DawnD
11-18-2001, 01:42 PM
I need serious help my life is consumed with addiction to pain pills of any kind my husband is going crazy trying to help me in any way he can He has been on this rollercoaster ride for 4 long years with me Im trying to quit as we write on my own and i know the difficuties involved but i cannot ruin another holiday the lies have got to stop ihave a lot to say but frankly im too weak from withdrawels
Sponsor
LeeEllen
11-18-2001, 02:25 PM
Hi - I'm so sorry you're having such a time, but I do understand, believe me. I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict and I ruined more than 1 holiday.
I doubt you'll like my suggestion, but it worked for me and countless others. Tell your doctor -- he/she won't turn you in. Your doc will be able to help you taper off with the least amount of discomfort, plus be able to treat you in the future with meds that won't put you at risk for a relapse. You don't say how much you take in a days time but I'm sure it's more than the "norm."
Your doctor can be your best friend right now. He may also be able to suggest a detox facility, if you prefer. Do NOT be ashamed of this -- it happens more often than we think. Addiction is a disease - a FATAL disease. It's progressive but we CAN arrest it!!!! Don't put off getting help --- you can damage organs.
Also, please call NA -- again, don't be ashamed. Don't think that all you'll see is heroin junkies from the streets. We are all alike, and the people at NA know exactly what you're going thru. Let them help.
I wish you the very best. You have the POWER to do this. Don't give that power away to addiction. Peace, Lee
I doubt you'll like my suggestion, but it worked for me and countless others. Tell your doctor -- he/she won't turn you in. Your doc will be able to help you taper off with the least amount of discomfort, plus be able to treat you in the future with meds that won't put you at risk for a relapse. You don't say how much you take in a days time but I'm sure it's more than the "norm."
Your doctor can be your best friend right now. He may also be able to suggest a detox facility, if you prefer. Do NOT be ashamed of this -- it happens more often than we think. Addiction is a disease - a FATAL disease. It's progressive but we CAN arrest it!!!! Don't put off getting help --- you can damage organs.
Also, please call NA -- again, don't be ashamed. Don't think that all you'll see is heroin junkies from the streets. We are all alike, and the people at NA know exactly what you're going thru. Let them help.
I wish you the very best. You have the POWER to do this. Don't give that power away to addiction. Peace, Lee
Christine
11-18-2001, 05:35 PM
Hi -
I can relate to your pain - really. I am with LeeEllen - dont try to do it yourself - there is help for you. Getting honest is the first step - and i think you will find that if you are truly ready to quit, and you are ready to get honest - try AA or NA - listen, and take the suggestions. Keep going. It works - you said it "didn't work' for you - may I be so blunt as to say that when it doesn't work, it's ususally because you aren't working the program. i put my future husband through hell too for 4 years. Trust me - if you keep running him through the gauntlet of your addiction, you will lose him. I know that if I ever "go out" again, that will be my fate and I can't stand to think of it. Check yourself into a rehab, and detox, then get involved - I mean INVOLVED in a local group - you will get the help you need - I assure you. You've got to want to get your life back, and it is so worth it.
Good luck.
I can relate to your pain - really. I am with LeeEllen - dont try to do it yourself - there is help for you. Getting honest is the first step - and i think you will find that if you are truly ready to quit, and you are ready to get honest - try AA or NA - listen, and take the suggestions. Keep going. It works - you said it "didn't work' for you - may I be so blunt as to say that when it doesn't work, it's ususally because you aren't working the program. i put my future husband through hell too for 4 years. Trust me - if you keep running him through the gauntlet of your addiction, you will lose him. I know that if I ever "go out" again, that will be my fate and I can't stand to think of it. Check yourself into a rehab, and detox, then get involved - I mean INVOLVED in a local group - you will get the help you need - I assure you. You've got to want to get your life back, and it is so worth it.
Good luck.
