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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
 Posted - 12/24/2011 : 17:35:40
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| So, I've successfully tapered from 160mg of oxycontin down to 1 10mg norco 2 x's a day. I can't seem to go any lower without experiencing a lot of anxiety and severe nausea. I don't at all regret taking pain medication, but it's really a b*tch getting off of them. Anyone ever get off opiates without withdrawals? The whole point of the taper is so I don't have to go through wd's but I'm finding myself there anyway. |
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Wodg
Australia
89 Posts |
Posted - 12/24/2011 : 17:51:24
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| I've withdrawn before and most of my withdrawal symptoms were actually TMS. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 12/25/2011 : 06:56:55
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Shave off small amounts from here on. Are those your only symptoms?
Never went through it myself, but I know people who have. Plus it's a subject that interests me. It's likely you're just moving too fast. |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 12/25/2011 : 17:05:32
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quote:
Originally posted by art
Shave off small amounts from here on. Are those your only symptoms?
Never went through it myself, but I know people who have. Plus it's a subject that interests me. It's likely you're just moving too fast.
I get RSL and really depressed. I hate the depression and anxiety most of all. |
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bryan3000
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2011 : 00:09:59
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Taylor, I went through hell with benzo withdrawal. Opiates can be tough but it seems to pass more quickly for most people. Do go slowly and work with a proper addiction meds specialist to do your taper if you can. If not, research it and go slowly. Know that you can and will do it and will be fine.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2011 : 07:28:58
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quote:
Originally posted by TaylorJoh
quote:
Originally posted by art
Shave off small amounts from here on. Are those your only symptoms?
Never went through it myself, but I know people who have. Plus it's a subject that interests me. It's likely you're just moving too fast.
I get RSL and really depressed. I hate the depression and anxiety most of all.
Do you mean restless legs? If so, that's a cardinal feature of withdrawal and good indication you're going too fast. Sarno deems rls tms, but in my opinion (for what that's worth) no way in withdrawal. The very name...kicking....is predicated on it. |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2011 : 07:27:17
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Art, I agree. There is no amount of TMS mind work that is going to prevent it from happening.
Bryan, I know that opiate withdrawal is a walk in the park compared to benzo withdrawal. When I was prescribed it, I was never told the hell it would be coming off of it. It's hard for me to believe that so many doctors are that ignorant of the medication.
quote:
Originally posted by art
quote:
Originally posted by TaylorJoh
quote:
Originally posted by art
Shave off small amounts from here on. Are those your only symptoms?
Never went through it myself, but I know people who have. Plus it's a subject that interests me. It's likely you're just moving too fast.
I get RSL and really depressed. I hate the depression and anxiety most of all.
Do you mean restless legs? If so, that's a cardinal feature of withdrawal and good indication you're going too fast. Sarno deems rls tms, but in my opinion (for what that's worth) no way in withdrawal. The very name...kicking....is predicated on it.
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Pd245
58 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 00:04:34
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To get off of opiates, I cut 1/8 of a pill and stayed on that reduction for three weeks. It took awhile to get off of them but I really wasn't in any hurry. I don't remember having any withdrawal symptoms at all - maybe body aches, restless legs. You can ask your doctor to have a compounding pharmacist compound smaller doses for you if you can't make clean cuts at smaller dosages.
Right now I'm getting off of benzo's and it really hasn't been hell. I'm cutting my pills by 1/8 like I did with the opiates, but I'm staying on that reduction for 4-6 weeks, depending on how I'm feeling. I do have withdrawal symptoms, but I wouldn't call it hell. Just putting that out there for anyone else who may be trying to get off of them. If you go slowly, symptoms aren't as severe. |
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art
1903 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 07:57:42
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| Agreed pd. It's not about winning a race. It's taking the time to give your mind and body a chance to adjust to decreasing amounts of the medication. If you have to take 6 months or a year, then take it. It doesn't have to be a hellish process. |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 08:36:21
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| Well, my doctor wanted me to jump off at 20mg of oxycontin. She won't refill as she's my surgeon not primary care. And especially since I should have been off of all opiates 2 weeks ago. My PCP is opiate phobic, so that's out. I only have 20 vicodin left, so I can't take my time unfortunately. I'm just going to have to tough it out. |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 08:53:51
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The only substance I have ever addicted to is nicotine. I have tried to quit smoking countless time and each time I have suffered terribly from what I thought was withdrawal symptoms. I was never able to quit until I got over my panic/anxiety problem. Once I conquered my anxiety, quiting smoke is so much easier. I hardly notice any withdrawal symptoms except for feeling a little sleepier than normal and time seem to get longer since I have much more free time not running outside for a cig break.
