Withdrawal Periods

[jonesing247]

Hey everyone - just a quick question -
I have been taking oxycontin 80mg 6-8 a day for 5 months. I recently went through withdrawl when i stopped for 5 days - I took again for 3 days, and stopped again for 5 days. Now since friday i have been taking them again, albeit only 2 per day - if i continue to take them until saturday and then stop (so i would have been taking them for 7 days) will I experience withdrawl again? Or did I already get the 5 months worth of **** out of my system during the first five day withdrawl? Sorry about the question, it sounds like one of those "if a train leaves station A at 11:30" questions. Take care and I hope all of you are well. Thanks, Mark.

[jonesing247]

In addition to the last comment, i was just reading some of the posts earlier - GWH, hang in there, i know where you are coming from. I have failed and failed etc., but i can honestly say that by the 5th day of being clean I felt so good. I felt like i no longer had a problem which is why i went back. Just dont get down on yourself, its not worth it. I messed up - twice - and i think of myself as a big idiot, but i know ill do it right eventually. Keep a smile on your face man, its half the battle. ALSO, to all of you freinds, we have so much in common and can decipher this after reading three sentences of a post - so if you have the time, i would highly reccomend a book i picked up - its called MORE, NOW, AGAIN : A Memoir of Addiction by Elizabeth Wurtzel. Its so funny and poignant, it has really lifted my spirits! Im in love with this girl! Check it out, for sure. Sorry for rambling, take care all, Mark.

[Witchywoman]

Unfortunately, you probably will go through withdrawals again.
The reason is, once your brain receptors adapt to having a steady supply of opiates, they are changed to accept that for a long time.  If someone has never taken opiates before starts, it can take a few weeks for them to develop physical dependance and withdrawal when they stop.

For addict though, the brain changes have taken place, and re-addiction after detox can take place within 24 to 72 hours after starting the meds again.  If you stay off the meds for 6 months to a year, you brain will go back to normal and it takes a week or more for addiction to occur.

I got this information from a medline article that I can no longer find to give you the url for, but I trust the information.

This is also why tolerance builds up so fast again for addicts.  The changes in the brain receptors just take a long to time to go back.

good luck, hang in there, and keep us posted.
love,
WW

[skipper]

jonesing 247:
you've been around to know there are just too many variables to
answer your question. you have 2 choices:
1) just quit now
2) use till when ever and then tell us about it

you know there is a lot to be said for picking your own time and
place to w/d! don't wait long enough for someone else to decide
for you!
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[timeforachange]

I have been addicted to hydrocodone for a year. Taking approx. 18 10mg lorcets a day. As of yesterday I desided NO MORE PILLS! It had gotten to the point I was scared I might OD.I have cold sweats, diareah, vomiting, and my body HURTS! I have sedatives to save me from the massive panic attacks I had before the addiction began and I am sure will show thier ugly face throughout the "getting clean" process. Is there anything I need to know that might make this process a little easier to deal with? I tryed this before and got, well...this is as far as I got.

[skipper]

timeforachange:
welcome to the forum! there will always be room for just one more
addict in here, so come on in.

look through some of the other threads for  THOMAS' RECIPE. this
is first of all a group of amino acids, minerals, and vitamens.
opiate strips and depletes your system of these nutrients. start
on this as soon as you can preferably before your quit date. if
you can't find the recipe tell us, and someone will repost it.

keep posting...we can accomplish togather what we can't do alone!
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[timeforachange]

I already quit..I have not had a pill in 26 hours...should I taper off or cold turkey? I feel like I am going crazy! plz help! Not to mention I am here all alone. I am thinking of going to my mothers so she can help..I know she will but I am ashamed enough. The last thing I want is to involve my parents. I dont care what anyone says, they may say it is ok and they undestand but unless u have been here I dont believe you!

[Witchywoman]

Welcome to a place where you will be understood!

First, try to take a deep breath and not to panic. You didn't get here overnight and you won't get out of it overnight, but you CAN get out of it. It just takes some time, determination, and help.  

The panic you are feeling about it is making it worse. Yes, withdrawals are very uncomfortable, but survivable. It is good that you are wanting to be done with the behavior so badly..that motivation will take you through the journey to come.

Do search on the site for the supplement recipe. It is posted in a thread below, and it helps.

I urge you to not go through this alone. If you know your parents will help, talk to them. Going through it alone is really the worst, and impossible for some.  Talk to a Doctor if you can, come clean about the addiction and have them see if they can help prescribe some meds to help, such as clonadine, a blood pressure pill that can help. But it is good to have a doc supervise that med.  The xanax and klonopin will help, but do be careful to not take the too long, you don't want to trade one addiction for another. I took valium for about 4 days when I detoxed and then stopped it with no problem.

The good news is the worst of the withdrawals are over within 4 to 5 days. Hot baths help. Crying and talking to others who understand help. Call NA. Reach out. Write to us.
Never give up, no matter what.

The hard part is staying clean!
You can do this.
love,
WW

[timeforachange]

I am glad I got another reply before i walkedout the door. I called my mother crying and told her what was going on, well.. come to find out she was addicted too. She is calling the doctor that helped her as I type. She said to tapper will be best if I am anything like her.. well obviously I am more like her then I thought. Ill post again today as soon as I know what the doctor says. OH I got the recipe and will start it today!! My only question is can I start the recipe while tapering?
Thanks so much! Jamie in Texas

[skipper]

timeforachange:
first of all start every part of refcipe except for benzo's. doc
might have something effective that isn't a ******* benzo! if you
do take benzo, stick with the long acters like valium and klono-
pin.

the parental thing....been there....i was some 13 years old at
the time i was trying drugs out.....hell the last stage of their
legal respocibilitys (teen years) i pretty much grew up stoned!
who on this board has not done the same? no i think there just is
not enough room to talk about that here.

please post back. what you are doing is a very brave and courag-
ious thing. something worthwhile for a change....there are a
whole forum full waiting to help!
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[The Golden Slipper]

Hello,
Does anyone have any experience with the drug "fiorinal"  It is a barbituate analgesic used for migraine headaches.  To make a very long story short, I have been addicted to this drug for a very long time.  I have had periods of clean time (the longest being 2 years)  However, I had a relapse last year and have continually been taking the drug.  I take up to 8 per day in 3 hour intervals.

I really don't want to be doing this.  Of course none of us really do but the compulsion is so strong and I have visited so many doctors in the last year it is absolutely insane!!!!!
I call myself The Golden Slipper because I seem to constantly slip up and return to my drug.

Does anyone know anything about tapering and withdrawing from this drug??? I have been in detox before but this time really would like to try and do this on my own.  I just want to do it safely.

