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Vicoden Cravings
Hi all,
I desperatly need some advise.I have been clean from the Vicodens for about 5 weeks. I don't seem though to be to the point some of you are, like WW where you are really feeling good. But then I never felt as though they were hindering me. I functioned GREAt on them. I was energetic and fun to be around. And I didn't feel numb, actually I felt more passionate about everything when using Vics. So I can't look back on anything negative about how it made me feel. But I can look back on how ashamed I felt by the lying to so may doctors to obtain them. Anyhow, I did start feeling better when I started using Thomas's Recipe although I still had the cravings. So..here is my question and please I GREATLY appreciate your replys. The last few days I have seemed to revert. I am constantly tired and fatigued. And the cravings are incredible. That is all I think about. I don't think I will relapse but it is hard to fight. I am just not sure why I feel like I have taken 10 steps backwards. Is this too post acute withdrawls? Thank you for all your help and support.
I hope and Pray you are all strong in this time of national turmoil.
Shea
I desperatly need some advise.I have been clean from the Vicodens for about 5 weeks. I don't seem though to be to the point some of you are, like WW where you are really feeling good. But then I never felt as though they were hindering me. I functioned GREAt on them. I was energetic and fun to be around. And I didn't feel numb, actually I felt more passionate about everything when using Vics. So I can't look back on anything negative about how it made me feel. But I can look back on how ashamed I felt by the lying to so may doctors to obtain them. Anyhow, I did start feeling better when I started using Thomas's Recipe although I still had the cravings. So..here is my question and please I GREATLY appreciate your replys. The last few days I have seemed to revert. I am constantly tired and fatigued. And the cravings are incredible. That is all I think about. I don't think I will relapse but it is hard to fight. I am just not sure why I feel like I have taken 10 steps backwards. Is this too post acute withdrawls? Thank you for all your help and support.
I hope and Pray you are all strong in this time of national turmoil.
Shea
Hi Shea,
You are clean longer than I am, so I don't know if I'll be hit with the same intensity of fatigue again down the line.
I know that the past three days I've been hit with intense cravings. It has been really hard to fight. I've dealt with it by again deciding to go on an hour by hour basis, as well as reminding myself how much better I feel now and what hell I was feeling before.
I remember when I was using, before my back surgery, that the meds would make me feel great for about an hour, then there was a slow decline, till I felt nauseaus and drained. I don't want to go back there.
Shea, I truly think the thing that has made me feel better has been the addition of the 5 HTP to my supplement regime. Until I added that, I was plagued by heavy duty depression. Have you tried taking that yet?
Maybe others here have more info to offer..
But hang in there..I have to work hard to keep the Dragon at bay these days...it keeps whispering that now that my tolerance is low, I could do it just once in a while to have a thrill and it would be fine...I am pretty sure that for me, it would not be fine, and in no time I'd be right back where I was, and I'm not going back there. Nuh uh. No way. Be damned Dragon Demon!
love,
WW
You are clean longer than I am, so I don't know if I'll be hit with the same intensity of fatigue again down the line.
I know that the past three days I've been hit with intense cravings. It has been really hard to fight. I've dealt with it by again deciding to go on an hour by hour basis, as well as reminding myself how much better I feel now and what hell I was feeling before.
I remember when I was using, before my back surgery, that the meds would make me feel great for about an hour, then there was a slow decline, till I felt nauseaus and drained. I don't want to go back there.
Shea, I truly think the thing that has made me feel better has been the addition of the 5 HTP to my supplement regime. Until I added that, I was plagued by heavy duty depression. Have you tried taking that yet?
Maybe others here have more info to offer..
But hang in there..I have to work hard to keep the Dragon at bay these days...it keeps whispering that now that my tolerance is low, I could do it just once in a while to have a thrill and it would be fine...I am pretty sure that for me, it would not be fine, and in no time I'd be right back where I was, and I'm not going back there. Nuh uh. No way. Be damned Dragon Demon!
love,
WW
I just want everyone to be aware that too much 5-HT can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome (esentailly an overdose of serotonin in the brain). It charaterized by a host of symptoms (just plug serotonin+syndrome into any search engine). Apparently you can get serotonin syndrome by using too much L-tryptophan(which is nearly chemically identical to 5HT) I just want everyone who is using 5HT to be aware what the symptoms are in case you start to manifest them. If there are any doctors or nurses on this forum, maybe you can comment on this
I understand that too much serotonin producing supplements can cause the "serotonin cascade" which can be fatal.
Francois
Francois
I got and just read the book by Dr Ray Sahelian about 5 HTP, and he includes a chapter on cautions with it.
