Aa
Losing ground
Please will someone help me? My dr. of more than 20yrs wouldn't take or return my calls so I've been detoxing on my own. I've tapered off 100mcg of the fentanyl patch since 15 jan. (My b'day) . It was pretty quick as I just kept cutting the patches in half and was only on it @ 6 yrs. I also had 16 60mg oxycodone / day and 16-20 10/325 norco/ day to keep me steady. 15 mar. I was oxy free also 6 yrs on. My biggest challenge comes w/ the norco. I've been on codeine since I was 19. More than 40 yrs. hard saying goodbye to a very old friend. But I am determined.
Now at down to last 4 norco/day and I seem to be stuck. A kind of holding pattern these last ten days. Afraid to jump just yet but not sure how to decrease. Cut in half ? miss a dose? Which dose? Life keeps happening and I'm just so tired, scared, and lost , twisted in knots. Can someone please help me find my way again?
Now at down to last 4 norco/day and I seem to be stuck. A kind of holding pattern these last ten days. Afraid to jump just yet but not sure how to decrease. Cut in half ? miss a dose? Which dose? Life keeps happening and I'm just so tired, scared, and lost , twisted in knots. Can someone please help me find my way again?
Best Answer
Yes clonidine and Klonopin NOT the same thing. Honey, you have NOTHING to be ashamed of. We trust doctors, we have to, especially when we are in pain and feeling lost and desperate. Think of this (as I had to) of an amazing opportunity to educate yourself, empower yourself, and become a stronger advocate for yourself. What I've learned in the past decade of crazy medical struggles, surgeries, and numerous drugs, doctors and specialists is priceless. I've learned to be my own best friend and advocate.
Please, no shame. It's a totally useless thing. I know how hard it is- when you wake up out of the epic drug fog and realize what your life has become. But you are on the road to recovery and you have wonderful support and you are going to be just fine. In fact, you're going to better than fine- you will get to a place where you aren't just surviving, but thriving. Life has so many beautiful things in store for you.
Looking back I have some regrets still, some lingering shame, but overall I wouldn't take a single thing back. Because it got me to where I am now- which is STRONG, compassionate, and free (: My life is utterly transformed. And even though I am dealing with a pretty horrific medical situation right now and have to take some pain meds to function until my surgery this summer....The dark days are over. Knowledge is power. And the struggle you are going through will lead you into a beautiful place. You must treat yourself gently, with compassion and love. You deserve it.
Lu
Please, no shame. It's a totally useless thing. I know how hard it is- when you wake up out of the epic drug fog and realize what your life has become. But you are on the road to recovery and you have wonderful support and you are going to be just fine. In fact, you're going to better than fine- you will get to a place where you aren't just surviving, but thriving. Life has so many beautiful things in store for you.
Looking back I have some regrets still, some lingering shame, but overall I wouldn't take a single thing back. Because it got me to where I am now- which is STRONG, compassionate, and free (: My life is utterly transformed. And even though I am dealing with a pretty horrific medical situation right now and have to take some pain meds to function until my surgery this summer....The dark days are over. Knowledge is power. And the struggle you are going through will lead you into a beautiful place. You must treat yourself gently, with compassion and love. You deserve it.
Lu
Clonidine is not the same as Klonopin. Klonopin is an antianxiety med and can cause dependency or addiction. Clonidine is an old blood pressure med and it's been found to be a big help with withdrawal symptoms, as explained above. Clonidine can also help with nerve pain. I was prescribed it for pain.
The only slight worry with Clonidine is that it can sometimes cause rebound hypertension and your doctormwill keep an eye on that.
The only slight worry with Clonidine is that it can sometimes cause rebound hypertension and your doctormwill keep an eye on that.
Really appreciate your earlier response. Wish I felt I deserve the love and support . So ashamed my family sees me like this; or anyone else for that matter. I hate it! I'm supposed to stronger than this . Hate being weak and less than I feel I should be. Hate not being able to function. Feel like I'm letting everyone around me down. Keep telling myself this too shall pass but it's difficult to believe sometimes.
