Opioids The Opioid Withdrawal Megathread and FAQ

[Zerwas]

we sure about that? I know it has certain actions like that, but haven't read it's an official opiod

Yes. It is pretty common knowledge^^
From wiki:

Tramadol (marketed as Ultram, and as generics) is an opioid pain medication which is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. When taken as an immediate-release oral formulation, the onset of pain relief usually occurs within about an hour.^[5] It has two different mechanisms. First, it binds to the μ-opioid receptor. Second, it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Which is why it kills withdrawals. The WD from itself are no joke either because of its mechanisms. Its like opioid WD+Antidepressant WD...

 

[john24]

Yes. It is pretty common knowledge^^
From wiki:



Which is why it kills withdrawals. The WD from itself are no joke either because of its mechanisms. Its like opioid WD+Antidepressant WD...

It's a weird drug. Initially I couldn't stand the way it made me feel.

Then I noticed how much it helped for withdrawal...

....then noticed (after being on it long term) how much my brain needs whatevers in it.

 

[Erikmen]

I had always thought it was a very mild opiate. Just like codeine IMO.

I used to take methadone to "cure" my addiction to opiates.

 

[john24]

So, I've been on opiates for years. 2 or 3. Its always mainly hydro's or perks. But I had surgery and had oxycontin and roxycodone as well... I am all out of them and my Dr tried to ween me off all opiates but I didn't comply and got cut off. I have 6 5mgs left and that's all. I'm scared cuz that's like 1.5 doses is all.
I've withdrawaled before. But couldnt make it a full 2 days. My hurt, I was sick and mostly I get super depressed. Like cry my eyes out sad. But this is it this time... I'm just wondering how long does it last? I know the severity of the addiction matters... I've read these forums a lot. But I strictly swallow the pills. Nothing else. I use about 40-50mg a day. And no days off... Its been constant now for about 18 Mons.... I'm about to get real sick huh?

being on it for that long straight, i'd say it's probably going to be tough..for a good week. maybe 2. Just mentally prepare for a lot of negative emotion / sweating / stomach issues / diarrhea.. stuff like that...oh yea and increased pain. Since your body has turned off it's natural ability / chemicals to fight pain...it's gonna take awhile just for those receptors to get back to normal.

sorry to hear you got cut off...I get terrified of the thought of that ...if it ever happens to me. If your doc did that, (like a dik) it might mean all pharmacies have you cut off as well...meaning it doesn't matter which doctor u go to next.

When I get my scripts, I obey the rules...to not show addiction. Basically a history of early refills, or telling the doc u need more...stuff like that sounds the alarm for them. But I don't think they think thoroughly about the consequences of what happens when they cut their patients off....as so many end up going the illegal route.

EDIT: you should try to bug him to at-least give you something for the withdrawals.

 

[trutexan]

flexeral helps me sleep and relaxes my legs

 

[Erikmen]

being on it for that long straight, i'd say it's probably going to be tough..for a good week. maybe 2. Just mentally prepare for a lot of negative emotion / sweating / stomach issues / diarrhea.. stuff like that...oh yea and increased pain. Since your body has turned off it's natural ability / chemicals to fight pain...it's gonna take awhile just for those receptors to get back to normal.

sorry to hear you got cut off...I get terrified of the thought of that ...if it ever happens to me. If your doc did that, (like a dik) it might mean all pharmacies have you cut off as well...meaning it doesn't matter which doctor u go to next.

When I get my scripts, I obey the rules...to not show addiction. Basically a history of early refills, or telling the doc u need more...stuff like that sounds the alarm for them. But I don't think they think thoroughly about the consequences of what happens when they cut their patients off....as so many end up going the illegal route.

EDIT: you should try to bug him to at-least give you something for the withdrawals.

Yes it sums up basically every thing. You will also have cravings so do bug this doctor for meds that helps you while on w/d.

