http://www.drugs.com/forum/ We welcome you to share your experiences. Current Topics: Painkiller Addiction, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression... en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:04:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.drugs.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.drugs.com/forum/ http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/just-quit-percocets-i-need-help-please-54804.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:35:25 GMT Hello all,

I'm having some anxiety right now. I want my life back and I took my last percocet at 10:50 pm Est. I'm 22 years old and i want to feel normal again and live a normal life i should be and not letting these control me and spend time looking forward to next dose etc. I been planning on stopping today and now that i just officially started I'm very scarred about how its going to be. I been addicted for 14 months at 50 mg a day.

I want to use this page to follow up with how I'm doing and hopefully get some advice and have a place to just get thoughts and concerns out.

I bought bananas and oranges to eat and Ensure because i read that these items are good. I will drink pleanty of water.

I have Valium i plan on taking. I have 5 mg tablets which i never tried yet. I was prescribed 0.5 mg aloprazm (xanax) prior to this. Which is more effective and how different will the be from each other? Similar?

I have No work as i just got layed off, so this is a great time to quit.

I plan on spending a lot of time in the bath when it gets rough.

So what can i expect? and What else should i try and do?

I cant help but to get anxiety.. I always suffer from anxiety with certain things and this seems to be one of them. I keep thinking something bad will happen. I'm afraid of throwing up or having seizures. And i worry about how long it will last and how bad the depression will be.

I'm going to sleep while i still can... I will follow up tomorrow. ]]> Featured Conditions EyeOnPrize http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/just-quit-percocets-i-need-help-please-54804.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/inpatient-methadone-detox-please-help-54744.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:27:37 GMT I posted this basic question in the "Featured Drugs", but maybe this is a better place. I didn't get many replies there, so...

A friend is looking to get off of 40 mg of methadone. He's been on it for several years, daily, and doesn't goof around or anything with other drugs, etc. He's just got a physical dependence and has decided he doesn't want to keep taking a drug which he doesn't think he needs anymore.

We want to find a good way to get this done. He doesn't want to taper off of it over 6+ months, and switching to suboxone (at least as an outpatient) was not feasible. (He couldn't wait long enough to take the stuff, and, yes, he is committed, he already dropped from 80 mg rapidly just to get here.)


So, there's a couple of rehabs we looked at, but one of them claims to have you out after 10 days by switching you on to buprenorphine after a few days off the methadone and then tapering it down over 5-7 days -- but they only taper you to 2 mg (or 1 mg), and, apparently, you leave at that point. It seems to me that that would leave a lot of withdrawal to go through. Just how bad is the withdrawal off of 2 mg of buprenorphine? Can someone put it in terms of oxycodone/morphine/hydrocodone withdrawal for me?

Another rehab says they will switch you to a short-acting opioid (unspecified, and unwilling to specify) and taper you over a period of 21-30 days.

A final one I just spoke with has this method: on an outpatient basis, they require you to stay in the area and not drive for 8-10 days (for the methadone version of their accelerated detox -- which is slowed down to accommodate methadone users) and have a support person with you at all times.

Then, they give you moderate (i.e., pretty damn serious apparently, lots of sleeping, but not fully knocking you out all day) sedatives for day 1-7 and you spend your time at home (or in a hotel). (You show up to the clinic every day for the pills.) Finally, now that you've reduced your dependence to the level of a tramadol user (or at least gotten a lot closer to that level), they REALLY sedate you quite well (but not under general anesthesia like an ultra-rapid detox) and break out a dose of naltrexone which pushes you the rest of the three-quarters through the tunnel.

Does anyone here think that 10 days is enough? And that putting you out the door on 2 mg is going to leave me in withdrawals that won't be dangerous? What kind of withdrawal would you expect? More like kicking an 80 mg. oxycodone habit, or still like kicking a 40 mg. methadone habit?!

What exactly ARE withdrawals from 2 mg of buprenorphine like?!?!? And, if above 2 mg the ceiling effect takes place, why on earth would cold turkey off of 8 mg be worse than cold turkey off of 2 mg?

Is it just those other ("odd", or, at least, unique) effects of buprenorphine, like the kappa antagonism, that are being withdrawn from that add to the nastiness, but the mu opioid receptor withdrawal is capped out at 2 mg and no worse once you get to 8 mg? I.e., mu opioid agonist withdrawal wouldn't begin until you taper under 2 mg, but kappa opioid antagonist would begin as soon as you went below your usual dose (for a long-term bupe user)? Is this right?