You've done great! And you've been given great advice. I know how angry you are. I also felt betrayed by my pain doctors. I asked all the right questions and always talked of my fear of addiction. I was overly concerned as I had been married to an alcoholic/addict and also worked in the court system and saw the damage addiction caused.
I was on a ton of meds: Fentanyl 75 mcg every 48 hours, 40 to 65 mg oxycodone every four hours, 10 mg Ambien every night, Ativan, 90 mg Cymbalta, 900 mg of gabapentin and maybe more. They kept throwing meds at me and it wasn't helping my pain. (I had 9 surgeries after a failed joint replacement. I wound up with rsd and nerve damage. I also had other health issues and severe arthritis.)
There came a time that I wanted off the meds to see where my pain really was. My pain doc then insisted I wouldn't be able to deal with the pain. (I also had done PT, OT, stellate ganglion blocks, lidoderm infusions and more.)
I tried to come off everything CT which was disastrous. With the help of this forum, I tapered down one med at a time. I went a little too fast but finally got done with it. It's sometimes hard to remember that you didn't get on all the meds at such high doses overnight and it's unrealistic to think we can just jump off overnight.
At the very end of my taper, I opened up to my primary care and she was so supportive. There came a time that my pain got really bad and was affecting my blood pressure. Despite two BP meds, it kept going up. My primary wanted me to see a pain doc and I didn't want to. She eventually convinced me. Both of them recommended going back on pain meds to get my Bp down. I kept resisting but finally agreed. This time, though, my two doctors worked with me. They only put me on a low dose and would help me taper when my BP was at a safer level.
I had just started my taper when I was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. All the doctors said to stop the taper until the aneurysm was addressed. I had the brain surgery three weeks ago. My final appointment in follow-up with the brain surgeon (I hope) is June 19th. I'm hoping I'll be cleared to start my taper again and also be cleared to drive etc. This time I'll have the support of mqy two doctors and I know I need to be patient and take my time.
I know it's hard to trust again but there are doctors who will work with you. Good luck. Take your time and you'll reach your goal before you knknoow it.
I was on a ton of meds: Fentanyl 75 mcg every 48 hours, 40 to 65 mg oxycodone every four hours, 10 mg Ambien every night, Ativan, 90 mg Cymbalta, 900 mg of gabapentin and maybe more. They kept throwing meds at me and it wasn't helping my pain. (I had 9 surgeries after a failed joint replacement. I wound up with rsd and nerve damage. I also had other health issues and severe arthritis.)
There came a time that I wanted off the meds to see where my pain really was. My pain doc then insisted I wouldn't be able to deal with the pain. (I also had done PT, OT, stellate ganglion blocks, lidoderm infusions and more.)
I tried to come off everything CT which was disastrous. With the help of this forum, I tapered down one med at a time. I went a little too fast but finally got done with it. It's sometimes hard to remember that you didn't get on all the meds at such high doses overnight and it's unrealistic to think we can just jump off overnight.
At the very end of my taper, I opened up to my primary care and she was so supportive. There came a time that my pain got really bad and was affecting my blood pressure. Despite two BP meds, it kept going up. My primary wanted me to see a pain doc and I didn't want to. She eventually convinced me. Both of them recommended going back on pain meds to get my Bp down. I kept resisting but finally agreed. This time, though, my two doctors worked with me. They only put me on a low dose and would help me taper when my BP was at a safer level.
I had just started my taper when I was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. All the doctors said to stop the taper until the aneurysm was addressed. I had the brain surgery three weeks ago. My final appointment in follow-up with the brain surgeon (I hope) is June 19th. I'm hoping I'll be cleared to start my taper again and also be cleared to drive etc. This time I'll have the support of mqy two doctors and I know I need to be patient and take my time.
