[LondonToLA]

I apologize in advance for not being so eloquent or coherant with this post, trust me that I'm exactly 36 hours sober from a 50mg Hydro habit. The physical and emotional pains that I am going through are like none other I've had ever. I've been crying all morning, can't sleep a wink, I'm even trying to wean down my 10mg per night Ambien dosage. I feel like I've hit rock bottom.

I went to my doctor on Wednesday afternoon to admit that I've had a 3rd relapse. He referred me to an outpatient clinic, gave me a script for 15 tablets of .5mg Klonopin & said that he would no longer treat me if I didn't finally get help. Just FYI my doctor is awesome and I know that he said it & meant it to give me a major kick in the ass that I needed.

I took yesterday and today off from work and I have a scheduled vacation from 2/16 - 2/22. I was supposed to go visit family out of state, but I physically cannot travel. Thank God my boss has said that I have not risked my job over this.

I know I'm only on day 2-ish of Opiate WD's, but it feels horrible emotionally and physically.

I did my outpatient intake yesterday which I was barely able to complete as I was a sobbing wreck. I have my first meeting from 6pm-9pm tonight and I'm scared as ****. I feel like such a failure.

Do you think it would be okay to take two Klonopin (1mg) today or should I really stick with the .5mg. The last Klonopin I took was at 1:30am today and it's now 8:50am where I live.

I researched Suboxone and I didn't think that replacing an opiate with an opiate would be a good idea, but now I'm not so sure. Thanks for listening.

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by LondonToLA

I apologize in advance for not being so eloquent or coherant with this post, trust me that I'm exactly 36 hours sober from a 50mg Hydro habit. The physical and emotional pains that I am going through are like none other I've had ever. I've been crying all morning, can't sleep a wink, I'm even trying to wean down my 10mg per night Ambien dosage. I feel like I've hit rock bottom.

I went to my doctor on Wednesday afternoon to admit that I've had a 3rd relapse. He referred me to an outpatient clinic, gave me a script for 15 tablets of .5mg Klonopin & said that he would no longer treat me if I didn't finally get help. Just FYI my doctor is awesome and I know that he said it & meant it to give me a major kick in the ass that I needed.

I took yesterday and today off from work and I have a scheduled vacation from 2/16 - 2/22. I was supposed to go visit family out of state, but I physically cannot travel. Thank God my boss has said that I have not risked my job over this.

I know I'm only on day 2-ish of Opiate WD's, but it feels horrible emotionally and physically.

I did my outpatient intake yesterday which I was barely able to complete as I was a sobbing wreck. I have my first meeting from 6pm-9pm tonight and I'm scared as ****. I feel like such a failure.

Do you think it would be okay to take two Klonopin (1mg) today or should I really stick with the .5mg. The last Klonopin I took was at 1:30am today and it's now 8:50am where I live.

I researched Suboxone and I didn't think that replacing an opiate with an opiate would be a good idea, but now I'm not so sure. Thanks for listening.

Hi LOndon
I would only quit one thing at a time,I would leave the ambien alone right now. Just get off Hydro's first...
I put the thomas recipe up for you it will help a little bit..

Thomas Detox Recipe
PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas

This recipe is designed for cold turkey opiate detox. It assumes that you can get about 5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a smokescreen, hide behind a bad case of the flu.

If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll need
Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store). [generic brand anti-diarrheal is fine. Don't take it unless really uncomfortable]
L-Tyrosine* (500 mg caps) from the health food store.* [See Warning]
Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
Vitamin B6 caps. [or stress B-complex?]
Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available). [many gyms offer free trials]
How to use the recipe
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst W/D symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. [melatonin worked well after day 4 for me. Sleeplessness sometimes hangs on awhile]

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate W/D symptom. [I like Epsom salts in the tub. Forces Magnesium into the muscles]

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. DON'T TAKE IT, however, if you don't need it.[Diarrhea is the bodies way to aid in the detox so take Immodium or generic for the comfort factor, if needed]

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate W/D malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine*. Try 2000 mg, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mg. Take the L-Tyrosine* with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine* will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine* can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate W/D, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine* is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. [*Read the Warning first! *L-Tyrosine* is great. *SamE 400* mg works for mood too]

With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better. [Walking gets the blood and lymph systems working, helping you detox better.]

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you. [Very important note]

[WARNING If you are on anti-Depressants, use medical supervision on L-Tyrosine, SamE and all mood enhancers. There can be a risk if taking L-Tyrosine, 5 HTP if you are on a tricyclic or a MAIO antidepressant's ...It can cause a spike in blood pressure.]

