physical withdrawl

[Chuck730]

After years of pain medication for chronic pain I have had it with all the meds. Looking for alternative medicine. How can I relieve the physical symptoms of medication withdrawl?

[SophieShine]

Wecome to the forum
This is an old post, maybe you should post your own question to have more feed back. just click on "post a question" and copy and paste your msg.
Best of luck.
sophie.

[TG64]

I AM A 27YR. OLD MOM WITH A WONDERFUL HUSBAND, IVE BEEN TAKING OXY,40MG,4X A DAY & PERCACET10/325 5X A DAY,ALL RX . I DO TAKE UPWARDS OF 1 TO 2 MORE A DAY OF EA. I AM ADDICTED ,BUT I'VE BEEN IN 4MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS SINCE I WAS 16YRS. 3 OF THEM REAR ENDS,THE OTHER I ROLLED 4X ON A FREWY,8MOS, PREG,W/2ND. CHILD.. I HAVE SEVERE CHRONIC BCK, PAIN. THE PAIN MED'S DO HELP BUT I JUST CAN'T STOP TAKING THEM THAT WAY, MY HUSBAND THINKS I'M UN HAPPY IN OUR MARRIAGE & THAT'S WHY I CAN'T KICK THE HABBIT,NOT TRUE I'M UNHAPPY W/MYSELF.. I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING,I TAKE HOT SHOWERS ALL THE TIME TO HELP EASE THE PAIN & EVERY OVER THE COUNTER MED,HEAT PATCHES,EVEN MEDICATED PATCHES, PHYSICAL THERAPY NOTHING WORKS BUT THE PAIN MEDS. I'M A GOOD MOM & WIFE & I WAN'T MY MARRIAGE I JUST DON'T HAVE THE WILL POWER N E MORE, WHICH MAKES ME SO ANGRY & DEPRESSED, B-CAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS STRONGER THAN THIS.. THE WITHDRAWLS R SO BAD, I CAN'T FUNCTION LIKE I SHOULD 4-MY FAM, WHEN I DON'T HAVE N E..MY HUSBAND IS TRYING TO HELP ME HE KEEPS THEM LOCKED IN A SAFE NOW & DISPENSES TO ME DAILY.. BUT HE HATES HAVING TO DO THAT,& I DON'T BLAME HIM, BUT EVEN THAT DOESEN'T REALLY WORK. I JUST WISH I COULD WAKE UP FEELING GOOD, INSTEAD I WAKE UP IN PAIN AND GO TO BED IN PAIN.IT'S BEEN THAT WAY 4-2/3YRS.NOW..AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I DON'T WANT 2/NEED THE PILLS N E MORE.. & I'M LOOSING MY HUSBAND OVER THIS,BUT I CAN'T CONTROLL IT,HE THINKS THAT I DON'T LOVE HIM ENOUGH 2/GIVE IT UP,& OF COURSE IT'S NOT TRUE.. I HAVE 4/CHILDREN & A HOUSEHOLD TO TAKE CARE OF THERE'S PTA MTNGS,VOLLYBALL GAMES&PRACTICES & FAM. NITES. I JUST FEEL SO OVERWHELMED.. MY BCK. PAIN IS ALL THE TIME THE MED'S JUST MINIMISE THE PAIN NOT TAKE IT COMPLETLY AWAY.. IF THERE'S N E ONE OUT THERE W/SOME INSITE TO HELP PLESE WRITE... I'D LIKE TO HEAR IT... SINCERLY T.G

[Sandus]

anyone still here?

