What made the biggest difference for me was exercise. I know it is so hard to muster up the energy to do so, but it helps so much. I would just go on long walks in the evening and then take a hot bath. Trust me on this one, force yourself to do it. Best of luck and you can do this! If you need anything at all don't hesitate to ask!
Brian
Please be warned that if you are on anti depressants to be careful with amino acids.
What are you on - and how much per day?
Hang on Magi is getting the receipe for you. She will paste it in a minute. Clonidine is a blood pressure med that seems to help alot with withdrawal. If you could get your doc to prescribe it would help.
The Thomas Recipe
Posted By: theGolden1
Date: Friday, 7 May 2004, at 3:08 a.m.
Dear Friends, I have emailed this to many people. Here it is as I promised ... sorry it took so long.
Pain, Addiction & Withdrawal Support
> The Thomas Recipe for Cold Turkey Withdrawal
> Thomas Recipe Text
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
THOMAS RECIPE
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, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).
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:
Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.
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.
Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.
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.
It's blood pressure medication. I used it towards the end of my sub. detox.
I'm going to look this up everyone tells me too do this..did this help anyone?
I keep hearing clonidine from everyone but what does it do and how? please explain?
Hey, Welcome to the forum. Glad to hear your gonna get off the pills. Look up the Thomas receipe on this forum. Some people swear by it. It's gonna be tuff no matter what you take, but it is doable. Get some groceries to get you through , you won't feel like going anywhere for a few days. Banana's ,protein drinks, gatorade and load up on toilet paper (your gonna need it)lol. Take alot of hot showers or baths. Keep reading and posting. It will help. There are some great people here to help.
Don't pay attention to the drama on some recent posts. We just had a beloved member leave and everyone is very upset. Now Go Go Go Get clean ! Mary
God I wish I could help. I wasn't prepared for what I endured. Eat bananas, drink gatoraid, get Clonidine from Dr. if you can! Good luck!