Support for those detoxing off a low dose of sub/bupe right now - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

hopeful62 · 01-19-2009, 06:47 AM

I noticed that there are a few people on this board right now who are going through sub detox and are down to a low dose. I'm looking for support, sharing of experiences, and hearing how others are handling the last days of sub detox. Tapering at high doses was a piece of cake for me, barely felt it. Almost too easy. I'm now on 2mg, dropping to 1.5 mg today, and plan to jump off in the next couple of weeks.

Good luck everyone . . .

lugnut · 01-19-2009, 06:52 AM

DOnt know much about the subs... But I know they are better than you DOC....In time your brain will be back to "normal" if there is a such thing. It took you time to become an addict so its gonna take some time to get back to the state you were before that period..

Dont let the "to easy" fool you though. If it makes you not crave as much the it is doing its job!!

I wish the best in your recover process!
Pat yerself on the back!
And have a great day..

DavyDave · 01-19-2009, 07:46 AM

I'm dropping off of 2mg to nothing. I haven't taken anything today and I'm a basketcase. I'm waiting for my mom to pick me up so I can stay with her for about a month. I have Neurontin and 5 Clonodine pills and 1 Clonodine patch to get me through this. I'm also allowed to take 1 mg of Klonopin 3x a day by my Psychiatrist. This is gonna be hell. I know this, I feel this. Last night I woke up at 10pm with such bad cravings.

The rehab clinic thinks that I'll be fine jumping off at 2 mg. Like you said, they told me 2mg and lower isn't a therapeutic dose and they just give 2mg to people tapering off the stuff. I really don't know what else to do.

I'm in the process of finding a new PCP. Seems like no one here excepts Medicare and Medicaid. I'm afraid that I'll get addicted to Neurontin.

bval · 01-19-2009, 08:13 AM

Dave: If you're staying at moms, getting off at 2mg, don't have to go to work, and you got clonidine, neurontin, and klonipin? Dude, you're gonna be fine. That was pretty much my exact scene, and I pulled it off okay. Yeah, it wasn't a picnic, but it was do-able. I wasn't puking or anything, I'z just, you know, pretty good and dopesick, all the symptoms and annoyances, but there wasn't any of them that were horribly acutely bad.

Aside from being locked down in jail or rehab, you're set up in the sitch that I think gives someone just about the best chance they're gonna get here. Esp. if your mom is supportive. And esp. if you start hitting some meetings!

And I had no problem using my meds as prescribed during that time, when they ran out, that was it, i didn't get 'hooked' on neurontin at all. It's not a particularly habit-forming drug to begin with, esp. not when used as directed.

You're gonna make it through just fine, don't freak yourself out. Yeah, it's gonna suck ... but not *that* bad

To Hopeful ... don't know what your sitch is exactly under which you're trying to do this thing, but ... the way DD is going about it is pretty much what worked for me. Perhaps you could try to create similar conditions for yourself. Not 'going it alone' is really key, lemme tell ya ...

cracker15 · 01-19-2009, 12:55 PM

Hey there all I am about where you are Hopeful. I was taking 2mg of sub for the last couple of weeks and just dropped down to 1mg yesterday. So far I can feel it, definetily don't like it, but im not really experienceing any withdrawl symptoms except for yawning. So I mine as well stay at that dose until my body gets used to it. I planned out 10 days at 1mg then 10 days at .5mg then completley stop. Man I wish I hadn't stayed on this stuff so long. I feel it is going to be much harder to quit this time, but things could be worse, so I will continue to stick it out until its over. So hopefully in 20 days I will finally be off of this stuff. Good luck with your taper. Keep it up.

hopeful62 · 01-19-2009, 05:41 PM

BV, how many days in w/d so bad that you couldn't go to work? I tried c/t off oxycodone, and was not feeling any better at day 5, which is why I went on subs. I can get some supportive meds from my sub doc when I'm ready to jump off. My 100% clean & sober anti-drug bf doesn't know. He's going away in March, so I'm considering jumping off at that time. Or, could just pretend it's a cold and let him take care of me. When he's seen me in w/d he gets so worried, as he knows that the cold sweats isn't normal.