Thanks

[hippy]

yo guys welcome to the fourm, my names michael , im 42 years old and have been cleen off 20 vikes a day habit, for 10 weeks.
i  am doing it with the help of this fourm, the fourm turned me on to the receipe. I have been taking it religiousy since good
friday ,right around easter. at the time i started i felt hopeless and the pills had sucked the life out of me.
i was sure i was going to die and i was in severe depression.
I had been trying to kick the habit for about with no sucsess at all, and every time i tried to taper i failed big time.
well with a little encouragement from skipper, gwh, groovy and a few othersi started to see some hope.,and let me tell you that those words of encouragement ment so much to me . I am still very gratful and thankful for there support.
the receipe has done wonders for me it truley is a godsend for someone like myself who did not want to go to a detox or rehab.

the receipe is
L-tyrosine 500 mgs 8 times a day week one, 4 times a dsy the weeks after.
b-6 100mgs twice a day
vitimine's  a -c and e
calsium- magnisum
a strong multy vitamine
phousphous
copper
magneese

imodium (immodium) for the runs
-------------------------------------------------------------
these below are just sugestions not part of the receipe---
banna's are good for leg cramps amd leg spasams
gatorade is good to replace lost electrolite's
5htp is suggested for depression if by chance you still have it after taking the receipe after a week.

i have found that the receip work when taken as suggested
and not some of it or haphazardly, or inconsistnantly.
MSM is good if you still have joint pain or back pain

as addicts we do things all or nothing, one extreem or the other.

so go for it and i hope you have great results as i have.

ps. you can start the receip asap. while tappering or whatever.

peace  michael, my prayers are with you

[timeforachange]

Ok here it is..I had told a friend that I have been addicted on the way to my moms. He left work went to whole foods and spent $158 dollars on a major supply of everything listed in the recipe including the $100 he spent on the zoloft, Klonopin and Duradrin< for the migranes that make me lose my vision> wrote a check for my rent and gave me money for the food and whatever else I may need to this...I made the decision with my mothers help to tapper.. since I have absolutly NO willpower she will keep the pills at her house and ration them as she sees fit! I started the recipe already and when I post this I am going to find an NA meeting and go strait to it! For the FIRST time in my life I feel like I am doing the right thing! Thanks so much to those of you who posted, it means so much to me to know that I am not alone and I have yall here to help me! Now I just hope my botfriend<who I live with and has no idea> will be as supportive..I have been addicted to one thing or another my whole life..NO MORE!
Smiling at the angle on her shoulder, Jamie

[tex3]

Hey guys, congratulations on taking the first step toward getting your lives back. You're in for a tough ride, no doubt, but it will get better each day, each week. You will also have setbacks and cravings; don't despair, as these too will pass. I've been clean since April 1 and feel like a "normal" person at this point. I'm happy and getting on with my life. There are days when I don't even think about pills, and if you put them in front of me right now, I wouldn't take one. I'm not saying I'll never have cravings again or be tempted, but right now I'm holding strong.
Timeforchange, take all the help you are being offered. My mom helped me get through the WDs by taking care of me physically. I didn't taper, but did get a cocktail from my doctor to help with the WD. I just wanted the drugs out of me so bad I didn't want to taper. But for some people that's much better; do what works for you. Just remember when you have dark days now and in the coming weeks, that it will get better and you will feel 1000 times better than you do right now, and much, much better than you did when using. You will literally feel like you come alive again.
Goldenslipper, you need to be careful with your WD, as fiorinal has a barbituate in it and if you quit suddenly without a doctor's care, you can have seizures. Opiate WD alone won't kill you (although it might make you wish it did at times) but you really have to be careful with the barb. So please, please see a doctor, preferably an addiction specialist (you can find one at the site for these doctors) to help you through this. Beyond that, follow the advice of those here who've been through this. I'm so happy these days, and have a much deeper understanding of myself. I want that for all of you. Again, I'm sure I will have tough times still and this is likely something I will battle for life; but I'm winning that battle right now and you all can too. Best of luck and keep posting.

[monkeyonmyback]

Hey everybody! Im the new guy, my storie is I have chronic back pain and have been taking lortab7.5 for about 2 years I take any where from 2 to 6 a day I didnt notice that my body needed them till one day I didnt need them for pain, but my body needed them I guess, I got the shakes and had an empty filling in my stomach does this mean Im addicted or is it just my body didnt have something that it was use to??

[The Golden Slipper]

tex3 thanks for your response.  I do know about the possiblity of seizures with barbituate withdrawal.  You had mentioned an addiction doctor.  Do you know where I could find one.  I honestly never knew that there was such a speciality. You mentioned that there was a site I could go to.

I think that may be a good plan for me.  I am trying to taper the pills that I have now but I tell you it is very very difficult!!

Thanks for your advice

[OxyDout]

It sounds like our physically dependant, not addicted, there is a thin line between the 2 but there is a line.  If you are taking only 2-6 a day after 2 years then withdrawal will not last long at all.  I guess the question is, are you taking them for the high?? if so then you are heading down a nasty path, If you aren't, then stop taking them RIGHT NOW, go through withdrawal for a few days and go on your merry way because things will get ugly REAL fast.  It doesn't sound like you have a major problem here so you should be ok.  If you have any questions just ask, everyone here will give you an answer.  Good luck!!

GWH

[Witchywoman]

Hey there, welcome to the forum.
I have a bit of a different take on it than gwh.
He's right that if you are taking it for the high and don't need it for pain, stop as soon as you can.
But if you were only taking it for pain (not for the high) and your pain is better and you don't need it anymore, then you probabably have the discipline that us addicts don't have, to taper. If you can do it by slowly tapering, then definately do it that way. You'll avoid some nasty symptoms, and there is no need to put yourself through the hell of cold turkey if you can stick to a taper.

The formula to taper would be to go down one pill or half a pill every two days, and you will barely feel it. Or you can ask your Doc what she or he recommends to taper. This is of course, assuming your pain is resolved and you no longer need the meds.

If you are taking it for the high and can't taper, then for many of us, cold turkey is the best option 'cause tapering is just too hard to stick to. I know I tried and failed to taper many times, so finally went the cold turkey route.

good luck and keep us posted!
love,,
WW

[angst]

i too took my share of fiorinal.  it is caffiene, aspirin or acetaminophen, and butibital (a barbituate).  you can get off the
drugs.  i would go back to the doctor who prescribed them to you.
Tell him you have been taking 10 tablets every 3 hours.  He will
want to watch you to keep you from having seizures.  He will also
make the w/d's easier hopefully.
Another issue is overdosing.  i intentionally overdosed on Esgic
plus, a similiar drug.  if you keep taking the amount you are, you could accidentally overdose.  Barbituate overdose is what killed marilyn monroe.  i knew i would just go to sleep.  my daugher found me on the kitchen floor, unresponsive, after they got home about 3 hours after i took the pills 90 to 100 tablets.
My level was too high to register- it was > 2000mg/dl.
I worry about you.  Please seek medical advice.  Keep posting.
Welcome to the forum, where  one addict helps another addict.

[angst]

I agree with Witchywoman totally.  if you are still in chronic pain, you need to address that issue.  if you are just getting high, with the chronic pain gone, you do need to w/d from the vics.  Welcome to the forum.  Keep us posted.  We are one addict helping another addict.  There are also chronic pain patients on this forum.  You are definetly welcome.

[CATUF]

I'm no expert, and I'm only 8 days into being 100% off hydro, but for what it's worth.....

Sounds to me like your stopping caused VERY mild WD - It also sounds like an alarm is going off in the back of your head -- LISTEN TO IT! Right now it's just a warning of trouble that may come.  In the not too distant future, however, it will be sounding for an active crisis -- you WILL be addicted and you won't be able to function at all without your 7.5's, the need for which will have no doubt increased, and it WILL be VERY HARD to stop.

Either way you stop (cold turkey or taper) take the lesson with you that the 7.5's already had enough of a hold on you that you were forced to alter your life -- forcing you to either a) suffer a bit for a few days or b) go on to a schedule to wean yourself.  Whatever the degree of hold is now, it will only get worse (much worse)as time goes by.  

How I wish I had stopped back when a voice in the back of my head was asking only "are these things becoming a problem?"

[tex3]

The American Society of Addiction Medicine has a website and can refer you to an addiction doctor. Where do you live? I think the site is asam.org, but I will double-check. It also has good information about addiction. I found that when I was ready to take on my problem I had to educate myself. The key to getting well is to understanding what has and is happening to you, in my opinion (along with counseling, either pro or through other addicts, of course). Learning about the disease and how it changes your brain chemistry is important. For me, it enabled me to face that I really was addicted and stop hiding behind my physical pain, which I had embraced as a way to get more pills. I was able to overcome all that, and while I'm sure it's something I will always fight to an extent, I don't think about it everyday anymore. That's a miracle since for years all I did was think about pills, how to get more, how to stave off withdrawals, lying, sneaking, you know the drill. It's still not something I talk about to non-addicts much, but when you discuss it with one of "us" you'll be amazed at the understanding. I will check the website if that's not it, but it really is a good start. Also, let me know your city and maybe I can help. Good luck and know we are here for you!

