Positive The Tapering Supportive/Social Thread

[Painful One]

Sorry unfortunately I have no experience with gabapentin, I've used pregabalin as an opiate detox aid (its a wonder drug) and that's it.

I would have thought following the same protocol as for benzos would be close to the mark due to their similarities, but hopefully someone with proper experience can chip in.

Thanks. I think the main problem was that I ran myself out of morphine, clonazepam, and gabapentin.
All three of the hellraiser demons showed up and and dragged me to hell.
It was not fun!

I have been released from hell now.

Note to Self- DO NOT EVER do this again!

 

[Iceman1216]

Hey girl, pay better attention to the refill dates? I have had much better luck when my scripts come due a week apart. Yes more trips to Drug store, but I pass by it everyday any way

 

[Squeaky]

Sorry unfortunately I have no experience with gabapentin, I've used pregabalin as an opiate detox aid (its a wonder drug) and that's it.

I would have thought following the same protocol as for benzos would be close to the mark due to their similarities, but hopefully someone with proper experience can chip in.

You can taper quickly, but you have to taper or suffer the wrath of the gabapentin. Cut doses by half every few days until 100mg per day. Then quit. Take your dose in the evening about 2 hours before bedtime.
The short term use created short term wds, but the feel like you’re kill yourself.

 

[Painful One]

You can taper quickly, but you have to taper or suffer the wrath of the gabapentin. Cut doses by half every few days until 100mg per day. Then quit. Take your dose in the evening about 2 hours before bedtime.
The short term use created short term wds, but the feel like you’re kill yourself.

Thank you @Squeaky

I actually think I found the right dosage!
Last night I slept through the entire night and had NO DREAMS and NO NIGHTMARES!!
I had a solid sleep!
That is the first solid sleep I have had in 40 years!!

I feel refreshed and my mood is better and more stable. The depression has lifted.
I feel energetic and I have noticed that I am WAY more active during the day.
I also am not having the huge ups and downs of narcolepsy exhaustion and just falling asleep whenever!

This is huge for me guys!

I think I was on just too high of a dosage of the gabapentin. Now that I tapered that down and am adjusting to this lower dosage
I am feeling so much better! I actually want to go out and do stuff!

I am really hopeful my friends!
I think I found the right combination of medication and the correct dosage amounts to make me a functioning human being again!

 

[Elswellsleepy]

what is that, i have just joined but i have narcolepsy and have found oxycodone and clonazepam help me but tokeep me awake and not craving illegal heroin,discovered it worked the best for many of my symptoms and i wasnt insane from amphetamines, being adhd as well as narcoleptic. struggling to get doctor to prescribe diazepam or clonazepam and so am fucked!

 

[Squeaky]

what is that, i have just joined but i have narcolepsy and have found oxycodone and clonazepam help me but tokeep me awake and not craving illegal heroin,discovered it worked the best for many of my symptoms and i wasnt insane from amphetamines, being adhd as well as narcoleptic. struggling to get doctor to prescribe diazepam or clonazepam and so am fucked!

Oxy cures a lot of problems if you’re already opioid tolerant. It boosts dopamine and seratonin. And that would definitely help with sleep. But beware, when you don’t have it those both drop significantly and it can make you very depressed for days and days.

 

[Painful One]

what is that, i have just joined but i have narcolepsy and have found oxycodone and clonazepam help me but tokeep me awake and not craving illegal heroin,discovered it worked the best for many of my symptoms and i wasnt insane from amphetamines, being adhd as well as narcoleptic. struggling to get doctor to prescribe diazepam or clonazepam and so am fucked!

I feel for you.
It has taken me a long, long time to finally find the right combination and dosage of medication to help.

I started out with chronic pain and my migraine headaches going out of control (brain injury) from being in a car accident and was put on MS Contin 75 mg a day, and clonazepam 1 mg at Night.
Then I was finally diagnosed with narcolepsy (which I have had as long as I can remember, specialist says that is from having a bad high fever illness as a child that never went away completely- did some damage) .
I was put on Gabapentin. I adjusted the dosage down to One and 1/2 600 mg tablets a day.

