When does hydrocodone withdrawals BEGIN????

Yesterday I finally admitted to myself that I was taking hydrocodone not because I wanted to, but because I needed to.  It was a painful realization to make, but a necessary one.  Like so many others here, I never thought this would happen, but it does so easily.  I used to think of these pills as my best friend, but now they seem to me a mortal enemy.  I am not on a strong dose, hitting 30mg a day, but I know where this will lead if I don't take a stand.  I was taking them all in the evening, and I just made the connection that the awful pain and nausea I feel in the morning and afternoon is my body aching for the chemicals.

It started with a prescription for frequent back pain.  One day I wondered, "if this one simple pill can make me feel so good when I'm in pain, what will they do if I take them when I already feel fine?"  Thus, my adventure began.  I felt amazing, invicible, happy to just be alive, and I felt sorry for all the poor ignorant souls around me who handn't been introduced to this wonderful sensation.  Every weekend became every other day, then every day.  1 became 2, then 3.  This won't end unless I make it end.  I never imagined that the source of such happiness could also bring such wretched misery.  We've all lied to our family and friends, but the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves.  I'm done lying to myself.

It is highly therapeutic to read everyone's stories here, to realize I'm not alone in this, and that there is a way out.  To see such pain and suffering, I wish there was some way those of us going through this could recognize each other on the street, but in a way that nobody else would know, so we could comfort and encourage each other.

Today I started a new prescription, it will be my last.  Ever.  Based on advice I've read here, I'm going to make a plan to taper down slowly and then be done with it.  I've already felt the nausea of withdrawl, so I know the next few weeks will not be easy.  But if I gradually taper, I will get my body used to less and less of a dose so when I do finally pull the plug I hope it will not be as severe as it could be.  I don't know what to supplement with except to have some multi-vitamins, a sleep aid with Valerian root, and Immodium.  I will stick to my tapering plan as law.  That is the only way to rid myself of this demon.

I hope my story is encouraging, as I've been encouraged by the stories I've read here.  Good luck to all.  Stay strong.  Fight the power.  No more lies.

Suboxone is just as bad if not worse.. it last longer and has a stronger effect. Most narcotic prescription drug users know this if they have tried Suboxone, and will use the excuse that it's getting you off the narcotics, (suboxone also contains narcotics, just to continue abusing. I know for myself.

Here I sit finally with answers thaT I was begining to expect. Been on Hydrocodone for over a year and a half. Dosage was 7.5-750 1-2 tab 3 times daily as needed for pain. With my odd system I just develop a tollerance fast, but oddly this one I didn't. Over time I did however start needing more more often. Wanted off the damn things since the begining (I hate pills) but everything thing else I tried had little to no effect. Last Rx I got was for 10-325s. I was thinking woof this is a truck load, but low and behold my body just kept it in stride and inside of a few days I was needing 2 of them to to do anything for the pain. I wish I could say I used them recreactionally, I would feel better (maybe) But I only took them when It hurt or when I knew it was going to hurt, long car rides, strenuos  physical activity etc etc. I ran out after two weeks. and no way I could get back into doc for 2 more weeks. 1st night nothing, 1st day I was running 1/2 hour I could function before the pain set in causing 3-4 hours of total down time. That night I could not sleep. All day long no sleep, diareah, next night (tonight) can't sleep again and came looking. Got to say Glad this place is here at least now I know what is instore. And the even funnier part to this, for me anyway, Is the last couple days, my back pain has been minimal. My stupid body/brain was acctually causeing SEVERE pain just to make me take the damnable things. Definately gonna be telling this to my doc when My appointment comes up in a week and 1/2.

No your not out of options yet. My husband had the stimulator implanted years ago but after a while it became more irritating that helpful. Now there is a new version of the Morphine infusion pump implant. It took away almost every bit of his pain, but if you have a break through pain event, it comes with a remote that you can give yourself a quick dose for extra relief. Now the down side is that it's about the size of a hockey puck and usually has to be implanted below ribs but above belt line. Thinner people have a harder time. My husband swears by it and says if anyone tried to take it out they wouldn't make it through it. A life saver!!!!!

I am the same way. I started taking it with my ankle surgery in 2008. Now I am on 10 mg norcos 4 times a day for neck problems. I know im dependent on them. I dont take them to get high, just to feel normal. I see you are saying you are starting your last prescription. Are you sure about that? I have said that many times. I know my body is dependent because if i go over like 6 hours without one, I already start to feel withdraw symptoms. (cant sleep, headache, more pain) . Like you, I wish I could just taper off. But like you said, they bring us happiness. Its like I live to take them. UGH!!! but good luck to you. I hope I can get off them sometime. I am just not ready to make that jump yet. I use xanax to sleep when I am out, or am having withdraw symptoms.

Ur story touched me girl! Please. Contact me asap! 806-632-9570..I need help!

