OxyCotin and lorazepam misuse

[anthony]

dr.,
I have a friend that has been taking lorazepam 1mg tablets and oxycontin tablets for over two years now and I'm wondering how to get help for him.
My friend takes 3 lorazepam tabs and two oxycontin tabs a day what are the possible side effects of abruptly stopping these drugs?
What are the long term effects that these drugs have on his body,I know that the body is dependant on these drugs,how has his body changed from having a constant supply of narcotics in his system?

[Bob K]

Your friend is now addicted to opiates. The best advice I can give you is to have him see an addiction specialist. When I gave up opiates I went to see a doctor who treated me with buprenorphine. I had little or no withdrawl. Good luck Bob K

[To Bob K]

Bob I hope you visit this site often. I have to have a procedure done on my back in October then I think I may have to take a trip to visit Dr. G.
I have spoke to them and they said to wait til I get my back work done.When the time gets closer I would like to ask you some questions. Did they push the pellet part of their plan? I'll try to write again and hope you are around. Thanks.

[Bob K]

I do visit this sight almost everyday. I would be glad to answer any questions that you may have. They did not push anything on me, they did strongly recommend that I make an appointment the following week for the pellit. I was not worried about relapse the following week I was concentrating on getting better so I declined. I cancelled my appointment, they wished me goodluck and told me they would be there if I needed them again.They were very nice about it.Its now been 74 days without opiates. Good luck with your procedure and post any questions. P.S Give me some kind of name or initial so I know who Im writing to Bob K

[To Bob K from ML]

Bob,
  Thanks for prompt reply. They were very nice on the phone to me. They just kept mentioning that pellet which I cannot afford. I'm worried about those first few days of withdrawl. I followed your posts and you seemed to do fine.I know everyone is different but I would like to hear more of your experience.When the time gets closer I will leave you my e-mail address.Thanks again.

[Bob K]

I can tell you M.L. that I was also quite concerned about the first few days myself. In short I had no withdrawl after the buprenorphine. When that was discontinued I was tired,had no energy and a little bit sad. This lasted about three weeks. I started feeling better everyday. I still have pain in my leg and back. Im 50 years old and pain cant be avoided. I hope I never have to take opiates again. I hope things go well for you and I will be watching for your posts. Good luck with everything. Bob K

[Renee1060]

Can you please explain where/why/how you received the buprenorphine treatment?  Is this treatment the same as Rapid Detoxing?  I'm a bit confused about how you say you didn't have any withdrawl symptoms..yet..you were tired, had no energy and were a bit sad.  Aren't these some signs of withdrawl?
Being tired, no energy and depression is one of the reasons I've gone back to taking the narcotics.  I am currently slowly tapering off this time...which the doctor states will minimize the withdrawl symptoms.  But, here it is, 3:00 AM and I feel horrible even taking the opiates.  It feels as if I am just prolonging the inevitable by slowly tapering?
I feel like such a hypocrite as I wrote earlier and stated that "PATIENCE" is so important to recovery and that WE WILL GET BETTER OVER TIME.  And here I am bitching again.
I've read through so many comments here and noticed tonight that it seems like I am taking enough drugs to kill a horse.  I take three 40 mg tablets of Oxycontin (120 mg's) 3 times within a 24 hour period for a total of 360 mg's/day.  Has anyone else taken this amount?
I emailed a Dr. Greenberg who emailed me back stating he wanted to talk to me on the phone and that I could benefit from the Rapid Opiate Detox process.  I would have to fly to Canada to have this done, which I would but...it almost sounds too good to be true.  Has anyone else here tried this process?
It's so wonderful to have this place available.  Everyone's comments are so helpful and give me that extra bit of will power to keep going.  I come back here so often in hopes of reading new replys and hoping that maybe someone has listed a question that I in turn may be able to help with.  
Take Care ALL!

[Mike P. to Ken]

Hey Loreen - got your e-mail - let me know if you want to meet up in that Fern Gully place sometime this morning. Talk to you soon.

