how to stop

[shubunkin]

I have been taking Xanax for a year now. 1mg daily. Also Paxil 20mg.But I have cut the Paxil down to every other day for about 2 months now because I simply could not afford it every month. What could I switch to taper off the Xanax that would be easier than the Xanax itself? I get withdrawels even at the low dose. Also is there anything that I could take that is cheaper than the Paxil? Thankyou Danielle

[symmetry6000]

I was addressing my unstable body for 10 years with ever increasing doses up to 80mg then I decreased down to 40 then I went cold turkey and had a protracted withdrawal over 56 days then finally nothing and did not sleep a month.HOt showers and lots of water or sugar free drinks help.Medicine for your loose bowels that may come will help alot.My doc gave me derivative of Belladonna for cramps it helped and is non-addicting.I had no methadone for 13 years and now the doctor is prescribing 5 mg.every six for pain.Lower dose helps pain better she said.(hhmmm..I wonder)anyhow,when you haven;t had any thing at all for about a week,that is when you really need support!!Take off work  for example.Have food ready so you won't have to stand long.Have someone else get your mail and bring it in.You won't feel good enough to talk to neioghbors.And they WILL try to find out why you look like hell!So that brings me to this:Shop for everything you need for about two weeks worth so you won't have to shop stooped over ion the grocery store!!I am serious!!!Thanks!!

[Ron264]

there is no postings in here,except for years ago .Bye all

[Ron264]

I am going to try what you said,breaking the pills to 1/4.I hope I  can do it.

[Ron264]

hello all my name is Ron.I  am taking 2 10 mg of methadone a day.I am a oppiate addict trying to get off of them.How do I ween myself off the methadone.I dont take hydro's at all while on the metadone and I really want to quit the methadone.Please help,ron

[leeann380]

hello i am a 30 yr old and i take hydro i have never done more than 5 a day and it  was 10 mg each i took my last half of a pill this am at 640 i want to go buy some so bad but i dont to please help

[fiesty853]

I just found this site and the last post was 2003. I am 55yrs. old and addicted to Hydocodone and have been taking it for 10 years. I had chronic back pain to start with and had back surgery. Before that I started taking Codeine because I saw how it gave my husband energy and stopped his pain, then I went to Hydro. I want to start the taper method and I have said everytime I get the pills I will and don't. This time I have prayed and really mean it but I am scared of WD symptoms. I don't have a Dr and no insurance so I buy them from anybody I can or if I find someone who has them I give them a sob story about my back pain which I do have but not like I say. I have in every way become a liar, thief and feel like the worst human in the world. I have 2 sons and  grandchildren that I don't want to know how bad I am addicted, this is something I cannot deal with especially my grandchildren. I just had to say this to someone, I have not told anyone this before and I cant't sleep and feel so worthless now. Please someone get back to me and give me some advice. I feel better just saying what I have become and yes I have pills in me now, but the sad part is they don't make me feel as good as they used to. Sometimes when I take them I just feel like I'm going to puke and feel as low as whale **** on the bottom of the ocean. Whoever reads this thank-you for reading it and taking time, also sometimes I take up to 10, 10 mgs a day and I know it is bad. I have went cold turkey before and thought I was going to die, it got so bad that my speech was stuttery and I couldn't get words out and it scared me the worst I have ever been. I am praying the tapering will work for me.      Thank-You Fiesty

[APatcher]

If you are really only taking 2½ tramadol pills every 24 hours, the withdrawal from that should be light if you decrease your dose. The half life of tramadol is approximately 6 to 9 hours. By the end of the day, you should certainly have past enough time to metabolize the half life plus another half of that. After 20+ hours, there is very little tramadol left in your system (if you're only taking 2½ pills each day).

If you're down to 2½ pills from 15, you should be very near the end of the tapering down process. The worst of the weaning should be over for you. I realize everyone metabolizes differently, but 2½ pills over a 24 hour period is a very low dose of Ultram. Unless you have liver or kidney issues that are preventing the metabolizing, almost all the tramadol should by out of your system after 24 hours (when taking 2½ pills per day, that is)

I have had extensive experience with tramadol withdrawal (4 times). I also feel cheated like some of the others here. I was told it was non-addictive and that I would not get a buzz from it. My doctor actually told me it was "a wonderful drug". I had been off the stuff for a couple years when all of a sudden my back went out. I ended up on tramadol again, and I was pissed!!!  It was like the addiction was worse than ever before. The symptoms of addiction got worse every time I went back on it. At my worst, I was up taking over 40 of the 50mg tramadol pills every day. My face looked all gaunt and sickly. My eyes were so messed up because they looked red, bulged out, and/or glassy. I was taking tramadol instead of eating many times.

In the beginning, I would get an anti-depressant effect from tramadol. Somewhere along the line, the drug turned on me like a back-stabber, and it actually caused me to feel deep dark depression. However, if I tried to stop, I would get sick with withdrawal.

