DO MEDS HELP WITHDRAWEL?

[pillhell]

DOES ULTRAM HELP WITHDRAWEL FROM METHADONE,AND PAIN PILLS?OR CLONIDINE?IS THERE ANY OTHER MEDS OUT THERE TO HELP?

[dandriver]

This is Dandrivers wife, about going to work, I sit in a cubible all day so I mainly just sit there and stare at the clock and take as many breaks as I can to get outside.  Ive been there 10 years, so they dont say much to me.  But it is horrbile because they have the air conditioning cranking, so Im feel like my bones are frozen. My husband seems to cope a little better because he's outside and he's by himself, until he goes back to the terminal.  As embarrasing as it was, I told my mom, she gaves us her adivan, which helps with the feeling of jumping out of our skin. Its the third day and we both feel like were going to die.  I have a 4 year old and a 5 year old to take care of, they are a handful and I cant stop crying at all.  One of them colored me a picture and I left the room and cried my eyes out. Im crying over everything, even stupid commercials...lol.  My husband back is killing him.  We both have been eating Ammodium like candy.  The hard part is, I know I have 3 refills sitting at the pharmacy, I think Im going to have my mom call and cancel all of them.  But yes, going to work was awful, it totally sucked.  We both went Thursday, them for the first time called in sick Friday. We took the kids to the park all day, just to be out of the house, for some reason that helped a little. If this sweating buckets and freezing to death would stop we might feel better.  Its like I dont even know what to do with my self.  I want to thank you all for your support.  Will we ever feel normal?!  Sometimes I feel soooooooooo stupid for ever letting this happen. We have the same doctor who just kept writing prescriptions over and over again.  WE LOVED HIM.....lol.  The reason we got them in the first place is he has horrible back problems and I have chronic headaches and migranes, but then we just started taking them for fun.  By the way, its taken me for ever to type this, because my fingers arent doing what I want them to do and I keep forgetting things, is this normal and we both are having shortness of breath, is that normal?

[tex3]

When I was in the worst of WDs and had to go to the doctor at one point, I could barely sit in a car. I felt like I was sinking in on myself, almost blacking out but never got the peace that would have offered. It was the most terrible experience ever. I did have to take care of three kids, but at that point just turned on the TV, made sandwiches and let them lay around me (they were old enough to do so). I'll never do that again, and it was hell not letting them see just how sick I was. I hate that I did that to them at all. I hope you're finding some relief. Hang in there.

[tex3]

Wow, trying to work while going through WD is a nightmare. I've done it, but never in the very worst part of it. Are you weaning or did you go cold? I really recommend seeing an addiction specialist, who can help you get off this stuff with some meds that mute the WD symptoms. They are only taken for a few days, but it helps tremendously. How are y'all doing today?

[Witchywoman]

Man, I can't believe anyone can actually go to work in the middle of wds. I know some people have done it, but it must take every ounce of strength you have. When I was going through it, just getting up to go to the bathroom was a major effort!

Tell us more about how you are getting through it. Do you have any meds or supplements to help the symptoms?

Keep reaching toward the light, you can do it. You really can.
We're with you every step of the way.

love,
WW

[dandriver]

Thank you, at this point, we'd try anything. Its only the second day off, feeling extremely miserable! Does anyone ever get shortness of breath and is that normally something that will go away? The biggest problem is that we both HAVE to work and it is horrible trying to make it through an 8 hour day when all you want to do is lay around. We've both noticed that sitting outside in the fresh air helps, which also tells you this isnt the first time we've tried to stop. But it is the first time we are both serious.  We are greatful for this forum.

[tex3]

Hi and welcome. I don't know the exact combination of supplements on the Thomas recipe, as I take a variation. But someone will post it if they see it in the comment line. This is what I take:
A supplement called "Mega Mind" that includes 300 mgs of N-Acetyl L-tyrosone (the recipe calls for l-tyrosone, but from what I've read and experienced myself, if you get a formula with N-Acetyl L-tyrosone it absorbs much better and you don't need such a high dose). When I took the plain L-tyrosone I took 1000 mgs or more a day. Now I take 300-600 mgs a day. The max on my formula is four pills, which would be 1200 mgs. This particular brand also includes mega vitamins. You need B6, B12, Magnesium, Zinc, and others that are found in a good mult-vitamin.

5HTP, not sure of the dose but mine has valerian and more B vitamins in it.

