subutex,bupr enex,nalaxtrone,the last not being maintance but a blocker of opiates....or you can cold turkey and try to beat the w/d's but you sound weak like me.....seek support/guidance from a/a or n/a...seek advice from long term recovering addicts....w/d's are different for everyone...expect a month of uncomfortableness......one to two weeeks of straight insommnia,diahrea,restless legs,flu like symptoms if you cold turkey.....then couple weeks of tired,ect...clonidine could help...trazadone for sleep...both non narcotics but youll need a script....seek a drs advice,one that deals with addiction....chef

Bart, you out there? Just checking in to see what your thoughts are on these replies.

Thank you all so much for answering my post, you have all been such an encouragement to me, I go monday to get on subutex. What can I expect at my first visits, haven't taken vikes in a week, am working to stay off those and get clean from darvocet, please keep me in your prayers as I do each of you.
south249

Subutex/Suboxone are wonderful drugs for the chronic abusers and will definately take away most of your withdrawal symtoms. I personally take suboxone and can honestly say it has saved my life. No more doctor shopping, online docs, ER visits, etc. And the best part is that I feel like "Me" again! Congrats on making a wise decision. Best of luck to you!
Mary Beth

Sorry South, I just reread your post and I didn't answer your question about what to expect. Your first visit, the doc will simply talk to you about your addiction i.e how much you take, what you take, etc. He uses this assessment to determine how much sub to start you out with. My doc gave me the script on the spot and I had it filled immediately. Started it that night and the rest is history. I had/have no cravings what-so-ever and am so glad that sub is available for people like you and me.
Some doctors may even give you your first dose right there in the office but it depends a lot on the doc and when you last used.
Good Luck, if you need any more info on sub, I've been on it since November and maybe I could answer any ?'s.. :)
Mary Beth