lortab cold turkey withdrawals

My best friend was in a mnotorcycle accident a year and a half ago. he has been on high doses of loratab. he claims to want to reduce his intake but is having a vicious time doing it. it has consumed his whole out look on life, grant it i belive he does have pain for all the fractures and metal that has been put in, but i think that he needs to deal with some of the pain instead of trying to solve it. i am infact afraid of his health cause he already has liver issues. what can he replace this with to ease his pain ???

I'm 18 years old. I've been addicted to tabs for probably a little over a year now. I had a legit need for the stupid things as I have severe pain in my knee from an injury I sustained a few years back that never quite healed correctly. I started taking them for the pain, and I got hooked. I never thought I would have to label myself as someone that abuses prescription narcotics. I always thought I had the will power to refrain from addiction. This is my personal demon that I've been hiding from everyone in my life since the day I started taking them. I realized a few days ago that I only had one left. I gave in and took it because I couldn't sleep and I was exhausted.

I'm now on day 3 of detox and I feel like I'm living in hell. My life was hard enough to deal with, which is probably a pretty good explaination for my dependancy - stress. But now I'm dealing with withdrawals and I feel like a nut case. I haven't slept in 72 hours. I have short bursts of genuine happiness, then instant depression and emotional distress. I cry over everything. As far as emotions go, it's almost like being pregnant. I'm resltess. Can't get comfortable no matter what I try. I just started having the diaharrea symptoms a few hours ago. Seems like I'm on the toilet every other hour. I don't have an appetite. I can keep food down just fine, but I can't force myself to eat. I've had flu-like symptoms. Achiness, runny nose, coughing, etc. The anxiety attacks are the worst. The smallest things make me feel like my heart is about to explode.

I am exhausted. I have to be at work in about 8 hours and I honestly don't know how I'm gonna make it.

The only thing keeping me from doing whatever need be to relapse, is those short bursts of pure happiness. To know that I'll be me again. I don't even remember what that feels like anymore. But I know it'll be worth it in the long run. Wish me luck on my journey. I wish all the best to those of you struggling with this life-ruining drug. Hope I helped.

I don't know if many people will actually read this, but here goes nothing.

Quitting Vicodin (or any narcotic painkiller) is tricky. This sounds like a cliche line but, 'you have to want to quit' in order to achieve it. I started popping Vics when I was 23 years old, I had found a couple of sources that kept me in constant supply. It got worse as it always does and I became prisoner to it (sounds dramatic 'prisoner') but its true. Everything in my life took a backstep as nothing was important but getting my "lories". I literally could not function without them, showering without them? No way. Going to class without them? Nah not me. I lost everything.

Sounds like everyone else's cliche addiction story right? Actually, you are correct. It is only recent that I have stopped. 51 Days to be exact. But you know what? This is the longest time in 3 years that I have been off of them, and this is the only time I've actually wanted to quit. The reason? I don't know man. I've "quit" vics before but in the back of my mind I always thought..."It'll be there if I want". But for some reason this time...naw man. Something just f*****g snapped and I did decided to do it.

It IS POSSIBLE to live without painkillers. Hey, I thought the opposite for a long time, but it changed. When you stay off them its almost like finding out who you are again, except a bit smarter? I don't know how to explain it. You just have to be willing to accept the change. And by that I mean....1. Not speaking to your contact any longer. 2. Getting away from people who enable. (I don't believe in the 12 step programs, but this is KEY!)3. The will to start imagining life without the damn pain meds.

I know I sound extremely cheesy lol, but this is how it is. And I refused to quit over and over again throughout the years. I guess I "preach" this because I know its possible and I can empathize with all these stories I've read. I didn't believe I could stay off of them for many years. I thought it would never change. More hurting the people I love, becoming a common thief, losing a lover, and that us just the beginning! But that one day man, it all changed.

If you want to get off the painkillers, well it is possible. So okay, I know that was probably melodramatic and cheesy ;). But it is how I feel. It all boils down to whether or not you are emotionally ready to close that chapter in your life.

