Aa
Imodium......really???
I've been seeing a common "cure" for opiate wd popping up on my tramadol withdrawal relief search..... some folks seem to claim Imodium (loperamide) helps with symptoms. Does anyone have experience with this?
I'm on day 2 of jumping off trams from a daily 1000mg habit. Any tricks would be of benefit. Would really only prefers natural remedies for obvious reasons.
I'm on day 2 of jumping off trams from a daily 1000mg habit. Any tricks would be of benefit. Would really only prefers natural remedies for obvious reasons.
"It's just the illusion of things being better." Spell check got me too. Isn't that why we want off pills, to really feel better, not just have the illusion of feeling good?
I used 20mgs Immodium one time, based on all the reports I heard. I had to go to a water park for my sons birthday and had explosive diarrhea for months after quitting 250mgs of methadone. I was greatly criticized for taking dangerous amounts of OTC meds. My logic was, I was taking enough methadone to kill a couple of people, in one dose, so I decided 20mgs of Immodium wasn't really all that bad. I am not sure that was sound logic, but that is where my head was. The problem I had with it was, I was still self-medicating. I didn't want to keep being deceptive or taking meds to feel better. Our bodies become dependent on any nutrient or chemical, so I knew I had to ride it out, if I wanted my natural balance to return.
The outcome, I didn't embarrass my son by polluting the pool. It did keep me from being as sick, though I still felt really bad. I told my wife I was doing it, so I felt like I had accountability. Her opinion was, only do it if you really need to for being in public and not grossing everyone out. So, it worked, but I only did it that one time and took 2mgs if I had to, after that event. I am just sharing my experience. I wanted off all man made chemicals, so I was motivated to not take anything I didn't absolutely HAVE TO. Had I been on faster acting opiates or a lower dose, where my detox symptoms lasted a month or so, I would have never done that. I was really sick for many months and it took about a year to feel good enough and two years to feel good. Immodium only helped with keeping my fluids in, I had no fear of rebound constipation, I actually was hoping for that. I ended up with hemorrhoids from months and months of the runs. I don't think it helped my anxiety or other symptoms, so I wouldn't have taken them for that. Anyway, that is my story with Immodium. I don't suggest taking more than the label suggests of any med, I think it simply delays the real healing, not just the illusion of things being better.
The outcome, I didn't embarrass my son by polluting the pool. It did keep me from being as sick, though I still felt really bad. I told my wife I was doing it, so I felt like I had accountability. Her opinion was, only do it if you really need to for being in public and not grossing everyone out. So, it worked, but I only did it that one time and took 2mgs if I had to, after that event. I am just sharing my experience. I wanted off all man made chemicals, so I was motivated to not take anything I didn't absolutely HAVE TO. Had I been on faster acting opiates or a lower dose, where my detox symptoms lasted a month or so, I would have never done that. I was really sick for many months and it took about a year to feel good enough and two years to feel good. Immodium only helped with keeping my fluids in, I had no fear of rebound constipation, I actually was hoping for that. I ended up with hemorrhoids from months and months of the runs. I don't think it helped my anxiety or other symptoms, so I wouldn't have taken them for that. Anyway, that is my story with Immodium. I don't suggest taking more than the label suggests of any med, I think it simply delays the real healing, not just the illusion of things being better.
Well there you go..... brain zap. One would think I'd have thought to Google it I just didn't know how to term it. Another wonderful gift from tramadol I guess.
The "zaps" in your head are from withdrawal of the anti-depressant that is in Tramadol.
You can even google "brain zaps" and you'll see it is a common symptom. It is not well researched or understood by the medical community. It happened to me a long time ago when I was on a high daily dose of Prozac (60 mgs) and stopped cold turkey. I was out one night and it felt like my brain "shivered." Not painful, but definitely unsettling.
It went on for a week then subsided. My doctor told me he didnt' think it was dangerous or harmful...hope this helps.
You can even google "brain zaps" and you'll see it is a common symptom. It is not well researched or understood by the medical community. It happened to me a long time ago when I was on a high daily dose of Prozac (60 mgs) and stopped cold turkey. I was out one night and it felt like my brain "shivered." Not painful, but definitely unsettling.
It went on for a week then subsided. My doctor told me he didnt' think it was dangerous or harmful...hope this helps.
I tried to taper but always making one excuse after another so I just said..... let's jump! Flushed my bottle and dove in.For the longest time I told myself I will plan this at a convenient time but it's there really a convenient time when your a father of 3? I didn't think so lol!