I know it's hard to trust again but there are doctors who will work with you. Good luck. Take your time and you'll reach your goal before you knknoow it.
I 've actually everyone I know. I' m continually surprised at the love and support from my husband (42 yrs and counting) ,and truthfully find myself apologizing for my behavior. My son 35 just moved back for awhile and I can't believe how terrific he's been. My daughter's in Ugh Mo. ( I miss her every day does what she can long distance. I am truly so blessed in that respect,makes it hard to realize it's all on me! Can't even whine about my family. Ditto w/ my close friends. One friend decided to cut back her Xanax because of me. darn no one to blame but me. Is clonidine the same thing as clonipine ? I've used it before but was afraid it might be worse than Xanax.
Hey I would strongly suggest NOT upping your benzo intake. I did this during detox and I REALLY wish I hadn't- because here I am nearly 3 years later and still tapering.
The best thing you can do as Jinx mentioned if you're not getting medical support is go to the ER. Tell them you are trying to detox off your narcotics and want to eventually taper off the benzos. They will prescribe you a BP medication called clonidine which is commonly used in opiate detox. I've done two c/t- one without clonidine, the second with. My symptoms were WAY easier to handle with the clonidine and I was on WAY higher a dose than the first time. It really helps to keep your heart rate down and therefore helps with the sweating, anxiety, tummy issues, and hot and cold flashes. Just get a BP cuff and monitor your BP yourself.
With the benzos stay at the dose you are at for at least a month or two after getting off the opiates. Then you can evaluate where you are, hopefully consult with a NEW doctor, and set up a taper plan that works for you. They will probably switch you to a benzo with a longer half life (this is what they did for me) and then taper you at a comfortable pace.
You've been on these drugs for a long time and it will take you a long time to get off and be comfortable because your brain/body needs to adjust every time you drop.
The detox off the opiates is not fun and a special kind of hell, but it is totally doable if you have the right tools in your arsenal, and the right support.
I'm sorry if I missed this, but have you told anyone about what's happening? Do you have someone that can hold your pills and dole them out at appropriate intervals? This will stop you from upping your benzos which you will REALLY want to do.
They don't actually help that much. The clonidine will work well in conjunction. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint, and you need to pace yourself.
And man, be PROUD of yourself. Getting off meds is so hard when you've been on them for such a long time. For me it was 6 years on opiates and nearly 15 on benzos.
You can do this.
I am rooting for you...
Lu
The best thing you can do as Jinx mentioned if you're not getting medical support is go to the ER. Tell them you are trying to detox off your narcotics and want to eventually taper off the benzos. They will prescribe you a BP medication called clonidine which is commonly used in opiate detox. I've done two c/t- one without clonidine, the second with. My symptoms were WAY easier to handle with the clonidine and I was on WAY higher a dose than the first time. It really helps to keep your heart rate down and therefore helps with the sweating, anxiety, tummy issues, and hot and cold flashes. Just get a BP cuff and monitor your BP yourself.
With the benzos stay at the dose you are at for at least a month or two after getting off the opiates. Then you can evaluate where you are, hopefully consult with a NEW doctor, and set up a taper plan that works for you. They will probably switch you to a benzo with a longer half life (this is what they did for me) and then taper you at a comfortable pace.
You've been on these drugs for a long time and it will take you a long time to get off and be comfortable because your brain/body needs to adjust every time you drop.
The detox off the opiates is not fun and a special kind of hell, but it is totally doable if you have the right tools in your arsenal, and the right support.
I'm sorry if I missed this, but have you told anyone about what's happening? Do you have someone that can hold your pills and dole them out at appropriate intervals? This will stop you from upping your benzos which you will REALLY want to do.
They don't actually help that much. The clonidine will work well in conjunction. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint, and you need to pace yourself.
And man, be PROUD of yourself. Getting off meds is so hard when you've been on them for such a long time. For me it was 6 years on opiates and nearly 15 on benzos.
You can do this.
I am rooting for you...
Lu
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