VICODIN/PERCOSET WITHDRAWL

[Icedteaaddict]

I have been taking vicodin ES for three years now, I am up to approx.  8-10 a day. I want to stop taking this drug but I am so afraid of withdrawl.  I take it for cronic pain.  I'm truly addicted.  I went to a methadone clinic on Monday and they basically refused me.  They said that cronic pain patients usually don't do well with Meth. because once they have detoxed, the pain is still there.  Can anyone please tell me the best way to get off of them (without in-patient detox) which I can not do.
I've tried tapering to no avail.  Thank you.  Judy

[toxictome]

This is an old thread...copy it and post it as a new question...you may get overlooked here....you will get more replies if you repost it!
welcome to the forum.

[pirateluv]

does anyone know any dr.'s in the northeast philadelphia area that can give me bupernorphine or suboxone. i have been addicted to opiates for about 3 years and its ruining my life. i feel like a slave to the drugs. i cant function w/ out taking some type of opiate. i started of being prescribed vicodin and tylenol 4 for pain. if i took the usua dose it wouldnt help. i'd be doubleing and tripleing up on the dosages...taking 5 at at time brings me comfort. where as 1 pill leaves me still  in pain. now i am so addicted. if i dont have any pills to take i just stay in bed and hope to find a way to get more. i'll do oxycontin, liquid morphine, percocets,fentanyl, even heroin just so i wont be sick. i tried going thru withdrawl and i cant do it i can not stand it for ore than a few hours into it and it is impossible to sleep. i've been like a hermit because my friends call me to go out like we used to aand i always have an excuse why i cant make it. afraid to just tell them that if i ran out of pills i'd be to sick to be out w/ them. only the people i buy drug from know how badly i'm addicted. my dr. who was prescribing me the pills for all this time retired in dec. 07 and didnt reffer me to anyone else who can take care of this problem either to taper me off or detox me. rght on the prescriptin paperwork it clearly stats do not just stop taking this mediction. well then i ask what now am i supposed to do? find another doctor who is willing to prescribe them and continue this vicious cycle or can anyone tell me how to go about getting the suboxone? becos i'e tried methadone and the withdrawl from that is even worse than oxycontin withdrawl. please help.its ruining my friendships and relationships and family life. soon i'm afraid my co workers will be on to me too?
thanks,

[Jo NYC]

I am currently in my fourth day of self imposed withdrawal and detox off Vicodin.  I've been taking them for amlost two years now.  Started out to help a bad shoulder, ending up running and ruining my life.  Counting pills every day, juggling doctors and pharmacists, distancing myself away from my loved ones and co-workers.  I don't have to tell any of you who have been there how it is.  Taking those pills was making me sicker and sicker until I couldn't take it anymore and I decided that was IT!  I threw them all down the toilet, and I got over the chemical need for it, but the detox of my system has been HORRIFIC.  I wish I had known about those other medications that help.  I even went to the hospital emergency room hoping they'd think I was a regular drug addict od'ing and shoot me up with Narcan and then let me sleep it off for a few hours.  That shortens the detox time alot.  But I couldn't convince them.  I'm still feeling lousy, but I'm going to make it and I cannot wait to have that poison out of my system forever.  I wish all of you the best of luck and success in your same quest.  Anyone feel free to e-mail at ***@****.

[Melissa]

I did a report in school on Kidney Failure and here is the fact that I came across.  All pain killers and muscle relaxers destroy you kidneys.  Your kidneys are one of your most vital organs.  Your kidneys clean your blood and when your kidneys stop functioning, you have two choices:

1. Go home on hospice and wait about 7-10 to die.

2. Get dialysys treatments 3 times a week for 4 hours a day.  This is when you are hooked up to a machine that cleans your blood.  

THIS IS A WARNING TO EVERYONE WHO IS USING THESE TYPE OF NARCOTICS.  95% OF YOU WILL END UP THIS WAY IF YOU DON'T STOP TAKING THOSE RIDICULOUS PILLS.  NO PAIN, NO GAIN.

[debbie]

My comment or question to anybody is: When there is definate chronic pain that needs to be relieved, what do you do if you do not use a medicine that relieves it.  My husband has used percoset for many many years, I am sure he is addicted brcause they are addicting,but I never hear a solution that solves the pain. If you take away the pain relief-you have the pain-if you take the pill you are addicted,  I ubderstand there can be devastating side effects, we live with them, my husband is ready to drop from complete exhaustion, side effects,inly an hour of sleep per day at the most for the past 3 years.  But what is the solution? No pain relief-lots of misery,either way lots of misery. Anybody suffering like this or have any solutions?

[someone]

Hi well after reading all of your stories I dont think I will take another percoset again. I have been taking between 1-3 a day for about 2 months now. Thanks all for shareing these stories I hope it helps you to know that you helped me out!THANK  YOU!!!

