Hello everyone. My name is Paul, and I have a problem with the prescription drug, Hydrocodone (Lorcet+). For the last year, I have taken the drug since surgery. I have lately been taking only 1 tablet a day, but I've had terrible withdrawals. I can't sleep, and I am unable to work. 1/2 a table helps a lot, but can I do this on my own and become free of the drug? I don't want to enter rehab, because I will lose my job. How can I do this with help? Is there a way. Please advise, ok? I appreciate any input as to what to do, or what kind of doctor that might be able to help me.
Thanks,
Paul
Paul, Hey and welcome to the board. I would love to help you but need more information. How much were you taking at your peak? How many days have you been down to 1 or 1/2?
The fact that you have tapered to such a low amount is great and will make it much easier.....write me back, please.
The fact that you have tapered to such a low amount is great and will make it much easier.....write me back, please.
How many were you on before you went to 1 pill, and did you taper down to one pill or jump to just one pill. Tapering really helps alot with wd if you can do it I have had good luck so far with it. I was only taking about four a day for a bout a year, and went to 3 a day for a few days then down to 2 a day for a couple of day and then to 1 for one day now I have been on 1/2 for two days and tommorrow I will have none I am sure I will have some wd. but not as bad as I would have had, I think the mental will be the worse. If you can taper off that is great but I know tapering is not for everyone. but if you can like I said it will help with wd. how bad are your wd?
Paul,
I too had trouble coming off of the same drug after surgery. They just made me feel so good even after the pain subsided. I still have issues health issues, but I have weened myself off of the vicidon. I never took more than 2-4 at the most, 5mg. prescribed for pain. I also took ibprophen in between when the pain was really bad. I fooled around with them taking one or two a day every now and them until I realized that I felt like crap if I didn't take one. I don't even think I knew that I was going through WD. Then I got scared when I started to read about the addiction to them. From what I have learned, it is very suttle. I love the feeling I get when I take one and some days it's hard to get through the day without one. I occupy my mind with other things and just don't obsess about it, or try not to.
I guess you could say now that I am an internet junkie since I seem to go from one addiction to another. I am also eating a lot more and sleeping a lot. I do have an advantage. I take medicine for bipolar2 from my psychatrist which is lamictal and also a very low dose of an antidepressant, lexapro. That helps me get through the rough days. I no longer think about having one except when I have a busy day and no energy. I think exercise is a big help if you can walk or work out. What we do when we take these drugs is hide from our reality which sometimes really sucks. Mine isn't that way, I just have so much stuff stuffed and a lot of issues from living in an alcoholic home as a child and having an addict for son. I was widowed 6 years ago this Feb. 6th. I am 52 and have a brand new beautiful granddaughter that brings me so much joy. She makes me feel better than the drug. :-) so.. I try to get her as often as possible.
I have said a lot, but I needed to do that. I have a lot to say, we all do. Maybe we never had or still don't have anyone that really listens! I need to get back in a recovery program like alanon or NA or acoa, but I keep making excuses. I guess in some ways my reality does suck. I have had three major abdominal surgeries in 3 years, putting me on disability and altering my ability to lift much walk a lot, exercise, and I have gained 30 lbs from being laid up so much. I now that the inactivity is one reason for me taking the pills because they make me want to get out and do things and I can stay up all day and I love it. The next few days I'm in the bed, cramping, hurting, etc. and I have to rest and stay off my feet. Fortunaly, I have an understanging partner and he loves me just the way I am which is new to me. :-)
I will go now. It's good to know I have people that I can share with.
Very Sincerely,
Judy n KY
I too had trouble coming off of the same drug after surgery. They just made me feel so good even after the pain subsided. I still have issues health issues, but I have weened myself off of the vicidon. I never took more than 2-4 at the most, 5mg. prescribed for pain. I also took ibprophen in between when the pain was really bad. I fooled around with them taking one or two a day every now and them until I realized that I felt like crap if I didn't take one. I don't even think I knew that I was going through WD. Then I got scared when I started to read about the addiction to them. From what I have learned, it is very suttle. I love the feeling I get when I take one and some days it's hard to get through the day without one. I occupy my mind with other things and just don't obsess about it, or try not to.
I guess you could say now that I am an internet junkie since I seem to go from one addiction to another. I am also eating a lot more and sleeping a lot. I do have an advantage. I take medicine for bipolar2 from my psychatrist which is lamictal and also a very low dose of an antidepressant, lexapro. That helps me get through the rough days. I no longer think about having one except when I have a busy day and no energy. I think exercise is a big help if you can walk or work out. What we do when we take these drugs is hide from our reality which sometimes really sucks. Mine isn't that way, I just have so much stuff stuffed and a lot of issues from living in an alcoholic home as a child and having an addict for son. I was widowed 6 years ago this Feb. 6th. I am 52 and have a brand new beautiful granddaughter that brings me so much joy. She makes me feel better than the drug. :-) so.. I try to get her as often as possible.
