Hey Fredo
I am pretty new to this site - but the help and understanding is tremendous.
But - just my view - why spend any money????????????? It only makes the doctors mega rich and some more................. Listen to what people are telling you here. Why not give either c/t or taper a go? c/t is not for me as I have to be able to function both at work and in looking after 5 healthy kids!!!!!!! LOLOL But taper is working just fine for me (so far! fingers crossed). OK - I have occasionally slipped (its the nature of the beast) - but the general trend is down and still going down. In a month I have halved my regular dosage. Havent paid a dime to a doc or shrink or drug worker or pharmacist. But I have saved huge amount of $$$$$$$$ by NOT buying. Why not give this a go yourself. OK - I do understand the arguments for sub - but I still think that for most people its just an excuse - gives them longer to hang on to their addiction, their crutch - not face up to the truth and change. This sounds so harsh and I dont mean it to - but at some point even sub must be dismissed? Please dont jump on me folks - but the more I read in here the more convinced I am that sub is a delaying tactic. But - in truth - I dont know any of the individual cases which merit the use of sub.
I apologise to anyone whom I may have insulted with this post - I am trying to express my views - not intending to criticise. In a forum like this - if nothing else - we HAVE to be honest - say what we truly think?
So - b4 spending all your hard earned $$$$$ give the cheap and cheerful way a shot? If everything fails - then you have sub to fall back on. But - if you truly are ready to quit - you will make it happen - and without the sub.
I wish you all the luck in the world and will be looking forward to watching your progress - whatever you decide. Stay here and stick with the winners!!
Good girl, lost - you have made the first step.
Now - go and read the posts in this forum.
You will find the hope and strength here that you need.
Just shout and ask all you want.
You cant fail with all these wonderful folks in this forum
Rikki
Now - go and read the posts in this forum.
You will find the hope and strength here that you need.
Just shout and ask all you want.
You cant fail with all these wonderful folks in this forum
Rikki
i just had back fusion in december. I came home on 400 mgs. i weaned myself to 100 then this week stopped taking them at all. All day i have had cramps & am freezing. Is this normal?
oh yes its normal just grab some immodium .I know the chills + sweating suck not really much you can do about that Theres a thread here somewhere with otc drugs that can help you through the wds, good luck and keep coming back to this board it really helps alot.let us know how your making out.Talk to ya latter Tracey
Hi:
This board is fantastic. I found it right when I needed it !
I have been taking Vicodin / Hydro. (4 - 6/ 7.5mgs) on a daily basis for approximately 2 years. I have never attempted to stop.
I began taking it to relieve pain after eye surgery. The buzz became a habit after a while.
Today is day 2 for me without my old pal Vic. How do I feel? Well at the moment, Iam sweating. I was freezing all day long until a half an hour ago. Last night, I probably didnt sleep for half an hour straight (no pun intended) without tossing and turning. It really sucked.
I'm going to stick with it and I'm going to ride out the storm. Tonight, Im going to take 2 Benadryls and Im going to drink a hot cup of herbal tea b4 bed. Hopefully I can get some shut eye tonight and tomorrow will be a better day and night.
My tboughts and prayers are with all of you that are strugglng with a battle of your own. I know what youre going through "It will be better tomorrow".
Be Well
This board is fantastic. I found it right when I needed it !
I have been taking Vicodin / Hydro. (4 - 6/ 7.5mgs) on a daily basis for approximately 2 years. I have never attempted to stop.
I began taking it to relieve pain after eye surgery. The buzz became a habit after a while.
Today is day 2 for me without my old pal Vic. How do I feel? Well at the moment, Iam sweating. I was freezing all day long until a half an hour ago. Last night, I probably didnt sleep for half an hour straight (no pun intended) without tossing and turning. It really sucked.
I'm going to stick with it and I'm going to ride out the storm. Tonight, Im going to take 2 Benadryls and Im going to drink a hot cup of herbal tea b4 bed. Hopefully I can get some shut eye tonight and tomorrow will be a better day and night.