DawnD
11-18-2001, 05:49 PM
Lee, I appreciate your feedback. I'm cutting back and trying to taper down fron 10 to 15 10mg lortabs a day. I have 7 left and only took 3 today that in itself is amazing i went to the local health food store picked up a huge amount of herbal remedies and vitamins i know thats not the cure but hopefully it along with lots of water BC powder and Immodium AD will help if anyone has a home remedy to get over the detox part let me know Dawn
nadineparks
11-18-2001, 10:30 PM
Hi Dawn
I totally understand where you are coming from. I myself am trying to do it on my own. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. My part isn't so much the physical withdrawls. It's the MENTAL! Sure I am coping some with the diarrea (is that how you spell that?) and the total lack of energy but, the mental aspect of this whole mess I'm in has really taken over. It's whats kept me going back time and time again. When your looking forward to the energy and the good mood they put you in. You literally watch the clock to see how much longer until the 30 minutes is up and you will be feeling so much "happier". Anyway, thats the toughest part for me. This morning was ROUGH! I managed to drag my "butt" to work as I always do though. I have tried to work out a way to actually go into a rehab but right now that just isn't an option. I cannot afford to miss work for a week or 2 at this point. Maybe at the beginning of the year, but not now. So you and I are in the same boat it seems as far as the rehab thing goes. It's comforting in a way to know I'm not the only one out here trying to kick this thing "by myself".
I am curious as to when and how your addiction started. Who introduced you to the evil world of pain pills? I say evil in a lot in my posts because I feel thats exactly what these little white, blue, pink, or whatever you can get in a paticular week pills are...evil. They take a hold of you and before you know it, your hooked. Never having thought it could happen to you.
Please let me know how your doing. I truly wish you the best of luck. A lot of us here know first hand how hard it is and can sympathize with what your going thru.
A friend,
Nadine
I totally understand where you are coming from. I myself am trying to do it on my own. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. My part isn't so much the physical withdrawls. It's the MENTAL! Sure I am coping some with the diarrea (is that how you spell that?) and the total lack of energy but, the mental aspect of this whole mess I'm in has really taken over. It's whats kept me going back time and time again. When your looking forward to the energy and the good mood they put you in. You literally watch the clock to see how much longer until the 30 minutes is up and you will be feeling so much "happier". Anyway, thats the toughest part for me. This morning was ROUGH! I managed to drag my "butt" to work as I always do though. I have tried to work out a way to actually go into a rehab but right now that just isn't an option. I cannot afford to miss work for a week or 2 at this point. Maybe at the beginning of the year, but not now. So you and I are in the same boat it seems as far as the rehab thing goes. It's comforting in a way to know I'm not the only one out here trying to kick this thing "by myself".
I am curious as to when and how your addiction started. Who introduced you to the evil world of pain pills? I say evil in a lot in my posts because I feel thats exactly what these little white, blue, pink, or whatever you can get in a paticular week pills are...evil. They take a hold of you and before you know it, your hooked. Never having thought it could happen to you.
Please let me know how your doing. I truly wish you the best of luck. A lot of us here know first hand how hard it is and can sympathize with what your going thru.
A friend,
Nadine
Vincent
11-19-2001, 08:03 AM
Some things to help with the withdrawal symptoms are....
Taking hot baths....the hotter the better or even a hot shower will help.
Drink plenty of water and Gatorade is also a good drink because it replaces the electrolytes that we lose when we get the diarreah.
Benedryl is good to take to help you sleep....now...not three or four...just take the receommended dosage, which I believe is two...they will make you tired and probably provide you with a few hours of good sleep.
Be careful with the supplements that you bought...and if you start to take them, only take one at a time. Supplements can make you feel worse and if you start with more than one, you will never know which one is helping or causing you more problems.
If it were me, I WOULD NOT start any type of supplements until I KNOW I am finished with most of the withdrawal symptoms.
Besides, if the withdrawal is too comfortable, you may just go back to taking the pills, the next time you're at your doctor's office, so if the withdrawal is a little on the uncomfortable side, you will think twice about taking the Lortabs again.
Do you have REAL pain issues that you deal with, or do you take the pills ONLY for the buzz?
