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needshelpchris
Guest
Yes! It does help! Thank you.....I'm feeling hiopeful for Thursday.....
thanks!
thanks!
N
needshelpchris
Guest
Hi Reach,
Well, I went to my appt and left feeling a little depressed. My doctor felt my addiction was bigger than he can handle, and suggested I call an outpatient rehab center. He did give me. RX for vic (30) and xanax (30) to help. I don't know what to do? Ant suggestions?
Well, I went to my appt and left feeling a little depressed. My doctor felt my addiction was bigger than he can handle, and suggested I call an outpatient rehab center. He did give me. RX for vic (30) and xanax (30) to help. I don't know what to do? Ant suggestions?
R
reachout
Guest
Chris
I am thrilled that you are going to see an addiction specialist! Great choice. I believe here solid help will be found. Great choice.
There is no doubt of the conviction in your desire. You are absolutley right that each of us must follow our own path to sobriety. Glean what is helpful for you as you read through the postings, deciding what is accomplishable for you and your strategies.
Keep posting. Your journey gives others the hope that we can face our addictions with resolve and helps those of us who have achieved sobriety to remeraber why we did.
Big hugs
reach
I am thrilled that you are going to see an addiction specialist! Great choice. I believe here solid help will be found.
Great choice.There is no doubt of the conviction in your desire. You are absolutley right that each of us must follow our own path to sobriety. Glean what is helpful for you as you read through the postings, deciding what is accomplishable for you and your strategies.
Keep posting. Your journey gives others the hope that we can face our addictions with resolve and helps those of us who have achieved sobriety to remeraber why we did.
Big hugs
reach
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needshelpchris
Guest
Thank u Reach! I neded those hugs!!
Update: have appt on Thursday with specialist to start detox program feeling hopeful and strong went to a meeting at 12 today, found it somewhat helpful......and will go again tomorrow.
Again, ur support is honestly one of the things keeping me hopeful....ill keep u posted!
And big hugs back to u!! Thanks again
Update: have appt on Thursday with specialist to start detox program
feeling hopeful and strong went to a meeting at 12 today, found it somewhat helpful......and will go again tomorrow. Again, ur support is honestly one of the things keeping me hopeful....ill keep u posted!
And big hugs back to u!! Thanks again
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needshelpchris
Guest
HI,
after reading a few of your stories, mine seems really bad! I have been addicted to vicodin/norco for almost 6 years. I am taking up to 30pills a day of 5mg each. I would like to get my life back and need help on how to go about a home taper.....any suggestions? i have not seen my primary doctor about this yet...but am contemplating a visit....
thank you
after reading a few of your stories, mine seems really bad! I have been addicted to vicodin/norco for almost 6 years. I am taking up to 30pills a day of 5mg each. I would like to get my life back and need help on how to go about a home taper.....any suggestions? i have not seen my primary doctor about this yet...but am contemplating a visit....
thank you
N
needshelpchris
Guest
I can't go to an inpatient facility. I do have health insurance, but my husband is not aware of my struggle. I am going to look up a place for a meeting today and look into an outpatient facility.....thank u for your help
I am committed to this......I know its a long road, but worth it!
I am committed to this......I know its a long road, but worth it!
B
blambert57
Guest
You're welcome. Please let me know how you are doing on Thursday or even Tuesday and Wednesday after you have taken your last pills. I'll keep you in my prayers as I have been there done that. Blessings......
R
reachout
Guest
Hi Chris
No, I took no sub or methadone. Truthfully, I was so horrified by what Oxycodone had done for me that there was no question in my mind that I was getting off and staying off. For me, sober thinking came before I was off the drugs.
I was, however, also on Xanax, and I did not taper off that until I was done with the oxycodone. I would NOT suggest going on Xanax long term for a taper, though, because a benzo can be so very addicting and was harder to get off than the opiate. However, I have read that clonodine, a blood pressure med, can help a great deal in withdrawal. It has helped many.
I would suggest some live support with the whole issue of addiction, whether it be a group deal like AA or NA or private counseling. Get to the root of the addiction ( all abusers of meRAB have root issues) and the addiction can be conquered.
reach
No, I took no sub or methadone. Truthfully, I was so horrified by what Oxycodone had done for me that there was no question in my mind that I was getting off and staying off. For me, sober thinking came before I was off the drugs.
