PLEASE HELP!! weening off opana (opiates) -

[mirrors12]

hello, i'm a 23 year old college student trying to ween off opiates the best way that will give me the least amount of withdrawal symptoms. my head is stirring because I've been reading threads for 2 days on the best way to go about this, and this seemed like the most helpful site with the nicest and supportive responses i'd need to hear. i've been on opana 10 mg for about 4 months, then started taking 20mg for about 2 months now because the 10mg wasn't doing anything anymore.

i've been in a rehab about 1 1/2 yrs ago for uppers/eating disorder - which was a 13 year battle and i'm currently 1 1/2 yrs recovered !! -  but as my ED got better, my drug use sadly got worse. for an entire year when i took off from college i was clean and happy, until i came back to college and started hanging out with old friends. the cost and emotional nightmare my parents have gone through with me and therapy and whatnot (which i'm still in) i just cannot have them know i started with opiates.

So basically i've withdrew once before when i went cold turkey off the 10mg, i  had diarrhea, vomitting, horrible HORRIBLE horrible RLS (or akathisia) - and i really really would love some help as to the best way to handle this without going back to a rehab.

so, what do you think about weening off the 20mg? i'm currently on day 2 of not doing any opiates and last night was awful and i feel awful today as well. therefore i'm thinking about doing maybe 10mg, and then 5mg for a couple days?

the medication i take that is prescribed for anxiety/depression/sleep is Effexor (SNRI), Seroquel 300 mg at night which has been reduced because it was setting off really bad RLS. so i take 150 mg currently, as well as 300mg of Neurontin. i've heard that Neurontin can help with withdrawal - does anyone know about that ?

thank you so much for any responses. i wish everyone great health!

[TinaReneeC]

I am a  49yr old female with several health issues.  I've been on Opana 20mgs er and 10 mg Opana 4times a day for months, before was on 100 mgs of Morphine and the Opana 10mgs 4times per day.  I moved therefore changing my insurance and losing my doctor, tomorrow I run out of the Opana 20mgs and have been trying to make more time in between my doses, and have already started withdrawls, with my health I am worried, my heart goes out of rythmn and has been put back twice and keeps racing on me now, I am chilling beyond means, but yet sweating to the point of soaking myself, my chest hurts, I'm swollen, but yet have not had nothing stay in me now for 24hours. I need suggestion here, and am looking for helpp??

[Missincolorado]

Hi! I have taken OP's in the past(I am a chronic pain patient$ and then lost my Dr. Have sen 4 more Pain Management Dr.s between then and now, and with every Dr. I see, they cut me down SO LOW, that I really thought I might die! My current Dr., is a Psychiatrist, who also manages pain. Until / days ag, he had me on OxyContin 30 mg., and  oxycodone, 20 mg. both, twice/ day. Now, bec. I have just fractured 8 spinal vertebrae, and 2 places on my right Pelvis, he put me on the OP 20 mg(ER), and the OP10 Mgs., for break thru pain. Each, twice/ day. I usually have a wrought iron stomach, but they make me puke like crazy!!! I'm not sure I want anymore, tho they DO help w/ my pain, which is considerable!!!  I dread taking these- which is GOID! I have gone thru massive withdrawls before- what gets me, is the restless leg syndrome, and the uncontrollable urge to stretch- which feels great, and us ALSO, painful as all get out! I went to Betty Ford Hispital, in Desert Palm Springs, and SERIOUSLY LEARNRD A TON!!! I now have TOOLS to fight the addiction monsters with!  Everyone assumes it's too expensive to go to- but THEY DO OFFER scholarships, income based!!!  I learned to NOT BELIEVE what I AM THINKING, and if something sounds like a good idea, to RUN, not walk away from it!!! Remember, wherever you go- there you are!!! Also- you need to change playgrounds and playmates, in order to be successful!! OP's , or Ocymirphone are SIMILAR to Ixycontins, but, IMO, they are even MORE dangerous!! And- snorting them??? oh my God! Girl, stop that right now!! It'llake it SO much harder for you to quit! I have 1 question for you- if you HAVENT told your prescribing DR., ask yourself- WHY?!?? Is it bec. You're afraid that hell cut you off from Opiods completely and forever?? THATS your disease talking!!! (If that's why!) both AA and NA ARE EXCELLENT ORIGRAMS, and you'll no doubt, MAKE MANY FRIENDS, and share a common goal!!! Get a sponsor, after a few meetings, and DO WHAT SHE SAYS!!! Good luck, my dear- you have your whole life in front of you!!! LIVE IT!! Don't watch it go by, by being in a fog!!! What helped me, was Robaxin- a muscle relaxant- don't know if you can take it , what w/ all of the other meds you take- esp. The sleeping pulls!! But, please, DO TELL YOUR DICTIR!!! HUGS and wishing you continued strength- it's a formidable monster!! <3.  !!