Renae

[Commeted by Allen Saturday 7/22]

I got released from th e hospital on friday. I had bee on 15 mg morfine 5-6 times a day. I was als0 on 1500 mldg 0f  roboxin. I have bee to chiropractor. I get some relief  I AT MY witts ends. I have slept 14 hrs in 3 week. NO lie.  I don't know where to turn

Al

[Looking for Lori for advice on police]

Please, please, please reply.  I really need some advice regarding the consequences for falsifying narcotic prescriptions.  I think I am getting ready to be involved in an arrest.  I, like some of you, was desparate and living my Percocet HELL.  Only, I am still in this HELL.  I started needing more and more and began writing prescriptions for myself.  I have NO idea how much longer I would have gone on taking them.  I have let it take over my life.  I am getting married to a wonderful man next weekend and going to Jamaica for a week.  And what do you think I have been thinking about?  How to get enough percocet to last me while away!!  I am so ashamed.  I started getting sloppy and this morning I was confronted by 2 police officers when going to pick up "my sick mother's" medicine.  I am a successfull woman with a professional, public job.  I have been hiding my addiction for years; denying it.  Only in the last 3 or months have I resorted to doing something against the law.  Now, the officers took down my contact information and said a detective would be contacting me soon with questions.  I told them I had no idea what was going on.  They were really nice and did not detain me, but now I am scared to death.  I'm a bundle of nerves and my poor fiancee has no idea what a miserable lying addicted woman he is marrying next week.  I really am a good person, with a horrible problem that started with genuine pain. Now, it's only addiction.  Please, anyone who has been through this, particularly the illigel part, reply to this with advice.  Thank you for listening.

[bp]

I quit taking OxyContin 1 month ago and I gave up. I don't have chronic pain but I just love taking them when I go out and party! Nothing is better than a nice 40mg Oxy on a weekend night. I have stopped taking them at work of everyday but just once or twice on the weekends! I love the feeling, the ambition, the positive attitude and all that! LONG LIVE OXY's!!

[bob]

Brian I thought I would thank you again for your info on buprenorphine. Today is my second day using it and I still have no bad withdrawl. I went to the clinic saturday and started sunday morning. I was able to go to work today with no problems aside from a few cold sweats. Tomorrow (tuesday) will be the end of that med and I switch to clonadine and a muscle relaxer if necessary on wednesday. I still have a fear that my first day without bup will come on like gangbusters. I guess being ill can not be avoided I have used opiates for a long time. Im really looking forward to beating this. I just cant believe I havent taken a pill since saturday at 5 pm and im still doing well. thanks again Bob

[Brian to Bob]

Buprenorphine, in the dosage Dr. Gooberman prescribes, will perhaps make you feel tired.  There is no real euphoria or "high" from the drug.  There are no major side effects other than the fatigue.  It works FAR better than clonidine because buprenorphine is an opiate, while clonidine is a hypertensive.  You can work while taking buprenorphine.  By the way, Gooberman's deal is he gives you three pre-loaded syringes filled with 1.0 mg buprenophine and tells you to take 1 every 24 hrs. or more if needed.  What I did was to have extra syringes, then I took 1.0 the first 24 hrs., .8 the 2nd day, .6 the third, .4, etc.  I found this to be a very effective way to taper the buprenorphine.  If you want more information about why buprenorphine is used for detox, see some of my postings to Brighty on this page.  Finally, Dr. Gooberman will also prescribe clonidine for after the buprenorphine is gone, as well as Baclofen for muscle twitching, etc.  If you have any more questions, post them.  Good luck!

[bob]

Brian I was wondering if you could tell me how a person feels after taking buprenorphine. I will be going for a consultation with Dr Goobermans office soon.I dont know if I can work under the influence of this drug or not. They told me on the phone that I should not take any opiates after midnight and I will be given my wakeup in his office (bup.)Also does this drug help more than clonadine? Im sorry to keep asking questions but im starting to get scared. I have been tapering IM down from 100mg oxycontin to 50mg per day. I dont feel I can go any lower. What I really need to know is how will I FEEL while im on buprenorphine. Thankyou for all your help Bob

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

You're quite welcome.  Good luck, I know you can do it.  Post and let us know how you are from time to time.  Brian

[bob]

I want to thank you for your info Brian Im going to call Dr goobermans office next week. I have already started tapering and I have gotten down from 100 to 80 for the last two days. I havent noticed much differance and in two days I will try for 70mg. It was kind of you to provide phone numbers along with the good advice Thanks again Bob

