I have been reading the posts tonight and thought I'd do a "public service announcement" for those of you who are asking about withdrawal symptoms - what to expect and what to do. I am clean now for almost three months, and this is what I know to be true, at least in my case:

1. Something will happen that will make you decide to stop - you'll run out of money, out of friends, out of chances, SOMETHING will be your deal-breaker with the pills.

2. If you have any pills, or an understanding doctor, you will try to taper. You may have success, but eventually, no matter how little you taper down to, you will have to . . .

3. Cold Turkey. You will have no sleep for at least a few nights and probably not more than a few hours a night for a week or so. You will begin by sneezing, then you'll get a headache, then you will have body pains that culminate in terrible leg pain/cramps at night. During this whole time you will have diarreah and upset stomach of some degree. You'll feel extremely anxious and depressed and probably have feelings of worthlessness (in some cases, they'll be extreme). The head games that cold turkey plays are brutal. Hang on, it goes away. The severity and duration of all this depends on what dosage you jumped off from and how long you took the drug. I think age also plays a factor. After the physical symptoms are gone, you will still have to deal with . . .

4. the psychological cravings or what I like to call "romanticizing the drug experience". When that phase is over for me I'll let you know :) This part is tough, but if you remind yourself of how you felt during #3 above, you'll continue to stay clean in order to not have to experience it again.

Over the counter stuff will help with some of this, nothing is going to take it away or make it easy. However, as far as I know, no-one ever died from NOT taking a recreational drug. Don't try to do this alone; especially if you are responsible for another person. You may spend a day or so in the bed UNABLE to get up and take care of yourself, much less someone else. It is a gritty thing, this withdrawal - I don't want to scare anyone into not doing it, but it is very hard. It takes courage and determination and lots of support. The good thing is that, if you are here, you have the support thing taken care of. This board can be a lifeline for you if you let it. Your life will improve countless times over once you are clean, I promise. The best part about it is that finally, you can trust yourself and your own judgement again. That is worth any amount of temporary physical discomfort/pain. Just as I don't want to minimize the pain, I don't want to minimize the great feeling of freedom from the pill bottle. It is worth every minute spent awake, in the bathroom, with leg cramps. That stuff goes away - your self esteem stays forever. People with drug problems are not necessarily bad people. A lot of us are good people that have made bad choices in the way of the pills; we can get over it and live life like we really want to.

For all of you who are doing it now, or about to do it; I applaud you! It is the best thing you'll ever do for yourself and those that love you. For those of you considering it, please don't think you CAN'T do it. It is a hard thing, but you can get through it. I have been graphic, because knowlege is power. You can know what to expect, prepare and white knuckle yourself through it. It is SO worth it. There are a multitude of support systems out there for addicts like us - find one if you are so inclined; or just post here, I'll reply to anyone who needs a friend to help them get clean. Folks on this board helped me and I'd like to return the favor.

my name is walkersma and I am an addict ;)

You said it girl!! Excellent post. This is an outstanding summary of all the posts out here about getting clean. (In my humble opinion :D )

Just voicing my support. Please come back often..you are an asset to the board!!

My name is Janet..I'm an addict who is gratefully recovering today. Nice to meet you!! :wave:

AWESOME post...

For all of you out there, who are hitiing bottom, scared to death and in the throws of withdrawl and sure you're going to wither away and die...

PLEASE do NOT give up...just one more minute, one more hour, one more day, however YOU personally have to take it....

WE did it...not just walkersma and I but many many angels on this board....and YES, we tried more than once, we FAILED more than once, we talked our selves into it and right back to the pills more than once...

I am six months and 2 days clean....YES, I still crave my bestfriends, when life is stressful, when things aren't going my way, when Im having a bad day, but I know, if I just BREATH, just close my eyes and focus and above all else...REMEMBER, things in my life have been SO MUCH WORSE.....

Hang in there...POST...VENT...RAGE...we are here to listen...

Angel :angel:

Wow great post, scary but a great asset to those of us in the throws of an addiction problem. Tells us what an up hill battle we have but the rewards are two fold.

