[yagr]

This may get a little wordy. I'm prone to that anyway, but I want to go ahead and give what I think is some pertinent information along the way.

I have been clean and sober for a bit over twenty-five years now (May 10th 1992). About five years ago I became disabled after acquiring a rare auto-immune disorder. It has symptoms that are very painful and I've had a number of surgeries to re-attach muscles that have torn from bone as a result of this disease.

My doctors, with full knowledge that I'm in recovery, nevertheless encouraged me to take pain killers as a sleep study determined that the pain levels prevented me from getting any stage 3 or REM sleep. I resisted for a few years but after three years of getting denied by social security disability, I needed to go back to work against my doctors advice (and threats to have me locked up as a danger to myself if I did), and I began taking them.

So here I find myself, a year and a half later. I've been taking the pills as prescribed which is 40mg of hydrocodone per day. I haven't been taking them for pain so much as to keep moving. Because of the auto-immune disease that I have, I reach exhaustion very easily and the exhaustion can reach dangerous levels. In fact, the number one cause of death from this disease is that the pulmonary system becomes so weak that one loses the strength to breath.

But here's the deal: I gave my two weeks notice at work on Sunday and the company chose to let me go immediately with full pay for the two week pay period that I hadn't finished working yet. With me not needing to push myself through a workday and having the ability to lay down throughout the day and rest, I haven't found it necessary to take any pain pills. Don't get me wrong, the pain is still there but I have a very good tolerance for pain, and though it is impacting my ability to sleep through the night (or even much more than an hour at a time), I decided to give myself a break from the pills to clean out my system and break any physical addiction that I may have incurred over the last eighteen months.

So, it has been five days. Knowing how important restful sleep is, especially with my condition, I plan on starting up the pills again, at least at night so that I can get much needed rest. My question is: How long before this is completely out of my system?

Knowing that I'm an addict, I am very aware and conscious of what I take - especially when it comes to addictive narcotics, but I also need to take care of myself in other ways. I don't want to suffer needlessly, but want to give myself a chance to detox now that I have the chance. Incidentally, I've had no noticeable withdrawal symptoms, which is why I'm questioning how long I need to go...is this too early in the process or have I already finished the process?

Thanks!

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by yagr

This may get a little wordy. I'm prone to that anyway, but I want to go ahead and give what I think is some pertinent information along the way.

I have been clean and sober for a bit over twenty-five years now (May 10th 1992). About five years ago I became disabled after acquiring a rare auto-immune disorder. It has symptoms that are very painful and I've had a number of surgeries to re-attach muscles that have torn from bone as a result of this disease.

My doctors, with full knowledge that I'm in recovery, nevertheless encouraged me to take pain killers as a sleep study determined that the pain levels prevented me from getting any stage 3 or REM sleep. I resisted for a few years but after three years of getting denied by social security disability, I needed to go back to work against my doctors advice (and threats to have me locked up as a danger to myself if I did), and I began taking them.

So here I find myself, a year and a half later. I've been taking the pills as prescribed which is 40mg of hydrocodone per day. I haven't been taking them for pain so much as to keep moving. Because of the auto-immune disease that I have, I reach exhaustion very easily and the exhaustion can reach dangerous levels. In fact, the number one cause of death from this disease is that the pulmonary system becomes so weak that one loses the strength to breath.

But here's the deal: I gave my two weeks notice at work on Sunday and the company chose to let me go immediately with full pay for the two week pay period that I hadn't finished working yet. With me not needing to push myself through a workday and having the ability to lay down throughout the day and rest, I haven't found it necessary to take any pain pills. Don't get me wrong, the pain is still there but I have a very good tolerance for pain, and though it is impacting my ability to sleep through the night (or even much more than an hour at a time), I decided to give myself a break from the pills to clean out my system and break any physical addiction that I may have incurred over the last eighteen months.

So, it has been five days. Knowing how important restful sleep is, especially with my condition, I plan on starting up the pills again, at least at night so that I can get much needed rest. My question is: How long before this is completely out of my system?

Knowing that I'm an addict, I am very aware and conscious of what I take - especially when it comes to addictive narcotics, but I also need to take care of myself in other ways. I don't want to suffer needlessly, but want to give myself a chance to detox now that I have the chance. Incidentally, I've had no noticeable withdrawal symptoms, which is why I'm questioning how long I need to go...is this too early in the process or have I already finished the process?

Thanks!

each person reacts differently. your doctor who is prescribing the medication can tell you based on your own body and history how long it will take you to detox from the medication being prescribed.

[yagr]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

your doctor who is prescribing the medication can tell you based on your own body and history how long it will take you to detox from the medication being prescribed.

I've asked, he said he doesn't know and is stymied by my lack of withdrawal symptoms. I'll tell him that you think he should know.

[Trippin2.0]

I work at a rehab, our detox usually lasts 3-7 days depending on the client's symptoms and severity thereof... (Anyone who needs more intensive detox treatment is referred to a hospital)

I'm no doctor, I admit, but if you aren't ill by now, I'm very sure you're not going to be...

[yagr]

Thanks Trippin2.0, that was my guess too. Didn't expect to be sick but I did rather expect some type of withdrawal symptoms. I can only suppose that the way it is interacting with my body chemistry is being affected by the auto-immune disease.

[Trippin2.0]

You're welcome ��
Glad I could be of help

[junkDNA]

How long have you been taking 40mg a day