[1fortheroad]

you mentioned how addicts can almost always relate to each other's stories.  i find it very difficult talking with people who aren't addicts.  they just don't get it, and i feel like sometimes they don't want to get it.  my husband is very supportive and will do just just about anything to help me, but this situation has been going on for awhile now and when i talk about it sometimes i see his eyes glaze over.  i think he just wants it to be over with and doesn't really understand that i'm going to have to fight this for a long time...maybe forever.

[The Golden Slipper]

To angst:

Thanks for your reply..fortunately my dose has not been 10 tablets every three hours.  It has only been 2 tablets every 3 hours for a total of 8 tablets per day.  Not that I'm making light of this I still think this is very serious and don't want to start taking anymore.  I already feel as though 2 tablets doesn't quite cut it.

I have been going to about 5 different doctors so I guess I will have to fess up to all of them to get straight.  I am not looking forward to it but really want my freedom.  I feel like a slave to these pills.

Thanks for your reply and I will keep posting. It really helps to get feedback from people who have been there.

[The Golden Slipper]

To tex3 I live in the Boston area.  I will check out the asam website and see what may be available.

Thanks for you help. I am sitting here at my desk at work feeling like a total insane person, being able to get this kind of support really helps.

[1fortheroad]

hi - i too was going to a bunch of doctors at the same time.  everything was running smoothly UNTIL my insurance company decided to send a list of all the narcotic medications i was being prescribed to each doctor that i was seeing.  fortunately for me, one of the docs was a good friend and told me about this list and who it had gone out to.  the next step would have been the authorities busting me at the pharmacy i'm sure.  i think eventually it catches up with almost everyone, and the really unlucky ones even end up in jail for it. i was lucky i stopped when i did....very lucky.  i wish the same for you.

[The Golden Slipper]

Thanks Groovy for the dose of reality.  I never even thought about being busted at the pharmacy.  Believe me that would not be fun. I can't imagine having to call my husband and tell him I had been arrested.

[MissyD]

Hi..I have a question..you two were talking about getting introuble with going to too many doctors...what can happen if you have one doctor and tons of meds...like you keep calling in for early refills at about 5 different pharmacy's.??I only ask because that is what my husband has been doing for about a year.  Will this catch up to us? What kind of repercussions can happen.  Oh God, just thought about it..there are two doctors...only used one for about 6 scrips..the other one prescribed left and right....
  I am new to the forum and if you read below in the withdrawal section(the other one:)  I am WD right now and not feeling the greatest, so my husband told me to get my butt on here and write.  so here I am:0
So let me know what you all know about getting tons of early fills and meds from 1 doc....I would love to know if I will be dealing with the repercussions of that next.
thanks.
missy

[tex3]

Missy -- First, worry about the WD and getting through that, and don't stress too much about the refills; you got them this long without repercussions. Not to make light of it because it is real and can happen. In my experience working in law enforcement, they're not out to bust you for going to docs or calling in early refills. The doctor and/or pharmacist will have a talk with you (both happened to me at various times) but the cops probably wouldn't get involved at that point. It is very difficult to prove that you "doctor shopped" and weren't just trying to get legitimate relief. If you forged a prescription, that's a different story and don't ever do it again or you will go to jail.
For now though, get clean and focus on changing your behavior. You have a long road ahead of you but it is really worth it as at the end you will have your life back and nothing could be a greater gift to yourself. Trust this from someone who's been there. Get through the detox, then deal with the addiction itself (you will have depression, lack of energy, cravings, possibly other things, but it is all transitory, although it might come back from time to time). Sometimes I think us addicts feel things more intensely then others; hence we self-medicate to numb the intensity. Just a theory. So keep in mind, if you buy into this, that when you're hit with the depression and all that it's not because you're doomed to be a miserable person. It's just part of the disease process and as they say, this too shall pass. Your neuro-transmitter are firing again and literally coming back to life; you've abused your body and mind and it takes time to heal. Don't let yourself sink into hopelessness. That's easier said than done, I know as I've recently been here. Come here for support when you get down. But don't sweat the other stuff for now.

Groovy - you are right on about the understanding. That's one reason I come here. People naturally reach out for support to like people, and I think that's never more true than with addicts, who have such a profound experience (mental, physical, spiritual). I don't have answers at this point, maybe never will. I hope my husband will at some time understand (or want to understand). How are you doing with your bup?

Golden - Did you have any luck? Are you tapering right now? Many times I went to work, and many more I skipped it, when I was WDing. It sucks. Please let me know if you couldn't find a doc. Mine is a family doctor who specializes in addiction; it is not a "board certified" specialty, but he is recognized by the ASAM. You will also find psychiatrists you specialize. Mine prescribed an at-home "cocktail" to get me through the detox; it was the same thing he had prescribed inpatient a year before, when I wasn't really ready to detox. This time it worked. Please let me know how you're doing. And take advantage of the immense experience and support to be found here. Best of luck!

[MissyD]

Thank you so much, you are right!  At this point what is the use of sweating the small stuff as I am sweating my ass off from these wd's..LOL a little humor never hurt, right?  Thank god we never forged a signature, just pushed a bit too hard at times.  I am hanging in there but I know tomorrow will be a big day...I thank you for the information, one thing at a time.  But it did make me feel better:)  I will keep posting throughout this time..and beyond.  I am going to do this.  I am.
Take Care..
Missy
ps..Tex, good for you for getting out of this mess, my hat goes off to you and all the others for challenging this horrible monster.  All of you are so right on target, having this addiction is understanding something that someone who hasent' gone though it can't understand.  Thank you for understanding me and really knowing.  That makes all the difference:)

[1fortheroad]

dr. shopping IS becoming something that law enforcement is getting involved with.  the list that i mentioned that my insurance co sent to my dr was proof that i had been doing it.  it listed every doc and prescription that i had gotten in the past year.  there were six docs i believe and each one had prescribed either vics, percs or oxy.  my doc told me that he has seen people get busted going to pick up their prescription only to find the cops waiting for them.  

also, i am a journalist and write for a big paper.  i have researched and written articles about this very thing, so i do have a clue about this subject.

i wanted to warn you because like i said, sooner or later things do catch up with you.  better to be safe than sorry.

[OxyDout]

good morning, well, for the last 2 days I have taken 9 vics so I haven't had majore issues YET, yet being the key word. Today I will take 9, but for the next 3 to 4 days I will take only 6, this is gonna hurt a little, but I can feel it, for every relapse I have had, I feel myself getting closer, and more hunger for sobriety.  By the way, the US just lost!!! (soccer) I"m so mad about that, anyway, I'm sure you all don't watch soccer....... I hope everyone is doing well.  Groovy, how have you been feeling, I noticed your post, about reducing your bup intake quite a bit, thats great!! just keep it up! Write back when you get a chance.

GWH

Skipper, hows the weather in your area.......?

