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how to stop
by shubunkin, May 22, 2003 12:00AM
I have been taking Xanax for a year now. 1mg daily. Also Paxil 20mg.But I have cut the Paxil down to every other day for about 2 months now because I simply could not afford it every month. What could I switch to taper off the Xanax that would be easier than the Xanax itself? I get withdrawels even at the low dose. Also is there anything that I could take that is cheaper than the Paxil? Thankyou Danielle
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It would be very unwise to begin any detoxification until after the important meeting because responses vary with each individual. I have not had extensive personal experience with Tramadol but it does not take a genius to recognize that it is the equivalent of an opiate agonist with variations because of the scores of variants of the opiate receptors. It is hitting the same complex with variations and it is unpredictable how you woukld react. I would not substitute another opiate but rather to unload over a significant period of time- weeks- and allow the body to adjust.N OXXaionL SOAW OD reN
I AM RESPONDING TO YOU IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE FOR YOU TO BEGIN ANY DETOXIFICATION UNTIL AFTER THE IMPORTANT MEETING, BECAUSE YOU ARE ON A SIGNIFICANT DOSE AND IT IS TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE WHAT KIND OF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMATOLOGY YOU WOULD SUFFER. THIS IS PARTICULARLY SO WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OLDER.
I HAVE NOT HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE, HAVE HAD SOME, BUT ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A GENIUS TO RECOGNIZE THAT TRAMADOL IS THE EQUIVALENT OF AN OPIATE AGONIST WITH VARIATIONS ON ITS SPECTRUM OF ACTIONS BECAUSE THERE ARE A BROAD COMPLEX OF OPIATE RECEPTORS GOING BY GREEK NAMES WITH DIFFERENCES IN THE SENSITIVITY OF VARIOUS RECPTORS TO A DRUG. THERE ARE SUFFICIENT COMMONALITIES THAT ANY AND ALL OF THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF WITHDRAWAL FROM AN OPIATE CAN OCCUR.
I WOULD DETOXIFY OVER A PERIOD OF MANY WEEKS AND OCCASIONALLY USE AN ANTI-ANXIETY PILL FOR A FEW DAYS IF MATTERS BECOME INTOLERABLE. ALL OF THESE COMMENTS ARE ASSUMING YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IMPOSSIBLE PAIN PROBLEM AND THE TOLERABILITY WILL DEPEND TO A GREAT EXTENT ON HOW DETERMINED YOU ARE TO BO FREE AND YOUR BIOLOGICAL MAKEUP RESPECTING PAIN OR ANXIETY THRESHOLD.
The whole thing is getting so played out ... I just want to live my life and not worry about all this. If vicodin is stronger, I can break it in half and use it sparingly for excruciating pain. It should be good for 4 days .... thanks again, Goldie
Suzie
Hope every body is doing great. I think I really should be grateful today, I have made it through the toughesat part-flushing ONE Lortab 10 is PROOF isn't it?????
(I am free-+28 days!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Anne, please post, I need to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!
Anne
Thanks
step 6
I had been sober a bout four months when I put my hand in my "mowing shorts" pocket, and came up w/ three hydros.....AACK!!!! My hand went to my mouth; to the sink....to my mouth; to the sinkLOL abuot five times before I finally decided to put 'em down the drain...JUST MY LUCK!! They fuckers (sorry) WOULDN'T FIT so I had to run all the way (ALL THE WAY!!!!!LOL) across the rrom to the bathroom where I FLUNG them into the toilet like the vermin they were, and flushed before I could grab 'em out.....WHEW!! I stood there, shaking....thinking what a close call that had been. But damn!! that soon gave way to absolute PRIDE in my resolution and I feel ten feet tall.......A little thing, you might well say, but yet such a HUGE gesture......!! Gracie--I am THAT proud of you now and I KNOW you can do it by yourself if it ever happens again!!! I KNOW you will!!
You two try and post more because you sound just a little shaky and having to report in will get you through that phase a little easier.. It makes a difference, having to 'fess up to others, because they don't "buy" the BS that we, ourselves can stomach quite readily..:-) I love youse two---peazy
Love Y'all--Peace Prayers-Mystere/AKA N.O, Lady
Anne
Anne, I am at that what now stage, so I try to keep BUSY, guess that is why I found the thing I did-hehhehehehehhe, quite ironic, but it is over. And today is another free day. I also listen to lots of music as I am "cleaning" or working in the yard (it is OK, the neighbors are deaf-seriously, not trying to be cruel).The songs that used to make me cry, because I was so "ashamed" of myself, now give me strength. My pets are a major part of my life (my kids), and they are grateful to have their old Mom back-just puttin on the tennis shoes makes them crazy, they know that means WALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peazy, thank you so much for tellin me bout the mowing shorts thing, I am so relieved to know that it also scared the **** out of someone else! I was sooo, scared!