I just found this site while doing some reading about lortabs.I have been taking them for about 7 months now.At first I got them from my in laws who got them from their drs but didn't take them.At first I was taking them for a really bad infected tooth.I finally went to the dentist and got antibiotics and got my tooth healed.I do have arthritis and at 46 years old have alot of pain from working construction.I am a happily married woman and we have 2 grown kids.My husband and I have our own business and we do most if not all the labor ourselves.We both have always enjoyed our nice cold beers after work.I got tired of being hung over and just up and quit about 6 months ago.I remembered having the lortabs and begin taking half a 10 to help me not drink beer.I knew I shouldn't drink and take them so if I took one I wouldn't drink.That part worked.I really don't want to drink anymore.I'm proud and glad of that.But I have come to realize I am now wanting the tabs to keep me pain-free and they do give me extra energy to do my job.I have started buying them on the street and am spending crazy money to do that.We are making more money because we are working more and more but thats not a good reason to keep taking the tabs.I can afford to buy them with money but not with my health.I red all 7 pages of posts from people who are taking them for the same reasons as me and are also trying to stop.I have made all the same excuses for taking them.I am also releived to know I can stop,just like other people have.I hate to think of the withdrawal but I need to figured out how to deal with it.I am having to take more and more to feel better and I know that is not good.I have withdrawal symtoms already because I try not to keep taking more.I can't sleep,I don't eat like I should and my legs are just crazy.My feet hurt so bad during the day I can barely walk.After leaving work and the hour ride home I am so stiff in my feet and legs I just hobble into the house.And thats with me taking a half a ten every 3-4 hours.I know I could take more and feel better but I don't want to get in any deeper than I am now.I enjoy working.I enjoy working with my husband and knowing we do good work.I want to be able to continue working and making a good living.But I don't want to keep taking more and more pills.I want to stop now before it gets worse.I am so glad I have red about all of you who have stopped.I am thinking I will get me a plan going and wean myself off these pills.I am sure it will be hard.Not drinking 6-8 beer everyday after doing it for 20 years has been hard,too.But I did that,I am glad the pills helped me with that,but now I need to stop taking them and find something to help me do that.I should be able to keep myself busy with work and stay distracted enough but I worry the pain will hold me back.And I only weigh 108 pounds now.I am strong because I do work hard but I can't really afford to lose any weight.I worry about not being able to eat if I stop taking the pills.I'm going to keep up with this place and follow these stories of sucess and hopefully add my own.Everyone who has posted should know their words are helpful to those of us who know we need to know how this quitting pills really goes.To all you who are doing so well...congrats...to all who are still trying.....keep trying....you can do it.I hope my sharing will help someone just like yours has helped me.Thank you.

ima lett evry1 know. Going thru  LORTAB withdraw is no joke. a side for the constant pains you feel in evry part of your body. You also have diaraha. In which you will live in the bathroom. You may exerperience NO sleep. Your mood swings will probably give evry1 whiplash. So just remember its no1s fault your going thru what your are. Just tell yourself '' it's my fault im a pill junkie."   BUTT  if you stay on the path of getting better. Evrything will get better 4 you. STAY STRONG n remember GOD IS ON YOUR SIDE. HE DOES LOVE YOU

I was on Oxy for about 5 years, ruined my marriage...she to this day doesnt know I was using the entire time I knew her.  I hated my job, but was making a very nice mid 6 figure income, and I felt the Oxy made me great at it.  After my wife left me due to my crazy mood swings I'm sure, I decided to quit cold turkey.  I went thru 3 days of cold turkey hell, sweating hot, then ice cold, diareah, and vomiting...I could not eat a peanut.  I weighed 185lbs at start, and was down to 160lbs in 3 days.  I was so dehydrated I dragged myself to a Dr, but didn't tell him about my drug usage, just said I hadn't eaten for 3 days and was sick.  They put me in on an IV to hydrate me, and I think it pschologically helped me more than anythng else.  While I sat in the exam room alone with the IV pumping cold fluids in my vein, I saw a sign on the wall that read "THIS OFFICE NO LONGER PRESCRIBING OXYCONTIN!!".  I knew I was on the right path at that point for sure.

 He gave me a sleeping pill he said would knock me out cold, but it did nothing...I still had trouble sleeping for 2 more days, but felt much better the 5th day.  I felt great for about month, and then got the great idea to start taking Lortab, thinking it wouldn't be so hardcore as Oxy.  Well 5 years later, 10-12 LTs per day, every single day, I am about to quit again cold turkey.  I quit my job cuz I thought I couldnt do it w/out the pills.  I dropped off the face of the Earth socially cause I didn't want to drink on the pills, and told myself it's no worse than going out to bars at night, some drink, I take pills whats the big deal... but I hated my secret addiction.  Now I have burned through my savings to keep up my habit, w no job.  What kind of m***n goes through this twice?!!  I have cut down to 4 LTs/ day for last few days, and I'm already starting to feel like c**p, with no energy to move,like an elephant is sitting on my chest...Im so sick of wasting $ on this nonsense though, and counting pills everyday, so this is it...I have about 20 LTs left, and plan to continue tapering down to 2 a day, then 1, and then I'm terrified of the next 4-5 days after that.  I hope it's not as bad as the Oxy withdrawl, but fear it will be the same. 