I swore off the stuff dozens of times... only to end up ordering more within a couple days. It may sound corny, but I had to pray desperately for help to whatever Higher Power created the world. I also had to try to keep busy as much as possible. I actually ended up using a lot of the AA and NA principles to get off this stuff.

At first, I went from 40 pills to 18 pills per day. I felt kind of icky for about 3 days when I did that, but nothing like the severe withdrawal of going cold turkey. Then I decreased the dose by two pills each day. I went from 18 to 16 to 14 to 12 to 10. Once I got down to 8 pills, I decreased the dose by a half a pill each day (or by half a pill every other day if I started to feel crappy).

Anyway, once I finally got down to 3 pills per day, I would just wait as long as I could until I started to feel withdrawal symptoms and then take a half of a pill or a quarter of a pill every 30 minutes until the symptoms were bearable. Then I would be OK for about 8 hours. I just kept spacing it out longer and longer until I could finally go without it. I was taking little chips every few hours by the end. The whole process took me 2 to 3 weeks.

The hard part for me was sticking to the dosage decrease schedule. -- If you have bad day and end up taking a step backwards by going up in dose instead of down, you just have to get right back on schedule the next day.

[peaz]

"What a Difference a Day Makes" Etta James, 1956,    :10 intro,2:45 fade......You are doing so much better than a couple of days ago!  You apologized for a whiney post  a bit ago, but   1) it wasn't ,  and   2) even if it was, if you can't say what you need to say, then what good is this forum??  So I encourage you to vent QOD PRN...LOL   Don't change a thing!!  And watch out for that Bama Bum!!!   Love--Peazy

[bmac]

God if I had a dollar for everytime I have played the song! I'd be rich. Thanks for the comment. I needed that too.
I am a pain patient first and I still struggle with taking the meds. I have been high since 1989 and I can tell you it ain't a pretty sight, ask Peazy! LOL
I am struggling also. I am on Oramorph(MS contin) and it is a great pain killer but I am also broke out with a rash all over my body and girlI mean all over my body. I havetaken Kadian(morphine) in the past with no problems at all. So yesterday I stopped the Oramorph and I am taking norco's(lortab 10) until next Monday when I'll prolly go on Oxy contin. So you see I have no choice except to live in pain or take my meds. Legal scripts I should say too.(referring to the drug habit remarks from Goatdude). Until about 14 days ago I was struggling to the point I thought I would just give in but thanks to some incredible friends(you know who you are) and a certain well lets say a certain DJ I know helped me save what life I have left and actually am as happy now as I have ever been. Well once this damn rash goes away! LOL If you ever wanna ask me a question and I am not here my addy is ***@****. Also I have been to N.O. many times and have spent alot of time on N.Rampart Street in a litttle shop called Art Accent Tattoos by Jacci.
I love that town and have played there many many times. I am a bassplayer If you didn't know that!( I am still thinkng about the DJ comment) sorry! Anyway thanks and if you ever need anything email me and I'll be right there! Bmac

[NEW ORLEANS LADY]

Thanks so much for responding!  Well I woke up today feeling pretty damn good--No pain--I guess things do get better with time--I can't tell you what your support and the support from everyone here means--I would have lost my sanity long ago if it weren't for this forum--I'm so glad you are doing better! Thanks again for the E-mail address---I'm not too swift with this computer and I haven't quite mastered the intricacies of E-Mail but I'll try when I get home--lots of love--Take care--peace Prayers N.O. Lady/Mystere

Anne

[bmac]

Bama bum, you have been talking to my next ex haven't you, shame shame. I love Etta James and I have all of her cd's, all of them I mean. I'd rather go blind is one of my all time favs!
Now go tell her I ain't bad damn it! NOW!  Bill

[NEW ORLEANS LADY]

I need some advice from a fellow southerner and Chronic pain patient--After reading all of your posts I think you and I are in the same boat as far as needing the drugs for pain and "loving" them for the high--I have been having a really rough time lately especially with the pain aspect and I'm worried that if I don't get this pain thing under control I will cave and I'll be back on the hydrocodone merri-go-round--I too have detoxed many times from these demons but for some reason the pain came back with a vengnece this time--Before--Advil pretty much kept everything in check but that doesn't seem to be the case this time--I keep hoping that things will settle down but my quality of life really sucks right now--Maybe there is something to this post withdrawal syndrome ****--I enjoy your posts--you have helped a lot of people including me-- Thanks--Peace--Prayers--N.O. Lady/AKA Mystere

Anne--P.S.--Sweet Home Alabama--Where the Skies are So Blue
I pull for Alabama except when they play LSU!

[thetxhartclan]

Man, I gotta say the board has gone bugfuck the past couple of days.  I am still here, just trying to read through all the threads.  Still doing all right, whatever that is.  I'm here to listen as well, anytime.

