[chrish1]

Great job Slave. I wish you the best of luck. I've found it really helps to have an outlet to talk about it and flush the cravings from your system. NA has provided that for me. I recommend finding an NA meeting in your area and attending 90 meetings in 90 days. Today is my 7th clean day. I couldn't have done it without the support of my wife and NA.... Good luck, and God bless.

[indycouple]

I wanted to post something, i haven't wrote anything in the last month or so, but i have not been on Lortab's or Norco's for the past 2 Months now, due to reading this forum here, i owe everything to this forum. I am taking suboxone, and things are great. Life is back to normal. things couldn;t be better, i know i am not out of the woods yet, but i have my life back, not taking 40 pills a day, not feeling like ****, wondering where i will get my next pills, or where will i get the money to get them, i take 1 and 1/2 pills a day now, and couldn;t feel better, if u are looking for help, suboxone might be your thing, look into it, some people say it is the easy way out, but alot don;t consider we tried to go cold turkey before or tried something else and it didn;t work, so we tried suboxon, and it works, works so so good, will leave it at that, people say what they want good or bad, just the way i see it, without this forum here, i don;t know where i would be, i wish everyone the best of luck, you can do it, just take a min, think about it and make the choice. Life is short, make the most of it.

One Day at a time I think again and again of how i can be free from this.

[slave123]

i just want to know how long do i have to go with out it to finally feel like i dont need it anymore

[chrish1]

I'm at the very beginning of the learning curve of going straight - 7 days clean. So, I know I don't have all of the answers. How long until you don't want painkillers anymore? I've listened to addicts that have cleaned up, and it depends on the user. Sometimes it takes a year, sometimes longer. They say the key is to make the commitment to NEVER use again, because relapse happens very quickly from having just that "one pill." But, I really think that a support group like NA is key because you can discuss it with your fellow peers and you keep each other clean. Their testimonials say that it is not an easy road, but the payoffs (like regaining your emotions and living life with enjoyment without drugs are enormous). There will be big ups and downs, and without a group to support you, it can be very difficult. One more thing - I've done a lot of research on Suboxone, and it IS a narcotic. There are horror stories of people becoming tolerant to it, and the withdrawals are horrible. I don't recommend going from one narcotic to another. I am in the early stages, but my research says the only way to go is totally clean of drugs. That's my 2 cents, and I hope I didn't offend anyone. Good luck, and God bless.

[ivehadit]

i want everyone to know that i was a pretty big pillhead. oc's man they got me good almost 5 years i had to move out of s.fran back home to boston. I came home found a doctor and got on the subox. Greatest thing in my life. But the problem was when my treatment was over i had the worst withdrawls of my life. it works but whoever is taking it please be very very careful it can be worse than anything else out there.

silvaalldone

[jadedjenny]

I'm a 33 year old mom of 3, college student. I am finally ready to admit it--I have a problem. I just went through 80 Norco in a week. Now I'm out and I feel it greatly. Incredible depression, wanting to die, very achey. I am so tired of pills running my life. I don't want to live like this anymore. I have been taking painpills regularly for a little over a year. I don't know what to do. I DO know I don't want my world to revolve around pain pills. I tell myself I can do it cold turkey, but I don't think I can. I just don't know where to go from here.

[2awasis]

It's great to read so many peoples experiences. I know that I'm not the only painkiller addict, but I can relate to so many of these sotires. I'm on my 12th day of Suboxone after a 20+ day Vic/Perc habit. Man the scourge of opiates is a killer. My first step was to get away from the daily ritual of hustling scripts and dealers. It feels great to have much more time to do other things, like my program. I'm going to take it day by day, not worrying about tomorrow. Just like I won't worry about the Suboxone ....... today. I will say I am impressed with mhat the Suboxone has done for my cravings and withdrawals. I didn't think anything could take me away from the opiate monster. Thanks again to all for sharing. Best regards! 2awasis

[slave123]

i have been taking 1 and 2 vics maxinmum a day for about a year today is my scond day not doing any byt i think from time to time about taking one but not killing myself for it im not experiencing any serious withdrawals yet does this mean im not really addicted?