Or what about the program that just tapers you down on another short-acting opiate once switching you onto it from the methadone. To me, that seems damned foolproof!




Or can my friend just taper off of 40 mg. in 3 months or something like that without actually enduring anything that would resemble acute opiate withdrawal?

Any help you can offer is welcome.

Another question is this: if someone tapered to 10-15 mg. methadone, couldn't they just switch to buprenorphine WITHOUT waiting to be extremely sick?

I.e., just take the buprenorphine when you notice that you've not taken your methadone yet today? I still can't understand why buprenorphine engenders withdrawal in people who have a dependence which is LOWER than the 30 mg. of methadone which buprenorphine is SUPPOSEDLY equivalent to!


Has anyone done this medical detox from methadone? Has anyone done a medical detox for methadone?

Or has anyone here KNOWN someone who has done a medical detox for methadone?[/B]

Or does anyone have anything to say about using buprenorphine for a 10-21 day detox off of methadone?

Or of using a detox which employs a taper from another (short-acting) opioid?

Or does anyone know a detox that just really knocks you the F out for a few weeks with Seconal or something and lets you sleep through it more or less? (We're not really considering ultra-rapid detox, but if anyone has something positive to share about its use for methadone or a big habit with another drug, I'd be glad to hear it.)


Thank you all very much for any advice/thoughts/opinions/musings you have on this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please, any information you have -- any and all, especially specifics and places that knock you way out or have had success with methadone detoxes, please, please let me know! ]]> Featured Conditions jloops http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/inpatient-methadone-detox-please-help-54744.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/confused-54669.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:33:48 GMT I’ll start with a lil background.. I was in an accident in 04 then another in 05 (rear ended in both) which resulted in numerous injections & types of therapies since the docs said I was too young to just go to surgery. I finally had back fusion surgery in 07 which I thought helped but I’m in more pain now with the next disc torn & nerve pain. I even had the hardware removed last dec because I felt like it was digging into my muscles. So I’ve been on some type of painkiller since 04 & about 2 weeks ago I had about enough of that battle. Decided to try suboxone to see if the claims of feeling normal & even pain relief could be true. Friday will be one week on the med but I’ve found little relief in the pain department. Today I’ve been in tears from the back pain, not withdrawal. I thought it could be in my head since I’ve been on pain meds for so long but I’ve realized how much pain I’m in. I’ve been reading on methadone too but I’m not sure. Yes the sub doesn’t make me feel stupid like the oxys but at least I could be active on them. I’m so confused. :confused:
Thanks for any help.. ]]> Featured Conditions ampd http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/confused-54669.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/quiting-pain-killers-need-help-support-54665.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:35:16 GMT This is my first time posting on a thread like this, but after reading how much it has helped so many others quit an addiction I knew that I needed... This is my first time posting on a thread like this, but after reading how much it has helped so many others quit an addiction I knew that I needed to post...

I am a 23 yr old male who comes from a great family and have many loving friends. I just graduated from college and received my bachelors degree in business and I am ready to quit taking pain killers and get on with my life. It's been 6 months since I graduated, and I've been working full time at a job that I just simply despise and that pays very little. I am behind on ALL my bills and have to keep putting them off because I just don't have the $$$ to pay them. (This is totally uncharacteristic for me as I am always so good about keeping on top of my finances) It's extremely depressing and I know that my addiction is whats keeping me down.

None of my family know that I have an addiction to PK's, a lot of my friends use recreationally but none of them know that my problem has become this serious. I've been taking pills on random occasions for quite a few years now, but the real addiction didn't surface untill about 2 years ago. I started taking them a few times a week for about 6 months, quit for 1/2 year then started back up again. Started using the same amt, but that quickly turned into using every day. On avg I consumed either 7-10 7.5mg Vics, or around 5-6 perks/loritabs a day (but I would take any painkiller I could get...) I then was able to quit again for about a month and this was during one of the most difficult times in my life wich made it MUCH more difficult. One morning after celebrating being done with school, a nasty hangover had me on the phone to get meds, and here I am now 6 months later taking pills again every day, with my consumption rate about the same maybe a little worse than before.

