[mlaskowsky]

I just wanted to throw a problem I have been having for a long time. After getting gastric bypass surgery I started drinking to much trying to replace that craving. Then I got on Vicodin then Oxi. My doctor will give me what ever I ask for because I also have a bad back. I went to another doctor and he got me on Suboxone and that helped for about 4 months. Then I hurt my back and went back to my other doctor and he gave me vicodine. Since then I will go 4 days taking Sub, then take the vicodine for a day or 2 and then back.At the same time my doc is giving me xanax and valium. Im trying to get this fixed and my insurance starts sending me 3 moth supllies of all thes medications. To get to my main question, has anyone gone back and forth between Vic and Sub. I want to get off all of these but it is hard when they keep sending them to me. Just looking for someones opinions or for some advice. Thanks for your time

[ainteasy]

Hey, I was addicted to vicodin, percocet, you name it.. if it was an opiate, i loved it.. just for recreation too.. I just got off of them.. today is day 6 and it's so worth getting off of them.. I know it's a little different situation with you cauz you have a lot of pain but there's gotta be a non-narcotic pain killer out there that helps you w your pain.. have you tried 800mg ibuprofin? that's some pretty powerful stuff.. Have them send you those to see if that helps.. Or maybe some Soma or something.. but definitely get off of these opiates.. they can only do harm.. I am pissed at myself for taking them all these years as now I am kinda messed up from them.. i know it'll go away in time but it's taking a long time.. I'll expect to feel 100% normal in a few months.

The first few days were HELL.. tapering works the best.. LONG taper though.. I'm talkin..

day 1, take what you normally take
day 2, reduce the amount by maybe 1 pill
day 3, same amount
day 4, same amount
day 5, reduce by one pill
day 6, same amount
day 7, same amount
day 8, reduce by one pill

and so on.. that's the speed you should be going... eventually you'll get down to 1 pill a day and you won't even be hurting.. well, except maybe your back pain.. But you can take ibuprofin with vicodin.. it's not harmful.. so maybe talk to your doctor about getting some 800mg ibuprofin and see if he thinks it would be wise to do that..

best of luck
John

[mlaskowsky]

John,
Thank you very much for the reply. My problem is that I wake up and decide that im going to stop taking the vicodine and take the subox thinking that I will stop using all the other things for good. The Subox works well with the cravings, but within 5 days im looking to get that relaxed feeling again. I try to get that with xanax and valum and I have alot of Tremadol but that has some interactions with other medications im taking.I fell like im on a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. I have been forgetting things alot lately and catching plenty of ******** from my wife.I know that I need to just figure out a direction and go. Sounds easy enough.
Thanks

[Robert_325]

Listen to your post. You're taking vics with subs, your taking xanax and valium plus tramadol???? What are you trying to do to yourself?

You need to decide you want to do this or else you're wasting your time. Get clean or else use! That's the bottom line. This is nuts my friend!

Heck yes it's hard ... you say NO! Otherwise eventually you'll die from all this garbage. There is NO legitimate dr that would RX all of this stuff together. God bless.

[ARTIST658]

I'm new to this site, but NOT new to the subject of narcotic addiction! I've been completely clean for over 5 years - after many, many years of addiction to prescription narcotics and benzodiazepenes (that's the family of drugs that include xanax, klonopin, valium, etc.) - I thought I'd NEVER find a way out of that nightmare, but trust me, there IS hope.

You are addicted - both physically and psychologically. And those drugs that you are taking are actually making matters worse -- narcotics actually CREATE the very pain you are fighting... and benzos actually CREATE the anxiety you are seeking to control. Talk about a "catch 22" situation! I was there, I lived that life for a long time - and I truly feel for you. It's so hard to even see your way out.

I do NOT trust that doctors are all-knowing about drugs and addiction - sadly, too many know too little about addiction, and dispense prescriptions as if it were candy. You need to make a decision, first off - do you WANT to stop this roller coaster ride that you're living?

IF you do, then you need help - professional help. You will probably be best off to go in-patient to a detox program that will SAFELY take you off these drugs, as there is the risk of seizures and other problems in stopping.

