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Withdrawel's from pain medications

by Dangel47, Sep 23, 2001 12:00AM
I have been reading your stories on this website for several days. I was interested in finding out more information on been hooked on pain medications. I discovered I am a drug addict.  Please don't laugh. This website has been most informative. I have been taking loritabs on and off for years. I started taking them when I was at my mothers house for headaches. She'd give them to me freely. She was on 10's for back pain and the doctor would give her as many as she wanted. She would give me several and I would take 2 to 3 at a time. I started taking them from her purse and from other peoples houses for years. I felt very bad and could not understand why I was doing this because it would make me feel awful (because I knew it was wrong) but great phsically. I hated myself for doing these things but would you believe I felt like I could not stop?  I have tried to stop but can't.  I need help but I don't want no-one to know about these things. Recently my husband had a shoulder injury and went into the hospital for an operation and I have taken several of his capsules for pain. He does not need them no more but I am continuously calling his doctor for refills and I am afraid. I am really hooked on these things now because its been 4 months and I have been taken them everyday at least 4 to 6 times (7.5's).  I need help. What do I do? I can not stop. I need help>please. I only have 6 left. Thankyou for listening.....
Member Comments (66)

by cindi, Sep 23, 2001 12:00AM
To: JWD's Angel
hi,,you have come to the right place and you will get alot of support and advice here......from what I can tell you are not taking an astronomical amount but it will escalate over time..while you can do it do you think you can taper off the drugs  slowly wean yourself off so you won't experience alot of the withdrawals?  or would you prefer Thomas's detox recipe?  there is also inpatient treatment,outpatient treatment...maybe you can get involved in a 12 step recovery program...there are alot of options but the key to it all is desire and willingness which I sense you already have...since you have admitted you are an addict....a difficult thing to do....hang in there and keep coming here.....love to all             cin

by katie r, Sep 23, 2001 12:00AM
Today has been a bad day. I ran out of pills.....I'm so depressed and have a yucky feeling. I knew this was coming. All I want to do is crawl into bed and hope I can sleep.
Hope everyone else is having a better day than I......that wouldn't be hard to beat at this point.
Then my ex picks today of all days to show up and act like a jackass. Geeeeeeeeeeeze.

by Dangel47, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
Thankyou for posting on my subject.......I am still new at this. I do not know if I want to tell anyone else about my secret. Is that not strange? I can tell complete strangers about this mess and not my loved-ones. If they knew I would be an absolute failure in their eyes. My doctor may not understand. I know my husband would not. He makes fun of me on my anti-depressent's that I'm on for now anyhow......let alone the idea of being hooked on his tabs........one day I will tell all but not right now.....................

by Shea, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
Hi all

Don't mean to break the thread here but I have a question. I posted a question 9/17 under Vicoden Cravings. I noticed today that Dr. Steve replied 9/23. Could someone please look at this. Is this reply to me? Because if so could someone tell me HOW THE HELL I STOPPED EARLY IN THE ADDICTION PROCESS WHEN I HAVE BEEN ADDICTED FOR 22 YEARS. I mean no disrespect Dr. Steve but I think I was way past early on anything, except my refills sir.

Shea

by Shea, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: katie r
Hi Katie

Just want you to know I am thinking of you today. Just remember at least you know what to expect and hopefully you know the worse will be over in 2-3 days. You are in my thoughts and prayers as I know this is a tough time. Remember how many people are here for you. Are you using Thomas's recipe and/or 5htp? Do you have valium or clonidine? You will get through this. Keep us posted.

Shea

by katie r, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: JWDsangel47
Hi.....I was (still am) doing the same thing as you. Calling in refills for someone else in my family and then taking them myself. This came back to bite me in the butt one day...my husband had been getting refills (without his knowledge) for quite awhile. Then there came a time when he really needed something for pain. To make a long story short....he was in pain...the doctor wouldn't call anything in because he thought he had plenty....and I was caught with my hand in the cookie jar. But this didn't stop me from doing it again.
If there is anyway you can stop now, DO IT before this train gets out of control.
This forum is a good place to come...lots of support here.

by katie r, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: shea
Hi. I went back and read the doctors post to you. Obviously he has a generic answer for every question. I think on yours he thought you said you had been using for 5 weeks instead of clean for 5 weeks. Aren't you glad he puts so much effort into these answers! Now, I am interested in your story! How did you get clean??? I'm sure you have posted your story...I should go back and read some old posts. Did you use thomas's recipe? I started on that today. The only thing I don't have is valium, but I have some Soma and I have access to ativan and xanax. After reading this forum, using ativan or xanax scares me...but I know when the full impact of withdrawals hits me, I'll be desperate.

by Witchywoman, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
Hi everyone,
Well, I had a hell of a day yesterday. While trying to get the phone quickly, I bashed my head into an open cabinet. This knocked me off balance, sending me crashing onto the floor, right on my two lower discs, where I had the surgery. Oi!
It hurt. A lot.  I forgot what real, crying out loud screaming pain felt like.  I called my doc and he said to wait to see how I felt in the morning, if it was still really hurting I'd get it xrayed, and he told me to take a pain pill to get the inflamation (inflammation) and pain down faster, so we'd know sooner if I'd done any serious damage.

I debated for over an hour, then decided it was ridiculous of me to sit in extreme pain. I am not a martyr. So, I asked my husband to hold the pill bottle after I took the dose, and to question me severely if I asked for more later that night or today.
I was really nervous, and felt horrible about it.  But, pain is pain and this was serious.  I didn't really take enough to completely dull the pain, but it did help a little. The funny thing is, that I really hated how the vic made me feel. I couldn't believe it.  After the initial rush, that lasted all of half an hour, I just felt like ****. Nauseous, drained, not my own vibrant energy that I'd gotten used to having back.  It left me with a little headache as well. Yuck.