So I've decided to go Cold Turkey and quit and I'm on my 2nd day of being clean (the last time I took anything was monday night). These first few days have been very hard, a lot of nasty physical withdraws, lack of sleep, no motivation, & EXTREMLY DEPRESSED. I've always been such a happy person, and I know a lot of it has to do with the WD, but Im so sad and emotional, its a terrible feeling. Every post that I read on here brings me tears, and I just look back and wonder how the hell I did this to myself....

I have been ready to start applying for salary jobs but my addiction has me stuck in a rut. Now I have no $$$ whatsoever, and Im behind on quite a few of my bills. I just need some motivation to get me through this again, and help me get back on my feet and back to my normal happy self. I feel I am loosing friends, and loved ones because all I do is sit around eat pills and blow them off. I need to move on.... please help

Thanks for reading


Sorry for such a long post, had a lot on my mind. ]]> Featured Conditions herenow44 http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/quiting-pain-killers-need-help-support-54665.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/ocd-depression-add-adhd-problems-54661.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:13:11 GMT Hi everyone! I am 22 year old male and have been diagnosed for OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), depression and I suspect that I have Adult... Hi everyone!

I am 22 year old male and have been diagnosed for OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), depression and I suspect that I have Adult ADD/ADHD (attention deficit disorder). Main symptoms why I suspect ADD are extreme procrastination of work (especially last 10-12 months), big difficulty initiating tasks (especially lately, but has always been a problem to some extent), difficulty multitasking, getting very easily bored, impatience and indecision problems. I do not have diagnose for ADD from doctor yet because my doctor is not very experienced in ADD/ADHD field (I'm currently working on finding another doctor, however there is very few ADD/ADHD specialists in my country).

My doctor has put me on Risperidone and Remeron (Mirtazapine) in June. Risperidone dose was 2 months at 4mg and 2.5 months until now at 2mg, total time I've been on Risperidone is 4.5 months. Remeron dose has been 30-45mg for 4 months. Risperidone is taken every day 1 hour and Remeron 15 minutes before sleep.

I am also sleeping extremely long every day and have huge problems with getting up. I sleep 10-14 hours a day. It's just impossible to me to get up from the bed before I've slept at least 10 hours. In worst days I don't get up even before 13-14 hours of sleep. I feel that my problems with too much sleep have gone even worse after being put on Risperidone and Remeron.

As I've done some research in the Internet on Risperidone I suspect that Risperidone may not be a good medication for OCD and think that the doctor has made a wrong choice. Especially because Risperidone's side effects. I've read that some people feel like zombies while on Risperidone and have problems geting things done. Some people have also had breast problems and even started lactating while on Risperidone.

However, I feel that I have less problems with OCD lately. But now the symptoms of ADD/ADHD (listed above) have become very actual. By the way, I don't feel that depression problem has gotten any better at all and still feel depressive after 4.5 months on Risperidone and 4 months on Remeron.

I'm interested if anyone can help regarding the following questions:

* Is Risperidone a good drug for OCD?

* Is Remeron (Mirtazapine) a good drug for OCD?

* Which of the two drugs is better for OCD? Perhaps I should stop one drug?

* Perhaps I should lower the dose of Risperidone to 1mg or 0,5mg right now and quit Risperidone after 1-2 months?

* If I start taking ADD/ADHD drugs Adderall or Ritalin, can I take it while also being on Risperidone and/or Remeron?

* If I start taking Modafinil for fatigue and excessive sleep, can I take it while also being on Adderall/Ritalin, Risperidone and/or Remeron?

* Would it be good idea to switch Remeron for an antidepressant which improves morning well-being and gives some energy, for example Escitalopram (Lexapro/Cipralex) or Venlafaxine (Effexor) or Bupropion (Wellbutrin)? Or some other?

* Is it OK if I use Adderall and Modafinil while on Escitalopram, Venlafaxine or Burpropion?

* Or perhaps it’s good idea to keep taking Remeron and add an antidepressant that improves morning well-being and gives energy? Although my doctor doesn’t like combining two antidepressants as you never know which one works in that case.

