You can call his doc and request a script for clonidine. It's a BP med that reduces many WD symptoms quite a bit. It's also dirt cheap. Less than 10 bucks for a 60 tabs. The doc should have no problems writing it (even over the phone in some cases). There's also some OTC stuff that may help, it's listed in the forums under the "Thomas Recipe". Just type Thomas Recipe into the search engine, and it should pop up. You should also buy some Immodium, he will need it. Diarrhea is a sure fire symptom.
THOMAS RECIPE
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.
During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.
Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.
As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
Thanks so much! He does not have anything right now....what would you suggest for him? He doesn't have insurance right now b/c he just started a new job. Is there anything over the counter that will help at all?
He will be very irritable and depressed for the first week or so. It does get better each day. I find that music, reading and watching movies helps get my mind off it.
Your love and support will get him through. The worst of the w/d's is 5-7 days and the first few days are pretty awful. Pick up some supplies for smoothies and food that is easy on the stomach. He will not have much of an appetite. There is a Thomas Recipe that you can google and that is supposed to help a lot. I take aminos and vitamen b6. Make sure you have some Immodium and something to help him sleep. If you have any benzos (valium, zanax, ativan) they will help too. Just be careful of the benzos and don't let him use them after a week. I would also buy some Robitussen DM because he might be coughing at night. I am sure other people here can give you more pointers. He is very lucky to have you as support. I wish you both the best.
God Bless,
Tim
I don't know about your fiance', but when I was going through WD's, I didn't want anyone to say anything to me. I just wanted to be alone, and go through the hell that I'd put myself in. Occasionally I'd need something, like Gatorade, and my wife would go get it. So, I'd be there for him, invisibly. If he needs something, then great. If not, just let him be. How big of a habit did he have? Does he have anything to help with the WD's? I never quite know what to say to people who are in relationships/engaged to people with habits. One side of me wants to help, the other side wants to yell run to you. You seem very committed by the wording of your post, so that's why I'm giving advice. Please, take care of yourself, too.