Withdrawal From Tussionex

[chris]

Dear Dr. Steve,

A few days ago I posted a question regarding withdrawal/detox from Tussionex suspension. I used the name rcm; I wanted to know how I could stop taking Tussionex suspension, a potent cough medicine which contains hydrocodone polistirex. I've been taking this medicine for three years now, nearly everyday, and I wanted to know if you or any of the other doctors could help me with this.

I've come back to this site often since I posted that question, and nobody seemed interested in what I had to say, since there weren't any answers to my question for maybe two to three days now. So I asked the question again, and labeled it as such: detox from Tussionex, second question. Imagine my consternation when I logged in today to find my questions regarding the Tussionex deleted! Why was this done? Just because nobody else does Tussionex, because it isn't as popular as, say, Vicodin or Oxycontin?

Well, doc, you should know I think that even if my drug of choice isn't as popular as the others, the addiction is just as real. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to answer my question, even if my drug isn't as popular as the others.

To repeat my question: can you suggest the quickest, most painless way for me to detox from Tussionex? I've been taking it for 3 years now; my dosage is 60 to 90 ml per day, making my total daily sustained-release hydrocodone consumption from 120 to 180 mg.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Chris

[barbara to Chris]

I don't know anything about the type of medication you are taking so I cannot give info on it. You may want to call your local mental health center and ask one of their doctors or nurses how to go about detoxing. Hopefully they will give you an answer without forcing you to come in for evaluation.

[Brian to Chris]

I'm sure it's frustrating not having your question answered.  I think you can probably taper down just as one can from the more typical pill addictions.  Try to slowly cut back your dosage, by about 10% every few days.  There will be some withdrawal at the end of the taper but it will be FAR less than cold turkey.  If you can get some clonidine it will help at the end of the taper.  Also, some klonopin, xanax, valium or the like will assist in keeping you calm.  Good luck.

[tom]

Chris,
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little envious -- Tussionex is the most euphoric form of hydrocodone. Frankly, it's wonderful. 12-hour time-release Vicodin. The Rolls-Royce of Schedule III. I'm glad I experienced it but am, at this very moment, relieved I don't have access to it.
Simply put, you need the full detox-rehab. Coming down from such exquisite stuff is going to be hard. (I'm honestly high just thinking about it -- sorry.)
I'm hoping you have insurance so you can go to a good place that brings you down slowly with tapered doses of Valium. That, plus jacuzi, food, vitamins and regular sleep, will make you feel pretty good.
Now here is the important part: You'll want to leave because you know how good that Tussionex is going to feel after you're detoxed. That's why you need to combine detox with AA/NA in your daily routine during and especially after detox. I haven't a clue how you're going to do it on your own. My advice, AKA The Voice of Experience, is get the Full Monty or you'll be back. If it's your first time, you probably will be back.
If you do return, don't lose heart. Recovery is a process, characterized by slips and recoveries. We drug addicts, recovering or otherwise, are human beings. We have nothing to be ashamed of. Our human physiology makes us inherently susceptible to drug addiction. My hopes go with you. Don't hesitate to post more messages. tom

[Former User in Ohio]

Hello Chris!

I am a former addict who has been in recovery for going on three years now and my drug of choice was Hydrocodone.  My favorite way to get it was in Tussionex (because it would last for at least 8 hours).  At the end, I was using 180ml a day.  So, I don't know why you didn't get any responses, but have no fear, YOU'RE NOT ALONE in your use of Tussionex.

I'm not going to give any detox advice since it's been a few years and every time I got off of Hyrdrocodone, I had to do it cold turkey (and the few last times in jail - hell on earth).  My only guess is to follow suggestions posted here for those getting off the big "V" (Vicodin), since it's just Hydrocodone in a suspension form.  All I can say is hang in there, find Narcotics Anonymous in your area and do what you're told at the meetings.

If you need any help, just post here.  This is actually my first time posting, so it shows that people are here and care.