Let's see if you can get thru this with the cold turkey method first before you try any of the subs...
I know you can do it ...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi LOndon
I would only quit one thing at a time,I would leave the ambien alone right now. Just get off Hydro's first...
I put the thomas recipe up for you it will help a little bit..
....
Let's see if you can get thru this with the cold turkey method first before you try any of the subs...
I know you can do it ...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

Thanks Melinda. I should have mentioned that I tried the Thomas Recipe during my last WD relapse, and it seemed to work well. I just somehow don't remember feeling THIS bad physically or mentally.

Can I just be blunt and ask, in your opinion, on average, how many days does it really take before you start to feel better. I know today is day two (48 hours as of 3pm today - in 6 more hours), and I have a rough road ahead.

Some day 4 days, some day 7, others 10? I know it's different for each person, but coming off a 50mg Hydro addiction cold turkey, what is your opinion on how long WD's will last?

And thanks for the info re: the Ambien. I will just limit my dosage to ONE 10mg pill each night until I have the Hydro WD done with (hopefully!).

I assume it's OKAY to take Ibuprofin for the aches? I know it's 3 hours before I should take my next Klonopin, but I'm going to take .5mg now w/200MG Ibuprofin & see if that helps.

Thanks.

London.

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by LondonToLA

Thanks Melinda. I should have mentioned that I tried the Thomas Recipe during my last WD relapse, and it seemed to work well. I just somehow don't remember feeling THIS bad physically or mentally.

Can I just be blunt and ask, in your opinion, on average, how many days does it really take before you start to feel better. I know today is day two (48 hours as of 3pm today - in 6 more hours), and I have a rough road ahead.

Some day 4 days, some day 7, others 10? I know it's different for each person, but coming off a 50mg Hydro addiction cold turkey, what is your opinion on how long WD's will last?

And thanks for the info re: the Ambien. I will just limit my dosage to ONE 10mg pill each night until I have the Hydro WD done with (hopefully!).

I assume it's OKAY to take Ibuprofin for the aches? I know it's 3 hours before I should take my next Klonopin, but I'm going to take .5mg now w/200MG Ibuprofin & see if that helps.

Thanks.

London.

Hi London
I know it's not funny...But Oh man I think it gets worse every time we relapse...LOL...
As far as how long it took me about 4 days but I did a taper I was down to two 5mg vic's a day when I stopped... but I have seen a few people that are doing OK after 4 or 5 days...I don't think you were dosing that high to have to much of a hard time..
If the klonopin helps for the next couple of days,I wouldn't worry about that either just don't take it for more than a few days... or you can get yourself in trouble with that to...But not in a few days...The Ibuprofen will be fine also...
Talk to you later, Melinda

[Sue13]

I am sorry you are suffering with this, but keep going! BTW, sobbing is part of it. I surely did a lot of it on Day 2. But if you get through day 2, day 3 is no fun, but get out and exercise! Tell your mind to shut up, your body can do it, and it will help a lot. Don't give your mind a chance to dwell on "misery"; make it think about how great it is going to be when you are off this stuff.

Wishing you success,
Sue

[money_chick]

How long was your relapse? I find that if my relapse is short, my wds are too. Same if its long.

I remember you quiting on here before.....

If I can be any help, let me know.

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by money_chick

How long was your relapse? I find that if my relapse is short, my wds are too. Same if its long.

I remember you quiting on here before.....

If I can be any help, let me know.

Thanks all for your responses! I stopped taking vikes/norcos about 1 week prior to Christmas and it was pure hell. I stopped cold for about a week, and then when I started to feel better, I got tempted again by someone who gave me a bunch of free stuff, so I stupidly took the free vikes. That lead to an increasing dosage, and I haven't stopped until this Wednesday.

As a footnote, I'm going out to get my hair cut and to get some Ensure as I can't really keep anything down (not from throwing up, no more needs to be said!) & have no appetite. My Mom is quite ill so it looks like I am going to HAVE to go to Texas tomorrow - no way around it. My counselor printed out a bunch of NA meetings in the area where I'll be. I'm scared as hell because those will be my first NA meetings ever AND because I want to be strong for my Mom, but I feel so emotionally & physically weak.

I know it gets better from here (or at least that's the theory). I just have to get through what sounds like 2 - 3 more days of this sh*t, then I'll be over the worst of the physical WD and can then focus on my recovery; my job; and my partner.

