In Need of Advice

[karma_95]

I've been taking prescription pain meds for about 3 months. It started when I got my wisdom teeth out, and I got hooked to the feeling. I've been trying to cope with some depression this year because my dad has cancer and is going downhill, and the pills were helping me cope. It started with taking one every night (5mg) and now I take at least two a night, but I'm not really getting a high from it anymore. Instead of taking more, I stayed at the dosage even though it's not really doing anything for me. Yesterday I woke up going from burning hot to freezing cold, not able to sleep, and feeling panic. I didn't think a low amount would effect me like it has. I'm not sure if I should see a doctor to get buprenorphine or if I should just try to wait it out. I feel horrible, and I just want this to end. Please send advice my way if you have been in a similar situation. Thank you.

[karma_95]

I'm slowly tapering off in hopes that it will ease the transition. I took an ambien to sleep the other night and that's been the only time I've been able to sleep without waking up early. I don't have trouble going to sleep. I've just been waking up early with the hot to cold feelings. I'm hoping this was partially just a virus because my symptoms sound a little too severe to be withdrawls when I was taking a small amount for a short time (and I was feeling a little under the weather before this started). But the thought alone has definitely scared me into stopping now while I'm not too far into it. Thank you for the thoughts and advice! I really appreciate it. It's nice to know there is help when it's needed.

[benny126]

you did a good thing by not increasing the dose, and def do not go on bup or any other long last agonist. the best advice I can give you would be to tough it out for three to four days and you will feel much better. U wil not sleep well for about 1 week but after that you will be back to normal sleeping pattern. I have battled pain killer addiction for ten plus years and have been through it all. With the low dose and low mili you will heal very fast. The body bounces back from w/d fairly quick. As long as you dont take any more pills you will feel almost back to normal in three to 4 days. Stop while your ahead cause as you have already seen your body wants more mili jst dont give it what it wants cause thats where major problems will start. If you feed the body with the poision it will lead to more miligrams and more potent pain killers in the future. Def stop cold turkey and fight it out.

[Ashelen]

So you take 2x5mg a day...that's all? It's entirely do-able for a cold turkey at this point...I stopped taking 3x5mg a day cold turkey and it really wasn't that bad. Some shaking, sweating, chills, diarrhea, irritation, but then it was all gone by day 4.

In my opinion...stay away from any maintenance drug.

You have been on a low dose for a short enough amount of time that you will be in far less misery if you just cold turkey quit now.

Honestly I'd be surprised if you felt more than a couple days discomfort, if you're taking such a low dose...every body is different, but if you do this NOW you should escape with minimal scars from the detox. And by that I mean...a few days of discomfort...you're done.

best of luck...have you already stopped? If so...good job, and you're already X number of hours clean and healing with every minute..if you haven't stopped, the sooner you do the less your misery will be, in my opinion.

[tomskat]

Hi there and welcome. You could be experiencing slight withdrawl symptoms. Even though you adjusted your dose, your body is still used to having those opiate receptors full. Wait it out and slowly taper your dose down. I wouldn't go rushing into another pill just yet. Yes, you will feel like crap for awhile. Stock up on Imodium. You CAN do this!!! You will never get as high as you were the first time you did it,therefore you will start to increase your dosage always chasing that "high",so don't keep increasing. Stay strong,keep us posted and keep going....you'll make it!!!