Opiate Withdrawal questions Please Help!

violetiris

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Hello Lovely People,

The details are important but not especially needed for my questions. If anyone has any questions about the 'why?' I've decided to quit--because your considering it as well, then feel free to ask...

My questions are specifically for people who have actually QUIT opiates for a period of at least 12 months. I'll try to be short and sweet here but please don't take that for not being sincere, this is scaring the begeezers out of me and I really DO need help! And, I can't begin to express how grateful I am for anyone out there willing to share their story and advice. Like, eternally grateful. Like, I'll be forever in your debt....ever in Florida and need a place to stay? Food? anything! I'll do whatever I can to say thank you for your honest help...

So, a short history. I've been taking Oxycodone for about 7 months every day. I've dabbled with it for the past 10 years on and off with no withdrawals until the past 1-2 years. I started to notice that if I took it for 4 or 5 days straight then I would get a couple days of withdrawals. Then I started taking it for one week on and three weeks off and that went on for about a year. I would have classic but mild withdrawals for about three days after stopping from the one week then I would just have low energy for about another week and a half and then I would feel basically 'normal' for a week or so until I started the process over again.

Then I moved and started seeing a new doctor and the pain issues I was having actually became MUCH worse to the point that I actually needed the medication every day. I finally figured out what was causing the pain, I have almost no cortisol in my body, so I'm taking a cortisol supplement and that has made the pain much more better and I no longer need daily opiates. I want to quit.

Sadly, for the several months that I DID need them, now I'm physically dependant. When I go too long without them--like I sleep late or something, I wake up feeling 100 times worse than I did with my previous 'mild' withdrawals. I don't know how I'm going to make it through this. I'm scared to death.

Here's my 'plan'. I'm tapering down VERY slowly. I have access and I have discipline to do this, so I'm lucky there. I'm down to 60Mg a day and I appear to be 'stuck' here for a while--which is ok. I'll take the time I need to do this right. I plan on tapering down 5mg. every week as tolerated. Like I said, very slowly. Then, I plan on using catapres and immodium (which I have had good success with in regards to staving off some of the pain of withdrawal).

I plan on the slowest taper possible--and going as low as I can, like to .5mg even--a tiny chip of a pill before I 'stop' and then I plan on using the catapres as needed and the immodium around the clock and doing a taper off of it as well--using 1/2 a tables less every three days until I no longer need it at all. I plan on only using the catapres for the first 5 days of acute withdrawal from the Oxy and then, if needed, from the immodium--but I doubt I'll require it since at that point I will have been Oxy free for some time.

I have three questions.

1. Does this seem like the most gentle way to go? Is there an even more gentle way to taper and stop? I have other health issues that make me feel as if I really need to be kind to myself as much as I can. A cold turkey could kill me. I don't have the $ to go to treatment so I have no choice but to do so myself.

2. And this is the REAL humm-dinger...will I ever feel happy again? I mean, after being off of opiates for a year, should I expect to have energy and feel like a 'normal' person again? I'm scared of stopping because I'm scared that I will be depressed and lethargic and filled with anxiety. I felt this way before I started taking these every day BUT I had been taking them on and off so long that I imagine I never really hit the 'reset' button. I want to know if I stay off of them 100% for 12 months, should I feel 'normal'? Those of you who have gone through this know exactly what I am talking about.

3. Last, I know that I am going to require treatment for my ADHD again once I stop taking these--Opiates have also treated this but without them, I require something. Adderall is a but strong to me and so I am considering asking my MD for Provigil. I've never tried it but it seems to be less potent than Adderall. Any advice on when to start this? Specifically, taking something that makes it harder to sleep while going through the acute phase of opiate withdrawals sounds like hell. Should I wait until after this phase to start? I feel like it COULD help with the taper phase as well because I feel low energy during this as well and it makes me want to take something--bad.

Thank you so much. I can't tell you how good it feels to know there are people out there who understand...
 
Hey,
I think you have a good plan here. Weenng down is certainly the best way to go if you can handle it - i never had success with oxys that way, mainly because of self control but also how short acting they are.
If you can ween - by all means do this method. Sounds as if with your health concerns cold turkey is the last thing you need.
As far as happiness, I have not had a full year under my belt - but close to that - it certainly started to get better. When I quit this time, i had 6 years of daily use under my belt , it took a LONG time start to feel normally.. won't lie I think PAWS are worst part of opiate withdrawal. The physical part, it sucks, but the long term, It takes a LONG time ..
I can't comment on terms of ADHD medication, I never took it while coming off.
Best of luck.
 