Guys, I love you all, and appreciate what you have done for me, I sincerely believe, this is NOT something anyone can do alone, we need each other, and I am grateful you guys are sharing/supporting me!!!!!!! (No one in my family knows about the tab thing, just Rick)
Peace
Thank you
9years
I have always had what doctors would call an "addictive" personality. I looked forward to dental procedures, and surgeries, knowing I would have my little slice of heaven with the euphoria from the pain meds. I never sought them out, just happily took what came my way. Then last June, following the birth of our youngest child (we had my tubes untied to have more children), it all went to heck. I had Lortab for the c-section, nothing different than my other 3, but then my mind numbing migraies came back with a vengeance soon after she was born. I was breastfeeding and determined not to quit this time, and the migraines were coming sometimes daily. I had a very understanding doctor, who dealt with chronic pain himself, and he handed out the Vicoprofen like candy. In addition, sometimes the Vicoprofen did not kill the headache, so I would have to go into his office for a shot of either Nubain or Stadol.
Somewhere along that line, I got lost in the Vic's. I never intended to, but I liked the way I felt when I took a couple. I could do anything, I was not depressed, I had all the energy and positive attitide in the world. With each new bottle of pills, I would tell myself "This is it, I will stop when these are gone." Then it would be "OK, the next bottle, then I REALLY will quit." I have been on antidepressants since my 7th month of pregnancy (I had some mild PPD with my second youngest child), and I guess the Vicoprofen gave me what I "expected" from an antidepressant. Happiness was a full bottle of Vicoprofen in my purse. Before I knew it, I couldn't stop taking the Vicoprofen without feeling w/d effects. The first time, I told my doctor what was going on, and went through w/d cold turkey except for some Valium. Of course, after the w/d was over, a month or so later I had myself convinced that I was "fixed" and could handle taking them again for the migraines. Also let me explain I am allergic to the Triptans, such as Imitrex and that sort of migraine meds, they have horrible side effects for me, so my doc did not want me taking that. Well, I'm sure you know as soon as I got back on the Vic's, it all went to heck again and in a very short period of time. It went as far as me adding one, yes ONE, refill to a prescription, something I never ever thought I would do, and the pharmacist called the doc, who didn't write the refill, I did. Now, I am a 34 year old professional business woman, an accountant, a happy wife and mother, I NEVER thought this would happen to ME. How wrong I was. It was so hard the day that the pharmacist told me he couldn't fill the Vicoprofen, my husband was standing right there with me, and did not know what I had done, nor did he know they were becoming a problem again. Needless to say, I went through w/d again, and getting caught with the refill forged scared me to death. W/d is so hard because it is not just your body feeling lousy, your mind plays head games with you all the way, too. I have taken up to 14 Vic's per day at most, for 4 months straight. W/d was very unsettling.
Fast forward - I switched docs after getting caught forging the refill. I had to, they would not provide me any more hydrocodone, which meant they were no use to me at that point. How stupid I was. I went to my new doc, one that my parents have been seeing for 10 years, and explained my history with the migraines, but left out the part about having a problem with Vic's. I told him I did not want any narcotics, just the lowest strength of something to knock out the headaches. Well, I ended up on Vicodin. When the Phrenilin did not work, my doc was pushing Vicodin, and I gave in. Which leads to where I am at now, on a decreasing taper of hydrocodone. I failed the first taper. He gave me a script for all I needed for the next month to taper 2 pills a week. My stupid ass took them all within 2 weeks. God, what mind games this stuff plays with your head! I was honest with my doctor, I told my husband what was going on, and he went with me to the doc. We worked it out to where my husband would hold my "supply" and only give me what I had allocated for each day in the morning. This worked well enough until I asked for extra here and there because I was stressed, and my husband gave in. I don't blame him at all, the choice was mine. I made poor choices and left myself not enough of the meds to last to my next 10 day refill. We've taken care of that and I now have the supply back, but I am so afraid that I won't be able to stay on track. Right now I am on 5 7.5/500 per day, and we are decreasing one each week. I want so badly to be rid of this monkey on my back, and it scares me more than anything to be a slave to a bottle of pills. To look at that bottle and know that my good mood and positive outlook is locked up in there. I made it 34 years without getting caught by this drug, why is it so hard for me to stop it now? I am deathly afraid of w/d'ing again, mostly because of the mental issues. I am usually a person who believes I can do anything, but going through w/d, I have all these feelings of self doubt and depression.