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi London
I know it's not funny...But Oh man I think it gets worse every time we relapse...LOL...
As far as how long it took me about 4 days but I did a taper I was down to two 5mg vic's a day when I stopped... but I have seen a few people that are doing OK after 4 or 5 days...I don't think you were dosing that high to have to much of a hard time..
If the klonopin helps for the next couple of days,I wouldn't worry about that either just don't take it for more than a few days... or you can get yourself in trouble with that to...But not in a few days...The Ibuprofen will be fine also...
Talk to you later, Melinda

Wow Melinda, you are pretty experienced with this issue (meant with all due respect!). I am on day four and I feel about 10 times better than I did on Day 2. I still feel kind of edgy and anxious, and I am still taking my Ambien at night to get a few hours of sleep, but at least I'm off of the opiates. I took what I HOPE will be my last dose of Klonopin about 1/2 an hour ago (.5mg) just so I can take what's left of the edge off and go about my day with as much normality as possible.

I don't know how I did it, but I went to my first group outpatient meeting on Friday, feeling like absolute hell. I then forced myself to travel to Texas to visit my Mom yesterday, so I am out of state, and WAY out of the reach of any type of opiate (I know no one here except my folks & they have nothing in terms of drugs). I think that each day will probably get a little better. My appetite is stil weird - I'm hungry, but can't really eat all that much (quite honestly unless I take an Ambien, then 30 minutes later I can definately chow a PowerBar no problem). I am drinking coffee, tea, and vitamin water as much as I can to keep myself hydrated throughout the day.

I just wanted to post this update to let people know that I do feel better on Day 4. Melinda has been a great help to me on these boards and I am determined, through IOP, not to let Opiates ruin and run my life again.

London

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by LondonToLA

Wow Melinda, you are pretty experienced with this issue (meant with all due respect!). I am on day four and I feel about 10 times better than I did on Day 2. I still feel kind of edgy and anxious, and I am still taking my Ambien at night to get a few hours of sleep, but at least I'm off of the opiates. I took what I HOPE will be my last dose of Klonopin about 1/2 an hour ago (.5mg) just so I can take what's left of the edge off and go about my day with as much normality as possible.

I don't know how I did it, but I went to my first group outpatient meeting on Friday, feeling like absolute hell. I then forced myself to travel to Texas to visit my Mom yesterday, so I am out of state, and WAY out of the reach of any type of opiate (I know no one here except my folks & they have nothing in terms of drugs). I think that each day will probably get a little better. My appetite is stil weird - I'm hungry, but can't really eat all that much (quite honestly unless I take an Ambien, then 30 minutes later I can definately chow a PowerBar no problem). I am drinking coffee, tea, and vitamin water as much as I can to keep myself hydrated throughout the day.

I just wanted to post this update to let people know that I do feel better on Day 4. Melinda has been a great help to me on these boards and I am determined, through IOP, not to let Opiates ruin and run my life again.

London

Hi London
I don't know if I should be proud of that...LOL..
But I Have been there a time or two
Over the next couple of weeks your nervous system Will settle down and your body will start to get back t normal...
I still take ambien when I cant sleep, I just try not to take it all the time..
But I have never had any withdrawals from it...

What part of Texas are you in...My best friend lives in Houston...
I hope your mom is doing ok....Seems like everything happens to us when we stop are drugs...Makes you wonder...
I really think you got it this time...
Your even making the meetings and your appetite will come back I think I lost 20 pounds when I stopped all of my drugs...
We are all proud of you...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

Hi everyone. I wanted to give you an update on what's going on with me. I started my self-detox at home on 2/12 (my last dose of Hydro was 2/11), and I continued my detox in Texas from 2/14 - 2/21. It was absolute hell: the best & worst thing that has happened to me. I am happy to tell you that I've been doing an Intensive Outpatient Program @ a local hospital 3 nights a week for 3 hours each session. I started on 2/13, then took some time off when I was in Texas, and restarted this past Monday. I've been free of any and all opiates since 2/12/09.

I realize I need to work on quitting Ambien now as I think I am aware that I'm starting to switch my weekend drug-taking habits from Opiates to Ambien. I've just got to quit it or taper or something, but I can't be taking Ambien 5 x a day on a Sunday just due to boredom. Replacing one drug with another is not good.