[Sandus]

Hello there. I just found this site in an attent to get off the mass doses of legit OC (80mg x 3 per day), Oxyfast (20mg 2 times every 2 hours). I have been taking this amount for close to 6 years now and I want off. I'll admit I have gone over the daily dose on occation when I "felt" I needed it. For that very reason I am out over a week early. I have called my Dr. and he won't be back in town for a week or so. I'm open to experienced advice as to what I can do to to stop this unbearable wd. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a 37 year old male if that makes any diff. I'll wait to hear an answer.
thanks a bunch,
-Sandus-

[Sandus]

Hello there. I just found this site in an attent to get off the mass doses of legit OC (80mg x 3 per day), Oxyfast (20mg 2 times every 2 hours). I have been taking this amount for close to 6 years now and I want off. I'll admit I have gone over the daily dose on occation when I "felt" I needed it. For that very reason I am out over a week early. I have called my Dr. and he won't be back in town for a week or so. I'm open to experienced advice as to what I can do to to stop this unbearable wd. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am a 37 year old male if that makes any diff. I'll wait to hear an answer.
thanks a bunch,
-Sandus-

[45ankickin]

Man,
I guess I will keep titrating my self down slowly, dont think i could handle the ride that fast, i wonder if it gets any easier if you do get down to 1 mg for 5 or 6 dys before u go the last step? this is a very important question, do you think that methman66 would know?
thanks for fill in though
ill be watch ing the forum
thanks again

[percsnomas]

I've copied and pasted a response from a forum member, to another newcomer: Hope it helps!

C66 MethMan
(23-Jan-03)  blackheartedwolf Hello! I was on Methadone maintenance for about 16 years. My max was only 65mg, but I tapered down to 40mg and stayed there for years.
Today, is day 83 for me completely off the stuff. Still clear in my memory is the rough road I went through to get where I am so far.
There are several methods of detoxing. What works for me may not work for you. It's more of a personal choice on; a. do you want off methadone and b. How do you plan to complete the task at hand?
At 40mg, I went down 5mg per day to 20mg. Personally, I didn't feel much of a problem at all really. But for some, this may not be the same. At 20mg, I went down 1mg per day for 20 days to zero. I remember that I began to feel weak and fatigued at about 5mgs. Two days past and I was at 3mg. This is the point that I "thought" I would be just fine, because while the withdrawals were a little rough, they weren't unbearable. The withdrawals felt the same all the way down to zero. That night, my withdrawals hit me like a freight train. I couldn't sleep, no concentration, my entire body tingled and my blood pressure was high. I'm not telling you all this to freak you out. Just to let you know what to expect. That was important for me to know. What can I expect to "feel" during this process? How long would it last?
I found the people here on medhelp which included some great friends like percsnomas and bmac that walked the walk before me. I also used the "Thomas Recipe" with success during this time. You can find the recipe here by searching the thread or asking for it to be posted.
The first week was a hell of a ride. You won't forget it. It's all you can do to just move around. Take time off from work and just hang in there for the first 5 to 7 days. Make sure you have a vitamin suppliment to take because this will help rebuild your receptors and pathways which have no longer been needed since methadone was onboard.
The second week, I began to move around, take walks, LOTS of hot showers and listen to heavy metal. Loud music seemed to help me keep my mind off the withdrawals for a while. After the first month, you will begin to get your strength back, but you'll notice a marked decrease in your concentration.
Closing in on three months, I can tell you that I feel better than I ever did while on Methadone. There are times when I feel a LITTLE achy, but that is the extent of it.
After doing a little research, I've found that it can take up to 6 months to rid the entire body of methadone.
It's one of the hardest kicks, but I can honestly tell you that it has been WELL WORTH the effort. Anything that life throws at me now, is all gravy.
I hope that this long winded email helps you somehow. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask. I'll answer if I can. You're in good hands here. There is a wealth of information from your fellow addicts that far exceed anything a doctor can say or do for you. Knowing is 3/4 of the battle.
My suggestion is that you get a doc to provide the following before you go into full detox;
1. Clonidine (For blood pressure spikes, which coincidentally helps with the effects of withdrawal.)
2. Ambien (or some other benzo to help you sleep. Believe me, you're gonna need it.)
3. Lomodal (For the runs.)
4. 800mg of Ibuprofin 3X daily
5. Robaxin or some other muscle relaxer to help with rls.
Good luck on your quest to regain your life. The road has been well traveled. You don't have to lead the way, just follow the line out of this self-imposed hell.

