http://www.drugs.com/forum/ General support and advice forum. Constructive advice only please. en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:51:07 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.drugs.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.drugs.com/forum/ http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/advice-methadone-taper-plan-63596.html Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:10:26 GMT Hi I have spent a little time browsing the site and hoped that someone would be able to assist me in devising a methadone taper plan. I have been on... Hi I have spent a little time browsing the site and hoped that someone would be able to assist me in devising a methadone taper plan. I have been on methadone through my pain mgt doctors for approx. 8 yrs and the last two years the average dose was 70-80mg. (before that I had been on pain med monthly on a per needed basis since I was 15 and I am now 42) After having 6 surgeries, I am finally feeling better and want to began reducing the methadone and hopefully be completely free of it if possible, well I am determined to make that part happen.

Before when I needed to reduce after surgery my previous pain mgt doctor always assisted me in my plan and had no problems. We moved and now this new doctor said to just reduce it as it feels comfortable. I don't mind discomfort if it helps to get off of this medication. At the time it was a life saver, due to numerous allergies and health issues it was the best long term pain medication choice for me, partly due to the low cost.

Anyway, I am seeking help to taper and know it will take a plan and time, I have the time and determination, now I need a good proven plan. I tend to do better with plans and goals, so if anyone would please share their knowledge and what has worked for them I would be very thankful.

I guess it would help to state that I am now at 60mg, I went down 10mg each week for two weeks, since I had not been on 80mg for long I knew that would not be a problem. I did just fine with that and will soon have been a full week at 60mg.

I can get the doctor to switch my medication over once I get on a lower dose but I would rather be free of the methadone and then see what my pain situation is like before making that decision, now that may not be possible but its what I am hoping for but the goal is to get off of the methadone.
Thanks to anyone who can help. ]]> Need to Talk? 2BeFreeofThem http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/advice-methadone-taper-plan-63596.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/dropping-say-hello-all-63595.html Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:13:31 GMT Hello :)

Just thought i'd pop in and see how everyone is doing. ]]> Need to Talk? Lost_soldier http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/dropping-say-hello-all-63595.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/married-addicted-nurse-we-have-baby-together-help-63593.html Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:06:39 GMT Hey, I don't really know where else to turn, and I'm hoping that someone out there could give me an idea of what they would do in my shoes.

My wife is addicted to Lortab. She had an injury years ago and has been taking some form of pain medication ever since. The last 6 months have been downright traumatizing, including the loss of both her parents, my father, our car got repossessed, and her car is close to being repossessed as well.

When she gets a script, they're gone inside a week (Last script of 90 10mgs was gone in 4 days). She has me calling anyone and everyone I know who can get some for her, and she has just recently started demanding I go to the urgent care to pretend to be hurt to get a script for her. I have told her that I wouldn't do that, and she replys with some insinuation that I don't love her.

She has also recently started talking about suicide A LOT, she even took her mothers ashes and went AWOL when I went to the store. Come to find out she went to the cemetery where her father is buried with a bunch of pills, some insulin, and a knife. She said she didn't go through with it because she got there just before church was starting, and didn't want someone to see her and call an ambulance.

She asked me about the phone number to a divorce attorney, and when I questioned it she said "Because we're getting divorced" Why? "Because you don't give a damn about me"... She then said it was actually for her friend and that she was just messing with me.

I'm really starting to sweat this as we are currently spinning down the drain and I don't know how to put the brakes on. Shes now on day 3 since not having any, and it's going to get worse... As I said, she's a nurse, and she will end up losing her license if she goes into rehab or therapy, plus she has a legitimate injury which makes it 10 times harder to get away from pain meds.

I hope someone can help me out here. ]]> Need to Talk? A672749 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/married-addicted-nurse-we-have-baby-together-help-63593.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/new-blue-63591.html Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:47:14 GMT I have recently begun following the posts on this forum due to the unpleasentness of opioid withdrawal. I see that there is an astonishing number of... I have recently begun following the posts on this forum due to the unpleasentness of opioid withdrawal. I see that there is an astonishing number of people like myself who have found themselves caught in the cycle of addiction. The posts have been, for the most part, both supportive and informative. I would like to engage anyone in a conversation who is clean and committed to staying that way. Please reply ASAP. Thank you. ]]> Need to Talk? Cldtrky http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/new-blue-63591.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/detoxing-oxycodone-switching-suboxone-need-dosage-advice-63590.html Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:52:25 GMT At the very worst, my friend's habit was about 45-60mg of roxicodone/day, usually intranasally. This lasted for about 5 months total. He's currently at about 48 hours without touching any type of pain pill. He recently obtained an 8mg strip of suboxone and is looking for advice on the best way to take it. He -does not- want to replace one addiction with another so is looking to take the smallest dosages possible and stop as soon as possible without suffering extreme levels of dopesickness.