[luckycharmz336]

You sound like you may have the ability to taper off - if so, that's easier.  My wife would always increase dosages with the doctor - the smarter solution is decrease dosages at the dr. Just be careful not to supplement with anything else such as your eating disorder, alcohol, etc - maybe try a aa program or something similar - not sure if this is good advice - just thoughts.

[davec202]

Hey just wanted to add my two cents worth, I have been on oxycodone for  almost two years now about 175mg a day.  I am only suppose to take 60 mg a day, so  as you can see I run out early  and have been through horrible withdrawls.  This time after my last dose I took 40mg day 1 of methadone, day 2 30 mg and 20 mg day three.  It has been 36 hours since my last dose of methadone and I feel good no withdrawls except some hot flashes, no pain, no anxiety and I an able to relax.  I will tell you the last three days were not pleasent but barable,  I will let you know how I feel in a couple of days but so far so good.  I used a small quanity of valium to help day three and that is it.  I also used day three and so on a blend of natural oils from doterra called balance and serinity and that helped alot and I prayed for the Lord to help me kick this, I give all glory to God in Jesus name Amen! I haven't felt this normal in years.  I have read other sites were people have had similar results using this method, God bless

[opiateHater]

Yo opanas are no good any more yessssss

[GA_need_help]

Hi.  I hope you are doing alright.  What did you decide to do about tapering or stopping the Opana ER.  A first step may be to take it orally instead of snorting it.  I know you can do this.  I guess you could try tapering by your method too. ???? could you decrease amounts???

I think that if you keep on the path, you aren't too far from beating this thing.  I am about to go to  my pain management appointment.  I will know my next steps after my appointment!

I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  
Big Hug, Marie

[mirrors12]

hi thank you so much for your answer,

all of the meds (effexor, seroquel, neurontin) i am taking as prescribed by my psych. he as well as my therapist know about my opana use.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-144617-Opana+ER+Oral.aspx?drugid=144617&drugname=Opana+ER+Oral&pagenumber=2

it is the 20mg GREEN octagonal pill that i use.
it lasts about 8 hours when i use it.
i peel off the coating and snort it. as long as i've ever used any drug that's abusable i usually do it this way. i'm not proud of it and know it's not the right way to use it.

i'm sorry about your situation! maybe treatment would be best for you since the chemistry in your brain is now altered. i'm petrified to ween off my effexor at some point in the future because i hear it's absolutely awful, if i go one day without it i get brain zaps and dizzy, it's very strange.

today i actually am feeling better, but the addict part of me is not doing so well. i pray for you as well and thank you so much for your answer, i don't know how much help i'd be to you since i'm not using opana prescribed for chronic pain. i will respond better later when i get the chance. stay strong and thank you so much for your loving words marie <33

[GA_need_help]

Hi Friend.  I was just checking to see if you answered.  I am still a little confused about how you use Opana.  Perhaps you could tell me if the 20mg Opana (ER?) hits your bloodstream in the same way an oral dose does.  I guess it doesn't or you wouldn't be going to all that trouble, right?  