I was, however, also on Xanax, and I did not taper off that until I was done with the oxycodone. I would NOT suggest going on Xanax long term for a taper, though, because a benzo can be so very addicting and was harder to get off than the opiate. However, I have read that clonodine, a blood pressure med, can help a great deal in withdrawal. It has helped many.
I would suggest some live support with the whole issue of addiction, whether it be a group deal like AA or NA or private counseling. Get to the root of the addiction ( all abusers of meRAB have root issues) and the addiction can be conquered.
reach
N
needshelpchris
Guest
I feel like I'm saying goodbye to a close friend that I've had for 7 years......is it possible to relapse while on Suboxone? I guess I will be at the doctors for a couple of hours while they watch and adjust my dose.....what questions should I ask? I'm really worried that ill never have that "euphoric" feeling the pills have given me all these years ever again....I know I sound sooo foolish....but I'm just nervous.....
B
blambert57
Guest
Sweet girl, I totally understand that. They do become our friend, don't they? But they are not a good friend. Of course you liked that high...but do you really still like it? Do you like what goes along with it? You could relapse on Sub I guess but I have heard if you take an opiate while on Sub you won't feel the high and that is the real reason we used, right? I did anyway. You so not sound foolish at all. Your feelings are understandable. I really think that once you are on the Sub you will understand while we are all still on it and how it saved our lives. Mine anyway. I don't know any questions to ask your doctor...he will watch you for awhile to make sure you are doing OK. I really think you will like Sub. You won't haved that "fog" anymore. You will feel clear headed. You will be able to get on with your life. I hope I've helped.
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needshelpchris
Guest
Hi reach,
I don't know how I feel......I was a little pout off by this guy. He wants me to be in full withdrawal (no taper) and start suboxone in his office. He wanted to take my meRAB yesterday and have me come in this morning. Matybe I'm not ready? That scared me.....I made the appointment for Thursday morning next week.....I need to be without vicodin for 24 hours and in full withdrawal and that is frightening. When he wanted to take my pills......that sort of made me mad......I don't know what I'm feeling? Any suggestions?
I don't know how I feel......I was a little pout off by this guy. He wants me to be in full withdrawal (no taper) and start suboxone in his office. He wanted to take my meRAB yesterday and have me come in this morning. Matybe I'm not ready? That scared me.....I made the appointment for Thursday morning next week.....I need to be without vicodin for 24 hours and in full withdrawal and that is frightening. When he wanted to take my pills......that sort of made me mad......I don't know what I'm feeling? Any suggestions?
M
musicman3
Guest
The suboxone is going to work. Actually your doctor seems to be taking you off the vicodin a little longer than necessary. You would have no problems taking your morning dose tommorow and then waiting for 24 hours to introduce suboxone. I actually only waited 14 hours and I had no issues with the suboxone induction, but you must follow your doctors wishes.
I was on about 60-80 mgs a day of oxy or hydro. I started at 2 mgs and it took away every physical withdrawal symptom I had with in 15 minutes. I was at 6mgs a day for only 4 days and then I went down to 2mgs. It is going to work wonders. You will feel "normal" and no longer dope sick. I definitely had a minor buzz from it thr first few doses, but it was not the euphoric warmth opiates have.
I was on it for 6 months and I was down to 1-1.5mgs a day. Its half life is very long so I only had to dose 2x a day. For me, I had absolutely no cravings for any opiates and as I said, I just felt "normal"
You must use it appropriately. Less is more, so after a few days you really need to get your dose as low as possible, ideally no more than 2mgs. At that point, you need to ween off and do it slow and methodical and from what I gather, withdrawals will be minimal.
For me, I had a relapse when I came off it last month. I say this not discourage you because it could have been avoided. But in addition the weaning, you MUST MUST MUST address the mental aspects of your addiction and really focus on that and take care of yourself mentally. This is where I dropped the ball and I am fully confident had I taken better care of myself I wouldn;t have relapsed. I cold turkeyed from my relapse 5 days ago, but yesterday I had to go back on my percocet because I am in a precarious situation of losing my job if I call in sick again. I have vacation starting next Wednesday and decided to be safe, it would be better to take my relatively low dose of percocet until I am off 2 weeks. So my plan is to cold turkey from the percs again next Friday when I do not have to worry about the extra stress from work.
