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Withdrawal From Tussionex

by chris, Apr 18, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Dr. Steve,



A few days ago I posted a question regarding withdrawal/detox from Tussionex suspension. I used the name rcm; I wanted to know how I could stop taking Tussionex suspension, a potent cough medicine which contains hydrocodone polistirex. I've been taking this medicine for three years now, nearly everyday, and I wanted to know if you or any of the other doctors could help me with this.



I've come back to this site often since I posted that question, and nobody seemed interested in what I had to say, since there weren't any answers to my question for maybe two to three days now. So I asked the question again, and labeled it as such: detox from Tussionex, second question. Imagine my consternation when I logged in today to find my questions regarding the Tussionex deleted! Why was this done? Just because nobody else does Tussionex, because it isn't as popular as, say, Vicodin or Oxycontin?



Well, doc, you should know I think that even if my drug of choice isn't as popular as the others, the addiction is just as real. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to answer my question, even if my drug isn't as popular as the others.



To repeat my question: can you suggest the quickest, most painless way for me to detox from Tussionex? I've been taking it for 3 years now; my dosage is 60 to 90 ml per day, making my total daily sustained-release hydrocodone consumption from 120 to 180 mg.



Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.



Chris
Member Comments (33)

by barbara to Chris, Apr 18, 2000 12:00AM


I don't know anything about the type of medication you are taking so I cannot give info on it. You may want to call your local mental health center and ask one of their doctors or nurses how to go about detoxing. Hopefully they will give you an answer without forcing you to come in for evaluation.

by Brian to Chris, Apr 18, 2000 12:00AM
I'm sure it's frustrating not having your question answered.  I think you can probably taper down just as one can from the more typical pill addictions.  Try to slowly cut back your dosage, by about 10% every few days.  There will be some withdrawal at the end of the taper but it will be FAR less than cold turkey.  If you can get some clonidine it will help at the end of the taper.  Also, some klonopin, xanax, valium or the like will assist in keeping you calm.  Good luck.

by tom, Apr 19, 2000 12:00AM
Chris,

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little envious -- Tussionex is the most euphoric form of hydrocodone. Frankly, it's wonderful. 12-hour time-release Vicodin. The Rolls-Royce of Schedule III. I'm glad I experienced it but am, at this very moment, relieved I don't have access to it.

Simply put, you need the full detox-rehab. Coming down from such exquisite stuff is going to be hard. (I'm honestly high just thinking about it -- sorry.)

I'm hoping you have insurance so you can go to a good place that brings you down slowly with tapered doses of Valium. That, plus jacuzi, food, vitamins and regular sleep, will make you feel pretty good.

Now here is the important part: You'll want to leave because you know how good that Tussionex is going to feel after you're detoxed. That's why you need to combine detox with AA/NA in your daily routine during and especially after detox. I haven't a clue how you're going to do it on your own. My advice, AKA The Voice of Experience, is get the Full Monty or you'll be back. If it's your first time, you probably will be back.

If you do return, don't lose heart. Recovery is a process, characterized by slips and recoveries. We drug addicts, recovering or otherwise, are human beings. We have nothing to be ashamed of. Our human physiology makes us inherently susceptible to drug addiction. My hopes go with you. Don't hesitate to post more messages. tom



by To TOM, Apr 19, 2000 12:00AM
Tom...I'm not sure if it was you who posted before about extracting the hydrocodone out of vicodin via the water method...but if you are the same guy - does it work? How much is wasted? What did you do? Did you do the warm water/cold bath/filter method? My doctor will NOT prescribe anything other that Vicodin ES for my pain...I've been freaked about APAP for ages and want to try this. I don't get enough of them a month (30) to waste any, so if this worked for you, please let me know...Thanks.

by ToTom, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
I disolved them in warm water, placed the glass in the fridge, and waited for the APAP to settle on the bottom. After about 30 minutes, I used a straw to suck up the water, stopping just before I got to the APAP. I can't vouch for the efficiency, though. Judging by the effect, it probably yields 50% to 75% of the hydrocodone. It's a very smooth high, actually. But I only used this method when I was flush with vicodin and didn't mind wasting a few. The biggest danger of starting this is that you will be tempted to do a LOT of hydrocodone, just to see what it's like. With tolerance, there is practically no limit to how much you could wind up taking. It really doesn't improve the quality of the high, either. It could also kill you. I'm telling you because I believe it's wrong for pharmaceuticals to be laced with potentialy toxic stuff like tylenol, simply to create a menace to ward off drug users. For your purposes, I think it would waste a significant amount of your supply. Take care.

tom

by Former User in Ohio, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
Hello Chris!



I am a former addict who has been in recovery for going on three years now and my drug of choice was Hydrocodone.  My favorite way to get it was in Tussionex (because it would last for at least 8 hours).  At the end, I was using 180ml a day.  So, I don't know why you didn't get any responses, but have no fear, YOU'RE NOT ALONE in your use of Tussionex.



I'm not going to give any detox advice since it's been a few years and every time I got off of Hyrdrocodone, I had to do it cold turkey (and the few last times in jail - hell on earth).  My only guess is to follow suggestions posted here for those getting off the big "V" (Vicodin), since it's just Hydrocodone in a suspension form.  All I can say is hang in there, find Narcotics Anonymous in your area and do what you're told at the meetings.