I have said a lot, but I needed to do that. I have a lot to say, we all do. Maybe we never had or still don't have anyone that really listens! I need to get back in a recovery program like alanon or NA or acoa, but I keep making excuses. I guess in some ways my reality does suck. I have had three major abdominal surgeries in 3 years, putting me on disability and altering my ability to lift much walk a lot, exercise, and I have gained 30 lbs from being laid up so much. I now that the inactivity is one reason for me taking the pills because they make me want to get out and do things and I can stay up all day and I love it. The next few days I'm in the bed, cramping, hurting, etc. and I have to rest and stay off my feet. Fortunaly, I have an understanging partner and he loves me just the way I am which is new to me. :-)
I will go now. It's good to know I have people that I can share with.
Very Sincerely,
Judy n KY
HI, Paul, welcome to the board! You came to a great place for help.
I came to this board because my 29 year old son got hooked on vicodin, then oxycontin, then heroin. Please keep him in your prayers that he can get clean and stay clean. I'm so scared of losing him to this hellish drug!
Since I'm not an addict, I can't offer advice but I can promise you that I will keep you in my prayers. I care, Paul. You can do this with the help of God and this board!
God bless!
Susan
I came to this board because my 29 year old son got hooked on vicodin, then oxycontin, then heroin. Please keep him in your prayers that he can get clean and stay clean. I'm so scared of losing him to this hellish drug!
Since I'm not an addict, I can't offer advice but I can promise you that I will keep you in my prayers. I care, Paul. You can do this with the help of God and this board!
God bless!
Susan
Welcome to the board Paul, I am a newbie here also. I used to be hooked on the hydrocodone as well as Percs. It is no fun coming off of them this is for sure. I started out taking have of a lorcet 7.5 twice per day. Then it got to where I HAD to have at least two lorcet 10mg. just for my feet to hit the floor of a morning. Tapering is the best idea. IMO cold turkey is just too rough, and it can cause other problems such as dehydration(sp?) and so on.
What was your dose at your peak? Sounds like a great start if you are down to one a day.
Take Care,
Cheri
What was your dose at your peak? Sounds like a great start if you are down to one a day.
Take Care,
Cheri
Hi Paul,
If you've been taking only one pill per day for a few days now, and this is your first time ever getting off of pills, your withdrawals likely will be pretty mild compared to most if you stop completely. You'll probably get some flu-like symptoms and general achiness for about 3-5 days, maybe "restless" legs, but the worst will likely be over after day 3. Sleep disturbances can carry on for a little while longer.
Motrin helps the aches, as do hot baths or showers; Immodium A-D helps with the runs; Benadryl, Dramamine, or SleepyTime teas can help with sleep; TheraFlu helped me with the flu symptoms; walking and hot baths w/Epsom Salts also helped (me at least) with the "running" legs.
The harder part for you, as with the rest of us, will likely be staying stopped. To improve your chances, close off your sources -- whatever doctor you've been getting them from, or other source, end it. Consider an Intensive Outpatient Program, AA or NA program, counseling, or all of the above to give yourself a good foundation for staying off the hydro permanently. I think you'll find that the more you invest up front, the bigger the pay off down the road. Good luck, and please keep posting. Glad you're here, and especially glad that you're beginning the road to recovery. Peace, M.
If you've been taking only one pill per day for a few days now, and this is your first time ever getting off of pills, your withdrawals likely will be pretty mild compared to most if you stop completely. You'll probably get some flu-like symptoms and general achiness for about 3-5 days, maybe "restless" legs, but the worst will likely be over after day 3. Sleep disturbances can carry on for a little while longer.
Motrin helps the aches, as do hot baths or showers; Immodium A-D helps with the runs; Benadryl, Dramamine, or SleepyTime teas can help with sleep; TheraFlu helped me with the flu symptoms; walking and hot baths w/Epsom Salts also helped (me at least) with the "running" legs.
The harder part for you, as with the rest of us, will likely be staying stopped. To improve your chances, close off your sources -- whatever doctor you've been getting them from, or other source, end it. Consider an Intensive Outpatient Program, AA or NA program, counseling, or all of the above to give yourself a good foundation for staying off the hydro permanently. I think you'll find that the more you invest up front, the bigger the pay off down the road. Good luck, and please keep posting. Glad you're here, and especially glad that you're beginning the road to recovery. Peace, M.