All the best,
MethMan

[45ankickin]

I have been taking pain meds for two years blew out both of my knees, but have decided to deal with the pain, switched my self off oc's to methadone didn't know i was jumping from frying pan to fire, i have titrated myself down to 12.5 mg's per day but i just want to quit how long will with drawals last i havenot slept in three days due to insomnia and threw away my xanax to help me sleep, boy this really stinks I never wanted to be a addict, How long should I expect to suffer if I just quit right now or should I titrate my self down more first. I just wanto feel normal aghain whatever that is please help
tks.

[DADOOPS]

Hi, all--newbie, here.
      My story:
Had a two-year stint of amphetamine abuse end in a motor vehicle accident- came away (luckily) with a dislocated hip, a couple of broken ribs and various contusions, etc.
- been on Lortab 7.5 since--(7 months)
- I took 3 or 4 of those a day (more on special occasions if I wanted to 'ensure' that I wouldn't be bothered with it)
- Have stayed away from the speed- gained all my weight back-lol
- Got all in a huff when it was suggested that I couldn't just
  stop anytime I wanted, so I did.
- It's been 48 hrs., now and someone who cares for me sent me the link to this forum.
- Been wondering how much of the above I have to look forward to.
- Had those 'restless legs' I heard described, last night, and today I was sore and whiny at work ( used up most of my sick time)
- guess I haven't detoxed enough to even hazard a guess as to how I'll fare, but thanks for letting me know what to look out for.
- I'll probably see about getting those Thompson items

[alone]

Bless you Rex1...for taking the time to talk with me. As far as the Darvocet goes...no, I havn't taken more of the drug than I was suppose to. I was only given 15 of them on the morning of the 24th of December. I was to take 1 pill 3x a day for 5 days. And tonight I took my last one. I did not try to call in any new perscriptions, or fight with the Pharmacist to fill the Dr. authorized one they originally refused to fill. I think I am feeling the effects of withdrawl due to the switch to a milder Pain medication combined with the sudden drop to a much lesser amount I have been taking over the past 5 days. I do not have any of those drugs that are mentioned in the "Thomas" recipie, so I will be doing without those. Thanks for your support Rex...really...Thanks very much.

[Rex1]

In my opinion, anytime you are going from a very strong drug like Vikes to a weaker drug like Darvocet, yes you are tapering as long as your aren't take a lot more of the weaker drug.

My advice would be to stick it out, if you can. Continue to pray and get the Thomas recipe working for you.

Here's a post directy from Thomas himself - word for word.

God's grace to you,

Rex

---------------------------------------------
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.

[alone]

I honestly don't know if I need the Pain Killers any more for legitimate pain reasons. As of today, I am still pretty tender (abdominal area) from the surgery. Taking the Darvocet has not really made my pain level significantly better. Tell me Rex, have I actually been "Tapering" as a result of what happened (re-read first comment)? Perhaps a blessing in disguise? Because right before this happened, I asked GOD to get me off these pills. I told GOD I couldn't do it on my own and the only way off was with HIS help. I told GOD that if it was going to be to difficult, I didn't think I could do it. Yes, I realize it's a day at a time.

[Rex1]

Well I was in the same boat that you are now in 33 days ago.  I am not going to lie to you -- it isn't fun, it's lengthy, and it's painful.

Having said all that, my mental state is much better now that it has been in about four years.  Here's what I did:

I was taking anywhere from 10 to 12 Norco per day.  I built a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel tapering my dosage each day until eventually I was taking one-half a tablet three times a day.  Then I just stop taking them altogether.  The following things helped me immensely:

Thomas recipe
hot tubs twice per day
stretching
Gatorade and bananas
prayer
the folks on this forum
taking time off from work

Currently, I am taking 800 milligrams of ibuprofen 3 times daily, and Zanaflex at nighttime to help with spasms.

