Day 4 W/D's-again??

[Nowheretorun]

Howdy folks-I need a little refresher course here.  I figured out earlier this year that my little secret of chewing 2-3 20mg of OC's was a problem.  I quit C/T for 3 weeks and thought I had it under control.  I have a script for the OC's that I get every month for back pain and have 4-5 months of full bottles stored up-so I have made progress, but I would still take 2-3 to 4 when my back flared up-seldom more than once a week (maybe twice) and no more than 2 days in a row.  I have an addictive personality and yes, I am taking it for the buzz as well as the pain relief.  I quit initially because my wife called me on it-and I won't let these things scew up my marriage.  She asked me if I started back taking them-damned perceptive of her-even though it's intermintently.  So I quit-again-and after 4 days I fell like I'm in full blown W/D's- again!  Have I been throwing my body into a vicious cycle of in and out of w/d by even this intermitent usage?  I've lost 10 more pounds during this little ordeal; having trouble sleeping, body cramps,etc.  Therse no doubt that when I felt like this I could relieve my symptoms by a intermitent dosage, but since I had broken my daily usage, I thought surely I was in control-atleast mentally-but physically I trying to figure out what's going on.  I'm tempted to get some relief right now, but I,m trying to see if I can make it a longer period of time again. Any input greatly appreciated!

[pastAndFuture]

Hi,

It does seem odd that you would have full blown WD after such a usage pattern. Ouch. Now, please don't take this the wrong way, but is there anything you are not telling us? Like other meds, times you "forgot" you took some, stuff like that?

    Really, I'm not calling you a liar, just that you would not be the first person to present half a problem only to get half an answer. And don't forget that alcohol is a drug, and more than that for a lot of us, so what you drink has everything to do with how your mind and body handle WDs.

As to your sensitivity to opiates, well that's not really that unusual, as .5 mg of bupe is enough to make a huge difference to one's state of being (mine in this case ;-) )

Perhaps a support system of some kind would be beneficial to you. The NA/AA route is the easiest, and you might not need to go full steam into this, but for sure you can find others who have been through the same thing, with the same drugs, in a very similar situation. It always does me good to have someone who knows how it is to talk to. There is a "hotline" for both these groups (easily found on the internet), try calling and talking to them, no harm if it's not for you, and it might help. I'm not trying to push you into the "program", as it is called, just saying that a short phone call might help, and there is not much to lose by doing so.
    Right, as for the physical thing, you are in a much better place than many of us. I wish I had your problems(!) I know, that doesn't stop the pain. It does mean that you have a good chance of coming through with a "high bottom". These are powerful drugs we're playing with, even every few days can cause trouble. I hope you develop a plan to stop, and I hope you develop a plan to help your body rebuild, and I hope you get some recovery, in whatever form. Sounds like the results would fit you well. People here can help you with these things if you want.

-----p&F

[tzt2lady]

Gosh, this is a tough one.  I wouldn't think that this would put you back in to full blown wds but it certainly sounds like it.

I get that groggy feeling when I take just one .5 mg xanax to help me sleep.  I never take them two days in a row and usually cut it in half when I do take it.  

I guess we all have our own way of responding.  Hang in there and keep posting to let us know how its going.   Are you taking vitamins and aminos to help you out?  I have never tried it but hear its pretty good.

tzt

[GA Guy]

Sounds like WD's to me. I don't think anyone can explain why some people have severe withdrawals after taking low intermittent dosages. Some people are just more sensitive to different medications. Take seroquel for example. My mom takes it occasionally for sleep. I once tried taking it and I was in an underwater funk for over 2 days. The key here is for you to take charge, don't get into the cycle again, and quit getting refills on these meds. I know I can't be trusted around them (I'll take them all up in 1 week), so I've gotten rid of them all and made myself dry up my supply. Just hang in there, you'll be feeling better in no time.