My Success Story off Opiates

[nadene]

Hi there,

   I am going to share my story of what I went through coming off Hydrocodone 10mg tid (three a day), plus Percocet and OxyContin at times. Hydrocodone mainly, also abused Tramadol at times. I was prescribed Hydrocodone starting out at 5mg, then 7.5mg within 2 months, then it was increased to 10mg. I would take 30mg in all daily, this went on and on. I didn't know I had became addicted to them. I was on other medications as well, Once a cocktail, that was so overwhelming, I was misdiagnosed as Narcoleptic! and given Ritalin over the top of everything else, Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is a Controlled II Substance, it may look like child's play, but it's not!

   I'll explain as I go here. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I've been through some rough times with pills, but as I withdrawal, I keep my head up and I live. It gets hard, but it can be done. I was prescribed Hydrocodone back in the early 2000's cause my back was hurting, I had been in a car accident when I was a child, didn't catch up until my early 20's. Opiates isn't the only thing I've withdrawal from. Nope, 32 Anti-Depressants cold turkey, Effexor being the worse! I've been through hell with pills and doctors, Psychiatrists, and Neurologists. I'm a Nurse too, LPN, and I was never told in Nursing School what these pills can do. Side Effects, sure... withdrawal, not a word I learned of it!
   I'm getting there, I never knew I had become addicted to Hydrocodone or Percocets, never knew, never expected it either. It got to the point once, I would go into ER's and prick my finger to get a Hydrocodone, have my Husband to get them, which he was tuckered out with it all!!! I did abuse opiates at times, though I never really thought anything about it. I have always been a well to do woman, BUT I was going downhill fast! I was on a train ready to crash. I was on so many meds, 6mg of Klonopin Sched IV Controlled Substance, Hydrocodone 10mg tid (three a day, sometimes more) Shed III Controlled Substance, also I would take OxyContin at times 80mg, Percocets, generic (Oxycodone) and if I ran out, Tramadol, sometimes 4 or 5 a day, I was scared, I admit I did take them sometimes, the OxyContin, Percocets to get a high (Euphoria) at times, but it killed the pain. I was also on a cocktail of other medications.
....Finally, I was on so many, I would start dropping over asleep, went to my PCP, he said I had Narcolepsy, I believed it! I was then prescribed Ritalin SR 20mg a day, which I abused because they made me Euphoric and had a speedy feeling. I was a walking Medicine cabinet. I knew I had to start somewhere. I cold turkied the Ritalin, there went the speed. I was tired from all the medicine again, so then at the time, I cold turkied the Anti-Depressants 2 at the time, One being Effexor, that was NOT an easy med to come off of or Cold Turkie (Not advised at all) I then cold turkied the Hydrocodone. My husband helped me, at first, he yelled at me, "Get off the drugs or we're no more!" I had no choice, I didn't want to detox, I was scared, afraid, cried, was an emotional mess! I gave him the bottle of Hydrocodone, he put them up where I couldn't find them!
I then awaited withdrawal, I knew it was going to be tough, but I awaited with a welcome to uncontrollable emotions. I started hurting in my back worse than before, I started sweating, I paced, Anxiety attacks, I vomited, I was by the toilet all night for a week. I shook and had DT's is what I would call them.
I had stomach pain, cramps, headaches, and this went on for about 2 weeks, it was rattling TO SAY THE LEAST! My Husband helped me, I finally started feeling better and better, but it was slowly, over a course of 2 months, I had kicked the Narcotics and Anti-Depressants for good! I tried throwing down the Xanax at the time, which I was changed over from 6mg of Klonopin to 8mg of Xanax, they came in bars, took 4 a day. After I threw down the Xanax, Blow my brains out! I seized. I was put back on the Klonopin (Clonazepam) and I started tapering.
I'm still not off the Benzos, but I'm at a low dose from where I was.
I have come a long ways, and will be completely pill free next year.
As Benzo's, I have to Taper.

This story was pretty much in Shorthand, there's a lot of in between incidents and mishaps, but I summed it up.

Coming off Opiates can be done.
Don't dig yourself in a dark hole, when finding yourself sinking, do the unthinkable.

Pray to God, keep family close, keep friends close, try to hang in there, and you'll be ok.

God Bless, Nadene. ^xxx

The Lord is my Strength!