I thought it would trigger a desire to use more, but it seems to have only reinforced my desire to not take it at all.  I'm very thankfull for that..I was so scared it would make me want to go right back into addiction hell.  I value the clarity of mind and increased energy that being clean has brought me, and I don't want to loose that ever again.

I felt I needed to tell you guys what happened, mostly to keep myself totally honest. This is the one place where I get to be completely honest, and it would have felt wrong to not tell you guys this.

thanks for listening.
love,
WW

by jennyfla, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: WW
Hi Girl!
Gosh, i'm sorry about your head and your back, i hate when i do things like that!!!!!
I'm glad it worked out the way it did for you though.  I'll tell you a story...
Last year in September, i had to go away to california for a work sales meetings.  I had been taking oxys, but only very small amounts at that time.  My husband told me over and over to make sure i brought some with me 'just in case' i went into withdrawal.  I brought them, but refused to take anything.  I went to my parents house the first 6 days or so, i had to drop my kids off with them in NJ before heading to CA.  The first night at my parents' house, i woke with the creepy crawling feelings, and had insomnia.  I felt fine when i woke up but continued to be a little on the tired side for the next couple days.  By the time i flew out to CA, i felt great.  I was there for 3 days.  On the last night before dinner, i decided to 'party' alittle and i cut a 20mg oxy and ate about 1/3 of it... man oh man did i ever feel like ****.  I hated the feelings, i felt so sick, plus one of my co-workers told me i really really looked tired almost sick.  I realized that being away from them for almost 10 days, i really actually hated the feelings.  Unfortuately, when i returned back home to FL around 'them' all the time again, i fell right back into it!  :(
Stay strong, and almost 'remember' the yucky feeling!!!!
Good luck girl!!
Lv Jenny

by jenifer, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas-Everyone-HELP
Thomas ,I finally got the courage to post my story,only after about an hour of wroting and posting it 2 ,the next morning it was gone?I know it posted cause I re read it afterwards!Any clue?I had a  horible weekened and seems to be getting worse !I remember you posting that I'd aways have a freind here ,so that's where I turned!I'm at my wits end with this addiction and no support because no one has a clue!Please help if you can!Thanks in advance!Don't want to go into my story till I hear from you!

by katie r, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
Is there life after opiates? I never even got out of my pj's today......haven't combed my hair....
I know the physical part of this will pass....but what about the mental? That's the part I can never get past.
I think getting divorced, going thru menapause and having to worry about going back to a job you hate and having money problems is way too much for a person to handle. I NEED MY LORTAB BACK...NOW!
Well, back to the couch to wallow in misery.

by Witchywoman, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: Jennfla,katier,Jenifer
Thanks for that story Jenny..hey, its really good to see you back on the forum! How are things going?

Jenifer, for some reason, posts do disappear sometimes, I'm not sure why.  Maybe there is some censorship, but I don't think so. Try making your post again. You will always have friends here Jenifer..we all care.

Katie...I don't know what to say..I think that in order to face life after opiates, to deal with the mental part, it helps to have a ton of support. What works for one person won't work for another..but, what keeps me clean is: my spiritual connection (ie, my higher power), this forum, my therapist . In that order.

I do think there is life after opiates. Happier, healthier life. Just never give up hope, no matter what, and keep doing what ever you need to do to take really good care of yourself. That may sound trite, but it is not as easy as it sounds.  

love,
WW

ps  I'm leaving tomorrow for a week, so I won't be on the forum for a while. I'll probably get another chance to post tomorrow before I go though.

by Frank Lee, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: WWoman
WW

Have a great trip, I would say break a leg but...

I responded (in depth) to your post in the Xanax thread. Nice of you to inquire into my health - I'm working on it.

Frank Lee

by susanlea, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: WW
I am sorry to hear that you got hurt.  Remember...Quality of Life.   No one should have to live with pain.  You are doing the right thing here.  If you can't trust yourself, intrust the meds to your husband.  Please, please, don't make yourself suffer.  Chemically dependent and addiction are not the same thing.  I know we can all start out the former, and end up the latter.  I watch myself everyday, assess the pain level and take it from there.  I don't consider myself an addict, but do need the meds, to walk, move, function, work and be a full time mom.  I never, ever exceed my dose.  Like you, just one is enough to turn my stomach at times.  But I will not suffer.  Neither should you.  I 'm not saying anyone should numb themselves, a little pain keeps us human.  Everyone needs you here, and we don't want to see you hurting.  I wish you a great trip!  And ease up on yourself alittle.....we will miss you.  Love  Susan

by Witchywoman, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: Lea
Thank you for those words Lea, they are very comforting.

Fortunately, today the pain was not unmanageable, so I did not take any meds other than ibuprofen for it.

It's wierd....I hate being an addict. I hate that I sat there and obsessed for an hour over whether to take a pain killer or not when I hurt myself yesterday. Any normal person could just take it and not have it have potentially damaging consequences.

At least this is showing me how precious my recovery is to me.  Just a few months ago, I never thought I'd want to, never mind be able to, get off the meds.  Now, I dread getting caught up in that cycle again.  

I want to get to the point where the meds are just not an issue anymore!

You folks are such a godsend. Thank you for being there, and accepting my ramblings and my confusion.  

lots of love,
WW

by Witchywoman, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: Frank
Hi Frank,
I looked for your post to me in the Xanax thread, but didn't see it. Maybe it got deleted? Seems a few posts here and there are getting deleted again. I'm worried about why that happens.  I know our new posted Jenifer wrote her history and reached out to Thomas, but her post was deleted.