This is what I learned:
Any substances that increases seratonin can potentially cause "seratonin syndrome" that in very very rare cases can lead to seizures and possibly death.
The amount of 5 HTP that the studies show cause seratonin syndrome were doses of 6,000 to 9,000 mgs per day for one month. The doses that the research indicates help cure depression are only 300mgs per day. The ssri medications are far more likely to cause seratonin syndrome, and they rarely do. But, we need to be informed about all possibilites and it is always a good idea to be cautious.
Overall, 5 HTP appears much safer than the ssri meds.
Nevertheless, Dr. Sahelian recommends the following:
Keep doses of 5 HTP to the lowest dose possible that still gives an antidepressant effect. In most cases, this will be 100 mgs. per day, but some people need up to 300 mgs. per day.
Do not take 5 HTP daily longer than 3 months, in order to avoid developing a tolerance to it. He says after 3 months, take a two week to one month break from it. After this, it is safe to resume.
Do not take 5 HTP with any other seratonin increasing herb or medication, including St John's Wort, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Wellbutrin, or any MAOI inhibitor, such as Nardil.
The book is an interesting read. Only six bucks through Amazon.com. The name of it is "5 HTP, Nature's Seratonin Solution" by Dr. Ray Sahelian. I recommend you read it if you are interested in taking 5 HTP for any length of time. He also gives excellent suggestions for other natural supplements, and how to take them safely.
He lives in Southern California, and has a medical practice in Santa Monica, so anyone lucky enough to live there could get a consultation with him. I'm actually thinking about flying down there to see him, since he reportedly treats chronic pain patients with a combination of medications and herbs and also has experience with helping addicts normalize brain chemistry.
Sounds like my kinda guy!
love,
WW
This is what I learned:
Any substances that increases seratonin can potentially cause "seratonin syndrome" that in very very rare cases can lead to seizures and possibly death.
The amount of 5 HTP that the studies show cause seratonin syndrome were doses of 6,000 to 9,000 mgs per day for one month. The doses that the research indicates help cure depression are only 300mgs per day. The ssri medications are far more likely to cause seratonin syndrome, and they rarely do. But, we need to be informed about all possibilites and it is always a good idea to be cautious.
Overall, 5 HTP appears much safer than the ssri meds.
Nevertheless, Dr. Sahelian recommends the following:
Keep doses of 5 HTP to the lowest dose possible that still gives an antidepressant effect. In most cases, this will be 100 mgs. per day, but some people need up to 300 mgs. per day.
Do not take 5 HTP daily longer than 3 months, in order to avoid developing a tolerance to it. He says after 3 months, take a two week to one month break from it. After this, it is safe to resume.
Do not take 5 HTP with any other seratonin increasing herb or medication, including St John's Wort, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Wellbutrin, or any MAOI inhibitor, such as Nardil.
The book is an interesting read. Only six bucks through Amazon.com. The name of it is "5 HTP, Nature's Seratonin Solution" by Dr. Ray Sahelian. I recommend you read it if you are interested in taking 5 HTP for any length of time. He also gives excellent suggestions for other natural supplements, and how to take them safely.
He lives in Southern California, and has a medical practice in Santa Monica, so anyone lucky enough to live there could get a consultation with him. I'm actually thinking about flying down there to see him, since he reportedly treats chronic pain patients with a combination of medications and herbs and also has experience with helping addicts normalize brain chemistry.
Sounds like my kinda guy!
love,
WW
Hi Shea,
Yes, you'll continue to have moments or interludes of cravings for the vics. Don't forget, after using for a long time you build up a store of "cues," psychological imprints, memories, associated with the activity and feelings of using. If you had a certain routine during which you liked to be high, it might help to avoid those activities or locales, people, movies -- whatever you associate with being high on vics.
Even still, you'll go through cravings from time to time anyway.
5 HTP may very well help, and you've got WW to guide you as far as safe dosages are concerned.
I suggest you try (as an alternative to the 5 HTP -- I'm not sure about combining the two) about 1500 mgs of L-Tyrosine and 100 mg of B6 when you get the cravings. That might be all you need. But don't forget about the cues. They're pretty much universal with drug addicts and alcoholics and take years to fade. Hope this helps.
Thomas
Yes, you'll continue to have moments or interludes of cravings for the vics. Don't forget, after using for a long time you build up a store of "cues," psychological imprints, memories, associated with the activity and feelings of using. If you had a certain routine during which you liked to be high, it might help to avoid those activities or locales, people, movies -- whatever you associate with being high on vics.
