Just getting started...

[DogtownEVH]

Hello all. I have been reading posts on this forum for about two hours now. It's amazing, just reading what other people are going through is helping me so much.

I started cutting back on my doses about a week and a half ago. At the worst of it, I was taking 80mg/day somtimes 120mg/ day of Oxy, and percs (6-8 7.5/325's) when they were around and Vicodin ES (7.5/750) as well!

I am going through pretty bad w/d symptoms right now. I still have one Vicodin left and I have broken off a 1/4 a couple of times today when the w/d seemed unbearable. Should I be doing this or am I just prolonging the agony?

I read also in another post that Clonidine will help with the w/d. What dosage is appropriate? The Clonodine I have is Clonidine HCL 0.1mg. They are prescribed to my Mom and she is helping me get through this.

Again, I can't even begin to tell you how much reading these boards have helped me in just the past two hours. I am so very greatful to all of those that post here and plan on making this site a daily visit for me.

Just getting started...

Joe

[DogtownEVH]

Hello All,

Just posting a note before I hit the sack. 1 day down, absolutley nothing taken at all today. Tomorrow is a new day and I hope it goes as well as today did!

Thanks everyone for posting, It helps!

Goodnight,

Joe

[HATE2LOVE IT]

Clonodine helpe me come through w/d from a nasty heroin, d, and oxy addiction. helps alot!

[marcatj]

Joe.. I too have an addictive personality.  I think part is nature and part is nurture.. I really do.

I loved me my cocaine too (lol) but wasn't something I ever got addicted to.  Don't know why...

But I will say, you have some pretty strong resolve.  You walked away from that and now you are kicking this one.  Which, btw, peeps on here have said it's harder to get off hyrdo's than crack or heroin... so I for one, feel pretty dang good about it!!!  (Altho I'm day 18 so I shouldn't get to cocky...)  

Therapy is great.  If you're Westisde and decide too, I have a GREAT person over there... whenever.  I know you're not making any decisions today... I don't blame you.

be well sweety,
mj

[DogtownEVH]

Thank you,

With the support and advice of the people on this forum. I think I can really do it. I feel so good right now. I woke up this morning not feeling great, suffering from standard w/d symptoms. After taking 1 Clonidine this morning, I feel amazing. Not high at all, just not suffering. My head is begginning to clear, I can make eye-contact with people, It's great. I have absolutely no desire to take a Vicodin, Oxy, or Percocet (Endocet actually). If the Clonidine continues to work like it is, I feel I will have no problem getting through these next couple of days.

I sincerely want to Thank not only you but everyone on this forum. The support I have received has really made the difference.

Thank you all,

Joe

[Chasenchristy]

Joe,
    I have been clean for about 6 days and It is still early, but when the thought of using crosses my mind, all I have to do is close my eyes and think back to the first day. The way I felt when the worst of the W/D hit and I will never ever do it again! My fear of pain is much stronger than the urge to use again.. Just something to thin about.. Hoep it helps. Good Luck to you...Christy

[DogtownEVH]

Thanks tzt2lady,

I will look into it. Maybe it will be what I need.

Joe

[DogtownEVH]

Thank you IBKleen,

I think counseling and/or therapy might be the ticket for me. I am not sure yet. I have a lot of decisions to make in the near future regarding my addiction. Right now I just want it out of my system and will go from there.

BTW - I copied my original post to the Addiction Forum, sorry for posting it here. I was a bit cloudy late last night...

Marcat - all my friends drank too. I never enjoyed it though and as a result never had a drinking problem. For me it was Cocaine. I quit that cold turkey over nine years ago and have not looked back. I walked away from all of my contacts (not friends, as I used to call them). I did really good for several years and only started taking the pain meds about two years ago. I obviously have an addictive personality and must find a way to not trade this addiction for another. I am sure it will be a life long battle.

Joe

[tzt2lady]

Its Smart Recovery.    I keep meaning to check out a meeting but, well, just havent yet.  

[IBKleen]

Hello and Welcome To The Forum!

Congrats..you are almost there! You have gotten some good advise.

I do understand your feeling regarding the 12 step program. I also had a hard tme in the beginning. So, I tpld myself that I was simply surrending my will to a power greater than myself. I did not choose to call that power GOD then. The 12 step program helped me a lot, but as you said, it is not for eeryone.

Perhaps you could seek out a counselor or a therapist. For me, it was important to find the root of the problem and  why I did those things to myself, and I needed to get the tools to not repeat them. I also loved the definition of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and expecting diferent results". Yup, that was me.

Take good care of yourself, physically and mentally. Please keep posting.

Hugs.........

[marcatj]

dude - you are entitled to your opinions here!!!

while I do believe in God, I respect your right not to....

ya know, i was a big drinker in my twenties.  granted - everyone was that i hung with - but then it spilled over into my early 30's... and i thought "hmmm... not so cute."  actually i got into therapy at that time.

for me, figuring some stuff out and working thru some issues, well, the drinking just fell away...

i'm not saying that's what you need, what i am saying is personally, i believe there are other means by which people can stay clean (altho i do know 12-Step has probably the highest success rate.)  but i'm not going that route either..

just think about it.  there's another group online someone mentioned (something recovery - i can't remember) that is not 12 step, but is another way of getting and keeping people clean.  if you wanna know let me know and i'll ask one of the members on here who i think would know.

aaaaaaaanyway, just something to think about.  when your brain isn't feeling foggy....