Take care Frank, you are an inspiration to me.  :-)

love,
WW

by Thomas, Sep 24, 2001 12:00AM
To: Jenifer
screw these censors if that's what they're up to (and I apoligise if they aren't).

write me at

***@****.

The only dot is in "dot-com". I'll look for it tonight. You must know, Jenifer, that I'm your friend for life. We've never met yet we've been through "the war" together more times than I can count. And you've always been there for me. I will answer with whatever help I can. I only hope it's enough.

Love,

Thomas

by Frank Lee, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: W Woman
You're right, gone. I thought the thread was a success story. I don't have time to write the whole damn thing again, but I am at a loss as to why that post would have been deleted. Anyway, I just post again when I get further along - you and the rest of the folks here continue to be an inspiration. Damn the censortorpedos.

F> LEE

by jennyfla, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: ALL
I'm just boiling mad!!!
This 21-year old girl that i had mentioned earlier, was at my house while i was at disney world with my family two-weeks ago.
Seems my husband went to pick her up (with my car), and take her to buy drugs, then go back to MY house and shoot up and then talk for 40-minutes about all his sorrows and woos about his relationship with me!!!
I noticed a definate change in the way he was treating me, he was being so critical and nasty with me like he had some power behind him.  I started getting suspicious and that's when i searched his cell phone and found her number all over it.  Then i asked if he had gotten together with her at all while i was out of town, he admitted to it.
What the hell does some 21-year old junkie, who lives with her parents, who can't even take care of her child, who only knows how to strip for a liviing, know about life and relationships anyway.  All she is doing is feeding into my husband's illness and self-pity by agreeing with him and listening to his complaints about life.  He needs to be talking to a counselor, or someone who knows us both at least.  He won't do that, because they always side with me because they know how he 'really' is!!!!!
I've put a stop to the little friendship as far as i can tell!  There will be hell to pay if i find out otherwise!!!!
I get *ucked with, it's not a pretty site, never ever get my Italian up!!!!!
This isn't helping my problems right now, and all i want to do is get high when i get upset like this, i'm furious!!!!!
Any opinions, am i nuts??
Love Jenny

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: Jennyfla
I'm so sorry to hear about your current state of affairs!  I don't know whether you're nuts or not but I do know how I would feel in your shoes...nuts.  It's a state of mind, not a permanent condition unless you want it to be.

I remember several weeks ago you were so concerned about how to act when your husband got out of drug rehab.  You wanted to be straight for his homecoming,etc.  He has betrayed you in so many ways that I am surprised you are still associating with him on any level.  However, I am not surprised that the human addict in you craves the relief that only one thing can give you.  Remember, this is a short lived solution to a long term problem of betrayal and anguish.  You deserve much better than that!

Maybe the answer is in staying clean and making a success out of your life.  In the end, it would be sweet revenge in knowing that you are rising higher as he falls lower into the abyss of addiction and depravity. Please take care of yourself and pray for answers...they will come soon!  J.B.

by Gina, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: Witchywoman
Your post about hating the way the pain pill made you feel reminded me of a time a while ago when the same thing happen to me. Unfortunately, I ended up using again, but it was nice to be reminded that I too, did enjoy life again when I was clean. You mentioned your increased energy and clear thinking. It is so nice to hear something positive about the other side of addiction--the clean side!! Please keep posting about how good it feels to be clean, I think a lot of us need to hear that. Sorry about your accident, but some things happen for a reason and if it is to reaffirm your sobriety then that is worth any price. (Sure---easy for me to say as I sit here pain free). Your post really gave me the uplift I was searching for today. So, for that witchywoman, I thank you!!!!!!

by jennyfla, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
Thanks for listening JB!
I know i must sound like a real idiot, but when a person has been with a person for over 20 years (more than 1/2 my life), he's really all i know.
He says it was all innocent, she was just someone who listened to him because he has no other friends.  She still isn't the kind of person he needs to be talking to for advice.
As if our lives are full of enough problems with these drugs, he needs to complicate it further and cause more pain.
There are no easy answers, and i really don't know how to handle it exactly!  I've made my concerns and my feelings clear to him, he will no longer communicate with this girl, he just needs to find other types of 'friends' to talk to if he needs to vent; she is NOT appropriate!!!!
Her boyfriend or guyfriend (whatever) is in jail right now, so i just wrote him a letter filling him in on what's been going on.  He's an acquaintance of ours, and asked that we stay in contact with the 'girlfriend' while he was gone because she was going through a 'hardtime'!  Well i made an attempt, and she screwed that up royalily as far as i'm concerned, so she best keep away or else i'm gonna have to roll up my sleeves!!!!!  I may be small, but i'm fiesty!!!!!
Thanks again!
Lv Jenny

by cindi, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: Jenny
Man,,,,,,you've got your hands full....first of all I am too much like you,,the Italian Temper.....don't even get me started....to be honest with you.....i don't know what I'd do in this situation....20 years is a long time....I am curious as to what every one else tells you...I am sorry to hear what you are going through....I would never ever stand for it and believe you and me my husband is well aware of what would happen in a situation like that and it would'nt be pretty.....you need alot of prayers and you have them from me....because I am truly at a loss for any other words......my stomach is getting nauseaous just thinking about it......hang in there love cin

by SHOTSY, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: jennyfla
Why don't you tell your husband to not let the door hit him where the good lord split him.Sounds like your directing your anger at the girl to avoid dealing with your husband. As you stated she doesn't have alot of life experience but he has. He's the one causing you pain, realize you have the POWER!! Remember it's your attitude, not aptitube, that determimes your altitude in life. Hang in there, I'm here for you!         Shotsy

by Thomas, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
How are you, my dear friend? How is Marty? Your responses of late are typically you, concerned about another's troubles but saying nothing about yours. I truly hope you're recovering. I know you were very sick recently.