I am not going to go back on suboxone because I want to be completely drug free at this point. But as I said, use the subs the way I explained to you and you will be very successful. I am extremely confident that I will be fine after my inital 3-5 days of the cold turkey next week so that is why I am not going to go back on the subs again
Good luck! You are gonna feel quite crappy today. Drink fluiRAB, take your xanax and just get to your appointment and you will see the wonder of suboxone!!
I was on about 60-80 mgs a day of oxy or hydro. I started at 2 mgs and it took away every physical withdrawal symptom I had with in 15 minutes. I was at 6mgs a day for only 4 days and then I went down to 2mgs. It is going to work wonders. You will feel "normal" and no longer dope sick. I definitely had a minor buzz from it thr first few doses, but it was not the euphoric warmth opiates have.
I was on it for 6 months and I was down to 1-1.5mgs a day. Its half life is very long so I only had to dose 2x a day. For me, I had absolutely no cravings for any opiates and as I said, I just felt "normal"
You must use it appropriately. Less is more, so after a few days you really need to get your dose as low as possible, ideally no more than 2mgs. At that point, you need to ween off and do it slow and methodical and from what I gather, withdrawals will be minimal.
For me, I had a relapse when I came off it last month. I say this not discourage you because it could have been avoided. But in addition the weaning, you MUST MUST MUST address the mental aspects of your addiction and really focus on that and take care of yourself mentally. This is where I dropped the ball and I am fully confident had I taken better care of myself I wouldn;t have relapsed. I cold turkeyed from my relapse 5 days ago, but yesterday I had to go back on my percocet because I am in a precarious situation of losing my job if I call in sick again. I have vacation starting next Wednesday and decided to be safe, it would be better to take my relatively low dose of percocet until I am off 2 weeks. So my plan is to cold turkey from the percs again next Friday when I do not have to worry about the extra stress from work.
I am not going to go back on suboxone because I want to be completely drug free at this point. But as I said, use the subs the way I explained to you and you will be very successful. I am extremely confident that I will be fine after my inital 3-5 days of the cold turkey next week so that is why I am not going to go back on the subs again
Good luck! You are gonna feel quite crappy today. Drink fluiRAB, take your xanax and just get to your appointment and you will see the wonder of suboxone!!
N
needshelpchris
Guest
Thank you for replying to my thread...I still feel helpless...I went to my doc for help, and felt that I left with very little...not even a phone nuraber for an outpatient center. Its still early here in california, and my family is home, so I will be contacting some outpatient centers as soon as I have some alone time......uuggh, I'm having a bad day my doc only gave me 30 vicodin, so it looks like I'm hitting my lady today to get more....I'm so scared
my doc only gave me 30 vicodin, so it looks like I'm hitting my lady today to get more....I'm so scared
R
reachout
Guest
Hello Chris
WOW, I disappear for a day and your thread has so much action! Chuckles. It is good to see the continued posts from you and the helpful information presented by others. We do all really, really care what happens for you, Chris.
The decision has been made to go the sub route. Good for you for making a decision. We can not move forward without a plan of action put into place. Chris, the withdrawal piece of the plan is in place; now is the time to also put into place the piece of the plan that will guide you into sober thinking. Whether it be meetings or private counseling, please exert some effort into thinking how to handle the support needed to help us understand why we abused the drugs and why we do not want to ever follow that path again. As addicts, we taught ourselves how to cope with life with drugs. Time to learn new coping strategies and have them become an ingrained reflex in our reations to what life brings. It is a time of learning about our self. A time to understand what makes us tick. Actually, Chris, it can be such an exciting time for us of discovery, correction and evaluating our good points and bad. Don't be afraid of all of this! It is a good thing.
I hope today passes quickly. The Xanax will certainly help. Breath deeply and slowly when symptoms arise. Truly, the symptoms will not kill us in opiate withdrawal, although at times it can feel like it.
You have been so brave to tackle this issue and ridding yourself of the stranglehold of the drug. Stay brave and strong. We are all here to hold you up as we walk beside you.
In my thoughts
reach
WOW, I disappear for a day and your thread has so much action! Chuckles. It is good to see the continued posts from you and the helpful information presented by others. We do all really, really care what happens for you, Chris.