The L-tyrosone is an amino acid that is necessary for proper functioning of your neurotransmitters, which have been all screwed up by using drugs. I noticed an almost immediate improvement in my mood and energy level (within a day) when I started on this. The 5HTP is a precursor to serotonin, which also works on your mood. For me, the L-tyr is the biggest player.

If I got any of this wrong, please someone correct me. This is just the stuff I take, and I know it's not exactly what's in the recipe, but I didn't start it until I was already clean for a few weeks.

Good luck and hang in there!

[dandriver]

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THE THOMAS RECIPE I KEEP TRYING TO FIND IT AND CAN'T. MY WIFE AND I BOTH NEED HELP GETTING OFF THESE STUPID PILLS. THEY ARE CONTINUING TO RUN OUR LIFE. WE NO LONGER WANT TO BE HOOKED. I TAKE LORCET AND SHE TAKES VICOPROFEN AND ULTRAM WE SHARE OUR MEDS TO GET US TO THE NEXT SCRIPT FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. SO IF SOMEONE CAN PLEASE TELL US THE HERBAL THOMAS RECIPE WE WOULD BOTH BE GREATFUL

[Gianna m]

I am so glad you are interested!! Their number is 1-800-711-6402. The web site is http//:the watershed.com. I am a 38 yr old mom of a 7 yr old and I had no clue that I wasn't functioning so well. It turns out everyone else knew but me. I got a DUI in July at 7:20am coming home from the clinic and where I had mixed the pills with it, I appeared drunk. I got pulled over and the officer asked me how much I had to drink. I was very indignant because I don't drink, missing the point that I was totally wasted and it showed. I didn't really care about the ticket for the DUI, all I kept thinking was "how about if my dtr was in the cAR?" they handcuffed me and gave me a urine. It will show oxycotin, barbituates, darvocet and methadone. The watershed gave me my life back! I know I have alot of work to do to stay clean but I have never felt better. Please let me know how you make out after you call. Like I said before, they will fly you down the same day or the next day, so don't waste another minute-your kids deserve their "real" mother. We are supposed to do this for ourselves, but it doesn't matter what gets you in the door! Good Luck and God Bless you!!

[Lucy and Ricky]

We have been popping anywhere from 15-30 norco or 2-3 oxycontin a day. My husband and I just recently went 7 days without anything except ultram the first three days. The ultram helped, but afterwards the next four days were just reruns of the depression, sleeplesness, body aches, diarrea, and no energy. I have this stupid book that told me after the third or fourth day you start to feel better, but on day 7 we felt the same as day 4. We have been using everyday for the past 2 years, with the exception of a 3 week period last December(which the body aches lasted till we used again). My question is do the withrawl symptoms do away after a month or so? We have used the ultram, but is there a better pill or patch? And I keep hearing people talk about lortab, is that a good way to wean off? Any help would be appreciated, I just don't think I can handle getting sick again. As soon as either of us even think of the stomache cramps or depression or leg aches, there is no way we can remain motivated. I know some people think that you have to go through the pain so you never do it again, but I know from my own experience that when I get sick, I get loaded again with a vengeance. We really believe that we could be successful if there was a less traumatic way of kicking. Thanks for being the only ones who could ever understand!

[willowman11]

Hi everyone, I have been reading the comments on this site for a couple of weeks. I am in the fourth day of no Vicodin. I have been on and off vicodin for about 20 years due a many different conditions and surgeries. The last 5 years I have been on the vic's heavily. I have had enough.

I need some advice, my doc put me on Ultracet with the assumption that this was a non-narcodic drug along with flexeril for the shakes I get in my legs. Upon reading about Ultracet I find that is is addictive and its warning states that anyone in drug or alchol withdrawl should not take this. It also states that one should not take Ultracet along with Prozac,flexeril and nortriptoline. All three that I take daily.

I called the doc and left message and I have gotten no response and the pharmacist told me he could find no interaction with those drugs.

Does anyone have any experience with Ultracet. I am not sure if this is something I should be taking. I need something as I have Reiters Syndrome - arthritis,Poly myalgia Arthritica,Cronic Kidney stones,Two fusions in lower back,Heart attacks and
Triple bypass surgery last christmas.

The drug has worked well so far as my withdrawls have been mild and I dont crave the vic's. The ultracet does not give me the high that the Vicodin does although I am probably taking too much.