Looking back I think most of my withdrawal symptoms were actually panic/anxiety symptoms.
Hope you get over your challenge TaylorJoh. |
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Pd245
58 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 09:22:33
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Well, your doctor doesn't sound very sympathetic to your suffering. I don't see why your doctor is being this way, considering he or she knows you're making every effort to get off the medication.
Is it possible to see another doctor? Sometimes doctors in pain clinics are more knowledgeable and sympathetic about this kind of thing. I don't like that you don't have very much control in the decision on how you get off your medication.
If you can't see another doctor - and I hope you can - a couple of things that helped me with anxiety when I had to get off medication faster than I wanted to (same situation as you - unsympathetic doc) was a magnesium supplement (I got up to 600 mg and took about 1000 mg of calcium with it), and doing deep breathing exercises throughout the day. The one that relaxed my body the most was breathing in to the count of 4, holding your breath in to the count of 7, and then exhaling to the count of 7. Sometimes I had to do this 10 times a day, but it helped. I also just let the anxiety happen, and that helped lessen the symptoms, even though they were from withdrawing from medication. For muscle aches, I took lots of baths or used a heating pad. For nausea, I drank ginger tea with honey (helped me more than medications did). I just cut up about 2 inches of fresh ginger (with the skin peeled off), boiled it in 2-3 cups of water and added about 1 tsp honey. I think ginger may have slight blood thinning properties so if you're on blood thinners you might want to ask your doc about that one.
Anyway, I know that was probably more info than you needed. I know it's tough getting off these medications, but there are ways to help the symptoms, and there are plenty of doctors who are willing to work with you to get off of them at your own pace. Good luck.  |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 08:48:37
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| I really appreciate the responses. I think I'm just working myself up over this. I think the fear is disproportionate to what the withdrawals really are. I fear anxiety lol. I've had 3 abdominal surgeries and never got worked up over it like I do over what will amount to 3 days of withdrawals. Cut me open, take my body parts but dear God don't let me have anxiety. It's ridiculous. |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 09:00:38
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| OK, so I'm on about 36 hours of WD. The only symptom I have is an UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE BACKPAIN. I'm trying not to freak out and just make sure I stay on the course of it being psychological as I was tormenting myself from fear about this, that I finally just said enough and jumped off. Could also be that my mind will do ANYTHING to get me to take another pill. Cus, that seems to be all I think about. |
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bryan3000
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 12:30:20
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Taylor,
Don't torture yourself. If you need to take a small amount to continue tapering, then do so. This is not a race. Be kind to yourself and let your body adjust slowly.
That said, you are going to do fine. Hang in there and consult your doctor if you have any serious issues while tapering. (Or off.)
Try to relax and know you'll get through this.
_____________________________
-1/2010 - Developed chronic sinus problems. ENTs/Docs can't find anything
-5/29/2010 - Doc gives cocktail of allergy meds which induces first ever panic attack/anxiety.
-7/16/2010 - Anxiety stays/worsens - put on Xanax
2/1/2011 - Began Xanax taper - Withdrawal starts - full body chaos
-6/11/2011 - Last dose of Xanax. Physical/emotional chaos continues for several months.
-Now: Taking it day by day, looking for real answers and ways to heal myself without medical poison. |
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TaylorJoh
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 14:43:22
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Hi Bryan,
You're right, this has gotten to the point where it is intolerable. I just got kind of scared going up on the dosage. So, just in case, I'm having my mom taper me. I have more than enough to taper to where it will be much less traumatic. Gawd this is friggin' horrendous. Never again.
Taylor |
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Topic |
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Anyone taper off opiates with minimal withdrawals?