Luckily we have a soft side hot tub but being in Colorado, once I get out the cold just hurts. Let's see....symptoms.... Hot, cold, cagey, joints popping all over the place, weekends, restless everything syndrome...lol, heartbreaking crazy hard and fast at times.....the weirdest one by far however is these weird "zaps" in my head. It's bizarre. Ya I'm sure of it...... this is about as bad as I've ever felt. The hot tub does help. I made a protein shake last night and gagged it down with 2 sugar cookies my wife just baked. I don't think I could do this without her.
There are a LOT of "cures' for opiate withdrawals out there, and all of them involve usually taking HUGE, unsafe amounts of a medication of some sort (like Immodium).
Like the others have said, unfortunately, there really is no easy way out, and taking gobs of Immodium not only isn't the answer, but also, it could cause you serious medical problems.
Did you taper off the Tramadol at all? Can you give us a bit of a background of your use? How long you've been abusing the Tramadol?
Hang in there...you're in the right place for help and support!
Like the others have said, unfortunately, there really is no easy way out, and taking gobs of Immodium not only isn't the answer, but also, it could cause you serious medical problems.
Did you taper off the Tramadol at all? Can you give us a bit of a background of your use? How long you've been abusing the Tramadol?
Hang in there...you're in the right place for help and support!
I too read lots about it helping but the couple times i have tried it beyond the dose that many reccomend they say to take like 3 times amount i got so so sick pains so bad in my stomach cause i could not go to the bathroom i am still up and down with relapses here and there but i want this more than anything and i will get there it is so miserable and hard; ( keep going i see on here all the time if i would have stuck with this person or that one i would be feeling good now.. just keep pushing
Can you be more specific? What is going with your body? Are you having cramps, leg aches, etc?
I can't sleep either...I was never a good sleeper, until I started on opiates of course. Now that I"m clean, sleep is my enemy. I try to tell myself "at least I'm resting" as I lay in bed watching Three's Company at 4:30 am. (Interrupted by those commercials that show abused animals...OMG; my husband had to hide the credit cards so I wouldn't be on the phone signing our bank account away!)
You're beginning day 3, right? It's going to be unpleasant, so do everything you can to feel comfortable. I hope you don't have to work...have you tried hot baths?
Hugs,
-Robin
I can't sleep either...I was never a good sleeper, until I started on opiates of course. Now that I"m clean, sleep is my enemy. I try to tell myself "at least I'm resting" as I lay in bed watching Three's Company at 4:30 am. (Interrupted by those commercials that show abused animals...OMG; my husband had to hide the credit cards so I wouldn't be on the phone signing our bank account away!)
You're beginning day 3, right? It's going to be unpleasant, so do everything you can to feel comfortable. I hope you don't have to work...have you tried hot baths?
Hugs,
-Robin
Like death. Literally. Last night I will not soon forget. This is ridiculously unbearable......who needs sleep anyway, it's overrated..... on a brighter note, these forums are priceless. So many people with such incredible similarity.... amazing support structure. In some twisted way it's nice to know there are others suffering with me.....
Loperamide, which is the generic name for Immodium, is actually an opiod agonist, but it doesn't cross the Blood-Brain-Barrier, so you can't really get high from it.
What it DOES do it slow down your gastrointestinal tract, so if you're having non-stop diarrhea, it can help a lot. You need to use it EXACTLY according to the directions, though, or even less (I would take only ONE of them per day at the most) because it can cause rebound constipation.
It is not a cure-all, but it definitely can help ease your tummy troubles.
How are you feeling?
Hugs,
-Robin
What it DOES do it slow down your gastrointestinal tract, so if you're having non-stop diarrhea, it can help a lot. You need to use it EXACTLY according to the directions, though, or even less (I would take only ONE of them per day at the most) because it can cause rebound constipation.
It is not a cure-all, but it definitely can help ease your tummy troubles.
How are you feeling?
Hugs,
-Robin
Electrolytes*** is what I meant. Not whatever that word is up there that doesn't even make sense :)
And hot baths with Epsom salts helps relieve the leg pain. Hot water bottles. Heating pads. More ppl with tramadol withdrawl knowledge will be along soon I'm sure. :)
Vitimans, lots of water, eltrolites. And I'd recommend staying away from imodium unless taking it properly. I also read ppl taking way way to much. In my opinion was just dumb. There is no quick fix for withdrawl,just time as what I've learned. I'm sure there are something's your doc can prescribe you for help. But I just stayed the natural route and wanted everything bad outa my body. Goodluck and keep posting. :)
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