I also (embarassingly) received a "preventing polypharmacy" letter from my health insurance. The letter didn't accuse me of anything, but said that they did a routine audit on my account & notice that I take a lot of meds. While this is true, only Xanax and Ambien are the only controlled substances that I am legally prescribed. I also take Simcor, Prozac, Inderal, and Allegra on a daily basis. The Xanax is as needed and the Ambien...well.....

Has anyone else received a "polypharmacy" letter from their insurance company? Is this anything to be worried about? I haven't been doctor shopping, nor have I filled an opiate script since 11/2008. The letter just irked & embarrassed me.

Thank You all for your help, Especially Melinda. I can't remember the last time that I was 18-days clean of all opiates!

[melinda7.5]

Hi London
I'm so glad to hear from you..I was wondering about how you were doing...
18 days is great I know how that feels...OH man its good ...

I don't think I got a polypharmacy letter...LOL...
BUT my insurance company gave me my own nurse advocate..she would call me like once a week...Talk about embarrassing...

I have quit the ambien a couple times its no big deal..there is really no withdrawals just hard to get to sleep for a couple days...
but I know what you mean about replacing one drug with another...
Its a little hard to relearn how to do things without drugs.
But you have come this far and I know you will make it the rest of the way..
I hope you are really proud of yourself.you have been thru allot and have stood up to it all and just shook it off...

Thanks for checking in and I hope we hear from you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi London
I'm so glad to hear from you..I was wondering about how you were doing...
18 days is great I know how that feels...OH man its good ...

I don't think I got a polypharmacy letter...LOL...
BUT my insurance company gave me my own nurse advocate..she would call me like once a week...Talk about embarrassing...

I have quit the ambien a couple times its no big deal..there is really no withdrawals just hard to get to sleep for a couple days...
but I know what you mean about replacing one drug with another...
Its a little hard to relearn how to do things without drugs.
But you have come this far and I know you will make it the rest of the way..
I hope you are really proud of yourself.you have been thru allot and have stood up to it all and just shook it off...

Thanks for checking in and I hope we hear from you soon, Melinda

Thanks Melinda for everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING! I'm 23 days sober from any type of opiate today. I spoke with my doctor & gave him an update and asked him to switch me from Ambien to something else (as I like Ambien too much for the wrong reasons!). He said he'll note to stop refilling Ambien and to switch to Rozerem. So...after tonight, I'll be doing the switcharoo on sleep meds. I know it's probably best to just get off of the damn things in general, so I'm kind of struggling with that thought too.

I've just got to keep myself occupied this weekend, or tire myself out somehow, right? If only it were that easy!

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by LondonToLA

Thanks Melinda for everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING! I'm 23 days sober from any type of opiate today. I spoke with my doctor & gave him an update and asked him to switch me from Ambien to something else (as I like Ambien too much for the wrong reasons!). He said he'll note to stop refilling Ambien and to switch to Rozerem. So...after tonight, I'll be doing the switcharoo on sleep meds. I know it's probably best to just get off of the damn things in general, so I'm kind of struggling with that thought too.

I've just got to keep myself occupied this weekend, or tire myself out somehow, right? If only it were that easy!

Hi london
from what I know about rozerem it works allot like melatonin. so I do think it will be better for you.will you do me a favor and let me know how it works for you.I might have to give it a try...
we are all really proud of you.
You have worked really hard at this...
Have a great day !!!
talk to you soon, Melinda

[Sue13]

Hi London,

I am glad to hear you are doing so well! Re: sleep problems-I still have them at two months away from Hydro...but I just get up and do something. ...and I take a nap when I feel like it.

Sue

[fuzzman24]

hello, I am not sure if you said you were taking hydrocodone or oxycodone but doesnt matter in this post, both opiates.
I have been on suboxone for about a year now, I was a 10 to 12 10mg a day lortab and perc user for 2 years. I first started out on 8 mg a day of the suboxone and I understand your fear with replacing with another narcotic.

Suboxone is the 1 thing and I believe the only thing that has kept me clean for 11 months now (quit drinking as well). It is a wonderful drug for opiate users who truly want to stop. usually you are not on it for the length of time I have been but everyone is different and My drug and alcohol Dr. has kept me on it (4mg a day and have been there fro 8 months) because of alot of other issues I have going on in my life. I have OCD, am very depressed and have anxiety due to stress (or so im told on the last one).

I guess what im trying to say is that even though it seems wrong to go from one narcotic to another it truly does work for at least getting you off an opiate addiction which none of us can control when we reach that stage. not sure if you have found a way to cope or what you decided to do but I just wanted to share my experience about suboxone and how well it worked for me (I will go off of it at some point but one thing at a time for me, just switched to wellbutrin, and starting psychology sessions on the 18 of march.