 

[Tacvert]

First post, I had to say a huge THANKYOU to all of you on this site, after a ten year daily habit (and many attempts to quit) the advice given here - especially concerning Loperamide -has probably saved my life. Over 2 weeks clean now (well, ignoring a decreasing daily dose of lope) and for the first time - thanks to you people posting good advice here - it's looking like staying this way. Hugs and respect, Tacvert.

 

[jfree6000]

That's great. Wish I could do the same thing. It seems like whenever I get my shit together sooner or later I go and fuck things up again. Withdrawals for me have gotten worse and worse as I get older. I used to be able to stop using for a day or two and be moderately alright. I'd be sick, but not so sick I couldn't function. These days? Forget it. If I don't have something in my system within 12 to 16 hours after my last fix I'm a disaster area. Chills, nausea, sweating buckets, muscle twitching, etc. Not to mention all the little annoying things like the yawning and running nose.

 

[john24]

looks like i'll be in the same withdrawal boat when I run outta tramadol in a few days. :-/

 

[z06-frank]

Hi its been 2 months I haven't used anything and I was a everyday user of h and all opiates for 6 years. My s

 

[z06-frank]

Hi its been 2 months I haven't used anything and I was a everyday user of h and all opiates for 6 years. how long will it take to get my st back to normal its killing me I haven't had a normal bowl movement the whole time.

 

[hypnotic321]

Hello everyone, I have a question about a stepping down processes, I am unsure if I am doing anything to actually step down or just resetting the clock so to speak. Basically I have been using for 2 months straight, the first month was just hydrocodone and oxycodone about 35 - 50 mg a day. The last month has been H I don't really know weight doses but enough to make it difficult to pass urine and very constipated which for me is a sign I high doses of a strong opioid. A few days ago I decided to stop the H because I went from smoking to IV and from past experience that is a major red flag for me, even with about 25 - 35 mg of oxy I still felt some nasty WD's. So here is my first question, was taking the oxy instead of the H doing anything in terms of stepping down or making my WD's less severe? Question 2, I'm thinking about taking hydrocodone for 5 or 6 days about 25 - 35 mg max daily, is that going to help in terms of WD severity when I step off the hydrocodone? Or am I just delaying the inevitable and am going to feel severe WD no matter which way I go about it? I will say it seems that the intensity of WD has lowered a bit because when I stepped off the H after 12 hours it was BAD but since I've been taking only oxy it seems 12 hours later isn't as bad.

People have told me to try and get on subs or methadone but I don't feel I'm at a level which would require that kind of plan. This all started because I got clean for about 4 years and THOUGHT I could handle a once and a blue moon type of thing which has backfired and went horribly wrong. Any advice would be appreciated I know its hard to gauge over the internet and everyone is different I'm just looking to get some opinions and maybe a ballpark estimate if what I'm doing is somewhat going to help if, if my questions make any sense at all.

 

[Ed553300]

I would love some Dilauded to help with my severe pain. I had so many complications during my triple bypass surgery and now addicted for sure. Unfortunately I do have very serious pain. What the crap should I do? I don't want to be on opiates but the pain is so bad???

 

[Zerwas]

looks like i'll be in the same withdrawal boat when I run outta tramadol in a few days. :-/

Also prepare for some brain zaps and depression. Tramadol WD was pretty nasty for me after using 400mg/day in 2 seperate 200mg doses.
I had nightly panic attacks and woke up in the middle of the night with a pounding heart, very negative thoughts and was unabale to sleep afterwards...
I would suggest getting some L-Tryptophan or 5-htp to counteract the SNRI-WD-symptoms.

Good luck with that!

 

[z06-frank]

You should taper down it will definitely help instead of hitting it cold turkey. If you are working try to take 10mg in the morning and 10 in the evening for a few days they try to go 5 and 5 for a few more days then on Friday just take 5mg before work and take the weekend to kick the hard part.

 

[john24]

Also prepare for some brain zaps and depression. Tramadol WD was pretty nasty for me after using 400mg/day in 2 seperate 200mg doses.
I had nightly panic attacks and woke up in the middle of the night with a pounding heart, very negative thoughts and was unabale to sleep afterwards...
I would suggest getting some L-Tryptophan or 5-htp to counteract the SNRI-WD-symptoms.