One Day At A Time!
J

[Katie]

Does anyone know about Methadone as a form of withdrawal from Vicodin for someone who has been using for about 7 years 40-50 pills per day??  Any information you have is greatly appreciated.

[tom]

Katie,
Unless you’ve got a VERY unusual relationship with your doctor, I’d say there’s about a zero chance of you getting into a Methadone program with “only” a vic habit to boast about. Last time I checked, the whole Methodone thing was pretty much a closed shop. Non-Heroin users need not apply. Next to Vicodin, Methadone might actually feel pretty good, which wouldn’t be quite the effect you’re after.

Read what I said to “Tussionex Chris” above. A structured in-house detox with tapered Valium and Clonadine patches is really quite effective and not altogether unpleasant. If you have an iron will (which I doubt considering your intake of vic’s) you or a friend could bring you down the same way at home. Add some over-the-counter Imodium (immodium) for the inevitable runs (NEVER detox from Vicodin without Imodium (immodium)), daily jacuzzis or hot baths and lots of food (the valium will make you eat like a pig – another reason to use it), and you might just make it to your first AA/NA meet.

Also, go to a health food store and get some Milk Thistle. It will help your liver heal itself after such a sustained assault from the tylenol in your vic’s.

I have used this method to detox myself from a 75 to 100/day vic habit (and you thought you were really out there with 50/day habit!).

Of course, if you’re after a maintenance drug, rather than strictly detox, I have heard some things about Buprenorphin. I have no idea about its availability. I hear it blocks the narco-cravings without any mood-altering side effects.

Honestly, though, once you’re well and truly detoxed from the vics and off the Valium, what you really need is “head support” from a group of fellow recovering addicts. You also need to absent yourself as completely as you can from the environment, people and places around which you’ve been using. The subliminal “cues” to use that you undoubtedly associate with your old haunts will be almost impossible to resist. Many addicts fail because they don’t take this aspect seriously enough.

But I really don’t think you’ll need a maintenance drug (before you ask, Valium won’t work as a maintenance drug – you’ll just become a Valium junkie and have two problems instead of one). Good luck. Post more if you want to talk.
tom

[Katie to Tom]

Thanks Tom.  This info was actually for my brother...he is the addict.  From what I understood, Vicodin is similar to heroin in that they are both opioid drugs, (I am learning as I go) and that is why the methadone treatment was recommended.  Apparently the md tried clonidine and it wasn't working for my brother - he was hallucinating.  I may not have all of the info and he could also have been dabbling in heroin as well as the vicodin.  I am trying to educate myself as much as I can, so I really appreciate the information.  In addition, remarkably he had a liver function test and everything appears to be fine.  He is also going to meetings...Thanks for your input.

[Tom to Katie]

Congrats on it not being you! May it ever be so. I never tried Heroin and have no plans to. But I found injected Demerol so overwhelming it really scared me. If your brother is using Heroin, then he's taken a major step up the narcotic food chain. His detox could be rough. Everything I know tells me Heroin withdrawal is appauling. I hope your brother is coming down in some kind of medical setting. The hallucinating part worries me. Could he be involved in a few other drugs on the side? Most of us are. Whatever he's been into, steel yourself for an ongoing thing. This is going to be with you for a while. All my best to you and your brother.
tom

[[e-mail]]

Hi Chris, Well I really could relate to your email, I have had the same addiction myself.  I tried to gradually withdraw from it many times but always ended up going back to it.  The only thing htat worked for me was kicking it cold turkey.  You have to go somewhere where you CAN"T get any for at least a week, maybe a friend you can trust, relative etc.  If you can get some sedatives (prescription or over the counter) it will help you.  It's rough but not as bad as like alcohol withdrawal.  The important thing is to be somewhere where you can't get the drug, because I've found from multiple failures that when I tried to kick it, if the drug was available I ALWAYS went back to  it! It's just too hard to resist in the detox stage.  But when you are off it you will be suprised how clear your mind will be, you will be able to feel like yourself again.   It's worth it I promise you! If you need any encouragement or support, send me an email.  I've been there and you can get through it!! Good luck, Cheri

