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MedHelp Member's Question

opiate equivalents

by pepsi4, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
Does anyone know how to compare diphenoxylate to hydrocodone?  How would 20 .025mg tabs (.5mg) of diphenoxylate compare to say, 5 mg of hydrocodone?  I was put on a high dose of the diphenoxylate, and seem to experience WD symptoms similiar to any other opiate when I just stopped.  Of course, I've been taking other opiates (prescription, but recreational) also, but I don't know how to factor in the diphenoxylate -- hence "tapering down" from a combination of opiates is difficult to figure out.  Thanks in advance.
Member Comments (29)

by pepsi4, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
Correction



My error, the amount of diphenoxylate I'm asking about is 2.5mg tab -- 20 tabs being 50mg (I know you guys can multiply....).  So how would 50 mg of diphenoxylate compare with 5 mg of hydrocodone?  Thanks -- sorry for the error.

by Oxyclean, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: pepsi4
Diphenoxylate is found in the RX drug Lomotil that is an antidiarria med. It is derived from narcotics, but it has no pain relieving qualitys or any addiction risks. That is all I know about it. So, it must not compare to hydro, and I would tapper with something else. I hope that helps a little.... Good luck!

by pepsi4, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: Oxyclean
Actually, it is a narcotic (synthetic, I believe)-- and it can be addicting, but is low risk.  Thanks for answering -- I appreciate the "good luck" -- I need it!

by Vicqueennomore, Feb 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: Pepsi4 § Oxyclean
Not that is was really any of my business but I find pharmaceutical very intersting...(even though I can't spell it right)

I went to rxlist.com and they show diphenoxylate as a anti-diarrheal medication.

Pepsi4, I wondered if maybe you are in a different country than the USA and it is something else there...

There was someone from Canada and another from Australia and they have different names and different drugs....

My2cents(whatever it's worth)

Tammy

by pepsi4, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: vicqueennomore
yes, it is an anti-diarrheal -- but stil a narcotic (schedule IV).  It's just that I've taken a lot of them for a long time, in addition to other things.  I was wondering how they fit in to the whole equation.  Thanks for responding.

by peaz, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: pepsi4
Hi--According to my reference, A Certified Pharmacy Technician,Lomotil is  classified as Schedule V because of its potential for dependence or abuse.  Atropine is combined w/ diphenoxylate to discourage abuse of the narcotic agent.  So, I question the use of this drug to taper down.  IMHO. Peaz

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
I am begging for everyone's help1--I relapsed after 36 beautiful clean days and now I'm facing another horrible withdrawal--for some reason my anxiety level is off the charts--I took my last hydro at 6:00 a.m.--I could just sit and cry my eyes out--I feel so ashamed and totally defeated-This forum got me through ladt time and I am hoping against hope that all the wonderful people here will offer some encouraging words--rex-Peaz-vicqueen-susie-and all the others I feel like a train wreck right now.

by Vicqueennomore, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: N O Lady
I am on a relapse from 36 days clean also....I am taking 1-2 a day and have for the past almost week. Pain of IBS got the better of me...

How much were you taking and how long did you relapse and pardon my ignorance, I'm sure you said before but what meds are/were you taking???

I don't have much left and I really, really have no other way to get more so I will be doing what you are now very soon. I think, I am not taking very many but I may go into w/d again.

I have read over and over about how many people relapse and get right back to quiting and learn from the last time and soon one day it will truely be the last one. Don't be too hard on yourself. We are human, we are addicts.....

Did you run out, do you have more, do you have access to more, which demon are you fighting, the one of fear that you have NO MORE LEFT, the one that you have some left and feel guilty that you used and think you will continue to use...or is it the physical w/d that are getting you???

Talk to us, thats why we are here.....

You did good by coming back...alot of people are too embarassed or ashamed or whatever...we have all been there and some of us are still there(me)...

Peace to you...

Tammy

by peaz, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: NewOrleansLady/Tammy
NOL--- Try not to beat yourself up because you relapsed. That's really what recovery is made up of--relapses and successes, and we just hope in the end that we have more luck w/ the latter.  We are addicts and it will be a continual fight. But look at you!! You're here, posting, reaching out, and trying to help youself. You've got more guts and determination than you realize right now!!

    I liked Tammy's question about trying to find out which demon you're fighting at this moment...But hell--my guess is, it's all of them....Feeling guilty will drag you down so that you have nothing left to fight the rest of them.. So please PLEASE forgive yourself and jump back up in the saddle.  You WILL make it, but not if you give up. We're all here to help and I am so glad you posted today!! Stay in touch--don't close us out--and you'll get through this. Hang in there, babe!!  Love, Peaz

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
thank you so much--your words of encouragement couldn't have come at a better time--My story such that it is--I have taking between 10-15 hydro 10 per day for approx 2 years--on Dec 16,2002

I had had enough--enough of the lies, the shame, the wondering where I would get my next rx-So on Dec 16,2002 I went cold turkey and with the help of this forum and the Thomas recipe i made 36 days!--Then it happened I got an Rx filled for 100 zydone plus I had access to some oxycodone--needless to say I have been off to the races for approx 4 weeks abusing whatever I could get my hands on!--I'm worried that the withdrawals will be worse than before (and they were pretty bad)--I do have a few Valium which I think my keep me from losing my mind--I dread the cold/chills/no sleeping for about a week and I think the depression will be worse--I know these thing are only temporary but I can't remember being this afraid--This forum is the only support I have--I have a wonderful husband that just doesn't understand this disease and guess what he's a physician! Just knowing you replied to my plea for help has allowed a sense of calm come over me--All of you are a Godsend--thank you so much!!

