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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Holly VanBen on August 17, 2006, at 14:02:36
OK I accisentally posted this as a response and am re-posting as a new thread.
Hi everyone. I am currently detoxing on my own at home from several opiates I have taken for the past 5 years, as well as Ativan and Xanax. My Dr. is mister Hitler and basically so far has told me to suffer. I am on day 9 without any narcotics. I have had nausea for days and diaherea. Yuk. Lost 6 pounds in 5 days. Pain is horrible can't walk, dizzy, haven't slept in all this time, lifeless and generally miserable. 4 Days ago I had to go to the emergency room because I was severely dehydrated and I have been on clear liquids since. The ER Dr. gave me Clonidine .02mg tablets, which I have been afraid of but have taken 3, one a day for 3 days. Also he gave me Astiril because I am covered in hives. The Astiril didn't scare as much as the clonidine does.
Anyway a couple of questions. First how long will I want to shoot myself? LOL Seriously no suicide thoughts here. Merely a reaction to the way I feel. All my doctord told me it would be bad for about 8 days, but guess what no way, and from the look of this site I still have a long road. Sigh! OK second question, does anyone have any input on the Clonidine drug for withdrawals. It scares me because in the info it says not to stop abruptly, but that sounds addictive to me. Or do the benefits outway the risks?
Please Help, Holly V
Posted by Lizzieb on August 19, 2006, at 10:08:23
In reply to Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by Holly VanBen on August 17, 2006, at 14:02:36
Honestly- I'd get a second opinion. To stop all of that at once seems criminal and cruel. I can see one medication at a time, but why all at once?
Posted by Holly VanBen on August 19, 2006, at 21:41:57
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by Lizzieb on August 19, 2006, at 10:08:23
> Honestly- I'd get a second opinion. To stop all of that at once seems criminal and cruel. I can see one medication at a time, but why all at once?
Thank You, I thought the same thing, except now I'm so far in I'm too afraid to go back. I did think this was a bit harsh though, and looking at others I see why now. I even asked him repeatedly if I could take anything for the withdrawals but he just told me to quit and I would be fine and come see him in 2 weeks. I made it 5 before going to the ER. At least the ER doc gave me some withdrawal meds that have been a godsend. I'm 3 days short of 2 weeks now and today was the first day my insides were not coming out and I was relatively OK. I just wish I could sleep, it's awful and I'm exhausted but when I close my eyes I get nauseous. I broke down last night and took an Ambien and it gave me a few hours, but I don't know if it is OK to take Ambien now or not. If anyone knows please advise. Also if anyone else thinks this was a bad idea on my Doc's part, please respond. I was thinking of dropping him anyway, especially after I called him a few days ago to get a refill on Astiril and he flat out refused, it's only an antihistimine the ER doc gave me for my hives and said it would help anxiety. It's been a godsend and I don't know if I would have made it without it. Anyway if anyone else thinks this sounds odd please let me know.
Thanks, Holly
Posted by laima on August 20, 2006, at 18:20:23
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by Holly VanBen on August 19, 2006, at 21:41:57
I had a nasty doctor cut me off like this once, too. I advise: get a new doctor asap! Even if it has to happen through an emergency room situation. Explain what happened and what you are going through. If you have been accused of abusing any of the drugs, it could be helpful to get someone to come with you to the new appointment and offer to "hold" the medications for you. (In order to ease a nervous doctor's mind, a doctor who doesn't know you yet, about potential for abuse.) Good luck!
Posted by Declan on August 26, 2006, at 21:56:19
In reply to Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by Holly VanBen on August 17, 2006, at 14:02:36
How has it been for you? It's been 10 days now.
Clonidine is said to be of *some* use, but not very much.
It's important not to take too much of it.
Posted by working on August 29, 2006, at 12:10:48
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease? » Holly VanBen, posted by Declan on August 26, 2006, at 21:56:19
I've been wondering if you think it's possible to stop opiates while holding down a job? I'm on about 50mg of hydrocodone with assorted benzo's. I've been addicted for well over 10 years but over the past two have needed more and more to get through the day. The thought of stopping scares me to death.