Mike

[Renee1060]

I'm going there now...it's currently 11:38 am.  CYA

[Mike P. to Ken]

Damn, I always seem to check here too late. It's 12:25 and I'm heading over...don't think you'll be there anymore though...Chat room tag.

[Bob K]

Loreen When I said that I didnt have any withdwawl sym I meant that I didnt totaly climb the walls as I have in the past. I went to see an addiction specialist in New Jersey I was using 100 to 120 mg oxy per day for nine months. I tapered but I lost ground because I had a good supply of oxy. I paid 6 dollars for a piece for 40mg tabs. My doc in Jersey gave me a script for buprenorphine. I was instructed to inject my dose everymorning for three days. I was given three pre loaded syringes. My first day I went on a river cruise with my wife no problems. second day I think I returned to work. No problems. Third day work again I had some sweats but it was a hot day. This is not rapid detox this was like starting out on the fourth or fifth day. I bypassed the first three days which as you know is a blessing. It was not completly easy for me much of it sucked I did have bourbon at some points. I never went to a meeting I always come here. I did not want the pellit it seems like I have lots of allergys (allergies) so I was very frightened of this. I also wanted an escape route if necessary. You take more oxy than I did but you still can make it back. I hope that you do and I hope that I can stay on this side of the fence. I like it better here. P.S if you need a web site for that doc with more info just ask and I will post it for you Bob K

[addict]

stay away from jeff!

[Lynn to Neena]

I have heard of using buprenorphine in a hospital for 4 days, then they let you go home.  What are the benefits of detoxing in a hospital setting vs. trying to do it at home? Either way, if you have easy access to the drugs, are you that much cleaner (for lack of a better word) than if you went to a hospital. I know you mentioned about the first 3 days. Are those the worst? HOW DID YOU STAY CLEAN???

[Shiny]

How in the world did you get 360m a day from a doctor.  I only get 100 10m Lortab and 60 20m oxycontin every six weeks.  In fact I had to go to the ER a while ago for stomach problems and the doctor said I should ask my doctor for Stadol because it is easier on the stomach.  When I told my doctor this he had a fit, and said that stuff is really addictive.  Why it could be more addictive then Lortab and Oxycontin I don't have a clue and I wasn't about to ask.  This is the same doctor that gave the Lidoderm, which I immediately called and told him I could not attached these things all over my body, I look like a mummy.  Anyway go figure.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

n/m

[Renee1060]

I've been on pain meds since the early 1980's.  My tolerance has increased drastically over the past few years...therefore the large amount of Oxycontin.  I started with only 80 mg's per day.  I am now down to 80 mg's every 8 hours which is great.  I am actually starting to feel a bit normal.  Not as weak and fatigued  as when on the higher doses.  The depression seems to be easing a bit also.  This is giving me great incentive to stick with the doctors orders and keep cutting back extremely slowly.  
My doctor believes I am physically dependent upon the meds...and psychologically also to a degree but he knows I am sticking with his directions and not abusing the meds.  Therefore he will give me up to 2 months of meds at a time.  If I decide I do want to take more than perscribed I agreed to give the meds to someone else so they could dole them out to me.

[Bob K]

Lynn Im sorry I havent been able to answer I had a bad flu virus that lasted a couple of days. I dont knw the difference between hospital detox and doing it at home because I only did it at home. It wasnt easy but it wasnt impossible either. I was tired of giving my money away. I started to have bad feelings from the oxy ie numbness when I woke up, blood from my nose. I do have some bourbon at night after work. I try to put my energy into music etc. I dont know why I made it so long this time (almost 12 weeks) Good luck with this terrible disease. P.s I did try withdrawl with clonidine and valium. That was not for me buprenorphine seems to be the best choice as far as Im concerened. I wish you the best Lynn. Bob K