[chrish1]

Slave, Do yourself a favor and flush those pills down the toilet. 1-2 pills a day is nothing compare with some others on here, so I'd recommend quitting while you are ahead. Oh, BTW, everybody, Suboxone IS an opiate. Don't fool yourself with this drug. It is not the cure all, but rather the beginning of another physical addiction. It seems great at first, but the long term studies are not positive. It is one of the most physically addictive opiates out there. Don't let the big drug company trick you into buying their product because they just want to move you from the other opiates to theirs. See through this scam. Seek help to go completely clean. Some suggestions are Narcotics Anonymous and outpatient programs. There are great outpatient programs available to help you cope with a life without pills, and it doesn't have to interrupt your life much. Plus, most insurance companies are recognizing drug addiction as a desease now, so outpatient programs (3 nights a week for 3 hours) are often covered, and it is all confidential due to HIPPA laws. We all need to get our mind off of ALL drugs. I am only 7 days clean, but I am starting to firmly believe that life without drugs will be much better than life with drugs. Drugs did nothing but lie to us and deceive us. It is time for us to revolt against them, change our thinking, and begin a new "clean" life. Good luck, and God bless.

[girlie girl]

Jaded Jenny ... Cold Turkey is not the way to go. You really need to try and wean yourself down. Thats how I have done it and no pills in two days. It sucks but not as bad as cold turkey. You can do it and their are people on this forum to help. I'm also a mom and I want to stay clean for my little girl more than anything. But I can tell you one thing from experince about quitting.... After you get off them completely don't ever take one again. Because your body will crave it more than anything, Then you have to detox yourself again. Just try and do as many things as possible to keep your mind off the pills. [:X] Oh and Slave please don't play with narcos cause they will get you. I did that the same sh** and then I started taking about 10 loratab 10's a day, I know thier is people that take a lot more but I'm also little. I did it for right at a year then I kept taking more to get that high. Don't fool yourself. If you don't have any withdraws yet then consider yourself lucky, And walk away now.

Girlie Girl

[2awasis]

For me, for myself, and the WDs and cravings I know I have and will go through, the Suboxone will have to do for today. I hit a meeting tonight. I went to Intensive Out Patient meetings this afternoon as well. But I also needed Suboxone today or else I would have been chasing the pill form "dragon." Just 4 today. I personally realize it's an opiate and that some day down the road I will have to kick them as welll. But I hope to have a better life, everydy way of life, in place b4 I start to wean. The way I look at it though, I spent 27 years loading myself up with poppys, I can spend a little time more working a program into total abstinence. I will tell anybody, yes Suboxone is just another opiate, I agree. I do believe though that not having the "high" is a big step for me. Jusy 4 today, I choose it, with prayer, surrender to my disease, and not the 20 Vikes or 5 Oxy 80's I've worshipped for too long. I agree with you on 99% of your position crish1, save for the last 1% which is me. If one person can relate to my position, then my time on this forum today was worth it, brcause I've gotten a bunch. 2Awasis

[dobo]

quote:Originally posted by slave123

i have been taking 1 and 2 vics maxinmum a day for about a year today is my scond day not doing any byt i think from time to time about taking one but not killing myself for it im not experiencing any serious withdrawals yet does this mean im not really addicted?

It seems to me that you don't have a physical dependency if you're not suffering from withdrawal symptoms by day 2. I've been taking more than you have, for longer. I start feeling ****py from 4 to 10 hours after taking my previous ½ of a 10/325 percocet. It seems like the more pain I'm experiencing, the quicker I start getting hit by withdrawals.

[PoppyQueen]

2awasis, How much Sub are you taking? You said 4 today, is that the 2mg or the 8mg? I'm taking a total of 12mg. daily. I, too, am wll aware that there will be weaning from Sub. I was not able to wean from my Vics, I tried sooooo many times. It was almost torturous to me. But with Sub. I was able to go on with my life with little inconvenience within a 1/2 hour of taking my first one. I'm 3 weeks on this and in a week I will wean down 2mgs. I may be on this for 6 months or more. I'm coming off of 5 years of Vic use.

Indycouple, great to hear from you! I'm glad you're still on the sub. too. How much a day are you taking?

