I Pmed David, but now i see after looking around that he is working overtime...booo...well not really cause we ALL need the money...
Cloniidne and weaning from Hydro...does the clonodine help?
Thanks for any help in advance guys...I appreciate you all being here...
Dawn

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ~Dawn,

Dawn;
The PM must not have gone through. I would never have ignored someone wanting my receipe for Hydro. cold-turkey detox.

THE GOOD NEWS!
I no longer have tout that "Clonidine" (Catapres) is HIGHLY effective for opiod withdrawal, after two years after making a fool over my self, the rsearch is all over the net.!
It is simple anti-hypertensive and most any Doc. will script it. (clue, if your blood pressure runs low, smoke a couple of cigarettes before the app't )

With Clonidine, most folks can also get a low dose Benzodiazpine if the are honest, and just say, "I need to get off pain meds. my anxiety levels are sky-high, and I can't sleep"...this is a typical withdrawal side-effect, I prefer Xanax, but any will do.

St. Johns Wort: Will help get you out of that funk withen days.

IMMODIUM- A must, get a good magazine for the B.R. the first couple of days are hard especially if you have to work, 20 trips to the toilet are hard to explain, so the Immodium helps reduce that problem. Be careful with it, Immodium has a chemical combo similar to Demoral, (another reason it works, the brain "thinks" it's getting a narcotic, so Immodium is a for sure must.

I have been on a rather high level of Hydrocodeone for some years, the worse I feel is a slight lack of energy and enthusiasm, but half the people I work with are like that anyway ...It only takes about 3-4 days, you start feeling fairly "perky" by 7 days.

Oh yeah...you may want to try the DLPA thing too, helps the brain restart making it's own "morphine" type drug again.

Good Luck,
David

Hey you guys,this is terrific information!!--- Love,mayy.

Dawn, I wish you an easy and quick recovery.

I am sick of the whole medical world. Why we have to go through such extremes to get medication just baffles me. Of course we know that some people abuse them, or don't even need them. They are the same people that are probably out driving drunk. It's pretty easy to separate a person with a chronic condition from a fake. We do everything we are told and generally do not like the fact that we need medication to get through the day. I think most Doctors can figure this out without the DEA "helping" them.

One of my Doctor clients shared a little about the h*ll the DEA has caused for him. He is not a pain management Doctor, just an old-fashioned GP. He is ready to give up his practice because he has had enough of the government intervention.

Dawn,
I understand exactly where you're at. YES, I deal with chronic pain. But I just felt I needed to get off the hydro to see exactly where my true pain level was. Through much research I found in a lot of cases, hydro (opiates) can actually make pain worse. Your body has natural pain fighters. (to put it simply) But once you start putting an opiate in your body, that part of your brain shuts down. There fore you're relying on the drug completely. And when your next dose is due, you can actually be in worse pain than the condition you're treating. Or when you run out of meds, the pain can be way worse because of the lack of drug. So, I decided to see where I was at. And I quit my norco's a little over 5 months ago.

Ok, sweats, totally normal. Dress in layers, easy on, easy off. Sweaters, sweat pants. Very normal to go from chills to sweats.

First, I think you're tapering to fast. The recommended taper is 25% reduction every 3 to 4 days. And done properly, discomfort will be minimal. A very important thing is to evenly spread out your doses. Take your meds by the clock. Don't let your pain dictate your dose. Keep the same steady amount in your system around the clock. If it's 4 pills a day, then take 1 every 6 hrs. When you drop to 3, then space them 8 hrs apart. Don't ever waiver, don't spike your dose, ya know? take a little more today because the pain is a little worse? NO! You've got to keep the drug evenly in your system. When you go off schedule, you're resetting your body chemistry. Your body & mind will play mean tricks on you, wanting the drug...just a little more today, this one time, I'll get back to the dose schedule tomorrow, it won't hurt this on time to take my pill a little earlier, I've got a stressful day today....on & on! Say NO! Stick to it! A little discomfort on the front end will save you a lot of discomfort on the rear end.

If at all possible, try to go all the way down to 2 pills, then 3 days later 1 pill a day, then even for 3 days a half a pill. Believe me, the least amount in your system on the last day you take any opiate, the less discomfort you'll have.

To give you an anology: If you jump from 4 pills a day...It's like jumping from a 4 story building.
3 pills a day...a 3 story building.
2 pills a day...a 2 story building.
1 pill a day...the first floor.
1/2 a pill...You're there!

And try to remember...2 key things....

Dose by the clock! & Reduce every 3 days!

All the best to you, it's more scarier than actually doing it, I promise. Especially if you do it right.

Other tips:

Appetite may be off, get some ensure drinks, or boost if you can handle them. And eat as many bananas as possible. You'll need the potassium. Hot baths or showers help greatly. Even several a day if need be.