The worst thing about my addiction is the secret I carry. I want off, but I'd say that guilt is a very motivating force, one of my primary reasons for wanting to get clean.

DD, hang in there. I've heard that it's better than c/t off the DOC. Good luck . . . hope you're feeling ok.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice everyone.

cracker15 · 01-20-2009, 12:37 PM

Hopeful, I know what you mean I hid it from my girlfriend for about 3 and half years before I got arrested and had really no other choice but to come clean. It really tore our reltionshiop apart especially when I would go into withdrawls and would aviod her for days at time and when she would catch me with needels in my pocket every so often and I would just make up some lie. I think she just didnt want to believe what could be going on so she would just take my word for it and of course I would flip out if she brought up any ideas about drugs. At first she handeled it better than I thought she would but I ended up going to prison for a year and half and I guess she couldnt take that. She still talks to me regulary I just think she is confused and dosn't know if she wants to give me a second chance or not. So I let her do what she wants and try not to worry about it so much. So i especially need to get off these subs if I even think I want to go back and have a reltionship with her again or anyone else for that matter.

DavyDave · 01-20-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvaljalo

Dave: If you're staying at moms, getting off at 2mg, don't have to go to work, and you got clonidine, neurontin, and klonipin? Dude, you're gonna be fine. That was pretty much my exact scene, and I pulled it off okay. Yeah, it wasn't a picnic, but it was do-able. I wasn't puking or anything, I'z just, you know, pretty good and dopesick, all the symptoms and annoyances, but there wasn't any of them that were horribly acutely bad.

Aside from being locked down in jail or rehab, you're set up in the sitch that I think gives someone just about the best chance they're gonna get here. Esp. if your mom is supportive. And esp. if you start hitting some meetings!

And I had no problem using my meds as prescribed during that time, when they ran out, that was it, i didn't get 'hooked' on neurontin at all. It's not a particularly habit-forming drug to begin with, esp. not when used as directed.

You're gonna make it through just fine, don't freak yourself out. Yeah, it's gonna suck ... but not *that* bad

To Hopeful ... don't know what your sitch is exactly under which you're trying to do this thing, but ... the way DD is going about it is pretty much what worked for me. Perhaps you could try to create similar conditions for yourself. Not 'going it alone' is really key, lemme tell ya ...

Thanks for your kind words, BV. I'm playing video games and watching movies getting my mind off of this. My mom is helping me through this. I was put on a new drug yesterday called Risperdal. It's suppose to "mellow" me out. So far it's doing a good job of it.

Vintersemestre · 01-20-2009, 03:03 PM

Dude, Risperidone is an extremely powerful antipsychotic. I'm not trying to make you nervous or anything, but be careful with that and be aware that it was prescribed to you off-label against FDA regulation, as I don't imagine you're schizophrenic.

hopeful62 · 01-20-2009, 04:19 PM

Cracker, if she's still talking to you, the door is open. But, if she's straight and was with an addict knowingly, she may have some issues she needs to work on. Also, it is likely that the two of you developed some not-so-healthy dynamics in your relationship. Maybe AlAnon?

My bf is the greatest man on the planet, and it is very difficult being dishonest with him, and also difficult hiding w/d. He and I are so close that other people always comment on our "energy" when we're together. Everyone knows I worship the ground he walks on, and everyone knows he cherishes me with his entire being.

He has issues about addicts and alcoholics. He won't be with one due to past experience. I was already addicted when I met him a few years ago. I have to get off . . . feeling a bit desperate about it.

Vinter, in the "old days" (70s & 80s) addicts were prescribed anti-psychotic drugs. The "thorazine shuffle" was well known amongst dope fiends. I think that these drugs did more damage than the DOC did. Davy, hope you don't stay on it too long! If you're playing video games, must not be too bad. I am encouraged by your progress!