The only time i'm my life I had brain zaps, was like 10 years ago when withdrawing off of Paxil. That was nuts, I told my doc about the zaps...and at they looked at me like I was completely nuts...and about to put me on more meds (i guess it's more recognized now)

I actually ran out of Tramadol 2.5 days ago. It's been rough as heck...my emotional instability index must be at a record high.

c'mon withdrawal....hurry up.

trying to listen to my favorite music, but it's barely helpin.

Ed553, trust me you don't wanna be hooked on it. (D) It's gotta be the worst. dripping / soaking wet withdrawals. (in not a good way)

Frank, you should be getting back to normal by now. If not, a fiber supplement should definitely help. If you like chewables...Fiber One or those Chewable candies. Or pill wise : Methylcellulose or Calcium Polycarbophil ...both easily available on amazon. Helps with all withdrawals, as it helps us excrete more / quicker.

 

[z06-frank]

Thanks John, I will go buy some of them fiber one chewables today and see if that helps.

 

[john24]

the friggin night sweats are lasting forever. haven't had a dilaudid in 2 weeks...so it must be from the tramadol. Just didn't think the withdrawal off this would be so intense.

waking up at 3am in soaking cold sweats = the worst.

 

[chase_in_56ace]

^^^^ Honestly with a modest habit like that I would do one of two things, either use the clonidine 3x a day and maybe the traz on the first few nights, maybe split the clonidine in half tho as the .2's r pretty hefty OR wait until you are in pretty hefty WD and take just one 8 mg suboxone JUST one time and let it taper itself out of your system and deal with the lingering wds that will hit u in about 3-4 days after you dose the sub. And I would throw immodium into the first strategy as well....just enough to shut down the shit factory for the first few days...kratom could be another viable option for you as well

^^^ disagree with you except for the imodium

120mg of oxycodone a day is definitely not a modest habit. Its certainly at least a moderate habit. I wouldn't take that much clonidine either. What I would do is wait till I felt like shit and take half of a quarter of one of those 8mg suboxone pills (1mg) and just one clonidine and see if you can sleep.

Even if you pass out, I find myself day 2 to be worse especially during Oxy withdrawal. I'd probably need the full quarter of suboxone. But keep in mind the worse you feel, generally the sooner you'll feel better.

Taking a 50mg trazadone with one of those clonidines and a flexeril will either be VERY sedating, or will worsen any RLS you might have at that point. Especially the flexeril. It's a good muscle relaxer but be warned.. It can cause major akasthia during opiate withdrawal.

Take as little suboxone as you can. Use 12mg doses of imodium from the drug store to help stop the shits.. And use the clonidine and possibly trazadone at night to help you sleep.

 

[donefinally]