Posted by Holly VanBen on August 31, 2006, at 14:42:15
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease? » Holly VanBen, posted by Declan on August 26, 2006, at 21:56:19
> How has it been for you? It's been 10 days now.
>
> Clonidine is said to be of *some* use, but not very much.
> It's important not to take too much of it.Hi Declan,
I am on day 23 now. I hope the worst has passed. It's still rough and a day to day thing. I have started moving though for the first time in years and that feels great. I am down to one Ambien at bedtime and thats it. I have been accepted to an out-patient pain rehab center near me and look forward to that. I have some hope thanks to God for the first time in a very long time. I know it is worth it to stop using and never want to go thru these withdrawals again. I don't think I have the courage or strength to make it twice. So I am making it stick the first time. I know now from reading others stories that I probably have gone thru many versions of withdrawal over the years as they have raised and I have lowered my medicines in a constant state of flux. I wish we could just know this stuff without learning the hard way. And I will never again take the word of any doctor at face value without seriously looking into every warning out there. I am the poster child for all those warnings and have experienced about every side effect or withdrawal symptom there is. I have joined the ranks of the pill fobics now and intent to stay here.
Thank you so much for your care.
Holly
Posted by Holly VanBen on August 31, 2006, at 14:54:11
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by working on August 29, 2006, at 12:10:48
> I've been wondering if you think it's possible to stop opiates while holding down a job? I'm on about 50mg of hydrocodone with assorted benzo's. I've been addicted for well over 10 years but over the past two have needed more and more to get through the day. The thought of stopping scares me to death.
You know I don't think anyone can tell you what your withdrawal symtoms will be like, but i can tell you NOT to do it the way I have. There are prescription meds out there to ease withdrawal symptoms, like Soboxone. I would seriously get to a pain specialist or addictionologist or someone who is able to prescribe these meds, not all can I found out the hard way, and seriously work together towards tapering and stopping. It doesn't sound like you would like to go into an in-patient setting since you are trying to work. But I would not even attempt anything without being under the care of a healthcare professional trained to deal with opiate and narcotic withdrawal. You can do this and just know that if it does get too hard there are detox centers trained to deal with this. I did this the hard way and now I am so far in I can't get into an in-patient rehab or be put on Soboxone or anything else. I am already through the worst of it I think, but would never have been able to work through this. I don't mean to be negavtive but think you deserve an honest answer to an honest question. Please do not be scared to get off though. If you are still capable of working you are far better off then I was before I quit and I can remember how much worse I have become over the years. So please do have courage and faith to take this important step. I do not think our bodies can even begin to heal while on all this noxious stuff. Just from what my body has gone through in withdrawals it has been testament to how much my body was just focusing on fighting all the horrible drugs I was putting into it.
Keep in mind I was on Ativan, Xanax, Ms Contin, Dilauded, Soma, Nuerontin, Lyrica, Ambien and more before I quit and am on day 23 if I didn't mention before. I am taking one Ambien at bedtime and that is all and hope to quit that soon also. I did have to go to the ER early in my detox and was given Chlonidine and Vistaril for my withdrawals. I only took 3 Chlonidine before i felt it was making me worse and stopped. I took Vistaril for a few weeks and would not have made it without it, but also stopped that a few days ago. Trust me when I say get help before going through this and please do take that step. You are very courageous and strong to do this and I applaud you. You can contact me anytime.
God Bless
Holly
Posted by working on September 28, 2006, at 14:45:30
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by Holly VanBen on August 31, 2006, at 14:54:11
Thank you, Holly. It's been a month and i've managed to wean down to 30mg of the hydro w/ just an occasional benzo as needed for sleep. I appreciate your advise and am thinking alot about consulting a dr trained in using suboxone. I feel awful.
Posted by Holly VanBen on September 28, 2006, at 16:29:17
In reply to Re: Terrible Withdrawals. When will it ease?, posted by working on September 28, 2006, at 14:45:30
Hang in there working. I did it on my own and made it but it was the worst thing ever. I don't recommend it, but we do what we have to. Let me know if I can do anything to help.
Holly
This is the end of the thread.
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