tobybear

You have taken the first big step. You admitted you're an addict. No, you're not stupid and w/d is something we all fear. Maybe you could think of the method you would like to use to kick your addiction. Tapering slowly, Thomas Recipe, c/t. Tapering to me was the easiest, but everyone is different. There is a lot of support here and if you need to talk give ma a holler. You're gonna make it through this.
I'll be watching for your posts. I'm usually on at night but try to check the forum a few times during the day.

Please Take Care.....LS

[GA Guy]

Listen to the Lady!! She knows what she's talking about. She's a source of strength for many of us. Here's a post that may help...Read it, and listen to the Lady!! You'll do great!!

This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.

Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning or planning on beginning a colt turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives),  Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.

First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.

Thomas Recipe:

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.

[LadySundown]

You give so much of yourself. Personally, I'm delighted you included fentanyl pain patches. There used to be a few others that were on them. Now I only know of one and he truly needs them. Before I found this forum there was very little info on them, and although they are an opiate, they have to be stopped in a different way. Your research is priceless and we're so blessed to have you here.
Please Take Care.....Connie

[FLaddict]

I feel the same way... I am so glad you are here to share this with us... You and I are on the same page about alot of things so its nice to have someone that shares my views.. that way we can support each other in the ways we need..

Have a great night.. I am off of bed.. Night night

XOXO
Stephanie
It was day 45 at midnight est time

[tobybear]

Thank you for the encouragement.  I went to the Health Food Store and bought L-T, B-6, and minerals.  I have klonopin.  I only hope that I can do it.  I know God is on my side, he gave me the free will to do the stupid things that I do, but he is also there when you need him, if you ask him.  It took a long time on the internet to find a place to go to such as this forum.  Thank-You all for being here.  I live in a little town, so I thought that I would have to do this all alone. Now I can actually havesomeone to talk to that has been there.  You all are an answer to my prayer.  Now I have to get up some guts and do this. I know  withdrawals are going to be hard and I am scared, but I am going to do it.

Thank You
Tobybear

[FLaddict]

Welcome... get lots of fluids too... I liked Vitamin water when I was detoxing... I got the calcium/Vit C and the B vitamins/Potassium.... potassium helps the leg stuff.. also bananas..
Let us know if you need anything or just need to chat while you feel bad..helps keep your mind off of it..

XOXO
Stephanie
Day 45