[bob]

Could anyone tell me a 50 year old user of oxicontin (80mg) PER  day. IF IT IS possible to quit. When i do make it for a few days I realize why I started in the first place. Also does anyone know just how bad this much painkiller is hurting me i just had a physical and they say i am in good health. thank you

[buzz wilson]

physical withdrawl from hydrocodone is the easy part the hard part is controling relapes,i cAN GO COLD TURKEY AND STOP FOR AMONTH BUT I ALWAYS THINK ICAN USE AND CONTROL IT EVERY TIME THE TOLERACE GETS WORSE AND THE PROBLEMS GET WORSE NOW IAM PROBALY GO TO PRISON.

[to buzz wilson]

Buzz,
I take it you were arrested for something vic related and are waiting to appear in court. If so - and you're on-line somewhere in the USA - try to bargain it down to a 90-day in-house (that is, house arrest) drug treatment program. It's expensive but with a little help you could do it. The powers that be will usually settle for that if you don't have something heavier than, say, an Rx-related charge. Nothing is worse than "quitting" by going to jail. It's a false sobriety which ends in a big way the second you get out. Then you're back where you started, only now you have a record ... Anyway, a program that includes 90 AA meetings in 90 days plus an electronic form of house arrest will give you some sobriety that may last. If your offense puts you beyond this, then I hope others that are facing the usual script forgery charges read this. Good luck, buzz.

[to bob]

If you could quit for a "few days" then, yes, I'd say with AA or equivalent help you could certainly quit. I measure my usage of prescription narcotics in hours ... I can't imagine casually quitting for days at a time. It souns like you're looking at this stuff earlier than most. That's hopeful right there.

[M.P.]

Hey -- I have just stumbled onto this site and want to say I felt like I was reading my story over and over.  I have never been arrested or gone to jail, but I am lucky.  I am still using lortabs, oxy and ultram and would like to quit.  What I am looking for is someone I can use as an email support system/friend.  Reading these posts is so helpful to me -- though I am not happy others are in the position I am, it is nice to know that I am not alone.  Any responses would be very appreciated.  Thanks much!

[Jamie]

This is a reply to M.P. I am really needing someone I can talk to that knows exactly what I am going through, I have been taking lortabs/vicodin for about 3 years now and I am only 22.  I am posting my email address, please write it down and email me, I think we would really be alot of help to each other.
***@****

[zelda]

Fact: There is a huge influx of methadone patients that have never seen heroin. They are being accepted for their pill habits.( vicoden,percs,etc.) It has been shown that they often need higher doses than heroin users.
Opiate addiction is a disease that in most cases needs a medication called methadone. Twelve step programs rarely work in cases of long term opiate addiction.
  Of course if the addiction is fairly short in time, other treatment options may be viable.

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

While methadone is a useful drug, I think it is not at all accepted in the addiction treatment community that methadone is either the only option, or the best option, for most narcotic addicts.  Even long term addicts may best be served by getting off the narcotics period.  Whether that means initially substituting an addiction to methadone for their other addiction, and then tapering the methadone until they are off the narcotic, or using another drug such as buprenorphine in a similar fashion depends on the individual's history.  I am familiar with numerous methadone maintainence patients who are desperate to get off methadone, but can't because it has a particularly bad withdrawal syndrome.  So, while methadone is a help for some, it can be a curse for others.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

Last Friday I had to be taken to the emergency room because I passed out while coughing.  It was like "dry heaves of the lungs". I was diagnosed as having acute bronchitis plus pneumonia and was given some serious antibiotics and Tussionex.  Well, I drank the whole bottle in probably two hours.  I was supposed to take one to two teaspoonfuls every 12 hours.  I must say that I had one fabulous day!  I am a former morphine abuser so that is why I am still here writing this-- my tolerance must be very high to opiates to this day.  I would surely like another bottle of the stuff but know better than to call my doctor for a refill!  I am now using Robitussin and it works quite well and is non-addicting.  Please beware of Tussionex.