I have been on norco 10 325 for over 5 years and lortabs prior to that stemming from an accident in 2005. My norco script is 8/day although i never usually take that amt... always have 30-50 left. Lately my doctor has prescribed nucynta and butrans, i have been worried about long term acetaminophen in norco... the aforementioned i did not like due to impaired cognitive ability. I am a 42 yr old male, self employed and must work outdoors with heavy equipment. The pain has been worse lately and I have been concerned is it is from the underlying problem or becoming accustomed to opiates. I decided to quit taking anything for a couple days.... the pain in my back and legs is about to overtake my arm... writhing sweating no sleep horrid. Day 3 and i took one norco this morning along with 800 mg motrin, 2 valium 10 mg. Some relief. Am i dependent due to bad arm pain over time( and to that where does it end?) Or am i beciming an addict? Thx MS

Day 4, a bit better with the help of cyclobenzaprine... dramatically improves the leg pain and the writhing,or restless legs-- its like you cant keep them still, trying to find a place they will be comfortable. Hot shower yesterday evening really helped while in the shower... subsided once redressed and back downstairs. I have a really good massage chair, human touch, that seemed to really help... fell asleep for 6 hrs after that. My arm, the original cause of narcotic use, is worse today... probably more than the back and legs. Has me wondering now if this is the dependency I was concerned about, and maybe not an addict situation. Fyi.. forgot to mention my family dr, concerned as i regarding pain clinic giving large doses of norco, and seemed even more regardung

Message posted somehow before completion. Regarding nucynta. He wanted me to try Cymbalta, tried for 2 weeks, helped tremendously with pain, but i was a walking vegetable just wanting to find a place to sleep. Well, keep ya'll posted... would appreciate any advice-- if my arm gets much worse i feel i will probably go back to norco... maybe this break from it can bring the use to only a few/ day. Please, anyone with an opinion feel free to express... still not sure how i rate myself, addict or dependent. Maybe if anything this will help someone facing the big WD's.

I was a hardcore Opioid user (on Suboxone for 4 years now, no Opioid use), I had taken up to 14 hydrocodone's a day on top of MS Contin and Fentynyl patches, the withdrawls were extremely painful and I was sick as a dog as quick as 4-6 hours after I fell and woke from sleep.

Be thankful that you are not getting withdraws and I would stop now until they become a problem, because they will.

IV'E TAKEN HYDROCHODE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS!! I HAVE HERNIATED DISC'S RIGHT BELOW MY SKULL/I STOPPED COLD TURKEY AFTER A STUPID DR. GAVE ME SIX 10MGS. A DAY .FROM BEDTIME TO AWAKENING I EXPERIENCED DRUG WITHDRAWL/NOT KNOWING WHY I WAS SO ILL, I WENT TO A SHRINK WHO TOLD ME IF I BOUGHT HEROIN ON THE STREET ,MY BODY WOULDN'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!!!!NEVER A STREET DRUG USER/ BROUGHT TO UP TO JUST SAY NO/I WAS ANGRY AT MYSELF BECOMING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG ADDICT/I STOPPED COLD TURKEY! I WAS VILONTLY SICK FOR ONE, 6-8WEEKS!!!VOMITING, COLD SWEATS, FEELINGS OF ELECTRIC SHOCKS, HEAD RACING,THE RUNS, SEVERE CHILLS,TOO MANY AGONIES TO COUNT/I REALIZED THEN WHY PEOPLE ON STREET DRUGS DO ANY THING TO GET BACK TO FEELING BETTER//BEING IN SEVERE PAIN FROM MY BACK AND NECK INJURY,I WENT BACK TAKING .. MUCH LESS TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND. THE SHRINK PUT ME ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS WHICH I HAD ANOTHER BAD REACTION/I AM RECENTLY GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWLFROM ALL MY MEDS.SINCE I GOT HURT[I WORKED CONSTRUCTION ALL MY LIFE/THE COMBO OF MEDS LEFT ME FEELING LIKE A LAZY MOP,TOO TIRED TO DO ANYTHING!! I BELIEVE DR"S MEAN WELL BUT ARE CLUELESS OF HOW THESE TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS AFFECT SOME PEOPLE/THEY ARE TREATING THE SYMPTOMS,NOT THE CAUSE.I PLAN TO HAVE MY NECK OPERATED ON IN THE FALL/I"M AFRAID OF SURGERY BUT CANT LIVE MY LIFE ON DRUGS/HOPING EVERYONE SUFFERING FINDS THE CAUSE OF THEY"RE SUFFERING AND DON'T TAKE THE BAND-AIDS DRUGS IN USE TODAY















TEEVER INTO STRE

yes..going thru it right now! ugh..the pain...

Yes I'm going thru it right now it sucks so baddddddddd

Hydrocodone does not touch true pain, all it does is addict you to the energy it gives you. just be honest with yourself its for the buzz not pain. I've had 6 spinal surg. and even with my first. it didnt touch my pain. i am meds. free now and dealing with it mentally. why fight jonesing when u can fight the pain and yes iv.e had fusion in my neck and a 3 level fusion in my lumbar spine. its mostly a mental battle. not saying pain meds aren't justified just over relied on.

I just want to say I have been addicted to pain pills oxycodone for 4 years and the withdraws for terrible sweating then moments later I feel as if my bones r frozen so bad it hurts. I vomit all the while I tremble. I never did drugs b4 i started taking these pills. (I was in a horrible situation ended really hurt and got prescribed the pills at the time hydrocodone) I didnt even drink prior The best advice I can give is if u have ne now THROW THEM AWAY AND NEVER TAKE ANOTHER 1! I cant function get dressed take my kids to the park NOTHING w/o them I've tried suboxen everything its the worst feeling in the world to say i cant overcome a little pill.