[1fortheroad]

i don't usually watch soccer, however, we just signed my daughter up so i'm sure i'll be learning a lot about it this year.

what about the tapering schedule witchywoman mentioned?  i think it was go down 1 pill every 2 days or something...you could do a search on the site for it.  if you go from 9 to 6 in a day, i think you might be feeling kind of crappy. i remember ww saying that if you follow the schedule she talked about, you would only have very mild w/d symptoms.  i'd hate to have you hurting if it can be helped.

how's your girlfriend handling all this?  i hope she is supportive.  have you thought about after w/ds?  what you can do to maintain sobriety?  that's the part i have trouble with.

i'm doing ok with the bup...i can't see the day yet when i give it up entirely...i will still need something for migraines, but i don't want to be taking something on a daily basis forever.

today is my little girl's last day of kindergarten - this year flew by, and i'm looking forward to a nice summer - without pills!  that is such a relief!!

have a great weekend - check in here if you can to let us know how you are doing.  i know you don't usually post on the weekends, but maybe it will help?

[Witchywoman]

gwh, yep..my doc told me that going down by one pill, or even half a pill every two days will let you slowly withdraw with a minimal of discomfort.
Thing is, i tried that last year and had no self control. I'd do it for a few days and then say "oh **** it" and swallow a handful. lol

Some people have the discipline to taper. More power to you if you do.

The good thing about tapering, and using things like bup, is that you break the pattern of getting high. We have to stop the habit of getting high, and that is  one of the hardest parts of recovery.

We're with ya every step of the way my friend. Keep reaching for the light!

love,
WW

[OxyDout]

Thank you both for all the help.  I really appreciate it.

Groovy, My girlfriend is handling everything very well. I couldn't ask for anything more.  Like I said she has told me that if I don't try to quit then shes gone in a heartbeat, but she knows I will stumble a few times.  She knows that as long as I'm sincerely trying then she is happy with me and will continue to be.  She is truely a god send and I can't wait until we are married.  I'm just a little shy of being 23 and I plan on getting engaged with I'm almost 25.  I have a good amount of time, but we have been together for 2 yrs and I have only grown to love her more and more each day. Point being, I need to start saving money!! Which brings me to the tapering question.  I don't have the money to taper the way WW suggests.  My brother has a good amount ov hydro however, not enough........ I actually might buy some from "my guy".  He called me last night to see how I was doing and to apologize because he has not been able to get the 40mg Methadone wafers..... I told him what I was doing and that I didn't have money for all the hydro.  He said he would be willing to give me as many as I needed and I could pay him back whenever.  He also said that if I pick them up he would not even answer my calls let alone give me some more drugs........... a dealer with morals....??? kind of funny.  Anyway, tomorrow will really be the start of the taper, wish me luck!! and please post today if you can.  

GWH

[1fortheroad]

it's good to hear your gf is there for you.  what about afterward detox?  i asked you that question a couple times...are you avoiding it?!  i know it's a hard one, and you probably don't have anything in place and neither do i.  i have to think of something that will take the place of doing drugs.  when i get the urge, i need something to do with my time to take its place...i know it probably sounds weird, but i did spend a ton of time on keeping up my supply.

i thought maybe in asking you the question, it would make you think about it at least - maybe give me some ideas as well.

[The Golden Slipper]

Hello, just wanted to check in.  I can't say too much because i am at work.  Thanks to tex3 and Groovy for your advice.  I also wanted to respond back to missyd and her question about early refills.  I have always been able (with a few exceptions where the pharmacy simply told me I was calling a few days early) to get my refills.  I never gave any thought to what Groovy had said about the insurance company catching on.  Although i have never had a problem, I certainly don't want to take a chance.

As it is I have been playing with fire way too long and have been lucky to have had no repercussions (other than losing some years of my life and making my primary career the seeking of pills)  It is so insane when I think about it. What a way to live!!

I can say that and mean it intellectually and still have undesirable cravings for those pills!!  I am trying to taper down have 4 pills left with 1 refill. The urge to take them is uncontrollable totally beyond my self will.

I will try to write again.  My husband and I are leaving for a week's vacation and won't have computer access. If I don't write again before Sunday I will write as soon as I get back.

Wish me luck and thanks for being there all of you.

[OxyDout]

ha, no I didn't avoid it, I actually just forgot, the downfall to drugs........ don't remember ****!!  Anyway, I haven't given it a whole lot of thought, the only thing I depend on is watching my savings grow which can be a very powerful feeling. The other is getting in the gym and stayin in the gym, its summer time, I'm sure I can manage to stay in the gym, but I don't really have an answer, I just know I want out, but i'm not sure how to stay out once I get there, you know??  I guess its just will power, i'm assuming that once a few months pass(3 or 4) things will start to feel normal again, so I'm hoping that by that time I will have a fruitful savings account, I will be in good shape and I will be much more focused.  If you have any other suggestions please post them!! What are you up to?

GWH

[monkeyonmyback]

I want to thank everybody with your advise, I guess I will see how bad my pain is after I stopp the 7.5s to see if I really need them or not

[1fortheroad]

i'm just hanging out with my kid today - we are going out to dinner and then miniture golfing - kind of a beginning of summer/end of school celebration.  i think we might be going away this weekend - not really sure yet.  we have a summer place on a lake.

watching your savings grow can be inspiring as well as going to the gym.  i work out too, and i've been doing it every single day - keeps me out of trouble you know?  by the end of this summer, i'll probably be in the best shape ever. as long as i'm on the bup, even a very small amount, i don't seem to crave the pills at all. i do miss the haze that i lived in tho - everything seems so much clearer now...that isn't always a good thing...haha.

have yourself a good weekend...please post if you need to - i'll be checking in no matter where i am:)

[OxyDout]

sounds like your doing great, keep up the good work and the enthusiasm, it spreads quickly, it may be just what we need here.  I'm going to "Richardson's" tonight, is that where you go mini golfing?? My girlfriend loves it there, especially the ice cream!! Its on 114 in Lynnfield, anyway, have a great weekend, thanks for all the help and be sure to keep me informed. Talk to you soon.  I"m off to give my 2 wks notice at my part time job. ITS THE FIRST STEP TO SOBRIETY, knowing I won't need all the extra cash that was used for drugs!!!

GWH

[mojo489]

I have been taking propoxynp or i guess darvocets for a while (severval months)> i just stopped because i felt like i was becoming dependent on them. I only took a does of 3 at a time once a day. I stop 40 hours ago and my stomach feesl empty and my throat has swollen up and i feel nervous. Is this withdrawls?

[Witchywoman]

yep..sounds like withdrawals to me.  If you only dosed once a day, the withdrawals should not be too hard to handle and should pass sooner. Just drink lots of water, take vitamin c, and look for the detox recipe, on one of the threads in this forum. The supplements in the recipe might help you feel better faster.

Good for you for quitting and I hope you feel better soon.
Keep us posted!
love,
WW

[tce37]

HI EVERYONE,
THIS IS MY FIRST POSTING,WELL HERE IT IS,(MY STORY)
I AM A 37YR OLD MALE ADDICTED TO PAIN PILLS VICKES,OXYS,LORCET
MY WIFE GETS OXYS FOR HER BACK PAIN AND SHE GETS LORCET FROM
A DIFFERENT DOC FOR THE SAME,I GET VICKS FOR MY FAKE BACK PAIN
I HAVE BEEN TAKING THESE PILLS FOR 5YRS NON STOP EXCEPT FOR A
DAY OR SO UNTIL I COULD GET A REFILL OR CALL A DENTIST AT
NIGHT AFTER HOURS TELLING HIM HE WAS MY DENTIST AND I HAD A
TOOTH ACHE.SO I AM A LITTLE BIT AWARE OF DETOXING, BUT HOW DO
YOU REALLY QUIT THESE DRUGS I CANT EVEN START TO THINK ABOUT
LIFE WITHOUT THEM.I DONT HAVE ANY MONEY PROBLEM OR NO TROUBLE
WITH THE LAW,OR A PROBLEM TO MUCH GETTING THEM OTHER THAN I KNOW
THAT MY HEALTH IS STARTING TO FEEL IT ALOT.STOMACH PAINS,
BREATHING PROBLEM, BONES HURT AND THIS IS WITH THE PAIN MEDS
SO WITH OUT THEM OH MAN.SO IF ANYBODY OUT THERE WOULD LIKE TO
CHAT PLEASE DO NOT WAIT,OPEN FOR ANY AND ALL COMMENTS ABOUT
HOW TO START THIS HERE DETOX PLAN.THANK YOU AND WAITING.......