I guess what I really need is just support, to be able to talk to people like me who have fallen into this trap. I do not blame anyone for this, not my doctors, not my husband, I am a big girl and make my own decisions, but this is just so difficult. I want to be successful this time, I do not want to fail again just to go through w/d again. I know that I can never take this stuff after I am off of it. It makes me feel so weak-willed, and I am not. Like I said, the Vicoprofen gave me such feelings of happiness, of well-being, that I expected from my antidepressant (I take 20mg Lexapro). I know the antidepressant works, my husband has noticed that I am not as down as before I started it, but I guess I just expected to be happy all the time on it. I had never taken an antidepressant before last year.
Thank you for listening to me rattle on, and I am sorry to take up so much space, but I feel so much better for having posted this. Thank you for having a place like this for support.
Rebecca
Don't ever hold back and tell us the truth, period, even if it steps on other peoples toes. This is a public forum so you meet all kinds here. Well fire away, we are listening!
Bmac
Thank you very much for listening and welcoming me. I am so glad that there are people that know exactly what I am going through. I let my husband read my original post last night, and he told me he is very proud of me. I know this is hard for him, he has never taken anything recreationally besides smoking, and he gave that up cold turkey in 1998. He is very supportive of me, even though he may not fully understand every little nuance of what I am going through.
Thank you again and I look forward to talking with everyone.
I am sure any minute MrM or MethMike will jump on here so hang on and we will help you and your husband! Hey Percs amswer her please! LOL (I am from Alabama, we yell!) LOL Bill
Regards
Bmac is right. You are VERY lucky to have a spouse that is supportive. EXTREMELY LUCKY! You should find a way to harness that power and use it for your own good.
You have other choices than in-patient rehab. There is also something called out-patient that allows you to stay at home at night and come in at say 7 or 8 am. Stay the day, then back home. It is a structured environment that includes both therapy for the mind and body. If you've used Vicodin for any length of time, chances are your body is out of tune. Obviously the mind is going to be tweaked because it's been bombarded by external chemicals that took the place of your own body's function of feeding the brain. Out-patient rehab can help you adjust your body to the new chemistry but more importantly, it can help you with the adjustment your mind needs. These "adjustments" include stuff like how you react to certain stimuli. What makes you decide to drop more pills when you KNOW its not the right thing to do or that you need them for pain? Stuff like that. It's not a weakness, so I'd stop thinking of it that way. Rather, it's more like a learned process of doing the wrong thing. Cool thing is... you can UNLEARN it.
I don't want to make light of the journey ahead of you. Its gonna be tough. You're gonna get worn down. You'll start asking yourself stuff like "It's been (fill in the blank) weeks! Why am I STILL feeling like this?" The upside is, that it does get better. The more time you get behind day 1, the better you're gonna be feeling. Your energy will come back, you'll start caring about things you simply didn't notice again (like how much your spouse loves you) and best of all, you'll be proud of yourself again.
I needed inpatient. 5 weeks of it. But it was well worth it to me. While going "in" worked for me, it may not be right for you. Figure your options now while weaning. Dedicate yourself to a plan of attack. If you need external help, get a team that can help you to make your goal.
I read your posts. Forgive me if I am wrong, but it seemed like you are pretty scared of what you know you should do. You seem to be hesitant about commiting to a plan, even one that has a shot at success. Those feelings are normal. You just need to get the right team on board to help you get the job done. So what if you can't do it alone. Not many can, including me. If you need help getting your life back, then so be it.
Oh... and forget about feelings like shame & guilt. They serve no purpose other than keeping you down, much like "Da Man". :)
There's LOTS of people here that are eager to help. Just hang out a while and post. Odds are good you'll get some good advice along with an understanding person that's been there during the hard parts.
Peace,
Methman
You know this brings back alot of memories having everyone posting again! It was just last Augaust I found this place all tore up and withdrawing. It is hard to believe that in these few months my life has changed in every way! Finding this place and all of you gave me something I was missing in life, friendship and a caring relationship. Well one out of two ain't bad huh? LOL
Rebecca, you understand now why we jump to help people, we were just there months ago. It hurts but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do no matter how bad it feels. **** it, let it go..................Bill
I see you've met two of my brothers. We all certainly relate to your story.......BIGTIME. Bmac and Methman have given you some great advice; and i couldn't agree more with Methman about UNLEARNING your habit.