If you need any help, just post here.  This is actually my first time posting, so it shows that people are here and care.



One Day At A Time!

J

by Katie, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
Does anyone know about Methadone as a form of withdrawal from Vicodin for someone who has been using for about 7 years 40-50 pills per day??  Any information you have is greatly appreciated.

by tom, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
Katie,

Unless you’ve got a VERY unusual relationship with your doctor, I’d say there’s about a zero chance of you getting into a Methadone program with “only” a vic habit to boast about. Last time I checked, the whole Methodone thing was pretty much a closed shop. Non-Heroin users need not apply. Next to Vicodin, Methadone might actually feel pretty good, which wouldn’t be quite the effect you’re after.



Read what I said to “Tussionex Chris” above. A structured in-house detox with tapered Valium and Clonadine patches is really quite effective and not altogether unpleasant. If you have an iron will (which I doubt considering your intake of vic’s) you or a friend could bring you down the same way at home. Add some over-the-counter Imodium for the inevitable runs (NEVER detox from Vicodin without Imodium), daily jacuzzis or hot baths and lots of food (the valium will make you eat like a pig – another reason to use it), and you might just make it to your first AA/NA meet.



Also, go to a health food store and get some Milk Thistle. It will help your liver heal itself after such a sustained assault from the tylenol in your vic’s.



I have used this method to detox myself from a 75 to 100/day vic habit (and you thought you were really out there with 50/day habit!).



Of course, if you’re after a maintenance drug, rather than strictly detox, I have heard some things about Buprenorphin. I have no idea about its availability. I hear it blocks the narco-cravings without any mood-altering side effects.



Honestly, though, once you’re well and truly detoxed from the vics and off the Valium, what you really need is “head support” from a group of fellow recovering addicts. You also need to absent yourself as completely as you can from the environment, people and places around which you’ve been using. The subliminal “cues” to use that you undoubtedly associate with your old haunts will be almost impossible to resist. Many addicts fail because they don’t take this aspect seriously enough.



But I really don’t think you’ll need a maintenance drug (before you ask, Valium won’t work as a maintenance drug – you’ll just become a Valium junkie and have two problems instead of one). Good luck. Post more if you want to talk.

tom

by Katie to Tom, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
Thanks Tom.  This info was actually for my brother...he is the addict.  From what I understood, Vicodin is similar to heroin in that they are both opioid drugs, (I am learning as I go) and that is why the methadone treatment was recommended.  Apparently the md tried clonidine and it wasn't working for my brother - he was hallucinating.  I may not have all of the info and he could also have been dabbling in heroin as well as the vicodin.  I am trying to educate myself as much as I can, so I really appreciate the information.  In addition, remarkably he had a liver function test and everything appears to be fine.  He is also going to meetings...Thanks for your input.

by Tom to Katie, Apr 20, 2000 12:00AM
Congrats on it not being you! May it ever be so. I never tried Heroin and have no plans to. But I found injected Demerol so overwhelming it really scared me. If your brother is using Heroin, then he's taken a major step up the narcotic food chain. His detox could be rough. Everything I know tells me Heroin withdrawal is appauling. I hope your brother is coming down in some kind of medical setting. The hallucinating part worries me. Could he be involved in a few other drugs on the side? Most of us are. Whatever he's been into, steel yourself for an ongoing thing. This is going to be with you for a while. All my best to you and your brother.

tom

by cherigrace64@hotmail.com, Apr 21, 2000 12:00AM
Hi Chris, Well I really could relate to your email, I have had the same addiction myself.  I tried to gradually withdraw from it many times but always ended up going back to it.  The only thing htat worked for me was kicking it cold turkey.  You have to go somewhere where you CAN"T get any for at least a week, maybe a friend you can trust, relative etc.  If you can get some sedatives (prescription or over the counter) it will help you.  It's rough but not as bad as like alcohol withdrawal.  The important thing is to be somewhere where you can't get the drug, because I've found from multiple failures that when I tried to kick it, if the drug was available I ALWAYS went back to  it! It's just too hard to resist in the detox stage.  But when you are off it you will be suprised how clear your mind will be, you will be able to feel like yourself again.   It's worth it I promise you! If you need any encouragement or support, send me an email.  I've been there and you can get through it!! Good luck, Cheri

by bob, Apr 25, 2000 12:00AM
Could anyone tell me a 50 year old user of oxicontin (80mg) PER  day. IF IT IS possible to quit. When i do make it for a few days I realize why I started in the first place. Also does anyone know just how bad this much painkiller is hurting me i just had a physical and they say i am in good health. thank you

by buzz wilson, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
physical withdrawl from hydrocodone is the easy part the hard part is controling relapes,i cAN GO COLD TURKEY AND STOP FOR AMONTH BUT I ALWAYS THINK ICAN USE AND CONTROL IT EVERY TIME THE TOLERACE GETS WORSE AND THE PROBLEMS GET WORSE NOW IAM PROBALY GO TO PRISON.