Taking hot baths....the hotter the better or even a hot shower will help.
Drink plenty of water and Gatorade is also a good drink because it replaces the electrolytes that we lose when we get the diarreah.
Benedryl is good to take to help you sleep....now...not three or four...just take the receommended dosage, which I believe is two...they will make you tired and probably provide you with a few hours of good sleep.
Be careful with the supplements that you bought...and if you start to take them, only take one at a time. Supplements can make you feel worse and if you start with more than one, you will never know which one is helping or causing you more problems.
If it were me, I WOULD NOT start any type of supplements until I KNOW I am finished with most of the withdrawal symptoms.
Besides, if the withdrawal is too comfortable, you may just go back to taking the pills, the next time you're at your doctor's office, so if the withdrawal is a little on the uncomfortable side, you will think twice about taking the Lortabs again.
Do you have REAL pain issues that you deal with, or do you take the pills ONLY for the buzz?
DawnD
11-19-2001, 12:07 PM
i started app. 4 years ago with severe menstrual pains and one day itook 1 without the pain and liked the feeling now i take them just to survive the day yes they are evil but they let me get through the day pain free they are too accessible for me i manipulate lie decieve or what ever else i need to do to get them i have 2 left and am watching over them as if they were royalty thanks for the feedback Dawn
hzebo
11-20-2001, 06:04 PM
Have you tried talking to your supervisor? Many businesses now recognize drug/alcohol addiction as a treatable disease and offer employees leave and other options to clean up.
Just a thought. I work for a State agency in Texas and they are all for helping. They even have an employee assistance program.
good luck.
I had to detox for 10 days, I was so strrung out on Ativan adn alcohol and then I voluntarily remained in the 28 day program. I didn't have a job though by that time, I had lost everything. This disease is progressive. If I knew then what I know now, I would have just started going to meetings. Not that the 28 days didn't help me, it is just that once I got that monkey off my back I could have gotten more help from my NA meetings because there are people there that have understood every single emotion that I go through.
good luck
hazel
Just a thought. I work for a State agency in Texas and they are all for helping. They even have an employee assistance program.
good luck.
I had to detox for 10 days, I was so strrung out on Ativan adn alcohol and then I voluntarily remained in the 28 day program. I didn't have a job though by that time, I had lost everything. This disease is progressive. If I knew then what I know now, I would have just started going to meetings. Not that the 28 days didn't help me, it is just that once I got that monkey off my back I could have gotten more help from my NA meetings because there are people there that have understood every single emotion that I go through.
good luck
hazel
Mr Mojo
11-22-2001, 01:04 PM
Dawn,
Take it from someone that's been there. Tapering from 10 to 15 10mg Lorcets per day and only having 7 left, and your previous daily taper was 3, is going to mean MAJOR withdrawls. Take the previous advice and speak with your DR about a slower taper. Most DR's now understand the issues with tapering off opiods and will help out. They have many different ways of doing this that may involve RX'ing you small quantities more frequently to avoid you dumping the taper. If it requires 100 more pills to complete the taper, I don't think any DR is going to give them all to you at once. It also may include other drugs (Benzos, Buprenex, etc.) to help ease withdrawl pains. Most likely, you will also need mental "treatment" either thru a center or a group like NA or AA.
Take care and good luck,
Paul
Take it from someone that's been there. Tapering from 10 to 15 10mg Lorcets per day and only having 7 left, and your previous daily taper was 3, is going to mean MAJOR withdrawls. Take the previous advice and speak with your DR about a slower taper. Most DR's now understand the issues with tapering off opiods and will help out. They have many different ways of doing this that may involve RX'ing you small quantities more frequently to avoid you dumping the taper. If it requires 100 more pills to complete the taper, I don't think any DR is going to give them all to you at once. It also may include other drugs (Benzos, Buprenex, etc.) to help ease withdrawl pains. Most likely, you will also need mental "treatment" either thru a center or a group like NA or AA.
Take care and good luck,
Paul