Okay everyone, listen up...I read many threads about the withdrawals and let me explain everything you'll go through.
I done every type of pain pill, suboxone, the patches even was hooked on xanax, for years, I dont see much about long term usage effects, very different from someone using for 6mths-year, withdrawling for their first time, long term users can experience longer withdrawls and repeated symptoms. If you are planning to stop cold turkey, listen up, see a doctor first and explain and don't leave without xanax, any benzo's, you'll need them and get everything ready, you won't have the energy later.
First most important, any opiates your taking you need to bring it down to a level to able to withstand the withdrawals, anyone taking high doses shouldn't even be reading this, your still abusing. My wife was on fentynal patches, 100mgs, that's a lot and in two maths got her down to oxy 20mg, the final script we decided to take 10mg for a few days then a qtr pill, 5mg for a few days then it begins.
First you'll sleep a day, maybe even two but on the 3rd day withdrawals really begin due to any opiates still in your system, once out then be ready, just remember that it will end, in time.
You'll get brain flashes, nerve ending tweaking in your face, on your lips, hot flashes, hot flashes last a few days to a week, usually, for my wife and me. The the uncomfortable feeling something eating away at you inside, sick to your stomach. Then the mental game, RLS, insomnia.
Let's start with a plan and let me explain that a lot of drugs are being mentioned on here to cope but in the end it can just prolong your withdrawals and some meds can make things worse, like RLS, I tried baclphon muscle relaxer, made my RLS worse and also, benadryol for sleep didn't work and made my RLS 10x worse.
Plan that worked for me;
Started taking vitamins, right before stopping would be best, a multi V, vitamin B complex, vitamin B12 (vitamin B for energy, nerves) and potassium for nerves also, L-tyrosine for energy.
First started taking 2 multi vitamins daily, with Vitamins B,s and potassium. You'll need your vitamins so your body heals, it helps but don't think you'll feel any different, will help some with energy lvl's and the fact you can't eat.
You can try L-tyrosine later as you feel better, atleast a week before you'll be able to get around.
Take xanax for sleep, try not to take it durning the day the first week, withdrawal, get it out of you first because insomnia will kick in on day 4 and you WILL not be able to sleep...no matter what. I had done this without any xanax and was up for 8 straight days without no sleep until I finally fell asleep for a half hour, a day later got an hour sleep and more sleep as days went on. Your brain has to reprogram your natural sleep pattern, you been going to bed drowsy everyday so its something you'll have to deal with, even taking xanax will still prevent your natural sleeping pattern from coming back so do not take xanax daily for a long period of time, then you'll have to withdrawal from that and to me it was worse than opiates, lucky for me i got off benzos a year before all this.
See Thomas recipe for vitamins, minerals you'll need.
The first week is hard, take xanax as needed for sleep and will help with nerves and RLS, there are meds for RLS which can be fine if only using for a week, any meds will just prolong withdrawals so get it over with. Take hot showers, if you get sleep, stay up all day and keep your mind active, try eating soup, banana's, anything easy to get down, a little at a time. I believe my first week wasn't so bad, the hot flashes, sneezing (will go on for a month due to your nose being so dry) as fluid starts coming back to your nose it will eventually stop. The eerie feeling of wanting to rip off my skin, no energy..etc. As for me, week two was worse, the mental game begins, very restless, I drank sometimes and got shit faced to kill the pain, my wife swears weed helped her a lot, made things worse for me, I did try Lyrica and seemed to help but only took for a few days then my brain was tweaking again.
It always seemed any meds that did help gave some relief but prolonged withdrawals, just because I'm not sick as a dog doesn't mean I'm not withdrawaling, withdrawals can last a month even two months with repeated symptoms which may not last long but can come back, this is why I state, spread out them xanax, you'll need them.
Week one had maybe 1-2mg xanax, week two 1mg a day, week 3 half mg a day. I did save a few on the side for down the road, I'm on week 6 and still feel some restless, low energy but I get better each.
Now with no xanax, I'll have a few beers, rum and coke for the mental part, I'm now thinking much clearer, more active everyday, keeping busy, now eating better, no more vitamins, I'm finding food now comforts me as i now get bored quite easily.
I do not find myself wanting any oxy's, maybe a xanax here and there but I know I need to heal, your body needs to be COMPLETELY off everything, drug free for you to heal.
Do not take suboxone unless its only for a week to bring your self down, suboxone withdrawals are very bad, I know! Most meds listed on blue light for relief may, may not help but just remember, long term abusers (years) will will prolong symptoms.
People mention having sex helps, it does and will help you sleep better.
After 6 weeks, my head still rings some, some low energy, now having coffee in the morning helps, it took a month for my natural sleeping pattern to come back, now getting 6-8 hrs sleep everyday.
I now don't care to get high but only to get healthy, you can get permanent nerve damage from long term usage, your nerves will soon return to normal but may take a month.
Finally done and never have to worry about running out of pills or worrying about getting sick again. Many will agree, many won't but from experience I know what worked for me and know any meds won't make things better, only use for short time relief and get on with getting better, trust me, it will all be worth it.
Good luck everyone and stay clean.