Regards,
PQ

[2awasis]

Hi PoppyQ,
I meant "Just 4 today" I won't worry about being on replacement therapy, like Suboxone. I was throwing a little NA lingo out there because I need to live by the principles as much as I can. I'm actually on 32 mgs. The OP Clinician has built me up to where I wasn't having any WDs or cravings. I can't stress enough, those Oxys did one hell of ajob on my nervous system and receptors. My plate is so full from my addictions, I need 32 mgs right now. The only alternative was methadone and shyt I was doing enough of that on the street as well! But I'm not worried about it, because Ive been doing so much more constructive things now, as opposed to runnin' scams for pills. I can say life wasnt bad today, and i've actually been waking up in the morning with some $$$$ in my pockets!!

2Awasis

[mpvt]

JadedJenny: Hi,I know you feel terrible right now but you sound like a good canadate for suboxone.Go to suboxone.com and there you will find a doctor in your area who prescribes it.Over 95% of cold turkey's fail,there is nothing wrong with getting help.Good luck and let us know how your doing....Dave

[mpvt]

Indycouple:I think I remember you posting.Buprenorphene is an exellent drug for people who have been abusing for 2 or less years of course this is subject to each person but it is a guideline.It's great to wake up feeling alive again isn't it??Make sure you pop in once in awhile and let us know how things are.Once angain congrats you've done well.....Dave

[mpvt]

Hang in there 2awasis your doin great!!!!!!!!!............Dave

[chrish1]

[quote]Originally posted by 2awasis
Okay, maybe Suboxone has it's place. I also realize that my addiction was not as bad as a lot of people on the board. My addiction at it's worst was 15-20mg day of oxycodone. However I used for 6 years straight. The thing that concerns me is you don't see too many long term testimonials for Suboxone. I'm concerned that a lot of people will just need higher and higher doses of Suboxone, and sooner or later it will stop being effective? What then? Do you start weening off Suboxone only to experience the worst withdrawl possible? It sounds very dangerous to me. IMO, weening down, and then off is the start - Then, you find either an inpatient or outpatient to go to, and begin your life drug free and back to sanity. 2awasis, I'm proud of you, but I just hope you keep a close eye on it, and try to get off the Suboxone as quickly as possible. I am so glad you are going to NA meetings and outpatient! Congrats on this HUGE step. I hope everybody makes that step. Just remember, "keep comin' back." May we all find the courage to get drug free however we do it. Good luck, God bless.

[anrob11]

quote:Originally posted by PoppyQueen

2awasis, How much Sub are you taking? You said 4 today, is that the 2mg or the 8mg? I'm taking a total of 12mg. daily. I, too, am wll aware that there will be weaning from Sub. I was not able to wean from my Vics, I tried sooooo many times. It was almost torturous to me. But with Sub. I was able to go on with my life with little inconvenience within a 1/2 hour of taking my first one. I'm 3 weeks on this and in a week I will wean down 2mgs. I may be on this for 6 months or more. I'm coming off of 5 years of Vic use.

Indycouple, great to hear from you! I'm glad you're still on the sub. too. How much a day are you taking?

Regards,
PQ

To Be A Rock And Not To Roll

[jadedjenny]

I called a methadone clinic this morning, who directed me to some gatekeeper place to see if my insurance would cover treatment. The gatekeeping place said since my Dr. prescribed my pain meds, I would have to go see mr Dr. and tell him what was going on. So..this morning I did, although I didn't want to. He has the personality of a cold fish. He did not encourage me, nothing. He wrote a script for Ativan and bascially told me to put up with the withdrawls. I am scared...very scared. I'm not sure what to do, but I don't this this is it.

[PoppyQueen]

Nice doctor! What an A-hole. Is it OK if you pay for the Suboxone treatment yourself? I pay for mine and then submit it. I was pre-approved but I have not seen a check as of yet. I'm prepared to just pay on my own if need be. But my prescription plan does cover Suboxone at the drug store.

I understand you terror. Find a doctor to treat you NOW and worry about the money later.

PQ

[jadedjenny]

I've heard sub is expensive...I checked on the price for methadone and it wasn't so bad; I think I could swing that myself. Did you find a Dr to prescribe sub from their website?