your friend,

Thomas

by jenifer, Sep 25, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas
Thank you so much for  your response and the e mail-I am going through some terrible things right now and your post gave me a little light !I need time to wite to tell all!Tomarrow after the kids get off to school I will sit and write!You are truly a godsend!Love and prayers,
         Jenifer

by katie r, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: jennyfla
Grrrrrrrrrr! Men! (sorry to the men in this forum but sometimes we just have to say that)
Jen, I don't blame you for being boiling mad! I know how I felt when my hubby became an online Romeo.
When we first got married...about 10 years ago...I was gone to aerobics (sp??) and when I got home he was sitting in the living room with the tv on but the sound on mute.  I knew something was up. I quizzed him but he just swore he was "thinking." Then about 15 minutes after I got home the phone rang and it was some girl and she said "can I talk to **** again?" It was his ex wife. I was furious. Not so much that he talked to her...but that he lied about it. Made me think that there something more to it! We are in calif and she is in Florida....but it still pissed me off. He wouldn't give me her # and she wasn't listed....so I called his mother and told her we needed her # because we had to call her about their mutual house. So when I got the # I called the ex and told her to NEVER call my house again. Then I told Romeo that if he wanted her...get his ass back to Florida....otherwise knock off the secret phone calls.
I'm not much of a good one to give marriage advice....been married once and we're seperated now...but what I would do is let him know you ain't gonna put up with this ****! Sometimes when they think they are gonna lose the one they love, they get their act together.
My husbands family is located in Bradenton. Is that anywhere near you?
20 years is a long time. You said he is all you know...you are probably all he knows too. I'd be willing to bet that he doesn't want to lose you over some bimbo.
Please keep posting and let us know how you handle this. My heart goes out to you....I've been there, done that.
My husband was doing his secret calls at the same time my dad was dying. I made my dad my priority and put my husband on the back burner.
Hang in there, Jenny. Be strong and let him know you ain't gonna take it! I set up an email address for this forum....if you want to talk one on one, email me at ***@****
I'm here for you.

by Dangel47, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
Hello again. I really do appreciate you-all very much and have enjoyed reading the post on these subjects. Does anyone know why people like us are so addicated to pain-killers and such? I also have abused xanax, and other anti-depressants. My motto is if one does the job why not take two? I now know ofcourse that this is stupid on my part. I do not abuse anything now but pain-meds.  Is this a brain-addiction? Or a brain-disease? Everyone is so nice on this board and I thankyou for your input.......

by cindi, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: jdw
Hi,,,,yes,,,addiction is a disease..one that is recognized by the AMA but unfortuately not all docs are included in that.....it is progressive disease but it can be controlled by doing certain things.....you have to make your mind up each and every morning when you get out of bed that you will stay clean one day at a time..on minute at a time or even one second at a time.....alot of people find help in NA or AA....others do not....It's your choice......I hope you find your way ,,,,,,hang in there and God bless us all.....love cin

by skipper, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: cindi § jdw
holy-**** a dieases and incurable at that? guess i beter throw away
my little black book of drug laweyers and get me an MD. cindi do
you know any MDs with long writing arms? cindi how ya doing? i give
you a good talking to if it hadn't been me not answering your e-mail!
keep an angel on your shoulder!
kip

by cindi, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: skipper
Ok pal,,,,,LOL  did ya get my e-mail?   I sent it to you and yours...and as far as MD's go,,****  I haven't found one yet that gives a rat's ass...about anything..I was just simply stating what they told me in treatment 12 years ago....LOL  as far as I'm concerned none of them know **** about addiction and they see us all as slimeballs....period....and if I didn't love you so much I'd think you were makin fun of me     :(    LOL   love ya   cin

by skipper, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: jdw
jdw:
why is the pope catholic, does a bear **** in the woods? do they
do this togather?
i've been an iv drug user since i was 15. by the grace of the gods i'm 5o years old today. (no i've never emotionally matured, but wisdom has prevailed and slowed my little hot shot world down a bit).
jdw i do dope to get out of bed in the morning. i do it cause i
have to brush my teeth and wash my face. some days i do even more
cause i have to shave. drug addiction is a metabolic illness. it
is not a mentle disorder, or an organic mentle illness. i was once court odered to see a psychiatrist. this  kind  and concerned doc could find nothing wrong with my mental makeup. i just liked to do drugs (opiates- thomas watch out i love them as much as you do!). Now i will admit this is antisocial behavior, so is eating meat to some people. 35+ years of consuming opiates any way i could (eating, smoking, shooting, shoveing them up my ass) left me with just one real peoblem (besides the legal ones). in those 35 years i never thought about what i'ld do if i ever needed an opiate pain killer. now i'm 50, suffer from intractable pain from an old spinal injury i got when i thought i was in-
vinceable. time has slowed me down and given me the opperunityy
to examine my faults and this illness of drug addiction. i don't
know why you oe i have this disease. i don't know why many people
i used drugs with are dead and i am not. some of these people had
far more to offer the world than i did.
jdw welcome to this forum. there is plenty ofr room here for drug
addicts of all kinds. i use to post mor often than i do these days- you know the entanglements of work etc. can really eat up
the time i seem to have.

keep an angel on your shoulder!
kip

by cindi, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: Skipper
Excellent post...even though all of your posts are so full of honesty and wisdom this is your very best....Now I know that you me and Thomas (no one loves opiates more than me) all have something in common.....I now am also on pain meds for my chronic God awful pain....but you know the story about my doc's dear John letter....I'm still searching......I know the story about getting out of bed in the morning, take a shower, need dope, grocery shopping, need dope yada yada yada..been there one too many times....the legal problems mounted, felonies looking me straight in the eyes.....a lost nursing career....ok,,,,,am I a sicko?  you betcha I am when it comes to dope...one is too many,,,2 is never enough...............love to you   cin

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas
I'm doing pretty well here.  I don't know whether you've read any of my posts lately, but I was getting obsessed with my growing tolerence to pain meds(Vics and Percs).  I had taken 270 of them in the past thirty days! I've been on them for 11 months now and I think they were actually making my pain worse.

