What are ways to help YOU detox be more comfortable?

[RunningMom]

I'm detoxing from fentanyl and oxycodone currently and it's a slow process.  Each decrease puts me through a massive withdrawal.  I have 2 more decreases before I'm off the fentanyl.

1. I sleep on the hard floor.  I'm not sure why this helps, but it feels more comfortable, especially immediately after a decrease.

2. I take vitamins and I drink a TON of water.  I feel dehydrated, so the more water I drink the better.  My body feels like it is on fire from the inside out.  This has not stopped since day 1 of the decrease(1 month ago)

3.  I have ibuprofen on hand for the bone pain and muscle ache.

4. After 3 days I'm well enough to go for a long walk(2-2.5mi).  Exercise has been a Godsend and helps me recover much quicker and feel more normal.

My next 25% decrease is coming up and my husband will have to take the morning off to get the kids off to school.  Having help/support from family if you have younger children is very helpful.  

It doesn't matter which substance your detoxing from, it is all very difficult.  My body shows physical symptoms, I look like I'm sunburnt head to toe.  I know this is only temporary, but this really ***** big time!


What is helping you???

[BanMethadone]

Yes, I think you're smart. Mostly people who go cold turkey sometimes oppose the taper. Also tapers are often abandoned when the going gets tough. It' can be harder to keep your motivation over long periods ESP on a self administered taper. Mine is through a clinic and yes I have take home doses, but I have not and would not consider taking one early. I don't even think about it, so I think it bodes well for me:)

I wish you luck too and ty for your support

[RunningMom]

I wish you the best of luck with this process!  I've heard methadone is one of the toughest to detox from.  

I haven't heard or read of people disagreeing with the taper process.  I was told I could not cut fentanyl cold turkey unless I substitute with suboxone.  I didn't choose the suboxone route due to the long half life of the med vs the short half life of fentanyl hoping to get through this process quicker once I'm off.  This is a long process, but worth it!  

[BanMethadone]

Awesome!!! I love seeing this. I know some people look down on a taper, but I say whatever gets you there and I am also on a taper. I have four more decreases before I walk away from a 16 year addiction and 14 of it on methadone.

I take vitamins, fish oil, potassium for RLS, and then tyrosine and adrenal plus have really really helped me.

Sleep is the biggest issue thus far, and then RLS coming right behind it. I just do what it takes to get through the night with music and a heating pad.

I also take ibuprofen for aches and pains and for some reason, I have had now two muscle injuries while exercising since I've gotten below ten mg. It happens on the days I've gone 4 nights or so w/o sleep and I am certain I am in bad form. It's so hard for me to just sit on the couch and "take it easy" bc it's worse for me. I figure, I am going to feel like hell no matter what i am doing, so might as well do something to make myself stronger.

With exercise you just have to be careful, and i know injuries are a part of it. I am used to going hard and strong this past 2 years, but now I am forced to try to do less, and indeed it is so hard to pull out those 6 miles on the treadmill the lower I get on my dose. I just push through and think "this is like my taper...it gets harder at the end, but the pay off is HUGE"

I love Youtube too!

I also have support from people around me and that is SO key. Many people want to hide and do it along but as John Donne once said "no man is an island, entire of itself.; every man is a piece of the continent " and I tend to agree with that. We all need support, and I thank you for your support  and sharing your tips for coping with the pain of w/d!

We've got this!!!

[RunningMom]

Music helps me too!  I crank up the headphones and listen to songs on YouTube.