Even still, you'll go through cravings from time to time anyway.
5 HTP may very well help, and you've got WW to guide you as far as safe dosages are concerned.
I suggest you try (as an alternative to the 5 HTP -- I'm not sure about combining the two) about 1500 mgs of L-Tyrosine and 100 mg of B6 when you get the cravings. That might be all you need. But don't forget about the cues. They're pretty much universal with drug addicts and alcoholics and take years to fade. Hope this helps.
Thomas
"chart my own course" sounds good Tom. The problem is my GPS has been down for like the last ten years so getting around is going to be a little tough! How is your battle been going? I hope all is well and if you can think of anything else PLEASE let me know. Chad
Well....we all knew I'd get my refill when the time came. The time is tomorrow....I've already called it in and will pick it up at 9:00am. Weak weak weak. This time I managed to stay off 7 days....relapsed when I "borrowed" 6 vicadins...then drove 45 minutes for 20 more. Now tomorrow I get a bottle of 100 10mgs. Can you believe I'm actually counting the hours. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!! WW?? I went to the web site of the author of the book you just got......his "FAQ's" page is interesting.
Also.....I'm not sure if this is the correct spelling for Ginna...or Gianna.....she answered one of my posts....gave me her email address and I emailed her and the email game back as wrong address. SHe is the one whose addiction ended up costing around $4000.00 for legal help. I would like to hear more of her story.......if she reads this...maybe she'll repost her address.Well folks....."no back bone" here is going to bed. Only 9 hours left.....GOD. I'm weak.
Also.....I'm not sure if this is the correct spelling for Ginna...or Gianna.....she answered one of my posts....gave me her email address and I emailed her and the email game back as wrong address. SHe is the one whose addiction ended up costing around $4000.00 for legal help. I would like to hear more of her story.......if she reads this...maybe she'll repost her address.Well folks....."no back bone" here is going to bed. Only 9 hours left.....GOD. I'm weak.
Hi all,
WW and Thomas..Thank you for your reply. It sounds like you have done a lot of research on seratonin. I am taking 5htp for about a couple weeks now. i take the 50mg twice a day. Also I am using thomas's Recipe..1500mg L-Tyrosine 100 mg B-6 magnesium zinc copper phosphorus. Do you think the combo of the 5htp and L-tyrosine could be too much. I will tell you the first week I felt a GREAT improvement. Also Thomas..makes a lot of sense what you said about the "cues"! the problem is I did everything while on Vicoden. EVERYTHING! I have been taking pain pills for like 24 years. Started young as did the surgeries. When I woke up I rolled over and took my pills. I already had them out of the bottle and waiting for me on the night stand. Along with the ones i took mid way through the night. about 3:00 a.m. Never really went more than 4 hours without taking more. sometime after 2 hours i felt "enough time". Anyhow, would you suggest I cut back on either the 5htp or the L-tyrosine?
Joec and Francoise..Thank you for the info on the 5htp. all pro's and con's are appeciated.
Phillychad..I don't know much about methodone from personal experience. But I do know what it is like to be in turmoil with an addiction. And I will pray you find an answer as I pray we all do. good Luck to you.
Katie r.. I personally think you are too hard on yourself. I believe as long as we exsert tons of energy BEATING ourselves up that is less energy we have to BUILD ourselves up. The more you beat yourself up the worse you feel about yourself. Then the more you want to numb those self- loathing feelings. I KNOW! I HAVE DONE IT FOR YEARS! On top of it loving opiates. If I could have used the creativity and energy I used on thinking of ways to get pills towards something constructive, wow i would be so far ahead.(and I had so many ways to get these pills) Maybe as you use this script, of course you'll be chillin but maybe you can come up with a plan. Are you trying Thomas Recipe? Maybe if you start before it will help more getting it in your system for the next time you try to quit. IT IS NOT OUR FAILURE THAT COUNTS BUT OUR BRAVE ABILTY TO TRY.
Philly chad (again) No wonder you can't finish a post "I" probably use so much space writing so much then make you take pay the consenquences.
I will keep in shorter next time.
good Luck to you all....and thank you!
Shea
WW and Thomas..Thank you for your reply. It sounds like you have done a lot of research on seratonin. I am taking 5htp for about a couple weeks now. i take the 50mg twice a day. Also I am using thomas's Recipe..1500mg L-Tyrosine 100 mg B-6 magnesium zinc copper phosphorus. Do you think the combo of the 5htp and L-tyrosine could be too much. I will tell you the first week I felt a GREAT improvement. Also Thomas..makes a lot of sense what you said about the "cues"! the problem is I did everything while on Vicoden. EVERYTHING! I have been taking pain pills for like 24 years. Started young as did the surgeries. When I woke up I rolled over and took my pills. I already had them out of the bottle and waiting for me on the night stand. Along with the ones i took mid way through the night. about 3:00 a.m. Never really went more than 4 hours without taking more. sometime after 2 hours i felt "enough time". Anyhow, would you suggest I cut back on either the 5htp or the L-tyrosine?