Vintersemestre · 01-21-2009, 05:32 AM

I can guarantee you the psychiatrist's experiments on me did more damage than opiates did, every time I lower my dose of Effexor I feel that much better. Being on Seroquel was like being dead to the world.

bval · 01-21-2009, 08:52 AM

Video games and movies are great diversions to get yourself out of you own head during the tough time that is withdrawals. It's really all about killing time until you get better, and those are good ways to do so, in my book. Pretty much what I did as well, along with listening to music, reading recovery literature, and singin' an' playin' mah gittar.

Attending meetings with other recovering addicts is also good

cracker15 · 01-21-2009, 11:35 AM

Thanks BV, yeah we talk and hhang out now and then. I mean we dated for 6 and half years but she is technically with someone else now. I know shes not happy but thats not my business. So as I said I try not to bother with it that much I am not trying to be in some 3 way on Jerry Springer. Just trying to stay outta jail now, find a job and what not.
Anyhow I know plenty about the "Thorzine Shuffle" My cell mate in the penn had some real problems and was on it constantly. I took it unprescribed for a few days to help me sleep when they wouldn't give me my sleeping pills anymore. I felt like I had gotten hit by a train the next day. I had just gotten off dope before I went in and was still gettin sleep aids up until I left county. Anyhow my cell mate must have been on the highest dosage you can go because this guy would walk around like he had no idea where he was or what the hell was going on in the world, around him, etc. It was kinda funny, no it was hystarical. I have some memorable conversations with him. He was a great guy though, one of the nicest ones I met while I was down.

DavyDave · 01-21-2009, 02:49 PM

Thank you for telling me about Risperdal. I only take .5 mg at bedtime. Strange thing is that it doesn't help me sleep. It keeps the anxiety at bay which is why my Phychiastrist prescribed it to me. My only complaint is that my lower abdomen hurts now when I first wake up in the morning before I urinate.

I'm feeling the effects of the withdrawals now. No doubt about it. I called my old PCP yesterday to make an appointment to see him for tomorrow. I'm in a lot of pain. On a scale of one to ten I'd give it a 9.

He was willing to give me Tramadol a few weeks ago and I refused to take it. The drug doesn't usually doesn't take away my pain, but it's better then nothing until I find a new PCP, right?

I know Tramadol is addicting so I'm gonna give the pills to my mom so she can give them to me.

Hopefully he'll give me SOMETHING for this pain. Anything is better then Extra Strength Tylenol. Like a said in another post, I'm allegeric to all other over-the-counter pain killers.

BV, I'm considering going to a NA in a few days when I get better.

Greeneyes2008 · 01-21-2009, 04:01 PM

I started taking Sub on December 31st so I would not have to go through the hydro withdrawls. Now I have to look forward to the Sub withdrawls too? How bad are they and how do they make you feel just so I know what to expect....

Vintersemestre · 01-21-2009, 04:18 PM

Tramadol is a mild fully synthetic opioid and also has psychotropic action in much the same way venlafaxine does, only it has more affinity for noradrenaline effectiveness than serotonin. Interestingly, naloxone does not block it's analgesic action.

DavyDave · 01-22-2009, 02:21 PM

PCP prescribed me Tramadol today 50mg 1-2 pills every 6 hours. 240 pills in all. I'm debating whether or not to take them, because I sure feel like hell right now.

He didn't bat an eye writing it out to me after refusing to give me anymore Vicodin. He tells me that the drug isn't a narcotic and it isn't addictive.

Will it help with the withdrawals? Should I even dare to take it? My mother has the pill bottle now. I won't be medicating myself

hopeful62 · 01-22-2009, 03:22 PM

Greeneyes, from what I hear, some people don't w/d off of subs but if you stay on it a long time, you definitely do. My doctor told me that it's easier if you're younger; harder in the 40s than in the 20s. And he said that I can expect some amount of w/d, even after being on for only a couple of months, but mostly mental. My target date is Feb 16, have a 3 day weekend, and will take the rest of the week off work. Nine days total off work . . . hoping it's enough. In the meanwhile, I'm tapering.