How much should he be dosing and how frequently?

How long can he expect to be on suboxone? ]]> Need to Talk? silence07 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/detoxing-oxycodone-switching-suboxone-need-dosage-advice-63590.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/cymbalta-question-63588.html Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:56:49 GMT I've been in 60 mg Cymbalta for 5 weeks. I keep having more down/ crying days that I thought I would. The 2nd week I had happy times now the past week I've been sad mad and very irritable. Anyone else take it and get this'd way. Thx ]]> Need to Talk? Mimi Kay http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/cymbalta-question-63588.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/making-switch-subs-help-support-advice-63584.html Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:46:53 GMT Hi everyone, i have been reading this board for amonth now and not for me but the love of my life my son. He abused pain pills after a hip injury... Hi everyone, i have been reading this board for amonth now and not for me but the love of my life my son. He abused pain pills after a hip injury and before he told me it had been going on for 8 months or so, he listened to some friends and went to a meth clinic as he is so afraid of wd's, since he tried himself before (I had no idea) welll i got him to a psychiatrist that specializes in addicitions and the meth was the worse thing he could have done for HIM (i realize this has helped many and saves many from other things) but for him it has gotten to the point where work is noticing things, he always has problems keeping eyes open, always tired and he drives a company car. With that said he never got higher than 70 over a 3 month period and started coming back down as soon as he stabilized as he hates it. He has an appointment on thursday at a suboxone place that his doctor is a director at, and after reading all this i know he should have gotten lower than 50 but he is NOT going back there. this morning was his last dose and I have told him we hime and i will be using the COWS test and WE will be starting at the lowest dose possible and moving up only when absolutely needed. Just trying to find out how sick he will be since he was not down to 20-30mg. by the way the doc told him anything under 60 of meth you can make the switch but all i've learned here is she also doesnt know what she is doing she is just a director at this clinic but a psychiatrist in general if you know what i mean. Please help me guide him so he has the least wd's i started him on vitamins and supplements but this stuff scares me so much. had i of known all going on i would not have let him walk in that clinic to begin with but it's too late for that now. any support/advice is appreicated. He does not live with me so will be going up to spend the weekend with him once this starts to get him through the first 4 days and hope he stabilizes on the subs. his goal is to get stable on them and get off as quick as possible, he is mentally drained from this and it is such a psychological test above true symptoms of w/d. i'm going to try to show him how to get on here and be able to get support this way too but he is not a real computer guy, but will try to show him around the site. You all are so great and supporting to each other it is a wonderful thing to read. Also, not sure i am even getting around correctly but hope this works. thanks
Mom that cares. ]]> Need to Talk? newbeginning2013 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/making-switch-subs-help-support-advice-63584.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/about-start-my-med-abstinence-prep-suboxone-63581.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:33:03 GMT Hey friends,