THEN, you need help to stay stopped - I found my help through a long-term treatment program at the beginning - followed by a 12-step program that continues to this day. I had NO idea how much of life I was missing out on, while living in that drug-induced haze. My emotions were a mess, my coping skill were practically NIL - I scarcely knew who I was OFF drugs. But working a 12-step program (such as NA or AA) helped me to learn the skills that I needed so desperately, in order to stay clean - AND enjoy my life.

It's not an easy road - it takes work, it takes time, it takes effort - but the results are beyond words... today, I am eternally grateful for what I've been through. I discovered who I really am, I developed self-esteem and coping skills that I never imagined. If I can help you (if you truly WANT help), feel free to write again... and just ask.

May God bless you in your journey. ~ Ruth

[mlaskowsky]

Thanks Ruth and all for the encouraging words. Some of them soft and encouraging, and some tough and to the point, but all correct in the end. I will seek out a plan that will work for me and my situation. Its hard when you have 4 young children and I lost my job 3 months ago, so I need to come up with something that will work within my responsibilities. As all of you know its very hard to stop when a bag shows up at your house every 3 months with so much evil help. Thanks all for your time

[Robert_325]

My name is Robert not Ruth. I used to get a bottle of 750 30mg roxies mailed to me every month. I cancelled it ... very simple. I wanted to get clean. You either want to stop and get clean or use the mail delivery as an excuse. If you wish to use instead of stopping that is fine. Just use. But claiming the mail delivery as the reason you can't stop is absurd. God luck and God bless.

[mlaskowsky]

I was thanking Ruth but I also thank you. I'm not blaming getting big orders I'm just saying it is hard to turn down.I will stop waisting your time, I'm seeing the anger.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by mlaskowsky

I was thanking Ruth but I also thank you. I'm not blaming getting big orders I'm just saying it is hard to turn down.I will stop waisting your time, I'm seeing the anger.

There's no anger coming from me. Sorry if I came across that way. What I have is concern for what you're doing to yourself. This is life and death stuff we do here and your situation is a perfect example.

I WOULD purposely hurt someone's feelings to make them understand what they're doing to themselves if that is what it took to make the point of the severity of killing oneself. But I don't know you, I'm not mad at you. In fact you are in my prayers. God bless.

[ddosher]

Originally Posted by mlaskowsky

I was thanking Ruth but I also thank you. I'm not blaming getting big orders I'm just saying it is hard to turn down.I will stop waisting your time, I'm seeing the anger.

I think you are reading Robert's frustration for anger. You need to go back and re-read what you wrote. It's crazy. Then read other's journey's and how they were able to follow Robert's advice and get clean. Please make a decision to stop the madness. I really pray you do. Best of luck.
Donna

[mlaskowsky]

Thank you Robert for your advice. Im going to stick with talking to people face to face. I cant get how or what im feeling across to people in writing. Im not taking this lightly which is why I tryed to reach out on a board.I will work hard at trying to stop. Thanks again and im sighning off for good!

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by mlaskowsky

Thank you Robert for your advice. Im going to stick with talking to people face to face. I cant get how or what im feeling across to people in writing. Im not taking this lightly which is why I tryed to reach out on a board.I will work hard at trying to stop. Thanks again and im sighning off for good!

You should do well at NA meetings if you bury yourself into the program. I actually think you are doing the right thing for what that's worth.

Face to face work has very good possibilities especially for someone like yourself. Make the meetings EVERY single day if you can, get a sponsor, work the steps beginning ASAP. Good luck and God bless.

[kidmonster]

It sounds like you have alot going on. But at least your posting, so as they say, keep coming back.

[mindy99]

I made my mind up to start suboxone. But for vaious reasons, i didnt start the day i wanted to start my sub therapy. In turn i messed up my first day and ended up taking roxi with subutex.

The following days i have been taking 16mg on average a day of sub. I know its too high. But at the same time, im having TERRIBLE cravings. I havent given in to them because once you are on the sub, u r not suppose to feel anything for days, i guess.

Im here for you too. I am on sub, but really need a schedule. Robert is going to help me.