                FRIDAY JUNE 21-02 6:00 P.M. CST


                     THANKS AGAIN TCE37

[1fortheroad]

no way!!!!  i just got back from mini golfing at richardson's with my husband, daughter and her friend!  small world....i probably saw you.

[whitney]

I have just started to come off methadone for bering on it for a year.I was taking 35mlg for quite a while but i was detoxed very fast.I am now experiencing alot of discomfort and i wanted to know if anyone has any recommendations for me? thank you

[skipper]

whitney:
welcome to the forum. there will always be room for just one more
addict, so come on in!

first thing poke around in some of the other threads. you want to
find "thomas' recipe. get on the vitamin, amino acid, and minerals
asap. honest to god this mix actually well ake you feel 50% beter
in a weeek or too.

hey i've been an junkie for 35 years...there quite a few others at
this forum as well. you've come to the right place. keep posting
and get an angel on your shoulder


kip

[skipper]

TCE37:
hey i'm sorry it took so long for any one to get back to you. look
thru some of the other threads fo "thomas' detox." get right on
the mineral vitamenl,and amino acid supplements and get back to us.
weekends can be real slow here in the summer, but by late evening,
or monday this board is usually buzzing with knowledgeable people,
whom have been right where your at.

there is always room for just one mor addict so come on in
and keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[JSmith02]

It's gratifying to read that my recipe is still being recommended and used. I developed it with a lot of input from other people and refined it during hundreds of WD attemps from Hydrocodone over a period of 20+ years. The recipe will simply help you to 1) put time between you and your last hit, and 2) help restore the neurotransmitters that long-time narc use has depleted from your brain. #1 is critical to making even a half-assed attempt to quit, while #2 will help you overcome the daunting malaise, lack of coordination and utter lack of energy that accompanies WD from opiates.

One point I'd like to make about the original recipe: the 4,000 mg of L-Tyrosine (the crucial incrediant for restoring the dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin levels in your brain) is rather high. It's the amount I used (all at once, not several times a day as some said -- L-Tyrosine with B6 must be taken on an empty stomach to be effective). However, after additional experience of my own combined with feedback from others, I recommend that the only drugs you use during the 1st 3 or 4 days of WD are a long-acting benzo like Valium or Klonopin, ALL the Immodium it takes to stop the deydrating and weakening diareah, and, though not a drug, all the hot jacuzzis or hot baths you can stand. I say this because side effects of the L-Tyrosine include the runs and jittery nerves  -- two things you don't want during the initial stages of WD. The theme for the first few days is simply putting 3 or fours days between you and your last dose of narcs. It's during this initial period that you will feel the most temptation to just end your suffering and score. So, use as much Valium as it takes to just tranq yourself out til you can get some distance between you and that last hit. THEN, when you start feeling semi-human again, try 1000 to 1500 mg of L-Tyrosine with B6 and a big multi-vitamin containing every other mineral under the sun -- especially zinc and magnesium (you need those, too, to make the L-Tyro effective). If you can tolerate higher doses of L-Tyro, try it on a gradual scale. But the key things for those first few days are Valium, Immodium, hot soaks and lots of private time during which you don't have to function, explain yourself or service someone else's agenda. These days are for you. Screw the world. After that, use the recipe coupled with gradually intensified aerobic activity such as fast-walks, jogs, swimming (I recommend this one over all others). Good luck to all here. THOMAS

[skipper]

Thomas:

jesus, whatever stick beat you out of the "bushes!" words can not
express my delight to see you post. you probably don't remember,
but you, cindi, JB, Milo, wizard and gad i know i've left someone
out, hooked me to this forum a little over a year ago.

i've missed your careful insight. i may not always agree, but dam
i miss yourintelegent take on a wide variety of such.....

hey keep an angel on your shoulder...and please post more often!
kip

[Loser]

Greetings!  New poster here.  I have been reading your posts and ya'll are just amazing!  Jesus, I just figured out that I have been abusing drugs for more than 27 years, primarily amphetamines, but I waited until I was 30 and old enough to know there was a fatal disease associated with it, to start shooting up.  What a genius I turned out to be!

Did someone mention a 50 year old speed freak earlier?  Lord I hope that won't be me.  I managed to quit for four months two years ago after contracting a near fatal infection.  But here I am two years and two mechanical heart valves later living la vida loca.  

Is there a healthy cocktail for someone with my problem?   The new speed is made with pseudoephedrine and the withdrawal period is three weeks(instead of the three day wd of crystal meth).  That is three weeks of sleeping 22 hours a day.  
Can anyone advise me on this?  I have to get off this stuff before it kills me or sends me to jail.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[skipper]

hey you:
i refuse to refer to anyone on this forum as loser...so please
come up with a different screen name. anyhow welcome to the for-
um! there is always room for just one more addict in here, so
come on in!

in my 35+ years of drug addiction i had sweet tooth for the pow-
der of destruction (methamphetamine). of course this was when you
could still get Desoxyn in ampules (20mg/ml). so...that was many
years ago. i cured my speed problems by shooting junk and taking
lots of seconal, etc. i would not recomend that route today.
check out some of the other threads...look for thomas' detox rec-
ipe. the amino acid, mineral, and vitamin combo will do wonders
for your amphetamine rattled nervious system. i doubt you will
need any benzos to sleep, so i'ld steer clear of them. you might
also consider mega calcium supplements along with protien sup-
plemnets.

speed is an extreamly self destructive drug, and your right, you
do not want to be a 50 year old speed freak. the trouble with
speed is it takes as long as ethel alcohol to kill you. i've
know several 50+ year old speed freaks....and they were all in
real bad shape. speed is a drug for the young and foolish with
lots of health to burn...

hey get a beter screen handle, keep posting, and keep an angel
on your shoulder
kip

[angst]

Welcome to the forum.  I am on methadone for the second time.  It seems to be my only reprieve from dilaudid and all other opiates that I can shoot.  It saved my life this time.

You will have stomach ills.  You will need immodiumAD, drink plenty of gatorade to keep your sodium and potassium from depleting.  You may have cold sweats and jerks.  If you can afford to see your doctor, he can give you medication --- clonidine (to keep your BP nice and low, also helps hold in the drug, so that it does not all rush out), a long acting benzodiazapine {klonopin or valium or ativan} you have to be careful with the benzidiazapine because they are addictive, only take for a few days, and he might help with a taper.  Good luck.
You can also expect muscle spasms in your back and pain all over.
Warm to hot baths help so much.  I wish you the best.  It can be done.  I have done it before, and I lost weight, but I was also in an Narcotics Anonymous group.  You really need that support.
They will help you on your road to recovery.  Changing people, places and things is imperitive.  There is no better way than one addict helping another.  You will make it.   Ava

[JSmith02]

well, well, well, skipper ... alive and hopefully well. It's so good to talk to you again, my old and enduringly memorable friend. In fact, I only logged on to Med Help to lurk a bit. Then I saw your handle and just had to break my 'cover' and let you know that reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated. Truth be told, I'm only dead from the neck up ... some things never change -- aye, Captain?

Skip, I always loved reading your posts. You had more than the old lion's share of knowledge about the subject that brings us all here and always expressed yourself in an entertaining, articulate and persuasive way. I feel the warmth of a long-lost hand as I hold yours in mine in brotherly greeting.  

