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Q: quitting these pain pills
asked by: Lotus Pod on March 2nd, 2008
New User
I am here, looking I guess for others like me.. Who also have a problem with indulging in pain medication.. I say "pain medication" because as long as its a "pain pill" (of course perscribed) ill indulge in it. I have alot of mixed emotions on this subject, I too feel.. more outspoken I guess when im high. I have been taking morphine, loratab, norco, ect. for the past 5 plus years.. this is the 9th or 10th time now that I have decided that its time to quit. I am currently on my 5th day w/o any pills.. I have found it over the years that I can slow down.. and then quit. Again, let me say.. this is the 9th or 10th time of "on my own" detox. But as much as i would like to jump up and down because i seem to have some kind of control to stop, my control slips away eventually, and im right back on the damn things..Anyone with this type of addiction, or any other for that matter knows how it goes.. you start out slow, mild doseges.. then more and more as the days turn into weeks.. at my worst, I was up to a dozen or so 60mg mophine pills a day.. enough I know to kill me if it was to react wrong in my body.. at this stage, I have NO control.. The worst part, is that b4 I moved far away from my home town, my "dealer" started just giving them to me like they were candy.. so i ate them like they were.. Now, i am about 1600 miles away from that town, and those people.. And sitting here, on my 5th day w/o, I have to ask myself.. when will be the next time that i am addicted all over again??? Do I really have the willpower needed to do this? Any of you with a pill addiction know, after the physical withdrawls finaly stop, or at least ease some.. there is the addiction that is still in my head. ( or am i alone on that one?)
I guess Im really looking for someone similar to me, or what im going through.. How did you all together stop? and continue to stay away from them??
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lonestarguy
replied on March 2nd, 2008
Active User, very eHealthy
I hear you. I was dependent on all sorts of pain medications for back pain since 2000. I decided last February to slow down, because I found I didn't like the merry-go-round I was on. I kept taking higher and higher doses to block the pain and I would feel good only when I was medicated. I used mostly Norco, but also morphine, lortab and oxycontin.

I made up my mind just like you did to stop by myself. I consulted with my doctor and she offered to help me, but I thought I could do it. Little did I know how difficult it was going to get. I spent a month in bed, unable to move, and sick all the time. I couldn't eat and sleep much and lost 30 pounds. I got better gradually, but still very tired. If you are not on antidepressants, you might ask your doctor because the withdrawal symptoms can make you very depressed.

It took me until May before I really felt like the drugs were out of my system. So, I know the stage you are in right now. It's not easy and it really helped me because my wife took care of me. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. I also was on disability, so I didn't have a job to worry about. You might want to find a counseling center which could recommend a detox option for you.

I wanted to paint a rosy picture for you, but you need to hear the truth from someone who knows. Now, I feel so much better physically, except for the back pain. I am using pain management techniques now plus a non-addictive nerve and pain reliever Lyrica.

Good luck with the battle. I'm pulling for you.
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tmoore18
replied on March 11th, 2008
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hey lonestar
i know what your talking about, i quit all together after christmas, now 2 and a half months later the back pain is still extremely intense. did you have any kind of surgery or injection or anything? and where did you go to learn about the pain management?
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Chicagogirl
replied on March 13th, 2008
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I just got to day 6. I've had binges before. But looking back I was actually addicted. Because I only stopped the binges when my dealer was out of town or I was. I'd do 3 days or 2 weeks of detox then back on the horse I'd go for a month.

Like you, I chose to get clean again. I had to actually de-friend the people I associated getting pills from or doing them with. I wrote them lengthy emails, because all in all they are friends of mine but it's unhealthy for them and me to "hang out" the temptation would be to great. They actually agreed and wished me the best. I think that made a huge difference. I always feel bad when I severe ties with people.

Anyways, I have that nagging feeling to find a pill. I have small triggers. A friend I use to get my pills from wrote me an email, said he was thinking about me and hoped I was okay. It said nothing more. And because that was my dealer and I knew he was back from his trip I began to think about it. It's sunny and warm today too, that's another trigger.

