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Posts: 6
Joined: January 27, 2017
Posted: January 27, 2017, 12:08 PM
Good morning, everyone. First I want to say that I admire everyone on here for taking a huge step in recognizing the problem. Most don't realize the amount of courage it takes. Now, a bit about myself. I'm 42 and, up until the last few years, I was active in sports. I was "that guy" who took pride in sacrificing his body for the team. But the age and aches and pains started catching up to me. I used aspirin here and there to combat it. Then, a family member gave me a vicodin and it was the "miracle drug" I was looking for. I would get about 30 a month from them and, for a couple of years, that was enough. There were times I couldn't get it and had to go 2-3 months without. It wasn't awful, but I missed it. Then, I was able to get as many as I wanted and that's where the real issues began. I was taking 3-5 a day, but I wasn't worried because I figured that if I wasn't taking 15-20, I didn't have a problem. Wrong! I'm glad it didn't take getting to that point to know I had an issue, but now I'm ready to stop. I have a supportive wife who I just informed and, of course, she was as loving and understanding can be. I also have 3 children who I want to be around to see succeed. I attempted to quit on my own a couple of months ago and lasted 2 days. But I couldn't sleep (restless legs) and my stomach was so jacked up. But I don't want to keep this up. I know it's going to be hard (I'm getting emotional just typing this) but I know that I am capable. I think the hardest thing was getting over the embarrassment of admitting I have a problem. Now that that's done, I'm ready to slay the demon. I'll do my best to update everyone, as it seems therapeutic to do so. Thanks in advance for your support.
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Posts: 6300
Joined: May 27, 2005
Posted: January 27, 2017, 2:22 PM
If you can get a prescription for clonadine it will help with the cravings. Its a blood pressure medicine so check your BP before you take it. Also Robaxin helps with the restless legs. Its a muscle relaxer. Get some imodium because diarrhea is common. Chamomile tea helps to calm the stomach and helps you to relax. After you get detoxed you may want to get some mental and emotional help since depression and anxiety are also common. Meetings, therapy, etc. I suggest you do something because those pills will be calling you when you try to stop.
Good luck to you! -------------------- १२ सà¥à¤¤à¥ˆà¤ªà¥à¤ªà¥ˆà¤°! kat11100@comcast.net If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Mark Twain Just because the monkey's off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town Laugh because it shows people that you have what they want and what they need: a hope in things unseen, a peace that passes understanding, and a God of miracles who also has a great sense of humor. | ||
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Posts: 6
Joined: January 27, 2017
Posted: January 27, 2017, 8:02 PM
Thank you, 12 stepper. I have an appointment with a doctor in a couple of weeks for a good checkup. I think I already know the answer, but should I inform him of my pill usage? It is a little embarrassing but I know they're there to help.
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Posts: 1764
Joined: June 27, 2016
Posted: January 27, 2017, 8:50 PM
suggestion - start tapering down - step down each week or two. add healthy things as needed. water, diet, exercise, support group or reading. find something that is distracting - new hobby -etc. I knew someone who had become dependent on klonopin and maybe some other meds, dr prescribed. after some problems due to mixing w alcohol, his wife took away the car keys. they had a heart to heart talk about it. with his dr's help he tapered off the meds. it took a few months.
This post has been edited by NyToFlorida on January 27, 2017, 8:57 PM | ||
Posts: 288
Joined: October 12, 2006
Posted: January 27, 2017, 10:08 PM
Normally I would ALWAYS say be honest with a doctor .....BUT it will be in/on your records FOREVER. There will come a time when you will LEGITIMATELY need painkillers in your life and having ADDICT on file will affect the care you receive . I know this from personal experience and of others that have chronic pain .
-------------------- JEN I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power,love and a sound mind. 