I quit cold turkey last Sunday and have been in rather mild WD's.  My pain management has consisted of staying home and taking Naproxen and following most of your recipe.  It works!

After four days without opiates, it's nice to have a clear head again!  I think that my cellulitis is finally whipped and my legs look almost normal again.  I've had to wear sweat pants for the past two months because I couldn't get my jeans on.  Marty is fine and going strong.

Thanks for being here for us, Thomas.  J.B.

by cindi, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
I'm glad that things are going better for you...do you think all the percs and vics may have done more damage to your liver?   I hope not....that is a concern with my.....if it's not one damn thing it's another...hang in there....love cin

by Thomas, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB, cindi
It's good to see two posts in a row from a couple of forum "diehards."

JB: good to hear you're out of those sweat pants. You really should give Marty a chance to wash them ... (that's what my wife tells me about my favorite lounging attire). Just Naproxen after the percs and vics ... you're tough, though. I think all of us, you too, cindi, have proven that we can take a licken and keep on ... uh, eaten tons and tons of beautiful white vics and ... woops! Lost control there for a moment ... I meant keep on ticken, Doctor Steve, really (yeah, sure Thomas). Seriously, addicts and recovering addicts do take a pounding from life. If it isn't the consequences of our habit, it's oh so polite society's disdain and indifference (as they light up another cig and pour another martini). How many times have you dragged yourself out of bed Monday morning, in total withdrawal, dripping with sweat, and hauled your butt to work anyway? "Oh, you know, it's that flu going around."

Of course, the horror of Sept 11th makes everything else look trivial.

One thing that doesn't and never will seem trivial to me is the friendship I've been gifted with by JB, cindi and everyone (you know who you are and so do I).

Shea mentioned in a post above somewhere that she could see that I was respected here on the forum. If I'm respected for understanding someone's plight, or doing what little I can to help, or just making someone laugh when they're hurting and afraid, then I will accept that respect. Just so long as no one, especially newcomers to the forum, think my way of life and my 30-year habit is somehow "cool." If anything, I hope my tale is taken as a cautionary one by anyone who hears it.

What brings me to tears are the posters that say my "recipe" is the reason they were able to endure withdrawal and break free of this love/hate doom so many of us are burdened with. Of course, I know that the real credit goes to them -- and to the caring family and friends around them. But the image of someone "walking into the light" is a moving one to me. I always see myself somewhere back in the shadows bidding them farewell and wishing them good luck. "Now, don't let me see you here again ... But, should you return, I'll be here, ready to help you into the light again, and again ..."

I don't know where I'm going with this. I just wanted to send my love out to all my friends. We're all so fragile. Our time here is so short. Whatever I am or have failed to become, I am a human being who treasures all of you.

Thomas

by cindi, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas
what a beautiful post..I was not going to respond  i am late for work as usual but...I had to say one thing...all the beautiful things you wished and hoped for other people I only hope and wish comes back to you 10 million times more..you are truly an amzing person,,,,and a very dear friend not only to me but to all the people here.......have a wonderful day...love to you   cin

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas
You and I have a lot of experience with drug matters between us...about sixty years.  We must be doing something right or have angels on our shoulders just to be here.  That's something to be very happy about!  Maybe God isn't done with us yet?

About withdrawals; I've been through them too many times to count.  The first time was the worst, mainly due to the unknown (panic,pain and terror). I can really relate to those of us who simply continue using because of that fear. As you called it, "Monday morning flu".  

Though I lack your sense of humor and writing ability, I'd like to think that we have something in common. We have the problems of addiction and can share them with other addicts.  God knows we are far from perfect, but we can still be of help!

Your friend,  J.B.

by snake, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: all my peps in the same situation
every story is the same in one way or the other.you all need to get the mental mind set before you even try to squash the addiction.it took me 4yrs to kill my addiction, yea thats not as long as some of the rest mr.22yrs,i feel for yu.
  I started with ridilin, percs and vics, then it to the loratabs, valuims and oxys these all came from football injuries. I started with one every 4hrs then 3 every 2hrs then to 8 to 17 a day. wasn't looking good. I treated every one like **** and ran all my chicken heads off. Thats when a angel fell from heaven and stole my heart she flat out told me that if i was going to be her man my drugs had to go. I struggeld with it for a minute then i finally got my mind straight and decided what i wanted more my drugs or her lovin. Here i am know a drug&gang counsler for all the people who want out of the game and want somthing out of life.

ps. life is way to short to spend half of it coming down.

Snake

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: Snake
I want to welcome you and thank you for sharing your story of success!  Yes, it is a mind set we have to get into before we can recover.  

What can anybody say to someone reading here that is fighting addiction?  How can we help someone who has a few pills in their hand or a bottle of alcohol sitting next to them...or both?  Where is that mind set now?