Dale and I AM AN ADDICT

Yes it is a fight...Yes the rewards ARE worth it...and I wouldn't lie to you..not to any of you. I had the same doubts and fears as all of you - I survived. I was as hardcore addicted as any I've ever came accross on this board - I survived. Not only surived...I'm starting to thrive, live, breathe, love and feel again.

oxycodone is a much more powerful drug therefor making it harder to withdraw from.

this experience of w/d is nothing compared to the w/d of oxy. the first 12 hours of you not having any you get the sweats flashes, laying on the floor debating on weather or not to make that call

Maybe true...but maybe walkersma just accidentally left this out..hydrocodone wd gave me terrible sweats, chills, goose flesh, flashes..like burning up from the inside out for about the first 24-48 hours in addition to all the other stuff listed.

Walkersma
Great post. A fantastic service announcement. Keep posting as you have the ability to help so many others.

Yours,
Vickyuser :angel:
32 days happy(clean)

Hey guys,

You know I guess it is true that the futher away from it you get, the more you forget. I DO remember being hot and clammy and sweaty all at the same time. I also remember that everything absolutely STUNK. As soon as I could move around good, I washed the sweaty sheets every day. Although sometimes, I just threw the clean ones in a pile on top of the mattresses and threw myself on top of them! I used a ton of that zzzztherapy spray mist stuff because it was the only thing that didn't overpower my sense of smell. I felt that I must have permanently screwed up my body chemistry because I felt so funky/stinky all the time. My husband told me it was in my head, so I must not have REALLY stunk, but my "smeller" was way out of whack. If we do a major post listing the withdrawal symptoms, we should add these. Imagine how great that would be for the folks just starting their journey to sobriety to have it all concise and everything for them. I know that I thought I was going crazy, this board kept me sane.

But to give credit - I do think that OCs are a stronger addiction/withdrawal, though, from what I've heard.

Hang in there everyone - have a great night.

Just bumping this up - I posted it a while ago and I'm thinking it may help some folks. There is a new group of people here, a whole new round of folks getting clean. I don't come here as often as I did when fighting the withdrawal from hydrocodone, but I look frequently and pray for the newer folks. You guys are doing so well, and I especially love the way that you are supportive of each other in a nonjudgemental way! Way to go!!!

Just wanted to say that I think it is so incredibly awesome how everyone on this board supports one another. This is not the only "subject" that I have visited on healthboards.com, but this seems like one of the most encouraging collection of people that I have seen in a really long time. I just had to share my thoughts with you all and thank you all for your stories...all of them...from your successful triumphs to your unfortunate failures and losses, I truly believe that these are the stories that will touch more lives in need than you will ever realize. You are all helping each other and I think that is so commendable. Isn't that what being part of the human race is about? It makes my heart sing to see such kind words of affirmation and encouragement reaching out from one experienced stranger to another who is in the throws of uncertainty. Thanks again. All of you. God Bless.

What a great post thread that will be an inspiration to so many readers struggling w/addiction!!!! Hopefully readers will be inspired out of "lurkdom" to keep the inspirations coming!! Congratulations to all of you who have made the decision to kick the drug demon to the curb, stomp him, and take back control of YOUR life....yeah!!!! Way to go!!!

Awesome Thread!

I, too, would like to take the time to thank everyone here for their support and inspiration. I don't think I would be 23 DAYS CLEAN without you guys. I haven't been here long, but this site, you people, are worth MORE to ME than any therapist (not to be confused with psycharitrist) that I've paid for in the past. Venting to someone who has NO CLUE what you're going through is fustrating and EXTREMELY discouraging.
Just a quick funny - My hubby will call me from work to make sure that I've visited this site (everyday), he says he can see how it helps me to feel like I'm making a difference for someone. He also sends me to my computer (to THIS Board) when I'm having strong cravings. He believes in the strong support system here by evidence of the changes in me. That should speak volumes as to the apperciation that my WHOLE family has for this group!