Best regards,   John

[buddha]

First, do not be afraid of raging withdrawal symptoms -- they are rare, and usually a result of panic.  Do not panic.  Remember that, except for the laws, this would be as available as cigarettes, and is much easier to quit.  I prefer the term 'quit' to withdrawl, becuase that is closer to what it is with hydrocodone.  

Please notice some of the panicky posts.  You may have cravings in the future, but if you can let time pass for about 4 to 10 minutes, the craving will leave.  Do not act upon the craving.   Valium will help the (self-induced)agitation, as it would in doing anything 'scary.'  

Relax out of it.  Do not fight against it.  I hope this makes sense to you.

--- B

[Someone please help before I am arrested]

I am now in your same boat.  I see that your post was in April.  Please let me know what you've been through.  I posted a question today (7-16) and really am alone in my pain (mental).  I've been hiding my addiction from EVERYONE.  It is starting to affect my daily life.  I am trying to stop myself.  I am going to be talking to a detective very soon, and am so afraid and alone.  ANY advice from someone who has been there, I really could use a friend.

[angie]

This is in reply to Chris regarding tussionex addiction and to others regarding methadone treatment.  I believe there are many people out there addicted to tussionex.  I was one of them.  It is a terrible drug to withdraw from and you will need medical assistance.  I have also used tylenol with codeine, tylox and other opiates in pill or cough syrup form.  Over a period of eight years I have been detoxed 3 times without success.  I have never used heroin or needles so the doctors and other health professionals discouraged me from looking in to methadone treatment. In March I decided to look into methadone anyway and I feel it has saved my life.  Since I am not a heroin user I had to prove that I have been addicted to opiates for longer than a year to be accepted to the program.  I have been in the program for over five months and I have not used since I began taking methadone.  I am certain that if I had not found methadone I would be on my way to jail.  Methadone does not work for everyone but it can be a lifesaver for some.  My life is stable now and my head is clear.  I realize five months is not a long time, however before methadone I never went longer than a day without using.  I hope my information is helpful.

[angie]

I just stumbled on to this site and couldn't read the replies fast enough.It doesn't matter who we are or what kind of job we have,narcotics bring us all to the same place. Altough I'm in recovery for about 5 months now (drug of choice Lortab 10/500,orDarvocet etc..)my mouth still waters when I read or hear about them from others. I had a wonderful dr. who would prescribe pills about 120 at a time with 5 refills. He trusted me since I worked in the field. Since that wasn't enough eventually I had to resort to skimming them off the patients. In my mind I had the right to do what I had to so I could keep feeling this good. This lasted a good three to four years before the inevitable happened--I got caught! There was the arrest, the job loss, the pre-trial intervention and the Re-hab. What do I hate the most? The Euphoric Recall!!

[Dee73]

I went to treatment last year for my addicion to tussionex & klonipin. Im right back where I started.  Dont know what to do. The people in tx didnt know u can be addicted to " just cough syrup ". Any comments ?

[TussionexRed]

Ah, honey.  I know where you were.  I see this was posted in '00.  I was on probation for 5 years and 350 community service hours for my arrest for forging Tussionex scripts.  I was just wondering how you're doing?  I celebrate a year clean and sober on 6-7-07.  I love the fact that my last binge was on 6-6-06.  It makes a great intro when telling my story.  If there is ANYTHING I can do for you, short of getting you Tusionex, all you need to do is ask

[TussionexRed]

