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opiate withdrawal relief
what can i do to ease the PAIN and overall creepy crawling feeling of opiate withdrawals? i am going to attempt to go cold turkey. i have been taking just about any kind of opiate i can get my hands on. my 1st choice: oxycodone, oxycontin, hydrocodone; 2nd choice: morphine. have been regularly taking 140-180 mg. of opiates a day. what can i do for the withdrawls? i am a 48 YO woman and have high blood pressure and have panic attacks if i don't get the opiates into my system on a regular basis. i still have to work; can't take time off work but still need to be able to function.
I have lost everyone an everything because i chose drugs i feel so horrible I'm on day two going c/t been a addictfor 7 years in ready to b clean but in scared to death i want b able to do it by my self i have two kids 7 an 2 i just want to b clean fir them an not worry about finding dope every day im 31 now lost my job of 11.5 years 6 months ago an im tired of being this way
I recently went through withdraw from Oxycontin 80, Percocet 10/325, Backlofen 20, and Ambien. (I took all of them except the Ambien three to four times a day) Ive had multiple back surgeries and still have genuine, chronic pain, and this is the reason Ive been on these medications for so many years. Now with that having been said, the reason for my withdraw was because I am currently in between Dr.s.
Before I offer information on what helped me, I just want to point out that there is a difference between being dependent upon opiod medications and being addicted to them. (A wise Dr I had several years ago enlightened me about this) If you are addicted your road will be much harder than someone who is not abusing but simply using the medication as directed. I will also say, it is easy to go from dependence to addiction. The important thing is being able to identify which is which and be completely honest with yourself. Either way, if youve been taking this stuff regularly, you are going to have withdraw when you stop... the opiods dont discriminate when it comes to that!
Ok, moving on. All the things Im going to mention next are either things I was told by a Dr, a nurse, or is something I researched on my own and worked for me. Remember, everyone is different, and no matter what you do (besides taking more opiods) nothing is going to completely eliminate the symptoms. Im not a healthcare professional, this is simply what helped me stay as comfortable as possible.
1. IBUPROFERIN: Helps that awful creepy-crawly-restless- tense-twitchy feeling in muscles. (I took about 800 mg 3x a day and again if it got really bad at night)
2. NAPROXIN SODIUM: Helps with the pain in general and is ok to take with the IBU. It makes a great combo because one is an analgesic and the other NSAID pain reliver. (at least thats my understanding of what I was told by a Dr. - I took 2-3, 220mg pills along with the IBU)
3. BENADRYL: The antihistamine helps with the runny nose and sneezing. The other ingredient (the one that makes you sleepy) will take the edge off of the anxiety, restlessness, and panic feelings. You can also use these to help with sleep. (Benadryl is also ok to take with the IBU and Naproxen. I took one Benadryl with each dose of the IBU & NS)
4. HOT SHOWER/BATH: Like many, I had huge problems sleeping. However, Id jump in the shower and get the water as hot as I could stand it and just stand in it for a while right before I wanted to try to sleep. For whatever reason it helps with the restlessness. Each night I did it, I got more sleep than the nights I didnt.
5. SLEEP AID: Get a bottle of over the counter sleep aid and take a couple before you lay down to try to sleep. Depending on if your system is used to taking stuff like this or not will dictate how well it helps you sleep.
6. IMODIUM: Take one or two of these a day to help with the diariah. It may also help keep the stomach cramps to a minimum.
7. STAY BUSY/EXERSIZE: If you can, get up and do something! Do anything! As long as youre moving your body parts its going to help not only keek you from going crazy watching the endless ticking seconds pass but also helps with feeling better overall. I found it especially helpful for that creepy crawly crap. It keeps your mind busy and will also contribute to you being able to sleep a little better.
8. CANDY/CHEWING GUM: Your sense of taste may be screwed up for a while. (I think it has something to do with the opiods changing the Ph in your saliva? but dont quote me on that) I suggest stocking up on some of this to help with that wierd taste and (for me) cotton mouth feeling.