Thanks guys,
Christy

Christy, I couldn't agree more!!!! How wonderful that your hubby is sooooooooooo supportive!!!! It is through Boards like this one that I found the strength and courage to overcome my fears about home detoxing and cope w/WDs. When I was up all night and not able to sleep I would just sometimes come to the computer and read Board posts so I could be reminded and encouraged that there IS life after detox. I had no support system outside of online Boards because I was doing a discreet detox. I later told my hubby about it all, but not at the time I was going through it. I just couldn't cope w/his fears and my fears at the same time. So, you are a very lucky gal that you have a hubby who is strong enough to cope and be supportive. My hubby is used to ME being the strong one ....disclosing to him would have terrified him and I just couldn't deal with that and detox at the same time. These Boards are a BLESSING!!!

day two for me...headaches,stomach problems, nervous feeling, just plan down in the dumps. what keeps me going is I have a 11mth old grand daughter....got to stay strong for her...thanks to everyone.

???, hang in there!!! Day2-3 will likely be your worst...Day 4 should start to get better...just keep reminding yourself..."this too will pass in time" ....it is hell, but remember it is a temporary hell...just look forward to all the wonderful times you will have with that beautiful grand daughter after this!!!! Maybe try to focus now on a special thing you will do with her when you are feeling better...even if it is only a victory ride w/Grandpa around the block where you will kiss her and just say "I did this for you sweetheart!!!" Your own personal celebration....don't lose sight of it....whatever it is ......it will give you an anchor goal to concentrate on and help pull you through to the other side. You can do it!!!!!

Doesn't sound fun at all !!! But LIFE free from Hydro is worth ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I am so glad that my experience is helpful to some of you!!

I wanted to add something after reading your comments. In the depths of my addiction, I spent all my personal savings. My husband had to take over all the household bills at the time I was detoxing. I opted to try to detox at home to save the money, and somehow, I did it. Anyway. . . my husband cut off all unnecessary spending in order to make ends meet, but one thing he maintained was our DSL connection. He said that he felt this board was the key to my success. He was not particularly emotionally supportive, but he knew that I needed ya'll to help me through!!! It's a newer group now, but we are all the same in so many ways. This board is great!!

what can I do for leg cramps?

:eek: what can I do for leg cramps?

I never found any over the counter stuff for it. Take some sleeping aids (whatever you like, benzos if you've got a prescription for them), get in the hottest, fullest bath possible, then get out and get straight into bed and pray for sleep.

Baths are the only thing that everyone agrees works, and was the only thing that worked for me. Pray you sleep before they start up again. If you don't, take another bath. While you are in the bath, they'll stop. They start up again as soon as you're out. So stay in there as long or as often as needed.

Not sleeping is another withdrawal symptom, but hopefully you will wear yourself out and sleep eventually - you'll drop off to sleep unexpectedly just as you think your legs need to just fall off :)

Hang in there, this is the hardest part. You don't want to have to do this again and if you don't use again, you won't have to!! One hurdle done with!!

thanks u r an :angel: gone to the bathtub....... :)

Try Potassium and Magnisium supplements

????, in response to your question about options for leg cramps, the best and quickest relief is, as others have said, HOT baths....as hot as you can stand it. Also, try some muscle tightening and release exercises....tighten all your muscles, whole body, as hard as you can...hold for several seconds and slowly release....there is a rhythmic cycle you might want to review in the Home Detox sticky post at the top of the Board page....there are OTC options there that may help you. However, nothing is going to eliminate the WDs, at best things might be lessened. If it had not been for OTC options I would have aborted detox. Our chemistries are all unique to us so what works for one may not work for another, you just have to experiment. Other things that helped me for the legs was Aspercreme and Hyland's Leg Cramps; both available at Walmart. Hyland's Leg Cramps is a homeopathic relief product and contains a non-prescription level of Quinine in it; Quinine is one of the drugs that can be prescribed for restless legs. If you can walk around the house as much as you can that will help....it won't be immediate relief...but will help about an hour after you do it.....walk around for 20-30 min if you can. I about wore out my carpet when I was going through my detox. Hang in there kiddo....it does get better.....you will soon be headed towards your last lap towards victory lane.