My tboughts and prayers are with all of you that are strugglng with a battle of your own. I know what youre going through "It will be better tomorrow".
Be Well
Hi Lady Di welcome to the board ya withdrawl sucks but the mental part afterward seems to be the worst for me the cravings and the deppression suck I havent faired to well with that so far.your doing great keep it up and post often Talk to you later Tracey
Hi Tracey
Thanks for the nice welcome.
Today is day 3 for me and so far Iam doing pretty well. Last night I still couldnt sleep. I didn't have any benadryl so I took two tylenol pm and was able to fall asleep but not for long before the tossing and turning started again..Ugh. !
Tracey, I think that the mental part of it is hard for anybody to overcome. Its sort of like trying to quit smoking (Which Iam also trying to do ). Your mind (habit) tells you that "You've really got to have it" but you know that you really dont, and you know that you will do better & feel better without it. Its hard to deal with. The depression really does suck bad. I dealt with that yesterday. Today is much better because Iam staying very busy, I dont have time to be depressed today, which is good. Hopefully I can stay busy enough to tire myself out so that I can get some shut eye tonight. It was worse yesterday when I didn't have a lot to do other than to sit and think. Even reading a magazine helped to keep my mind busy.
I wish you luck Tracey. Lets take it one day at a time. Thank you again for the warm welcome,
LD.
Thanks for the nice welcome.
Today is day 3 for me and so far Iam doing pretty well. Last night I still couldnt sleep. I didn't have any benadryl so I took two tylenol pm and was able to fall asleep but not for long before the tossing and turning started again..Ugh. !
Tracey, I think that the mental part of it is hard for anybody to overcome. Its sort of like trying to quit smoking (Which Iam also trying to do ). Your mind (habit) tells you that "You've really got to have it" but you know that you really dont, and you know that you will do better & feel better without it. Its hard to deal with. The depression really does suck bad. I dealt with that yesterday. Today is much better because Iam staying very busy, I dont have time to be depressed today, which is good. Hopefully I can stay busy enough to tire myself out so that I can get some shut eye tonight. It was worse yesterday when I didn't have a lot to do other than to sit and think. Even reading a magazine helped to keep my mind busy.
I wish you luck Tracey. Lets take it one day at a time. Thank you again for the warm welcome,
LD.
Lady Di I just wanted to say welcome.I know 2 days doesnt sound like much but I can tell you its a start.
I saw what you wrote to tracey & you are so right.The mental addiction is the real demon.you can get your body cleaned out but the memoery of THAT FEELING.Its hard to stay away from.Do you have any support for yourself.Like NA or a therapist,just from reading the post here you can tell that its important to have some sort of support..Anyways welcome to the board.Ill be here for a couple if ya want to chat.If not Im sure we"ll meet up soon...mj
I saw what you wrote to tracey & you are so right.The mental addiction is the real demon.you can get your body cleaned out but the memoery of THAT FEELING.Its hard to stay away from.Do you have any support for yourself.Like NA or a therapist,just from reading the post here you can tell that its important to have some sort of support..Anyways welcome to the board.Ill be here for a couple if ya want to chat.If not Im sure we"ll meet up soon...mj
Hi MJ :
Thanks for the welcome.
Yes I do have support from my hubby. He really didnt know that I was taking as much Vic as I was taking. He thought that I had "Weaned" myself off of it a long time ago. He flipped out when he found out how much that I was taking everyday. Hes very supportive and I appreciate him and his support very much.
Today is day 4 and Im feeling pretty good. I know that 4 days doesnt seem like a long time but for going without a substance that you are used to taking on a daily basis for years...... 4 days is a long time but, not long enough.
I'm still having a hard time getting sound sleep at night. How long does it take to get your sleeping pattern straightened out?
Now if I could only stop smoking or atleast cut down, Id be a much happier and healthier person. Tomorrow is another day :)
Thanks Again MJ
Thanks for the welcome.