I had gotten down to about 1mg, but wasn't feeling well. The sub dr encouraged me to go back up to 4 mg, and I did. Now I'm really sorry I did, wish I'd continued the way I wanted. Now I'm struggling to get back down. I can't wait to be off!

Vintersemestre · 01-22-2009, 03:43 PM

Tramadol's fully synthetic (like Demerol), not partially synthetic like oxycodone or hydrocodone and it's action on the opiate receptors is so weak I wouldn't exactly consider it a narcotic, it has far more in common with antidepressants. Try one anyway, since the jerks took away your sub, it HAS been used as a maintenance/detox drug for opiate addicts.

cracker15 · 01-22-2009, 03:47 PM

I know what you mean hopeful. I wouuld try dropping to 2mg for about 5 or 6 days then drop down to 1mg again. dropping from 2 to 1 your definetily going to feel it a little bit if its not that bad just be strong and your body will adjust to it after 4 or 5 days. My quit date is acutally feburary 13 a few days before yours and I am going to try and jump off at .5 mg. Everytime I have gotten off sub it has been at about that amount and I really didn't feel much withdrawls except for sleeping problems and anxiety.

Anyhow on to something else I think I hadn't been taking the sub that efficiently in the past. Because when I first dropped to 1mg I thought I was feeling bad for a day but I think it was all in my mind . I really feel not much different from when I was taking 2mg. I used to just take a pill and throw it in my mouth under my tounge and let it dissolve with my saliva and what not. Well recently what I have been doing with small amounts of sub is pulling my tounge up and putting the small piece of pill on one of the two veins under my tounge then close my mouth. Everytime I do this I try to do it with as dry a mouth as I can get. I try not to move my tounge around or create any saliva whatsoever. Sometimes it takes me 20 to 30 minutes to dissolve a 2mg pill. The longer you keep the pill in your mouth the more you will get out of it. I think if you try that out at 2mg for 4 or 5 days you will be all right but make sure you are doing what you want to do. I am not trying to offer you any medical advice.

Oh and if you haven't already I would suggest switching to the 2mg pills instead of breaking an 8mg pill up. Because with the 2mg pill you know exactly what you are getting, while an 8 mg pill you may get a lot more than 2mg on some pieces.

Good luck

01-19-2009, 06:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
hopeful62 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In the sun, by the beach Posts: 189	Support for those detoxing off a low dose of sub/bupe right now I noticed that there are a few people on this board right now who are going through sub detox and are down to a low dose. I'm looking for support, sharing of experiences, and hearing how others are handling the last days of sub detox. Tapering at high doses was a piece of cake for me, barely felt it. Almost too easy. I'm now on 2mg, dropping to 1.5 mg today, and plan to jump off in the next couple of weeks. Good luck everyone . . .

01-19-2009, 06:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
lugnut Im Clean Today Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lowell, IN Posts: 196 Blog Entries: 1	DOnt know much about the subs... But I know they are better than you DOC....In time your brain will be back to "normal" if there is a such thing. It took you time to become an addict so its gonna take some time to get back to the state you were before that period.. Dont let the "to easy" fool you though. If it makes you not crave as much the it is doing its job!! I wish the best in your recover process! Pat yerself on the back! And have a great day.. __________________ Just for today: I will take a realistic look at my problems and see that most of them are minor. I will leave them that way and enjoy my recovery.

01-21-2009, 04:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
Greeneyes2008 Wishing I could be good! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 59	Yikes! I started taking Sub on December 31st so I would not have to go through the hydro withdrawls. Now I have to look forward to the Sub withdrawls too? How bad are they and how do they make you feel just so I know what to expect....

