I am going on 48 hours of quitting cold turkey. I have been taking Lortab 10s for about 2 years - ranging from 3-6 per day, depending. My first night was last night and I could not sleep in the same room as my husband, my restless legs were keeping him up. After a Xanax, I managed to sleep. I am miserable. All I can do is nap - but I have had plenty of sleep, so even napping is difficult now. I don't have to work for another 48 hours. I bartend and can drink at work. I have several questions. First, I was under the impression that the first 72 hours are the worst. That means I should be feeling better by the time I have to go to work. Is that true? I don't think I can make it through a shift the way I feel. As I can drink at work - do you think if I had some shots, it would make me feel better. In the past, I have noticed that the sweats and anxiety are still there, even with a few shots of bourbon - although that was within the first 72 hours. But I have read on this post that it does actually help to drink a bit. We also have Red Bull at work. I have Somas and Xanax, but those make me too drowsy to work. Will the stomach issues be resolved by the time I have to work? Will Imodium help me through my shift? I still have a supply of Lortabs, but do not wish to take them. I am scared that if I feel lousy still by the time I have to work, I will take 1/2 or 1 just to get me through my shift and then I will have to start all over quitting. I really really really am motivated to quit. I was expecting 72 hours of hell and then another week of more emotional desire rather than physical withdrawal. The emotional part does not scare me, I am more than motivated. The physical withdrawal is more than I can handle. I know everyone is different, but I am hoping to get some encouragement that I will be feeling much better by my 96th hour of quitting. Please advise.....

Everyone is different for me day 3 was the worst. But I was really feeling better after that and your on a low dosage. Exercise will help and yes immodium will help you get through your shift I found just a dose works for me and your taking about what I was. Just keep on trucking I did take 1/2 myself when the w/ds were too much good luck Kim

Hey there. I never made it that far while going cold turkey. I was only in detox for 4 days, so I would say, after that things should be a lot better. If you can, see a dr who can give you something to help with the wd's. That is my best advice. The red bulls were very helpful and will give you that little jolt. The shots will not get rid of the feelings you have for lortab. If you do some shots, you will just have a buzz but will still want the pills. They just do totally different things.
You have made it 2 days and if you keep off of them, you will not have to go through those 2 days again. Keep it up!!!

Well I am on day 3 and feeling much better. I still would not say I am 100%, but I was expecting today to be the worst. I basically feel like I had the flu for the last 2 days. Today, I am weak and dehydrated from all the sweating, but feeling a lot more alert. I feel like I can maybe attempt some simple housework today. I took an immodium last night and that solved my stomach issues. I wish I had done that on the first day. Other than that - I expect to have a difficult next week. I am getting the feeling that the cravings won't go a way for a while. Thanks for the support and it feels great knowing that the worst is behind me!

Awesome!! Have you done any exercise yet? Life saver for me. If you can, get the heart rate up today and you will have about a 2-3 hour of feeling better than 100%.
Also, the cravings will go away. They will come back from time to time. Why wouldnt they-they are supposed to make us feel gooooooooooood. We sometimes forget that they only gave us that high and kick for a short period of time. When this happens, I try to play the tape back and I dont ever want to go there. Today, for some crazy reason, I have been thinking about the pills. Maybe its because I am bored at work and feeling tired today. who knows. But I have been off the pills for almost 3 months now.
I'm trying to look ahead. I have a pot roast(yummmm) in the crock pot waiting for me at home and I'm going to get a kick a** workout at the gym tonight.

When I would start to get the cravings I would just get up and do something anything until they passed doing housework will help cause you will be focused on other things then how you feel, no energy and not thinking about or craving pills. During my innitail w/d I didnt really have cravings that came a little later on. You sound like your getting better and everyday will be easier. Kim

Wow - I just worked out and it was not so good. I guess that's because I've been doing yoga 3-5 times per week, the whole time I was taking pills. I really lived a regular life. I am reading these posts about those of you who lost that elated feeling and were just suffering while using. I guess I never got to that point, which is good and bad. I wanted to stop before it got too bad. Yet on the other hand, life isn't as much fun without the pills....yet. I am weak and sore and hoping this passes soon. I think it's the habitual that is going to be the hardest. Thanks for all the support and advice.

I'm an alcoholic that in the end, I drank just to maintain. I actually dreaded it - the drinking because I knew I would just drink and pass out. It wasnt fun and hadnt been for a very long time. From reading these boards, addiction is addiction no matter what your DOC is.
If you just try and do it one day at a time it will get easier. Thats what they tell me in AA, and thats what I am doing.
Gald you posting, it helps to know that there are others in my situation. keep on going. You can do it.

Marilyn:wave: