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Avatar universal

What to do?

Some brief history...
I have been a opiod user for approx 7 years.  I started off with percosets and about 8 months ago i made the switch to oxys.  I am doing about two 80's a day with a few percs thrown in here and there.  I rehabed once, about a couple of years ago, and i got off the percs for two months before i relapsed.  Now I am at a point where I had enough of this drug because, it has taken the last 5 years of my life away and I can clearly see the road the oxys are taking me on. I need to quit and want to do it immediately!!  Unfortunately rehab is not an option for me at this time so i have three choices given to me by my doctor. I can go on Methadone and slowly taper off, I can go on Suboxone and slowly taper off or I can quit cold turkey with some medication to help me with my withdrawls (Doctor prescribed).  
My question is to anyone with any sort of advice about which road I should take.  How bad are the WD from oxys? Is Meth the way to go? What is Suboxone alI about? Pros and Cons about any of the above?
I understand the decision it is ultimately up to me but any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  I see my Doctor again in two days.  Thanks to all in advance!
17 Responses
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1122748 tn?1306239764
quit cold turkey with some amino acids, thomas recipe, prayer and vitamins..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please do not apologize, you do not know how much you have helped me already.  I guess its human nature (for an addict) to focus on the negative but the way i am looking at it is, preparation for what I'm thinking of doing.  I was leaning towards CT before only slightly ahead of meth and subx but now i think i'm going to go for it all.  Like "this_big" said before i just need to get it over with.
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
Respiratory distress--I am so, so, so, so sorry I mentioned it. Why do we focus on the negative? Hun, I was only giving "possibilities". That may, or may not, pertain to those people who have issues already and have COPD or CB and that is all.

Please keep a positive attitude, it is important to your withdrawal.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was reading another thread where someone mentioned "respiratory distress" while detoxing...what does this mean. I responded to the wrong thread as well, so srry, like i said 1st time on this site.
Helpful - 0
753324 tn?1457819192
Chances are you'll be taking the Clonidine twice a day and the benzo(if you get one ) As needed or in ? hr intervals. Only your DR knows you. You may not even get Clonidine, maybe something else. Just take as directed. If you dont feel its helping contact your DR.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just my $.02.....The first time I kicked OCs I tried benzos I got without an RX. Didn't do a thing for me. Then I talked to my Dr. and got Clonadine. Helped immensely. Of course everyone is different...

Salaam Alaikum
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Are the Clonodine and Benzos taken simultaneously or alternately?  The idea of mixing meds together has always scared me. I know my doctor will instruct me but it is very comforting to hear from someone who's had the experience.
Helpful - 0
1374653 tn?1289239473
I would scratch methadone off the list, I have WD experience with both pills and methadone and there is no comparison, the methadone WD is extremely difficult and a long grind.  Ultimately, you are going to have to pay the piper, but subs could give you a breather to get the pills off your back for a short time, but from what I hear it is not an easy win either.

I wish you the best with your recovery.
Helpful - 0
753324 tn?1457819192
Poison said it..Benzos(Xanax,Valium,Klonipin) Can be just as addictive. Especially in this situation. They are gonna make you feel a little better. And chances are your gonna what them a little longer than rxd. I was rxd 5 days worth .25mg Xanax and 7 days worth .1mg Clonidine. I would have like to have another day or two of the Xanax, but i made it without. I have never liked the way benzos made me feel.( i've used/abused them before) So i was not worried about getting hooked after only less than a week of use. The Clonidine is a blood pressure med that lowers your BP. The combo really seemed to help with the anxiety and just overall "panicy" feeling. They are by no means "miracle" pills, but they do help. Within 30 min of my first dose i felt WAY better (calmer). Good luck
Helpful - 0
1478126 tn?1291069375
i was taking roughly the same amount as you...maybe a tad more. for me personally, it was a no brainer. the maintenance drugs will ease the withdrawal symptoms, but eventually you'll have to come off of those too. withdrawal is inevitable.

