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battling opiate withdrawals HELP :-(

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Posted 8/20/2014 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Ok so I been trying to wean off opiates for last couple of weeka its been hell and I keep relapsing because of pain

Week one I took 2 tramadol a day

Week 2 I took 1 tramadol a day

Sunday endes up having oxy for pain about 10 throughout the day

Monday nothing

Tuesday nothing

Wednesday ive had major leg and back pain and took 120mg codeine 3 tramadol

I also take valium to help nut not too much my main question is whether taking say1-3 a week will **** up my process of coming off is it like starting from scratch everytime I need tablets I feel I am back at square one with trying to get off
Posted 8/20/2014 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to stop taking Exalgo so I started to ween myself by lowering the dose. Don't cold turkey, it's actually worse.

By the 5th day I wasn't taking it anymore and that's when the withdrawal really kicked in. For the next couple of days I went through a box of immodium and I couldn't control my sinuses so I took cold medicine. It was hell day after day. I even was running a temperature. Once the first 48 hours were over I became strong and really tried to kick it. I was mad that a tiny white pill was kicking my edit and I wanted to fight back. I kept myself busy and by day 5 I was fine.

You just can't go back if you make that decision.

JP, I had to edit a word in your post. Keep in mind Healing Well has a rule in place concerning language. Thanks.

Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 8/20/2014 7:42:19 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/20/2014 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that tapering off is the only way to go. It helps to have your Dr. Know your intended efforts so that you don't completely run out in mid-taper. I took myself off of max dosage of 125 mcg fentanyl patches over a 4 month period, 25 mcg at a time. Not saying that it was easy but it worked. The main thing for me was to keep in mind why I wanted off of fentanyl and concentrate on that during the worst parts. . . . Q
Posted 8/21/2014 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Your dr can also rx a script for Clonodine patches which will also help withdrawals. Tapering is the smartest way to do this & your dr can be very helpful to you.

Take care.
Posted 8/21/2014 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
If you don't mind? What are you tapering off of,how much,and why? The more info the better we can answer your questions.
Posted 8/22/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
i kind of lean on the school of thought you need to down-regulate your pathways in the CNS and buprenorphine is great for that. other than that i think loperimide can take the edge off a bit.
Posted 8/22/2014 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'd get off the hard stuff before the tramadol, it's the least addictive. Valium is very addicting too.

I also agree with Vickie. Have you run this by your doctor?
Posted 8/23/2014 6:04 PM (GMT 0)

nvrthesame98 said...
If you don't mind? What are you tapering off of,how much,and why? .

Sammywalker, I am curious too, as Vickie asked? I reviewed what you said you have been taking, but am not sure what you are trying to come off of. It looks like in 2 1/2 weeks you took oxy one day.

What does your dr recommend?
Posted 8/23/2014 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
I am also one that will say please do not try to go cold turkey off of medications that you have been taking for a while. It puts the body in so much stress and causes many issues that you don't want to go through. Many people have taken their own life due to withdrawal. I know when I tried to go off cold turkey I truly wanted to die it was that bad.

I am doing the taper off/weaning right now and it's much better. Yes it's a slow process but I would rather have it this way than go through all that anguish again. The way my doctor has been doing it with me is that we lowered the original dose down and kept it there for three months, now we lowered it again and will keep it there for three months, then next time down lower again and so on. Of course this will all depend on if I'm able to manage the pain with this dosage.

I would definitely speak with your doctor about a tapering schedule. You will want to have some calcium/magnesium tabs on hand for the restlessness, immodium, Gravol etc. etc. because withdrawal is just a nightmare and it is what has kept me from getting off these meds for good each time. I think others can relate to this as well and will share their stories with you. Good luck to you and keep us updated on how you get on.

Lynn
Posted 8/23/2014 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Add me to the roster of confusion??

What are you trying to get off of? With the mix of tramadol and codeine, and the sequencing of events, I may have a little confusion.

But even in my confusion, one thing is clear: Definitely don't do this alone and definitely don't do it cold turkey. Work with your doctor, be above board and clear, communicate, ask for help....











M.
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