Your plan is a good one and I think you will be just fine. Promise. The biggest thing you need to do is this. Take a deep breath and relax. I'm a chronic pain patient and was on very high doses of multiple pain meds. I was able to get completely off, at home, and did it cold turkey. I stayed completely off 3 years until put in the hospital for a month for Pancreatitis and then had to continue. I made it through in 14 days even with poor health. What you are doing is smart, and I don't think you'll be experiencing much, just small amounts of WD. Remember, you will make it off, you can stay off, and whatever your experiencing will stop. I actually joined this just so I could answer your questions and help you through the entire thing. I'm a writer, therefore, I'm at the computer all the time, including lots of weird hours during the night. I'll answer you as fast as possible. If you just want to vent or need reassurance, I'll help you with that too. Whatever you need. Your making a big step, but whether you decide you need to stay on meds or feel it's time to be off them, or at least not physically dependent, then I'll tell you things I did while getting off.
Right now, I would not start any new meds. You can have side-effects from them, and you don't need that while going down. Also, you won't need 12 months. I'd say 2-3 months, tops. That should include everything, included the dreaded end, which I don't believe will be that bad. Don't be thinking you will be miserable for a year. You won't. You may be tired for a month after the initial 2 months, but that's the only symptom I believe you'll have left. Just make more time to rest or take more down time.
Drink water!!! Lots of water and very little sugar. A multi-vitamin will help a great deal, and helps make the WD symptoms less. Eat lots of bananas, they will replace potassium plus help with diarrhea. Don't take Imodium unless you have extremely loose stools. You don't want to get constipated. I really don't think diarrhea will happen until your completely off, or down to a very low level.
As far as Adderall. I would save this for after your completely through. Let's say start it around day 8 after being completely off. This should help with energy and from here on, you could take pain meds as needed but not be physically dependent.
You are going to be okay. Remember this. I'll right often, and ask anything you want. If I don't know the answer, someone here will, and I'm happy to research for you too.
One med that may help is Zofran (generic is Ondansetron 8mg tabs -ask for generic since the brand name is expensive; generic is not expensive, whatsoever). It's a nausea med, that besides helping you with any nausea you might have, it can also help with WD symptoms. It won't get rid of them, but will help make them less severe. You can stop anytime and shouldn't be hard to get a script from a doctor. I think you won't really need this till you get much lower.
Also, try pushing yourself a little bit past what you think you can do. For example, instead of going down 5 mg a week, try every 3 days. If that makes it too uncomfortable, then try every 5 days.
When your really hurting (I'm guessing you have some form of chronic pain or condition), try taking a small amount of extra; just remember -keep it as small as possible. What I'd do would be instead of lets say taking 4mg of Dilaudid, I'd break it in half. Take half of what you think you need. Not only will this help you in the long run, it'll also help you maintain control but allow a little extra when needed. So you've taken a little extra pain meds, now get a big glass of ice water, and then get in the bathtub. Turn on some calming music. Buy some extra nice bath wash, maybe Baby bath with Lavender in it (at any Walmart and many Dollar Stores). Read while in the tub or do some deep breathing and try to rest.
Just know you are not alone, and although you feel your the only one going through this right now, you won't be. It will end, but better than that, go day by day. You have meds, your going down slowly, and I'll answer or help night and day. I'm sure others will help too. If you start getting too caught up in your thoughts, why don't you pop in a favorite movie, comedies are great because laughing stimulates endorphins. This helps elevate mood and helps with pain. Watch just 20 minutes if you don't have much time. Sleep as much as possible. Be kind to yourself and communicate with your doctor. Take care Violetiris, and know I'll be thinking and praying for you, ok?
 
Best of luck to you, sir! (or ma'am) I don't quite fit the criteria you mentioned as I'm currently still addicted but I'm trying to taper as well. I thought it might help to here from someone going through the same thing, at the same time. I know how hard it can be. Tapering is definitely the best way to go but you need quite a bit of self-control and will power. I've failed a few times already but you just have to remember, it's not like you only get a few tries. You can try and fail, try and fail, try and fail, and try and fail again, but the worst thing you can do is get discouraged.

I would recommend talking to your doctor about it. Let him know that you've become dependent on the pills (from taking them as prescribed) and tell him you want to taper. This will save your ass from those moments of weakness where you think you might be able to go score a new script or something. Once he knows you're addicted he will never prescribe you a high dose again. You'll thank yourself for this later. You also need to eliminate as much physical stimuli from your environment as possible. Basically anything that reminds you of getting high. This is easier said than done because I know; when I'm craving, absolutely EVERYTHING reminds me of getting high. Just get rid of as much as you can. A new look may be in order as well. It is; after all, a whole new life for you.

A slow taper like you plan on doing shouldn't be too physically painful, but the psychological effects will add up quick. Take on a new hobby, or play a new video game. Masturbation is a wonderful thing during this time. Not saying you should do it all day every day, but it will give you that bit of endorphin rush you crave. Exercising is apparently great as well. Again, something that does NOT remind you of Oxy. Anything to kill the boredom. Idle hands are the devils play toy.

I'm sorry I can't tell you how long the PAWS will last as I do not know that myself. I guess only time will tell. Keep us updated, and good luck again.
 