Dee73, you are singing my song.  I had doctors at rehab...REHAB!!!!!!!!!  who didn't realsize the addiction power of Tussionex, esp. mixed with klonipin.  You see, this was my cocktail.  And large helping of the cough syrup followed by four 2mg. of Vitamin K.  When I told the doc. at a TX rehab he was confused.  He finally did his research and four...four days later I was finally put on a detox program.  Those were the worst 4 days of my life, except when i was in jail...but that's another story.  After Dr. Idiot did his homework he figured that what I had was akin to a herion habit.  I was taking 320 mls/day.  As you know this should last the average person a little over a month.  To this day I do not know how I managed and conned my way into that much Tusionex, but I did.  I did suppliment with Vicodin on days when I couldn't get my precious Tussionex.  Long story short, I relapsed and I relapsed hard.  I was drinking more and more of the Tussionex, stealing from friends medicine cabinets after I told them that they needed Tussionex, I was a mess.  I was sitting on my balcony of my crummy apartment with yet another lost job due to withdrawals/so mesed up I couldn't do the work and realized...this is your life, David.  You have chosen it and you will deal with it.  I figured I would die or end up in state prison, which would be like aliving hell for a gay man like myself.  My dad offered to send me one more time to rehab, trip number 8, I think.  I told him, with no self-pity or drama to save his money for my funeral.  I meant it.  Then my sister stepped in and found Pacific Hills in San Clemente, CA.  I was a ***** from hell when I got there.  I told them I'd been to rehad so many times that they had nothing to teach me.  I wouldn't eat and I was self mutilating and they were on the verge on discharging me.  I had one of those crying jabs that went on for a good 30 - 45 mins.  I wept for every horrible, stupid, inconsiderate thing I had ever done.  The dogs I had kicked becasue I was hurting so bad becasue of the withdrawals, the things I said to my parents who have loved me through so so so so much.  After I was done, I had a sense of peace I had not felt in a long long long time.  I thought it was just the endorphin release, and it probably was.  I was sitting on my bed looking at a tree went the wind went through it and made it move.  And I remembered how some people describe wind.  Just becasue you can't see something doesn't mean it's not there.  It was then and there I knew that 1. God exsisted and 2. He loved me, As He does you.  That was just a break through moment.  I still struggled through a rehab that had nothing new to teach me, until they gave me this book and workbook called Staying Sober: A Guide For Relapse Prevention by Terence T. Gorski and The Staying Sober Workbook.  They were miracles in and of themselves.  The book addressed all these reasons I could not stay sober,  It was like reading my autobiography, and the workbook was great becasue I got to write down all the questions I had and then answr them.  You can get copies of these by calling Herald House @ 1-800-767-8181.  But I do suggest you go through them with a counselor or an LCDC.  I've been sober a little over a year and life has changed.  Everything is not all sunshine and roses.  There are times when all I want is a swing of Tussionex and a Klonipin.  But I put my head down say a quick pray and make sure I make an AA or NA meeting ASAP.  Dee73 - this is nothing but my experience, not a cure all.  But if you ever want to chat, I'm on Yahoo Messenger as David Hutts.  I wish you all the luck in the world.  If I can do it YOU can do it.  I have faith in you.  

[mimi59]

i feel sorry for all addicted to tussionex,i am on it and feel nothing but extremely tired so i have stopped it ,,how long does it take to get out of ur system?? i got it from er dr for pnemonia (pneumonia)

[cb11]

How in the world do prescription drug addicts get their hands on that much?  I have watched every Intervention episode and find it fascinating.  There was a woman on there that took 30 Vicodin a day.  What in the world?  The only thing I do is smoke cigarettes...I have just always wondered how people get their hands on so many drugs?  It's crazy to think that I doctor would prescribe that much.  Just wondering.

[confused456]

This is an old post so many might not respond but I will say that for a lot of prescription drug addicts, the Dr. does NOT prescribe that many. It is not legal as it would hurt us due to the Tylenol content, etc.

Many have bought meds. on line, bought from "friends", family members, etc. Some have stolen from others that have the medication. There are ways of getting them when you want them.

