• Hello Graphic
    NEW MEMBER'S GUIDE
    INTRODUCE YOURSELF
    YOUR FAVORITE DRUGS?
    WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

  • NMI Moderators: Snafu in the Void

Coming off long term opioid prescriptions

P

pixbellterrace

Greenlighter
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
4
Hello newbie here! I've been on prescription opioid meds for 17 years (panadeine forte, tramadol, Palexia and lastly
Norspan patch (suboxone) to wean myself off). I recently tapered down from the patch 20mg_10mg-5mg-off. I'm at day 26 off all meds except for an occasional valium prescribed to me for withdrawals. I'm over the worst and yes it's been rough but I'm still waking up at 3am and can't go back to sleep and my heart seems to be beating harder and faster. I also am feeling like I'm lacking in dopamine, hard to do anything at the moment. How long can I expect these things to go on for after being on meds for so long? Hanging out to be able to sleep for more than 4-5 hrs a night. Also the meds have slowed down my gut function and regularity, having heaps of gut issues. Any approximate time windows for improvement would be welcome, thank you
 
I feel you Newbie!

pixbellterrace said:
Hello newbie here! I've been on prescription opioid meds for 17 years (panadeine forte, tramadol, Palexia and lastly
Norspan patch (suboxone) to wean myself off). I recently tapered down from the patch 20mg_10mg-5mg-off. I'm at day 26 off all meds except for an occasional valium prescribed to me for withdrawals. I'm over the worst and yes it's been rough but I'm still waking up at 3am and can't go back to sleep and my heart seems to be beating harder and faster. I also am feeling like I'm lacking in dopamine, hard to do anything at the moment. How long can I expect these things to go on for after being on meds for so long? Hanging out to be able to sleep for more than 4-5 hrs a night. Also the meds have slowed down my gut function and regularity, having heaps of gut issues. Any approximate time windows for improvement would be welcome, thank you
Click to expand...
I would like to know as well! I knew w/d was no picnic but this is a nightmare! Keep plugging away! I did some stuff around the house today (drove to the store, changed some headlights on my car, cooked for my bride) and each task completely drained me. I had been on oxycodone for for almost 3 years and hydrocodone for almost two years before that due to some serious surgeries from a car wreck. I just got tired of needing a pill to feel normal. I'm wondering if I did the right thing by just stopping. I'm on a self pay for my DR's because they are specialists. I could keep going if wanted but.... I need to know if I need the meds or want the meds. So after 9 days... I'm not sure. Still have pain and I'm in withdrawal.
 
I HAD to come off narcotics, because I developed opiod induced hyperalgesia, and was in terrible pain! I didnt sleep for three weeks straight! NO sleep at all! THAT was the most difficult thing I've ever done... I need my knees replaced, so I was unable to be physically active, so I binge watched True Blood, and some other shows at the time. The diarrhea was the worst as well. I had to take 16 immodium tablets a day to stave off diarrhea. I was freezing in 90 degree weather, and had to have a small electric heater in my room, and it was like a sauna. Withdrawal is hell. I couldnt take Suboxene for very long, as I immediately became suicidal, within days of taking it. I had PAWS really bad. I was SO weak, but I was fine for almost an entire year. Unfortunately, I took a spill, and dislocated my right shoulder, as well as fractured it, and for once my life felt semi-normal, so I went back on narcotics, even though I was still highly tolerant, even after being totally clean for 11 months. I wasnt an addict. I was dependent on them. Sleep became what I craved the most, but nothing will/would knock me out. I tried EVERYTHING. I started taking Clonazepam, but I realized I had to come off that too, at some point, and I was able to get off clonazepam, by using diazepam. I'm only down to 5mg a night. My body just reacts so violently if I try to come down from that dose. Good luck! Its a huge mind game. If you tell yourself you can do it, and you are ready, then its relatively easy, if you arent an addict... I cant speak for addiction.
 
Hi there

Unfortunately there is no quick fix for the sorting out of your sleep, the longer you were on opiates the longer you will take to - sleep properly, feel like eating, have any energy, not feel so depressed that it is completely soul crushing.....
You have however done something so enormously positive there are no words to describe it.
Life on opiates is a non life / so well done keep it up- each day that goes by is one day closer to feeling well again, I wish you every success
Congratulations,
keep on keeping on my friend.......
 
