Aa
Day 2 sober...
Day 2 of sobriety from the ambien and day 4 of sobriety from the fioricet. I'm feeling encouraged and motivated. yesterday was somewhat difficult but I got through it and was proud of myself. Everybody says it's one day at a time--sometimes one hour at a time and that's what I'm trying to stay focused on. It's sick how ingrained this stuff is for me--to the point that I am dreaming about the meds. at night. Any advice on how to keep the motivation going would be really really helpful. Thanks for listening...
Wow nicki sounds like you're doing great (considering). I will def. let you know if I try the acupuncture stuff. It has been recommended to me in the past and I've def. thought about it. Hope you and doing well and thanks for the advice:)
Hi, dear. Some advice I learned today . . acupuncture is pure genius. I never was much of a believer, but I went to a 4th generation gal today . . and boy, did she know her stuff. She spent over two hours on me. She looked at my face, noticed I had discoloration on my right side, that my back was all "wacked," (not her words) and that my right side was extremely, extremely tight. Ten years ago, only my shoulder hurt. Now, because of 10 years of opiate abuse, I learn that the bunching of nerves and muscle has moved to my ENTIRE right side and is now being compensated on my left. My withdrawals are minimal . .maybe because of how well I process medication. (Might actually mean my liver is not entirely damaged at this point by this stuff). I DID get some herbal medication which clears out the liver toxins AND helps with hormones. Double plus good (as they would say in "1984"). My best friend, a recovering addict for 20 years ALSO shared that opiates actually increase pain receptors in the brain as well so that our brains perceive more pain than there actually is . . .so after acupuncture, I was very, very careful to remain calm, relaxed . . .not get worked up. Anger = Pain = Anger = . .you get it . . . sooo, that said . . .hydrating, getting a lot of Vitamin D (sun today), exercising with my daughter for two hours today, more hydrating, staying on top of eating, heat on my shoulder when needed . . .and laughter really brought out the best in the day. I'm not saying that life is Beautiful. There is still the twitch . . and I know it is not over. This was not created overnight so it will not go away overnight. I already booked the next appointment for another acupuncture on Thursday (and boy, I hate those little needles, so I made sure she had on soothing music to distract me during the process . . .). It will take time but figuring out what started the mess is helping in healing the mess. I explained all of this to my daughters . . and then ended up finishing most of my sentences for me today . .and they are 10 and 13. Brilliant. So . .good luck to you. I am signing out.
Good luck! Getting your questions answered by a medical professional is always the best advice! : )
Hold your horses here.....
Look up on ANY site you want. Barbs and benzos HAVE to be tapered or there is a risk of seizures. I am speaking from personal experience on both. (Unfortunately, I've had seizures while stopping cold turkey and hurt myself badly) Anyhoo, the manufacturer's info on both will tell you that. Any decent doctor or rehab facility will also tell you that. I've been in rehab/detox probably 12 or so times in my life, and I can ASSURE anyone who cares that those drugs have to be VERY carefully tapered or a med has to be substituted to keep seizures from happening.
When you get info from people who go to meetings with you, you have to be very careful what you believe. I also go to meetings, but I am cautious. A lot of the members there are taking other meds when they "cold turkey" off their meds! Just letting you know to be careful.
Also, a word of advice. I've been a member here since January of 2010. I've seen people have consequences for giving out bad info. Just a heads up.
I don't mind giving you Vicki's background..........she's a nurse and has been for MANY years, and she's worked directly with people detoxing.
As you can see, it's irritating to me to see people give wrong info. I don't like it at ALL! It could get someone killed.
Look up on ANY site you want. Barbs and benzos HAVE to be tapered or there is a risk of seizures. I am speaking from personal experience on both. (Unfortunately, I've had seizures while stopping cold turkey and hurt myself badly) Anyhoo, the manufacturer's info on both will tell you that. Any decent doctor or rehab facility will also tell you that. I've been in rehab/detox probably 12 or so times in my life, and I can ASSURE anyone who cares that those drugs have to be VERY carefully tapered or a med has to be substituted to keep seizures from happening.
When you get info from people who go to meetings with you, you have to be very careful what you believe. I also go to meetings, but I am cautious. A lot of the members there are taking other meds when they "cold turkey" off their meds! Just letting you know to be careful.