[pauline]

congrat on overcomin your addiction. i have been takin 2430m of cocodomal painkillers for 14 years, also diaz,s tramazone and mirtzapine. i an struglin to come offthe cocodomol i did last 10hours but the pain was so bad i took two painkillers to get releif. how can i find the strenth to get through that awful pain barrier

[nadene]

congrat on overcomin your addiction. i have been takin 2430m of cocodomal painkillers for 14 years, also diaz,s tramazone and mirtzapine. i an struglin to come offthe cocodomol i did last 10hours but the pain was so bad i took two painkillers to get releif. how can i find the strenth to get through that awful pain barrier

Thank you, I am sorry I couldn't get back with you at the time you posted.

Are you any better today?

Nadene xxx

[jagannatha]

Nadene, your story is so inspiring. I didn't see it until today. Do you still suffer from the back pain that originally put you on the meds? If so, what do you use to deal with that?

I was on pain meds for 3+ years and tapered to 0 and have been clean for 4 weeks. I still have excruciating back pain, which is the reason I started the meds. I just started physical therapy today and it helped some. I'm looking forward to continuing that.

Any words of wisdom on dealing with pain without opioids would be helpful.

Jag

[right there]

Hi Nadene!
     Great story,what a wild ride that must have been! I am weaning off from nearly 300 mg of Oxy's a day and am down to 10 mg endocet 5mg in am and 5 mg in pm,I have a nine yr old,so I cant be in bed in a ball all day. I am following Thomas's protocol for the most part,it seems to be worling great.My husband is fairly supportive,20 yrs clean,but he has some anger and abuse issues,etc. Makes it harder. I am an RN of 17 yrs and my story is posted as a newbie. Well,my job is on hold for now til may, then I can return to my IPN florida program. Sure lucky to have that,most states take your license the first time and it's adios! It's gonna be expensive this time,but I hope this is part of the consequences that will keep me clean!
     Anyway,your story caught my eye when you mentioned that you got off antidepressants,I am on SSRI's for 25 yrs,and the withdrawl is worse than opiates. Forums like this one about SSRI"s have people mostly not giving much hope or success weaning off them or any other way,I hope you know something we don't about it,since you mentioned you did, for I am sick of the side effects. They helped me for many years but can ultimately leave you with a condition you may of heard of called tardive dyskinesia,permanant uncontrollable mouth movements. Iv'e seen patients with this. It's horrid. Advice please! Anyone!  Love,RightThere   

[sorryone]

Hi Right
  Sounds like you are on the right path LOL...I am tapering also but not doing as well as you..Maybe I need more structure & the thomas recipe.  How do you find it helps you?
R

[edarrin]

I can relate to the walking pharmacy thing. Right now I prescribed hydromorphone,clonazepam(what you call Klonopin), Xanax, Provigil, Ritalin, Cesamet (cannabinoid), Remeron and Lyrica. Of course I have a few other goodies around the neighbourhood.


I've tapered off benzos before. I think it's worse than opiate w/d. I have been able to alternate the benzos with Lyrica and not become physically dependent on it (so far) again.

Good luck. I think you are going to make it.

[jagannatha]

E -- do you have a pain issue or are you involved because of the high? I've heard getting off benzos is worse than opiates too. Are you trying to get off the meds at this point? It sure does sound like you've got a lot going on in your system.

I was recently diagnosed with Central Pain Syndrome (after I went off opiates) which is a constant horrible burning pain on my left side. No cure. No pain meds help. I'm now on an anti-convulsant. When I went for a brain MRI the other day, I was given Ativan to keep me calm. It was the first time in years that I felt some relief from my burning pain!

I asked my neurologist about it, but he won't prescribe it because he says it's too addicting and hard to get off of it.

I actually had a few I had saved from years back. They are 3 years expired, but I took one when I couldn't stand the pain the other day, and found, again, that it really soothed my pain.

I don't want to get back on that train again -- it was so hard to get off opiates. But it must help with nerve pain.

jag

[nadene]

All of you will make it! You will.
I just came off 40mg of Valium.
Hang in there, it gets better!

Nadene xxx

[edarrin]

Yeh, I'm trying. I have some surgery upcoming (knee replacement). Got into this through an accident I had where I smashed my shouder up pretty bad. Still going to pain managemnt for that. Trying to taper off slowly.

