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Finally kicking Norco habit

K

KenD88

Greenlighter
Joined
Jul 15, 2014
Messages
27
Hi, I have been visiting these boards for advice for a while but finally decided to post something.
I have been a heavy user of Norco 7.5/325 and Tramadol 50mg.... I'd usually take around 30 Norcos a day so my script would run out in a week or so... Then I would use the Tramadol to keep WD at bay while waiting on my next script... As well as asking family members and friends for some of their pain killers... Anything would do.

I finally decided I had enough of living chained to my scripts. I want to feel how I did before I started taking these pills. I have 4 beautiful kids and a wonderful fiance that depend on me. I have been functioning pretty normally for the most part but when my scripts start getting low you can deff tell a change in my mood and work ethic.

I took my last two Norcos about a week ago... Funny thing is that the WD didnt seem to really kick in until almost a week later.... Like they were almost delayed. I thought I was a lucky one who wouldnt go through them... and then BAM the hit me. I have been taking a few Tramadol throughout the day to take the edge off the WD's but they dont seem to be helping like they usuallly do. I am an emotional mess. The RLS is killing me. But by me confiding in my girlfriend and her being supportive it has helped a ton.

I have about 8 more Tramadol left that I might just throw away because they dont seem to be doing much and I dont want to prolong the WD's. Does anyone know if thats possibe for them to prolong the WD's? I only had a script of 60 and was using them as needed until yesterday and today I cut the use back to about 8 a day.
I also have a small script for Ativan that seems to be a god send in helping with the anxiety and somewhat the RLS as well as helping me sleep and be calm.
I was planning on using some Immodium because it seemed to work in the past when I was in a pintch but I dont want to prolong the WD as I said... Anyone have any hard info on whether Lope prolongs WD's?

I just need to be functioning as I have a job and kids to take care of.... I seem to be feeling much better today than even yesterday and I took only small amounts of Tramadol and one Ativan. Will probably go down to even less of the Tramadol tomorrow and then I should be completely out of them.

I have it made up in my head that I am done with these. The emotions I have been covering with opiates the last 2 years or so are finally coming back in a huge wave... And while it sucks it also is a good feeling to feel something.

Thanks everyone. Any feedback/advice/encouragement is welcome!!
I will try to update daily with my progross!!
 
Do you do a cold water extraction on the hydro to remove all the APAP? If not and if you are taking 30 a day your liver is going to be shot! The recommendations for daily APAP intake is 4000 mgs a day but less is better. If it is 30 a day w/o a CWE then your APAP intake daily is 9,750mgs. More than double your recommended dose. Now I. Hope you are either not taking this amount, or you are already doing the CWE. If not then you NEED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY!!!

I started this post 1 1/2 hours ago so someone has probably already said something.
 
edgewise1 said:
Do you do a cold water extraction on the hydro to remove all the APAP? If not and if you are taking 30 a day your liver is going to be shot! The recommendations for daily APAP intake is 4000 mgs a day but less is better. If it is 30 a day w/o a CWE then your APAP intake daily is 9,750mgs. More than double your recommended dose. Now I. Hope you are either not taking this amount, or you are already doing the CWE. If not then you NEED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY!!!

I started this post 1 1/2 hours ago so someone has probably already said something.
Click to expand...

No I never did CWE anytime I was taking Vic's or Hydros. But I am done taking them now. I knew the dangers of the APAP but never cared really, as crappy as that sounds. I plan on never touching another pain killer again. So hopefully my liver will heal itself?
 
I'm glad you decided to kick this habit Ken. It's possible that the tramadol was delaying your withdrawal. You could use loperamide in recommended doses to prevent diarrhea. I've heard of people taking loads of it and end up getting addicted to that, so that's counterproductive.

It's good that you have Ativan to help you through, I would use it only at night when you need to sleep. It would be ideal to take a day off work, if possible and detox over a long weekend. Some people find clonidine helpful as well.

Agree with edgewise1, the amount of acetaminophen ingested is toxic. If you were taking them whole, you should speak to your GP and have your liver enzymes checked. There is no way to know the extent of damage without having your blood tested. Not trying to scare you but people have died from this. Let us know how you're doing, Welcome to Bluelight!
 
