Need some "Been there, done that" advice

[Dyinginside]

I have been adicted to opiates for 7+ years. I have taken Fentynal patches, oxy's, percs, vics, you name it I have been on it in the past 7 years and abused it. It has cost me my home, jobs, family, friends, and it's becoming very clear its going to cost me my life. I have two sons who I would absolutly die for but I just cant seem to put them before my selfish addiction. I currently snort between 80-160 mg of Opana daily. I have been off them for 2 days now and feel undescribable. Absolutly terriible. Shaking so bad I cant even type. My question is has anyone else just quit cold turkey Opana, or morphine? If so are the withdrawls as bad as with Vicoden, Percocet, and Oxy's? It was a year ago when I detoxed off of the Fentynal patches and all pills as I would put (2) 100 mcg patches on every two days as well as take between 10-20 percs or vics. I was completely off of the patches and all opiates for 30 days before my pain returned and was unmanagable. I have MS and the only way I could cope was with opiates. It started with 1 every 12 hours and then swiftly became a 15-20 pill a day problem again. I want off of these things so bad as I know if I dont I cannot or will not get to see my kids grow up. Any advice would be appreciated. So just to clear up any confusion, I am looking for someone who has quit cold turkey Opana, or morphine. That is the only medication I was taking.

[pharma9]

You said you were off all opiates for 30 days and the pain returned.Did you try otc pain meds and did they not work for you.You have to be prepared to handle the pain of your disease without opiates to be long term successful.I am over 100 days off opiates and handle my rheumatoid arthritis pain with otc pain meds.I am really in no more pain than I was taking opiates because they cause such a rebound pain.Epsom salt soaks at night and warm or cold wraps whichever you like.Often a muscle relaxant helps.Sometimes you just have to wait a bit and let the natural endorphins kick in.Tylenol pm or percogesic at night often helps because the antihistamine in them potentiates the pain relief.Your biggest obstacle will probably be future pain when you are over the physical and mental withdrawals.I know that I took opiates because I got a buzz from them and rewarded myself with them.Also i was angry at my disease because it limits me from much physical sports and activities and made myself feel better with opiates.Once I made up my mind that they are no longer a part of my life and discovered that I could function just fine without them...I lost my desire for them.The same can be for you if you want it badly enough.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Been there, done that Dude!   No sweet talk here.......you did pick a hard one. But far from impossible.  For what its worth - fentanyl gets the nod for ferocity of withdrawals........methadone/sub get the chronicity nod - - they just never want to let go of you.  Be very careful with hydration here - I had vomiting and such a loose stool that I was in a fluid deficit and required outpatient IV fluid therapy ........use emetrol for vomiting - use immodium for loose stools and keep drinking good stuff - ensure is good.....grape juice - gatorade - Stay away from acidic things like citrus and tomato........  PM me if you ever want to - - -

[10356]

welcome to the forum.. I also suffer from health issues and was very close to the end of my life before I rallied and took back what was mine.. As you say you want to see your children get old.. This is my desire also.. I have been a addict for over 4 decades and em clean 1 year and a few months.. I always put my addiction before everything as it was my shield to a life I did not want to face.. Through counseling I was able to capture the person I was meant to be and heal the wounds of my past.. I had to tell many truths to many people.. My Husband was first and family as it was so obvious to them.. Then came my Dr. My Psychiatrist and 1 of my sisters.. I had to accept that for my addiction I have stage 2 liver and stage 3 kidney. It is not a comfortable feeling knowing you had shortened your life, robbed yourself and your children.. You already suffer with a disease do not let addiction be the nail in your coffin.. I have wd off Heroin morphine opiates my last was 25 to 30 norco a day with soma for good measure.. You can do this.. there are things over the counter that can help with the pain.. but you also have to heal the pain of your past and your ailment.. the only way to do this is to get counseling and get honest and Fight like the demon that has consumed you for far to long.. You can do this. speak with your Dr. many have become addicts with the use of pain meds.. It will not be the first time he has heard this.. cut off your supply and get help with the wd then investigate meds that are not addictive.. You can do this and gain back a lot Just hang in there.. Speak with your Dr. so he/she can help you through.. I wish you a new year filled with hope laughter and love for that is what living feels like. take care. lesa

[Amaryllis1974]

I am currently weaning off of up to 40 per day (lortabs 10mg), and I can tell you this: you can do it. You can wean or, since yours are prescribed, perhaps talk to your doctor and ask him/ her to help come up with a weaning plan. I had to have my boyfriend keep them from me and dose them out to me. I am now at 6 per day, and tomorrow I (hopefully) go down to 3 per day.
I wanted to be clean more than I wanted the high. I wanted to live over dying. I would go to sleep and dream I died vicious horrid deaths. It finally became clear I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE. I could not stop for my kids or my partner. I could only quit when I had had enough. I still am not "quit" but I can guarantee I will do it this time.
I do not suffer chronic pain, so I have no advice for you there. But many people on here do , and they can tell you what to do for that. The hardest part (for me) is staying stopped.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Keep posting. I do . Even when I don't make sense (: