IMPAIRED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS?

[sissy101]

This is my story.  Yes, I can say I'm addicted to opiates, but the strange thing is that it's just when I work.  When I'm not at work, I really have no desire!  I don't "drug seek" aka going to MD's for prescriptions, etc.  I don't go through withdrawals, I guess you could say its "recreational" use.  However, this is my livlihood so of course its a dangerous situation.  I have not gone to NA or anything, I was just wondering if anyone here had an opinion as to why this is with me.  There have been times when I have not worked for months and months and still I didn't "drug seek".  I just don't get it.  I have been reading a lot of posts on this forum recently and I admire so many of you who have gone through such hard times- physically and mentally.  I'd love some opinions on this.  Thanks.  RNinPA.

[galawyer]

Just wanted to let you all know that I think everyone on this forum is brave and wonderful.  Keep up the good work

[Nod]

Know your story well. Everyone is correct, your going way way to fast.  I'm clean now 4 mos after 2 yr same level hydro addiction. The last tapper took 45 days to complete. besides going slow here is something else I found worked:
1.  the lower the dose the longer you should stay at that level before reducing more. "The lower the slower."
2.  when dosing, spread it out thru the entire day. By that I mean don't take a bunch, then 4-5 hours later more, etc.  Wake up, take 1, then take 1/2 or 1/4 pill every hour or so.  This will keep the edge off and keep you feeling more comfortable. Key is to always have some hydro running in the system to stop the ups and downs.  The tapper slowly reduces the amount over time.
3.  write down your schedule .. ie 7/27 - 8 pills..... 7/28 - 7pills... etc.   You have to write it down to make it work. You will feel great crossing off the days.

Anyway, that was my key to getting clean.  Took 4 tries at tapperring before I made it so if you stumble that ok, just get right back on schedule with your tapper.  Keep reading the forum for support.  Its a long journey but you can make it!
Regards,
Nod

[alexandra_r]

Hi There,

I completely agree with mrmichael--I've been doing a slow taper off of vicodin and only cutting down 1/2 a pill and then I stay at that level for a few days and then cut another 1/2.  Through a suggestion I got on the Forum (thanks hellbent), I had my doc call in a prescription for codeine 3's which I will use tomorrow to complete my taper.  For the most part, I have been comfortable with the w/d _except_ for the back pain that I took the vikes with to begin with.  I think the reason why tapers don't work for most people is because they try to do it too fast, end up feeling too bad and then go off the wagon.  Try to cut down slowly and if you don't feel you can do it yourself--your wife sounds lovely and perhaps she can help you.  

I hope you acheive your goal.  Keep posting--it really helps!

[mrmichael67]

You are doing it way too fast!  You don't have to feel that way.  Go down one pill every three days or something like that.  You know how you feel on what you take, so experiment a little.  But, generally, the slower the better.  A lot of people have a hard time tapering, but that is the way to do it comfortably.  And, you didn't get addicted overnight, so you don't have to get off of them overnight either.  There is no magic number for tapering.  Just make sure there is a steady decline in your intake over time.  You can't taper for a week, then reward yourself for a good job because you will then have to start over again.  Maybe you can go down two pills or three pills every three days.  If you start to feel the willies, then you are going too fast.  Like I said, there is no magic number to taper with as everyone is different.  Just make sure you go down a certain amount every three days religiously and you should do fine.  You can even do it every week instead of three days.  It just depends on how long you want to take.  Hang in there, it can be done.

[hippy]

hi my name is michael and your story is the sam as mine
,except i kept up the high dosage for about a year, then i found this fourm in may of 2002, i have been clean off the vike's since the last friday in may of 02.
i tried to taper but i was a complete failure at it.
i tried to let my wife hold the pills but i would get more on the job site and not tell her,
i statred to take the pill for two rotator cuff operations about 3 years ago, i did real good for about 2 years i only took them as
prescribed 4 or 5 a day at the 2 year mark the doc stoped the script and i was still in pain so i got them on the street.

any way when i got to this fourm i was sick of myself, and the pills had sucked the life right out of me , i'm 42 and everyday i woke up i felt like i was 70.
the hardest thing for me any time i tried to stop was the severe depression and the lack of energyand the feeling of panic and fear.

the people here on the fourm wecomed me and suggested  this
receipe of vitamins called THOMAS"S RECEIPE

i started taking it and stopped taking the pill's and i was amazed that it really worked , it took the depression away and gave me enough energy to work, it was not easy but it was very doable.

the receipe is

L-TYROSINE 500 MGS 8 A DAY WEEK 1 - 4 a day the following weeks
b-6 100mgs  2 a day
a strong mulyi vitamine
vitamines- A- c and e
phosphorus
calsium-magnisum
copper magneesse
zinc

imodium for the runs
----------------------------------------------------------------

also some people recomend gatoraide for lost eletrolite's

banna's for leg spasams and restless leg

5htp  if you still have depression after taking the receipe
for a week or two.
and if you have something like zanax to help toiu sleep at nite it would help in the begining.

the vike 's stop your endorfins from working and the l-tyrosine kicks them back into gear.


good luck.

peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

keep posting

[I'm Done]

I am new to this forum. I have been reading for a week or so but now want to post some questions. I am now addicted to vicodin 10/325. I have been taking for about 7 months without a break. I have obtained from several sources to maintain the addiction and have not had the need to go through withdrawal. Well... I am so tired of this! Like an idiot, I thought "it can never happen to me!". My dosage went up from about 6 pills a day (60mg of hydrocodone) to about 30 (300mg of hydro). I have been on this high of a dosage for about 1 month and just said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I looovve the pain relief and the way it makes me feel but I cannot take the lows! I am fighting severe depression (never a problem before this). I started noticing that my body is just aching and if ANY time goes by where my body starts to feel the withdrawal! Wow! I can only imagine! Anyway, I am deperately trying to taper this ugly monster and rid my life of it (if possible). I have about 120 pills or so and over the past 3 days have gone from 220mg > day 1, 180mg day 2, 90mg today and I am feeling it BAD! It is about all I can do just to sit in bed and veg! My body is writhing in between dosages, sweats, chills, no appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain, crawling out of my freakin skin and my mental state, wow! All I can say is that I have NO positive mental thoughts EXCEPT just after I dose, then I feel "normal" for a few hours. I am married and told my wife what I am doing and she is happy although she just cannot understand what I am feeling. Someone please help me...

How long do these symptoms last? How did you people stop and work at your job at the same time!?! I feel useless! Can someone advise me on a practical time table for tapering and any other advise that could help?

I am feeling so alone and desperate right now.

   -- I'm Done