Forgive me, but I am angry with myself!  All I know right at this moment is that relief is just a swallow away.  All the ups and downs of my life will fade away for a while and be replaced by....nothing.  I've decided to stay clean today, thank you!  J.B.

by cindi, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
we only have today..please my friend don't be too hard on yourself...you have come such a long way with your illness and hospitalization.....give yourself a break.....you deserve it.....congrats on your free day.....love cin

by Frank Lee, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
A roller coaster day. Started sober and ended up doubling my dose of Noroco. Thus spoke the dragon today. I've come here to realize I am not alone and will come here tommorrow to take up my sword against the beast. I have a thousand justifications that are full of wonder when the pills go down. In the middle of the night I wake up in sweat and watch my life pass by. Thanks to you all for being here today.

Flee

by skipper, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
hey people:
haven't posted much lately. i guess i've sunk into not such a bad rut lately- 40mg. oxy-c 3 times a day. the spinal fussion had all
the aspects of healing up until i really hammered my head on the
underside of desk trying to plug diagnostic equipment into a local
area network jack. now any of you thatr know me, know i have a real hard head. but man my neck really swelled up at the fusion site.
now i know i'ld sworn off hospital and er rooms (big creep shows
at the very best), but went to one anyway. turned out the fussion was ok but i sprained my neck! any one ever SPRAIN THEIR *******
NECK? they gave me valium which helped some. also 20 percocet which
i threw back at the bewildered er doc. he couldn' understand i was
taking 20 mg more than his whole 20 percocets. as i was leaving
the man in the cubicle next to me started screaming someone stole
his pants, and i must've looked like the prime suspect. jees, i've been a drug felon and thief for 35 years and never once did
i think of stealing anyones pants. i mean one has to have limits--i did steal several rolls of toliet paper--ah the joys of youth! anyhow hospitals are creep shows and i plan on staying away from them. now if i could have a nurse like cindi-- well maybe not handling my drugs--ah **** i'm weak of will, so i guess i should indulge someone else.
cindi: add to that list of movies "Train  Spotting" and "acid
House" (not out yet). Their both based on books by Irvine Welsh.
He is a scotish drug addict who writes of the junkys of edinburha
and glasgow. he writes in the venacular so it's a little hard to
get at first, but highly worth it! all you good people having
the jones or the post jones depression, pick up some books dam-
it. you can be unhappy, but you don't have to be unread!

keep an angel on your shoulder
          kip

by Thomas, Sep 27, 2001 12:00AM
To: skipper, Flee
Trainspotting was amazing! It's on the A-list of great junkie films, right next to my personal favorite (I wonder why) Gus Van Sant's Drugstore Cowboy. Anyone who's been in the life and hasn't seen those two is just doin somethin wrong! Drugstore Cowboy is a must if only to see a cameo of a great literary junkie, William S. Boroughs as Father Tim the methadone priest. I must say this, though, I thought the junkie's withdrawal kit in trainspotting was pathetic. But that scene in the ER where they give him Narcan ... instant full-on withdrawals! God, that gives me the shivers just thinking about it ...

For 70's film fans, or Pacino fans, Panic in Needle Park isn't bad. I bet we've all got a film or two in our bios. Sid and Nancy ... ah the list does run on and on. Thanks for the images. That's about as close as I'm going to get to anything good tonight. Hope your neck feels better ... but, seriously, next time you're about to turn down Percs, drop me a line first-- what a sacrilege!


Frank L:

no one can say you're not fighting it. don't beat yourself up over a few norcos. it took years to get where you're at. it will take a considerable time to climb back ... at least your med-savvy and have access to a good doc. The only way I could do a detox or get an addiction specialist would be on insurance and my goddamn employer would find out just like that. Poof! El job-o el-gone-o! It costs less to stay an rx junkie these days than it does to get first-rate help.

Thomas

by skipper, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: thomas
thomas:
if you liked the movie "drugstore cowboy,"get the book written by
Jim foggle. He needs the royalty money as he doing life in WAlla-
wala state prision. you know the first 15 miutes of that movie were
so well done it still has me on the edge of my seat after watching
it 20 times.my hats off to gus vansant.
panic in needle park was also good. one of Pacino best rolls- but
it was dated well before my time ( $2.00 bags of H!!)
I've read everything of ervine welsh - his best is "Acid Housae."

by Frank Lee, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: Thomas et al
Good morning,

The good doc is treating me with a dx of Chronic back pain and anxiety - damn accurate if not fully forthcoming. He is the director of a detox facility. I won't have substance abuse as a diagnosis, even though it is. Why? Because like you I would lose my job. I am very high profile and am the president of a state organization. Those of us with substance abuse problems (mine should really be valium deficiency) are clearly not the darlings of the pharmomedic complex.

Let's take an example. Dr. Steve would certainly not equate a nicotine junkie with a vicodin junkie. In fact, if Dr. Steve’s nicotine junkie smoked for 30 years and couldn't pass a pulmonary function test, Dr. Steve would be first in line to sign him up for medical insurance. Social Security disability would be there to. And the community, well poor guy but great citizen. Ditto for the sausage eater with cloged arteries.  Now you and I would not get such kind medical support for our addictive drug of choice and Social Security does not, repeat not, pay drug abusers and the community - well kiss college good bye for my kids if the ugly news gets out.

You can tell I am still pissed at Dr. Steve for censoring my sobriety crowing earlier this week - waz up with that Doc?

I have more perspective today old' pal. But this corner of the ring is still bloody. Ready for another round today. Zipping up the gloves as we speak.