01-19-2009, 07:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
DavyDave Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 190	I'm dropping off of 2mg to nothing. I haven't taken anything today and I'm a basketcase. I'm waiting for my mom to pick me up so I can stay with her for about a month. I have Neurontin and 5 Clonodine pills and 1 Clonodine patch to get me through this. I'm also allowed to take 1 mg of Klonopin 3x a day by my Psychiatrist. This is gonna be hell. I know this, I feel this. Last night I woke up at 10pm with such bad cravings. The rehab clinic thinks that I'll be fine jumping off at 2 mg. Like you said, they told me 2mg and lower isn't a therapeutic dose and they just give 2mg to people tapering off the stuff. I really don't know what else to do. I'm in the process of finding a new PCP. Seems like no one here excepts Medicare and Medicaid. I'm afraid that I'll get addicted to Neurontin.

01-19-2009, 08:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
bval Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CA Native Posts: 2,509	Dave: If you're staying at moms, getting off at 2mg, don't have to go to work, and you got clonidine, neurontin, and klonipin? Dude, you're gonna be fine. That was pretty much my exact scene, and I pulled it off okay. Yeah, it wasn't a picnic, but it was do-able. I wasn't puking or anything, I'z just, you know, pretty good and dopesick, all the symptoms and annoyances, but there wasn't any of them that were horribly acutely bad. Aside from being locked down in jail or rehab, you're set up in the sitch that I think gives someone just about the best chance they're gonna get here. Esp. if your mom is supportive. And esp. if you start hitting some meetings! And I had no problem using my meds as prescribed during that time, when they ran out, that was it, i didn't get 'hooked' on neurontin at all. It's not a particularly habit-forming drug to begin with, esp. not when used as directed. You're gonna make it through just fine, don't freak yourself out. Yeah, it's gonna suck ... but not that bad To Hopeful ... don't know what your sitch is exactly under which you're trying to do this thing, but ... the way DD is going about it is pretty much what worked for me. Perhaps you could try to create similar conditions for yourself. Not 'going it alone' is really key, lemme tell ya ...

01-19-2009, 12:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
cracker15 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 81	Hey there all I am about where you are Hopeful. I was taking 2mg of sub for the last couple of weeks and just dropped down to 1mg yesterday. So far I can feel it, definetily don't like it, but im not really experienceing any withdrawl symptoms except for yawning. So I mine as well stay at that dose until my body gets used to it. I planned out 10 days at 1mg then 10 days at .5mg then completley stop. Man I wish I hadn't stayed on this stuff so long. I feel it is going to be much harder to quit this time, but things could be worse, so I will continue to stick it out until its over. So hopefully in 20 days I will finally be off of this stuff. Good luck with your taper. Keep it up.

01-19-2009, 05:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
hopeful62 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In the sun, by the beach Posts: 189	BV, how many days in w/d so bad that you couldn't go to work? I tried c/t off oxycodone, and was not feeling any better at day 5, which is why I went on subs. I can get some supportive meds from my sub doc when I'm ready to jump off. My 100% clean & sober anti-drug bf doesn't know. He's going away in March, so I'm considering jumping off at that time. Or, could just pretend it's a cold and let him take care of me. When he's seen me in w/d he gets so worried, as he knows that the cold sweats isn't normal. The worst thing about my addiction is the secret I carry. I want off, but I'd say that guilt is a very motivating force, one of my primary reasons for wanting to get clean. DD, hang in there. I've heard that it's better than c/t off the DOC. Good luck . . . hope you're feeling ok. Thanks for the encouragement and advice everyone.

01-20-2009, 12:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
cracker15 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 81	Hopeful, I know what you mean I hid it from my girlfriend for about 3 and half years before I got arrested and had really no other choice but to come clean. It really tore our reltionshiop apart especially when I would go into withdrawls and would aviod her for days at time and when she would catch me with needels in my pocket every so often and I would just make up some lie. I think she just didnt want to believe what could be going on so she would just take my word for it and of course I would flip out if she brought up any ideas about drugs. At first she handeled it better than I thought she would but I ended up going to prison for a year and half and I guess she couldnt take that. She still talks to me regulary I just think she is confused and dosn't know if she wants to give me a second chance or not. So I let her do what she wants and try not to worry about it so much. So i especially need to get off these subs if I even think I want to go back and have a reltionship with her again or anyone else for that matter.