Also, a word of advice. I've been a member here since January of 2010. I've seen people have consequences for giving out bad info. Just a heads up.
I don't mind giving you Vicki's background..........she's a nurse and has been for MANY years, and she's worked directly with people detoxing.
As you can see, it's irritating to me to see people give wrong info. I don't like it at ALL! It could get someone killed.
Nikki-
1) once you state your name on one post it's "public".
2( Barbiturates and benzos cannot and should not be stopped abruptly. A good,slow taper plan is always in order. To suggest otherwise on the forum is dangerous. I'm surprised you don't know this.
3) I don't see where I've been "judging". That's not what I'm about at all!
cbfullofgrace- I know you contacted an expert with your questions. I wish you well.
1) once you state your name on one post it's "public".
2( Barbiturates and benzos cannot and should not be stopped abruptly. A good,slow taper plan is always in order. To suggest otherwise on the forum is dangerous. I'm surprised you don't know this.
3) I don't see where I've been "judging". That's not what I'm about at all!
cbfullofgrace- I know you contacted an expert with your questions. I wish you well.
Got your message, dear. Could you redirect previous message as I thought it would show up on my site and it did not. Would not mind "counting the days with you." Thanks . . .and I hope your Day #2 is going at least o.k. Keep me in the loop . ..
Don't know what your background is Vicki595 . . .but I just checked with two of my friends who are in the psychiatry field. They actually just confirmed my comments. As you stated that I should not provide private information "for my own protection" on MY site, please do not then go share my name on another person's site . . you are now contradicting yourself. I told you that you made a good point but you seem to have issue with folks on here a great deal . . .
I don't have a "***** with doctors" so much as I do not care for the misinformation they are providing or that they are not paying attention. Again, as I just shared on my site, I was offered, once again, to go on ANOTHER controlled substance . . .by another doctor after explaining I was trying to get off of Norco. And the pharmacist, a very nice gal, tried to convince me to do it . . .saying I "needed" to do it to maintain my pain levels.
That said, how many folks are successful "titrating" off of meds? I wouldn't mind hearing of the success stories on here . . . I would wager to bet that the majority end up slipping up and going back, thinking, "Oh, I'll just try a few more for a day or two." Temptation is just too great . . . once those sweet little pills are in one's hot little hands . . and you still have that prescription, ready and willing . .well, sorry, but not a lot of folks are strong enough, when in a lot of pain OR just really hurting from withdrawals to "just say no." I am laughing only because the "abstinence theory" doesn't seem to have worked very well in our society for our teenagers overall . . .hmmm . . .
Last comment. I did not "provide information." I provided MY opinion. Look again up there . . . stated only that I disagreed and that I had not encountered any successful clients who had really done it that way. ALL of my friends in AA have gone off cold turkey. I am aware of side effects, etc. of these medications . . .I have studied psychopharmocology quite a lot . . which is why I was hot about the Ibuprofin and Naproxen issue . . but I am not a Doctor, Psychiatrist. I have, however, put myself out there and said who and what I was . . I'm still not sure who you are or what your reference points are so I just have difficulty taking your points of view without knowing your education, training, etc. If you would like to "side note" to me and let me know, by all means . . communicate to me. Otherwise, please stop sideswiping me, and others . . .it seems like a lot of judging is going on by you . . .thanks and good luck to all who have more to do than read this catfight . . .
I don't have a "***** with doctors" so much as I do not care for the misinformation they are providing or that they are not paying attention. Again, as I just shared on my site, I was offered, once again, to go on ANOTHER controlled substance . . .by another doctor after explaining I was trying to get off of Norco. And the pharmacist, a very nice gal, tried to convince me to do it . . .saying I "needed" to do it to maintain my pain levels.
That said, how many folks are successful "titrating" off of meds? I wouldn't mind hearing of the success stories on here . . . I would wager to bet that the majority end up slipping up and going back, thinking, "Oh, I'll just try a few more for a day or two." Temptation is just too great . . . once those sweet little pills are in one's hot little hands . . and you still have that prescription, ready and willing . .well, sorry, but not a lot of folks are strong enough, when in a lot of pain OR just really hurting from withdrawals to "just say no." I am laughing only because the "abstinence theory" doesn't seem to have worked very well in our society for our teenagers overall . . .hmmm . . .