I felt for a long time I couldn't enjoy anything in life without being high. Like I couldn't slow down, be productive...be creative without sedating myself. Now, I know better. yes the wants are there, but Ive been keeping myself busy.

Lots of independant movies, books that are light hearted and getting outside my apartment and just doing something. Anything. Yes I feel like sh*t but as long as you stay busy it keeps your mind from wandering. Not only that but it wards off the depression.

Best of luck and you are in my thoughts.

Remember everyday gets you closer and closer to being whole again.
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lonestarguy
replied on March 25th, 2008
Active User, very eHealthy
Re: hey lonestar
tmoore18 wrote:
i know what your talking about, i quit all together after christmas, now 2 and a half months later the back pain is still extremely intense. did you have any kind of surgery or injection or anything? and where did you go to learn about the pain management?


Sorry I've been so long in getting back but I've been out of town for a while. Yes, the back pain returned as soon as the drugs were out of my system and I have been trying pain management, a term meaning to search for anything which will stop the pain. I asked my regular doctor who could I go to for another MRI assessment and she recommened the pain management specialist I went to.

Long story short, I get a massage every three weeks and a month ago, I had to have six facet injections for the pain. So far, the injections have helped me immensely, but be forewarned, the procedure is not a pleasant one. This was my 13th set of injections since I began my back pain odyessy. Since surgery is not practical for the type of degenrative disk disease I have, injections and drugs are the only effective ways to stop the pain.

Good luck with the drugs because you will like the way you feel without them more. Except for the back pain, of course. Haha
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lonestarguy
replied on March 27th, 2008
Active User, very eHealthy
How are you doing?
Lotus Pod wrote:
I am here, looking I guess for others like me.. Who also have a problem with indulging in pain medication.. I say "pain medication" because as long as its a "pain pill" (of course perscribed) ill indulge in it. I have alot of mixed emotions on this subject, I too feel.. more outspoken I guess when im high. I have been taking morphine, loratab, norco, ect. for the past 5 plus years.. this is the 9th or 10th time now that I have decided that its time to quit. I am currently on my 5th day w/o any pills.. I have found it over the years that I can slow down.. and then quit. Again, let me say.. this is the 9th or 10th time of "on my own" detox. But as much as i would like to jump up and down because i seem to have some kind of control to stop, my control slips away eventually, and im right back on the damn things..Anyone with this type of addiction, or any other for that matter knows how it goes.. you start out slow, mild doseges.. then more and more as the days turn into weeks.. at my worst, I was up to a dozen or so 60mg mophine pills a day.. enough I know to kill me if it was to react wrong in my body.. at this stage, I have NO control.. The worst part, is that b4 I moved far away from my home town, my "dealer" started just giving them to me like they were candy.. so i ate them like they were.. Now, i am about 1600 miles away from that town, and those people.. And sitting here, on my 5th day w/o, I have to ask myself.. when will be the next time that i am addicted all over again??? Do I really have the willpower needed to do this? Any of you with a pill addiction know, after the physical withdrawls finaly stop, or at least ease some.. there is the addiction that is still in my head. ( or am i alone on that one?)
I guess Im really looking for someone similar to me, or what im going through.. How did you all together stop? and continue to stay away from them??


Hi, Lotus Pod,

Just checking in to see how you're doing with your struggle. Remember, it can be done and your body will feel better after the drugs leave it.

Let me know if there's anything I can do.

LSG
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Fairly LaLaLa
replied on April 3rd, 2008
New User
you will see it through
You will have to be strong my dear, I myself suffer with chronic pain so so can not got with out pain meds, I was on many, but brought my pills right down to 4, now to be honest i am finding that the hardest.
If you want to be drug free, you will try try you best to help yourself
I have faith' and support from my hubby, and with great advice and help from people in the posts
I can wait to get rid of them out of my body, its just pain and more pain, and now i just found out my mum has an ucurable Cancer.

How life can be so miserable, but only ourself can repair it, put it right.

Good Luck my Dear I will be rooting for you as i am sure others here will be too
notsoscaryfairy
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