Thank you for the quick reply. I had blood work done not long ago that came back normal but perhaps I should go get more done just in case. The Tramadol may have been prolonging the WD but from the day I quit until a few days ago I wasn't taking anything... And it seemed to be fine... Then a few days ago BAM all the WD's that should have started a week ago started then... Anxiety, RLS, body aches, tiredness... Etc. This was when I decided to take the Tramadols. So I've only been taking them for about 3 days now... Taking less each day. The Ativan seems to help a great deal because besides the RLS the other symptom I simply cannot deal with is the anxiety. Like I said I feel decent today... Well see what tomorrow brings... Also... I think I'm done taking the Tramadol all together now... Only had about 8 left anyways. Thanks!
 
It's no easy task to kick a habit but it sure sounds like you have many great reasons too. RLS is a real bitch I found having a jucuzzi bath before bed really helped. Awesome job!!!
 
Sosick said:
It's no easy task to kick a habit but it sure sounds like you have many great reasons too. RLS is a real bitch I found having a jucuzzi bath before bed really helped. Awesome job!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice! RLS is one of the worst things I experience during WD and is probably the main reason I go back to using. I am kind of big for my bathtub (6'2" 230lbs) so showers seem to work great. I feel so-so today. The RLS is getting betting or so I hope. And today I just feel yucky and have no energy... Also a little anxiety that maybe taking an Ativan will help. I deff don't want to take too many of those though because I heard benzo WD is worse than opiate WD! I have 5 tramadols left not 8 like I thought. I took 3 this morning to no real help. Will probably take the last 2 tonight before I get my kids and then that will be the last of those. Hope they didn't prolong anything but I don't think they did as I still felt the WD's even when taking them. I'm about to go shower and grocery shopping with my girlfriend. I'll either update later with how I feel or tomorrow! Thanks everyone! Your words are really helping! I will beat this this time!
 
Sometimes your body gets low on magnesium during WD. Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle weakness and fatigue. I usually take Calcium/Magnesium pill and it does make it a little easier to get things done. I've taken it enough to believe that it really does help and isn't some placebo effect.

It's normal to have a few very low energy days/lethargic days after quitting using. Low doses of caffeine can help. Be careful of GI issues, and probably don't use if you're not used to it. I also think low doses of Adderall are helpful, but that's not an option for everyone and some people can trigger other addiction issues.
 
They gave me those cal mags in detox each time and they do work nicely they would help me drift off to sleep along with some clonadine if I woke up in middle of the night sweating and sick. Get calcium magnesium citrate
 
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I'm sure if I tried I could find Adderall or something similar. But last time I took those they gave me a headache. The caffiene is a must for me... I heard it makes RLS worse but I'm so use to it it hardly effects me unless I overdo it. I am going out right now so I will check out the magnesium and calcium supplements you talk about. Do you think Vitamin D or C could help? I remember getting prescribed Vitamin D because mine was low and it seemed to make me feel better but it might have just been in my head. Either way thanks for the advice!! I will update later!
 
And ask your doctor or pharmacy if they think carbonate or citrate is best for you because some people cant absorb carbonate well or if your allergic to shell fish then carbonate isn't isn't for you since its made from seashells which is why citrate and carbonate are both available at most pharmacys.
 
trainspotter10102 said:
Get calcium magnesium citrate
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the ticket! I knew there was another word in there. Those work good.

I'd only take Adderall or something similar if it was in a low dose and if you had some experience with it. Doesn't sound like you had good experiences with it, so maybe not a good idea. Not sure of what dose you were taking though.
 
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Glad to hear you are feeling better. I hope I didn't come across as a smartass about the APAP, just was amazed that you were taking that amount daily for a period of time and had no problems.

RLS is an absolute BITCH! ! That was also my worst problem when I would run out. My DOC was tramadol and in the same amount of hydro you were taking on a daily basis. I also would experience the SNRI effects that tram provides. Before I got truly addicted and would get hydro or oxy and run out tram would take care of any withdrawal symptoms I would have.