Yes I do have support from my hubby. He really didnt know that I was taking as much Vic as I was taking. He thought that I had "Weaned" myself off of it a long time ago. He flipped out when he found out how much that I was taking everyday. Hes very supportive and I appreciate him and his support very much.
Today is day 4 and Im feeling pretty good. I know that 4 days doesnt seem like a long time but for going without a substance that you are used to taking on a daily basis for years...... 4 days is a long time but, not long enough.
I'm still having a hard time getting sound sleep at night. How long does it take to get your sleeping pattern straightened out?
Now if I could only stop smoking or atleast cut down, Id be a much happier and healthier person. Tomorrow is another day :)
Thanks Again MJ
Hi LadyDi,
Can I ask you how you went about telling your husband? I just don't know how to approach it. And when you say your husband "flipped out", how hard was that for you to deal with -- if you don't mind my asking.
Congratulations on three days out. Good luck to you.
Can I ask you how you went about telling your husband? I just don't know how to approach it. And when you say your husband "flipped out", how hard was that for you to deal with -- if you don't mind my asking.
Congratulations on three days out. Good luck to you.
Hi SoccerMom:
I dont mind at all. I just told my husband, "Remember when I was taking Vicoden after my surgery"? He said, "Yes" I said, "Well Im still taking it and Im taking a lot of it and I want to stop today". Of course he said, "How much is a lot of it"? and "Why are you still taking it at all"? When I responded "Anywhere from 4 - 6 a day, everyday" He said, "Holy S!!!! Why are you taking so much ? and why are you taking it at all ? I thought that you stopped taking it many many months ago"? What can I do to help you to stop? I said, "Nothing just be here and please take the rest and throw them away"..Which we did together. I told him that I was taking it to "Take the edge off".
SoccerMom, do you think that your hubby will be angry? upset? or understanding and supportive? You will feel better to tell him so that you are not alone in this. Even if you dont tell him, you are still not alone in this...Im with ya and I wish you luck too.
Thank you again,
LD
I dont mind at all. I just told my husband, "Remember when I was taking Vicoden after my surgery"? He said, "Yes" I said, "Well Im still taking it and Im taking a lot of it and I want to stop today". Of course he said, "How much is a lot of it"? and "Why are you still taking it at all"? When I responded "Anywhere from 4 - 6 a day, everyday" He said, "Holy S!!!! Why are you taking so much ? and why are you taking it at all ? I thought that you stopped taking it many many months ago"? What can I do to help you to stop? I said, "Nothing just be here and please take the rest and throw them away"..Which we did together. I told him that I was taking it to "Take the edge off".
SoccerMom, do you think that your hubby will be angry? upset? or understanding and supportive? You will feel better to tell him so that you are not alone in this. Even if you dont tell him, you are still not alone in this...Im with ya and I wish you luck too.
Thank you again,
LD
Something that I forgot to mention, is that today is not a good day at all. I am extremely tired and just "Bluesey". Last night, I didnt get much sleep again. Does anybody know how long these effects last?
Ive been reading through the posts and Ive been getting a lot of great information. One thing in particular that Ive been reading on here and that I do agree with is that Its going to be a long and hard road to stay clean. I truly agree with that but Iam also going to be vigilante in keeping myself clean. I did it with booze several years ago and that was very hard. I got to the point one day to where I was fed up with feeling fed up. Its been five years now and I feel a lot better for giving up the booze.
Enuff of my ramblings,
have a Great day everybody !
LD
Ive been reading through the posts and Ive been getting a lot of great information. One thing in particular that Ive been reading on here and that I do agree with is that Its going to be a long and hard road to stay clean. I truly agree with that but Iam also going to be vigilante in keeping myself clean. I did it with booze several years ago and that was very hard. I got to the point one day to where I was fed up with feeling fed up. Its been five years now and I feel a lot better for giving up the booze.
Enuff of my ramblings,
have a Great day everybody !
LD
Rikki,
Of course tapering is the best way to go....... Done right, it can almost rid the chance of being miserable completely, it's cheaper, etc, etc, etc.