9. TAPER DOWN: If at all possible, try to cut the amount of opiods youre taking down over a period of time. For me I was only able to do it for ten days. I went from taking everything 3 or 4x a day to only taking 1 &12 x day. I did this for about the first five days. Then I cut my consumption from that to only taking a quarter of each pill 3x a day. Did this for three days, then I cut it again so I was only taking 1/8th of each pill 3x a day. Did that until it ran out. So basically, I went from taking three 80mg oxys a day to taking the equivelant of 10mg oxys three times a day. Idealy, a taper down should take much, much longer than this, but it was all I had (because I dont buy illegally) and had to make it work in my favor as much as possible. I believe even doing a taper down this quick allowed me to minimize the severity of my WD symptoms.
10. EAT: Your appetite is going to be non existent but you *need* to eat. I made a point to eat as regularly as I would before quitting the opiods. Its important for a lot of reasons. First its going to help the diariah a little if your system has something in it to process. It will also help with the stomach cramps for the same reason. In addition, your body needs nutriution which is whats going to reduce that "sluggish - dragging *** - cant get up and get started" feeling. Lastly, if you eat when you take the OTC medicine it will help it work better and will keep your stomach from being any more upset than it already is. You dont want all the IBU, NS, and Benadryl just sitting on your empty stomach. Not good. If you just absolutely can not eat, take a multi vitamin to at least help supplument your nutrition.
11. DONT DRINK ALCOHOL: I tried getting a little soused on the first or second night in an effort to get some sleep, any sleep, but it only made my symptoms worse... especially the diariah and the creepy crawly twitching restlessness. (If you havent figured it out by now the creepy crawly twitching is my least favorite symptom) Drinking may work for others, but my experience says its not a good idea. =)
Well, that is all... I wish all of you good luck, good health, and strong support from your friends and family. I know my post is long, but I hope sharing my experience can help someone else in some way.
Before I offer information on what helped me, I just want to point out that there is a difference between being dependent upon opiod medications and being addicted to them. (A wise Dr I had several years ago enlightened me about this) If you are addicted your road will be much harder than someone who is not abusing but simply using the medication as directed. I will also say, it is easy to go from dependence to addiction. The important thing is being able to identify which is which and be completely honest with yourself. Either way, if youve been taking this stuff regularly, you are going to have withdraw when you stop... the opiods dont discriminate when it comes to that!
Ok, moving on. All the things Im going to mention next are either things I was told by a Dr, a nurse, or is something I researched on my own and worked for me. Remember, everyone is different, and no matter what you do (besides taking more opiods) nothing is going to completely eliminate the symptoms. Im not a healthcare professional, this is simply what helped me stay as comfortable as possible.
1. IBUPROFERIN: Helps that awful creepy-crawly-restless- tense-twitchy feeling in muscles. (I took about 800 mg 3x a day and again if it got really bad at night)
2. NAPROXIN SODIUM: Helps with the pain in general and is ok to take with the IBU. It makes a great combo because one is an analgesic and the other NSAID pain reliver. (at least thats my understanding of what I was told by a Dr. - I took 2-3, 220mg pills along with the IBU)
3. BENADRYL: The antihistamine helps with the runny nose and sneezing. The other ingredient (the one that makes you sleepy) will take the edge off of the anxiety, restlessness, and panic feelings. You can also use these to help with sleep. (Benadryl is also ok to take with the IBU and Naproxen. I took one Benadryl with each dose of the IBU & NS)
4. HOT SHOWER/BATH: Like many, I had huge problems sleeping. However, Id jump in the shower and get the water as hot as I could stand it and just stand in it for a while right before I wanted to try to sleep. For whatever reason it helps with the restlessness. Each night I did it, I got more sleep than the nights I didnt.
5. SLEEP AID: Get a bottle of over the counter sleep aid and take a couple before you lay down to try to sleep. Depending on if your system is used to taking stuff like this or not will dictate how well it helps you sleep.
6. IMODIUM: Take one or two of these a day to help with the diariah. It may also help keep the stomach cramps to a minimum.
7. STAY BUSY/EXERSIZE: If you can, get up and do something! Do anything! As long as youre moving your body parts its going to help not only keek you from going crazy watching the endless ticking seconds pass but also helps with feeling better overall. I found it especially helpful for that creepy crawly crap. It keeps your mind busy and will also contribute to you being able to sleep a little better.