The gabapentin has a speed like effect on me. Makes me alert, focused, movement has been better, the constant dreaming has cleared up, the exhaustion /falling asleep just whenever has cleared up, depression is lifting.
I am supposed to take the gabapentin at night but it keeps me awake and works better for me to use one dose morning and 1/2 dose in the late afternoon. That holds me through the night but the Speed like effect wears off so I can sleep.

This combination is working for me. I am functioning way better!

The Gabapentin is one scary drug though. The withdrawal from it is worse than morphine and clonazepam withdrawal put together!
Too high a dosage had bad side effects too. Never just abruptly stop taking it and research it. Use caution before starting this medication. It is heavy duty.

Apparently GHB is the cure for narcolepsy but the Gabapentin is similar.
This specialist wanted to have me take gabapentin and then GHB at night but the gabapentin is enough.
He also wants to do botox injections every 3 months and all kinds of other high $$$ treatment that I can’t afford.
He wants me off clonazepam and MS Contin but that is not going to be possible.
Those two drugs are controlling severe chronic pain and migraine headaches.
The clonazepam also tones down the narcolepsy dreaming/nightmares for me.

I wish you luck! I know this narcolepsy thing is bad. Don't give up.
and yeah it is hard to get the doctors to prescribe this. My pain doctor prescribes the MS Contin and clonazepam.
This sleep/headache specialist prescribed the gabapentin but he is freaking out saying I have to get off the clonazepam and MS Contin or he won’t prescribe me anymore.
My pain doctor seemed okay with me adding the gabapentin so I am hoping he will prescribe it along with my MS Contin and clonazepam. I will have to talk to him soon. If he won’t prescribe it then I am going to have to taper off it entirely.
The chronic pain and severe headaches is the larger problem but both are crippling my life.

 

[Squeaky]

You have to be your own advocate. Figure out what’s working for you and what isn’t.
The problem lies in figuring out how to get the doctor to write the prescription.

 

[Colleen330]

If you can avoid the loperamide that’s best, but it doesn’t stop the Hydrocodone from passing through and being metabolized, which is what the drug test looks for. Loperamide just stops you from feeling the Hydrocodone. They want to see that A: you’re not over-using your prescription and B: you’re actually using it and not selling it. If they want to count your leftover pills..... you’re screwed. Be ready to admit you had some bad chinese food and horrible diarrhea two days before your drug test to explain the lope in your urine. And prepare a story about losing the remainder of your prescription in an unfortunate boating accident.
If the Dr is drug testing you then he will be keeping an eye out for obvious signs of withdrawal. Don’t show up shaking, sweating, nauseous, etc. Take the smallest effective dose of lope about 4 hours before your visit. And, again, an embarrassing story about crapping yourself thanks to some questionable Kung Pao Chicken will get you out of trouble at least one time-but don’t use it more than once or he will see your hiding something more sinister.

If you can avoid the loperamide that’s best, but it doesn’t stop the Hydrocodone from passing through and being metabolized, which is what the drug test looks for. Loperamide just stops you from feeling the Hydrocodone. They want to see that A: you’re not over-using your prescription and B: you’re actually using it and not selling it. If they want to count your leftover pills..... you’re screwed. Be ready to admit you had some bad chinese food and horrible diarrhea two days before your drug test to explain the lope in your urine. And prepare a story about losing the remainder of your prescription in an unfortunate boating accident.
If the Dr is drug testing you then he will be keeping an eye out for obvious signs of withdrawal. Don’t show up shaking, sweating, nauseous, etc. Take the smallest effective dose of lope about 4 hours before your visit. And, again, an embarrassing story about crapping yourself thanks to some questionable Kung Pao Chicken will get you out of trouble at least one time-but don’t use it more than once or he will see your hiding something more sinister.

Thanks Squeeky! I have been completely off loperamide for about a week, I found an old bottle of tramadol. I am taking four per day and feel slightly shaky between doses and it is visible in my hands for the one hour before next dose but I will make it to next Sunday with no more lope. Yeah! I realized I can pick up my hydrocodone again next Sunday-so 12 days earlier than I thought.