What I did was taper from 40 mg Opana ER 3 times a day and three 10mg Opana IR to my lower dose of 10 mg Opana ER 3 times a day plus three 10mg Opana IR 3 times a day.  My taper has taken 3 months so far.  At this dose, I am considering treatment.  I am a little stumped at how to get from my present dose to 5 mg Opana ER (plus three 10mg Opana IR each day).  It is a super big drop.  Especially because over 3 to 4 years my brain chemistry has changed so much!!  So, if anyone has advice I would appreciate it greatly.  

I just wanted to tell you what I did.  And I pray it encourages you to take the next steps.  I think you know the ways you can go.  You mentioned some possibilities (and we can't discuss exact tapers).  You have the idea.  But PLEASE stop using Opana any way other than orally.  

I am curious as to what you think you will do.  There aren't many posters on Opana, so please stay in touch.  You can always private message me.

Big Hug,

Marie

[GA_need_help]

okay, I am a little confused.  One Opana ER 20mg per day? and you would insufflate? I am just confused a 20 mg ER is suppose to last 12 hours (although once used to Opana, it lasts less), and usually people are on 2 or 3 a day...because the medicine is for chronic pain, severe chronic pain.  It is such a dangerous drug.

At this point, you mentioned doing another drug too.  Please don't get in trouble.  I don't want you to have major life stress on top of going through detox.  

I am honestly scared for you to be using Opana another way than swallowing it!  I am actually very scared of swallowing it because of the mess I have found myself in.  Please don't take this as unsupportive.  I am trying to understand where you are.

See I don't know where you are if you use Opana ER in a way other than swallowing it.  We have friends who's niece just died from taking painkillers in a way they weren't suppose to be taken.

I would suggest that you use the Opana ER by the route it was made to be used, and taper if you can't continue CT.  I definitely think medical help may be needed if you can't do this right now.  You don't want to continue this problem, because it is a fatal problem.  

I am absolutely willing to private message anytime (although I really hope I didn't sound harsh).  I am just scared bc I know this drug!

Marie

[mirrors12]

sorry that response was for everyone!

[mirrors12]

Oh no!! i wrote back to all of you and it got erased ajhhh 1!!
i don't have the time right now to write as much, i must lug myself to class, but i will say thank you all so so much for the lovely responses.
i'm sorry for the confusion, i've been on Opana ER 20mg - i'd peel off the coating and insufflate

being in treatment for 90 days in the past i know how important support is!! i can't tell my boyfriend of 3 years what's going on because he's struggled with it in the past and we both promised to get clean when i went to rehab. i'm afraid to trigger him to relapse so i'm all on my own here.

i'm a full time student going out of my mind with work and it's really hard to stay clean. today i ran into my friends who are also weening down (mostly bc there broke) so i ended up doing 1/4 of an oxy, so about 8 mg, which is a hell less than the a 20mg opana is double the potency of an oxy. i couldn't take the RLS and thought maybe the weening is best. ahhh i don't know. it could very much be the addict in my mind telling me this. i don't plan on doing anymore unless i really need another 1/4 tonight. it's such a little amount so i don't think I'm screwing up, but then again. i have weed and hear it's supposed to help.

[GA_need_help]

Hi.  I was eager to write you when I saw your post a little while ago, but had to board a plane, and get flying.  I am tapering off Opana ER.  I am not sure from your post if you are on opana or opana ER, and how many times a day you are taking it.  Would you clarify that, so I have an idea of where you are at.  

When we read these post, especially the rare few about Opana and/or Opana ER, it can be so frightening.  This has caused so much fear in me, but I have tapered down a great deal.  I find the hard thing about Opana ER is that it cannot be cut, so the drop is really significant.  Last month, my pain management NP told me to drop from 10 mg Opana ER mg three times a day to 5 mg Opana ER three times a day.  In both cases I have three 5 mg Opana IRs to take with the ER.