Your help is very highly appreciated. Thanks to everyone who answers and enters to discussion in this thread. ]]> Featured Conditions Robert1 http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/ocd-depression-add-adhd-problems-54661.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/day-1-a-54654.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:03:50 GMT Hello everybody...first time post, but It's my first day off percocets. I've been taking these and oxycontin when i can't get the percs. I've been on at least 60-100mg of percocet a day for ,maybe about four or five months, but have been using for about ten. But I know I can't do this any longer, I've pretty much used up all the resources I had for this waste and now It's hard to enjoy everyday things.Luckily I'm working and in school, with very good grades, so I know that things haven't gotten completely out of hand, but because of money and growing up I know I need to beat this now.I happened to get a hold of one and a half suboxon eights and have taken a 4 mg earlier with 30 mg xr adderall to go to school and found myself extremely tired and also messed with my stomach. I was falling asleep in class by eleven. The suboxone is a lifesaver though, it almost makes the whole process too easy, at least for me. I find the worst part that I hate is the chills and the depression that seems to eventually set in. And I dont care what anybody says, but pot really helps to keep your mind off the pills. I don't smoke weed often, but through my experience with withdrawal it in combination with suboxone is so handy. But I'm hoping that it won't be worse tomorrow, which is why I'm trying to save that last sub. I have school and work tomorrow, no way to miss these obligations, but the strangest thing is that in the past, I've been clean for a day and felt completely better the next day, and I'm clean. The last time I w/d'd was for a day and I felt great the next day, no need for percocet or pills at all and was very optimistic, yet it still took a couple days for me to start feeling mystrength come back. Unfortunately I didn't really get to find out, since I started using after four days clean.I know I have a bad psychological addiction to pills, but I am sincerely ready to end this nightmare and get my life back.

ssolomo90 ]]> Featured Conditions ssolomo90 http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/day-1-a-54654.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/benzo-screen-but-never-took-anything-help-54651.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:11:10 GMT Hey everybody! i have a problem, my doctor would not write me my suboxone this past thursday because my screen came positive for benzos! I swear to... Hey everybody! i have a problem, my doctor would not write me my suboxone this past thursday because my screen came positive for benzos! I swear to god i did not take any xanaxs or valiums or anything to that nature, in fact i hate those types of pills, when i was addicted the only thing i took was pain pills, i f i did take a xanax or valium i would be out for a day! but anyways, i dont know why it showed positive for benzos, i only take my medication, and i did take some antibiotics (BACTRIUM) and DIFLUCAN for the side effects of the bactrium. i wanted to take the screen again but the doc would not let me, i have to wait for the confiration to come back (hopefully today) then piss again! but god know that i have not took anything other than my suboxone. so has any one else had the same problem before? im just worried now that my doc will report this POSITIVE test to the local sherrif dept and i will be questioned about where i got the benzos!! but i know the confirmation will show NEGATIVE!!!! but the doc told me that he can not write my medication while i show positive for benzos, because it is against the law!!! so now im on the verge of d/t's and i have 5 more hours till his office opens ]]> Featured Conditions justice4us http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/benzo-screen-but-never-took-anything-help-54651.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/all-i-may-have-upset-54646.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:11:21 GMT To ALL Time # TWO!!! from Deburpletiger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry for... To ALL Time # TWO!!! from Deburpletiger

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sorry for over-reacting. Not an excususe - I have beel ill the past week with flu, 2nd ap for Social Security, not greatest relationship and YES he knows about my addiction.....I'm probably on chance #16 - because yes, even tho I have a prescription for my pain meds, when I get emotionally stressed, I take extras. I am sorry I was not 100% honest. Actuall ALL is except yes, I am "relapsing"

I just don't like to be judged, felt like I was but bit the bullett and realized you were almost all exactly right.

I hope you accept apology, if NO, I understand. ]]> Featured Conditions Debpurpletiger http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/all-i-may-have-upset-54646.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/all-time-two-deburpletiger-54634.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:03:36 GMT Sorry for over-reacting. Not an excususe - I have beel ill the past week with flu, 2nd ap for Social Security, not greatest relationship and YES he... Sorry for over-reacting. Not an excususe - I have beel ill the past week with flu, 2nd ap for Social Security, not greatest relationship and YES he knows about my addiction.....I'm probably on chance #16 - because yes, even tho I have a prescription for my pain meds, when I get emotionally stressed, I take extras. I am sorry I was not 100% honest. Actuall ALL is except yes, I am "relapsing"

I just don't like to be judged, felt like I was but bit the bullett and realized you were almost all exactly right.

