lortab

[Jim]

I've been taking lortab 7.5 for about 3 months. About 8-10 per day. I think I'm going to have to go cold turkey to stop. Will my symptoms be really bad and how long will they last. I'm hoping not too long since i've been taking for so short a time.
Thanks!

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

The "buzz" has been my downfall as well.  For some reason I feel completely normal when I'm buzzed.  The best part of the buzz is the initial rush.  It's got to be a sexual thing like a prolonged orgasm.  Maybe it's a fetish for some of us opiate addicts.    

When I drank alcohol, I liked the initial jolt that it provided but I sure got myself into a lot of trouble because booze makes me very aggressive and stupid.

The only thing that works for me is complete abstinance from all drugs and working a program like AA and hanging out with sober people.  It takes time but you will someday get a natural buzz that you will be proud of!  J.B.

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

Jim, Tom is right on the money regarding what to do/expect with the withdrawal.  Listen to him as he knows what he is talking about - we all do.  Most importantly, understand that you are not alone and it is possible to beat this thing!  Tom, congrats on your new job offer!  I feel like I know you well enough to say that they are lucky to be getting you as an employee!  Thanks for the suggestion about the bup for pain - never thought of that and I will certainly ask my doctor to prescribe it.  He may not know what it is so I think I will print out some literature on it and take it to my next appointment.  Your above thread about the bup and legislation sounds VERY promising - I don't think it will "interfere" with methadone - The war on drugs is ON and anything we can do to win should be considered!  Thank you so much for all your support Tom, I am truly grateful to have met you and everyone on this forum for that matter...Cindi, I lost your email address so maybe you can email me so I have it (***@****) - I would love to talk to you about some nursing stuff!  Take care everyone and God Bless....Maryanne
PS - JB, I was sorry to hear you are waiting for a liver transplant, you and Marty are already in my prayers and will continue to be!

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

Well guys, don't laugh!!  I did it again.  Lost my response and tried to remember and resubmit - God, how many times will I do it?  lol....

[Brighty to MaryAnn]

Hi... sorry to change the topic... I have not been online forawhile... just the last 3 days.. so I missed alot of your progress and how the treatment went with Doc LG. How long did you take the bup for withdrawl ? What other meds did you get for that and are you still on something for maintenance either short or long term ? Did you get a pellet put in too ?? How was the experience and how many times over what time period did you visit the doctor ? How are you doing ??????? Someone e-mailed me and has a nephew with a problem, pain pills, what else ?? So I am wondering if you can share this ? I am very sorry to make you repeat yourself but I think I missed alot and you know how it is trying to find old threads here !!! Congratulations on your success. Love, Brighty

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

Hi, no problem and glad to help.  I went to the Dr's office ONE TIME.  I made the appointment and went in.  They took my blood pressure, pulse and asked some questions (what I was taking, how much and how long).  I was taking lorcet and percocet and oxycontin by the way.  anywhere from 4 pills to 10 (sometimes more) per day.  I told them everything.  I also gave a fake name and no social security number because I didn't want "opiate addict" on my record.  I became addicted after a car accident/surgery with chronic pain taking them from a legit script and as we all know that once "addict" is on your record, it doesn't matter.  I was in the office for like 20 minutes and given 3 buprenorphine injections and 2 prescriptions (one clonidine - antihypertensive; the other baclofen - muscle relaxer).  I was told "No opiates after midnight and take the first injection in the am as a "wake up call", I then took each injection once a day for a total of 3 days until done.  In between I took 1 clonidine like every 6 hours and 2 baclofen for "withdrawal symptoms" like muscle aches etc.  It was honestly UNBELIEVABLE easy and I experienced ALMOST NO DISCOMFORT.  I cried everyday because I was so happy not to have to take the pills just to feel normal.  The visit cost me $240.00 and the meds from the pharmacy $30.00.  I had the prescription filled right down the street at the doctor's suggestion.  After the three days, I just felt like I had little energy and slightly nauseous at times (nothing I couldn't handle).  I should mention that I ended up with a sinus infection (had nothing to do with withdrawal) and felt really headachey and bad from that. but I would have to say that the buprenorphine route is the way to go.  The doctor I went to is in NJ.  If your friend wants to look up some info on the bup.
you can type in "US OPIATE ADDICTION TREATMENT" and look under "DR LANCE GOOBERMAN" this is where I went.  They tell you the treatment and protocol right there online so you can get a general idea of what they do/what to expect.  The doctor wanted me to come back in a week for a pellet implantation under the skin on my abdomen (for another 340.00) but I declined.  This pellet is supposed to counteract any opiates so that you do not get high if you take them.  It lasts about 60 days but I didn't like the idea of having a time released medicine under my skin.  Right now my biggest problem is that I have chronic pain and I can't get rid of it without anything that's pretty strong.  Anyway, good luck and look up the above links to get some more detailed info on buprenorphine detox.  If your friend is in NJ, PA or Delaware, they can go to the same doctor.  He was great and is a recovered opiate addict himself.  Good luck & God Bless, Maryanne

[steve]

This is the same answer I gave to the guy above. But listen.....a few months is a looong time for lortabs, so you got a habit, and the withdrawl will be hard. As I state below, I think self detox is much preferable to withdrawl. The choice is yours, so good luck!
I have a lot of personal experience with opiates, and I've been through it. A few years ago I had to have some surgery, and was getting vicodan and lortabs. It only takes a couple of weeks of doing them several times a day to develope a chippy, or minor addiction, which I did. From previous experience (i had a heroine problem in the '70s) I knew that I had to get things under control. If you have a good amount of personal control, you can kick without any real bad side effects. What I did was cut my dose by 1/3rd every three days until I was down to taking single pills. Than I cut to half a pill, than a quarter. It took some will power, but I can tell you that it beats the hell out of even minor withdrawl symptoms. Try some Nytol or other over the counter medication to help with sleep. Within a week of finishing your detox, you will feel fine. If you don't do it yourself, your going to have to have somebody else help you with it, but you gotta do it. There is no darker, lonlier place than withdrawl. The sooner you get rid of this habit, the sooner you can get back to your life.