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Helping my wife with opiate WD's?

H

HopefulHusband

Greenlighter
Joined
Dec 4, 2014
Messages
5
My wife has been taking 3 "tabs" a day (1/2 every 2-3 hours) for several years now. Our supply ran dry, without warning, and with no escape plan in place.

So we are freaking out.

Any tips would be great. Also, any predictions on how long this might last, and what to expect, chronologically, would maybe help her NOT panic like she is now???
 
By tabs I am assuming L-tabs.
Withdrawals from my experience are relative.
There are monstrously harder wds than Ltabs,
but to someone in Ltab wds it doesnt do much for comfort.
From my experience,
If she decides to keep kicking wds will probably last one to two weeks. I am saying that cause she has been on for years. Again, based on my experience.
Im not saying intense wds for that long,
but probably that long to return to "normal".
But thats relative too.
Intense wds probably over with in 3-5days from my experience. Wds she will most likely experience- nausea, chills, headaches, dirreah,
sneezing, backache, anxiety , insomnia, restlessness, fatigue
Ltab wds didnt put me down. I was able to work on them. Compared to Md withdrawls where I could bearly get out of bed. But like I said its relative, so try to be compassionate as possible.
Your obviously already got jump on that.
Stock up on sleep aid, head/body ache med/, nausea meds, fluids, soups (easy on stomach food), imodium, protein(rebuilds body/mind). A heating pad very useful.
Check back if need specific advice.
Wish your wife and you best
ps
Hot baths/showers provide very good temp.
relief. Great for bedtime.
 
methamaniac said:
By tabs I am assuming L-tabs.
Withdrawals from my experience are relative.
There are monstrously harder wds than Ltabs,
but to someone in Ltab wds it doesnt do much for comfort.
From my experience,
If she decides to keep kicking wds will probably last one to two weeks. I am saying that cause she has been on for years. Again, based on my experience.
Im not saying intense wds for that long,
but probably that long to return to "normal".
But thats relative too.
Intense wds probably over with in 3-5days from my experience. Wds she will most likely experience- nausea, chills, headaches, dirreah,
sneezing, backache, anxiety , insomnia, restlessness, fatigue
Ltab wds didnt put me down. I was able to work on them. Compared to Md withdrawls where I could bearly get out of bed. But like I said its relative, so try to be compassionate as possible.
Your obviously already got jump on that.
Stock up on sleep aid, head/body ache med/, nausea meds, fluids, soups (easy on stomach food), imodium, protein(rebuilds body/mind). A heating pad very useful.
Check back if need specific advice.
Wish your wife and you best
ps
Hot baths/showers provide very good temp.
relief. Great for bedtime.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU!!! That's the exact kind of info I was looking for. Thank you so much!!!

I'm definitely geared up for the compassion, but I'm definitely ready for us to be done with these, so that is great motivation to be here for her in any way possible!

Thanks again! If anything unexpected pops up, I'll check back in.
 
Welcome to BL:)


i agree she should be through the acutes in six days or less.

its a very reasonable dose she is coming off. Like so many things in life detoxes turn out how we think they will. If she thinks this will be the worst thing in the world then thats how it will be for her. If she instead looks at this like an inevitable challenge she must face at some point, everybody pays the piper, and after a couple days of feeling a little rough she will finally be free from the awful chains of physical dependence and she can and will do this.

keep her eye on the prize.. freedom from being a slave to the fucking pills.

Try and keep her positive.. here is a great thread filled with all kinds of great aspects to getting off the drugs Good things about being off drugs/getting sober

Remind her that what she is feeling is only temporary and in under a week she will feal much better.

Tell her she doing great and that she has got this.

Get her up and doing things.. the worst thing in the world is to lay around and focus on how crappy you feal. Get her up and doing something to distract her.. museums, movies (sit on the aisle so she can use the bathroom if need be), whatever you guys are into, just encourage her not to sit around all miserable for herself.

make sure she stays hydrated and takes nutrition.. she probably won't be that hungry, so something like nutrition shakes or slim fast shakes are perfect.. no sense adding the effects of unrecognized severe hunger on top of the other stuff.. strongly encourage her to consume these at least three times a day, even if its the last thing she wants to do.

Encourtage her to masterbate as orgasm temp relieves and lessons detox symptoms.
 
Update:

I think we're doing well. So far the worst physical symptom has been what she calls "stretchy legs" (feeling like she can't stretch enough, mostly in her knees) and some pretty bad muscle soreness in her legs. And restlessness, but she had that issue before we started this...

Her moods go from "I got this" to "I'm not sure I got this" to "HOLY SHIT, what are you doing to me?!?!" but those moments are becoming less intense and farther between.

I've used your posts to help her see the light at the end of the tunnel to help her keep focused on the prize, so thank you for that! It's been a HUGE help to keep her focused!

I'll update again tomorrow!
 
HopefulHusband said:
Update:
So far the worst physical symptom has been what she calls "stretchy legs" (feeling like she can't stretch enough, mostly in her knees) and some pretty bad muscle soreness in her legs. And restlessness, but she had that issue before we started this...
Click to expand...

RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome. This is a LOT worse than it sounds when someone describes it.. It ranges from moderately irritating to down-right unbearable to the point you can punch holes into walls out of frustration and agitation. Particularly when sleeping. Just though I'd mention this to you, as a point of understanding what she may be experiencing, particularly as the days with RLS build into weeks with RLS and you've gotten no sleep, you're dead tired, but your legs just won't relax, it can be a pretty severe experience.
 
mostly-human said:
RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome. This is a LOT worse than it sounds when someone describes it.. It ranges from moderately irritating to down-right unbearable to the point you can punch holes into walls out of frustration and agitation. Particularly when sleeping. Just though I'd mention this to you, as a point of understanding what she may be experiencing, particularly as the days with RLS build into weeks with RLS and you've gotten no sleep, you're dead tired, but your legs just won't relax, it can be a pretty severe experience.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention that, she just got up out of the bed to go try another bath to see if that helps.

