Won't someone please answer?

[freisian]

I have been struggling with making the decision to get off of narcotics for a long time now. I am ready to try now. I plan to go CT but have been on various narcs since 1994...yes...1994. Is this going to be dangerous for me? I am taking 40-70 mgs. per day. I do have pain management issues that need to be addressed but I have to try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been looking for the kind of information on this site for a long time and feel lucky to have found you all. Thank you...

[freisian]

I will only be doing SUPPORTIVE alternative treatment I.E. milk thistle for liver support, Bach Flowers for emotional/mental support etc.
Thanks to everyone...I am getting hopeful!
I am going to hit the sack...I have a horse to do in the morning. I will continue to be on this site and perhaps share what I am doing as I go along and maybe I can eventually give back to others as you all have given to me. Thanks...

[freisian]

Thanks! No! I know better than to do that! I was just saying that after not p**ping very well for years and years that it may happen whether I want it to or not!

[freisian]

Ok Vicki I will...I agree, our bodies are very resilient. I am only 52 and have been through a lot already and have some alternative health skills so am hoping to draw upon those too. Also I already eat pretty well and am on some whole food supplements and whey protein and other stuff for the pain. I will be taking a closer look at the "plans" listed on this site and start my shopping list. I just need to schedule a week of down time too it looks like. It will be hard to do if my horsey clients need me ( I am an equine massage therapist) but I will do my best to plan and I guess let folks know i am 'going on vacation' and will not be available for a week or two?

[vicki595]

Did I miss something?  LOL.  Colon cleansing?  That got passed me....

[nursegirl6572]

NO offense to your non-western medicine advisors, but there is just nothing factual to back up that kind of claim.  If you get a medical check-up by a medical doctor, and tell him/her what you're planning, they will tell you if there are any risks for YOU specifically.

Detox/withdrawal from opiates is not something for MOST people that is medically dangerous.  Sure, it is a shock to the system, and you'll FEEL horribly, but without an underlying medical condition, it won't harm you.  

Other meds, like benzodiazepines (ie Ativan, Xanax) CAN be dangerous  to w/d from abruptly, with events such as seizures causing risks to health and safety.  It's a common misconception that opiate detox is very dangerous, not true...AGAIN, if there are no major preexisting medical conditions to consider.

PLEASE do not accept any kind of alternative forms of treatment, specifically dealing with the colon, during this detox process.  W/D's usually cause a lot of GI symptoms, such as nausea, dairrhea, and sometimes vomiting.  If you treat those symptomatically, and ensure your fluid intake is sufficient so you don't get dehydrated, that won't be an issue.  Many alternative therapy practioners are big on colon cleansings and things like that.  Combing a colonic with the GI symptoms of w/d COULD exacerbate the GI symptoms of w/d something terrible and lead to some problems.

[vicki595]

Our bodies get beat up with substance abuse and at the same time they are amazing and resilient.  I doubt that something as you described would occur. Our bodies just pace themselves. You need to help though. As Rick said, stay hydrated and nourished. You may have diarrhea and it's common. You may or may not want to take Immodium and you may get dehydrated so fluids like Gatorade are important to have on board. You need to be sure you move around, as well. Staying in bed, in one position is horrible for circulation.  These kinds of common sense things will help you greatly.