Opioids I've tapered, now what?

[John Smith 11]

As an opiate addict (wow, thats going to take some getting used to) you would think I would want to steer clear of any potential habit forming drugs. That said, I'm not very worried about the Benzo's because I don't like the way they make me feel. I knew instantly that I LOVED roxi's and looking back, getting addicted was sort of a self sabotage maneuver. I felt lost after college, didn't love what I was doing work wise - it was an easy way to escape. Point is, I knew immediately that I loved opiates more than any other drug I have ever tried. It was also a drug I could function on at work...no wonder I got addicted. I've never had a problem being moderate with any other drugs. I drink when im out with friends but to be honest, i really don't enjoy drinking. I've smoked less than 10 cigs in my life and Im not particularly fond of Coke, Benzo's or any other drug. Maybe its foolish ignorance but I truly believe I can keep my eyes on the prize and take the benzo's as needed to help get through withdrawal without getting addicted.

I'm sure this may elicit some pointed responses as I am certainly playing with fire. Rather than criticize, perhaps someone could provide a dosing schedule to help me stay on track. Amount per day and how often would be extremely helpful.

I realize that my withdrawal, compared to many other, wont be that bad. Ive tapered down and done what is necessary to get through a relatively speedy withdrawal. I know it's only 5mg but mind you, I have been doing this for almost two years now...I'm overpreparing in hopes that this will help guide me through the inevitable dark times ahead.

You guys sick of me yet?

 

[stray cat]

i have a fast-paced job that requires a lot of hours as well--did the grad school thing a while back--and I totally get where you're coming from. Opiates are very appealing in high-stress job environments I think, bc they make you feel a little better and only you know you're on them, you can still function (sometimes better), etc. Good job tapering down so low by the way. I've stopped completely a few times for very brief periods, but I have essentially been taking opiates in pretty large doses every day for a few years now. I must say that if I got down to anything like 5 mgs (even like 40-60), I would just stop and use the w/d meds. Even with your length of use, it soudns like you have maintained a pretty low (okay, tiny) amount daily for some time now. I'd just stop and see what happens. It will almost certainly not be as bad as you expect--especially the acute w/d. As many others have already said, staying off id much harder.

 

[TheMiddleWay]

No not sick of you! Everyone here lives to help untangle some one in opioid addiction. I sympathize with the way you liked then and feelings about using them, most people here will be able to.

I hope it didn't seem like I was lecturing you about benzo addiction, re read my post for the differences between the three, I would say dose the following, increasing by .25mg (all are about same potency mg, wise) until effect is reached (don't dose for every one, just desired effect as needed):

General anxiety: .5 mg in morning of clonazepam
Anxiety attack: 1mg, of alprazolam or lorazepam
Sleep: 1.5 mg, alprazolam or lorazepam. If waking up at night after previous, use clonazepam at bed instead st same dosage level.

 

[John Smith 11]

I took my last dose of oxy at 6:38 this morning! I have 5 full days (until work Monday) to complete withdrawal. No pain yet, but im ready. My taper wasn't easy to maintain but I was able to go from 120mg of oxy/day to 3mg yesterday. I will post my taper regimen at some point for those of you looking to ease w/d symptoms.

So this is it - im excited, nervous, eager and scarred all at the same time. I am so ready to free myself of these pills and get on with my life. Im sure I will post a few more times throughout withdrawal. Encouragement in the form of PM, skype (Johnsmith1086) or even as a response to this thread is much appreciated.

One question: I am skeptical about immodium given that it has opiates. Should I steer clear in order to completely w/d? Will this extend the w/d timeline? I want to be free and clear of everything in my system by Monday AM...

-J

 

[John Smith 11]

So it's been 10+ days since my last pill and I feel great! Some mental cravings still persist but it hasnt been difficult for me to abstain. I notice I am yawning a lot and my stomach is still very volatile. My stomach wasn't bad during withdrawal - the diarrhea didnt begin until day 3-4 but it has since accelerated at a furious pace. Is this normal? How long should I expect this to last? I have been taking prescription strength immodium and still going to the bathroom 4-6 times per day. As you can imagine, this is not a good thing when my job barely allows for a 5 minute lunch run...

I know that it will take my body time to adjust to life without opiates. How long should I expect the violent stomach aches and uncontrollable diarrhea to last? Thanks as always.

JS

 

[BuddingPharmacist]

I cant take that much time off. My next vacation is July 2012 - I need to do this ASAP.

Given my low dosage, do you really think I need that much time off? Sure, ill have to deal with PAWS, but I need to be back in work (and somewhat functional) the following Monday...

If you happen to be ADD or ADHD, you can use the medication they give you for ADD to fix most of the withdrawals for the next few days. Such is my experience, anyways. Thought I would pass it on to you.

It makes sense, though. ADD/ADHD medicines produce dopamine, which is essentially what you become deficient in while in acute opiate withdrawals. What is more, the ADHD meds seem to produce endorphins, which is your body's natural morphine. So, therefore, the amphetamine medications negate the withdrawals!

I recently got off pain medicine for a long back issue after surgery. The Vyvanse I was given for ADD, (essentially an amphetamine similar to adderall), kept the withdrawals to such a minimum that it was a cake walk. I thought I would need to taper the oxycodone 20-30mg with my doctor, but nope! I simply used Vyvanse at the dose they set me at for Vyvanse, which was 40mg, every morning. NO cravings. NO withdrawals.*shrug*

Another thing that may or may not help you is loperamide, otherwise known as Immodium. It is, in fact, an opiate! You can buy it at any drug store. It can't pass into your brain because the molecule is so big, so it doesn't get you "high". It will ease the physical withdrawals throughout the body, just not the psychological. At the very least, your diarrhea will be eased. I have heard reports of people using loperamide to get off opiates before. I think they called it "hillbilly methadone"... Just use your favorite search engine and type in "loperamide for opaite withdrawal".

