[sir85]

I am a 23 year old male and have been dealing with a sleep disorder for most of my life; was offered Endocet well over a year ago, half a 7.5-pink pill, which was like heaven for me, not only did it help me sleep at the time, it seemed to make me feel like all of my problems could simply disappear...BAM..addicted. I gradually increased the dosage, went from half a pill to a full within 3 months...at this present time (year and change later), my habit has progressed to FIVE 7.5 Endocet pills a night. I am a very strong person, in every way imaginable(at least thought so)....how did I allow this drug to bring me down to it's mercy, ugh. One idea is to go Cold Turkey, which I may be able to handle; fortunately, my addiction isn't as bad as it could be, but I know that withdrawal hurts...is there an over the counter medication that anyone can recommend, while I go cold turkey? Second Idea- Go to a doctor and ask them to prescribe a sedative, maybe calm my nerves, this will definitely be one way to help me sleep, and cheat some of the hell that I'll be going through while Cold Turking the Endo away... I have had no choice, but to take only two pills for the past two nights, as my supply is definitely being limited. God, I hate this...I stopped wanting the pills for sleep a long time ago; I need to learn how to relax myself naturally again....also, I've tried Valerian-Root capsules, ZMA....compared to the big pink daddy pill, that stuff is useless...what else is there is relax me???

[subjunky]

you do know that it is an opiate ??

that will be why you are suffering trying to wean off. there is a thomas recipe somewhere on this forum, hopefully someone will post the link for you.
It has all sorts of things to help with the cold turkey, if that is the way you choose to do it.
good luck, and all the will.,
sj

[ARTIST658]

Endocet - for sleep? Wow - that's a new one on me. Do you realize that endocet is simply oxycodone? It's another name for Percocet. I have never heard of using such a powerful narcotic for sleep, as its purpose is for pain. There are many other medications, both OTC and by prescription, that are more suitable for sleep, and may (more safely) replace the endocet. I suggest asking your doctor for one. If the only time you are taking the endocet is bedtime, I would not think your withdrawal will be very difficult. Your body is used to going without the drug throughout the day. The only part that should be affected would be your sleep.

On a side note, you mentioned being a strong person - and asking how this drug could bring you down. I just wanted to point out, it is not a matter of strength -- physical, emotional, mental or spiritual strength. Addiction is a disease, not a sign of weakness. It is the nature of these drugs that lends themselves to addiction. They are far more powerful than we give them credit for! It appears that there is a genetic component for addiction, a gene, if you will - that we are hardwired with, from birth. Add that gene together with a powerful narcotic, and that spells addiction.

God bless,
Ruth

[wannafeelbetter]

to reiterate the previous post-its the drugs that get u-it doesnt mean ur weak-find the thomas recipe on here somewhere-ive heard its very helpful-I have gone cold turkey a handful of times and i would suggest that based on your habit u shouldnt be that bad in the weeds-it will definitely suck for 3-5 days-like u have the flu and the runs-then u will start feeling alot better! Just be prepared to quit-its not the physical thats so bad-its the mental-the craving for the feel good u get-u will trick yourself into telling yourself that ,"hey-ive been off these things a month-maybe I could have a little fun this weekend-next thing u know-bam! you r three months back into it and will have to go through all the withdrawal symptoms again-good luck! P.s.-there r alot better things to take for sleep! talk to a reputable doctor!

[qmagnumq]

"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

THOMAS RECIPE

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:

1. 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.

2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).

3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.

4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).

5. Vitamin B6 caps.

6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:

Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.

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 WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.

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 WD symptom.

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.

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. 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 WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.

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.

Thomas"