Joec and Francoise..Thank you for the info on the 5htp. all pro's and con's are appeciated.
Phillychad..I don't know much about methodone from personal experience. But I do know what it is like to be in turmoil with an addiction. And I will pray you find an answer as I pray we all do. good Luck to you.
Katie r.. I personally think you are too hard on yourself. I believe as long as we exsert tons of energy BEATING ourselves up that is less energy we have to BUILD ourselves up. The more you beat yourself up the worse you feel about yourself. Then the more you want to numb those self- loathing feelings. I KNOW! I HAVE DONE IT FOR YEARS! On top of it loving opiates. If I could have used the creativity and energy I used on thinking of ways to get pills towards something constructive, wow i would be so far ahead.(and I had so many ways to get these pills) Maybe as you use this script, of course you'll be chillin but maybe you can come up with a plan. Are you trying Thomas Recipe? Maybe if you start before it will help more getting it in your system for the next time you try to quit. IT IS NOT OUR FAILURE THAT COUNTS BUT OUR BRAVE ABILTY TO TRY.
Philly chad (again) No wonder you can't finish a post "I" probably use so much space writing so much then make you take pay the consenquences.
I will keep in shorter next time.
good Luck to you all....and thank you!
Shea
Hi Shea,
Dr. Sahelian's book said that taking 5 HTP and L-Tyrosine together is not only safe, but a very good combination. The HTP boosts seratonin, while the Tyrosine boosts dopamine, both of which are involved in elevating mood.
I've been taking 100mgs 5 HTP a day and between 1000 and 2000 mgs of L-Tyrosine, and feel this combination is working well.
As an anecdote, when I was still using the vics, when I took the L-Tyrosine, I felt horrible..wired, like I had drank way too much coffee. But now that I am clean, the L-Tyrosine just feels very calming, and gives me a relaxed alertness.
WW
Dr. Sahelian's book said that taking 5 HTP and L-Tyrosine together is not only safe, but a very good combination. The HTP boosts seratonin, while the Tyrosine boosts dopamine, both of which are involved in elevating mood.
I've been taking 100mgs 5 HTP a day and between 1000 and 2000 mgs of L-Tyrosine, and feel this combination is working well.
As an anecdote, when I was still using the vics, when I took the L-Tyrosine, I felt horrible..wired, like I had drank way too much coffee. But now that I am clean, the L-Tyrosine just feels very calming, and gives me a relaxed alertness.
WW
Hi Katie,
I just wanted to say that I agree with Shea. Beating yourself up for your addiction is part of the way the disease insidiously worms its way in. If you constantly berate yourself, you feel worse and worse about yourself and are much more likely to continue to need something outside yourself to make you feel good.
Try to just accept that you are in the middle of a very difficult battle, and that even if you are still using, as long as you are increasing awareness of how your addiction works, and how it affects you, you are still inching your way forward to claiming back as much of your light as you can.
I'm not an expert on addiction...but I am a fellow addict..and I know that what moved me from the "I'll never be able to stop using this stuff, and I'm not sure I want to" to being ready to be clean was the slow process of unconditional self love and acceptance.
Never give up hope.
The San Francisco memorial service was yesterday, and they had many different religious leaders speaking. When it was time for the Tibetan Budhist monk to speak, he said something very interesting. First, he started by saying "I bow to the potentially enlightened being in all of you". Later he said that if we are to stop senseless world violence, we have to first stop by ending violence toward ourselves, which means treating ourselves with compassion. My take on that is..no self beration. That is different from a good hard look at how our own behaviors hurt ourselves. But rather than say "weak, weak, weak" ..maybe say "addicted, addicted, addicted". As far as I know, addiction is not about weakness, it is about addiction. Very different thing.
my two cents..good luck Katie, you are not alone.
WW
I just wanted to say that I agree with Shea. Beating yourself up for your addiction is part of the way the disease insidiously worms its way in. If you constantly berate yourself, you feel worse and worse about yourself and are much more likely to continue to need something outside yourself to make you feel good.
Try to just accept that you are in the middle of a very difficult battle, and that even if you are still using, as long as you are increasing awareness of how your addiction works, and how it affects you, you are still inching your way forward to claiming back as much of your light as you can.
