Hydrocodone & Methadone - Help for Wife

[aNewman]

Hi Everyone,

Just an update to let everyone know that the bumpy road has turned into smooth asphalt! We just had to get beyond the potholes (no pun intended).

Anyway, early Saturday morning (like 4:30am) , my wife called me from her parent's house freaking out with anxiety and demanding that I come pick her up and take her somewhere to get some help. I had already been searching over the last couple of days for a good facility and knew that the best facility for her was about 2 hours away. Her ultimatium, "Either you come get me or I'll call 9-1-1" was met with my sleep-deprived voice saying, "Call 9-1-1." Then I took the phone off the hook.

Later in the day, I received a call from her in a calmer, less defensive voice asking for my help. I made sure that she realized that she was "asking for help" and that that was finally a step in the right direction. I brought her home with the understanding that things were going to be different -- better than before.

Our children received her with hugs and welcome home signs -- I should have made a Kodak moment out of it. We had a nice peaceful evening of conversation and prayer, and we all got a good night's sleep.

This morning (Sunday) we were up early, discussing various aspects of the last few days and the changes that would need to be made for all of our sanity. The kids went to church and we stayed home and watched one of the local baptist church services. The pastor delivered a message as though it was written just for my wife. It was unbelievable! I can list over 20 people within our family & friends that have been praying for us, and this TV sermon made us feel that they were all answered.

I'll try to get her to post the next update. We both know that there will still be rough days, and I'm sure that you guys will be there for encouragement and support. I think her testimony is a good message of hope for anyone who feels that things are hopeless.

ANewman

[Gene Purdy]

Originally Posted by aNewman

Dear Good People,

I'm a first time poster here, so I hope I'm doing this right. My wife informed me about this board a couple of days ago, so I've spent several hours reading messages. I hoped that I would have found the answer to my question without having to post, but haven't found it yet. Hopefully without overkill, please allow me to tell her story and my question:

My wife is mid-40's -- we've been married for 22+ years and have 3 beautiful children. In the mid-1980's, my wife sought help for Depression/Anxiety/Panic Attacks. At some point in the quest for help, a doctor prescribed Prozac (new at the time), and it seemed to give life back to her. She has been on it continuously ever since.

Fast-forwarding to October 2003, my wife reluctantly admitted a 3-4 year pattern of Hydrocodone use; starting with a pill every now and then, escalating up to 10-12 pills each day (5.0 or 7.5, not 10). As I understand it, the original reason for the prescription was headaches associated with menstrual cycle. The reason for continued and increased use (over a year ago) was to provide energy to counteract the "dragging effect" of Prozac, AND to prevent what she discovered to be the flu-like symptons of withdrawal.

By April of this year, we made several attempts at our own weaning process, but finally saw this as a vicious cycle and sought the help of our family physician. He admitted that he was not an expert on the subject of opiate addiction, but indicated that he knew which drug was used -- Methadone.

Based on her 500-750 mg/day use of Hydro, he determined a starting point of 40 mg/day of Meth. (which she had a hard time taking) and within 3-4 days dropped to 35mg/day. Over the last 4 months, we've tapered her down to 10 mg/day (for roughly two weeks) and yesterday was her last 5 mg.

I explained this whole thing to one of our other doctors yesterday, and he said that she should be to a point of stepping away from Methadone without any withdrawals. My wife would love to hear that fact from someone who's been there!

She has also read enough on boards and in books to know that there are Methadone programs that believe in "methadone maintenance" for life -- and she wants to believe that that's OK as long as it keeps her feeling "normal."

She also worries (from her reading) that "if this is not done right" then she will relapse and again be craving Hydro.

My gut feeling is that she was on a small amount of Hydro (compared to others that we've heard of) and subsequently a small amount of Methadone, therefore, shouldn't we expect that any withdrawals be minor? This is my main question.

Assuming that this "step away" is really IT, what advice does anyone have in dealing the mental side of being drug free (for someone who's been accustomed to taking pills for so long).

I appreciate your input!

From around 1997 to December 2004 I had been taking "hydro" 7.5mg. and 10mg. as with your wife I started out taking it as directed but it quickly became an addiction and soon was taking as much as your wife or more. I have not taken any since that time. Your wife needs to think of this addiction like being an alcoholic, you will never lose the urge to take the drug. The only thing that will change, which will come with time, is how often and how long the cravings come and go. As time goes by the urges will become further and fewer but will probably never completely go away. I know this sounds depressing but it will always day to day fight. But the bright side is the thoughts and craving for the drug get weaker as time goes by. I've never taken any Methadone for my addiction and let me tell you it is a hard thing to go through, but physicaly I feel much better since I've stopped taking the drug. So encourage your wife to stay off this drug because the Tylenol that is is in this drug will eventually give her Liver Disease and cause her Liver to shut down. The daily limit for Tylenol is 4000mg. Each tablet of "Hydro". has 500mg. of Tylenol in it. So basically when we take all that "Hydro" we are slowlly poisoning our system. Good Luck to you and your wife.