[chrish1]

Personally, I'd do my research before I'd start jumping from one drug to another (like Suboxone or Methadone). Everybody here obviously has internet access. Go to goole.com and plug in Methadone addiction. Certainly, from my research, Suboxone appears to be superior to Methadone, but in order for it to work it needs to be monitored very carefully. There are cases showing that it has worked, and people have weaned off Suboxone. My recommendation is if you really think you need Suboxone, do it, but do your homework on it also - Make sure you start attending NA meetings in your area and maybe an outpatient program at the same time though. This is really important because ultimately as addicts, we need to address why we became addicts in the first place and how we can avoid relapse. Also, the outpatient program can help take it out of the hands of family and friends and into the hands of professionals. Good luck, God bless.

[slave123]

hi its day 3 im not feelling any withdrawals because you knwo i have been taking only 1 a day for a year so i guess im not addicted i dont feel tired my limbs dotn hurt im gonna tkae one on thursday since im not addicted i fugure and i feel perfectly normal.

[PoppyQueen]

JadedJenny, yes that's where I found my doctor. In my county alone there are 9 docs.

PQ

[jadedjenny]

Thanks for the info. There are no doctors in my county, and the closest one is a couple hours away. Did you have to go every day for a little bit? I think I am confused about how it works. Also, my husband is nervous about it because he thinks it's just giving up one addiction or another. I don't know what to think, cuz I'm only on day 3, and am literally living minute by minute. It is everything I can do to function normally and not crawl into bed and just be a zombie. I have 3 kids, ages 15, 5 and 1. I think my Mom is going to take the 1 year old for a day or two...I have arthritis in my hands, so my husband called and told her I was having a flare-up and could she help...I am not ready to tell her about my battle just yet. I had a hard time recently telling her about my fight with depression, so I don't want to fill her plate just yet.

Another ?...is being incredibly cold a withdrawl symptom? Just curious if it's just me.

[jadedjenny]

Thanks for your advice chrish1. I'm as scared of the meth and sub as I am of the withdrawls off norcos. My husband says it's just going to be giving one addiction up for another. I suppose he is right, and from what I hear w/ding from either of those isn't pleasant. I am so disappointed in myself in the first place for getting into this mess; I don't want to do it a second time. It's like at this moment I see no future ahead, because I am going minute by minute...I cannot fathom how to get through this. Reading others' posts have helped tremendously; they let me know that I am not alone.

quote:Originally posted by chrish1

Personally, I'd do my research before I'd start jumping from one drug to another (like Suboxone or Methadone). Everybody here obviously has internet access. Go to goole.com and plug in Methadone addiction. Certainly, from my research, Suboxone appears to be superior to Methadone, but in order for it to work it needs to be monitored very carefully. There are cases showing that it has worked, and people have weaned off Suboxone. My recommendation is if you really think you need Suboxone, do it, but do your homework on it also - Make sure you start attending NA meetings in your area and maybe an outpatient program at the same time though. This is really important because ultimately as addicts, we need to address why we became addicts in the first place and how we can avoid relapse. Also, the outpatient program can help take it out of the hands of family and friends and into the hands of professionals. Good luck, God bless.

[kyhomegirl]

Being cold sure seems to be a w/d symptom to me too. I have been laying in my bed all morning with a big quilt on me, with stomach cramps so bad, and every inch of my body throbbing! Now I'm ok only because I went and spent money I didnt really have on you know what. I'm also still waiting for this Dr. to send me those papers for suboxone. Seems like they wouldve gotten here by now.

[jadedjenny]

This is awful, but I'm jealous. I've never gotten it anywhere but from my Dr. and have no inkling how to get it otherwise. I suppose that is a good thing for me. I'm so tired of my world revolving around meds. Today I have had a bad stuffy nose, very cold, lots of aches, and diarrhea. Yippy. I guess this is what I deserve.

quote:Originally posted by kyhomegirl

Being cold sure seems to be a w/d symptom to me too. I have been laying in my bed all morning with a big quilt on me, with stomach cramps so bad, and every inch of my body throbbing! Now I'm ok only because I went and spent money I didnt really have on you know what. I'm also still waiting for this Dr. to send me those papers for suboxone. Seems like they wouldve gotten here by now.

[PoppyQueen]

Jenny, I go once a month. They give you a subscription for 30 days. Fill it at a pharmacy although the pharmacy may have to order it.

If you're in day 3, perhaps you can stick it out with help from your family. I'm sure you're dying now, but in a couple days you should be much better (I think). Take the Ativan and sleep as much as you can. Also drink lots of water and take Potassium for leg cramps.

Good Luck.

PQ