Help with opiate withdrawals , OTC meds only!?

It is great that you are trying to get off the opiates since you've noticed that taking them is causing you too much stress. Don't worry about "being a crazy drug addict" - there is a big difference between addiction and the unavoidable physical dependence anyone eventually develops. Trust me, I suffered through both. If you had started lying and stealing to get your pills then it would really have been time to worry, but regardless of how you got them you will now need to clear them from your system before you can feel better.

The physical withdrawal that you'll go through won't be pretty but the good news is that it won't last for more than around a week at the most. After that you might feel some depression but the sickness will have passed. If you had chosen to start on methadone the eventual detox from that would make you very ill for up to a month, so if you can do it cold turkey you've made a wise choice.

The best thing you can get OTC will be some Immodium. It isn't 100% effective in controlling the stomach upset you will experience but it WILL help a little since its chemical makeup is similar to opiates (but doesn't affect anything but your bowels). It is great that you have some benzos that are legally prescribed to you because for many people insomnia is one of the worst parts of opiate withdrawals. As long as you have those they will calm you down, help you forget how crappy you feel and most importantly, you can sleep through some of the pain.

I won't lie and tell you that it will be easy, but remember that this is a comparatively short time of sickness in exchange for a lifetime of well-being. My situation was similar to yours and I chose methadone maintenance treatment, but if I could go back I would have either quit the pills cold turkey or tapered down myself.

I do want to ask if you have a plan for dealing with your endo pain? The reason I ask is that this was my reason for starting on the pills in the first place. I had pain almost constantly from stage IIII endometriosis and I know that it can be debilitating. If you stop taking the hydrocodone do you have a plan for controlling your pain so you won't return to opiates the next time your condition confines you to your bed for weeks at a time?

I don't know what you've tried but after my second lap to remove tissue I was put on monthly injections of lupron depot for a year and after that I continued on regular birth control pills. This combination has kept me period free and therefor almost entirely pain free.

I really hope that you make it through this and remember, be proud of yourself! The decision you've made is not an easy one to reach but it sounds like the right one.

Good luck.

Additional info: If you ever absolutely have to take opiates for the pain again I think you should either look for another OBGYN or a pain management doctor. It sounds a little too strict that you have to return for office visits every two weeks just to obtain your prescriptions. People in your situation either have to go only monthly, and often the medications you take will have two refills so that the patient only has to see the doctor every three months. That would not be unreasonable to expect in your situation where you have a history of taking your meds as prescribed and chronic pain that is verifiable.

I would say over counter benydryl AND IBIPROFEN TYLENOL TO MUCH on liver and jail gives like a cough medicine dimetap immodium there's I think over counter vistiril its for anxiety and maybe some pm's ok but if u have a Dr best way w out subs or another opiate is ativan or klonopin fengran clonodine maybe phenabarbital gabapentin or ultram ( I have been on methadone 14 yrs on and off but mostly on I'm prescribed 210 a mth and 60 adderol. The lists of meds from Dr I told u about u don't need all just a combo ur Dr will tell you.. its hell 6 weeks cas you don't start withdrawing for 36-48-72 hours it has long half life.. good luck honey it will get better

You need to go back to your Dr. and get properly withdrawn. Tell him what you did and what you have taken. Opiate withdrawal can have very serious effects sometimes requiring hospitalization. Its not just a matter of discomfort but a matter of safety for your life. Go to your Dr. Look at Amy Wienhouse, it was probably a seizure from alcohol withdrawal that killed her. Opiates can be much worse!