I'm not an expert on addiction...but I am a fellow addict..and I know that what moved me from the "I'll never be able to stop using this stuff, and I'm not sure I want to" to being ready to be clean was the slow process of unconditional self love and acceptance.
Never give up hope.
The San Francisco memorial service was yesterday, and they had many different religious leaders speaking. When it was time for the Tibetan Budhist monk to speak, he said something very interesting. First, he started by saying "I bow to the potentially enlightened being in all of you". Later he said that if we are to stop senseless world violence, we have to first stop by ending violence toward ourselves, which means treating ourselves with compassion. My take on that is..no self beration. That is different from a good hard look at how our own behaviors hurt ourselves. But rather than say "weak, weak, weak" ..maybe say "addicted, addicted, addicted". As far as I know, addiction is not about weakness, it is about addiction. Very different thing.
my two cents..good luck Katie, you are not alone.
WW
I READ THIS SITE ALMOST EVERYDAY JUST SO I KNOW IM NOT ALONE. IM A POLICE OFFICER WHO IS ADDICTED TO PAIN KILLERS AND ALCOHOL. I'VE BEEN CLEAN OFF OF PAIN KILLERS FOR A FEW MONTHS UP UNTIL ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO. I'VE BEEN OFF WORK FOR A MONTH DUE TO A BACK INJURY. A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS PRESCRIBED OXYCONTIN 80MG 1 PER DAY. ALTHOUGH I LOVE THEM, TO MY SUPRISE, I'VE BEEN TAKING THEM AS PRESCRIBED. THIS IS PROBABLY BECAUSE MY LAST EPISODE WITH PAIN KILLERS ( 15-20 LORTABS PER DAY FOR MONTHS) I WENT THROUGH TERRIBLE WITHDRAWALS. I'VE BEEN USING THOMAS'S RECIPE FOR TWO MONTHS AND DURING THIS TIME IVE BEEN ON OXYCONTIN. ( 50MG ZINK, 200MG B-6, AND 4000MG L-TYROSINE) IM GOING TO QUIT THE OXYCONTIN TOMORROW,BECAUSE IM RUNNING OUT. I'M GOING TO SAVE 1 PILL, IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. DO ANY OF YOU THINK I WILL GO THROUGH WITHDRAWALS FROM THE DOSE IVE BEEN TAKING FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS? SINCE MY LAST EPISODE WITHDRAWALS, IM TERRIFIED OF THEM. THATS WHY IVE BEEN TAKING THE OXYCONTIN, 80MG EVERY 24HRS JUST AS PRESCRIBED, INSTEAD OF MORE, LIKE I USUSALLY WOULD. I CANT HANDLE WITHDRAWLS AGAIN. PLEASE HELP !!!
Hi Brad, and welcome to the forum! I often wonder how many people this site helps who we never get to meet. I'm glad you posted.
I don't know the answer to your question. It depends on how long oxy stays in your system. I will venture a guess that you may be in for withdrawals again, but I really don't know if once a day dosing of oxycontin causes physical dependance.
I know that once a day dosing of vicodin does not cause physical dependance. I know this because for about two years, I took vicodin only at night, never during the day, and just one dose. I would at times skip several days, and sometimes up to a week, and never went through withdrawals (till I started to take it three to four times a day). A Doctor later told me that once a day dosing of vicodin won't cause dependance, because it leaves your system fast.
But oxy last longer in your system...it is time released, so I think it hits the receptors frequently.
Even if you do go through withdrawals, I'm guessing that it won't be as intense as when you taking the 15 to 20 pills a day for a few months. I hope I'm right about that.
Please, let us know how you are doing, and lean on us for support. We all need each other.
love,
WW
I don't know the answer to your question. It depends on how long oxy stays in your system. I will venture a guess that you may be in for withdrawals again, but I really don't know if once a day dosing of oxycontin causes physical dependance.
I know that once a day dosing of vicodin does not cause physical dependance. I know this because for about two years, I took vicodin only at night, never during the day, and just one dose. I would at times skip several days, and sometimes up to a week, and never went through withdrawals (till I started to take it three to four times a day). A Doctor later told me that once a day dosing of vicodin won't cause dependance, because it leaves your system fast.
But oxy last longer in your system...it is time released, so I think it hits the receptors frequently.
Even if you do go through withdrawals, I'm guessing that it won't be as intense as when you taking the 15 to 20 pills a day for a few months. I hope I'm right about that.