I say 'cover' because, though I still have a handle registered here for 'Thomas,' I forgot my password and, owing to a change in e-mail address, cannot get my old password from the Med Help system. (They keep trying to send the password to my defunct e-mail address and don't seem to be able to adapt to the new addy). Oh well, I guess I'll just be JSmith02 from now on.

But you know what they always say: 5 Lortab 10/500's by any other name would feel just as rockin Mmmmmm Mmmmmmmmm Gooooood. Hot damn! Just thinking of those little lovelies waiting for me in some pharmacy on the outskirts of everywhere, at the intersection of nowhere -- it just rings my bell like nothing else can.

More's the pity, I know, but how many of us really have the power to choose what we love? Me, I love Rx opiates. I mean, I really LOVE them. And I've had, actually, more than 30 years of using in which to jilt, make war upon, and, finally, accept and temper my devotion to those white, oblong tablets of orgasmic, cloud-floating joy. How does AA, NA or even Dr Steve make someone stop loving that feeling of total bliss, absolute peace and, yes, a gentle and warm affection for the world and everyone in it (with certain exceptions relating to 9-11).

Angst, I agree with your advice re WD with one exception: Ativan is not a long acting benzo. Quite the contrary. It's one of the shortest acting benzos in town - shorter, I believe, than devil drug Xanax. I recommend good and dirt-cheap ole Valium over Klonopin or Librium (another slow-acting benzo not often mentioned). Of course, Librium, being in capsule form, is not practical for tapering, if that's part of your WD technique. But I am like one of Hemingway's humble fisherman - devoutly possessed and reborn anew each morning with the same hymn in my heart, seeking life-sustaining love from Our Lady of the Blessed Opioid.

Skip, I almost forgot to mention that I started my own offshoot of Catholicism. Can you guess what my priests use to symbolize the host during communion? No breaded wafers for my brethren -- only a 40 mg Oxy tab, ceremoniously chewed to tickle the mind's holy neural tendrils -- you know the ones: those receptors that sing so movingly in the presence of divine Mother Opium's upstart synthetic children. Oh, Father Hydrocodone Hydroconus, I feel you lay hands upon me and I tremble like a bride anticipating her wedding night. Take me, fulfill me, let gladness wash over me to put an end to this long night of need. Summon the sunrise in the blessed form of a refill so that I may open my eyes to find myself lying formless and malleable in a field of Poppies, buds bent and swaying from the weight of their sweet organic love.

O, Society, ye august nation of laws, chastise me not for my tragic, unceasing love -- a love that is, and is not, and yet is.

Thomas

[skipper]

thomas:
JSmith02 such a handle. something as lonely but accesable as WS
Burroughs novel.... i can not express my delight at your posting.
perhaps we can get things BUZZING on this old forum. maybe even
cindi will come out from the rock she seems to be under. i still
get e-mail from Wizard. haven't heard from milo since last fall...
i am mostly upset with not hearing from JB. if you have his e-mail, would you rattle his cage? tell him people worry, and will take him in any codition he comes in.....

in this church of yours....do the priest get to chomp on the body
too. if so, man i want to be a bishop....

still trying to strike a ballence...dope/pain relif/marrage/ad-
diction, normal life (good one huh?), and maybe some poetry. ah
well. oh by the way...remodeled bathroom and put in a "spa-tub,"
just for the comfort of this old junky's bones....and you gave me
the idea. every time i think of using it, i say to myself, "i'm
going to Thomas falls...so ya got immortal (or your name), i named my bathtub after you. this is a distinction no else on this forum will ever be able to claim!

time for work
keep an angel on your shoulder (somnus won't care--he's on the
nod) kip

[Loser]

Thanks for the reply.  You are right about my screen name.  It is a loser!  I will change it as soon as I can figure t how.

I'm am glad to meet a kindred spirit.  I have pretty much stayed away from pain killers and other downers.  I have always said because I dislike not beinr in control.  Ha, as if I were in control with the speed!  I have talked to people who kicked heroin addition with speed but not the other way round.  Thanks for not recommending it for others.

I will find the recipe and try purchasing the ingredients tomorrow.  I don't think Whole Foods stays open 24 hours so I will try to get out of bed tomorrow.  

Good luck with your demons and I look forward to meeting that angel soon.

Peace,

TOFKAL (The One Formerly Known As Loser)

[1fortheroad]

that's a much better name (i think).  i hope you're feeling better...

[skipper]

hey:
yeah get to the vitamin place (gnc or what ever) get on the supplements asap. how are you doing? by that i mean are you still shooting yourself to pieces witn crank, or have you been abstenent? the sooner off crystal speed the beter. and believe me you will feel beter after a week or two off. ya' know i really gave speed the old junky go of it and came up a loser every time i went around with it. this is one drug should never be legal! the best suggestion i have for you is the recipe, lots of meat to eat (carnivore), and sleep. get yourself somewhere you can crash for 18-30 hours, somewhere where some one will keep an eye on you too. coming off even 2 days of speed is awful goddam unpleasent, in fact that's how i became a junky! the good news is most folks come off more or less completly in 2-3 weeks. i believe the best  thing to have around you at this point, is someone who loves you enough to stand by you. if you don't have that it will be more difficut, but do-able.

i just can't stress enough, speeed is for foolish kids! kids with
all kinds of good health and happiness to burn....please keep
posting

and keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[jennyfla]

Just wanted to shout out and tell everyone that i miss you all lately.
I'm still hanging in there, always wanted to 'stop', and just not doing what it takes.
I've had many many stresses lately (what's new), and i am also getting sicker and sicker of these pills (good thing).
My husband broke his arm in 5 places back 2 1/2 weeks ago, so it's been very stressful lately, not to mention his pain.  He has a kingsize tolerance, and feels every bit of the pain, even with meds.
I'm getting ready to leave on a business trip tomorrow morning for three days.  I'm taking my youngest to my parents' house (close to the meeting), and leaving the other two behind with my crippled husband.  The stress is incredible.
I'm trying to gain some weight, i'm very low and worried about that, can't seem to gain.
Anyway, i was reading through some of your posts, and it made me remember just how wonderful you all are!!!!
Hope to post a lot soon, hopefully with some good news of quitting for good this time.
Hang in there!
Lv Jenny

[JemDiamond]

Hi~this is my first time looking at this site, and I'm not absolutely sure what it is, but it might just be what I need. I have been addicted to Fioricet for many years, and I desperately want to get off and stay off it. I go through withdrawels about once or twice a month, whenever I run out, and I am just finishing up a bout of throwing up for 2 days even as I write this. The pain in my head is pretty bad, which is why I was taking the Fioricet in the first place, but I've decided I just can't live my life like this--secretly addicted, no one knowing about it, suffering through withdrawel symptoms all alone and then just bouncing right back to it as soon as I can get a refill...if anyone can relate, or offer some advice (what is this "recipe" thing I keep reading about?), or just some encouragement, it would be really appreciated! I'm past the worst of the symptoms this time, and I really feel motivated to kick it for good. Although it sounds like an oxymoron, throwing up really sucks!

[tex3]

Hi and welcome. Many here, myself included, can relate. I withdrew twice a month like clockwork until I started getting shorter scripts. It sucks. Are you ready to do it for good? Because it gets worse each time so if you keep it up you'll be in for hell. It's no fun being an addict, the pill-seeking, all-consuming need. How much are you taking? Hang in there and post under the newest topic to get more replies, but know we're all here for you and nothing you've done hasn't been done already, so don't be ashamed. Let us know how you're feeling.
tracy

[slickrock]

hang in there.  YOU CAN DO IT.  DON'T WORRY.  THIS TO SHALL PASS AND YOU WILL HAVE YOUR CHANCE TO QUIT.  NOTHING MATTERS MORE

[marsmom]

I've been reading this forum for over a month and I am so impressed with all the candid and 'real' life experiences.