It is unclear to me whether you still physically need the painkillers to deal with legitimate pain, or if you can get by with just some anti-inflammatories.  Maybe you can answer that for us, and I'm sure plenty of other people will reply.

Welcome,

Rex

[alone]

Hello. Well,here I am in the same boat with most of you...withdrawl from Pain medication...Norco and Vicodin. I got to this point in the same way as many of you have...for me, it was to many surgeries in succession to one another, with each time being prescribed Pain Pills and sent home to HEAL...HA! what a laugh. I got really addicted. I have come to the withdrawl point as a result of this last surgery (Dec. 18, 2002) and a combination of taking to many pills during recovery of the surgery and having the person who stayed with me the night I got home to "watch over me" ... take quite a few meds for himself. Consequently, I was out of medication in less than 24 hours. So, I called the doctor and he authorized a refill...but the Pharmacist refused to fill it. Not long before the withdrawl symptoms, coupled with the Pain from Surgery was just unbearable. I ended up in the emergency room and they gave me 6 vicodin to last me approximately a day and a half. I was still miserable and was able to get a few more from a couple friends. On 12/24, I went to my doctor for a follow up and he gave me 15 Darvocet-N 100...to take 3 a day for 5 days. I read somewhere on one of these boards that Darvocet is milder than the Vicodin and Norco. Is this true? Today is day 5 and I have 1 Darvocet left. What I have been taking these last few days is considreably less than what I have been taking for about the last year...about 10 or more Norco a day. Could this be considered "Tappering"? (Albeit...involuntarily!) So where am I in the withdrawl process? The medication I received has lessened the withdrawl symptoms, but I'm worried...Am I about to have major withdrawl anyway? Have I been fooling myself thinking that these Darvocets have lessened the inevitible? I also read about the Thomas recipie. I went to the healthfood store today...This is what I brought home...Twin Lab L-Tyrosine Plus (has Vit. C and B6 in it), Twin Lab Multi Mineral Caps (couldn't find anything that said it had Phospherous in it). I also read about Valerian for sleep, so got that too. I read about the Coral Calcium...bought it...but it too has minerals in it (no phospherous). Should I take it anyway? I have a perscription for Skelaxin (non-addictive) for the muscle aches. So tell me, where am I in this process? Am I about to Just begin?...or have I (involuntarily) started the withdrawl process? I really want off these things. Thanks for your time.

[crillabiznizz]

ye ive fukd wit volumes, percosets, codine, methadone... but now i got these watsons n i neva took em b4 n i wanna know wha they do to you, r they like xanax or perpecosets, plz be specif mgs and all because on the bottle it says 50 mg but on the pill itsself on the back it says 466????

[crillabiznizz]

ye ive fukd wit volumes, percosets, codine, methadone... but now i got these watsons n i neva took em b4 n i wanna know wha they do to you, r they like xanax or perpecosets, plz be specif mgs and all because on the bottle it says 50 mg but on the pill itsself on the back it says 466????

[Diesel girl]

Hello everyone! Ijust started posting last week, I just want to say that despite everynones comments on going cold turkey, that is what I am doing beginning the first week of Dec.  I am on 80mg of meth, for 9 months. Some people have told me the wd's might not be that bad since I haven't been on meth  to long but, I think and am pretty sure that is not true.  Right? I was or am a heroin addict for 7 yrs.  I have had a bad run in with my clinic I am goingto use the recipe but was wondering if I can have any other words of encouragement or something.  I read different things on how long the physical wd's are 2 weeks 4 weeks, maybe it is about your tolerance for pain, I don't know.  I wish I never would have put myself on the program but I can't change that now.  I have pretty much cut most of my friends loose because they don't want to clean up but I have a daughter to take care of and can't live that lifestyle anymore.  My problem:  I have no one to turn to now that can relate to what I am going through.  Well, I hope I will have all of you now to help me through this horrible problem.  I was thinking that if I am only sick for a couple weeks, to take a trip after (Jamaica)to rid the depression.  Someone offered to take me when I am through the physical part of it they think it would help get me back on my feet and feeling good again, but I don't know if I will be up for all that or anything for that matter. I know I am just babbling but I feel very confused right now, and I really need some insight. Thanks and best wishes to all of you,

[groovygirl]

Good for you!  Why don't you post closer to the top?  Writing about things as you go through this experience may help you more than you think.  There is a lot of support here for you.