?????
When I went through the MAJOR part of physical wd's from an 800mg-1000mg a day addiction, I spent about 55hrs of the first 3 days in a hot bathtub...when I could sleep, I even slept in there. It works for the cramps and the overall uncomfortable feeling in your muscles. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a MAGICAL cure, but it helped me tremendously. I would also say walk, but on day 2, that's probably out of the question for you right now.

Good luck to you and keep us posted - GOOD OR BAD.

Christy

Congrats to you all!! Brave people...life will be good to you!!

I agree, what a informative post, very true about what to expect. I have been abusing pills for the past three years on and off, more on lol. I am 25 yrs old which means I was introduced to vikes at the tender age of about 21 or 22 yrs old. It started when I was dating this hot guy and and he was a dealer, mainly oxys(80 mg ones) kolonopins, zanies, norcos, my gosh any pill you could think of. We liked eachother and would party together and he gave me my first vike, I got so recked off that 10 mg norco, lol, but man I felt so good, a girl who never touched a drug in her whole life became a drug addict that night. From that point on he fed me pills like tic tacs, I was on top of the world. He always had pills and money and almost every day he would take me to foxwoods, fancy resteraunts, and give me any pill I was in the mood for, roxicets,endocets,512's,norcos,lortabs,v icodin Es, any brand he would have. Well soon he got very addicted to O.C.80's(luckily I never liked those)he would snort about 4 80's a day, and then he ended up owing money, loosing his connection and turned to shooting up heroin. I loved this man, he used to be smart before he sold drugs, so sexy and nice looking and a caring person. Now he is sitting in a jail cell for the next 4 yrs at age 25 and he looks horrible, nothing like when I first met him. So you are right something will make you STOP doing pills, I stopped for him and me, because I lost someone I really loved to this, and most of all I lost myself. Thanks guys for letting me get that off my chest, sorry to blow up this post, lol, just got me thinking, and as I write this to you, a tear falls down my cheak, because I miss him and I know he will never be the same,and our love is just a distant memory now but I only hope some day I will be the happy Kelley who never needs pills to live life, I choose life now not pills. :angel:

Sincerely,
Kelley

Kelley,

I am sorry for your pain. BUT GOOD CHOICE MY FRIEND!!! (life over pills)

Hi, I must say that this is some great info for someone like me - I am in the beginnings of getting off Hydrocodone 10 mg - was up to about 90 mg per day, which may not seem like much, but it is still hard to get off of. I'm scared to death but want so much to be rid of this monkey and get back to normal! The only one who knows about me is my husband, and bless his heart he is very supportive but works away from home two weeks out of the month, which will be very hard. But from what I have read, it seems like it can be done if I want it bad enough, and I DO want it! Thanks for being honest, it will help to know what I have ahead of me.

Walkersma,
What an awesome post!!!!
I am Michele and I too am an addict, clean one day at a time and it can be done!!!!
Loving life clean!
Prayers for those seeking to recover.
Michele

Thanks Lvnmylife! Yes life over pills is awesome but man is it a fight to get there, some days I just feel so weak, you know? I also have been thinking of that ex-bf of mine and it makes me sooo sad, just thinking of him sitting in a cell is so hard, I mean this kid ounce had it all when I first met him great looks,smart,everyone loved him now he is just rotting, probably and it makes me crazy not really knowing whats up with him now, only what I hear from friends and I miss him a lot. He was ounce so sweet, just the way he looked into my eyes, and held me so close and lovingly. Sorry to get off track but I think one of the hardest things of overcomming addiction is the memories and pain of loosing people you ounce really loved and having to re-start this new scary life, yes a great new life, but so scary sometimes its like that fear of the unknown that gets me. Anyways thanks again, I do not know what I would do without this board, you guys truly help me make it through each day pill-free and I thank you all for that.


Sincerely,
Kelley :)

Just wanted to post and let ya'll know how I'm doing. Day five for me. And I'm over the w/d's I do not claim anymore of them. I want to say thank ya'll for letting me know what to expect. I was able to deal with the w/d's with your help. Again thank you !!!
Debbie no longer ??????

?????, yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Congratulations!!! You did it!!! :)