I apologize if this question pops up a million times as I'm sure it does. I've been smoking and snorting heroin for a while now. Maybe a month or two. I just got my first box of suboxone film. I'm looking at the COWS sheet, and it says heroin is a short-acting opiate and waiting 12-24 hours is safe. Now, I smoked my last little bit just now at 7pm. Does the dope stay in the system for less time than say shooting it? I'm thinking about taking the first half of a subo strip tomorrow morning when I wake up, as I usually feel pretty withdrawaly and >>>>ty in the morning. That should be at least 15 hours. Do you guys think I should wait out the full 24 hours? If I take it too soon and go into full WDs, what's the best thing to do?
Thanks for any help guys. ]]> Need to Talk? Shwaig http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/about-start-my-med-abstinence-prep-suboxone-63581.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/my-journey-suboxone-pain-meds-63580.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:38:01 GMT I remember when I came to this forum in 10-12, there were some really amazing folks on here that helped me with Suboxone taper. I am back to check in... I remember when I came to this forum in 10-12, there were some really amazing folks on here that helped me with Suboxone taper. I am back to check in and let people know that I took what I learned and have applied it to my new experience. Brief history had a bad motorcycle accident in 06-11 was left with a lot of injuries that had multiple surgeries and pain meds ( I never abused or misused them). I had been put on Suboxone because I wanted to know what was real pain and what was from the pain meds, long story short my PM doctor put me on Suboxone and this forum helped taper. I went back to school and work but still suffered great pain until I started losing the use of my right arm and woke up one day without the use of my arms was rushed into surgery for 3 cervical disc removal cage and fushion. My neck had sustained injuries that were undiagnosed, and will need another back surgery in my lumbar region as well as a crack in my hip with spurs that have developed. I have permanent nerve damage and pain, but I have learned that pain meds dont have to run me or be in withdrawls. since my surgery I have tapered down to over half of the original dose (I was on and 90mg Ms Contin and 75mg Oxy IR a day) currently on 30mg Ms Contin and 40mg Oxy IR learning to handle the pain with meditation and awareness of when I take Meds what are my reasons. Kikker and Rose you both were my mentors THANK YOU. I hope that my share may help another on this forum, that just because things happen there is no reason not to use the help and guidance from others here. The help and support I recieved gave me hope, courage, and valuable guidance on how to taper with success.
Kikker hope you are blessed, Al told me of what has happened to you so sorry for your troubles. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rose Hope you are getting through the stuff with your mom as well and youre in my thoughts and prayers.
Harry Hope to hear from you your in my thoughts and prayers too. ]]> Need to Talk? came2b http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/my-journey-suboxone-pain-meds-63580.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/could-use-some-suboxone-help-63579.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:33:57 GMT I think more then anything I'm hoping for some guidance here. Was up to about 300mg of oxycodone a day towards the end of about 2 years, completely recreationally & in secret to my wife & family. I'm on suboxone now since may 27, also in secret, inducted at 6, immediately went to 4 the following day & stayed there for 4 days. Since I've been doing the 25% reduction every four days & for the most part I've been fine. At this pace, I'll be done in a month & I'm wondering if that's ok? Am I doing this right? How should I feel when I'm done? Any advice would be completely appreciated, thank you! ]]> Need to Talk? Kings12 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/could-use-some-suboxone-help-63579.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/need-help-oxycodone-63578.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:10:41 GMT I am curious about passing a drug screen (urine). someone I know took a 5mg Roxicodone IR on Friday around 3:00 PM and another on Sunday around 11... I am curious about passing a drug screen (urine). someone I know took a 5mg Roxicodone IR on Friday around 3:00 PM and another on Sunday around 11 A.M. and one on Monday around 8:00 P.M. They had to take a drug screen today Thursday at around 12:00 P.M. Just curious if they should be o.k. They bought a 12 panel First Check home test yesterday and they came back clean for oxy and everything else to include opiates. But oxy had its own test on the first check home drug test. According to his companies drug policy they only test for 5 drugs and oxy is not listed. But he said on his paper work today the test he took today was a code of 89700 and it gets sent to medtox. It was a non-samsha non- dot. Any help would be great. ]]> Need to Talk? mike189 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/need-help-oxycodone-63578.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/little-about-me-if-youre-suffering-lets-chat-63577.html Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:22:38 GMT Hey all. I just turned 29 yesterday and as of today I've managed to stay clean and sober for almost?... 10 months now. The longest I've ever gone. I've also been using about 16mg of suboxone a day. I've actually been using it correctly this time around! My doctor has a two year program where you slowly taper off. I've been addicted to heroin, coke, meth, pills, alcohol. Heroin stayed the doc for 7 years. Many attempts to stay clean. Many failed attempts. As my disease progressed so did the consequences. Rehab, jail, homeless, hospital. Etc probably like most of the addicts of my nature. Suboxone has been a miracle for me. No cravings. But I still get constipated but ill deal with it if it means I'm not running out to stick a needle in my arm every time I stub my toe. I've felt withdrawals at all levels of severity. Suboxone included. Basically have seen the face of the devil. Although I'm scared my insurance will fall apart or I won't be able to afford it... I really have to live 24 hours at a time. And thank God I'm asleep for 8 hours of it! I'm NOT looking forward to another withdrawal but when the day comes get yourself these:
Cable tv
Clean sheets
Ice cream/sorbet
Healthy juices, water, pedilyte
Cut up some fruit... Cheese and crackers
Have your doctor prescribe you a benzodiazepine... 30+
And clonidine... A blood pressure medication they've been prescribing to opiate addicts for decades... It helps with the aches, shakes, sweats and anxiety as well
Get a bottle of Imodium for the poo
Get something for your nausea too.
Get out and walk or bike as much as you can. Just do it.
Take this time to reflect on the past and look forward to your wide open future. You never have to feel like this again. Just hold on tight. One of these mornings you will start to feel a little better ... And a little more. It's science!

Praying for all you suffering

-j ]]> Need to Talk? MplsIsMyHome http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/little-about-me-if-youre-suffering-lets-chat-63577.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/any-advice-63574.html Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:50:03 GMT Im 33, mom of 3 and wife. I decided today that this is it! Ive been taking opiates for almost 7 yrs. I receive 90 perk 10s a month and they last me 2... Im 33, mom of 3 and wife. I decided today that this is it! Ive been taking opiates for almost 7 yrs. I receive 90 perk 10s a month and they last me 2 weeks. For the last 2 weeks im buying vikes, perks and spending, sometimes 3 to 350 dollars a month. Im scared to death of the symptoms im about to face because of all the responsibility i have. Im closest to 300 lbs and am a server at a fast paced restaurant. I cant call off and i cant call off from being a mommy. My husband says hes on board (he doesn't take pills) but i don't think he even half way understands what is really about to happen. I have no way of getting anything to help me unless its otc. My mind is made up TODAY that this is it! Im scared thoughand i dont want to give up on this! Im done with this hinderence in my life
Can someone please help me and tell me some ways to soften this blow? Symptoms have already started! ]]> Need to Talk? care5 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/any-advice-63574.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/36-day-63573.html Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:38:42 GMT Hello everyone, as my title and name suggests I have a bit of a problem. I'm addicted to hydrocodone.