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Posts: 6300
Joined: May 27, 2005
Posted: January 28, 2017, 9:02 AM
When I go to a doctor for the first 'time I tell them I am an addict. I am responsible for my recovery, not my doctor. If by some chance i am offered an addictive drug I tell them no. My brain doesn't know if I am taking them for a medical reason or for fun. It just wants more. There are non addicting pain meds out there that work just fine for me but I've been lucky so far. My pain is manageable. I'm not taking any chances of waking the dragon. I went thru hell to get off pills and don't intend on going thru that again. Ask your doctor for help.
BTW, clonadine and klonopin are not the same drug. Clonadine is a blood pressure med and klonopin is an addictive benzo. -------------------- १२ सà¥à¤¤à¥ˆà¤ªà¥à¤ªà¥ˆà¤°! kat11100@comcast.net If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Mark Twain Just because the monkey's off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town Laugh because it shows people that you have what they want and what they need: a hope in things unseen, a peace that passes understanding, and a God of miracles who also has a great sense of humor. | ||
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Posts: 6
Joined: January 27, 2017
Posted: January 28, 2017, 12:22 PM
Well, day one is in the books. It wasn't as awful as I expected, I suppose. Focusing on work made it easier. After work was a little harder. I just focused on having good talks with my kids. I nearly told my 19 year old daughter about my struggle, but I just couldnt. I feel bad about it too because I've always told her everything. Anyway, the night was the hardest. The restless legs kicked in but I know it's a mind thing so I have to beat that. I was able to get 7 hours sleep in but I don't think I ever sweat that much in my life! My appetite wasn't all there but I did manage to eat enough to feel full. Gonna try and load up on fruits and veggies and change my diet around. Thanks for your support!
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Posts: 6
Joined: January 27, 2017
Posted: January 28, 2017, 3:22 PM
As a side note, I think the biggest challenge is finding pleasure in the small things. When you're constantly high, EVERYTHING makes you happy. I'm having recollections of how life was before I started my habit, remembering what it was like to take joy in simple things. It gives me hope that I can get back to that again.
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Posted: January 28, 2017, 4:08 PM
Yes..you'll get there. Being on pills everything is more interesting..but then spend too much time and becomes blurred memories.. I agree with 12stepper. Yes all doctors different..but i think it takes a lot to be flagged. Sometimes they don't even respect your wishes for non narcotics.. (in my experience) i had been off methadone for only 3months..got a couple teeth pulled THEY KNEW and i made clear I didn't want any opiates....they prescribed me vicodan anyway. But yeah hopefully each day gets better..
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Posts: 235
Joined: July 22, 2015
Posted: January 29, 2017, 4:49 AM
Good morning/even Slay,
Thank you for the kind words on my post. I am very happy you were able to gain something from my journeys diary. I was never "high" persay.... to this day (thank goodness) I really do not know what that means to be high. With the pain pills, it took my hip pain away and I could do all the things I needed / wanted to do. Play with my kids, work, ect. without the pills now, my hip pain is back and I feel all the little aches and pains of life BUT I will take that over the feeling of waking up early in the morning and having a massive headache and dizzy til I took another pill. If we went on vacation, the very first thing I checked was my pain meds...cause I knew what the consequences would be if I forgot them. Pain pills help but they only mask the pain, and then you end up hooked. Hang in there and once you get over the hill, things will SLOWLY (not over night) will start to get better. Warm wishes, Crutches | ||
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Posts: 6
Joined: January 27, 2017
Posted: January 29, 2017, 12:28 PM
Day 2 is done. Actually, it was the most "normal" I've felt in a while. I took a nice hour and a half walk with my daughter. I found myself appreciating a sunny day and gained the real feeling of joy, even if it was in short doses. Then I worked all evening and didn't get home until midnight. I only slept about 5 1/2 hours but only have to work a half day today. Also, I didn't have much of an appetite. I ended up eating a banana, orange, yogurt, one taco and a snack cake. But at least there was some nutritional value.
After 2 days, the cravings haven't been too awful bad, but I decided when I started this that I was going to focus my energy in more positive areas and not how bad it is to not have a pill. | ||
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