Also, I'm finding out now, it took about 2 weeks before my pain levels started improving without opiates. A great difference within a month. Yes, I still deal with pain. But I don't have the same kind of pain. Hard to explain. But I've found I can manage with a few alternative methods & the fact I can feel my bodies own pain fighters are kicking again. But I take Mobic, a prescription once a day NSAID, & Flector pain patches they slowly administer an NSAID pain med to isolated pain areas. I know my limits & don't push myself beyond them. Meditation WORKS! Aleeve & Tylenol are more effective than before. I do take a muscle relaxer that eases tension & tightness. When it gets bad I hit the Chiro for a few rounds of therapy. You have to be creative. A lot to be said for hot saltz baths. Heating pads, ice packs & sometimes, just waiting out the more difficult times. But I don't regret getting off thee opiates one bit. Believe it or not, exercise does wonders. It doesn't have to be vigerous, just stretches helps. Build it up. And yes, you'll be a little sore at first, but it gets better. You can take your pain management in your own hands. Decide you're gonna manage it, it's not gonna manage you.

If I think of more or you have questions, let me know.

Good luck!

2C

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 2cool2Bme,

Great post, 2C. That is almost exactly what I did. But, after about 2 months, the type and cause of my pain made it necessary to go back to using meds.

I still try to do this holiday at least once a year. I figure it's better than nothing.

Dawn, I agree that the slower you go, the easier it is and sticking to your plan no matter what is key.

Please keep us posted -- we will cheer you on!

manny,
I know where you're coming from. And I don't know what the future holds in store for me. Possible treatments, different alternative meds. Even some herbal. But I except the time may & probably will come that I have to deal with opiates again. I guess for me, it's just a matter of putting it off as long as possible. But each of us know our own pain levels & tolerance. There is no 'One size' fits all.

2C

Great posts everyone. Additional to all the 'technical' info... Find a way to give your whole being a 'treat.' Depending on yourself and your surroundings, some examples may be: Listening to or playing comforting music. Just sit outside and look at trees, water or mountains. Just looking at the natural color green eases tension. Sit by a window looking out to something enjoyable. Avoid TV news, harsh noise or thick aromas.

This may sound simplistic, but when you are following a plan and need a littile comfort, knowing where to look naturally can help prevent 'cheating' yourself and stepping backwards. Sincere good luck wishes....YQ

You are so right about comfort. Before I found PW my husband quit Xanax. We had no idea about withdrawal and his Doctor should lose his license for letting him just decide he was done, without explaining what to do. He was miserable. I still remember the night I made a creamy, cheesy pasta dish and the smell sent him running to the nearest bathroom. It is normally one of his favorites, so I recommend keeping food choices mild for a little while.

I sincerely mean this.
I wish you the Best of Luck on your journey to being free~

Love,
Rosie

Dawn,

It's funny that David mentioned St John's Wort. This is an herbal equivalent of an antidepressant (SSRI). I would see your doctor or free clinic and tell them you feel as if you feel depressed. (Because you sound depressed.)

Well join the club, because I have a tendancy to be depressed; I feel I have no problem with pain medications. One of the (big) symtoms of depression is aches and pains.

Now, don't feel like I am under stating the level of your pain; I just feel like an antidepressant will help you lower your dependance on hyrocodone.

Personallly, I like to limit myself to codeine or DHC and aument with an antidrpessant. This keeps me functional.

I hope some of this helps. It has helped me. Suboxone is a better medication to help you detox off hydrocodone, but it is not cheap. Prozac (generic is cheap).

Let me know how it goes. I care.
Wayne-

Manny,

I know what you mean about doctor, even psychiatrists, knowing about withdrawal. Ii found withdrawal from Paxil intollerable! I had to call here and get a liquid for form of Paxil to reduce withdrawal symtoms. I WILL NEVER LET A DOCTOR PUT ME ON PAXIL AGAIN. It is poison to me.

She feels I am bipolar and I would agree. My moods are so "up-down." So she is right on this point and I am feeling better. THANK GOD! She put me on a bipolar medication (LAMICTAL, not Lithium). So, I am optomistic for the first time in lond time.

Love ya' Manny,
Wayne-

GREAT THREAD!!
i have tried to wean off the hydros several times and pain always mess`s my big plans up(and dependence,i`d be a liar if i didn`t add that)
when i KNOW there is relief in the cabinet(i`ve became so tolerant that its minimal relief,but its relief just the same)
its a tough row to hoe,but y`all have given me a new plan...win or lose it`s a plan

What about Kratom? I've never tried it , but I thought I might try it to alleviate some of my dependence on hydro's. Is Kratom addictive as well ?

Hydrocodone is NO big thing. You don't even need the friggin'g Clonidine...(though it does help.) More serious is the Benoz'os, and Hyypnotics, thats another story....(especialy, Methadone!)...

Be well..if need be, I am here.

David.