Need advice

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Rusty6842

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Two years ago my Dr. prescribed Hydrocodone APAP 5/500 for a pain condition that I will not get into at this time. Over the 2 years I have never abused the drug at all. Have always taken just as directed. I noticed that the pill no longer relieved my pain as before but never tired to increase the dosage.

After I had completed my last refill, I decided to stop taking it, as it was no longer releveing my pain. Man!!! what a surprise!! Terrible stomach pain, sweats, shaky, runny nose, hot and cold, cannot keep still etc. How can I possibly be addicted when I never abused the damm thing?? I am just sick over it. I have 3 refills wating for me at the pharmacy, Do I have to continue taking these things that are now not helping my pain at all??

Please some thoughts on this. Thanks
 
Hello Rusty

Guess this has been a real shock to you! I am sorry.

Rusty, you are not displaying signs of addiction, just of dependence. Addiction would involve a constant increasing of the pills, constant thinking about them, counting them and taking them for more than just physical pain.

What is being displayed is dependence. Any med with an opiate in it that is used for a long period of time will cause the body to become dependent on it. When using Hydrocodone, the opiate in it starts to take over some of the functions of the brain that occur naturally. Sudden stopping will cause exactly what you have been experiencing. The body and brain go a bit bezerk as it looks frantically for the drug it is used to having. These symptoms will continue for a while until the body and brain readjust itself to performing without them. A period of depression also occurs because the serotonin production in the brain has been severely limited due to the opiate becoming the "feel good" chemical in its place.

Coming off an opiate can be done "cold turkey" ( which is what you actually did), or it can be tapered down to help control the withdrawal symptoms. In tapering, we can curb the severity of the symptoms, but in all honesty, we can not eliminate them altogether,

See your prescribing doctor ASAP to develop a plan for coming off of the Hydocodone. Many have been helped by using a bloodpressure med, such as clonododine, to help with some of the symptoms like sweating and chills.

You do not seem to be an addict, Randy, but sadly, whether addict or not, withdrawal symptoms are going to happen. I wish you well and hope you will ask any questions that this board bcan help you with.

With hope
reach
 
Hi Rusty. Welcome to the board. Surprise!! You found this board the same way I did. I was totally naive about Percocets and I stopped taking them one day when my pain went away and I was in for a shock just like you. The people on this board really helped me out.

Reachout's information to see your doctor and figure out a plan to get off of the Hydro is always the best route to take. You will have three choices to make. 1) continue cold turkey (you probably ain't seen the worse symptoms yet) and you will have withdrawals for the next 5-10 days, or 2) taper down off of the hydro slowly (usually recommended) over a few week's period and 3) go into a detox center to rapidly detox in a controlled environment (very expensive, but most insurances will pay).

If you can handle the withdrawals from going cold turkey, then you will be off of the drug much faster, but it can be very hard on you and your family. Withdrawals suck! Period!! Tapering has the least likelihood of withdrawals, but you will probably have some during the process, but not as bad. Detox center is 5-7 days in a treatment center where they will put you on other drugs to reduce the effects of the withdrawals and to help block the opiates in your body.

For me, tapering was the answer and it took me about 2 months before I was down to levels where I could go cold turkey. I was able to function during the day and had some annoying problems in the evening. If I had listened to the people on the board better (like reachout) I would have had less of a problem.

Talk to your doctor and see what plan seems the best for you and let us know. We can assist you in keeping you informed about the process and what to expect, as well as answer your questions. Plus, once you are off, you will have other concerns to consider. Good Luck!
 
This is happening to me right now...I was taking the Lortab as prescribed by the doctor (10mg) 3 to 4 times a day...I found out that I could no longer get it, so I thought I better stop taking it...I took that amount for about 2 years....I didnt think I would have any problem, and I was shocked when I started having withdrawl symptoms about 6 hrs after my last pill..I could not sleep, I tossed and turned, very restless, anxiety, chills and sweats, sneezing, runny nose, stomach pains and diarerrha..the whole thing..I am afraid now to take another pill to feel better, as I might have to start the whole thing over again....Tonite at 9PM will be 2 days without any pain pills, and I never thought I would feel like this...I thought I could just stop and that would be it, since I really didnt go over the recommended daily dosage....I was taking them for fibromyalgia and it wasnt really taking the pain away anymore either...If u are still on the board, Rusty, let me know how u are doing, cos our situation seems similar
 
Thanks to all of you for the great advice. I was becoming sicker and went and talked with the druggist. He said what you all had advised. He told me not to stop suddenly. He advised talking with my Dr about a taper plan. I have an appt. for next week. I am again talking them and feel fine now, but am surely going to get off them in the correct way.

Thanks again
 
Welcome Rusty!

I agree with the other posters and I am glad that you spoke to the pharmacist and made an appointment with your dr. Tapering will be a lot easier on your system them going cold turkey.

In my opinion you do not seem to be showing any addictive tendancies. You unfortunetly have grown dependant on the medication but you can change that and obviously you already have a plan to do so. Good for you. Being an addict is horrible. Don't go down the same road I did. It's so painful.

Blessings!
 
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