[kell737]

Hi everyone.  Thank you all for responding.  Well, I'm on day 4 and I have to say yesterday was the most PAINFUL day I've had.  Today is pretty rough too but I've spent about 13 hours (HAHAHA) in the hot bathtub.  IT WORKED!!!!  I feel like ass but to be honest I'm very proud of myself.  I keep telling myself that I can do this and every second I feel like giving in.  I want to thank you all for your post because that's 60% of why I'm doing this.  I've read every post you all have put and the stories are amazing.  I don't know one of you but I feel like I owe you my life.  I'm as well proud of all you for being clean and wanting to come clean.  this is a horrible thing to go through and knowing that I'm beating this misreable beast keeps me going. I have someone very special I've let into my life to help me with this and that is God.  I've beieved in him and he has been the one to show me the way.  Thank you all for your support. After 10 years...  Day 4 clean baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   <TAKES BOW!!>    

~kell

[tex3]

Hi Tessa, and congratulations! First, if it makes you feel better regarding the pain pills you've already taken, when I was pregnant and got migraines my doctor had me taken vicoden (although not daily) or fiorinal for the pain. He said not to take even advil, as these others were safer. Still, obviously you need to quit, and this is a great opportunity. You don't want to send your body into WD though. You need to come clean with your doctor and let him get a plan, if you haven't already done that. How far are you? I hope you're feeling okay. And thanks for missing me! I've been super busy and trying to take a class AND trying to get my DSL service working.
tracy

[roro]

hi everyone, i am back again....  i have been trying desperately to get off vikes and oxys on my own and again have been unsuccesful.  You guys have been alot of help but I was unable to do it alone.  This time I need help.  I was wondering if anyone new of a rehab that I can go to that has a step down program.  I am willing to travel for this but have not been able to find a place to go to.  If anyone can help i would appreciate it greatly.  In the mean time can anyone help with some tips on stopping by myself....  Help needed here I am over the edge.  I was even snorting the oxys at one point and I get deathly Ill trying to come off of this and 30 vikes or percs a day.  If it wasnt for the sick feeling i can prob do this myself.  The stomache cramps and the vomitting are the worst.  Is it possible to live a normal life again.  Thanks for listening and hope to get some comments back....

[Witchywoman]

Hang in there...
Is your goal to be off all opiates completely or just to transition to lortab from the patch you were on?

If it is to be off all opiates completely, taper very carefully with those lortabls. There are two schools of thought, the tapering and the cold turkey. I had to be a cold turkey person, couldn't taper no matter how hard I tried.

If you just go off cold turkey it will be hellish, no doubt, but by day 4 off everything, you do begin to feel a lot better.

keep us posted.
love,
WW

[alexandra_r]

You can do--I have a lot of faith in you.  You are wise to be wary of heading into your old neighborhood where you knew where to score.  You know what they say--stay away from slipper people, places and things.  Go to this site--they have a complete listing of AA meetings by day of the week all around SF.  AA saved my life and I am eternally grateful (even though I'm no longer active, but maybe I should be . . . )

http://www.aasf.info/

Again--congrats on the job.  Knock em dead.

[hellbent]

Thanks Alexandra. I told my sponsor about my fears. He told me that there is a noon meeting every day at St. Mary's, close to where I work.

Thanks for the schedule.

[kell737]

I just read your post and I wanted to respond.  First of all, the withdrawls from Ultram are horrible.  I don't see how they can not have that  medicine controlled.  They do have meds to help get through withdrawl but I FOR SURE would suggest Ultram.  Reading all these post I am so happy for all of you that are clean and trying to get clean.  I'm trying myself and it's the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.  I've been without vicodin for 3 days now.  It's SOOOOOOOOO freakin tough and I feel like my insides are going to burst out.  Reading all of your  posts as honestly helped so much.
I got so tired of having a medicine control (literally!!) my life.  I'm so proud of myself but I'm scared I'm going to give up.  What did you all do to keep FROM giving up??   I get so depressed and so achy.  I just keep telling myself it was so much easier to pop a pill every 5 hours and be happy and pain free.  HELP!

[kell737]

That last post was supposed to read :  " I would NOT suggest Ultram".   LOL  sorry

[Witchywoman]

Hi Kell,
Day 3 of withdrawals is the hardest, so if you make it past today, you'll start feeling better and better each day, I promise.

Then comes the hard part, staying clean.  Because eventually our brains start to tell us that we can take some, 'just once in a while' or 'just this once', and that always leads to getting addicted again, in my humble opinion. I know there are some folks who believe it is possible to use recreationally again, but I don't buy that.

