First time poster - Day 12 w/no hydro - Am I on track?

[hydronomore]

Good evening,

I am a white male, early 40's that has suffered from chronic/nagging back aches for the last 8 or so years. After every test under the sun (MRI's, CAT scans, x-rays, bone density testing, and the list goes on and on - the docs have determined that there's nothing "structurally" wrong with my back and that it's strictly a muscular tension issue. I've been on every muscle relaxer, anti imflam.'s, etc. there is. The only consistent, effective relief are the addictive narcotics - hydrocodone to be specific. I've been taking 3 of the 7.5/500 per day for the first two years and for the last two years (due to the tolerance factor), I've had to take 1.5 three times per day. I can clearly see where this is going and drew a line in the sand w/myself 12 days ago to completely rid my self of these pills and start treating my aching back w/exercise, diet, more rest and generally taking better care of myself.

OK - having the above, I will describe these last 12 days with no hydros in hopes that some of the more experienced folks here and give me some input as far as if I'm on track or not.

Day #1-#3 Back ached real bad and was very nervous/anxieous. Took Xanax these day. Little sleep at night.
Day #4-#5 Back didn't ache as bad but began to feel depressed. Didn't take any Xanax today but still very little sleep at night.
Day #6-#7 Back ached real bad but had little to know depression. Took Xanax and still little sleep at night.
Day #8-#9 Back mildly ached but still had the depression. Took Xanax with little sleep at night.
Day #10 This was the day I've waited for - no aches and very little depression. Didn't take any Xanax but still hard to sleep and stay aspleep.
Day #11-#12 Back not aching at all but depression still prevelent, taking Xanax and still little sleep.

Any all posts to this w/advice, tips, etc. will be throughly read and studied. Am I on track with this cold turkey dropping of the hydros? Am I doing the right thing by treating my depression w/Xanax? At present, the real issue is my depression and spontaneous crying which happens a few times per day.

Thanks so much and God bless,

Hydronomore

[mk7657]

Wow! You're doing great. When do you plan on dropping the xanax?

mk

[Yossarian22]

yeah man! keep it up - not long to go till you're toally there - ive no idea what xanax are - but as mk has said - when you dropping them??

keep going mate!!

yoss

"All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain."

[mano2008]

It sounds like you are doing as well as can be expected....Congrats on day 12....that is GREAT! It sounds like you are being careful with the benzo and only using as needed...that's a good idea for the first few weeks. You should now work on an exercise routine, even if you start with walking a mile every day. Exercise is the best way to jump start your natural endorphins, which have been asleep for some time now. By the end of the month you should be starting to feel real good and sleeping through the night...maybe you could get a sleep aid for the next week or two, so you don't need as much benzo. And ibuprofen (Advil) seems to work much better than acetaminophen for this type of discomfort.

Congrats on making a really smart decision to get clean...my last advice for now is throw away any pills you may have stashed...too much of a temptation for you if you have any around.

Keep up the great work, and welcome...I'm new here too!

mano

[g8trgrl15]

Sounds like to me you're doing awesome!! I know that you're not feeling that way yet, but every day will get better. Just try to taper down off the Xanax, and you'll be great! We're all here supporting you! Let us know how you're doing...

g8trgrl