Please, let us know how you are doing, and lean on us for support. We all need each other.
love,
WW
THANKS FOR REPLYING WW. IF IM GOING TO GO THROUGH WITHDRAWALS, I SHOULD KNOW IN ABOUT 24 HOURS FROM MY LAST DOSE SHOULDN'T I ? IF I DO, I WAS THINKING I COULD CUT THAT LAST PILL INTO QUARTERS AND JUST TAKE 20MG A DAY FOR 4 DAYS. WOULD THAT HELP ? I HAVE ABOUT 20 ULTRAM I COULD USE TO TAPER. DO YOU THINK THAT WILL WORK. ALSO KEEP IN MIND, IVE BEEN ON THOMAS'S RECIPE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AS WELL. IM SO AFRAID. MY LAST WITHDRAWALS WERE SO INTENSE I WANTED TO DIE. LASTED 10 DAYS. I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK IN 2 DAYS. IM OUT OF SICK LEAVE. THANKS BRAD. IM SO GLAD YOU REPLIED. I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD HEAR FROM ANYONE
Hi again Brad,
I spoke to a Doctor friend of mine, he is a Psychiatrist, not a pain Doc, but..for what its worth, he said that you probably will not go through withdrawals, because you were taking it once a day, not twice, so your brain got a bit of a break from it, which he thinks is enough to not develop withdrawals when you go off it.
I hope for your sake he is right, but maybe some folks on this forum who know more about oxy than I do can give you more precise information.
But, I think your plan of taking just 20 mgs once a day might be more comfortable of a way to taper than to just suddenly stop. How bout you see what happens 24 to 36 after your last dose, and if you start to have withdrawals, that you take a tiny bit of oxy and taper down from there?
I don't know about using the Ultram to taper, I think it may help, but it is addictive in itself as well.
Someone here will always answer and help. I'm here a lot still, because I'm home recovering from back surgery and on the couch a lot lol soon I'll be returning to work, probably in a week or two.
I hope you keep posting Brad, it's nice to see you here, and we need you as much as you need us.
WW
I spoke to a Doctor friend of mine, he is a Psychiatrist, not a pain Doc, but..for what its worth, he said that you probably will not go through withdrawals, because you were taking it once a day, not twice, so your brain got a bit of a break from it, which he thinks is enough to not develop withdrawals when you go off it.
I hope for your sake he is right, but maybe some folks on this forum who know more about oxy than I do can give you more precise information.
But, I think your plan of taking just 20 mgs once a day might be more comfortable of a way to taper than to just suddenly stop. How bout you see what happens 24 to 36 after your last dose, and if you start to have withdrawals, that you take a tiny bit of oxy and taper down from there?
I don't know about using the Ultram to taper, I think it may help, but it is addictive in itself as well.
Someone here will always answer and help. I'm here a lot still, because I'm home recovering from back surgery and on the couch a lot lol soon I'll be returning to work, probably in a week or two.
I hope you keep posting Brad, it's nice to see you here, and we need you as much as you need us.
WW
Hi Brad....I know what you mean about how horrible the withdrawals from hydrocodone are...I have never taken oxy's before, but I am thinking you are going to be OK....you may feel a little different, but I dont think it is going to be ANYTHING like taking 20 hydro's a day....I was taking about 30 10/325's a day and my withdrawals were unbearable....Maybe you could talk to your Dr. about your concerns and he could give you some better advice. I know there are alot of people on this forum that use Oxy's for pain, so I'm sure someone will be able to help a little better than me....but you have definately come to a wonderful forum with kind, caring, compasionate people....Good luck and let us know how your doing!! Kristen
Sorry Katie I will try again ***@****. The last time I think I forgot the 1. Hope to hear from you. BRAD-I HATE TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS BUT OXYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE WORST THINGS TO GET OFF OF AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY...The longer the half life of a medication the more time it takes to go through withdrawl. What I mean is although you were taking them as prescribed you were still taking a very strong pain reliever for what? a month? You will more than likely experience some withdrawl. Sorry-just trying to prepare you. Good Luck--Can't you get that employee asisstance program? They pay you your salary while you go through detox/rehab? Or don't you want anybody to know?
Brad:
welcome to the forum! there is always room for one more addict!
about the oxy-contin:
it is very difficult to get off of. i currently am on 40mg three
times a day. i have the same worrys as you. why not discuss your
concerns with your doctor? after all, he perscribed them to you
in the first place.
i certainly hope this isn't the last we hear from you!
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip
welcome to the forum! there is always room for one more addict!
about the oxy-contin:
it is very difficult to get off of. i currently am on 40mg three
times a day. i have the same worrys as you. why not discuss your
concerns with your doctor? after all, he perscribed them to you
in the first place.
i certainly hope this isn't the last we hear from you!