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Wow, thank you!

I couldn't log into BL last night for some reason but I sat there with tears in my eyes when I read all of your post-to know that someone cares and understands means the world.

It also motivates me to not want to let those people who care down. It's going to be a slow process--5mg a week so I hope you'll hang in there with me for the boring stretch! Really, so far I've found that going down this slow causes no real symptoms. I try to go through most of it at night when I'm sleeping. Eventually I realize I won't be able to do that.

So, thank you for validating that the plan I have is a good one and that I will feel OK again someday. I know that's the hardest part.

No one seems to know much about the ADD medication so I think I'll eventually talk with my doctor about it-maybe start using it for now and stop a week before I jump totally off and then start them again when I am able to sleep decent. Who knows, this may actually help with the sleep initially when I stop the opiates. I know that when i stopped the ADD medication once before (due to a long out of town trip and not being able to find a pharmacy that would re-fill) I crashed and slept until I started them again.

I can't tell you how much you all mean to me and how much hope you give me. To the poster who is also going through the same thing--my heart goes out to you. It sounds like you have a battle ahead of you for sure and I am happy to help and to be here for you however I can. I not going to talk with my MD for several reasons but the primary one being that the only reason, after 10+ years of access, that I became physically addicted was because I actually needed the meds for pain. Prior to that I had amazing self control. So, I think I'll be fine. I don't actually feel like I'm addicted so much as dependent. I don' have the psychological cravings, just physical ones. When my body starts to hate me!

Don't get me wrong, I've been addicted to other things in my life, I'm not trying to sound like I'm anything special. I just have been able to cope with these fairly well. Maybe because I was aware of what addiction meant in a way that I never understood with other things, I don't know.

For me, it's when my stomach starts having stabbing pains and I'm sweating and stumbling into things trying to walk that I want to reach for the meds.Or, when my legs hurt so bad I can't walk. That's why I ended up on them anyway. It started out as a shattered foot with residual nerve damage to my leg and then while taking them I developed some other health issues that caused extreme pain--which lead to the daily usage. I used to take them for a week and hold a few back for the month for when I needed them for my leg--but then I started having these other health issues that caused me to need them every day.

I look back to life before that injury and long so much for the days when I really felt alive. When I had energy to do anything. When I never had real anxiety. I want them back so badly they are a good motivator.

For those of you who have kicked tell me if you found this to be true...

Now, I don't get 'high' from these any more. But I wait so long to take them that it feels like a kind of 'high' just taking away the withdrawals. Odd? But I think it works in my favor because sometimes I find myself saying--just wait a little longer before you take one because it will be even more of a relief---which makes me stretch out the time more.

Blessings to you and I hope you'll check back from time to time and see how it's going.

vi
 
I feel you, its not as bad as you think, when you get close to the end the WD's will get easy.

not only taper but when you start to WD, hold out, suffer for an hour or two then take your meds, not extra, just normal...and continue this is also a tapering mechanism, slow but steady.

right now the MENTAL hold tells you the WDs are worse then they are

so good luck.

also please get help for ADHD, I have a SEVERE case I am getting help Tuesday, I hope you do the same.
 
Well I was addicted for 8 years, I fibromyalgia along with a series of other ailments. I was taking probably 20 norco a day. I have been clean from opiates for over 4 years now. I went to an outpatient 21 day methadone detox. Every morning I drove to this clinic and paid like 7 bucks and got my methadone and did this for 21 days. Never touched an opiate after that.

You will never be "happy" unless you get help. We become additicted to fill some sort of emotional void/issue. I had to get that addressed in order to ensure that I would not go back to using. I can't say that I am happy, but I am not numb like I was when I was on opiates. I am actually experiencing my life in real time without hiding into an opiate fog.

As far as the ADHD, provigil is much weaker that adderall. My recommendation is to handle one thing at a time. Focus on getting off the opiate first and getting those emotions dealt with before you try attacking the ADHD issues. Don't do too much, you will get overwhelmed. Which will make you frustrated and more likely to give up.

Everyone has their own process, and what works best for them. You have to find that. It is more that just a chemical dependancy, its an emotionally dependancy. Focus on one thing at a time. Get the help you need. Find out your process and run with it.
 
I truly believe that the best drug for opiate withdrawal is THC, and the healthiest way to smoke THC is hashish. Dont get all that plant matter and tar that's in bud. Drop me a PM if u need some more advice about medical shit, im VERY well read, cheapest medical advice on the planet
 
I truly believe that the best drug for opiate withdrawal is THC, and the healthiest way to smoke THC is hashish. Dont get all that plant matter and tar that's in bud. Drop me a PM if u need some more advice about medical shit, im VERY well read, cheapest medical advice on the planet

That may be true for some people but not all. My body does not react well to THC. I vomit and get extremely aggitated from it. I have tried it in all forms and no luck.
 
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