Ps- laurel rose, you talk about coming off clonazepam by using diazepam, they are both benzodiazepines- these are incredibly hard to withdraw from - worse than heroin/opiate analgesics- withdrawal from opiates cannot kill you- you just wish it could- but like alcohol withdrawal the withdrawal from Benzo's can cause fits and kill you- be careful - I would seek help from your local treatment facility.....
 
This is good to hear and also terrible at the same time. I have almost no sense of normalcy in my life. I thought 7-8 days was the nightmare part. Now I'm on day 10 and am thinking about getting my meds back. I just wanted to be away from being a slave to a pill. The pain from the neck surgery is flaring up and the WD is killing me. I was on oxycodone and some tramadol for almost 3 years and hydrocodone for 2 before that. Am I doomed? I honestly don't know how long I take this
 
Hey Gunnr- in terms of the physical withdrawal part you are over the nightmare part. If you get your meds back you'll have to go through it all over again.
The hard part- the psychological part is what you are experiencing now. Are you finding food virtually impossible to face and do you have zero energy? If you aren't on any substitute meds (subbutex/suboxone or methodone) then I guess the answer is yes. Try and get fruit smoothies / lucozade or sports energy drinks down you. High protein foods, I found chicken and mash with gravy fairly tolerable.
Can we send private messages on here? I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to. I found support helped a lot- are you in contact with your local treatment services? Remember every day is a day closer to getting your life back. Every bit of food and drink that goes in is making you stronger and every time you throw up or have the runs is more rubbish leaving your system- hang in there mate.
 
For sleep use a combination of 25mg melatonin and 25mg doxylamine.
Both are OTC. You'll be out like a light
 
Thanks everyone for your kind words, encouragement and really helpful advice. I know I'll get there in the end. Have replaced valium with L theanine so I don't become dependant on those. Also trying some amino acids to help boost dopamine- Tyrosine, D phenylalanine. Might try increasing Melatonin, already have 3 mg a night.
 
Fresco since doxylamine is an antihistamine will Zyrtec do a similar job as I already have some Zyrtec. Thanks
 
Ogud .... Thanks for the cheer up and words of encouragement. I think what I'm suffering from the most now is mostly jitters, RLS, headaches (that will NOT go away, no matter what) inability to concentrate, depression, anxiety, tiredness although I am able to sleep a bit. I have tried going for a walk, blah blah blah.... And it feels like my heart will explode from my chest. Any ideas would help considerably. (Except illegal ones) I am 100% committed to kicking the pain meds and don't ever want to go through this again. I've had the flu and it's a joy compared to this
 
Hi again,
Unfortunately the only thing is time, however in the meantime try to take care of yourself. Eat well, keep hydrated, try and get out maybe combine a little exercise with stopping for a drink along the way, just a couple of pints though you don't want to swap one problem for another. With that
In mind I would avoid any medication the melatonin etc.... we have spent far too long reaching for a drug to solve a problem and look where that left us!!!!
Keep the faith though, every day that passes is a day closer to being well again.
At some point you will just notice the days don't drag, you manage a little sleep, the sun shines a little brighter you start to enjoy things you did years ago etc etc
I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the best for success in what is an insanely hard thing to succeed at, unless someone's been there then they have no real
clue how hard a thing your enduring...
Best wishes my friend
 
Gunnr yes I've been sneezing really explosively on daily basis whilst going through withdrawals. Anxiety has come down from using an Oska device and I actually slept last night. It's a PEMF thing that's petty damn expensive but I think it works for anxiety, pain and sleep.
 
People like you Ogud are what gives strength to others. You know how much it means to read encouraging words! Thank you!
Yesterday was almost normal. Was out most of the day. Absolutely exhausted when I got home! Then couldn't sleep! So today I'm dragging butt and seems like I started all over.... No ambition... Pain from original accident... And restlessness on top of lethargy! This is a nightmare
 
Whatever you can get your hands on to ease the symptoms as long as it's not another pill, is awesome pixbellterrace! Good luck and blessings
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top