01-20-2009, 03:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Vintersemestre Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 862 Blog Entries: 5	Dude, Risperidone is an extremely powerful antipsychotic. I'm not trying to make you nervous or anything, but be careful with that and be aware that it was prescribed to you off-label against FDA regulation, as I don't imagine you're schizophrenic.

01-20-2009, 04:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
hopeful62 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In the sun, by the beach Posts: 189	Cracker, if she's still talking to you, the door is open. But, if she's straight and was with an addict knowingly, she may have some issues she needs to work on. Also, it is likely that the two of you developed some not-so-healthy dynamics in your relationship. Maybe AlAnon? My bf is the greatest man on the planet, and it is very difficult being dishonest with him, and also difficult hiding w/d. He and I are so close that other people always comment on our "energy" when we're together. Everyone knows I worship the ground he walks on, and everyone knows he cherishes me with his entire being. He has issues about addicts and alcoholics. He won't be with one due to past experience. I was already addicted when I met him a few years ago. I have to get off . . . feeling a bit desperate about it. Vinter, in the "old days" (70s & 80s) addicts were prescribed anti-psychotic drugs. The "thorazine shuffle" was well known amongst dope fiends. I think that these drugs did more damage than the DOC did. Davy, hope you don't stay on it too long! If you're playing video games, must not be too bad. I am encouraged by your progress!

01-21-2009, 05:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
Vintersemestre Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 862 Blog Entries: 5	I can guarantee you the psychiatrist's experiments on me did more damage than opiates did, every time I lower my dose of Effexor I feel that much better. Being on Seroquel was like being dead to the world.

01-21-2009, 08:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
bval Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CA Native Posts: 2,509	Video games and movies are great diversions to get yourself out of you own head during the tough time that is withdrawals. It's really all about killing time until you get better, and those are good ways to do so, in my book. Pretty much what I did as well, along with listening to music, reading recovery literature, and singin' an' playin' mah gittar. Attending meetings with other recovering addicts is also good

01-21-2009, 11:35 AM	#13 (permalink)
cracker15 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 81	Thanks BV, yeah we talk and hhang out now and then. I mean we dated for 6 and half years but she is technically with someone else now. I know shes not happy but thats not my business. So as I said I try not to bother with it that much I am not trying to be in some 3 way on Jerry Springer. Just trying to stay outta jail now, find a job and what not. Anyhow I know plenty about the "Thorzine Shuffle" My cell mate in the penn had some real problems and was on it constantly. I took it unprescribed for a few days to help me sleep when they wouldn't give me my sleeping pills anymore. I felt like I had gotten hit by a train the next day. I had just gotten off dope before I went in and was still gettin sleep aids up until I left county. Anyhow my cell mate must have been on the highest dosage you can go because this guy would walk around like he had no idea where he was or what the hell was going on in the world, around him, etc. It was kinda funny, no it was hystarical. I have some memorable conversations with him. He was a great guy though, one of the nicest ones I met while I was down.

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01-21-2009, 02:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
DavyDave Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 190	Thank you for telling me about Risperdal. I only take .5 mg at bedtime. Strange thing is that it doesn't help me sleep. It keeps the anxiety at bay which is why my Phychiastrist prescribed it to me. My only complaint is that my lower abdomen hurts now when I first wake up in the morning before I urinate. I'm feeling the effects of the withdrawals now. No doubt about it. I called my old PCP yesterday to make an appointment to see him for tomorrow. I'm in a lot of pain. On a scale of one to ten I'd give it a 9. He was willing to give me Tramadol a few weeks ago and I refused to take it. The drug doesn't usually doesn't take away my pain, but it's better then nothing until I find a new PCP, right? I know Tramadol is addicting so I'm gonna give the pills to my mom so she can give them to me. Hopefully he'll give me SOMETHING for this pain. Anything is better then Extra Strength Tylenol. Like a said in another post, I'm allegeric to all other over-the-counter pain killers. BV, I'm considering going to a NA in a few days when I get better.

