hey everyone! I used to post here not long ago, but been quite awhile. I am trying to quit the lortabs again, but like many am DREADING the pain of it all. Anyway i was wondering:--I have xanax's i have never taken because i hate the tired feeling they give you. But a woman i work with told me they would be extremely helpful while trying to quit pain pills. Anyone tried this, or have any suggestions? Thanks--any help will be appreciated as i am dreading this SOOOOO much! Rhiannon

Hi lins, welcome back....


I probably am not the best person to be trying to answer your question, but I can attempt anyway...

I personally have never had the luxury of xanax or anything else like while in wds...but I have heard alot of people say that yes, it does help. With what, I can only assume, I would imagine it would help you sleep, and possible cut down on some of the restless, legs/arms/body...etc,, not sure...but hopefully someone else will come along with a better answer for you...

Just know, that nothing, at least in my experience, except more pills will take away the withdrawl completely, and quitting will be not be any easer tomorrow or next week, than it is right now...so just know there will be discomfort, maybe more than you think you can handle at times, but there is another side to this addiction mess we all find ourselves in. I have not quite made it all the way yet, but I do have 18 days behind me, and beleive me, if I can do this, anyone can!!!!!! Stay strong...do the right thing.....JUST DO IT :) You will be so much happier for it!!!

If you need help or just to talk, just let me know!!! :)

Joan

Honestly, the xanax probably would help you with the restlessness, but it's really addictive, too. I've previously dealt w/ vicodin/norco dependency and now am dealing w/ Ambien dependency, so if you also get addicted/dependent easily, it's probably better to just stick it out.

Rhiannon,

If you can stand it, I would try not to use the Xanax. The risk is too great for dependency. I was addicted to ambien after using for 45 days straight, and my loser doctor put me on a benzo called ativan. I wish I never heard of ativan to say the least. You can do it. I am currently tapering from it, and I am a total wuss. No patience at all. I was on it for 8 days and started tapering on day 9. Today is day 13.
My 14 year old daughter told me last night that she is tired of me being sick. I thought I was gonna have to take a pill to deal with pain I felt from her saying that to me. I told her I am working on it, and every day I am getting better. She's a very smart girl, and I have been brutally honest with her. So she wouldn't run out of patience with me, but she is getting tired too.
If you can help it, please don't go down that road.

DO NOT take xanax you will become addicted to them..........and they are twice as hard to get off of then lortabs

sorry it took so

Sorry it took SO long for me to get back to you all! THank you all for your help and concern. I always feel like no one understands and it's nice to talk with people who can relate! Don't you hate how people on the outside ALWAYS say "it is all in your head--just don't think about it!!!!!!! So i quite talking with husband, friends and family--they are NO help! I wish these terrible W/d were all in our head!

Ofcourse, 4 days ago i ran into an old friend who gave me entirely too many lortabs. Don't you hate when that happens? Just when you think your on your way and determined to end the madness, someone shows up to tempt you! I still am determined to quit Sunday when my stash is empty. I feel so bad for alchoholics. I can't imagine having a drinking problem and knowing all you have to do is drive to your local convenient store to get your habit! I would NEVER survive~I have ABSOLUTELY NO self control!!!!!!! It is ridiculous some times!

Anyway~ Joan--I know it will not take away the w/d completely (unfortunately!) but LUCKILY for me the first 3 or 4 days is the only part I cannot handle. It still sucks for a while after that, but I can function after the first 3 days. But I just cannot get through the first 3 days for ANYTHING! The last probably "twenty" times i have tried to quit, I have failed the first or second day because the w/d are so bad. I am hoping to take the XANAX'S to ease the pain for three days only. Like i said, i can usually tolerate the mysery after that. What do you think?

SK77 and JCS--I have heard that the xanax is VERY addictive and that the W/D are much worse than pain pill W/D. That does concern me. But I am the type who doesn't even enjoy that type of buzz. I tried them twice and was extremely lazy both times. I like buzzes that give me energy and I can still work hard. Pain pills have always given me that. Xanax'a make me SOOO lazy and i have never liked them and i cannot imagine EVER becoming addicted. Do you think my opinion could change in only 3 or 4 days? If you think so, I do not want to take that risk. I cannot imagine anything being worse than pain pill w/d :eek: i would never survive it! Tell me honestly what you think~could i change my mind and start liking the xan's in just 3-4 days? If you think so, I will not try this! I am just SO afraid of caving with the pain medication because I can't handle with w/d. I have been going through this addiction for several years now, and it is just getting ridiculous.

ADP831~What is Ativan? I have heard of it, but don't know what it is. I hate how we use EVERY excuse to take another pill. I do it practically everyday. If the least thing happens, I feel like that I have to take a pill to make things better. Isn't that ridiculous? I always find some excuse. Everytime i have been on my way to quitting, something happens to upset me and I "give in" to these stupid pills. I have to stop that~i know life isn't perfect and we're all going to have bad days and we CANNOT always give in to the pills when we have a bad day. One day, i gave in just because I had to go to the grocery store!! How ridiculous is that? Anyway, about your 14 year old daughter--That would be so hard--you poor thing! You did better than me--I prob would have had to take about 10 pillls after that. Considering, you did well! However, that gives you good motivation to quit. She seems very smart and sweet. And congrads on day 13--you did it! I have never made it that long. I am jealous ;) you are almost there and ready to lead a "normal" life again. I wish i had that kind of strength!

anyway, thanks for all your concern. And I am hoping for the best for you all as well! Eventually, we will ALL get through this and get our lives back!! SOON!! Any advice or info on the xanax's would be apprectiated. Like i said i do not like the xan feeling and cannot imagine EVER wanting those pills EVERYDAY! I am just concerned i am being naive (as usual). So please give me opinions guys! I have til Sunday. oh, also--I have Librium too. Maybe those would be better since they are quite a bit weaker. They are also habit forming, but it sounds like they are much weaker. I was just afraid they were too weak to help. Sorry so long, and thanks again. I REALLY want to get this stupid addiction behind me more than anything in the world! I just don't have the strength for some reason! Rhiannon