Any tips on relaxing the RLS symptoms??
 
She's lucky to have you there.

Sometimes it's best to tough things out without using a lot of additional medications.

A small amount of imodium can help a lot with excessive diarrhea. However, you also want your intestines to get used to not having opiates and re-balance.
Day 1 - you panic mentally
Day 2-4 - you feel fucking horrible
Day 5-6 - you feel shitty
Day 7+ - you slowly start to feel better
(if your health is good and your habit small, these can go faster. Or vice-versa.)

The less drugs you add to the mix, the less additional addictions and altered body chemistry that will drag on after those 5 or so bad days.
 
Today at 4:30 pm will be 48 hours since her last half.

It took her a couple of really restless, agitated hours to finally fall asleep last night, but luckily she was resting (seemingly) very comfortably when I left for work this morning. In fact, she was sleeping deeper than I've seen her sleep in quite some time, I assumed because her body was just exhausted after almost zero sleep Wednesday night and a LOT of time spent trying to stretch her legs.

If at all possible, I'd like to avoid adding anything else to the mix, drug wise. OTC stuff I don't have a problem with, but I'm a little hesitant to add any more prescription meds at this point.

She did do a couple of shots of peach schnapps (gotta be something strong, but tasty, she said!) that seemed to help calm her nerves at points. While I certainly don't want her to go from pills to alcoholism, I can't see the harm in a couple of shots to take the edge off during such a stressful process.

Thanks again for all of your replies. We talked a while last night and even in the midst of her stretchy legs and fear, she seems very motivated to finally kick this habit.

Yall who pray, please send us your prayers. Those who dont, we'll gladly accept kind thoughts, good juju, and any further advice!
 
For RLS stretching the calves helps. When in bed, try to pull toes down as close to the calves as possible. Hold and release. When standing cross one foot over the other and keep them flat on the floor and parallel, then drop from the waist and put hands flaton the floor if possible. Alternate which foot is crossed. Also lunges.

I think there is a benefit to going through discomfort sometimes. It plants the "consequence" seed in the brain and it also prepares you for the hardships to come, like cravings and PAWS. Changing habits takes strategies and the will to push through discomfort, having faith that it will end and you can survive anything temporary.

She's doing great and, as someone else already said, she's lucky to have you.<3
 
Neorotin(gabapentin) and clonidine help loads if things get too tough for her.
non addictive short term.
But if she wants to skip all prescriptions that she doesnt have to have a I believe she will make it.
Everytime I have a wd symptom that was "turned up" I always said it was the worse.
But I just might have to give RLS the "prize"
It can make one mental, especially when it keeps showing up at bedtime and keeps you from sleeping for days.
Shouldnt have that problem with Ltab,
proof is wifey is already sleeping.
It will come and go. Hot bath temp relieves RLS.
I found instead of trying to rest with RLS,
getting up and moving always was better.
Even if just walking in circles around kitchen island. Deep stretching of legs seems to work
sometimes.
Anxiety in the legs is weird. It can feel like your legs have a brain and it is being electrocuted or something. I always said it was like my legs did a line of speed and were tweaking.
Shouldnt get too intense or last that long from low level opiate.
 
I just reread that she has been taking them for several years... I know you mentioned not using prescibed meds, but clonidine/gabapentin were life savers for me as well as what eveyone else mentioned. If you are going the otc route.... Tyrosine, b6, vitamin C and most important L glutamine, slows things doooowwwnnnn.
Also, don't eat red meat, but chicken or white meats are okay right now. Calcium, magnesium, zinc tablets as well... and food with tryptaphan. Bananas especially... Staying hydrated and replacing electrolytes is key ... and it will take time for the body to replenish. Gatoraid, as well as baby formula hydration drinks and coconut juice...

My w/drawal experience is something to remember, as it was horrifically traumatic for me ... which helps me stay off drugs... just thinking about what I went through.... Along the lines of what Herbavore mentioned.
It's good to hear she is moving along better day by day...
 
Smoky said:
I just reread that she has been taking them for several years... I know you mentioned not using prescibed meds, but clonidine/gabapentin were life savers for me as well as what eveyone else mentioned. If you are going the otc route.... Tyrosine, b6, vitamin C and most important L glutamine, slows things doooowwwnnnn.
Also, don't eat red meat, but chicken or white meats are okay right now. Calcium, magnesium, zinc tablets as well... and food with tryptaphan. Bananas especially... Staying hydrated and replacing electrolytes is key ... and it will take time for the body to replenish. Gatoraid, as well as baby formula hydration drinks and coconut juice...

My w/drawal experience is something to remember, as it was horrifically traumatic for me ... which helps me stay off drugs... just thinking about what I went through.... Along the lines of what Herbavore mentioned.
It's good to hear she is moving along better day by day...
Click to expand...

This!!
 
@Smoky,
I loved your new avatar I just think that at this size (50 x 50) it´s difficult to see clearly the great image/picture in it.
I know because I saw it on a bigger scale and it really seems quite nice indeed.
We should have a little more space like 60 x 60 or more. Anyway, it´s very creative. I had always loved the crying girl/lady you use to have. Have a great Saturday!:)
 
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