8. CANDY/CHEWING GUM: Your sense of taste may be screwed up for a while. (I think it has something to do with the opiods changing the Ph in your saliva? but dont quote me on that) I suggest stocking up on some of this to help with that wierd taste and (for me) cotton mouth feeling.
9. TAPER DOWN: If at all possible, try to cut the amount of opiods youre taking down over a period of time. For me I was only able to do it for ten days. I went from taking everything 3 or 4x a day to only taking 1 &12 x day. I did this for about the first five days. Then I cut my consumption from that to only taking a quarter of each pill 3x a day. Did this for three days, then I cut it again so I was only taking 1/8th of each pill 3x a day. Did that until it ran out. So basically, I went from taking three 80mg oxys a day to taking the equivelant of 10mg oxys three times a day. Idealy, a taper down should take much, much longer than this, but it was all I had (because I dont buy illegally) and had to make it work in my favor as much as possible. I believe even doing a taper down this quick allowed me to minimize the severity of my WD symptoms.
10. EAT: Your appetite is going to be non existent but you *need* to eat. I made a point to eat as regularly as I would before quitting the opiods. Its important for a lot of reasons. First its going to help the diariah a little if your system has something in it to process. It will also help with the stomach cramps for the same reason. In addition, your body needs nutriution which is whats going to reduce that "sluggish - dragging *** - cant get up and get started" feeling. Lastly, if you eat when you take the OTC medicine it will help it work better and will keep your stomach from being any more upset than it already is. You dont want all the IBU, NS, and Benadryl just sitting on your empty stomach. Not good. If you just absolutely can not eat, take a multi vitamin to at least help supplument your nutrition.
11. DONT DRINK ALCOHOL: I tried getting a little soused on the first or second night in an effort to get some sleep, any sleep, but it only made my symptoms worse... especially the diariah and the creepy crawly twitching restlessness. (If you havent figured it out by now the creepy crawly twitching is my least favorite symptom) Drinking may work for others, but my experience says its not a good idea. =)
Well, that is all... I wish all of you good luck, good health, and strong support from your friends and family. I know my post is long, but I hope sharing my experience can help someone else in some way.
It started for me with a construction related back injury . Taking 15 30 mg of the blueberries. I spent 10,000 cash and went to a 24 hour detox center in nyc . I was clean for 15 days . I think I take the pills to calm down and because they give me energy. I don't get ripped or high off of them. They do kill my pain . I was clean for 3 months with subs. Then I screwed up again . Now I am back on the subs . A 30 mg pill costs $25 bucks in nyc . I am tired of wasting my money . Good luck to all . My advice is take suboxone! And don't take a high dose ! And then get off of the subs !
I was on percs, 10/325 8 a day for 3 years, then put on dilaudid 6 a day and oxycontin 20 mg twice a day a couple months ago. I took my last oxycontin at 6am Monday morning, and it is now 1:38am Tuesday morning. Around 3pm Monday afternoon is when I started to feel the withdrawals. Not fun! Then around 11:30pm Monday evening I took 20 mg ridlin (adhd meds) to help take the edge off, which it did. Still doing alright. A lot of you talk about this withdrawal process lasting a couple of weeks. I hope not. I see my Doc on Wednesday morning. Maybe he will suggest another route to take instead of just stopping cold turkey :) We shall see. I was hoping there would be something over the counter I could take to help feel better. I did see the post about the berry motrin. I will have to try it. I have a positive outlook and I know I can do this! I started taking them for my lower back. I have djd, a bulging disc, and some other stuff. I rather deal with the back pain than be on pills forever :) Good luck everyone and may God be with you! Just keep in mind, this is mostly mental, so positive thinking is a must! The mind is a very powerful tool and can either do you in, or pull you through with no problems. That all depends on you and how you choose to think :)
Hey There scaredlittlegrl - I am also withdrawing right now. You have been through withdrawl once before in a rehab. You know what is coming for you. You are going to have to stand strong and say do i really want to be a junkie the rest of my life? Those words put in it really opens up this addiction to what it really is. These opiates should never be perscribed to anyone they are too addictive. They should be illegal. Stand Strong you can do this but I hope and pray you will push through this... Let me know how it goes....
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