Peace

Frank

by skipper, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
early this morning , i read a post from Thomas. He used the phrase
"been in the life." My wife sometimes has accused me of "loving
the life." now i'll be honest here, i've always looked at myself as
just an average "jumping bean," getting by. but now since Thomas
brought the term "In the Life," and my wife telling me "I love the
Life."-----**** it was like getting sartori (sudden enlightenment-
say a kick in your ******* eye). i never thought of myself as some-
thing from a book i read, or a movie i've seen! I guess it's pretty
much different when one get to see (or be) the real thing complete
with the emotional fragilitiys, the precious breath of individual-
ity that all humans tenuiously cling to. i guess when i lay my life
out and look at everything good and bad, right and wrong, hatefull
or loving....... i'm a unique mix of circumstance, good and bad
choices, and yes a drug addict. i never intended to end up a pro-
found disapointment to my parents, a loser in the eyes of many, i
was just reacting to circumstance with mostly bad choices. but
wait- what about the rest of me- god didn't build a total piece of
****---- i could go on and on.... i guess i'm mostly human.

keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cindi
Thank you for your kind support!  I came here today white knuckling it and now I'm actually thinking ahead and making plans for next weekend. We are going up to Chicago to celebrate my grand daughter's 8th birthday.  You are correct in that I should not be so hard on myself, but that's how I've always been.  I'm also a perfectionist.  What a fatal combination!  I promise that I will take it easy on myself and just smell the roses for a while!  J.B.

by cindi, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: Skipper
Ok,,,,,,here's the deal.....you are human..I am huma...we have mad some very bad choices, I almost lost my freedom and my life  a few good times....I have felt I was a disappointment to my sisters, brothers and parents....but they never judged me...so what, some others have thought of me differently...poor cindi really ****** her nice little life up.....oh well, now she'll burn for it....I never told anyone when I was little I wanted to be an addict or take addiction 101 as a pre requisite to nursing..and you my friend are a most kind a caring person...and the best part of skipper is your honesty, your "realness" your so genuine and right to the point no sugar coating anything which I greatly admire in you and in yours...I had always been ashamed of who I turned out to be.....and have shielded my kids  at least for the time being..i do not want them to view me as a dope head......or know in highschool I hung with and was a "stoner".....yet,,,,my mom God rest her soul told me to hold my head up high and look em straight in the eyes...my mom who sat there in court with me wearing her oxygen crying for me was not embarrassed by me.....the others that judge are worthless pieces of **** that know nothing about this..... plain and simple....we are all human and in this together....this life......love cin

by cindi, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: PS to skipper
I dare anyone to say that they have never made a mistake...everyone has skeletons somewhere if not in their closet...............

by cindi, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
go and be with your precious granddaughter,,,my daughter is almost 8....this is a special time for them....little girls are really special anyway   (sometimes a real pain in the ass though  LOL)  you go and remember to smell the roses....watch her blow out candles..and you proud grandpa remember to also sing the loudest for you have something to celebrate.......love cin

by skipper, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: Everyone, JB, Cindi
JB a granddaughter!!! Life is real short so fill her's with all the
the love you can, it will come back tenfold!
cindi: i am not quite sure what i was about in my last post. I'm 50
+ years. if i'm lucky and don't die with a binky hype rig hanging
from my arm (full of blue clotted blood) i've got maybe 20 years to
go. What the hell is it about? Some days i feel as if my wife and i
are just characters from a Charles Bukowski story (Thomas you must
have read some of his stuff). mortality is chewing this old rats
tail off, and infinity is just beyond my feeble fingers grasp....
some days i just want to tie off and get blasted cause crying aint cool and its to damm much work. But the somedays there is a crak in the comic egg and i'm treated to a glance at the inner workings of this place in infinity we occupy.

I've said it before-
i used to awake bewildered
a small person in a small world.
now i awake bewondered still
a small person in ever expanding world.

keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: Skip and Cindi
Whoa, Cindi, I still have four months to go before I'm the big 50!  Anyways, a lot of my "older friends" tell me that life gets better after 50.  I really hope so!

Yes, I actually have five grandchildren, Skip.  The oldest will be eight on next Sunday.  She is the daughter of my own late daughter who passed two years ago from epilepsy. My daughter's husband passed the year before due to some sort of uncontrolable infection while hospitalized at Scripps Hospital in San Diego.

Life is like that so enjoy every minute.  All I really want is to be here mentally and physically for my wife and family as long as I can.  My wife has terminal cancer but keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny.  She's my hero.  We have the ability to be heroes...all of us to someone, in some way. J.B.

by cindi, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB<SKIPPER<THOMAS AND MILO
we have our hero's  bet you guys could never guess who my heros are....go ahead and try...........if you need a hint i'll bend....love all of you      cin

by cindi, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
PS    You guys all know i was just funnin ya about  being 50...LOL  i heard 50 year old guys are really hot.......:)

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cindi
I was just thinking while looking through photos of me and my kids.  Did I love them enough?  I was always such a disciplainarian, so strict with them.  It was always "keep your hands in your pockets, don't make a scene, keep your room clean". And on and on about being good.  I used to smile while going downstairs after putting them to bed, they were so good!  Was I a good father?  Maybe I should have been more fun and just enjoyed them and....I don't know.  When you get to looking back, life is very short.  J.B. with tears in my eyes

by cindi, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
we as parents always and I mean always question our parenting skills...discipline is a very necessary part of raising children...and believe me,,,as a preschool teacher i have learned that children thrive on discipline,,, by correcting them and disciplining them you are showing them that you really do love them....this is why some children misbehave..they are looking for attention. they are looking for discipline...a negative reaction form you really does signal to them that you care....I also learned about this during my pediatric and childhood behaviour problems in workshops and pediatric nursing...my parents were hard on me  especially dad,,in when the streetlights came on...not allowed to date until I was 16,,,chores, respect etc...and I know today the reasons for all of this...he loved me,,as you love your children..and JB  I am sure that while you may not have been a perfect parent as none of us are,,,you were the best daddy you could be for your children....and on  a daily basis I do question my parenting abilities...and i also draw the same conclusion,,,I am the best mommy for Jenna and Alec...I am what they need.....as you were for your children...now, if you were abusive then that is whole different ball game....and many people do cross that line between discipline and abuse....two seperate entities....rest assured your methods of disclipine were what was best for JB and the JB kids.....love cin  now you have me crying....tears are a great cleaner for the keyboard.....