My son has been using Oxy for over a year and we only recently found out what it was. We knew that he wasn't himself. He and his girlfriend have been in extreme fights that we thought were caused by alcohol abuse. It turns out she also was on OXY and the fights were always about money. Their relationship is trashed as far as I can tell. There seems to be a codependency on both their parts.

He is 22 and lives at home and recently got a good job. He has incurred many bills and is trying to pay them off. When all this came out about the Oxy and how much he and his girlf. spent, we realized how addicted he was.

Because of the excessive fighting, filthy language and late hours, cooking everthing in sight, leaving food, dishes, utensil filthy when they come in and complete disregard for the rest of our family, who is usually sleeping. We have given him an ultimatum. He was to either go to a rehab or try to withdraw himself. He tried it himself and has failed. We are now giving him one day to 'decide' whether he wants to live here (free), stay away from girlf., and go to a rehab or leave our home. We have other children (a 14 yr. old, a 20 yr. old and a grandchild on the way.) His bills are enormous and he really has no money because of this addiction.

We have tried to help him out financially, but we are also tapped out.

In all your experience, have we given him the right choices? Watching our vibrant son nodding off is heartbreaking. We love him and want him with us, but not at the expense of our whole family disrupted on a daily basis.

We never know what or 'who' we will be dealing with from day to day.

Please help, you all are a blessing and this forum has informed me more than any doctor or rehab facility I've talked to.

Thank you.

[marsmom]

I've been reading this forum for over a month and I am so impressed with all the candid and 'real' life experiences.

My son has been using Oxy for over a year and we only recently found out what it was. We knew that he wasn't himself. He and his girlfriend have been in extreme fights that we thought were caused by alcohol abuse. It turns out she also was on OXY and the fights were always about money. Their relationship is trashed as far as I can tell. There seems to be a codependency on both their parts.

He is 22 and lives at home and recently got a good job. He has incurred many bills and is trying to pay them off. When all this came out about the Oxy and how much he and his girlf. spent, we realized how addicted he was.

Because of the excessive fighting, filthy language and late hours, cooking everthing in sight, leaving food, dishes, utensil filthy when they come in and complete disregard for the rest of our family, who is usually sleeping. We have given him an ultimatum. He was to either go to a rehab or try to withdraw himself. He tried it himself and has failed. We are now giving him one day to 'decide' whether he wants to live here (free), stay away from girlf., and go to a rehab or leave our home. We have other children (a 14 yr. old, a 20 yr. old and a grandchild on the way.) His bills are enormous and he really has no money because of this addiction.

We have tried to help him out financially, but we are also tapped out.

In all your experience, have we given him the right choices? Watching our vibrant son nodding off is heartbreaking. We love him and want him with us, but not at the expense of our whole family disrupted on a daily basis.

It is really hard for me to use 'tough love'. We never know what or 'who' we will be dealing with from day to day.

Please help, you all are a blessing and this forum has informed me more than any doctor or rehab facility I've talked to.

Thank you.

[tex3]

Hi and welcome. My husband told me he also never knew which of me he'd be dealing with daily. I got very defensive until I was ready to listen. But the disapproval of my family was a factor, though not the only one, in my quitting.
My opinion is you've done what you can and any more would be enabling him. I went to my mother for a week when I detoxed, but only after the worst was over. She helped me get my strength back.
I know you love your son and want him back. Oxy is a nightmare. If his gf is still using and not willing to quit, he needs to be away from her or he could easily fall back into using. He has to want to quit, though. It might take living on his own and being miserable to make him want it.
If you can get him into rehab, that is your best bet. Maybe inside he will gain some perspective and want to quit, if he doesn't already. The key is that he has to want it. You do have the rest of your family to consider, so don't feel guilty. This is his choice. I sympathize with him, too, because obviously I know what it's like in the midst of addiction. But don't make it easy on him or he has no reason to want to quit. Tell him to try rehab and see what life is like sober. If he gives it a real shot, I promise he'll see it's a much happier life.
He might have to hit bottom to get back up, and kicking him out might be what it takes. Best of luck and keep us updated. Post on one of the newest messages too, and you'll probably get more replies.
tracy

[marsmom]

Thank you so much for your reply.  Your advice is what has been in my heart all along and I think I just needed to hear from someone who's been there!  I am seeking and really finding.  Thank God for people like you who care enough to answer people like me.

We have had a very full weekend with a family reunion and houseguests in from out of town..... so we haven't been able to bring this all up.  Tomorrow or Tues. we'll have the conversation with him again.

When we have this discussion, usually it ends up with him just walking out or accusing us of not supporting him enough financially and not liking his gf.  (she has been like a daughter to us for over 4 yrs....until this last year when drugs took over both of them.  She also has left her home and lives with a friend.  They juggle between here and there, although we don't allow her to stay here overnight...., they really push us on that one...causing many altercations between us and them.

fyi....Girlfriend was off oc's for 3 weeks, him 2, but I think they both went back on together.  They haven't been fighting much.  I think they came to an agreement about $$.  I'm betting the truce will be short term until they are both 'clean'.  I can only pray about the 'relationship' between them.    I can only tell him he has to go until he is clean.


God Bless and I will keep you posted.

[JSmith02]

Greatings WW,

'Something about you just livens up these threads ... good to find your handle at the ole med help watering hole.

re: tapering and the recipe, first, tapering? Ya Shore? May Mrs. Olsen pour you another cup of Folger's coffee?

That said, detoxing and using the recipe, I recommend using just the benzos, Immodium, Clonidine if ya got it, and lots of hot soaks for the first 3 days or so. Then kick in the aminos as you build yourself back up with cool stuff like swimming, biking or hiking. That's when you can really use the boost from the L-Tyrosine. I've disovered that taking a lot of L-Tyro at a desk job usually causes tight neck and shoulders, leading to prize-winning headaces (still waitng for my prize -- it seems to be lost in the mail).

Also, while a 4000mg dose worked to kick start me after a long, long period of using, I hope people try more conventional doses first, lie 1500mg wiht B6 fist thing upon rising, followed after breakfast with an all-in-one mineral suppement with lots of zinc and mag.

But, then, you know this stuff -- just taking advantage of your on-line visibility .... Cheers.

Thomas

[MoparGirl]

