opiate addiction

[missy131501]

I have been on mainly vicodin, but a percocet a time or two for about 4-5 months now taking about 10 a day. How will the w/d be and how long will it last? Any help out there? Took my last 10/650 vicodin yesterday around noon and already feeling bad. I have clonodine and getting ativan in the morning will these help?
Thanks

[missy131501]

Thank you Its 8:18 and other than having a bad migraine and feeling a little restless I'm doing ok. I know the next few days will probably be worse, but I really love this site and being able to read all everyone has written and knows what your going threw is just so helpful, it helps me not feel so alone! Thanks

[LongerDays]

I'd expect some pretty significant withdrawal symptoms. 10 a day is a solid dose of drugs, and the length of use is more than enough to establish physical dependence. The ativan will be useful for decreasing the anxiety (although for me the worst anxiety came after the physical withdrawals subsided). Clonodine is perhaps one of the most well know prescription drug for helping ease withdrawal from opiates, and is supposed to help with sweating, restlessness, and hot & cold flashes. Both drugs should be used under a physician's supervision, because they can create their own problems if used inappropriately.

The most acute of the physical withdrawals symptoms typically last 7-10 days (though this can vary a great deal from person to person). Many people report that days 3-5 are the worst. Gastrointestinal symptoms will last much longer (more than a month for me) and sleep disruptions will too. Again, exactly how long is person-specific. Some of the "must haves" for withdrawal in my opinion are Immodium, sports drinks, hot baths (lots and lots of them), TLC directed at yourself. People often mention the Thomas Recipe, but I found this to be marginally effective at best (all reports about its effectiveness are anecdotal) and one of the ingredients (L-Tyrosine gave me an ungodly headache). This site is a great place to spend a lot of time during withdrawal if you can. You're bound to find others at your same stage of withdrawals, and lots of good advice about how to weather the storm until the sun comes again (which it will).

Best of Luck, hang in there, sometimes during withdrawals it seems like they'll never end, but many many many of us have come out the other side and all the better for it.

Good Luck

LD

[cleanmom]

Yes, you could use them to follow the Thomas Recipe. You can find it in the Health Pages at the top right of this page. This should help to alleviate some of the discomfort with the withdrawals. Best of luck and God Bless.

Jacky