I have some subs packed away for when the time is right. After this next surgery hopefully my pain level will subside which could help (I hope!). I like the feeling and have had to get clean before. I know how much pain there is in the beginning. I think the benzos are worse though. Harder to come off I hear. Guess I might know myself soon .

[view_askew]

I've heard the same.  From what I understand it's similar to opiates, except add severe shaking to the mix as well.  And, trade the flu-like body-aches for migraine type headaches.  Of course, if it's short term, and used as directed, it shouldn't be much of a problem.  Talk to your doctor and all that...  (Standard disclaimers apply)

Taken from:  http://anxiety.emedtv.com/xanax/xanax-withdrawal.html
Some possible symptoms of withdrawal from Xanax include heart palpitations, memory loss, depression, and seizures.

[biganddaft]

its taken too much time for me to find people with similar experiences and understandings of the workings of opiate addiction and the inevitable prescription meds that seem to go with. I have had a heroin addiction for the past 5 years but have been free of ALL substances for 7 months ive allways known that i ndidnt want or need to be an addict but hell it was so much eaiser than facing up to my issues. I am fighting tooth and nail to stop my daughter being addopted its hard but the human mind is a wonderful thing and we can do ANYTHING we choose to do its posssible to be free of any substance determination and will power is all it takes. Opiate is an easy detox after 3 days it starts to settle advice to anyone detoxing off benzos be very careful. I was on 8mg lorazepam (ativan) daily for two years and my god there is nothing worse fits no sleeep for 4 months sweats shakes it was the pits but how much better is life without medications and drugs 1000000000 times do it it will be he best vthing youll ever do in life promise!!!

[jagannatha]

Hi Biganddaft,

Welcome to the site. I'm so glad you found your way to freedom from opiates (and benzos). Thanks for stating the nature of benzo withdrawal. They are often used during withdrawal especially for those sleepless nights and anxiety. I had a prescription of Klonapin and took them every other night during the worst of the opiate withdrawal. If not for the wisdom of someone on here named Nakoa, who warned me about benzo addiction and withdrawal, I might have found myself addicted to those as well.

Feel free to share your wisdom here!

Jag

[Iwanttobefree]

Awsome story. Gives me hope I was not that bad but it doesnt matter it still an addiction. I am in day 3 of cold turkey. Monday was terrible for me. I have never been so agitated in my life. No sleep, pacing, sweating, and just feeling terrible. Very little sleep since Monday but today was ok. I did slip with some dilauded but just figured its a bump in the road. Time to continue forward. Just hope it doesnt set me back to Monday night. My guess is it wont it wasnt that much. Compared to the 240 Percs I went through in about 7 days. I know have to deal with the mental which I know is just as tough. My marriage is not going to last if I dont fix this problem asap. Just tried to stay busy today and hope that tonight will bring some sleep. I do have 1 week medical leave from my doc, he gave me valium and clonidine. He told me it happens and dont hang your head. Just get through it and move on. So thanks for your story it is very encouraging. This is a great site for help and support. Take care.

[Need some support]

Yeh, I'm trying. I have some surgery upcoming (knee replacement). Got into this through an accident I had where I smashed my shouder up pretty bad. Still going to pain managemnt for that. Trying to taper off slowly.

Edarrin, just curious but is your PM dr helping you with the tapering? I haven't spoken to mine yet about tapering. I stupidly went into my appointment last week and said I wanted off the meds ASAP. He dropped me from Opana ER 20 mg twice a day and up to 50 mg norco for BT pain to Morphine Sulfate 15 mg IR every 8 hours. I was way undermedicated but it was my fault as I forgot to remind him I was taking the norco every day now. My history was very rarely which he knew. Day 5 now and I think my body has leveled off. The MS IR was doubled on Friday after I called the office in hysterics and full blown WD. He also called in a month of clonidine patches. I need to call him on Wednesday as I won't have enough MS to get me through to my next visit as he doubled them up. I love this man! I trust him so much that I asked if he would do the general anesthesia on my knee replacement but sadly, he does only PM now. When I am off the meds I will ask him to refer me to an Anesthesiologist who he trusts and then find an Ortho that will do the replacement under a spinal. The Ortho that did my scope won't and he screwed me up so bad that I wouldn't let him change a lightbulb for me!

Good luck to you!