It has been a long rough road for me but im still clean from percs and lortabs.

I hope this helped at all, its 3am and I just woke up with a headache so forgive me if I stepped out of line posting this so late in the thread. I didnt read all the way just mostly your first post.

[mpvt]

What people don't understand about buprenorphene and methadone is that they are not trading one drug addiction for another. These drugs let the brain and body revert back to a /or as normal a chemical state as before abuse. Also, you're not in active addiction mode which lets you get cntrol of your life and get things rolling again. People that think or tell you that you're just trading one problem for another don't have a clue what they are tlking about. Tell them to educate themselves before trying to push there uninformed beliefs on us. I have seen it in clinics where people come in and you think''Sufferin Je sus this guy isn't going to make it'' because they look so bad and their attitude is bad as they are in active addiction mode. After 1 year a lot of times these people are almost unrecognizable and do very well. Methadone is usually or should be reserved for addicts that have tried everything else and are severely addicted as it usually require the patient to be on it for years or life. ORT (Opiate Replacement Therapy) such as methadone and buprenorphene are the way of the future in opiate treatment and everyone needs to educate themselves on these meds. Good luck......Dave

[LondonToLA]

Just a quick note with apologies as I realize that I never come here unless I'm in deep ****. I know that, and I am really sorry if you (especially Melinda) feel like your advice has gone to waste: it hasn't.

I had been clean (but not going to meetings - just IOP - bad choice I know) since 2/12/09, and since then each month I got to 28 days and then WHAM - I relapsed. The relapses were just for 1 or 2 days, and then I stopped. Until around 4/28/09, when I decided that I didn't need my IOP program and all I needed was a couple of Vicodin - I could handle it, right? WRONG!

Long story short, I'm on day 3 of WD from a relapse of 30mg Hydro per day. I was taking he hydro from 4/28 - 5/13/09.

I had forgotten how SEVERE the WD feels and how HORRIBLE the feeling gets with each relapse. I went back to my IOP yesterday and am going back 5x per week (they're ****ing awesome).

My questions are:

1) I was prescribed Suboxone yesterday (2mg twice a day) but I didn't get the script filled. Do you think I might be through the worst of WD's and I should hold off on the sub?

2) I'm also an admitted Ambien addict, and have been regularly taking 3 or 4 10mg pills per night for over a year. I am really going to try to taper down: do you think that going cold-turkey off that much Ambien taken for that long can be dangerous?

I've asked my suboxone-prescribing doc those two questions and his answer to #1 was: you should take it, you'll feel better within 24 - 48 hours. There will be no withdrawal from Suboxone. His answer to #2 was that I should try to taper, but it's not dangerous to quit Ambien cold turkey.

Any advice on any of the things I've posted would be of great help.

I'm in SO MUCH WD pain, I feel like my skin is crawling, I can't eat, I have the runs, and (even with Ambien) I can't sleep!

[melinda7.5]

Hi London
girlfriend you can come back here as many times as you need too!!!
Hey LOL...It just so happens I'm sleeping with the boss... ( Robert ) LOL
You know he is the master at subs...Im going to call him right now and will see what he says...
I will talk to you in a bit...
Melinda

[Robert_325]

With you having three days clean behind you I would stick it out another day or two max and you'll be better. I promise you will. There is no reason to start the subs now.

You haven't been taking that much for a long time to even merit going on suboxone especially with three days behind you now.

I was never a big user of ambien. Melinda can tell you better about ambien than me. I forget things when I take ambien so I don't use it. Hope that helps. God bless.

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by Robert_325

With you having three days clean behind you I would stick it out another day or two max and you'll be better. I promise you will. There is no reason to start the subs now.

You haven't been taking that much for a long time to even merit going on suboxone especially with three days behind you now.

I was never a big user of ambien. Melinda can tell you better about ambien than me. I forget things when I take ambien so I don't use it. Hope that helps. God bless.

Thank you so much for your advice regarding the subs and for welcoming me back. I guess it's best to just continue to quit cold-turkey. I'll tell you that I am having extreme almost constant panic attacks which I attribute to Wellbutrin; I was having them even when I was not using Hydros. I think that everything is just coming to a head with lots of doubts and negative self-talk.

I'm trying not to use my legally prescribed Xanax as quite honestly, it's not even easing in the slightest bit, my anxiety.

Thank you & Melinda for all your input and help. It's quite a struggle & I know you two know exactly what I'm going through.