[Gary]

could someone please post a note to help me...i hurt my back in january riding my 4 wheeler in the snow..i started taking percocets for pain.then,i was introduced to oxy's..i take about 3 80mg. per day.but the thing is i never saw a doctor for a prescription,i was street buying.well now my back is feeling better but i'm now addicted to oxy's.i come from a small town in which everybody know's everybody's business.the doctor does not give prescriptions to help addict's kick..i'm so ashamed of myself cause i never did drugs in my entire life till i hurt my back..i tried to go cold turkey,and that was the worst experience of my life..i was sweating all day,i was restless and forget about sleeping..so i had to go back,just so i did not get sick..i can't afford to take off of work.if i take off i will get fired.nobody know's of my addiction accept my girlfriend cause she takes them with me.she is not as bad off as i am,i mean her withdrawl won't be as severe as mine.i just want to get clean,can someone please help me..i have a 10yr old son that lives with me ,and we just had a baby 5 weeks ago..i'm not a bad person and i'm afraid that i will start taking stronger drugs cause they are cheaper.i'm terrified to go thru a withdraw.i tried it once and i only lasted 5 hrs.i just started to sniff a little heroin,so i don't get sick cause i can't afford the oxy's anymore.i know it's not smart to post your e-mail address,but i feel i'm hitting rock bottom.can someone please help me..***@****'s for listening..gary

[Lizzy]

Bob K!  I need to talk to you!  I have been through the whole Chonic Pain thing for some time now.  I still have the pain but want to get off all meds.  I was given Vicodin by my neurologist and then Oxycontin by a Pain Dr.  In the past week or so, my doctor has refused to treat me anymore but also refuses me help to get off the damn things.  I spent the whole day yesterday shaking and sweating and wishing I was dead.  I finally gave up and got more.  Wow, does it feel good to get this out...
I have a small baby and two other kids that need me.  I don't like myself much anymore.  Can you tell me about the addiction Specialist you went to see since we are both in New Jersey?
Thanks.

[Amy]

to Loreen or Mike or Joan.
Hi, my name is Amy and i'm from NJ. I started taking 2-3 percocet a day about 5 years ago, and i'm ashamed to say that i now take 2 80mg Oxycontin and about "oh God, I don't even know how many lortab 10/500mg" probably about 10-12 a day, on top of the oxy's.  How in God's name am I ever going to get off this stuff?  Will someone please read this and please please get back to me? I'm 37 years old and everything in the world to live for. I lost my husband of 15 years in 1997. We had 1 child together a boy who's 7.  I've met a wonderful man since my husbands death and I now have a gorgeous home and everything I ever dreamed of.  I started taking the narc's due to severe migranes and a very bad back.  I never thought my problem would esculate to this amount.  My Dr. give's me oxy 80mg 2 every 12 hours. That's right, 2 80mg oxy's every 12 hours that's what it says right on the bottle. ANd he give's me Lortab 10/500 1-2 tab's every 4-6hrs as needed for pain.  Now come on can anyone tell me why the hell i need to take this much narc's? It's crazy because i feel so normal!  I get up in the morning and take 1 80mg oxy and 3-4 lortabs with my vitamans every morning just like clockwork.  I function like normal and no one knows about this except my boyfriend, who has tried helping me by giving me alotted amounts for each day and hiding the bottle, but i would actually go through the house all day trying to find them and sneak more out. Needless to say, he figured out what i was doing and that did'nt work, Before i go anyfurther, i'm not sure I should, but I really need someone to confide in.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?  I REALLY NEED TO TALK!!! THANKS I'LL GIVE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS WHEN I FEEL I SHOULD, I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS WORKS AS FAR AS TALKING TO SOMEONE ONE ON ONE OR DO I HAVE TO KEEP POSTING MY PROBLEM ON THIS SITE, PLEASE SOMEONE HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!! THANKS AGAIN! AMY

[Shiny]

80m of oxycontin is a very large dose and taking 2 of them I can't imagine.  I only get 100 Lortab 10m every six weeks and the oxy 20m, every six weeks.  I am dying to up my dose but I am afraid he will cut me off.  I have found that if you let the doctor get you the bigger dose and play dumb you will certainly get more out of him.