The decision has been made to go the sub route. Good for you for making a decision. We can not move forward without a plan of action put into place. Chris, the withdrawal piece of the plan is in place; now is the time to also put into place the piece of the plan that will guide you into sober thinking. Whether it be meetings or private counseling, please exert some effort into thinking how to handle the support needed to help us understand why we abused the drugs and why we do not want to ever follow that path again. As addicts, we taught ourselves how to cope with life with drugs. Time to learn new coping strategies and have them become an ingrained reflex in our reations to what life brings. It is a time of learning about our self. A time to understand what makes us tick. Actually, Chris, it can be such an exciting time for us of discovery, correction and evaluating our good points and bad. Don't be afraid of all of this! It is a good thing.
I hope today passes quickly. The Xanax will certainly help. Breath deeply and slowly when symptoms arise. Truly, the symptoms will not kill us in opiate withdrawal, although at times it can feel like it.
You have been so brave to tackle this issue and ridding yourself of the stranglehold of the drug. Stay brave and strong. We are all here to hold you up as we walk beside you.
In my thoughts
reach
I tapered off of oxycodone and i blogged about it. I think if you do a search on this board you will find other people who have tapered off of vicodin. I know a lot of people can't taper, they just can't control their intake. Do you have someone to help you to give you a lower dose each day? The Thomas Recipe for detoxing is goodjfor detoxing at home. Good luck. Keep posting
R
reachout
Guest
Hi Chris
Wishing you well at tomorrow's appointment. I am sure there are a million thoughts and feelings going through you, but I pray the biggest is hope. As I faced my own withdrawal, I was scared out of my mind to do it, but, thankfully, even more scared not to do it.
You are going to be okay, Chris. You really are. I don't know anyone who has determinedly followed through on a recovery plan and is not okay. We regain our happiness and esteem once again and remeraber how to live life without the drugs. Retain all the lessons you will be learning... all that information is gold for the rest of our lives. You are so worth a full and happy life.
I'll be thinking of you
reach
Wishing you well at tomorrow's appointment. I am sure there are a million thoughts and feelings going through you, but I pray the biggest is hope. As I faced my own withdrawal, I was scared out of my mind to do it, but, thankfully, even more scared not to do it.
You are going to be okay, Chris. You really are. I don't know anyone who has determinedly followed through on a recovery plan and is not okay. We regain our happiness and esteem once again and remeraber how to live life without the drugs. Retain all the lessons you will be learning... all that information is gold for the rest of our lives. You are so worth a full and happy life.
I'll be thinking of you
reach
M
meep591
Guest
Your doctor may simply not be familiar with the process of getting people into a rehab facility. People usually don't do this through their doctor, though they should. Look in the phone book for a local facility. If you can't find one, or you don't have insurance, go to a hospital emergency room. DO NOT go out to get more pills. If you go to an emergency room and tell them what you've told us here, they'll know you're headed for life threatening withdraw. You'll get treated and admitted to a facility. I suspect your doctor may have sensed some reluctance on your part when he mentioned rehab facililty. When dealing with an addict, we all know no one can force us to get help if we're not ready, and don't really want it. When you are ready and willing, you'll be amazed at the amount of people willing to reach out a hand to help you. Try also calling your local NA or AA group. Go to a meeting TODAY if you won't go to a rehab today. They will also help you to get the proper treatment.
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needshelpchris
Guest
Ok, my doc prescribed xanax over the phone on Friday since I couldn't get in til Monday. I am going in with full exposure and vulnerability...I trust him. I will be totally honest and forthright...I know this is the first step to getting my LIFE back! I will look into support groups on Monday after I see my doctor and get my recovery plan together
Thank u again, everyone, for all the support!!!! I am feeling so hopeful
Thank u again, everyone, for all the support!!!! I am feeling so hopeful
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needshelpchris
Guest
Thank u rosebuddy I phoned my primary doctor yesterday and they scheduled me for Monday. I explained over the phone what was happening. He phoned in a prescription for xanax for the weekend until I can see him on Monday. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I haven't stopped the vicodin yet, but am hoping Mondays appt will help me start my recovery!
I phoned my primary doctor yesterday and they scheduled me for Monday. I explained over the phone what was happening. He phoned in a prescription for xanax for the weekend until I can see him on Monday. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I haven't stopped the vicodin yet, but am hoping Mondays appt will help me start my recovery!
M
meep591
Guest
I have to go out now, but I am worried about you. Try looking at it this way-you can either get the help now, of your own free will, or you can wait until an arabulance crew scrapes you up off the pavement, the police cart you off to jail, or your family calls the funeral home. All of this is what is waiting for you if you keep going with this addiction. Get help like your doctor told you.