Has anyone else had success with tapering down dosage?  I saw one post here that claims it worked, but over a long period of time that I don't have...I'm starting a new ( much lower paying) job in about 3 weeks, and need free of this by then. 

Also has anyone else been thru both Oxy and Lortab withdrawl...is it the same?

I will try to post for benefit of others when it's over...I know I wont have the energy until then...good luck to all of you, you are not alone.  I do know I got through this once before, and did feel normal again...that's what I'll be holding on to.  One good thing is I know I'm about to lose a lot of weight, so I'm going to eat a gallon of oreo cookie ice cream, and a nice fat steak before I start (comedic relief)...I'm such a dope!

Currently i am taking lortab 10s and want to quit.  I dont know how hard it will be but once i make up my mind to do it im going to do it.  Im scared of the withdrawls but its my fault, im the one who started taking this c**p.  It does make me feel good when im on them but i know i cant do this forever.  eventually i have to stop.  If your are someone who is trying to stop also i want you to know that im going to pray that God will help you through this and give you peace of mind.     I saw recently on the news that 40 million americans are on prescription pain killers.   I know im not the only one suffering.  Dont be discouraged friends we WILL get through this.   If i find something that helps the withdrawls i will let you know.  

I am praying for all of you!!!! I need prayer too, my boyfriend is in a horrible place, he is down to two a day, as of today but he is miserable.., anyone have any tips for physical/ mental withdrawals?!?! Please help, this is causing all of our problems n it breaks my heart that I have no control in helping him! I keep tryin to be supportive, it just hurts me to see him this way!

I have had chronic nech pain for 15 years.  The first ten years I was ok with aleve.  The last five years the pain was so bad I could not stand it.  The doctors kept giving me pills that did not help even a little bit.  I never wanted to ask them for Lortab because I know people ask all the time for other reasons than pain.  I did not want them to think that I was just trying to get high, I just wanted to get better.  But I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy and a friend gave me left over tabs he had.  So now I am taking them without the care of my doctor.  It is frustrating trying to get people to understand how bad my head and neck hurt all day.  I will never be cured of this pain, the doctor's have tried everything.  So now I am taking them and can't have the doctor's check my liver or whatever else they need to monitor because I can not tell them I take Lortab.  It sucks to be in chronic pain because all the doctor's think about is addiction.  I am sick of taking them as well, but if I stop there will be no help for my pain.  I am scared of the physical withdrawls as well.  So I kinda get irritated with people that fake pain and get them and I am almost disabled and I can't even get them under the care of my doctor.  Still, good luck to everyone with quitting.  I will have no quality of life if I quit, they are the only thing I have tried that take the edge off the pain.

The last sentence of your post rings so true for so many. The shame of taking that pill totally outweighs how your feel now. have you tried valium or pot? I mmodium will help too. Drink lots of water and I hope you have someone with you. Even though they may not know how you feel a good friend finds a way to help. Hang in there and say a pray for me. we are in very similar places.

It is the devil drug ... I too have been fighting addiction but day 5 I feel great not back to normal but more energy !! The Lord has plans for us all .. It does not include drugs we just have to overcome the devils will !!!

Robutussin sorry bout the spelling, I'm egoing thru w/d ow. But get that take more than it says it'll. It will give you relief.

I was taking Lortab after major back surgery. I quit taking it during the day but was taking 1/2 to 1/4 of a pill at night just to take the edge off so that I can sleep. I decided to quit it cold turkey and am suffering some symptoms. Not sleeping well at all, nausea, and headaches. I really didn't think I would have any symptoms since I was taking so little. I am going to stick with it and get that stuff out of my system. Not sure how long that will take. I to have not been to my doctor. SHe would just want to give me another pill!!

Yes u will

I've been suffering with back and leg problems and for the past 9yrs I've been on pain meds hydrocodones and I'm so tired of worrying what I'm gonna do when I'm out so now I'm gonna get sober and work threw the withdrawals.I'm gonna have alot of sleepless nights ahead of me.