help...i am about to self detox!

By sickntired Friday, October 03, 2008

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i am about to self detox from hydrocodone. i have been taking lortab 7.5 for 12 years, and frankly, i am tired of it! in the past year, i lost my mom to alzheimer's disease, and while i have been diagnosed (yrs ago) as being "clinically depressed", i have been especially "suicidal", this past year since losing her. i.e.(feelings of suicide) not actually making plans, but pretty much bedridden with depression. i am sick and tired of being sick and tired. yes, i've been to NA and AA meetings, yrs ago...hence the statement.

it never dawned on me until tonight to utilize my pc for help, instead of just using for playing games, chatting with friends and family...so, i chose this site to maybe, hopefully get some input from people who are going through or have been through similar situations in their own lives, or know someone with similar circumstances.

any comments, suggestions, feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Comments (7) | Add comment

russellr

10/ 3/08 12:50pm

Hello dear,

I certainly understand what u r going thru I have been taking vicodin for years too due to several failed back fusions and also neck fusions . I have not had a pain free day in over 10 years and also lost my dad 4 years ago and went thru exactly what ur describing I have lots of ?? for u such as r u in chronic pain and what is amount u take. I use to abuse my pills but am now able to take them as suprised. When Dad died I went on Zoloft for 8 months and went to a grief support group and wow did that help. I am worried and want u to realize the dangers of detoxing on your own. Praying was my biggest help to me and trust me am not a religious fanatic and actually do not attend church I feel u can talk to God any where and anytime. I have degenerative disc disease, chronic sciatica, arthritis of spine and joints and 3 yrs ago had a triple bypass, just has another neck fusion 4 weeks ago and am in worse pain then before. Russ

russellr

10/ 3/08 12:52pm

sorry meant as prescribed not suprised lol Russ

karen262299

10/ 3/08 2:22pm

First, let me say that I'm sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is hard no matter how old you are.

You said that you have been taking lortab for 12 years, why are you on it (what kind of pain do you have)? Are you on other medicines? I'm not being nosey - if you are on other meds, they may be affected by stopping.

If you do stop, after takeing them this long, you should stop gradually - start by leaving off just one dose a day. After about a week, leave off another dose. Continue this until you are completely off. Even doing it gradually, you should let your doctor know what you are doing.

Along with cronic back issues (i'm on fentanyl patch AND percocet) I have been dealling with depression for several years. Are you taking anything for that? I'm on cymbalta, zanex (currently down to 0.25mg - decreasing every 2 months), hydroxizene, and ambian. They just increased my cymbalta about a week ago and while i am still in constant pain, i think i am dealing with it better. The depression is definitly better.

If you would like to talk to me further about this, I will be here. I'd love to hear from you and from experience i can say that just having some interaction with others will help ease the depression.

deborama2

10/ 4/08 1:04am

I would worry so about you detoxing on your own without a DR's care. There are meds that can ease the detox, and even a formulated plan. I am sorry you are feeling so low. Maybe an anti-deppressant? They have done a world of good for me. This site is so wonderful, I joined last week and don't feel alone anymore. I also subscribe to the daily grind where we check in every day!! Come on over.

Sending hugs and strength.

Karen Lee Richards, Health Guide

10/ 4/08 2:38am

I agree with the others here who have expressed their concerns about you trying to self-detox. That can be dangerous as well as extremely difficult. Please talk to your doctor about it.

As deborama2 said, there is a great support group in the Off Topic section of our forum called the Daily Grind. (Just click on the link to get there.) You can also get there from the ChronicPainConnection homepage – in the Manage box, click on Chronic Pain Forums. Even though you registered on ChronicPainConnection in order to do SharePosts, you'll have to register separately for the forum, but it only takes a minute.

The folks who frequent the Daily Grind are wonderful, caring people who will offer you lots of support and encouragement. I hope you'll visit and get to know them.

Karen

sickntired

10/23/08 11:27pm

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO REPLIED TO MY COMMENT. I DID SELF DETOX, AND WHILE IT WAS ROUGH FOR THE FIRST 3 DAYS, I WAS ABLE TO PULL THOUGH IT WITH NO LIFE ALTERING CHANGES. ;) I AM HAPPY TO SAY I HAVE FOUND A WONDERFUL BOOK, THAT I NOW USE AS "MY BIBLE"!!! THE BOOK IS CALLED, RATIONAL RECOVERY

THE NEW CURE FOR SUBSTANCE ADDITION. WRITTEN BY JACK TRIMPEY.IT HAS TRULY CHANGED MY VIEWS ON ADDICTION AND THE OLD ADDAGE...ONCE AN ADDICT, ALWAYS AN ADDICT! FOR ANYONE TRYING TO GETOFF OF PAIN PILLS, ALCOHOL, OR ANY OTHER SUBSTANCE, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK. I GOT MINE FROM A HEALTH FOOD STORE, NEAR MY HOME.

I HAVE FOUND THAT WALKING HELPS MY BACK PAIN MORE THAN ANY PILL EVER COULD, ALTHOUGH I KNOW THAT SOME FOLKS REALLY ARE IN MUCH WORSE PAIN THAN I AM.

I AM IN NO WAY HERE TO SOUND SELF-RIGHTEOUS, SO PLEASE DON'T THINK I AM.

I STILL HAVE PAIN, BUT I HAVE LEARNED TO DEAL WITH IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN I DID BEFORE. I HAVE TRIED PAZIL, ZOLOFT AND THE LIKE, WITH NO LUCK. I AM JUST HANGIN IN THERE, AND TAKING IT EASY RIGHT NOW.

I AM GOING TO NEW ORLEANS TO VISIT MY LDER SISTER TOMORROW, WHOM I HAD ALIENATED MYSELF FROM, WHILE ABUSING DRUGS.

I AM FINALLY BEGINNING TO "GET A GRIP", AND TAKE CONTROL OF MY PAIN AND MY LIFE.

AGAIN, THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDEFUL REPLIES...AND I WILL BE BACK IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS!

EVERYONE HAVE A BLESSED WEKEND! HUGS!

Birdy1970

10/26/09 10:41pm

Dear Sickntired,

I understand what your going through. I lost my dad to cancer in 9/07 and its been very hard, but I also have serve knee pain and have had several surgeries on them and need and knee replacement but I'm to young. I'm very curious on how to self detox and also would like input on how to go about it. Like you said I've tried counsuling and NA meeting but most of those are people with cocaine and much more serve addictions, not to say mine and others aren't but I felt out of place. I would love to chat with anyone who has any ideas and maybe we can make a website or something to help other people who have been through or are going through.

help...i am about to self detox!

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