[Bob K]

Lizzy The Doctor I went to see is Dr Lance Gooberman. His Phone number is 856-6634447. IF you call them they will assist you in getting off pain meds. Saturday will be 13 weeks clean for me. If you have any other questions I will be glad to answer them. You can also visit the Doctors website. I think you can get there but typing his name under keywords. Good luck Bob K

[Amy to Bob]

Bob hi, i read your post about this dr Gooberman and am wondering will he help me get off the amount of pain meds i'm on without me having insurance? I don't know what to do anymore, no one seems to want to help if you don't have insurance! I'm so frigg'n scared and although i want to get off of them altogether, I don't know how i'll feel, because i feel normal now! What is normal anymore? I don't feel any type of high or anything anymore when i take them, i just feel normal! Please help me feel less confused!!!! Thanks, take care! Amy

[susanlea]

If I can help you, please e-mail me at ***@****.  I've been there...but life is better now.

[Lizzy to Amy and Bob K. and everyone]

Bob,
Thanks so much for the information.  I am tired of dealing with this.  I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.  I tried to tell my husband last week but I realized I couldn't.  A nurse I used to work with got busted for stealing Demerol (yes, injectable) for over a year.  I felt so bad for her because she had to surrender her license that she's only had for two years.  My husband told me he doesn't feel bad for her, that it's her fault she got addicted.  I, on the other hand know she has no control, addiction is a disease like any other.  There are so many doctors that will happily prescribe pain meds and then tell you no more and leave you hanging.  
I feel if I could get someone to prescribe the Buprenex for me that I would be able to stop on my own.  Unfortunately, no one cares.  I am also at my wits end here.  I only feel normal when I take the pain pills.  I can't clean or take care of the kids unless I have at least one.  I made some stupid mistakes with clouded judgement and now I am terrified.  I can't afford to be sick for three to five days while I go through withdrawls.  I am concerened about my reputation since I have so many friends that work at the hospital.  I regret the day I had my first bout with severe kidney pain.  They freely gave me pain meds and now they want to cut me off.  I do feel I need them but now I am stuck with the possibility of getting no more ever.  My primary who told me that she is concerned and wants to help me won't return my phone calls but she called my surgeon and told him that she thinks I am an addict.  
I am supposed to have my kidney out soon but I am putting it off. They told me that they would give me only Motrin famiuly for pain which I am allergic to.  I had a tubal in February and was in pain for weeks.  I cannot go and have the surgery, removing an entire organ and be left to suffer with pain.  If the Toradol does work for the pain it will leave me with horrible abdominal pain, vomiting and diarreah.
Should I go to a new doctor at a new hospital and see if someone will be willing to help me?  I've thought about going to see someone and just laying the cards on the table.  I want to talk to a new doctor with a clean slate without interference from my past doctors. I am scared of being labeled a "drug seeker" for life.  I am not a drug seeker, I am just in incredible pain.  Unfortunately, I made a terrible mistake in an effort to be pain free and now I may be lost and alone.  My pharmacy has a lot to do with this as well.  I have terrible panic attacks at the thought of going to the doctor or a pharmacy.
Thanks for listening everyone.  If you have any advice for me, please help if you can.  And Amy, maybe you and I could talk since we are both in New Jersey.  BTW, that's another thing...I went out west to visit my mom and was able to stop taking everything for six days.  Then I got a horrible infection and got right back on it.  Once I got back to NJ I started back with the anxiety and began using frequently again.  Anyone feel free to e-mail me.  ***@****
Thanks and hugs to all of you...
Lizzy

[Lizzy to Amy and Bob K. and everyone]

Amy,
How are you doing today?  I would really like to talk with you. Please e-mail me @ ***@****.

[Bob K]

AMY call the doctors office. They never spoke of insurance to me. It was a cash payment for the office visit (very reasonable)Than I had to fill a prescription down the street. That was also a fair price. They will tell you the price over the phone. I know how it feels to be so scared. I also know how it feels to be normal now. Making that call and following it thru was something I didnt think I could do. Im happy to say tomorrow will be 13 weeks since my visit. I am clean. If you need any more info please ask and I will try to answer. Bob K

[Bob K]

LIZZY if you call that doc in N.J you will be making the first step to where you want to go.Bob K.