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

More people than you can ever imagine have the same problem at 50 and later in life.  Addiction crosses all age, race, economic and other barriers.  I have good news for you.  100mg of oxy a day may seem like a lot, but I was able to get off of close to 300 mg. per day.  Buprenorphine may well be the answer for you.  You are fortunate in that there are several doctors and programs using buprenorphine in your area.  The best thing to do would be to taper down as far as you can comfortably go with the oxy, then when you are about to go into withdrawal, you start the buprenorphine.  The buprenorphine will replace the oxy on your opiate receptors, and because it is both an agonist and antagonist, it will reduce or eliminate withdrawal while being much easier to withdraw from.  Since it is a relatively new use for the drug, no consensus exists regarding the protocol for its use.  Some docs provide numerous injections for many weeks.  Others use the drug within a matter of a few days to detox patients.  You can call rehab centers and addiction docs in your area for more info.  You can also call Dr. Gooberman in NJ, at [phone] or go to www.detox-center.com.  He only gives you three dosages of buprenorphine, although they are strong dosages.  It worked for me when I was using about 15-20 10mg. hydrocodone per day.  For you, you may need more.  Colleagues tell me that a Dr. Kuen Chen in NJ will prescibe 10 dosages of bup. for $100.00 (the Florida program you mention charges $1,000.00).  Dr. Chen's number is 1-973-482-1242.  Insurance will not pay any of these bills.  Finally, many detoxes will leave you "sore and depressed" once they are over.  I'm not sure this can be avoided in some people, especially with heavy usage of opiates.  Keep in mind that even methadone only keeps addicts from avoiding withdrawal until you decide to get off of it.  Then you feel worse than you would have if you had just withdrawn from your other opiate.  So, some pain may be inevitable.  Good luck.

[bob]

Brian can you tell me any more about this amazing drug buprenorphine? I have been taking 100 mg of oxycontin since september. I didnt start out with that much but my tolerance sure has gone up. I tryed clonadine once in january after i tapered down to 30 mg a day. I ran out of the med at 30mg and the doc said its time to call it quits and you cant have anymore. At that point I went cold turkey and was sicker than i have ever been in my life. I made it for three weeks without anything but clonadine. Everyone was happy for me right up until I threw the towell in and scored oxy on my own. I cant imagine how I made it for 22 days I was so tired and sore and depresed.Last week I read about this clinic in Florida that is using the drug you mentioned with great success.I live in Philadelphia and will be 50 years old this week. Have you or anyone ever heard of someone my age getting of opiates.Do you think I could find a doc or clinic that works with buprenorphine thanks for reading my rambling thoughts Bob

[gbritt5.aol.com]

how do i get off the vicoden i am so scared, but do not have a choise....help...

[gretchen britt]

what are the sideafect of getting off vicadin. and how long do they last,

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

The good news is withdrawal won't kill you, it just feels rather crappy.  If you read the postings throughout this board you will see recommendations on tapering, drugs to help with withdrawal symptoms, etc.  Also, if you can afford it you might want to seek outpatient treatment through a clinic, hospital or addiction doctor.  Good luck.  P.S.  If you don't think you can taper down on your own, seek a doctor or program using buprenorphine.  It is a rather amazing detox drug for most people and (I know from personal experience) can get you off the narcotics with little or no withdrawal.

[Brighty to Barbara and Tom]

OOOPs.. it was titled "short term periodic relapse" and is found by going to "archive" then choose "drugs".

[Brighty to Barbara and Tom]

Hi... go to the archive and find "short term periodic relapse". It's a reply to someone who asked something similar. I realize it's not a direct reply to your concerns but it touches on the subject somewhat. You may or may not agree.. it's just something I came across. Best wishes, Brighty

[Brighty to Tom]

Your comments are a serious reminder that pain is a cruel and debilitating condition. I am not an addict and I come here to learn since I live with an addiction in my family and am trying to cope and be supportive. I really hope you can get your question answered because there are many of us who are curious about AA and NA philosophies. Have you considered that maybe you do not need to be in "recovery" if you have a legitimate medical condition that requires the use of these drugs? Rational Recovery and Smart Recovery are support and recovery systems that do not use the same phislosophies of AA and NA. You can find them on the web.I also think your question is really excellent as to the concerns of those with chronic pain. I am not certain but I think there are pain management physicians who specialize in both the relief and addiction aspects of pain. I have heard that brain chemicals called TIQ's that are released when pain is present and the use of narcotics has a different effect when TIQ's are there. I have no clue about the facts... it's just something I have heard of and maybe you could research.  I think you need to ask your question in the "Post a Question" box when you enter the forum. There is also a related forum called headdocs.com and the same doctor Steve who replies here participates there. Also there are alot more doctors answering questions in much more depth than here. The replies are much better than the abbreviated ones the doctor gives here. I hope to see the answer to your question as well. Best to you, Brighty

[barbara to pain and lortab]

As with alcoholics, there are no absolutes. There are many alcoholics, such as myself, that have other underlying physical or mental disorders that require medication.

My main beef with A.A. has always been with the holy rollers that say if you take any medication for any reason you are not sober. That is a bunch of hogwash!!!!!!

I am sure it is the same with addicts. Many, self medicate for other physical or mental problems that need to be controlled to function well in life.

You need to see a good addiction psychiatrist to address your concerns with your continuing pain and physical or mental problems.

Don't believe the all or nothing routine unless it directly involves the alcohol or particular drugs you are addicted to. There are other medications that can solve those other problems!

[tom to Dr Steve et al]

Dr Steve,

As a 25-year rx narcotic addict, I have a question for you:

Although AA/NA/CA is the only coping organization I know, and I probably owe them my life and freedom, I find myself at odds with their