HELP Cold Turkey or dosing down?

boaz · 08-16-2004, 04:55 PM

O.K. my story I had been up to taking 4 10/325's at a time 3-4 times a day at the most...so that equals 160mgs of opiates. I am DETERMINED to quit I can't keep going up...and I'm a weird one cause I worry about my liver..ha funny huh? That's why I started requesting 10/325's instead of 7.5/500's so I could take more opiates and be "safe". Yes I do have legitimate SI joint back pain, but was never prescribed any opiates for it...(car wreck) I just got them when I had my wisdom teeth cut out and liked how they made me deal with my crappy life. Went from off and on to every day to several times a day....with the 160mgs being the top end. I ran out of ten's a few weeks ago and now am trying to dose down on what 7.5's I got left. My w/d symptoms are hot flashes and cold flashes, shakes, and the whole mind thing, but I pray thru it. I just try to sleep thru the day, but I can't sleep at night...I was taking sleeping pills for that and Benadryl. I have muscle twiches but I attributed it to the Effexor I started for severe depression (which is over my situation) but I didn't tell my doctor...I am scared to, like others have said I don't want anyone to know, or think bad of me. I take care of my mother and my husband now too, he almost died last year from a ruptured brain aneurysm, but he lived and he should be dead. Every since 1997 my life has been a living he**, my dad was run over crossing the road, had to start taking care of a very difficult mother, dealing with hubby's then drinking (I wasn't using at that time) it's just started the last 2-3 years. Then when he quits drinking and starightens out he gets hurt at work REAL bad and we've been dealing with those SOB's (workers comp). Funny thing is he has no problem with the pills at all...I've gladly taken his leftover when he'd be switched.....but he had a drinking problem....and my dad did too for years..but I can't stand the taste of booze....would rather get my kicks from pills. I feel like a punching bag..you know the types that are full of air and they pop right back up and get knocked right back down...my God how did I let myself get here??? And I ask Him why he's let so much happen to me in such a few years?? I'm not tough at all ....so is my dose a day real high? Compared to others I've seen no, but I have to quit and am on my way...but is it better to cold turkey it now or titer down?? I have a lot of dr.s appointments for hubby tomorrow and don't think I can do it cold turkey, I am afraid of seizures I've read about....I am one pathetic addict huh? Oh I did have a spell with panic attacks...thus my fears....I read alot of medical stuff and therefore I find this stuff out....our life has been turned upside down and inside out and it's still a battle everyday, and I have lost my husband as I knew him...he can't function in alot of ways anymore (get my drift) so my only solace in this world that I can touch and feel is gone.....he's here but a shell....imagine seeing what I have seen.....I'm just weak...and tired...I was really suicidal before the Effexor, but I hate that stuff too...it takes away the bad feelings..and the good ones too your just a zombie...what do I do???

HELP?

Ryan'sDad · 08-16-2004, 05:51 PM

There is some good news and bad news, the good news is is that you can quit. The bad news is is that your dosage is on the high side and you are going to have some rough days ahead if you go cold turkey. One thing you have to stop doing is beating yourself up, it does no good and makes you feel worse. Your not a "pathetic" addict. There's a fellow who posts on here who is a policemen who use to think that addicts were losers and weakminded until he got hooked on percocet and vikes. Now he understands. I myself am a sales executive with a large company and am also in the military (Army National Guard). Although getting hooked on pain meds is frustrating and can be a real pain, calling yourself names does absolutely no good. I have done the same myself and it is a waste of energy and time. I think that it is a rare person who sets out to get hooked on pain meds. Most of us took them for legitimate reasons and getting off of them can be a real challenge.

I will say with the dosage you are taking you are probably going to need some help either from you doctor or an addiction specialist. Most doctors are sympathetic to this and if you doctor is not then find another one who is. Tapering down can be tough but can be done by some people others prefer cold turkey. When it comes to tapering for me I just simply don't have the patience or tenacity to do that, I always mess up, not to mention tapering can sometimes be just about as bad as going ct.

My suggestion would be to be straight with your doc and tell him the truth, he will probably surprise you and be good about it and offer you help.

On the other hand there are others on here who have taken up to 35 vikes a day and bit the bullet and went coldturkey. You can do it, but don't be afraid to ask for help. You will be glad in the long run that you did. And don't forget if one method does not work then hit it from another angle, you will get past this.

Ryan'sdad

chefob1 · 08-16-2004, 06:43 PM

i was on 5000 mg of hrdros daily...50 10mg of lortab or 40 - 50 prcocetts......it got to a point where i found a guy dealin heroin...it was cheaper for me to get addicted to that crap...opiate addiction is awful disease....us opiates addicts are worse...they say its cunning,baffling, and powerful....it sure is and when i look at your dosage it reminds of me back in 1993 hold of addiction.....im on methadone...60mg daily....i dont go to a clinic...a doc can write you the script...i was on bupenorphine/buprenex for 4 years....maintainance ways of dealin with opiate addiction plus ive got a chronic pain issue in back lumbar 7 region...but for pain if i dont take methadone im w/d sick....its a wicked disease i told ya but we are are all different....weanage?is it possible...yes you can wean down and then off with minimal w/d damage but we are all different...i couldnt wean down worth bits....relapse following week.....we are all different cases....some folks can detox off hydrocodone to suboxone for two weeks,then off opiates all together....some its two months,then off all together....some two years,ect. ect.....you need understanding,support,guidance...get invovled with your disease....you definetly need a/a or n/a......everyday for 90 days...its a must....a meeting a day for 90 days plus moral support/strength...i lost mine.....i stole from my wife...she divorced me....remeber the cunning,baffling,powerful disease we are in grips with....god bless....chef

Ryan'sDad · 08-16-2004, 07:50 PM

Although I am sure chef means well, I don't agree at all that this is a disease, but everyone is entitled to what works for them. AA and na work for some people and yes you can find some friends and support their, but aa and na are not the only road out there. The disease theory is just that, "a theory" and is rigorously debated even among the AMA. The fact of the matter is is that you will probably need some help and it will take some real grit and determination to quit and stay stopped but you can do it.

Chef is right you will need some moral support, but nothing says that you have to believe one thing over another. Do what works best for you.

Ryan'sdad

bigepop · 08-16-2004, 10:12 PM

OK here is what you need .....talk to ANY Dr. and get on Clonodine..... .1 or .2 mgs once or twice a day...it is simply blod pressure medicine...and will help immensly. Also, ask the Dr. for Quinine pills for night time restless leg (cramping)....let me know how it goes.......and push the water...high vollumes. -Big epop