[tjfromnj]

Thank you so much for you post. Today is the begining of day Five and things started to get better a little yesterday. I will always remember the first 3 days of this process whenever I think about picking them up again. God Bless all.

[groovygirl]

YES...detox mimics the Flu...it is horrible.  It is a great thing you are doing for your future child...and for yourself.  There are things you can take to lesson the symptoms...there's "Thomas' Recipe" which you can find if you search this site.  It never did anything for me, but some people swear by it.  Taking amino acids helped me a lot.  If you have any Valium-type benzo, it can help you chill for the first couple days.  Good luck to you and congratulations for taking the first step.

P.S.  You should post further to the top...a lot of people don't read these posts at the bottom.

[tjfromnj]

First Time here. I have been on Hyro, Oxy, Percs, MS Contin, and every muscel relaxant I can find for about 2 years now. Its been a every day habbit that started with my knee surgery. I am now nearing the end of day 3 clean. My wife got her pregancy test on Monday and I said if it was positive I would kick everything cold. It was positive, and I have to say everyone who goes through this is tougher than I thought. It is horrible. Besides all the symthoms, its just the overall crappy feeling that I want to go AWAY! Does detox mimic the flue in some way? Cause it feels like a real bad Flue. Anyway, I just wanted to join in and say my peace. I hope is well with everyone, I can do it. Thanks.

[cheermom]

i'm sorry i cant answer your question but if you post at the top no matter what the topic you will get a lot of responses.  most people may not scroll all the way down.  just wanted to let you know since i didnt when i first came here.

[troubledteen19]

I have been on .5-1.5 mg Xanax, for PTSD anxiety/panic disorder for about a week now and am currently on 12.5 Paxil for about 5 days. I was just wondering if a physical addiction can be developed on Xanax for that short of a period. I've noticed that when I do not take the Xanax I feel tight in the chest and have high blood pressure. Should I be worried? And how long would these symptoms last if it were a physical addicton?

[MrsRat]

Oh Dear Michael, the words you posted above are so true.  I wish that post of yours could be the first one seen by all that come in here to read/post.

I'm in day 5 now coming off of the Methadone cold turkey.  I was at a dose of 80 mg a day.  I couldn't say better about this most evil of all drugs than you already have. NO ONE should ever go on methadone as a 'help' to get off other drugs.

I was on it for pain relief as I am a pain patient.  Oh yeah, it worked great, got me out of the wheelchair and onto a bicycle in 2 weeks, for awhile.

A note to those who are considering Methadone.  I'm now on Durgesic patch 75 mg. , donnatal (phenobarbitol and belladonna mixed) 2 at bed, Ativan 1 mg 2-3 taken at bedtime, an old script of Elavil 25 mg I using to help me sleep 1-2 a day, Trazodone 100 mg 1 at night and of course, I have Vicodin ES for my breakthru Crohn's Disease pain but I find the Imodium AD is more helpful at this time than the Vicodin LOL.  (For those who don't know, Crohn's Disease is an incurable, very painful bowel-digestive system disease.)

I was paying out of pocket $140.00 a month for the Methadone. A drastic cut in pay and now we really can't afford it.  I'm on day 5.  Even with the other meds, they don't make a DENT in the withdrawal from Methadone, it's withdrawal is it's own puppy !!!

MethMan, I posted to you up top earlier tonight.  Hope you saw it and I hear from you soon in email.  I will do all I can to help you speak out against Methadone when I am better, till then, it's getting ready to start into day 6 for me tomorrow.

MrsRat