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR REPLYING. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME IT IS TIME TO STOP PAIN MEDICATION AND HE SAIS I PROPABLY WONT HAVE WITHDRAWAL. I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN HIM, HE HAS TOLD ME HE IS NOT AN ADDICTION MEDICINE SPEC. NOR DOES HE KNOW ABOUT MY PRIOR ADDICTIONS. I CANT LET MY WORK KNOW. I'VE ALREADY BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR AN ALCOHOL RELATED INCEDENT. THEY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT MY ADDICTION TO PAIN KILLERS. I WORK IN A BIG CITY AND I SEE HEROIN ADDICTS EVERY DAY. IM PROBABLY THE ONLY COP THAT FEELS SORRY FOR THEM. I HATE MY JOB, BUT I HAVE TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY. IF MY WIFE KNEW IM ADDICTED TO PAIN KILLERS AGAIN, SHE WILL LEAVE ME. I JUST HAVE TO GET THROUGH THIS WITHOUT WITHDRAWL. THE LAST WITHDRAWAL WAS UNBEARABLE, ( SWEATS, CRAMPS, VOMIT, DIARREA, FEVER, ) HOWEVER I WAS TAKING ALOT OF MEDS FOR NO OTHER REASON BUT TO GET HIGH. THE DOCTOR I SEE NOW IS A CITY DOCTOR, AND I DONT FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING TO HIM. IF I COULD GET THE TIME OFF, I WOULD GO TO REHAB, I ALREADY BLEW MY CHANCE FOR THAT FROM MY LAST INCIDENT. YOU ALL ARE VERY KIND. THANK YOU. BRAD
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR REPLYING. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME IT IS TIME TO STOP PAIN MEDICATION AND HE SAIS I PROPABLY WONT HAVE WITHDRAWAL. I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN HIM, HE HAS TOLD ME HE IS NOT AN ADDICTION MEDICINE SPEC. NOR DOES HE KNOW ABOUT MY PRIOR ADDICTIONS. I CANT LET MY WORK KNOW. I'VE ALREADY BEEN DISCIPLINED FOR AN ALCOHOL RELATED INCEDENT. THEY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT MY ADDICTION TO PAIN KILLERS. I WORK IN A BIG CITY AND I SEE HEROIN ADDICTS EVERY DAY. IM PROBABLY THE ONLY COP THAT FEELS SORRY FOR THEM. I HATE MY JOB, BUT I HAVE TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY. IF MY WIFE KNEW IM ADDICTED TO PAIN KILLERS AGAIN, SHE WILL LEAVE ME. I JUST HAVE TO GET THROUGH THIS WITHOUT WITHDRAWL. THE LAST WITHDRAWAL WAS UNBEARABLE, ( SWEATS, CRAMPS, VOMIT, DIARREA, FEVER, ) HOWEVER I WAS TAKING ALOT OF MEDS FOR NO OTHER REASON BUT TO GET HIGH. THE DOCTOR I SEE NOW IS A CITY DOCTOR, AND I DONT FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING TO HIM. IF I COULD GET THE TIME OFF, I WOULD GO TO REHAB, I ALREADY BLEW MY CHANCE FOR THAT FROM MY LAST INCIDENT. YOU ALL ARE VERY KIND. THANK YOU. BRAD
the only other "thing" I can thik of is this: it's a lot better to occassionally fall off the wagon with the OxyContin than to be bound to a daily dose of methadone from a clinic every damn morning. The methadone will also not be enough to get you high, just enough to keep you from using something else. I'd rather get a once a month vicodin "windfall," enjoy the blissfull hell out of it for a few days, then stay clean the rest of the month. It's cheaper, safer, and every time you do get some vics, it's really very much like the first time. It's funny, but as long as i know that I've got that once a month vic treat coming, I can enjoy the "normal" things of life while quietly waiting for the little horns to sprout from my head, the pointed tail to push its way out the back of my pants, and of course, an excuse to wear my red cape and pitchfork.
Hi Shea my friend,
I don't know of any reason why you should discontinue the 5HTP while you're on the L_Tyrosine. 5 HTP is an amino acid and is not an SSRI drug. To my knowledge, the only warning I've seen is about taking SSRIs with the L-Tyrosine. 5 HTP is the immediate precursor to serotonin, while SSRIs interfere with your brain's ability to re-absorb the serotonin it's produced. From what WW said, the dread serotonin cascade only occurs at much, much higher doses than the 100mg 3 times a day standard for 5 HTP. If you're doubtful, by all means ask a doctor or psychiatrist. Considering you're using the vics, and L-Tyrosine restores the neurotransmitters depleted by narcotic use, I'd keep up with the LTyrosine until I felt replenished then I'd switch over to the 5 HTP and see how I felt.