But some people CAN'T taper..... I've been on this website for 8 months now and have talked to hundreds of people who can't taper no matter what they do. The temptation of having a bottle of pills in the house is too much & they end up cheating.... or they reduce their dose & take what they've scheduled themselves to take, then don't get a buzz and take more, planning to cut back the next day.... Then the following day, they make bargains with themselves, things like "I'll take an extra dose today, but tomorrow I won't take any in the evening"
or "I'll get this one script filled & this will be it - I'm done when this bottle is empty," then realize they didn't taper & have to get another script filled.
So some people HAVE to go cold turkey or they'll be tapering forever....
But the purpose of my post is because you were asking about suboxone & said you haven't heard any individual testimonies. Of course everyone is different, but I'd like to share what I've been through with the sub....
I had been hooked on pain pills (anywhere from 12-20 a day of 10/325 hydrocodone) for about 3 years. I've tried quitting 4 times, tapering, cold turkey, & finally suboxone.
Cold turkey was hard but it didn't feel like death or anything like that..... The anxiety & insomnia was the worst & I experienced other symptoms, but to me it was like having a mild case of the flu for a few days.
The hard part for me was STAYING clean...... I'd go a week, two weeks, even 2 months at one point, & then I would relapse. I've self-medicated for a long time & it's hard for me to not take "something" to feel good.
When I started suboxone in January, it was the best thing I've ever done in regards to my addiction. I was pill-free for 24 hours & the sub took away the hot/cold flashes, the anxiety, the sweats, etc..... and it worked right away.
It also gave me time to get my life back in order...... Other times, when I quit pain pills, it took weeks to feel normal & then once I felt normal, I didn't want to feel "normal" any more. I would remember how good vicodin made me feel (and suddenly forget all of the bad) or would be in pain and think "I can take them again and not get addicted this time"..... It never worked.
I was on suboxone & antidepressants for 2 months, then got off the ADs & started tapering off the sub..... I wanted to be off of EVERYTHING b/c I felt so much better than I had in years. I tapered off the sub over about a 4-5 week period of time & had no withdrawal symptoms or negative side effects.
I was off of the sub for 2 weeks and decided to get back on it...... Once again, for me it's not the physical symptoms that influenced my decision but the mental ones. I found myself craving pain pills again, thinking about them 24 hours a day, & was scared to death that I would relapse again..... so I started back on the sub and the antidepressants & will try again in a few months.
Yes, you do have to get off of suboxone eventually & you have to taper just like you did your drug of choice.... but it was so much easier for me. Since sub doesn't get you high, I wasn't taking it more than once a day, I wasn't always chasing that euphoria, I wasn't building up a tolerance.... therefore, when it came time to taper, I wasn't telling myself "This dose didn't hit me right; I'll take extra this time & then take less tomorrow." It was so much easier to taper because suboxone is not something I was taking for the buzz.
Recovery has to be tailor-made for each individual person.... You have to do what's right for YOU and that's going to be different from person to person. I would never tell anyone how to do this; I can recommend certain things or tell you what worked for me, but this is a personal decision that everyone has to make on their own.
Danielle
Of course tapering is the best way to go....... Done right, it can almost rid the chance of being miserable completely, it's cheaper, etc, etc, etc.
But some people CAN'T taper..... I've been on this website for 8 months now and have talked to hundreds of people who can't taper no matter what they do. The temptation of having a bottle of pills in the house is too much & they end up cheating.... or they reduce their dose & take what they've scheduled themselves to take, then don't get a buzz and take more, planning to cut back the next day.... Then the following day, they make bargains with themselves, things like "I'll take an extra dose today, but tomorrow I won't take any in the evening"
or "I'll get this one script filled & this will be it - I'm done when this bottle is empty," then realize they didn't taper & have to get another script filled.
So some people HAVE to go cold turkey or they'll be tapering forever....
But the purpose of my post is because you were asking about suboxone & said you haven't heard any individual testimonies. Of course everyone is different, but I'd like to share what I've been through with the sub....
