Getting off of vikes again

[doggreensector]

I know that I said that I was going to stay off line till I had six weeks under my belt. But I threw away the rest of vikes and am going to start tommorrow from day one. My doctor gave me some mild benzos for anxiety and some clonidine patches. My question is are these safe to take and will they help at all.

I have been down this road before and I pretty much know what to expect. I have been back on the vikes for about a month and I have been taking 3 1/2 5-500 per day. So here I go again. I know that drinking alot of water is good along with Pepto Bismal and benydral and some excercise. I also heard that a hot sauna helps you sweat it out. I know it is going to suck but here goes again. Wish me luck. The cravings are what really kill me.

Keith

[farmboy7]

Keith,
Good luck, I hope you make it this time. Gotta do something about those cravings. Keep busy. That's the hardest thing for me right now because my legs feel dead. Feels like the flu to me kinda, so it's hard to keep moving.

[lisaaahubb]

Go Keith!!!! Don't worry about the "not posting til you're 6 wks clean" comment. You are gonna need our support in the next week or so here!!! Stock up on immodium!!!!, pepto never did anything for me!!! Also, if you get those horrible stomach cramps, ask your Dr. for Bentyl....that med. was a life-saver the last time i went thru w/d. Gosh, i really look back now and could kick myself in the a#$ for going back to that false sense of reality that pills give. I was so much more in-tune with my family and life in general when i was pill-free.
Well, you are on your way to a much better life, just a little discomfort first! Please feel free to yell for me if you need to vent or feel like crap and need someone to talk to....i will be around a lot today.
Hang in there, and if you have to take it second by second then so be it!!!
Anxious to hear how day 1 goes for ya.....
luv,
LISA

[Banker]

YES - the meds you have will help... particularly the clonodine... except it will make you tired. It actually decreases your blood pressure and for some reason, that helps with WDs BIGTIME! You did the right thing by getting these meds. I can tell that you already know to use the benzos sparingly but you might have to use them... especially when the clonodine runs out because this med will make you very tired. All the benzos will do is add to it. It's almost as if you will be sleeping away your wds over the next few days which is GREAT - if you can.

If you feel too sluggish, back off on the clonodine a little 'cause like I said... you will be tired. But it will help you so much. Hot tub - my doc said if you can raise your body temp by sitting in a HOT bath or hot tub, you leg cramps will decrease tremendously. Unfortunately, you will need to do this about 3- 4 times a day. But then again, with the clonodine... you may feel very little discomfort.

What is your opinion on meetings? If the cravings are the hardest... would you consider going to AA/NA? I know they have saved peoples' lives... If not, you have to come up w/a plan on how to handle the cravings. Michelle went and bought some books on 12 steps and addiction, since she doesn't really attend meetings and she's working the steps from home and using this board as support. I thought that was a great idea.

Keep in touch w/us... K? We will all be here for you.

[doggreensector]

Hi everyone thanks for the comments. One thing I did do last night I forced myself to get off my a$_ and go to the gym, supprisingly I felt not so bad this morning for once. I also started drinking water like it is going out of style. I sat in the hot sauna last night too during the middle of my workout. My doctor told me that I cannot work out enough much during the next two weeks.

As far as meetings go, you know I really don't like them at all and never have too much but since I am not doing so great of a job by myself I am conceding that the meetings offer some moral support. I guess I will look at it this way, "two heads are better then one." I will be going to an AA meeting this week at one of the local Churches in the area. So banker in otherwords I am going to bite the bullet and go to some. I guess it is a good way to meet some friends and maintain some support.

Well I have to get ready for work. I am a Sales Manager where I work and have about 19 people under me. I am sure that when this is over my employees will probably not think that I am such a bad tempered jerk anymore. The vikes really turn me into a hot tempered jackass with my co-workers and my wife. My saving grace at work has been that I do work hard and work about 12 hours a day and have maintained an excellent sales force. If this was not the case I probably would have been canned several months ago. Thanks to you all for your nice and supportive comments. I really do appreciate it and it does help.

Keith