[aNewman]

Hi Gene,

Wow, I can't believe that it's been almost a year and this thread is still getting attention. Hopefully, it provides information to the user as well as the loved ones of the user.

The last 9-10 months have had their share of sorrow and joy. Without a doubt, recovery would not have been possible without our close-knit family, some true friends, and our faith in God.

The battle with addiction recovery is never over, it's just conquered one day at a time. We're at Day 300+.

My advice to those that truly Love and are Committed to their spouse or friend, is get professional help. Don't feel badly about not knowing the details of medications, but DO get involved with his/her doctors, pharmacists, psychologists, friends, etc.

On this Memorial Day, remember those that have sacrificed their lives for the betterment many.

Prayers for you all,
Derrell

[Kraen]

Originally Posted by aNewman

Dear Good People,

I'm a first time poster here, so I hope I'm doing this right. My wife informed me about this board a couple of days ago, so I've spent several hours reading messages. I hoped that I would have found the answer to my question without having to post, but haven't found it yet. Hopefully without overkill, please allow me to tell her story and my question:

My wife is mid-40's -- we've been married for 22+ years and have 3 beautiful children. In the mid-1980's, my wife sought help for Depression/Anxiety/Panic Attacks. At some point in the quest for help, a doctor prescribed Prozac (new at the time), and it seemed to give life back to her. She has been on it continuously ever since.

Fast-forwarding to October 2003, my wife reluctantly admitted a 3-4 year pattern of Hydrocodone use; starting with a pill every now and then, escalating up to 10-12 pills each day (5.0 or 7.5, not 10). As I understand it, the original reason for the prescription was headaches associated with menstrual cycle. The reason for continued and increased use (over a year ago) was to provide energy to counteract the "dragging effect" of Prozac, AND to prevent what she discovered to be the flu-like symptons of withdrawal.

By April of this year, we made several attempts at our own weaning process, but finally saw this as a vicious cycle and sought the help of our family physician. He admitted that he was not an expert on the subject of opiate addiction, but indicated that he knew which drug was used -- Methadone.

Based on her 500-750 mg/day use of Hydro, he determined a starting point of 40 mg/day of Meth. (which she had a hard time taking) and within 3-4 days dropped to 35mg/day. Over the last 4 months, we've tapered her down to 10 mg/day (for roughly two weeks) and yesterday was her last 5 mg.

I explained this whole thing to one of our other doctors yesterday, and he said that she should be to a point of stepping away from Methadone without any withdrawals. My wife would love to hear that fact from someone who's been there!

She has also read enough on boards and in books to know that there are Methadone programs that believe in "methadone maintenance" for life -- and she wants to believe that that's OK as long as it keeps her feeling "normal."

She also worries (from her reading) that "if this is not done right" then she will relapse and again be craving Hydro.

My gut feeling is that she was on a small amount of Hydro (compared to others that we've heard of) and subsequently a small amount of Methadone, therefore, shouldn't we expect that any withdrawals be minor? This is my main question.

Assuming that this "step away" is really IT, what advice does anyone have in dealing the mental side of being drug free (for someone who's been accustomed to taking pills for so long).

I appreciate your input!

[Kraen]

I have had the same experience with Hydrocodone and Methadone. I will just share a little about my feelings. I was taking hydrocodone for pain management and then graduated to methadone which I also became addicted to. That addiction led me in directions I never thought I would go. In May 2006 I overdosed on Methadone and almost died. As soon as I got out of the hospital I was using it again. I had to have it. I was totally addicted....physically and mentally.

Have you ever heard that Methadone is "Synthetic Heroin"? Well, I got addicted to Methadone which is not that easy to get your hands on. The Pharmacy is very strict about not filling your scripts early. So, I had to find another source to feed my addiction. Someone I met in Rehab. introduced me to heroin....and the rest is history. I eventually did quit all drugs. But Methadone was by far the worse detox I have ever experienced !! It took me about 9 months to get all of that out of my system and return to normal. The last thing to go was the twitching. My arms and legs would jerk and if I was laying down my whole body would jerk. I would advise anyone that is considering taking Methadone on a long term basis to get more info. from others that have experienced it. The Doc's don't know what it's like ! Methadone is very dangerous...very hard to kick...and a hellish detox. I wish you and your wife all the best