Well hello all.  I know that I am going to sound like the same thing you have been reading here. However, you guys are about my last hope.
     I have been taking Hydrocodone 10/660's for 4 years.  I take 7 pills in a 24 hour period (Where I sleep about 12).  Obviously this had become a serious problem. I have either tried to or been forced to quit due to outage, and NEVER made it past 3 hours without them until about 3 months ago.  I ran out, and I tried everyplace I knew to get them to no avail.. Finally, after countless hours spent in ER's across 5 towns... I gave up.  I quit cold turkey.  It was absolute HELL for about a week and a half... then, after that the symptoms only seems to subside enough to be able not to cry in pain.  Then, I fell into a BAD depression.  I did not want to kill myself, but prayed that I would die, which is NOT me.  I remember the life I had before this.  I was the bubbly life of the party.  I have robbed myself of my own life.  Well, anyway, FINALLY, one day I woke up and I sat straight up in bed to get up. I was smiling and I SWEAR I had a buzz...lol Like it used to give me. I felt good, I had beaten IT!! My house was being cleaned spotless everyday again, my sleeppattern was normal, and I was singing again. Ah, and memories were flooding back ( I totally had blocked most of 4 years OUT.)  We moved back to the town I loved, my marriage became wonderful again ( Shh, don;t you tell him I admitted it was  my bad!! lol.)  Then, one day I told my friend that I had a headache (sinus), she said: hey I got some pain medicine stuff here If you need some..."  My ears perked up like a doberman on a bone...I said oh YES!! I will be right over. Well I'll be damned if that bottle of liquid hydrocodone didn't turn into 4 more prescriptions...It started the whole damn thing again. I began to feel sick as I did while on the meds.  Don't get me wrong. I felt GOOD on them, but always had a cold, or my chest hurt (it slows down your respiration, bowels, blah blah.)So, here I am again, OUT of the thing that makes me me... I can't be me without it. I don't want it any freaking MORE!!!!! But, I feel even while writing this post that I am craving so bad I would give anything to have 1 danged hydrocodone. Just 1.  But as you all know, 1 is NEVER enough..... How can I beat this thing and take back my life? How can I finally be able to say NO to a Dr. or a friend who offers me pain meds? I am absolutely addicted.  I truthfully do not know if I can make it through what I made it through last time.  I spent 3 nights on the phone with drug councelors- crying, pleading with them to help me.sleeping in the hot bath tub because that is the ONLY time I did not hurt, and I mean hurt BAD.  Please forgive the language here I use and the probable fragments, and interrupted thought patterns, but I can barely think at all. My mind is going nuts  just trying to cope.  That damn stuff steals your life and replaces you with a desgusting, pethetic, lying junkie! I don't want this for my life anymore.  Someone please help me to help me.... Love,  Shaianne

[MoparGirl]

I am sorry, I'm shaianne and I would Love it if someone would email me their reply as well.... ty I may not be able to find my way back here.... ty all  shaianne

[tex3]

Mopar - first, I'm sorry if you didn't get other responses, and hope you're still around. Most people check the posts at the top of the page, and this one was far down, but I happened to be reading.
You've discovered the demon of recovery, and that is relapse. It hits the best of us. The thing to do now is keep in mind how good you felt OFF the drugs and learn to say no next time, even if you have to trick yourself. Tell yourself "I won't take it today, but if I really need it tomorrow will rethink it then." Let that turn into another day, then another, until you can resist fully. One won't be enough.
The other thing, and this is what I did, is tell your doctors about your addiction. Do this when you're feeling strong. Remove temptation.
I hope you're feeling better. I would email you, but you didn't include your address. Hang in there and post again.
tracy

Marsmom - I'm sorry I didn't read this sooner. I hope your son is doing well, and that you've found some peace! Addiction takes a toll on the whole family. I'm ashamed to say it did with me. This is typical. Please let us know how things are going. You can post to one of the most recent topics at the top of the page. Hang in there, things will get better. Update us please.
tracy

[ultragirl]

H - I'm new to the forum and so relieved I found you - here's my story.....right now I'm taking of all things Ultram for my recreation.  Unfortunately, I found this on the net and found the cheapest site available.  I'm up sto 20 pills a day but supposedly, Ultram is NOT an addictive drug....wrong.  I tried a couple of weeks ago since I had run out of pills and money - I had terrible sweats, cough and overall just felt crummy.  So, back to the net to order using credit card that was already maxed out.  I've been doing this since March and it's time to stop.
Help!  Is anyone else out there familar with this drug?  I've written down the recipe, have about 100 pills left and am ready to stop.

[GOD]

Yes -- I KNOW about Ultram... About 30-50 pills a day for me until I quit.

So, you say you get them on the Net for real cheap? Probably the same site I did for $150.00 for a Bottle of 100. Right? It sounds cheap, but when you're doing as much as you or I, it isn't. My advise is going COLD TURKEY. just quit, and you willl feel AWFUL the first 3 days, but after 7-10 days pass, You will be completely normal again. BUT< if you go "Clean" for 2-3 days, then just take a few, you will have to go through the withdrawels AGAIN, and this time they are WORSE!

I really wish you luck, and my thoughts are with you...
Jess

[angieli123]

With each passing moment I get madder & madder I had 9yrs clean time as everyone knows its not always easy.I worked hard a lot of meetings cring etc .....But I dam proud of my time even when my life was at the lowest point, My olde3st daughter passed away. I didn't go out and start using again.
I have a real pain issue and as most of you know I got ultram "THE NON ADDICTIVE" drug for pain.
The kick is HELL!!!!! and i didn't even get a buzz(that really sucks :)   I am interested in the class action suit against the co. does anyone have any info about it?? Thanks 'Thank God for this forum".

[ultragirl]

Jessy-thanks for the input-sounds like you've been there.  What do I do for those 3 days?  I work at home so that's ok but how will I hide this from my husband?  I'm too embarassed to tell him.  What did you do?  Did you taper?  Help!  I really am tired of this being out of control!!

[GOD]

Here's what you do, and it's probably the BEST way to do it.

Just STOP taking the Ultram -- COLD TURKEY -- Tapering will only PROLONG your withdrawel pains. When you decide the day you will quit, and you do not want others (like your husband) to know, just make the remark that you are "Probably coming down with something" [Like the Flu, for instance]

You are going to feel like it's the worst Flu you've ever had, and you'll have the symptoms to go along with your "Story"...

In my opinion, it is better to be honest with your loved ones, but if you HAVE to keep it a secret, "Illness" is the best way to go.

After you've lived through those first few days, it is just a matter of NOT taking that next pill, and finding a hobby or SOMETHING to occupy the time you used to spend figuring out HOW to get your next fix.

I have faith in you! I did it, and therefore YOU can do it!
This is coming from someone who not only abused drugs, but was ALSO a Major drinker (1.75 liters of vodka or Gin per day!)

I am clean today because I am following a 12 step program: AA/NA meetings. They may or may not work for you, BUT, it doesn't hurt to try going to a couple of meetings. It's not what you may think - Yuck! A bunch of smelly Skid-row bums... Actually, the people there are usually quite happy, and are people just like you and I. You may even see your DOCTOR or your LAWYER there!

Good luck!
Jess

[Cassie33]

Hi To All:

I was reading all the stories and it was amazing how all of us have so much in commom with "drugs of choice". I was on perocet since 1999. I felt myself getting crazy over them. I went to the doctor which seemed like every week for more.  I think its also the Doctors that are enabling us to keep getting perscriptions.  I have been clean for 6 days now and yes the WD were horrible.  But there is happiness at the end of that tunnel.  I feel so much better, and to each one of you that feel your not cabable of kicking the habit......you can do it...I was taking 60 in a week and making excuses to get more.... like my purse was stolen.....vaction for a month the list goes on and on.......finally I knew I didnt want this for the rest of my life. And I flushed 20 pills and quit....YES, IT WAS HARD.......no doubt but once the WD are over....( which took about 4 days) you have a whole new life ahead of you without all the lies.  My grandfather before he died left me with one statement " We all are only remebered for 2 things........the problems we solve or the ones we create". how true that really is.  I feel that all of us have had regrets and we need to build bridges instead of walls........good luck to all

[Titus Kanbi]

Hello Everyone, I'm a first timer here but, unfortunately not in my quest for soberiety. This is day 2 without and I'm ready to pull my hair out. My DOC is / was Glass. I've heard that addiction to amphetamines is strictly mental, I strongly beg to differ. It feels like my body wants it, I get these wierd little tremmors about every 15 min. to a 1/2 hour. it's like a little reminder my body sends my brain that it needs / wants too.
       Anyway, anyony have an idea how long this last ? Oh yeah, the restlesness to, it's driving me nuts. Oh so hard to keep my focus on anything. This has got to get better soon.

Thanks, Tk

[somafreak]

Does anyone know if there are withrawls from soma? I know when I don't have them I go through anxiety like crazy. Are they addicting?