words of wisdom??

[Jpain7]

I am tapering from 40mgs methadone in a two week period with a liquid pain cocktail from my doc. From what I understand in reading through other posts I am hitting the "energy crash" and I am on day 7. I know I was dropped from 40 to 20 on day 1 but I really don't know the schedule because it's all in liquid form and there are other meds mixed in with it as well. I know I can do this... I can talk myself into putting up with this for a month or two if I know that's all it will take. How can I relieve some of these symptoms fast? Is my pain cocktail the best way to be getting off this? I do take 6 Norco 10s each day as well. I have liked the methadone because it removes the "high" and I have been an addict for years. I just want to free myself from the slavery of these pills but I don't want to resort to the street for my pain either! Please help me.

[atthebeach]

I am so very sorry for your loss. That is very tragic and heartbreaking.
It seems you have been carrying around a lot of guilt and burdens for all these years. That is a heavy load. It was absolutely not your fault. How could it be. how old were  you and your brother at the time? I am sure you have said goodbye to him many times through the years. As parents we make decisions about things that we hope and believe at the time to be in the best interest of our children. I am sure that's what your parents did.

To also lose another sibling in a car accident is doubly tragic. My heart goes out to you. I hope and pray that you have been receiving grief counseling.
Many,many people use substances to hide from emotional pain. It is painful to feel sad emotions. Grieving, being sad, sorrowful, missing loved ones who have died are all emotions that are hard to deal with and process.
The opiates kill those emotions and bury them deep into your heart, mind and soul. It is important to let them surface which they will as you go through detox. Please get help in order to process them from therapy, clergy and grief support groups.

I am so happy you have  great support from your family that is so important.
Going to na with your brother is a wonderful thing.
Yes learning new coping skills and learning to live life on its terms is going to take some time. Life be definitely be sad, but there is also great joy as I am sure you know being a dad.

We are here my friend to encourage, support and to walk besides you while you are on your journey of recovery.
Sending many prayers of hope and healing,
Keep the faith,
Debbie

[Jpain7]

Thanks to all of you for the advise and support. Today was better than yesterday, so it seems to be trending that each day gets a little easier? I felt a spiral of emotions today, which was new. No control, yet again. This is hard!! I went to NA last night which gave me a needed boost, and I have my brother in town as a support buddy. He is 2 month sober alcoholic. I have a great support system, but I feel the need to explain a my case a little. When I was younger I had another brother, just 2 years younger than me, he was hit by a car right in front of me. Not only could I not do anything to help him, to stop, to save him, but I didn't even get to say goodbye. He went right into a comma, and while in the hospital is was decided by doctors and my parents that only my two older sisters would be allowed to see him in the hospital. He was my best friend. In May 2014 my older sister was killed in a car accident leaving behind a husband and 4 small children, about the same ages as mine. My two brothers and I turned to substances over and over as a coping mechanism in dealing with the deaths of our siblings. Our sister's death was especially hard on all of us. all three of us have had a brush with death in some way since her passing. I don't bring this up as my excuse because a lot of people face these things and worse everyday, and they don't "deal" the way I have chosen to. I realized that I don't know how to. I am over 35 and I don't know how to face my problems, big or small, because I have always used them away. I am so thankful to have the love and support of my family, my wonderful wife and people who seriously care about success. YOU all are some of those people. Thank you for being here with me. I know I am going to need SO much help and guidance and support as I make this journey. I have a long road, and a large list of meds to get off of.

[scaredmamaneedshelp]

As many said, congrats on wanting to get better. I'm almost done with day six of cold turkey detox. I was taking 15 20mlg oxy, and 10 tramadol a day. I'm still feeling some physical stuff, but getting easier. Look up the Thomas Recipe, everything everyone suggested was great and helped me. Also I suggest icyhot pads, you can get them anywhere, but they are amazing, you can use them on your back, legs, arms, anywhere and they help with pain so much, and they last 12 hours. Congrats again, keep holding strong.

[atthebeach]

congratulations on wanting to reclaim your life. you are starting a new chapter in your life. you are doing awesome.
keep on keepin on. you are healing.
hot Epsom salt baths, magnesium supplements will help with your aches and pains. drink protein shakes they help to rebuild your body and mind.
drink plenty of water and Gatorade to stay hydrated.
walk around the block and get some sunshine it will help you feel better.
you can try melatonin, valerian root, sleepy time tea, alteril, to help relax you.
are you going to counseling, attending substance abuse support groups, na, aa, celebrate recovery, church to help prevent relapse.
keep the faith,
Debbie

[Dozeman]

we are Alot alike I to was taking Methadone 20mg pills for pain a day today is my 7th day with no dones I also tapper donw fast I started 17 days ago and went fast because I want done and I take 4 Loratab 10s a day I have 3 kids and work construction my doses may be smaller and I never abused it but I still w/d just like everyone has two mine let up some on day 4 but came back some on day5 all I can say is hang in there we gotta stay strong and get this done Im sure your like me and gonna work on the tabs next but I am so glad to be getting done with this **** I wouldnt turn back not for anything because after day 3 it eased up just a small bit other than sleep the RLS was my worst to deal with but atleast the sweats are gone for the most part good luck my friend we that contract most the time are not able to take off work because it has to get done I can not work below frezzeing so I will be home a few days which is why i chose to do it this time of year

[Jpain7]

Thanks for the welcome! today is much better than yesterday, but still bad. This is probably some of the worst withdrawal I have EVER had and I have been on and off of many many drug throughout my life. I'm really jittery, not control, can't hold still, tons of pain, my bones hurt, my muscles ache, I cant think, I'm tired but I can't sleep!!! It's bad. I'm on the methadone because I have a 20 year history of drug abuse, but chronic pain. I was in an accident causing multiple compression fractures in my spine. I'm a contractor, so they aren't healing, and I refuse to get a desk job. I tried suboxone,, it was a bad choice for me. Methadone has been successful until lately, when I realized I am no longer in control of anything. Drugs have controlled me for more than half of my life, and now I am starting to have heart problems because of it. I have 4 kids, and a wife. If I don't change, I will die and leave them all behind and this will be my legacy. I need a new story, and I need help! Everyone here seems to be so supportive, and I need help. I have never wanted to succeed as much as I want to now. The fast taper is just to get me off the methadone as fast as possible so we can move on to the next med to get me off of. Sadly, I don't know what's in the "cocktail" other than some methadone and an anti-anxiety med. It tastes terrible! Cherry cough syrup on steroids!

[atthebeach]

Hello and welcome.
That's a pretty fast taper. Why are you taprong so f-ast?
Are you taking the methadone to get off other opiates or for
Pain management?
Are you aware of what's in the "cocktail"?

How are you feeling besides the energy crash?