Kratom also works very very well.

Good luck. Stay off. I have seen far too many lives destroyed by opiates and other drugs.

 

[BuddingPharmacist]

So it's been 10+ days since my last pill and I feel great! Some mental cravings still persist but it hasnt been difficult for me to abstain. I notice I am yawning a lot and my stomach is still very volatile. My stomach wasn't bad during withdrawal - the diarrhea didnt begin until day 3-4 but it has since accelerated at a furious pace. Is this normal? How long should I expect this to last? I have been taking prescription strength immodium and still going to the bathroom 4-6 times per day. As you can imagine, this is not a good thing when my job barely allows for a 5 minute lunch run...

I know that it will take my body time to adjust to life without opiates. How long should I expect the violent stomach aches and uncontrollable diarrhea to last? Thanks as always.

JS

Oh!

I didn't see your more recent posts. I thought this thread was new. I'm new here myself, as you can see.

You still might want to check up on the immodium trick on google, though. It will teach you much to your advantage and situation.

I am glad you are doing better, my friend. I'll copy and paste the information I gave you to help others.

 

[Sepher]

John, great to hear you've made it through and are feeling so positive. Pleased with yourself much?

I always found the nausea and diarrhea faded out with the rest of the withdrawal symptoms. Don't think it ever continued much beyond a couple of days after the other symptoms had subsided. Wondering if it might possibly be down to some sort of rebound effect of the Loperamide. Think if you've been dosing high over a period of days you could expect to have a bit of looseness for a day or so when you stop it, but shouldn't be more than that I don't think. I'd see what happens over the next few days, and try to cut down the Loperamide, even if you're still as bad. Don't want to be using it for too long anyways, and need to let your body find its balance again without skewing things with the meds. Things should settle down of their own accord if you let them, but if you're still having problems a few days from now and it's not easing up any may wanna let your doc look at other possible causes, or other treatments that will deal with the problem and let you ditch the Loperamide.

 

[hazejunk]

Please don't forget you only just started your battle. Getting clean is one thing but staying clean is a whole differant game.

Good luck and stay positive!

 

[Jabberwocky]

good luck buddy stay clear of any drug in my opinion from now on. sobriety is the key to a healthy and postive life!

i have suffered from a morphine IV addiction as well - hit cold turkey and life has been getting better and better since. not to say there havent been slip ups, but been off it for about 3-4 months now and have realised how consuming of my life it was!

all the best to you and keep us posted on how youre doing.

 

[gnarleyonaharley]

@john smith- by the 3rd week ur stomach will get back to normal, you will start to feel mentally back together and all the other physical symptoms will virtually subside. one word of advice tho...the cravings in the first month are a breeze but its after the first month where they really start to kick in hard. they only last for like 15 minutes, so just keep ur mind occupied or do a quick physical exercise and then it subsides.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

@john smith- by the 3rd week ur stomach will get back to normal, you will start to feel mentally back together and all the other physical symptoms will virtually subside. one word of advice tho...the cravings in the first month are a breeze but its after the first month where they really start to kick in hard. they only last for like 15 minutes, so just keep ur mind occupied or do a quick physical exercise and then it subsides.

Cravings can certainly last more than 15 minutes, but they normally don't last that long if you've recently quit in the last month or so, as there is no physical withdrawal remaining to worsen the psychological cravings.

You are right though, most people get a month into being clean, before seeing stronger cravings again, and then after that, if they stay clean, it's normally smooth sailing after a year or two.

 

[John Smith 11]

It's been 37 days since I quit opiates. I have since taken one or two pills of codeine (30mg) prior to a flight - but besides that I have remained clean. My stomach has gotten better - still funky at times but nothing I can't handle. The worst symptom so far is definitely my legs. I sit for upwards of 14 hours a day and my legs twitch, hurt, feel uncomfortable, you name it. I have tried taking muscle relaxers and tylenol but nothing has helped so far. Have any of you had this issue? Any idea how I can control this odd sensation? I am also very tired. Most of my motivation and initiative is gone. I can counteract this by taking adderall but I dont want to make this a habit, as the last thing I need is another addiction.

Hypothetically, if I were to take a 5mg hydro, how would my body react? Would I immediately become addicted and experience withdrawals again? Would all of my progress (37 days) be erased and my body would start from scratch? Im not using and I dont plan to, just very curious as to what would happen. Id prefer to get the answers from you all then experience it myself...

Why do the psychological cravings ramp up after a month or two? I haven't experienced this yet...is there a chance I wont encounter this or is it inevitable? How long will these intense cravings (post 1 month) last?

-J

 

[Sepher]

John, congrats on getting to day 37. Good to hear. Taking an opiate now you're past the acute phase of withdrawal won't set you back any. It's only when you're still suffering major symptoms the first few days that that happens. You won't become immediately readdicted either, but 3 or 4 days of use and it will be a different story. Addiction and tolerance re-establish themselves very rapidly once you've been an addict. What I would say is that taking opiates even occasionally means you're likely to make cravings worse as you're constantly feeding them. If you're not craving at the minute I wouldn't risk firing them up. It's not worth it when you've battled hard to come off.

Can't comment on the twitchy legs but are you sure that's not related to the Adderall rather than the withdrawal?