To put it simply, I was taking 4 1/2 10/325s every 2 hours, sometimes less than that if I felt like it. That was at the peak of my addiction at least. I hadn't always been like this, it started out innocently enough, I had a wisdom tooth removed and received a rx for some 5/325s about 2 years ago. They definitely helped with the post removal pain, and had an added effect of putting me in a very energetic mood. I had a refill and filled it once I took a closer look at the bottle, with the intention of having them collect dust up in a shelf somewhere just in case I needed them. But, about 2-3 weeks after that, I took the bottle down and started taking 1 a day with a 3-4 day buffer in between and eventually, I ran out. At that point I had no withdrawals what so ever, only the disappointment that I no longer had an energy booster that didn't give me headaches 5 hours down the road like red bull does.

Maybe 3-4 months after that, I had my first chance to take a 10/325, and boy that made the 5/325 look like candy. At that point, I started taking 1 a day constantly. Unfortunately for me, as with any addiction, my hunger only grew. 1 a day simply wasn't enough anymore after a while, and now I've ended up here.

I used to joke with myself and say, well I know when to stop once I start having liver problems, or I'll stop when I take so many my spine cracks open from the built up cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

However I came to the startling realization a few days ago, that if I cannot stop this, the only thing that would is my death. And so I began to ween myself off with some determination.

This is my 5th day of weening and I've been taking 1 pill every 2 hours. The leg cramps are horrendous, almost unbearable. Thankfully they weren't as bad this morning as they were yesterday, but today I decided to completely stop after the first pill of the day. I'm hoping I can manage this, I hope to God almighty I can, because the thought of taking 3 at once keeps growing, it's scratching at the back of my mind like a caged up animal. I know the discomfort would melt away and I would feel pretty good for probably the rest of the day, but what about that morning after that?

I guess what I'm here for is some encouragement. I've been able to keep my mind off the withdrawal symptoms by multitasking but I think maybe talking to someone might be even better. I live alone and have no one I would want to talk to about this. I pride myself on being independent and not having to rely on others, but this is something I think I might need someones help on lol. ]]> Need to Talk? Yellow3601 http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/36-day-63573.html http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/high-dosage-help-x-2-my-1st-thread-1st-call-help-63568.html Tue, 11 Jun 2013 05:44:02 GMT I need EXPERIENCED help, it doesn't have to be from Robert_325 or Melinda7.5 I wouldn't want anyone to feel as overwhelmed by all of my problems as I do, I just need serious advice as my dependence on Oxycontin 80s (2 a day) and Oxycodone 30s (12-14 a day) is a high dosage. I don't care to explain why (just yet) that I'll have to get all of these Very Soon, but it is all coming fast-I possibly won't be able to get scripts within a month (unless I find another doctor, which is a possibility and in that case I'd ask to be weaned down slowly) and I'm paying a TON for medical insurance. Currently I'm unemployed, but I need to find a job with insurance soon. That shouldn't be too hard but I do have a little cushion to halt my search and take care of this. So now maybe you're asking, "Why doesn't she just go to an inpatient rehab?" Well, that may be an option I'll HAVE to take if Thomas's recipe turns into a disaster, but I have a husband to think about-he's in this same boat too. So the 80s and the 30s are actually split between us and that makes any change in the dosage drastically affect us. He always runs through his share Fast, so at least he's used to being sick a few days or a week, but I've always rationed mine so I haven't been without for longer than 1 day in 5-6 years. I want to know what exactly happens in inpatient detox, like what drugs do they give you, do they just knock you out if you start freaking out, where the best places are. Before I do that I want to try to do it at home but I'm almost positive I'd end up in the ER, so I thought maybe I'd save a little money if I could arrange the detox facility-but that still poses a problem for my husband-he DOES NOT have insurance OR a script, so wouldn't I get reported for "sharing"meds, thus making it hard/impossible for either of us to ever get any drugs, should we need them, in the future? I'm thinking I'd still need hydro 10s afterwards to have any Quality of Life, but would like to start from 0 and reassess my pain from there. I don't wanna be on subs or methodone the rest of my life either, but I'll do what I must to keep us Both Alive so I could try the Sub Taper or whatev is best.

Please Pray For Us. ]]> Need to Talk? 2GoodAtLookingNormal http://www.drugs.com/forum/need-talk/high-dosage-help-x-2-my-1st-thread-1st-call-help-63568.html