I have found the ER really hard to decrease anymore on (I have decreased from 40 mg Opana ER three times a day plus the three 5 mg Opana IR).  I have been told to try to change over to just a short-acting medication, but for some reason my NP didn't like when I had changed over to Opana IR (a higher amount--because the switch from ER to IR makes me need a greater amount, especially initially).

I think it is great that you are doing this now.  I don't want your brain chemistry to change over a long period of time as mine has.  You didn't mention having physical pain (as I do), so please, please don't let yourself end up where I am at with this medicine.

I look forward to hearing from you.  And please just know you are not alone, and like another poster said, I will do whatever I can to help you.  I know God has a much better plan for us than to be chained to a pill bottle, fearing for our very lives (and fearing of pain).  I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.

And if you can ride it out, since you have come 2 days, I definitely would.  You are probably through the worst part of it.  Either way, we are both going to make it through.

Sending you a big hug.

Marie

[dominosarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum~

The best thing would be to talk with your doctor about this.  With you taking the other meds it would be much safer.  Does your therapist know about this?  Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids right now.  Try and eat bland foods.  Warm baths will help with the achiness.  Keep talking with us.  sara

[lulu747]

Hi Mirrors and Welcome to the forum...

I commend you for wanting to reclaim your life from the pills.  We can most definitely support you through your taper/detox.  We can't give out taper advice as it is against MH policy.  Do you have a doctor in the picture?  Is this medication prescribed?  There are other members who have personal experience with Opana and I'm sure they will come and share with you.

  In the meantime....Your doctor can prescribe clonidine (a BP medication commonly used in opiate detox)  I used it when I tapered before going C/T and it was very helpful with gastric symptoms.  IMMODIUM.  It really helps with the tummy issues.  Bananas for the RLS (it's caused by potassium deficiency)  Hot baths with epsom salts for everything(:
Melatonin is a great natural sleep aid.  Hydration is so important, I can't stress this enough.  Drink as much fluid (gatorade, water, herbal teas) as possible.  Sleepy Time tea really works for me as it is calming as well.

I have taken Neurontin for nerve pain, but not during detox.  Other members have said it does really help with w/d.  Again, I would urge you to speak with your doctor...This is much easier to do with medical support...You need and deserve support.  I understand you not wanting to go back to rehab...There are alternatives such as NA/AA, counselling, addictions therapy.  It's important to have a plan in place to set yourself up for success.  This isn't an easy road, but there is light at the end of the tunnel...Know that you and your life are worth it.
Take good loving care of yourself...
We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have....

Lu

[IwillDoThis]

Hi and welcome.  You will find so many helpful, insightful people here.  I hate to say it but it sounds like you already started withdrawals, if you take a dose you are just prolonging the h ell - your off, try to tough through it and just get through the next few days.  I have taken neurontin before but not for withdrawals so I can't help you with that, I can tell you it takes about 2 weeks or more of use to usually get benefits for nerve pain so I don't know whether starting it would help you or not - hopefully someone else will.  The honest truth is the next few days will be very unpleasant - why restart the clock? just my opinion.  Since you are still in treatment for the ED can you be honest with your therapist?  Sounds like you kind of just switched your addiction from one thing to another and maybe lots of underlying issues to deal with.  I would also disconnect from the people you use with - I know you are so young and losing friends seems so important right now but until you are on a stronger footing being around people you associate negative behavior with will not be good for you.  I detoxed off 3-4 hydros daily last week - today is Day 9 for me and I feel MUCH better today.    It seems you made the decision to go C/T - I will encourage you to stick with it - even though I weaned down to one pill I still went through a really hard time - PLEASE reconsider taking anothe pill.  Treat yourself gently for the next couple of days taking immodium as needed, hydrate, bananas, peanut butter try to keep something in your stomach.   Hang in there and post often, you will be supported here.