by Thomas, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
To: skipper
ah, Bukowski ... one of the truly great drunken poets of the world. I think his "bio" movie, Barfly, was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Certainly Mickey Rourke's role of a lifetime. My wife and I love to watch the end when he's just punched out Frank Stallone the bartender and is buying rounds of drinks at this skid row bar, toasting, "To all my frieeeeeeeeends!" too good. I should revisit his poetry. I'd probably understand it now. Thanks for the memory jog.



did skipper want a good "cheer up" movie? It has nothing to do with drugs, but my wife and I always get a lift out of As Good as it Gets. Hellen Hunt is wonderful as a single mom struggling with life like real people. Nicolson isn't bad, either. A keeper. By James Brooks who did Terms of Endearment and made the Simpsons, among other great stuff.

To all my frieeeeeeeends!

Thomas

by hardworkingmom, Sep 29, 2001 12:00AM
Hello, I'm new here.  My husband is addicted to Oxycontin.  He's suffured from ongoing pain since a back injury and after years of no insurance and going to walk in clinics only to receive other opiates (he's allergic to nsaids), he has found the past few years that oxycontin is the only thing that helps him.  He needs to get off of it, it has caused him to not be able to work in years and he is laid up in bed when he doesn't have his pills.  He doesn't drink alchohal, just these pills.  Everytime he's tried to wean down or switch to lesser evils (darvacit) it still doesn't work, he gets severly ill.

Yesterday, after thinking he had been clean for several months, I found out different.  He was either out of our family's life or going for professional help.  He wants to go on a methodone treatment and wants off of these pills, afterall he won't be able to get them anymore since I made threats of calling the law on the person supplying them to him.

Problem, we are on an HMO health plan and I called my counselor to see what the routine was, she said he needs to get his doctor to write a referral to detox.  He doesn't want to go in a hospital, it would also severaly disable our family functions if he wasn't taking care of our little one (he's a wonderful father regardless of addiction) and he wants to do an outpatient treatment.  We are concerned that once we call that all heck is going to break loose and be dragged into something completely different.  He also needs pain management or atleast for the doctor to find a way to fix his problem, whether it be back surgery or whatever, which the doc has refused to further investigate so we have little trust in this doctor to be able to call for detox.

I guess this is the big step and we really need some help pushing forward with it.  I'm not sure if there are patient rights that we should know about, like what kind of treatment he gets.  He does not want to be institutionalized and forced cold turkey.  He's tried it at home and it is like having the worst flu and being a grown man it sure did make him cry.  I know methadone would work for him and he knows it too.  I just worry about being HMO that they may not provide that kind of treatment and just put him through what he has gone through at home.

Please give some advice.

Thanks

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Sep 29, 2001 12:00AM
To: hardworkingmom
You really do have some tough decisions to make regarding your husband's health.  If he is still using Oxys, he needs to be detoxed under medical supervision.  I've no experience with Oxys but have had problems with drugs like morphine and herione. I was detoxed twice in a locked ward in the hospital.  The third time was in the county jail.  Without going into details, the hospital is a much better place.  A small number of us can detox at home and get on with life.  But I wouldn't count on that being your husbands' best solution.

It gets to the point that you can't worry about HMO coverage or the fact that your husband is such a good babysitter.  This is a life and death matter for him, you and your child.  Now quit making excuses and do some leg work. Contact someone in NA or AA for starters.  They may be able to assist you.  The point is, there are a lot of helpful people out here that can help you.  Whether or not your husband can be helped is almost entirely up to him.  Your support of him is entirely up to you!  J.B.

by cindi, Sep 29, 2001 12:00AM
To: Hardworking mom
Listen to what Jb tells you,,,he and a few others here are the ultimate in giving out little pearls of wisdom when it comes to real life.....no sugarcoating here....from any of them,,,,oxys are a tough drug....your husband is a good father,,,,he wouldn't be so good if her were dead...they will take him down further...me, JB and a few others here have not only had to deal with the addiction/health issues but the legal ramifications as well,,,felonies, lost professional careers, bad health problems and we are all in chronic contant pain as well...so we do know how you and your husband feel....swallow any pride you may have....addiction is a humbling disease....allow a prefessionl to step in and intervene....they can help with the addiction side of it and perhaps get you in touch with a pain management specialist...if your lucky  one that has knowledge of addiciton issues....if your lucky.....hang tight and good luck   love to all   cin

by helloj, Oct 10, 2001 12:00AM
What is this Thomas kit to withdraw from H

by cindi, Oct 14, 2001 12:00AM
To: Hello
It his detox recipe from opiates    I'm not too sure f that workds with H but it does work for hydro.........post a question to thomas more to the top of the board  more people will see it,,,,             cindi

by tryn2rson, Oct 29, 2001 12:00AM
To: JB
I have been noticing the detox recipes throughout the forum, but I cannot find them anywhere. Could you help me please.
THANKS

by 3504, Nov 07, 2001 12:00AM
looking for a detox recipe, i've been reading about

by pjsbabygirl, Dec 18, 2001 12:00AM
Dr>Steve or anyone please............my husband and I have been taking loracet and xanax.........he is withdrawing from both and me just from the xanax......what a nightmare......nights are terrible........barely sleep and sore from tensing up all night long.......he is in bad shape...........any advice....im afraid we are going to die.............he was taking 1 and a half mg xanax and 4 loracets a day.......help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!need detox recipe
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