:)
mary

[DogtownEVH]

Thanks mj.

The Clonodine is helping tremendously. Belive me I won't forget... The question at the end of your post Is what I am thinking about now. It is a difficult one to answer. I honestly don't have a real answer yet. Maybe some clarity of mind will help, obviously I am still a bit hazy.

I know a lot of people who are big on the twelve step idea. My education is in science, I do not mean to offend anyone by this, but I have a hard time with the concept of God. I know I have a problem and I am willing to admit it. Accepting the higher power and surrendering my will are very difficult concepts for me.

Again I mean no offense to people who do believe in God. If it works for them, then so be it. I think I have to find another way though.

Joe

[marcatj]

Yeah.  I used to live in Venice, and also know one of the orig. Dogtown dudes.. funny, huh?

your w/d's shouldn't be too bad if you stick with the clonidine.  you'll be surprised.  3x a day.. don't forget.  you'll probably be lazy but at least you won't feel like crawling out of your skin...

think about the future too, after you get thru this.  what is it that is going to make you never use again... you'll have to figure that out.

-mj

[DogtownEVH]

Morning everyone. Thank you for the support.

Well I tried a Clonodine last night (this morning) and it helpled me tremendously. I was able to fall asleep for about six hours. Just woke up feeling like **** though. I want to take a quarter of the Vicodin, but won't. I gave it to my g/f. She has a legitamate use for it still.

As far as my Mom goes she can only help me with the Clonodine and verbal support. She is 77 and a resident at a skilled nursing facility herself. My g/f has had surgery on her hip and knees over the past six months, so unfortunately she can't physically help me either.

I know I have a long road ahead of me, but I have good people in my life and they will make the coming days easier for me. I never want to go back to where I was - mentally and physically addicted to such a mind numbing habit. I have made some bad decisions over the past two years or so that have cost my Family and I dearly. Never Again.

BTW = Yeah I am pretty close to Venice but do not live there. My sister used to work for Dogtown back in the day. You don't see It too often so it's a good screen name for me. - Did that make any sense, I can ramble from time to time, forgive me.

Just getting started...

Joe

[marcatj]

Joe - get the clonidine in your system right away... for some, it takes away w/d symptoms almost immediatelyl.

As mention above, the dosage you have is perfect, take it 3x a day... make sure to taper off it tho (vs. going from 3 a day to 0.)  Some people take it up to 10 days... I took it I think for like, 4...

Dogtown eh?  You in Venice???

[marcatj]

Joe - get the clonidine in your system right away... for some, it takes away w/d symptoms almost immediatelyl.

As mention above, the dosage you have is perfect, take it 3x a day... make sure to taper off it tho (vs. going from 3 a day to 0.)  Some people take it up to 10 days... I took it I think for like, 4...

Dogtown eh?  You in Venice???

[FLaddict]

Good Morning and Welcome.. Clonidine can be taken one 3x per day.. if you get super dizzy or lethargic cut back to half a pill.. keep an eye on your blood pressure if possible. Taking those quarters will just give your brain tiny amounts.. I would get rid of the pill its not doing you any favors to take it like that..
You may also wanna check out the regular Addiction Forum.. This is the Community Forum there are 2 forums here at MEdhelp.. just go to the left hand top corner where its says "medical communities" and click Addiction. some members prefer it over there some over here.. this side is mainly for 'general chat"
Just getting started is a good way to look at it... good additiude..

XOXO
Stephanie
Day 93

[Chasenchristy]

Hello. Good for you on doing it. Listen, My GF and I have ben dealing with this for a while now pretty much a f/t basis. This is the first time we tried the suboxone. The rest of the time is has been cold turkey. Those times, we didnt make it as it is very hard. I made it to day 4 once. Once you get past day 4 it is a lot better I hear, but actually we were both on day 4 and she ended up freaking out. we tried Tramadol, xanax and tried to drink lots of water. the xanax helped the most to ease the edge and help relax. For me sleep wasout of the question but she had no problem. I've heard the same about Clonodine, but no idea about the dose. i do know you must wien off that too when the time comes. I know it is going to get worse for you but it is wonderful you have your mother. She will be the best person you could have with you right now. You both should realize she (this is based on mine and my Gf exp) may need to bathe you, feed you, rub your legs etc. my legs really hurt during detox and my mother came down and she would rub my legs, my GF bathed me, but it is important to keep drinking and preferably water, gatoraide, because soda, milk and all that dehydrates you and you already dont want to drink and will have the runs, and possibly vomiting so nothing to make you more dehydrated. Lots of water to keep you urinating and your kidneys functioning. This will not kill you although you will want to die, but the things like dehydration can. So what I'm saying is please drink lots, and it helps to flush away all the toxins. When yo can get food in you, nothing heavy, grapes were nice for me, cold, refreshing. after there is food try taking vitamens, but after day 3 or so cause you want to sleep as much as possible to day 3 or 4. you can get potassium for leg cramps, and we take a vit. b complex, magnesium and an anti-oxidant. it really seems to help. So if you have any questions please ask. have your mother read this. she is going to have her hands full, be nice to her as your lucky to have the most important person ther with you. Be strong, you can do this. Good luck!
Chase