01-21-2009, 04:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
Vintersemestre Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 862 Blog Entries: 5	Tramadol is a mild fully synthetic opioid and also has psychotropic action in much the same way venlafaxine does, only it has more affinity for noradrenaline effectiveness than serotonin. Interestingly, naloxone does not block it's analgesic action.

01-22-2009, 02:21 PM	#17 (permalink)
DavyDave Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 190	PCP prescribed me Tramadol today 50mg 1-2 pills every 6 hours. 240 pills in all. I'm debating whether or not to take them, because I sure feel like hell right now. He didn't bat an eye writing it out to me after refusing to give me anymore Vicodin. He tells me that the drug isn't a narcotic and it isn't addictive. Will it help with the withdrawals? Should I even dare to take it? My mother has the pill bottle now. I won't be medicating myself

01-22-2009, 03:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
hopeful62 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: In the sun, by the beach Posts: 189	Greeneyes, from what I hear, some people don't w/d off of subs but if you stay on it a long time, you definitely do. My doctor told me that it's easier if you're younger; harder in the 40s than in the 20s. And he said that I can expect some amount of w/d, even after being on for only a couple of months, but mostly mental. My target date is Feb 16, have a 3 day weekend, and will take the rest of the week off work. Nine days total off work . . . hoping it's enough. In the meanwhile, I'm tapering. I had gotten down to about 1mg, but wasn't feeling well. The sub dr encouraged me to go back up to 4 mg, and I did. Now I'm really sorry I did, wish I'd continued the way I wanted. Now I'm struggling to get back down. I can't wait to be off!

01-22-2009, 03:43 PM	#19 (permalink)
Vintersemestre Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 862 Blog Entries: 5	Tramadol's fully synthetic (like Demerol), not partially synthetic like oxycodone or hydrocodone and it's action on the opiate receptors is so weak I wouldn't exactly consider it a narcotic, it has far more in common with antidepressants. Try one anyway, since the jerks took away your sub, it HAS been used as a maintenance/detox drug for opiate addicts.

01-22-2009, 03:47 PM	#20 (permalink)
cracker15 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 81	I know what you mean hopeful. I wouuld try dropping to 2mg for about 5 or 6 days then drop down to 1mg again. dropping from 2 to 1 your definetily going to feel it a little bit if its not that bad just be strong and your body will adjust to it after 4 or 5 days. My quit date is acutally feburary 13 a few days before yours and I am going to try and jump off at .5 mg. Everytime I have gotten off sub it has been at about that amount and I really didn't feel much withdrawls except for sleeping problems and anxiety. Anyhow on to something else I think I hadn't been taking the sub that efficiently in the past. Because when I first dropped to 1mg I thought I was feeling bad for a day but I think it was all in my mind . I really feel not much different from when I was taking 2mg. I used to just take a pill and throw it in my mouth under my tounge and let it dissolve with my saliva and what not. Well recently what I have been doing with small amounts of sub is pulling my tounge up and putting the small piece of pill on one of the two veins under my tounge then close my mouth. Everytime I do this I try to do it with as dry a mouth as I can get. I try not to move my tounge around or create any saliva whatsoever. Sometimes it takes me 20 to 30 minutes to dissolve a 2mg pill. The longer you keep the pill in your mouth the more you will get out of it. I think if you try that out at 2mg for 4 or 5 days you will be all right but make sure you are doing what you want to do. I am not trying to offer you any medical advice. Oh and if you haven't already I would suggest switching to the 2mg pills instead of breaking an 8mg pill up. Because with the 2mg pill you know exactly what you are getting, while an 8 mg pill you may get a lot more than 2mg on some pieces. Good luck