Prayers to everyone having to deal with this horrid disease.



thank you all--God Bless you

by MrsRat, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: NEW ORLEANS LADY - Phil and Cindy too
First off a note to Phil and Cindy.  I'm posting for Suzneedshelp.  She did some changes in her computer and it lost her password she had saved so she could post on MedHelp.  She asked me if I would let you both know this and ask you if you could possibly email her and inform her what her password is. Her email address is: ***@**** She really wants to post in here but can only read until she can hear from one of you and receive her password again. She doesn't have an email address for either of you or she would have sent one asking for her password. Thank you both for helping her.



NEW ORLEANS LADY, Suz read your post and asked me to reply to you for her. Since she can only read in here at the moment and she saw you mention her name in your post, she asked me to pass on a request that you email her. Then she can talk to you that way until she can post in here again. Please use the email address I gave above to reach her. :)



I agree with the posts above this one N.O. LADY.  Please do NOT beat yourself up over this.  You can beat this I know.  I have read your past posts and have seen how strong you are. I know you are gonna be just fine.



by lisabet, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: New Orleans Lady
Dear Lady, I understand perfectly how frightened you are. I'm still impressed by the fact that you went cold turkey and stayed clean for 36 days. Don't let this relaspe take anything away from that. Although I've tapered drasically and generally holding it down to 4 pills a day, I've NEVER had enough courage to go totally cold turkey.  Knowing that you did it before will help you find the strength to do it again. I admire your willingness to come on the forum and share the details of your setback. It will comfort others who are going through the same thing.  Please keep posting and talking; there's so many great people here that can help you through this. You're not alone. Love, Lisabet

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: MsRat/Everyone
I just wanted to let you know I did e-mail suzieneedshelp but I sort of a novice at this computer so I'm not sure she got it.  Thanks for your help!

by Bodymechanic, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: New Orleans Lady
Put the past behind you immediately.  Focus on the success of your sobriety.  Dwelling in failure will bring you nothing but unhappiness.  True addicts are in for life. We must learn to put our successes and our failures into prospective. Focus on the totality of your life instead of the small part that is addiction. God alway brings blessings even in the midst of difficult challenges. Our gratitude for those blessings will bring us wisdom and happiness.

by pepsi4, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: peaz
Yes, it is schedule V.  I don't want to use it to taper down.  It's just that I've been on high doses of it for a long time and experience wd symptoms when stopping completely.  This, coupled with other opiates that I've been using, is making stopping all opiates difficult.  I was wondering if anyone knew how strong or weak diphenoxylate is compared to hydrocodone.  For instance are 20 diphenoxylate tabs equal to 3 5mg hydrocodone tabs?  I see I've managed to confuse everyone -- I think I'll just cut down on everything at the same time -- thanks for answering and wish me luck!

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: lisbet/bodymechanic/everyoneEveryone
thank you for your kind words of support--this is all just so exhausting--i think I really am leaning the meaning of surrender--I cannot fight this by myself--I do believe in a force greater than myself (higher power) but it seems when the cravings get do overwhelming my higher power abandons me--(i really don't beleive that but sometimes it seems that way)--I just feel like a train wreck right now and its nothing short of a miracle that i have managed to stay at work today--lovr and peace to all of the wonderful people on this forum--Hopefully I'll post my withdrawal progress--thanks again i don't know what I would do without this forum!

by hippy, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
gratitude is the purist wisdom



peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hippy

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: hippi/Everyone
you have been one of my hero's--your wisdom seems to put this crazy disease into perspective--right now i need all the help i can get and i really think tonight i need to have a talk with my higher power

thank s again hippi/bodymechnic/vicqueennomore/peaz/and everyone tha thas offered support--it means so much that there are so many people ready to help a stranger--peace and prayers

by hippy, Feb 19, 2003 12:00AM
encouragement is one of they very important things

we can offer each other ,and it is free.

A word of support, a kind response.

a complament goes a long way inhelping another.

Staying positive is so very important for us all.

i know a wealthy realtor friend who has has cancer for ten years

and he has expressed his understanding of the value of staying positive, and how it has kept him alive and also helped with

his pain, he said when he is negitive his pain is increaces

10 fold. While when he is positive his pain is minamil.

This coming from a man who lost his wife to the same rare

form of cancer