i agree with this_big. if your doctor is willing to prescribe you clonidine and a benzo (only for a short period of time....they're a whole different animal to get addicted to), and you say you're leaning towards going cold turkey, go for it. it's one week of physical discomfort. your body is strong enough to handle it. you just have to keep a positive attitude. that is the key. that week will pass, and you will be so glad to have it behind you. not to mention you will be feeling much better at that point.

i have experience with suboxone. all it did was exacerbate the whole withdrawal process. i was on a short taper too...not maintenance. my withdrawals lasted well over a month. everyone is different and it might be the best option for you. you have to do what's right for YOU. i just feel that going onto maintenance therapy is switching addictions.

the single best thing you can do is get involved with NA/AA or a addiction counselor. both if it helps you gather the tools you need to prevent relapsing. i always felt uncomfortable with NA so i started seeing a addiction counselor. without the tools to deal with craving, triggers, etc, that sleeping dragon will be awoken, and you'll be right where you are again. i can't emphasize how important aftercare is.

i wish you the best of luck, and it's awesome that you want to be clean. you're taking the first step and that's so hard to do. stay strong, take care of yourself, and get your life back. don't let it take another 5 years away!

c
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My doctor mentioned a scripts for both Clonodine and Benzos but we did not go into detail about them because i haven't made a decision yet.  Thats something we are going to talk about when I finally make my decision...What is the downside to the benzos?  I would like to be prepared before I talk to my Doc.
Helpful - 0
753324 tn?1457819192
If your Dr is willing to RX you meds to help i would at least try that first. He will probably rx Clonidine and a benzo. Alot of people here advise against the benzos. I personally had no problem with them. Just be careful!! Those meds defiantly will help you calm down during withdraw. Good luck
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
I am glad to see you are thinking, researching and weighing your options.

CT will take about 5 days of physical discomfort. We can recommend all sorts of home remedies to help ease the process.

Let us know what you decide.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been leaning towards CT because my ultimate goal is total abstinence but I am scared to death about it.  At least in rehab I did it with medical supervision and at that time I didn't have any oxys in my system....I appreciate such quick responses as well.  I'm happy to see there are people out there who genuinely care, I have been more or less glued to my computer the last couple of hours...thanks
Helpful - 0
753324 tn?1457819192
Hi and welcome to the forum,

I cant advise you on the maint.drugs as i have no experience with them. I will say this. Just read this forum...look how many people struggle with the withdraws from Sub/Meth. ALOT of them are doing it right with DRs help, some are getting it off the street and trying it their on own. You WILL withdraw either way. From what i've read the Sub/Meth withdraws last WAY longer than Oxy/hydro,ect. I'm glad now i didn't have the money to get into one of these programs. My advise...Just get it over with. Theres no "easy" way to go through this. Why drag it out?? Just my two pennies...
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
Hi & Welcome,

I am not one to condone any maintenance drugs for opiate abuse. That being said, you have relapsed and my concern is that it will happen again if you don't deal with the issues that have/are causing you to use in the first place.

For me, I would even begin to entertain the thought of taking Methadone for Oxy withdrawal. So, my choices would be ct or Suboxone. Actually, ct would really be my choice.

But if you decide on the Suboxone, let's say, use the program as intended. It is not just a magic pill to get you through the withdrawal phase. It is a chance to get yourself together, learn relapse prevention, get counseling, join a support group, etc. When it is time to come off you will do so slowly under your prescribing doctor's care and you should have the tools to stay clean.

These are just my opinions. Stick around, you will hear stories from many members here, pros and cons. No matter what you choose, we will be here to support you. Hang in there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am new to this site so everyone please bear with me and any mistakes i make (I think I may have posted my comment twice).  Once again THANKS TO EVERYONE in advance.  I hope there is light at the end of this dark and gloomy tunnel......
Helpful - 0
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