I had been hooked on pain pills (anywhere from 12-20 a day of 10/325 hydrocodone) for about 3 years. I've tried quitting 4 times, tapering, cold turkey, & finally suboxone.
Cold turkey was hard but it didn't feel like death or anything like that..... The anxiety & insomnia was the worst & I experienced other symptoms, but to me it was like having a mild case of the flu for a few days.
The hard part for me was STAYING clean...... I'd go a week, two weeks, even 2 months at one point, & then I would relapse. I've self-medicated for a long time & it's hard for me to not take "something" to feel good.
When I started suboxone in January, it was the best thing I've ever done in regards to my addiction. I was pill-free for 24 hours & the sub took away the hot/cold flashes, the anxiety, the sweats, etc..... and it worked right away.
It also gave me time to get my life back in order...... Other times, when I quit pain pills, it took weeks to feel normal & then once I felt normal, I didn't want to feel "normal" any more. I would remember how good vicodin made me feel (and suddenly forget all of the bad) or would be in pain and think "I can take them again and not get addicted this time"..... It never worked.
I was on suboxone & antidepressants for 2 months, then got off the ADs & started tapering off the sub..... I wanted to be off of EVERYTHING b/c I felt so much better than I had in years. I tapered off the sub over about a 4-5 week period of time & had no withdrawal symptoms or negative side effects.
I was off of the sub for 2 weeks and decided to get back on it...... Once again, for me it's not the physical symptoms that influenced my decision but the mental ones. I found myself craving pain pills again, thinking about them 24 hours a day, & was scared to death that I would relapse again..... so I started back on the sub and the antidepressants & will try again in a few months.
Yes, you do have to get off of suboxone eventually & you have to taper just like you did your drug of choice.... but it was so much easier for me. Since sub doesn't get you high, I wasn't taking it more than once a day, I wasn't always chasing that euphoria, I wasn't building up a tolerance.... therefore, when it came time to taper, I wasn't telling myself "This dose didn't hit me right; I'll take extra this time & then take less tomorrow." It was so much easier to taper because suboxone is not something I was taking for the buzz.
Recovery has to be tailor-made for each individual person.... You have to do what's right for YOU and that's going to be different from person to person. I would never tell anyone how to do this; I can recommend certain things or tell you what worked for me, but this is a personal decision that everyone has to make on their own.
Danielle
hi guys.well i'm tapering off.i only have 3 vic's cut in half left.I have missed one day of work and am calling in again tonight.I am very restless.cant sleep and have gone to the bathroom many times today.the worst part for me is the body tremers.Is this part of the w/d too?When is this gonna be over??Please answer
Fredo, if you decide to go to the Dr. to detox make sure you have someone who will hold your meds. I was on that much, and I don't think I could of done D.T's ( but that's me). I needed to taper to a much lower dose. If you can D.T. I would be so proud cuz you would be one strong person. The sub would be good for you if you can get a dr. that would prescribe and monitor you. Just a suggestion. Keep us posted. Thinking of you.
Hello Again Everyone!
I thank God for this forum that I stumbled across a couple months ago.
Ive gone 15 hours now and I am going to chain this demon one way or another.
I can go to Assisted Recovery and for 4K they have a program with Subtex and the something else. Also Doctor visits with a Physcologist who deals with the why and not just the how.
Or I can do Plan A =cold turkey.... Thats what I will try for now.
I am taking (3) 7.5 vicodins and (3) 15 mg oxycontins daily. They rule my life and control my thinking, leaving me zoned out and unable to be me...
Have they affected others in that "hazy almost like you have a brain tumor" state of mind?
I am almost 50 and want to live out my final decades "substance free".
I started smoking pot in 1972, quit in 1995.
I drank moderately 3-4 times a week from 1971 till I started the pain meds 18 months ago.
It is now so easy to see that I have a definated addiction in which I replace one with another.
If I do the SUB, longterm, given my addiction patterns would that be the best?
I am afraid that if I get off the opiates I will go back to my moderate alcohol abuse..
I just want off all this s***...
I thank God for this forum that I stumbled across a couple months ago.