[Robert_325]

There wouldn't be anything wrong with taking a little xanax at this stage in your detox. You're at an unpleasant place right now and xanax is specifically for helping with panic attacks. That is why it's prescribed.

I'm not promoting xanax! That's for sure. But even if you went on the Thomas Recipe for opiate detox it recommends valium for about four days. Don't put yourself through unnecessary misery for a few more days. God bless.

[melinda7.5]

Hi london
UGH....We sure do...I did the panic attack mode...that just sucked ...
Just keep telling yourself it's going to be ok...
Are you still taking the wellbutrin ???

and the Ambien...I have stopped that a couple of times...there were no w/d from it but I was only taking 10 or 15 mg at a time...when I was having my panic attacks tho I was waking up in the middle of the night and taking another one tho...but I never had w/d from Ambien just didn't sleep for a couple days...
If I were you I would not stop the ambien right now...just one thing at a time...
please don't ever feel bad when you need us...if we judge you you could judge us right back and that would be a sad day...
Hold your head up high...and we WILL find a way...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi london
UGH....We sure do...I did the panic attack mode...that just sucked ...
Just keep telling yourself it's going to be ok...
Are you still taking the wellbutrin ???

and the Ambien...I have stopped that a couple of times...there were no w/d from it but I was only taking 10 or 15 mg at a time...when I was having my panic attacks tho I was waking up in the middle of the night and taking another one tho...but I never had w/d from Ambien just didn't sleep for a couple days...
If I were you I would not stop the ambien right now...just one thing at a time...
please don't ever feel bad when you need us...if we judge you you could judge us right back and that would be a sad day...
Hold your head up high...and we WILL find a way...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

Melinda & Robert:

If it's one thing I've learned through my addiction (and I'm very hard-headed) it's not to judge other people, especially other addicts. I am one of us. (Not a typo).

Melinda: I stopped taking Wellburin today. I was only on 150mg per day for about 2 1/2 weeks, so from what I've read, I'll be fine (I keep thinking that people who have seizures while on Wellburin have to stop immediately all the time, so I'll be OK.)

Not to sound corny, but gosh darn, when will I ever learn? I mean really!

Melinda: I know you're not a doctor or a medical professional, but if you could help me (even through PM) with an Ambien taper, I'd really appreciate it. When should I start even tapering (on what day of my opiate WD?). And, I think right now I have about 22 10mg Ambien and my current daily dose is 2 - 3 pills per day/night. Any help I will be thankful for.

Robert & Melinda: I say this as clean as I can be: thank God for people like you who actually and genuinely care about me, we, and us - everyone on the boards...I have fought spirutuality all my life, but I have to say that now I know God works in very mysterious ways. He/She just doesn't want me to die & that's a good thing.

I am going to try to watch TV, take a nap and hopefully slog down an Ensure (and keep it down).

I mean this with all my heart: may God bless you.

[melinda7.5]

Hi London

The one thing that will work in your favor is being hard headed...
I always call myself pig headed...but when I put my mind to do something I will follow thru... so being hard headed is good...

Try to take the least amount of ambien you can but i want you to get thru the w/d from the opiates first before we tackle the ambien...
and go ahead a take the xanax for a couple days...not to many but enough to settle you down...

well get you there...slow down it will be OK I promise...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

One thing at a time. Got it. I'll let you know how I'm doing tomorrow. I'm going to TRY to eat something without seeing it a few minutes later. Oy vay, what a day!

[LondonToLA]

It's 2:30am here in California and I woke up to get a drink of water. Somehow, I also downed two donuts and a multi-vitimin and 1 more ambien to get me back to bed.

I don't want to get ahead of the game, but it could be that I'm starting to feel ever so slightly better than yesterday. We'll see if that changes by the time I really wake up for the day...Day 4.

[melinda7.5]

Hi London
I'm in Washington
so we are in the same time zone...That is a good sign...your going to be just fine...hope you slept well...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

Originally Posted by melinda7.5

Hi London
I'm in Washington
so we are in the same time zone...That is a good sign...your going to be just fine...hope you slept well...
Talk to you soon, Melinda

Thanks for your encouragement. My sister lives in Seattle & does oils, impastos, and murals all around Seattle. You've probably passed by some of her work & not known it.

[melinda7.5]

Hi London
Now when I go by them I will think...OH london's sister did that...

Talk to you soon, Melinda

[LondonToLA]

http://www.juliecostanzoart.com/id23.html