Rebecca

[bmac]

Hell, I'll take 'my fee' in Chicken. I do live in Alabama where we eat Fried Chicken most everyday gurl! Jesus Christ, I need a pay check too!
Seriously, we know what you mean by 'support' believe me. It's why after 10 months I still came back here! For support! See I am a chronic pain patient that is also a addict! So I am really screwed up! I hate meds but I have to take them and I love to get high. I have these fights within me and I always stop cold turkey and punish myself over the guilt with withdrawing.I can't remember how many times I have withdrawn from opaites like(morphine,Oxycontin,methadone,lortab) So I need support too! You have come to the right place for that!
See, you can listen too! We all need each other! Peace!
                Bill

[mrmichael67]

What is your pain situation?  And, how are you taking your meds?  Do you take them as prescribed?  The meds can be toxic to your body because of the acetaminophen in them, not the opiate.....depending on how you take them.  Of course if you abuse them, opiates can damage as well.  But, if you are having pain that needs to be controlled, that is a serious issue.  Uncontrolled pain can be very destructive as well.  If you can, please let me know how you are taking the meds.

[thetxhartclan]

Good morning to all, and thank you to Bmac, and everyone else for the awesome support.  I did see my doctor yesterday for my next 10 days worth of pills, and I told him how I was feeling about going from 5 to 4 per day, and he was VERY understanding.  He told me that I can stay at 5 a day for 2 months if need be, whatever makes this taper successful.  I agreed to stay on the 5 per day for at least this 10 days, then decide next week on the next dose.  I feel really good about this.  I am sticking to my taper and feel much better that I am DOING it!  And yes, my husband is a wonderful support, even though he doesn't "get it" - he has never used.  I guess what I sounded scared of in my post was failing.  It is one of my fears.  But, things seem to be going well for right now, and for that I am thankful.  I like that there is not a lot of pressure on me from my doc, but at the same time I don't want to use this a a crutch to stay on 5 for 2 months.  My doc didn't actually "threaten" me with rehab, but rather said that if this taper did not work then I may be well served to seek a professional in the field.  No one at work even knows I take the Vike's.  And I do have chronic pain in my migraines.  I guess I got the migraine gene from my mother, her mother, and my great grandmother.  I have bad times with them, and times where I can go a few weeks with no migraine.  To make it worse, I am allergic to the triptans, so that cuts out those as migraine treatment.  

I appreciate all of the support I have received, and I plan on sticking around.  Several people have asked me "what I need" from this group, and I guess the answer is just that - "support."  People who know what I am going through and understand.  You all seem very supportive, and I thank you!!

Now, I have to actually do some work, so that people get paid here!  I am an accountant/office manager for a man who owns 21 KFC's, so I have a lot of people when it comes to payroll.  

Thank you all again.  

Rebecca

[percsnomas]

Hi Smilee and welcome!!!

I think you've got a great start for the task at hand, by stating that you WANT TO QUIT.  That fear of quitting, we've all felt, and i always tell people that it is usually greater than it need be......  
The good news is, you are on a relatively "average to low" doseage...during the almost year that i've been here (at about 7 per day), and for a relatively shortish period of time(at 2 years).
I was up to 20+ percs/day for several years.

I successfully tapered off, while working and being a pseudo-daddy/husband.  Although it is a pretty tough go for the first week or so, it definately can be done!!!

You didn't mention your pain situation, but i'll assume you have that under control, and simply want to get off the meds/reclaim your life.

I would suggest a taper for you also, to let you down easier, and start by dropping to 5/day(if you in fact are at 7??)....staying at this doseage for 3-5 days or until you feel stabilized.  Then i would drop in one pill increments(for that approximate period, 3-5 days) all the way down to zero.

I believe since you stated you can't take time off work, cold turkey would be very difficult to pull off.
I would also read through the Thomas Recipe(that i'll copy and paste), for some most useful pointers during and after your detox.
If there is anything we can help you with, please please ask.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!

percs


Thomas Detox Recipe

PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas

This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.

If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll need:

1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.

2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).

3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.

4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.

5. Vitamin B6 caps.

6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:

Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you.

[smilee77]

hi everyone, this is my first time in this forum, I just got back from seeing my pain doctor, she told me that I am taking to many pain pills and its toxic to my body? that really scared me. I am perscribed 120 norco and 90 loritab per month. I want to quit, because I know I have become dependant on them. I have been taking them for about 2 years, can some one please tell me how I begin to become drug free. I'm very scared and I dont know what to expect. I work monday thru friday and I cant afford to take time off work to go through the withdrawls, is it possible to continue to work, while trying to quit this addiction of pain medication? I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me. I want to be around for my children and I know these could kill me if I dont get a handle on it now!!!!!!

                     sincerely, smilee77

[oxic]

perfect

[bmac]

Duh!!!!!!!
I need the 'chalk' on this one! Oh I am soooo full of it......!

[bmac]

I got it. Monday being the key word here. I am not that dense, sothern yes, inbred no!

[peaz]

Do, did my post go TOTALLY over your head??  I bet percs got it........

[bmac]

all the leaves are brown              
                    (all the leaves are brown)
and the sky is grey
                (and the sky is grey).
Deal with that babe!

[peaz]

"Monday, Monday"....Mamas and Papas, 1968    2:59  Cold start, fade ending......How about it?