Ive gone 15 hours now and I am going to chain this demon one way or another.
I can go to Assisted Recovery and for 4K they have a program with Subtex and the something else. Also Doctor visits with a Physcologist who deals with the why and not just the how.
Or I can do Plan A =cold turkey.... Thats what I will try for now.
I am taking (3) 7.5 vicodins and (3) 15 mg oxycontins daily. They rule my life and control my thinking, leaving me zoned out and unable to be me...
Have they affected others in that "hazy almost like you have a brain tumor" state of mind?
I am almost 50 and want to live out my final decades "substance free".
I started smoking pot in 1972, quit in 1995.
I drank moderately 3-4 times a week from 1971 till I started the pain meds 18 months ago.
It is now so easy to see that I have a definated addiction in which I replace one with another.
If I do the SUB, longterm, given my addiction patterns would that be the best?
I am afraid that if I get off the opiates I will go back to my moderate alcohol abuse..
I just want off all this s***...
Hi wow you really have a history huh?Welcome to the board.15 hours is a good start.I understand you being scared of relaping with the alcohol but thats is why extra support is ALWAYS a great idea,Either a private therapist or group.Just know that it seems to me like you really want this for yourself.It is work I mean we have gotten so use to living ON drugs that it will take time to learn to live without them.
Do you know what your plan of action is going to be?????mj
Do you know what your plan of action is going to be?????mj
I just read this post and it made me cry.
This is my first plan combined with just making it through 12 midnite. I know the worst will start soon....
I cut and pasted this................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
What you need to do is SURRENDER .
Surrender to the fact that what you are doing is slowly killing yourself and that you do not want to continue to do this. Admit that you are completely powerless over these drugs that have taken over your life. Admit that you can not do this on your own and look to a power greater than yourself. Look outside yourself for answers and help. Educatate yourself about addiction and recovery.
This is my first plan combined with just making it through 12 midnite. I know the worst will start soon....
I cut and pasted this................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
What you need to do is SURRENDER .
Surrender to the fact that what you are doing is slowly killing yourself and that you do not want to continue to do this. Admit that you are completely powerless over these drugs that have taken over your life. Admit that you can not do this on your own and look to a power greater than yourself. Look outside yourself for answers and help. Educatate yourself about addiction and recovery.
Greg,
So your at 22mgs of vicodin a day and 45 mgs of oxy's. Have you tried just flushing the vicodin???? Then weaning a little more from the oxy's? Say 5mgs a week? I think that may help. Make sure you stock up on some OTc medications... Immodium,Comtrex,mortin,vitamins etc! Let us know how it goes.
Wishing you luck!! Rae
So your at 22mgs of vicodin a day and 45 mgs of oxy's. Have you tried just flushing the vicodin???? Then weaning a little more from the oxy's? Say 5mgs a week? I think that may help. Make sure you stock up on some OTc medications... Immodium,Comtrex,mortin,vitamins etc! Let us know how it goes.
Wishing you luck!! Rae
Thanks for the support!
I have been an all or nothing person all my life. That is sometimes good and sometimes bad...
I am on my way to the drugstore for Comtrex, Immodium Ad and Motrin.
Suggestions for vitamins...
Is OXY more difficult that the VIC's to detox from?
Im in hour 16 and am beginning to feel the WD slightly. I did this before about 6 months ago and made it 4 days when I was taking about 40% less. To I know alittle about the journey...
At least this time my wife is aware and supportive. She was in the dark util recently but knows of my nagging back problems.... And now my addiction.
I have been an all or nothing person all my life. That is sometimes good and sometimes bad...
I am on my way to the drugstore for Comtrex, Immodium Ad and Motrin.
Suggestions for vitamins...
Is OXY more difficult that the VIC's to detox from?
Im in hour 16 and am beginning to feel the WD slightly. I did this before about 6 months ago and made it 4 days when I was taking about 40% less. To I know alittle about the journey...
At least this time my wife is aware and supportive. She was in the dark util recently but knows of my nagging back problems.... And now my addiction.