As you said on a previous post, this is the month I get this straight. This is a normal follow up appt so I don’t even know if he will test me but I always come in prepared. I really doubt he will ask for a pill count. He has only done that once in six years. But this would be the month he would request wouldn’t it be...

 

[Painful One]

You will be alright @Colleen330
Just don’t draw any attention to yourself at the doctor.
Be your normal self.

I am happy to hear you get your hydrocodone 12 days earlier than you thought!
That is always a nice surprise!
I was worried about you having to go so long without it.

Good job for stopping the Loperamide and finding some tramadol.
That will hold you and you should be able to switch back to the Hydrocodone easily.
Just try to keep the dosage as close as possible to the hydrocodone so you don’t raise your tolerance.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET IT RIGHT THIS MONTH!
we can do this guys.
we sure as hell don’t want to suffer it out again!
Good luck everybody!

 

[Hylight]

oh i am just dying for a little taste of something,
to feel better of course,
was thinking of a tab of hydroxyzine
but i probably shouldn't because it
probably doesn't stop sadness.

see how badly i really want to feel better
or be happy. well, i really want to try, at least. ♡

i guess i need a therapist, but it is pretty busy
around here these days.

and i talk to them but they just make me nervous
! hello somebody. somebody good.
just give me my medicine. that's it.

 

[Colleen330]

I saw the doc today. No urine screen. He asked how I was doing on the current meds and I said fine. He said that was good and he was surprised that I did not need more with everything I was going through (major medical problems-I almost died several times. They had the chaplain come in twice) and then he told me if I need more to just message him!!! I did not and will not take him up on his offer.
What I did do was I confided in a very close friend who has been on hydrocodone for years that I was wanting to take more than I actually needed just to completely get rid of the pain instead of making it tolerable. She understood and said she went through something similar a few years back. She offered to take my pills and only give me a weeks worth at a time. And I agreed- we meet for lunch once a week). I know I can trust her, she lent me half a months worth of pills when I dropped my bottle in the sink and let me return them a little at a time. I know she won’t steal them. This way I can get back on track. I have been doing well with the limited tramadol I had and I know I can nip this in the bud since it has not been going on for a long time. I am so greatful to you and Squeeky for helping me through this. I am also glad that I took steps to make sure this IS the month I get back on track. Thank you so much. You @Painful One and @Squeeky have been the light at the end of the tunnel for me.

You will be alright @Colleen330
Just don’t draw any attention to yourself at the doctor.
Be your normal self.

I am happy to hear you get your hydrocodone 12 days earlier than you thought!
That is always a nice surprise!
I was worried about you having to go so long without it.

Good job for stopping the Loperamide and finding some tramadol.
That will hold you and you should be able to switch back to the Hydrocodone easily.
Just try to keep the dosage as close as possible to the hydrocodone so you don’t raise your tolerance.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET IT RIGHT THIS MONTH!
we can do this guys.
we sure as hell don’t want to suffer it out again!
Good luck everybody!

Thanks Squeeky! I have been completely off loperamide for about a week, I found an old bottle of tramadol. I am taking four per day and feel slightly shaky between doses and it is visible in my hands for the one hour before next dose but I will make it to next Sunday with no more lope. Yeah! I realized I can pick up my hydrocodone again next Sunday-so 12 days earlier than I thought.

As you said on a previous post, this is the month I get this straight. This is a normal follow up appt so I don’t even know if he will test me but I always come in prepared. I really doubt he will ask for a pill count. He has only done that once in six years. But this would be the month he would request wouldn’t it be...

You will be alright @Colleen330
Just don’t draw any attention to yourself at the doctor.
Be your normal self.

I am happy to hear you get your hydrocodone 12 days earlier than you thought!
That is always a nice surprise!
I was worried about you having to go so long without it.

Good job for stopping the Loperamide and finding some tramadol.
That will hold you and you should be able to switch back to the Hydrocodone easily.
Just try to keep the dosage as close as possible to the hydrocodone so you don’t raise your tolerance.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET IT RIGHT THIS MONTH!
we can do this guys.
we sure as hell don’t want to suffer it out again!
Good luck everybody!

