Oxy and Lortab withdrawal

[Wolftracks]

14 years ago I herniated a disc in my back, and have had three back surgeries since.  My last surgery was in 2000.  It did not help with the low back/leg pain, so my Doctor put me on Oxycontin, Lortab, Neurontin, Wellbutrin, Lunesta, Soma, Zanaflex, and Trazadone.  I have been taking these for 7 years.  The Oxy is 320mg daily, Lortab 10/500 3 times daily.  My Doctor just moved to New York, and I am having a hard time replacing him because no area Doctors want to continue writing these prescriptions even though I have my medical records that outline the endless procedures I have been through.  I have 3 weeks worth of medications left and want to try to get off of them, mainly the opiates, and to try to just live with the back and leg pain.  What scares me is trying to do this alone.  I am single with no family around to support me. I have heard some of the horror stories of opiate withdrawal.  Any help or suggestions out there?  Thanks.  I know I will need help with this!

[brittd72]

I was reading some of your concerns and would like to share a few things with everyone. I am 20 years old, 21 next week July2... Happy Birthday to me...
Anyway, last September I was involved in a traumatic car accident, that left me with a plate and 2 screws in my left shouler, 3 screws in my left hip, a rod replacing my left femur, and a plate with 2 screws in my left knee. Since then I have been on Lortab 10, 4 times a day. Recently I decided I wanted to stop. The first day I expierienced the shakes, excessive bowel movements, stomach pain, and all around weakness. I phoned my doctor and discussed this with him. He told me that it would only last a few days ( I knew it would last about 2 weeks because when I was younger I was into drugs and withdrew from pain pills) anyhow he said he was going to prescribe me Valium to just relax me. I thought that it wouldnt work. I WAS WRONG. Valium helped me stop withdrawing within one day. So that is my advice to everyone. Ask your doctor about maybe taking Valium for 2 days. Its what my Doctor prescribed and I am at work 2 days after stopping Lortab.
If anyone has any questions you can email me ***@****

[liscamdave]

Believe me, there has to be...Look up "Suboxone Doctors in your area"...you will find something. Good luck to you. You can most certainly do it. I just cleaned up form an almost 1000mg Oxy Contin a day habit...that lasted three years...If I can do it, so can you...

Take care and keep us posted...and don't listen to those doctors, they put u on all that stuff then make u feel worst....

Its a rat race...

xo Lisa

[shelby74]

I am familiar with the opiates and the soma.  Soma takes maybe a day or two and you are feeling ok.  It is supposed to be non-addicting but there are minor withdrawal symptom's.  The opiates are tough.  I highly recommend if you can to go to a treatment center.  I am not sure of the other drugs - some drugs if you quit them cold turkey are dangerous.  Please consult a doctor to help you with this - I think it is your best bet.

Shelby

[Wolftracks]

Thanks for the fast replies.  You are right, it is alot of medication.  I am tired of taking 20-some pills a day.  I am so glad I found this forum.  It helps to know that there are other people out there who have been through this and are willing to help.  There is such a stigma attached to these medications.  The two Doctors I have talked to in the last week made me feel like I was a criminal for being on these pain pills.  That is why if I can I want to stop taking them on my own ( with your help ;-) )  I am scared!  It doesn't help that I don't have anyone around here to talk to when it gets bad.  Knowing that there are people like you on this forum will help!

[Wolftracks]

I live in a rural area of Michigan, so I don't think there is a treatment center around here.

[liscamdave]

WOW...that is certainly a laundry list of perscriptions...Well, if you have three weeks then you can try to wean/taper it down to as little as you can. Can you go to a detox cliniqe or as a dr for meds to help you with W/D when you are finished the scripts? Its not easy, but it can be done...Good luck to you and I hope that you can beat this.

Lisa

[Wolftracks]

Thanks for the reassurance.  I cannot imagine what you ( and others here) have been through.  

Andrew

[tnbrowneyes]

dr jeckle doses ya up it seems....
i can only tell you my side of wd's ..alot are the same and some very differrent.
you can get thru wd's.. you will need the thomas recipe and lots of support..(this forum being the best support).
i also took alot of loritab and thats what im detoxing off of now.
12 days and i can honestly say everyday gets better. you just have to keep you mind set for that goal to stop. you will be sick and uncomfy for a few days but then most of that goes away and then comes lack of energy, more sleepless nights and alot of thinking. there is truth behind the horror stories but obviously they made it thru to talk about it right??
if you really want to stop , you can.
if your taking any benzo's dont stop those right now.i tried and it was not good.
you will need those. this is just me and my take..you will read various ppl's stories and advice..and take what applies to you and use it ok

[Wolftracks]

I'm not sure what the Thomas recipe or Sub is, but I will look through the forum to find out.  I'm happy you are doing so good.  Thanks for the info.  Stay well!

[Tim2H]

Welcome to the forum.
You have been on these meds for quite awhile and it would be best to talk with a doctor. Fishmeal is withdrawing successfully with sub and he can answer some of your questions. I don't feel that I have enough experience to help due to the amount of medication you are on. Keep on this board and we will support you through the process. Best of luck and you can make it through this with help. I am here for you.

Tim