Won't someone please answer?

[freisian]

I have been struggling with making the decision to get off of narcotics for a long time now. I am ready to try now. I plan to go CT but have been on various narcs since 1994...yes...1994. Is this going to be dangerous for me? I am taking 40-70 mgs. per day. I do have pain management issues that need to be addressed but I have to try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been looking for the kind of information on this site for a long time and feel lucky to have found you all. Thank you...

[otoh]

PS believe me your colon will cleanse itself in withdrawal

[otoh]

you have a great attitude ,looking foward to hearing your progress. it is so funny that us addicts TRASH our body's day in and day out for years, and than we wonder if we'll hurt ourself going thorough withdrawal. go for it . I'm 55 yrs. old and work in a crisis, recovery center fo 15 yrs. none of us are immune. you have a good foundation. keep posting. good luck, we'll be here for support.... whatever you decide

[freisian]

No problem :) although I have to say I am looking forward to getting rid of this s**t! Literally and figuratively! It has been a pretty big issue and I am assuming that once the colon is cleaned out the pain in the joints etc. will reduce. I have already experienced that kind of relief after having a couple of colonoscopies (sp?). After the procedure, even though the preparation fluids were not much fun, I felt so much better!

[freisian]

Thanks for your motivation...
May I ask...how much were you taking and for how long?
I am wondering if I can follow a taper regime too. I have been successful for awhile in the past and then I have a bad pain day and it all goes to h**l...ya' know?

[nursegirl6572]

LOL, sorry to have confused anyone with my "colonic" advice.

I was seeing comments from the OP that concerned me.  One of the big beliefs in alternative medicine is that many ailments, and just a person's basic state of health is directly affected by how much stool remains in the intentines.  As a result of that theory, colonics and cleanses are popular.  MANY alternative med practioners believe to be the picture of health, there should be little to NO stool remaining, which of course, is impossible.  While I won't get into the basic argument as to why colonics are not only not necessary but how they can be harmful...I was REALLY concerned about something like that during detox, where the GI moltility is already at max capacity.

I just became concerned with the couple of comments similar to that.  Just wanted to clarify!

[akitagurl12]

Hi & welcome!  What helped calm some of my fears in the beginning of detox was just learning what to expect from opiates. I had to do it cold turkey because i couldn't follow a taper very well.  It really is just like a flu, & if you can, I would plan to expect not to feel very good for two weeks, the worst is over within days though.  But after that, it really starts getting better.  Its uncomfortable, but really, so is being an active user.  Drinking lots of gatorade & water helped me alot.  And just keeping myself as motivated as possible, and reminding myself that I was doing something GOOD for myself, even if it didn't feel like it at the time.  Taking it a day at a time & just focusing on getting through 24 hours at a time works wonders too.  Theres tons of advice on here to help navigate through those first weeks.  You can do this!!!