You will be alright @Colleen330
Just don’t draw any attention to yourself at the doctor.
Be your normal self.

I am happy to hear you get your hydrocodone 12 days earlier than you thought!
That is always a nice surprise!
I was worried about you having to go so long without it.

Good job for stopping the Loperamide and finding some tramadol.
That will hold you and you should be able to switch back to the Hydrocodone easily.
Just try to keep the dosage as close as possible to the hydrocodone so you don’t raise your tolerance.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET IT RIGHT THIS MONTH!
we can do this guys.
we sure as hell don’t want to suffer it out again!
Good luck everybody!

You will be alright @Colleen330
Just don’t draw any attention to yourself at the doctor.
Be your normal self.

I am happy to hear you get your hydrocodone 12 days earlier than you thought!
That is always a nice surprise!
I was worried about you having to go so long without it.

Good job for stopping the Loperamide and finding some tramadol.
That will hold you and you should be able to switch back to the Hydrocodone easily.
Just try to keep the dosage as close as possible to the hydrocodone so you don’t raise your tolerance.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET IT RIGHT THIS MONTH!
we can do this guys.
we sure as hell don’t want to suffer it out again!
Good luck everybody!

 

[Painful One]

AWESOME work @Colleen330
I am so proud of you!
Well Done!
Now you can get back on track!

I fell off track too.
I bought some Kratom and I am going to start working with that to get back on track myself!

We are here for each other!
I love that!

Love you @Colleen330

 

[Colleen330]

AWESOME work @Colleen330
I am so proud of you!
Well Done!
Now you can get back on track!

I fell off track too.
I bought some Kratom and I am going to start working with that to get back on track myself!

We are here for each other!
I love that!

Love you @Colleen330

It would be nice if we could get kratom here but it is illegal, Schedule I narcotic so the same as having cocaine or meth. Actually I’m glad we can’t get it. I don’t want any easy crutches available.

 

[Painful One]

Yeah, I need to be real careful with the Kratom.

I have to figure out just the exact amount I need to keep me out of withdrawal but not raise my tolerance.

UGH! These last few months have been rough!

I doubt I will even use much of the Kratom. It just feels better to me to have a back up system.
I don’t have to stress myself to death over it and end up taking more because I am worried about running out!

Morphine Withdrawal is intense too. Just about breaks your entire rib cage from the violent puking.
It is way worse than hydrocodone withdrawal.

Thank you for helping me too @Colleen330 !
This message came just in time to remind me that I must cut down now or I will be in trouble.
If I just do it now I won’t need the KraTom.
It is just for Emergency backup only.

 

[Painful One]

Are you doing better health wise @Colleen330 ?
hearing you almost died several times worried me.

 

[Squeaky]

PainfulOne- Start with one tablespoon of Kratom powder, or about 2 1/2 grams. Do it on an empty stomach. Don’t do more than three times that amount in 8 hours. The effects are subtle but unmistakable.
You will feel the effects in 10-20 minutes.

 

[Painful One]

PainfulOne- Start with one tablespoon of Kratom powder, or about 2 1/2 grams. Do it on an empty stomach. Don’t do more than three times that amount in 8 hours. The effects are subtle but unmistakable.
You will feel the effects in 10-20 minutes.

Okay. Thank you @Squeaky
That helps very much!

I will measure it out in tablespoons and fill up some big capsules with it.
Then I will know one Tbsp is about 2 1/2 grams.
I do not want to taste this stuff.
the smell alone...ugh!

 

[EPL1]

Just wanted to stop by and say hello to you all, especially my fellow chronic pain patient friends @Painful One and @Squeaky

How are you both doing? I have gone through some really tough times this past year, but I will try not to be such a stranger to good friends such as yourselves.

Hugs and your friend always,
Ash.

 

[Xorkoth]

I just weighed the kratom powder I have and one TEASPOON is about 2 1/2 grams, not 1 TABLEspoon. 1 tablespoon is 3 teaspoons which would be 7.5 grams. If it's the fine powder, 1 teaspoon is 2-2.5 grams.