[argentina08]

I  started reading this blog because my doctor has been prescribing tussionex for me for years, due to a consant cough (from meds that i'm on for Rheum arthr).  I take it at night so I dont have a dry coughing fit in the middle of the night.  But after reading all of these blogs, I'm scared I may have a problem!  Can a teaspoon a night qualify for addiction??
Thanks to anyone who can give me an honest answer..

[mimi1313]

You may be dependent on it but I don't think you're addicted. You take it as directed and haven't increased your dosage over the years. I would be careful with Tussionex as an FDA warning went out about it and overdosing as it should only be administered every 12 hours.

[argentina08]

Thank you.  Yeah, I only take it once a day, if needed.  I've asked my doctor
many times if I could be addicted/dependent, and she said the same...  if I'm only taking it as directed, I should be fine.

[OU812MANY]

I have been taking tussionex for about a month now.  5mg twice a day.  It was prescribed to me for Whooping Cough.  I am still taking it because it does help the cough and it seems to relax my lungs so I can breath better but now I am very concerned after reading this.  Whooping cough usually last up to 2 to 3 months which gives me 1 to 2 months to go.  Should I be concerned in that timeframe?   How addictive is this if the doses are taken correctly as prescribed?  I've never been addicted to anything and I don't want to start now.

I would like everyone's advice.

Thanks,
OU812MANY

[ACubFan]

I had briefly become dependent on this "golden juice" tussionex last winter for a few months (a doctor prescribed a bunch of refills, as I was having a nasty cough that would not go away), but will never go back to it again.  

At first I liked the euphoric feeling, but over the weeks, that required myself taking higher dosages to get the buzz.  This led to sleeplessness, agitation, craving the next sip, and by far, the worst experience of extreme (and I mean extreme, extreme) constipation in the  history of the planet.  

I want to encourage anyone struggling with any of these addicting medications that it's worth it to get the help in overcoming these cravings.  You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I wish you the very best.

[steveo30]

maybe i'm missing something but your in the wrong forum to ask a doctor a question.go to the top of this page and hit forums,from there you'll be able to talk with several doctors,they are at times but they will answer your question

[cashontrees]

im am addicted to this and hycodan at the same timw for about 3 years i take about a  1 1/2  to 2 ounces   of tussionex a day i have drank 3 and 4 ounces in a day many times with ease  thought and put any where from 2 tsp to a whole ounce in sprit and i never dont have a cup i also take klodipin i take 2 to 4 mgs a day and take at least 100mg of lortab about ten 10mgs a day but sometimes it does reach up to 20 tens a day plus the cough syrups how bad is my withdrawl for the codiene going to be i dont take lortabs every day proably bout 3 out of 7 but the other drugs are every day ive quit before with nothing just cold turkey but i always come back the cough syrups are perscibed for asirating stomach acid into my lungs at night and throwing up everyday this is the only thing that kills the pain and relaxes i guess my reflexes it makes me no throw p and i threw up for years before i new about codiene i was never around drugs before this started then they started giving me both cough syrups and my throwing up about 40 or more ounces of stomach acid in the morning completely stopped but i  got a serious tolerance so i dont take as much lortabs anymore i threw up so much they had to redo abunch of teeth and thats why i was on lortabs and vicoden i just want to know if there is a type medcined that can do tussionexs  and hycodan job  and how bad is my with drawl gonna be its been alomst completely constant for 3 years and thos are my doses and yes my doctor perscribes them none of this is illegal how bad off am i with the withdrawl for a long time i had no i dea that tussionex was 10mg per 5ml and hycodan was 5mg per 5ml i meen i had no idea i was drinking this much codiene

[drdool]

usually i just poor up 20-30ml of dat liquid gold into a styrofoam cup, dump sum sprite and jolly ranchers in their and sip. bang a lot of screw cuz i'm from down south and das how we stay u know what i mean. maynnnn hold up.. i'm tossed rite now.. mayyynnn.
p.s. bang screw