Hang in there, we can do this. But, you do have to make up your mind which way you want to go.

xoxo,

Mindy

[duncanw]

I do not understand how a person ( ARTIST658 ) who does not attend the Recovery Group that addresses the concerns of her particular substance of choice can be offering SO much detailed and lengthy 'advice' and SO many suggestions to individuals still suffering narcotics addiction; it seems absolutely ABSURD to me. Readers of this Forum must be advised to bear in mind that Posts here are from persons not necessarily Qualified to give any suggestions or offer any answers to their recovery .People such as ARTIST658-absolutely NO formal education on the subject of addiction and recovery, and not even a member of a Recovery Group addressing this Life or Death topic should be ashamed of themselves for having the gall to Post missives whilst being so entirely UNqualified. Readers of these Posts need be reminded that there are no formal requirements to offer information here, and that the contents of such should not be regarded as wise or correct suggestions for action one may need to take in a particular situation or circumstance. Member such as ARTIST658 would do better to address their OWN needs correctly before offering lengthy and detailed advice and suggestions to Others. And certainly, some kind of formal education and experience in the area I feel would be in order additionally. I find some of the Posts here unconcionable ans actually potentially dangerous and even possibly life-threatening should the contents thereof be 'followed'. Solutions to the concerns of substance abuse and/or addiction and the recovery from thereof are Far better found from a source qualified to administer such. ARTIST658 and her ilk should be thoroughly ahshamed of themselves for their naiive arrogance. duncanw.

[Robert_325]

duncanw .... artist that you are slamming says they are in a 12 step program and you're bad-mouthing them that they aren't even in recovery. Get a life! And read the posts before complaining about them.

Read how many "professionals" have messed up people here. Experienced advice has a lot of merit over textbooks with no knowledge. There is a definite place for drs no one questions that. But experience goes a long ways.

Don't come here with one post and start telling everyone the way it should be. We've all been doing quite well here for some time without your expertise. God bless.

[bev49]

Wow, duncan... where the hell did that come from? I had to go back and reread artist's post to see if I had missed something. She went to a residential treatment facility, followed that up with a 12 step program and maintains her sobriety. She offered up her story and also support. She very rightly states that doctor's don't know everything when it comes to addiction. Just read some of the doctor horror stories on these boards and you will see that's certainly true. Our posters here, ie., Robert and others, know way more and I'd sooner listen to him than some half assed doctor looking to make a buck on my addiction. There are many ways to reach the same goal which is staying clean. Artist's is certainly a valid one. What would be your suggestion I wonder? Check your anger.

[ARTIST658]

Thank you, Robert, for speaking up for me. This person (DuncanW) is actually more in need of our prayers than our disdain. He is clearly struggling with active addiction, as his words and behavior repeatedly demonstrates.

Apparently, DuncanW has found that he can enter my screenname into a search engine and uncover ANY site on the web where I have responded using this name. In each site he has found, he has posted a similar type of character assassination of me. It doesn't matter if it is a news article, a blog, a site about my favorite soap opera (lol), or anything else - he joins the site and posts his poison.

I do not know why he fixated on me. I am only distantly acquainted with him, via an AA chat room. He has done the same thing with other women in the room. Sadly, with some, he gained their telephone number and harassed them with 3am phone calls, while clearly under the influence.

I am very happily married, as he knows and have NEVER done anything that would encourage his stalking behavior. Generally, I do not even respond when he does this type of thing. I figure, any attention will spur him on further.

I trust that my reputation will stand for itself. And he does a fine job all on his own of clearly demonstrating what he is all about, as well.

Again, thank you Robert. I keep praying that he will take your advice - and get a life... lol... what a sad, sick way of entertaining oneself.

Ruth

[Robert_325]

Ruth ... this guy is a freak! I can hardly believe people can be so confused and obsessed. Someone should report this guy to authorities if he's harrassing people. Sounds like he's left a computer trail that would be simple to document.

If you were my wife or daughter I would be looking for this guy based on what you've said. He's an idiot. As a Christian I will pray for him but I would still be tempted to slap him really hard if he persists with this behavior. Keep us posted. God bless.