Staying clean is about staying away from things that you associate with using, which for me was almost everything,'cause i used to like to come home and take the pills, have a beer and just 'relax after a long day'. That 'relaxation' took a toll on me that almost destroyed my spirit and still has repercusions.

good luck, and keep reaching out for support. You can do this, you just have to want it badly enough. You can do it. You can.

love,
WW

[hippy]

hey gwh
i have found from avice here that the  5htp
really help alot with panic and anxiety

good luck

[pillhell]

THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION.7 WEEKS CLEAN.WOW THATS AWESOME.BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF EVERY DAY YOU DONT USE.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.I WILL DEFINATELY STAY AWAY FROM ULTRAM.IT SOUNDS DEADLY.

[Witchywoman]

Tessa congratulations on  bringing new life into this world! That is wonderful happy news!!!  ::hugs
And what you said is true..it is no longer just your life you are making decisions for when you take meds. It is your baby's as well. I know you need support, not a lecture.  Trust me, in 4 or 5 days off opiates you'll be feeling tons better, just very tired for a while, but with the pregnancy you'll be feeling pretty tired as well, so it may be hard to tell what is what for a while.  You can do it, you really can.  Let your mind play whatever games it is going to with you, you know they are just games, just the Dragon shouting at you trying to get you back in chains.  Laugh at the Dragon, now that you are onto his tricks. You can do it!!!

Gwh, I'm not a doc , but have a lot of experience with supplements.  Anxiety is a tough one.  The herb that a lot of people say helps is Kava kava.  I've found it to be pretty weak, but many people swear by it. It is addictive, but you have to take huge doses of it for that.  
You can also take SAMe for anxiety (as well as depression).  Same and 5 htp help both.  I am swearing by SAMe right now, as it has helped me get out of one of the strongest depressions I"ve ever gone through. It helped within days.  I take 800mgs a day, 400 in the am, 400 in the pm, as well as 100mg day of 5 htp.
As I said, this is also supposed to help with anxiety.

The thing I teach my clients around handling anxiety might sound trite, but if can be effective if you practice it dilligently. That is, deep and steady breathing.  Deep breathing, from the belly, long slow deep breaths, help get more oxygen to your blood, which relaxes your muscles.  You can't do this just for a few minutes and expect it to work, but if you do it for 10 to 20 minutes a few times a day you'll probably feel a beneficial effect.  Meditation is also very helpful for anxiety. And excerise of course, helps tons.

take care my friend, you've come a long long way in the past few weeks. Though I don't post as much as I used to, I still read almost every day, and I've followed your progress. :-)

WW

[koalabear]

It's day 4 for me. Yes, trying to get off everything.  Couldn't do it cold turkey by just taking off the patch.  I am much more comfortable now.  He fischarged me with only Lortab 5 to be taken 4x/day.I did that for 2 days and went ABSOULUTLEYFUCKINGCRAZY.  I actually thought I was going to die.  My mother came over, my husband came home from work and had the doc paged.  He gave me Ativan, Lorazepam and upped myLortab to 7.5.  Been sleeping the last 2 days.  What a relief. I don't know if Iwould recommend anyone doing it cold turkey.  With the patch I was on I was getting medicine every hour.  Then to have me wait 5 hours inbetween for just 1 mg of hydrocodone..oooh makes me shutter.  But things are looking brighter.  I will have to wean off the others too, but those stupid bugs crawling and muscle spasms and everything else are gone.  And most preciously I can sleep.  Thanks for your comments to me, they really help me a lot.
Take care.
Koala

[pillhell]

3 DAYS IS A *****.THE WHOLE PROCESS IS A *****.IM STILL NOT SUCCESSFUL.BUT WE CAN NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!SOMEONE ON THE POST STATED 3RD DAY IS THE WORST.DEFINATELY I AGREE!!FOR YOU TO GET THROUGH 3 DAYS IS AWESOME.JUST REMEMBER WD IS ALWAYS WORSE EVERY TIME.I SHOULD LISTEN TO MYSELF.I FEEL KIND OF IGNORANT TRYING TO HELP YOU,WHEN I CANT HELP MYSELF.OH WELL.I KNOW HOT,HOT,HOT AS YOU CAN STAND IT SHOWERS HELP ALITTLE WITH THE CRAWLING SKIN.GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOURNEY.KEEP US POSTED.IM PULLING FOR YA-AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!