Aa
how to stop
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
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
Rebecca
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and I always stop cold turkey and punish myself over the guilt with withdrawing.I can't remember how many times I have withdrawn from opaites like(morphine,Oxycontin,methadone,lortab) So I need support too!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
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and I always stop cold turkey and punish myself over the guilt with withdrawing.I can't remember how many times I have withdrawn from opaites like(morphine,Oxycontin,methadone,lortab) So I need support too!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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
sincerely, smilee77
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