Last comment. I did not "provide information." I provided MY opinion. Look again up there . . . stated only that I disagreed and that I had not encountered any successful clients who had really done it that way. ALL of my friends in AA have gone off cold turkey. I am aware of side effects, etc. of these medications . . .I have studied psychopharmocology quite a lot . . which is why I was hot about the Ibuprofin and Naproxen issue . . but I am not a Doctor, Psychiatrist. I have, however, put myself out there and said who and what I was . . I'm still not sure who you are or what your reference points are so I just have difficulty taking your points of view without knowing your education, training, etc. If you would like to "side note" to me and let me know, by all means . . communicate to me. Otherwise, please stop sideswiping me, and others . . .it seems like a lot of judging is going on by you . . .thanks and good luck to all who have more to do than read this catfight . . .
Hey Nikki/Debora-
BE VERY CAREFUL HERE...
You may disagree with the tapering and I don't really care but the fact IS those two drugs must be tapered. Especially the Fioricet. You've got a b!tch with doctors etc...but please don't give info that is incorrect. That's very dangerous!!
BE VERY CAREFUL HERE...
You may disagree with the tapering and I don't really care but the fact IS those two drugs must be tapered. Especially the Fioricet. You've got a b!tch with doctors etc...but please don't give info that is incorrect. That's very dangerous!!
Thank you for your comments. I went cold turkey from both. I had been off the ambien for about ten days and then gave in again and was only taking it three days before stopping this time so I don't believe I need to be tapered, and frankly I can't handle a taper right now, it's too temping. Also, the ambien has a very short half life so it should be well out of my system already. Staying away from these pills is always the hardest part. In the past, after not taking them for awhile, I have told myself I can handle filling a script and then after taking it once I immediately know I cannot handle it. I'm trying to keep that in mind. Also I have found a huge connection recently between my dep./anxiety when I am on the meds. and feeling better when I am off them. I am trying to remind myself of that regularly. I do have support and am using it but I find the internal struggle of this has always been my own and it's my will, and the encouragement of others that I believe will get me through this. This is the first time I have ever really tried to stop both meds. with the intention of actually not starting again. Like you said Vicki, it's the staying away part that is the hardest. Thank you for your well wishes...
Fioricet should always be tapered. Ambien should be tapered. Sudden withdrawl of Fioricet may cause seizures.
i really hope you are ok, i dont think you are tapering , i read you other post, i think its ok to go cold turkey from the fioricet, but not too sure about ambien, i think that should be done slower, has a half life? i do wish you well, but to take care, best wishes
Hi-
Did you taper from these two meds? Were you taking a lot?
Staying motivated requires support and aftercare. It's essential. A therapist,addictionologist,doctor,preacher,AA,etc... are some examples on where to find aftercare suppot.
Detoxing from the pills is only half of the process. Getting help to stay away from them is a life long goal.
Good luck!
Did you taper from these two meds? Were you taking a lot?
Staying motivated requires support and aftercare. It's essential. A therapist,addictionologist,doctor,preacher,AA,etc... are some examples on where to find aftercare suppot.
Detoxing from the pills is only half of the process. Getting help to stay away from them is a life long goal.
Good luck!
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Since our outside "supports" (as evidenced by two meetings I tried to get to last night and both were closed . .yeah, great) are not always available, a lot of our strength has to be diverse, rounded and also within us. I agree, outside supports are wonderful: friends, family, church (faith center, sorry, don't mean to be specific), meetings if that is your support belief . .. but the Biggest Believer has to be ourselves.
The biggest problem solver for me Yesterday was getting rid of my "dealer." The doctor and pharmacy which was supplying my Norco (vicodin). Once I outed myself to them, there was no turning back. See? Now I have no options but to go forward.
Stay strong . . you can do this thing . . look how many people are rooting for you. I do disagree with some of the "tapering." Although seizures are a supposed side effect, I have never, ever experienced a client who has had one . . . personally, I wonder if the doctors are not saying that to scare us into continuing the drugs and then eventually we just go back to taking them full strength? How many alcoholics "taper off" of alcohol? Hmmm . . .
And with all due respect, THAT is the most lethal drug out there . . .just a thought.