I hope you accept apology, if NO, I understand. ]]> Featured Conditions Debpurpletiger http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/all-time-two-deburpletiger-54634.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/robert325-about-ra-med-question-54633.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:52:22 GMT No it really is NOT me, I swear. His sysmptoms are swollen, red, inflamed joints, mainly in A.M., all the usual with RA which he was diagnosed with.... No it really is NOT me, I swear. His sysmptoms are swollen, red, inflamed joints, mainly in A.M., all the usual with RA which he was diagnosed with. HAS tried Methotrexate, made him very sick, is now tying ARAVA. But is there anything to get him off the STEROIDS - too many negative mind / mood effects.

IS INDOCIN a replacement for Prednisone???? For moods, etc... ]]> Featured Conditions Debpurpletiger http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/robert325-about-ra-med-question-54633.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/scary-situation-w-methadone-n-nubain-54626.html Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:34:49 GMT I'm gonna start with this

I do know how it feels to be in withdrawal from methadone because last year I was on 80mgs and I had to go to the er one nite because I had the worst stomache pain ever and the nurse ended up giving me morphine via iv and after 2 shots it really wasn't helping the pain so she decided to give me "something stronger" she said and as soon as it went in the iv, I felt like I was dying and she then asked if i was on any meds and I told her methadone and she was like " omg,your in severe w/d rite now,just calm down ok" . Let me tell you she gave me 10mgs of nubain and you can't mix it w/methadone and I was in the worst w/d ever. She actually told me I almost died it was that bad and inorder to stabilize me they had to give me shot after shot of morphine and deludid which obviously could have put me into an OD so I was very lucky to wake up the next day. I was high as hell for 3 days after that and it was awful and this is the main reason why i'm so afraid and want to get off the methadone becuase I don't want to be in a situation like that again.

Ok so now for my current issue:

I have been going to a clinic for about 1yr now and I'm currently on 120mgs a day of methadone and I want off. i'm so tired of going there everyday and I kinda feel like the methadone is a crutch in a way because i still have to drive everyday to get it or else i'll get sick if I don't have it after 2days and I don 't want to worry anymore about getting sick I want my life to be as normal as possible and eventhough I feel great and i'm proud of myself for what I have overcome this past year I just want off the methadone already.

Also,I do not have take homes due to living w/a mom who is in active addiction so imagine the hell I go through but thankfully I am strong or i would have never been able to do this. I have no support outside of my weekly group at the clinic and my counselor. Everyone else I know or knew is eithor out drinking at the bars everynite,on dope or pills,or doesn't care about anything so I usually stay to myself. It gets lonely and depressing obviously but i'm greatful for my son,he is what keeps me sane and clean. I have been through a hell of a lot in my life and eventhough I live w/an addict which isn't the best thing for me, I feel so much better now than ever and all I want to do is stay positive and sober so my little boy can have the mom he deserves.
If you can relate please give me some advice because i'm scared to drop the methadone the wrong way and end up sick. ]]> Featured Conditions babidolli22 http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/scary-situation-w-methadone-n-nubain-54626.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/what-best-drug-post-op-pain-54618.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:32:13 GMT Hi,

I'm going in for surgery next week and will need something for pain. It seems the only thing that doesn't make me nauseous is Vicodin. I take it for Fibromyalgia pain.

I have been given some meds after surgery that made me so sick I had to go on anti nausea suppositories.

For my last surgery the Vicodin didn't really help with the post op pain that well. I took 2 every 4 hours and it was hard. I was still in a lot of pain for 2 days.

BTW- I am having Occipital Neuromodulation surgery which involves putting electrodes under the skin in the back of my head and then will run a lead under the skin down my back to the battery which will be put in my left buttocks.

Thanks,

Larrk ]]> Featured Conditions Larrk http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/what-best-drug-post-op-pain-54618.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/opiate-withdrawl-what-do-you-think-54613.html Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:28:26 GMT What do you guys think the worst part of opiate with drawl is? For me, i believe the worst part is the cold sweats you get and the goose bumps. ... What do you guys think the worst part of opiate with drawl is?

For me, i believe the worst part is the cold sweats you get and the goose bumps.

I cant stand sitting there and sweating while being cold and getting the goose bumps at the same time. Also the back pain is another pain in the butt..

I find that the restless leg isnt that bad because its nothing a little nyquil wont fix. ]]> Featured Conditions HidingMyself http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-conditions/opiate-withdrawl-what-do-you-think-54613.html