Don't be too hard on yourself about a previous unsuccessful tapering attempt.......you join many of us with that one. It took me several attempts before i finally tapered off my 20+/day habit of percocet(of many years).....and on the 19th, it will be 10 months clean. I really believe that some L-Tyrosine and Vitamin B-6 can help you through the blahs, around that 3-6 week clean period, also what feels like no-mans(ok ok, no-womans ) land.......when your body is still looking for the synthetic pain killers, and at the same time it's not sure it wants to produce its own natural pain killers(specifically dopamine!!!). A great many of us here have used them(and the other ingredients of the Thomas Recipe), with very good results. To illustrate my point, i always refer to my mother in law, who 7 months ago dtoxed off a major poly-drug habit spanning a couple decades(smoking cocaine, vicodan, xanax and booze)
She always caved when she quit in the past, for that exact reason.....crushing depression, and the general feeling that she was making the sequel to Mummy Returns. You ask her what the Tyrosine/B-6 combo meant to her, and after instantaneously tearing up, will just keep saying how thankful she was/is to have found it.
And as has been said, it is great to have your husbands support. My wife also was extremely supportive and helped me loads, However, remember as much love and support as he has for you, being a non-addict(I'm assuming?), there still can be unintentional shortfalls in the "TRULY relating" department. Thats where this place, and the great folks that reside here come in to play. I formed some incredibly strong friendships, in a relatively short period of time.....and all without ever meeting one of them........WE JUST RELATE to each other, and what we've been through or going thru.
I can without hesitation, say that it does get better, with each day/week/month that passes; and this is from someone who not that long ago thought he could never stop taking these goddamned pills. First things first, get your tapering done, and then you can start to "relearn" your life.........and please believe me when i tell you i feel perfectly "normal" again(ok peazy, as normal as i get), and live life with a renewed vigor. I would like to make a comment about your tapering schedule. It seems to be dragged out for a very long period of time. Yes that will accomplish what tapering is intended to do in letting you down easier; but by stretching it out so long, you stand the risk of eroding your resolve to getting off these pills.
I'm going to copy and paste the Thomas Recipe, formulated by a good friend of ours here(where are you anyways Thomas?); and although it is designed for cold turkey detox, you can use it once you've tapered off your vikes. Probably not requiring the benzo thats included in the recipe, as you've tapered off your meds.Thomas Detox Recipe
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas
This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (immodium) (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.
During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium (immodium) aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.
With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.
As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you.
Rebecca, i think probably by now you get the idea........WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!! Please keep posting.
percs
Thanks for posting the 'famous' Thomas recipe!
I wish I had a dollar for everytime that one has been copy/pasted!
Rebecca, I told you there are alot of caring people here and so far you see what I meant, we are here for you! Bill
(all the leaves are brown)
and the sky is grey
(and the sky is grey).
Deal with that babe!
I need the 'chalk' on this one! Oh I am soooo full of it......!
sincerely, smilee77
I think you've got a great start for the task at hand, by stating that you WANT TO QUIT. That fear of quitting, we've all felt, and i always tell people that it is usually greater than it need be......
The good news is, you are on a relatively "average to low" doseage...during the almost year that i've been here (at about 7 per day), and for a relatively shortish period of time(at 2 years).
I was up to 20+ percs/day for several years.
I successfully tapered off, while working and being a pseudo-daddy/husband. Although it is a pretty tough go for the first week or so, it definately can be done!!!
You didn't mention your pain situation, but i'll assume you have that under control, and simply want to get off the meds/reclaim your life.
I would suggest a taper for you also, to let you down easier, and start by dropping to 5/day(if you in fact are at 7??)....staying at this doseage for 3-5 days or until you feel stabilized. Then i would drop in one pill increments(for that approximate period, 3-5 days) all the way down to zero.
I believe since you stated you can't take time off work, cold turkey would be very difficult to pull off.
I would also read through the Thomas Recipe(that i'll copy and paste), for some most useful pointers during and after your detox.
If there is anything we can help you with, please please ask. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
percs
Thomas Detox Recipe
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas
This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (immodium) (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.
During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium (immodium) aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.
With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.
As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you.
I appreciate all of the support I have received, and I plan on sticking around. Several people have asked me "what I need" from this group, and I guess the answer is just that - "support." People who know what I am going through and understand. You all seem very supportive, and I thank you!!