[Amy to Bob]

Hi Bob, thanks for the info, but could you please e-mail me so we can talk more? I have so many questions maybe you could help!
***@****
Thanks again, take care and good luck
Amy

[susanlea]

I left you a message under (Addiction to Oxy's and Loratab

[susanlea]

Has anyone heard from Amy Ann? I'm worried about her, I've e-mailed her a couple of times, and it won't connect.

[Sandi to "JB"]

Hi,
I spoke with her briefly yesterday & she was doing OK...I hope nothing has changed  but I will also try & contact her..She is a strong person & I am happy she is in my life...Take care..
Sandi

[Marryanne]

Lizzy, I e-mailed you a response.  Did you get it?  If not, post here and I'll try again!  GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS.

[Stef JUstus]

How do people that are used to doing 6 40,s a day come off of them so easy without withdrawing so bad?  What helps the withdraws?  I hurt ache if I dont have A oxy.

[steve]

can someone tell me the side effetcs of oxycotin, short term and long term...i currently use 40mg per night on friday's and saturday's ...i've been doing this for 6 months now and have found that i don't start feeling "normal" again until thursday afternoon... i think that may be because i know i'm only 1 day away from getting that oxy in my system...also how long does it take to relieve the body of oxycotin ?  thank you  ... steve

[to Vicodin Gurll]

We all started that way.  Just a buzz on the weekends.  It was great while it lasted.  Guess what, it won't last.  Soon you'll start the weekend a bit earlier.  Then you'll get enough that the weekend never ends.  Then you'll try stopping for a day, only to find yourself feeling like you've got the worst flu ever.  Please don't go there.  Oxycontin is powerful ****.  VERY addictive.  It is long acting but is out of your system totally in about 36 hrs.  Since you would know (by havin withdrawal) if you were addicted, I'm sure you're not.  Get smart and cut it out or you'll surely end up like us miserable addicts.

[Greg]

this girl wants me to take oxy as a sex drug.  will it have any harmful side effects?

[waiting]

I have been off oxy's for 5 days(60mg a day) and I still seem " LOST"
its a strange world not being on the oxycotin but I also hurt like HELL!!  I want to go back to the oxycotin but I am afraid of going through this AGAIN!!  How long will the withdraw last?
anyone know?

[connie]

I don't know how anyone can be on oxycotin  without having withdrawals.  I never had trouble with my nerves untill I was hurt last year. I was put on loritab when that didn't help I was given osycotin 2x a day. The Dr. also after a time started me on anti-depressants.   It was so bad my kidneys would almost ceased to work and I got a kidney infection.  I asked the dr. to get me off the oxycotin and he said no that's the only thing that works for you.  I transfered to a Dr. down here in Weslaco and he took me off everything.  Cold turkey.. I was upset beause of the pain and I was afraid of side effects from stopping cold. He didn;t care and wouldn't give me anything but celebrex.  I have had insominia where I go 3-4 days and nights without sleeping, My hands shake so bad I can't write. My right arm expecially. My right leg doesn't want to work right.  Anyway, I now find out that cold turkey can send you into seizures and oxicotin and anti-depressents like proziac and others can make you have seizures if you take them at the same time.  I have lost a lot of respect for doctors and have about given up on life.  I really don't want to go on like this.   When I hurt so bad and I have the shakes I Sart crying and think I will never stop. Anyone else have these problems please write and let me know how you handle it.   Love and Peace       Connie

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Please drop that "doctor" IMMEDIATELY!!  He is a quack, or worse, a sadist.  Get yourself seen ASAP by either a pain clinic or an addiction medical specialist.  You need some drugs to assist detox and perhaps new drugs for your medical issues.  Look for a doc prescribing buprenorphine.  It will make you feel better ASAP.  Good luck and please post and let us know how you are.  Hang in there!  Phil