I don't know of any reason why you should discontinue the 5HTP while you're on the L_Tyrosine. 5 HTP is an amino acid and is not an SSRI drug. To my knowledge, the only warning I've seen is about taking SSRIs with the L-Tyrosine. 5 HTP is the immediate precursor to serotonin, while SSRIs interfere with your brain's ability to re-absorb the serotonin it's produced. From what WW said, the dread serotonin cascade only occurs at much, much higher doses than the 100mg 3 times a day standard for 5 HTP. If you're doubtful, by all means ask a doctor or psychiatrist. Considering you're using the vics, and L-Tyrosine restores the neurotransmitters depleted by narcotic use, I'd keep up with the LTyrosine until I felt replenished then I'd switch over to the 5 HTP and see how I felt.
Hi Brad,
I truly feel for you!!! It must be very difficult for you being addicted in your type of job. At least you have a heart, and you've been on the other side. It can only make you a much stronger, better person because of it, look at it that way!!!
We addicts are not 'bad' people, we are only human, and humanbeings sometimes fall into things that get out-of-hand very quickly!!!
I've always said that addicts are really the 'best' people because what usually gets us into the whole drug mess to begin with, is we just 'feel' too much sometimes. It's an easy trap to fall into, you are far from alone!!!
Ask your dr for help, and if you find yourself in withdrawal, maybe he can give you something else to ease the discomfort. Try to ease off of them gently if you are ready to take this step!!! Also, try to get some counseling so you can better understand your feelings behind your addiction!!!
Best of luck to you!!! We're here for you!!!
Lv Jenny
I truly feel for you!!! It must be very difficult for you being addicted in your type of job. At least you have a heart, and you've been on the other side. It can only make you a much stronger, better person because of it, look at it that way!!!
We addicts are not 'bad' people, we are only human, and humanbeings sometimes fall into things that get out-of-hand very quickly!!!
I've always said that addicts are really the 'best' people because what usually gets us into the whole drug mess to begin with, is we just 'feel' too much sometimes. It's an easy trap to fall into, you are far from alone!!!
Ask your dr for help, and if you find yourself in withdrawal, maybe he can give you something else to ease the discomfort. Try to ease off of them gently if you are ready to take this step!!! Also, try to get some counseling so you can better understand your feelings behind your addiction!!!
Best of luck to you!!! We're here for you!!!
Lv Jenny
The only problem with you theory is one must have a lot of self discipline to only use one time a month. Discipline is something we addicts don't usually have in abundance. The disease is progressive and each time you fall off the wagon it takes half of the time to drop as low as last time. We kid ourselves into thinking we can use a little or recreationally, but damned if we still don't try and figure how to do it. If we put all that energy we use to try and figure out how to use successfully we could win the Nobel Prize. But, seriously, I have been told that I may know I am an addict in my head but until I feel it in my heart I will never get better. I would rather take my methadone everyday and feel "normal" than slip every now and then and feel like ****. I beat myself up when I fall even though I know we are not supposed to do that. I am tired of the rollercoaster ride. I remember when I first tried pain pills, I loved the feeling but when they were gone that was it-no biggie at the time. I wish I could return to that time in my life cause that's when it's time to nip it in the butt. Ahhhh-hindsight, what a shame it comes afterwards!!!! Take care my drug loving buddy!!!
HI EVERYONE, FOR WHAT ITS WORTH, I'VE GONE 27 HRS NOW WITHOUT AN OXY. NO WITHDRAWAL, JUST A SLIGHT MENTAL CRAVING. I FEEL GOOD, DONT THINK IM GOING TO GO THROUGH WITHDRAWAL. MAYBE I WAS JUST PARANOID SINCE MY LAST EPISODE WITH HYDRO. TO BE HONEST, I THINK USING THOMAS'S RECIPE DURING THE TIME I WAS ON THE OXY HELPED. I THOUGHT I WOULD BE REAL TIRED AND DEPRESSED TODAY, BUT I FEEL PRETTY GOOD. WE'LL SEE HOW LONG I CAN STAY CLEAN THIS TIME. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND I WILL CONTINUE TO READ FOR SUPPORT. USUALLY IT DOESNT TAKE LONG FOR THE MENTAL CRAVINGS TO GET THE BEST OF ME. BRAD
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