Now, I have to actually do some work, so that people get paid here! I am an accountant/office manager for a man who owns 21 KFC's, so I have a lot of people when it comes to payroll.
Thank you all again.
Rebecca
Seriously, we know what you mean by 'support' believe me. It's why after 10 months I still came back here! For support! See I am a chronic pain patient that is also a addict! So I am really screwed up! I hate meds but I have to take them and I love to get high. I have these fights within me and I always stop cold turkey and punish myself over the guilt with withdrawing.I can't remember how many times I have withdrawn from opaites like(morphine,Oxycontin,methadone,lortab) So I need support too! You have come to the right place for that!
See, you can listen too! We all need each other! Peace!
Bill
Rebecca
Anne--P.S.--Sweet Home Alabama--Where the Skies are So Blue
I pull for Alabama except when they play LSU!
I am a pain patient first and I still struggle with taking the meds. I have been high since 1989 and I can tell you it ain't a pretty sight, ask Peazy! LOL
I am struggling also. I am on Oramorph(MS contin) and it is a great pain killer but I am also broke out with a rash all over my body and girlI mean all over my body. I havetaken Kadian(morphine) in the past with no problems at all. So yesterday I stopped the Oramorph and I am taking norco's(lortab 10) until next Monday when I'll prolly go on Oxy contin. So you see I have no choice except to live in pain or take my meds. Legal scripts I should say too.(referring to the drug habit remarks from Goatdude). Until about 14 days ago I was struggling to the point I thought I would just give in but thanks to some incredible friends(you know who you are) and a certain well lets say a certain DJ I know helped me save what life I have left and actually am as happy now as I have ever been. Well once this damn rash goes away! LOL If you ever wanna ask me a question and I am not here my addy is ***@****. Also I have been to N.O. many times and have spent alot of time on N.Rampart Street in a litttle shop called Art Accent Tattoos by Jacci.
I love that town and have played there many many times. I am a bassplayer If you didn't know that!( I am still thinkng about the DJ comment) sorry! Anyway thanks and if you ever need anything email me and I'll be right there! Bmac
Anne
Now go tell her I ain't bad damn it! NOW! Bill
If you're down to 2½ pills from 15, you should be very near the end of the tapering down process. The worst of the weaning should be over for you. I realize everyone metabolizes differently, but 2½ pills over a 24 hour period is a very low dose of Ultram. Unless you have liver or kidney issues that are preventing the metabolizing, almost all the tramadol should by out of your system after 24 hours (when taking 2½ pills per day, that is)
I have had extensive experience with tramadol withdrawal (4 times). I also feel cheated like some of the others here. I was told it was non-addictive and that I would not get a buzz from it. My doctor actually told me it was "a wonderful drug". I had been off the stuff for a couple years when all of a sudden my back went out. I ended up on tramadol again, and I was pissed!!! It was like the addiction was worse than ever before. The symptoms of addiction got worse every time I went back on it. At my worst, I was up taking over 40 of the 50mg tramadol pills every day. My face looked all gaunt and sickly. My eyes were so messed up because they looked red, bulged out, and/or glassy. I was taking tramadol instead of eating many times.
In the beginning, I would get an anti-depressant effect from tramadol. Somewhere along the line, the drug turned on me like a back-stabber, and it actually caused me to feel deep dark depression. However, if I tried to stop, I would get sick with withdrawal.
I swore off the stuff dozens of times... only to end up ordering more within a couple days. It may sound corny, but I had to pray desperately for help to whatever Higher Power created the world. I also had to try to keep busy as much as possible. I actually ended up using a lot of the AA and NA principles to get off this stuff.
At first, I went from 40 pills to 18 pills per day. I felt kind of icky for about 3 days when I did that, but nothing like the severe withdrawal of going cold turkey. Then I decreased the dose by two pills each day. I went from 18 to 16 to 14 to 12 to 10. Once I got down to 8 pills, I decreased the dose by a half a pill each day (or by half a pill every other day if I started to feel crappy).
Anyway, once I finally got down to 3 pills per day, I would just wait as long as I could until I started to feel withdrawal symptoms and then take a half of a pill or a quarter of a pill every 30 minutes until the symptoms were bearable. Then I would be OK for about 8 hours. I just kept spacing it out longer and longer until I could finally go without it. I was taking little chips every few hours by the end. The whole process took me 2 to 3 weeks.
The hard part for me was sticking to the dosage decrease schedule. -- If you have bad day and end up taking a step backwards by going up in dose instead of down, you just have to get right back on schedule the next day.