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239164 tn?1207263007

Mornings and Day 5

I'm sitting here drinking my coffee and realizing how beautiful mornings are.  I used to be a morning person, before the drugs stole that from me.  Mornings became a dreaded time of dragging myself out of bed and swallowing 8 pills to get my day started.  I had to have at least 1.5 hours before I could really get moving.  I'm awake this morning, after a little less than 4 hours sleep (a friend of ours in a band came by last night and we went out for a late night Mexican dinner and ended up not getting to bed until after 3:00 a.m.).  I'm not the least bit tired or hung over, and, to top it off, in an hour I won't be feeling strung out!  What a wonderful, wonderful feeling!  Sobriety/recovery truly is a gift.  And it's a gift that everyone can have.

To those of you struggling through withdrawal hang in there...it will get better.  To those of you longing for sobriety, go for it...there's nothing to fear - the withdrawals DO NOT last forever, but sobriety can.  To those of you who are sober and in recovery - congratulations and stick with it.  Life is beautiful again...even with it's pains and disappointments!

I hope everyone has a peaceful and hope inspired day.  If I can help, please let me know.

xoxoxo
Rosie
10 Responses
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239164 tn?1207263007
Keep posting this.  There are a lot of new people who need this information!  Thanks for getting it together and keeping it out there!  

Rosie
Helpful - 0
222369 tn?1274474635
Here's some information for a few of you that have posted here.

This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.

Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives),  Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.

First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.

Thomas Recipe:

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 and Magnesium.
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:
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. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. 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.
Helpful - 0
239164 tn?1207263007
Yes!  That's the way to think.  You are so right, too.  Life is great!  And it's ours to embrace...every feeling is beautiful, even the painful ones, because we FEEL them!  Hang in there.  You're going to be okay...I know it.

Rosie
Helpful - 0
237500 tn?1189755831
Reading your original post brought tears to my eyes. I am a little over 40 hours clean, and I too had an experience similar to that this morning. As I was leaving my house to head to work, I took a deep breath and welcomed this beautiful morning. Like you, mornings used to be my time of serenity and my favorite time of day. But after I started heavily using, mornings turned into a scramble to find my bottle of pills and watch the clock tick as I waited for them to kick in. I haven't had a morning like this morning in over a year (I have tears in my eyes right now as I type this) and reading your post this morning reminded me that life while sober is a gift and should *never* be taken for granted :)

OH - and last night I had a glass of wine with my boyfriend  (which I haven't drank in over a year because I never wanted to ruin my hydro high) and I laughed and I cried and I had a wonderful time, and I woke up with morning happy that I was able to let go last night and be at peace. I have never really been into drinking, but it felt good to have a glass of wine last night and not worry about it messing with my high. and the fraction of a wine headache I woke up with this morning was almost refreshing - it reminded me that I am ALIVE!

God Bless to everyone that is going through this right now. If such amazing and prolific things can occur @ 40 hours sober, I cant even imagine what its gonna be like @ 80 hours sober. Or at one week sober, or one month, or THE REST OF MY LIFE! :)
Helpful - 0
239164 tn?1207263007
I'm so glad it touched you.  I used to use mornings for meditation...it's always been my "church" if you will.  I hadn't done it in so long, before today, I don't really remember the last time.  I'm so happy to be here again.  You will, too.  Hang in there...24 hours is great!!!!  If I can help at all, please let me know.  I'll pray for you and be here cheering you on.  Please let me know how you're doing.

Rosie

P.S.  Keep couting...know that every minute you tick off is a minute closer to freedom for forever.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I started C/T yesterday and as of 10 am I am 24 hours clean.  I have been reading these posts for over  a month psyching myself up to quit.  I have been on hydro's as much as 10 10/325 for over 8 years.  Your email this morning made me cry for the first time in a long time.  It gave me such hope and such a strong emotion to keep on.  I am a 51 yo male with my own business and 2 kids with a loving wife and I'm so angry at all the bs I put them through.  No one knows about my 'weakness' and I'm tired of waking up and needing a pill....your email helped me through this morning....24 hours and 21 minutes and counting!
Bill
Helpful - 0
239164 tn?1207263007
Is there any way you can taper or are you totally out?  You're usage, while high, is not nearly as bad as it could be.  At the dosage and amount of time, a taper would really, really help you.  Fladdict gave me good advice about it and a lot of people have done it.  You have to have enough discipline (I didn't really trust myself so I turned it over to my fiance) or get your husband or someone else you trust to hold the pills for you.  If you really want to get sober more than you want the high, you will find it easy to do.

If you're totally out and forced to go c/t, get real active here.  Ask lots of questions and don't shun any advice.  There are a lot of people here who have successfully gotten through withdrawals c/t.  As hard as it will be, it won't last long - at least the sickness.  The psychological part is a little harder to shake and you may feel weak for a while, but it does get better...a little every day.

You will find peace again...I promise.  

Rosie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was taking 10/325 about 20 a day and have worked up to that over the last year. I have bck problems so my doc gives me a scrip of 200. I ran out. crazy. I know I have a serious problem. I am 31. Not that that matters it looks like this addiction attracts all kinds and ages.What makes this difficult is that my husband takes pain meds as well he has reallybserious knee problems. He is out of town or I probably would have gotten from some him. Too easy,although he is onto my problem and really wants me to kick the habit. But if i ask enough he caves everytime.Your article sounds so peaceful and sane I hope I can get there!!! Thanks for writing me back!!! Heather
Helpful - 0
239164 tn?1207263007
I feel so bad for you...we've all been where you are in one way or another.  What were you taking and for how long and how much?  There are lots of good suggestions on this website...have you read the Thomas recipe?  I, personally, haven't used it, but others swear by it.  Is it possible for you to do a taper instead of a c/t?  That saved me.  I did a taper and I have had no withdrawal at all.  Maybe a very little anxiety the first couple of days, but nothing that kept me from functioning at pretty much 100%.  If there is anything I can do or if you have any questions, please let me know.

Rosie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been without pill for only 14 hours and feel like I am going to just die. Smoked a whole pack of cigs in less than one day. I have a home business that opens in less than 10 minutes what am I going to do this is so hard.I aslo have a one yaer old to take care of in addition. YIKES
Helpful - 0
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