I've been prescribed Ativan a few times and really liked how it would dispell anxiety quickly. Luckily I never had access to large amounts or I would have been addicted quuickly. But it sounds like you have it all under control and that will help you most of all. Good luck my friend.
 
edgewise1 said:
Glad to hear you are feeling better. I hope I didn't come across as a smartass about the APAP, just was amazed that you were taking that amount daily for a period of time and had no problems.

RLS is an absolute BITCH! ! That was also my worst problem when I would run out. My DOC was tramadol and in the same amount of hydro you were taking on a daily basis. I also would experience the SNRI effects that tram provides. Before I got truly addicted and would get hydro or oxy and run out tram would take care of any withdrawal symptoms I would have.

I've been prescribed Ativan a few times and really liked how it would dispell anxiety quickly. Luckily I never had access to large amounts or I would have been addicted quuickly. But it sounds like you have it all under control and that will help you most of all. Good luck my friend.
Click to expand...

Haha no I didn't think you were being a smart ass. Trust me I knew the risk but never gave it a second thought. I am done taking those pills so it should no longer be a problem... I also use Advil and Aleve for headaches so Tylenol isn't even usually part of my arsenal.

Little update for today... Went to the store with my girlfriend and felt alright. Deff wish I had more energy. But it wasn't horrible by any means. Got home and was able to take a small nap that may have done more harm then good lol. But got up and went and picked up kids. Took the last 2 Tramadol before going to get them. So that's it now. No more opiates/pain killers left in my possession. Like I said I hope the Trams didn't prolong the WD... But taking such small doses and still feeling the WD's the whole time hopefully means they didn't. I guess well see tonight. Started feeling anxious right before I posted this so I took an Ativan. Those are life savers but again, I don't want to trade one addiction for another so I need to be careful. Going to clean up the house and get dinner started now! Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement! It helps more than you know! Anymore advice is always welcome!

(Oh as a side note: I also bought some Magnesium Calcium vitamins and some Tonic Water with quinine. Well see if that helps but the RLS hasn't been too bad the last couple days so *knock on wood* I hope it stays that way!)
 
Right on nice to hear your on the right track and feeling hopeful. I know people who have taken 50 norcos a day for 5+years and are still kicking so that doesn't shock me much some are more sensitive to it than others of cours. I had acetaminophen poisoning before at age 18 or 19 and it wasn't fun I was puking blood and in quite a lot of pain around my stomach area
 
You are doing awesome!! The more you can get out and about the better. I had a really hard time just leaving the house for the first 3 weeks I basically only made it to the backyard to hangout and get some fresh air. I found with the RLS it kinda got a little better one night and then within about 2-3 nights it was pretty much gone. Mind you I had it for about 3 long torturous weeks. Great work!!!!
 
just cold turkey it quit while your ahead a norco addiction has wds way weaker than an oxy or heroin one it will still suck but it won't be debilitating
 
Well another day. Today I felt worse physiologically than I have in a few days... But physically I feel better besides some lack of energy. I just can't shake this anxious/crappy feeling. I took the day off work even though I probably should have went in... I really felt I needed the long weekend to recoup. Start fresh (hopedully) Monday. I do feel like the worse is behind me though. This anxiety may just be because I'm so use to having pain killers to make everything I do fun... And now I have to try and learn to get that part of me back.

I did take some Imodium. I heard it can help with some of the mental symptoms in larger doses as well as help with the diarrhea I've been having. We'll see.

I just can't wait for the days when I feel like my old self again... No anxiety, no depression. I was never a depressed person before... And I have so much sympathy for people who deal with this on a daily basis now.

Hopefully going to get out and take a walk or at least get out of the house for a while.

I'll keep updating as needed.

Thanks to everyone who has replied! It means a lot! Keep em coming!
 
Glad to hear physically you are feeling a bit better the energy comes back slowly at least for me it did still actually struggling with that some days. Did your nap have any negative impact come night time? Yes take some Imodium it will help. The anxious/crappy feeling is common too, hopefully it won't stick around long, for me I only had it for a few days but the more posts I read sounds like many people suffer from anxiety and depression for a long time after drug abuse. Are you familiar with PAWS? It might be something to look into just incase.
So proud of you!!!!
 
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