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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 Scott on June 10, 2000, at 11:01:33
I am a thrity-two year old male, from a good family with a BS degree. I have served in the military, and have lived in different regions of the country. I have used all of the drugs that people encounter during their younger, partying years (heroin being the exception) and have always been able to take it or leave it for the most part when it came to substances. That changed about five years ago when I was introduced to narcotic pain killers. Like many opiate addicts, I was prescribed lorcet plus after wisdom tooth extraction. This innocent, legitimate reason for having this medicine is what I am referring to when mentioning fellow opiate addicts and how many of them got started. The next couple of years is when it slowly built up from receiving them by chance alone, to eventually asking friends or co-workers if they had some or knew anyone that did. I knew I was developing a problem when I would go into Dr.'s offices or emergency rooms making up stories to get prescriptions. My dad is an MD, and he caught on very quickly when I asked him for them. (That is a very long story that is not going to be in the scope of this post) So, from going to clinics and so forth I became addicted and also found a very expensive source on the black market. I have also been on Paxil for about a year and a half and I know this has made my experience with narcotics (in particular, hydrocodone) different then it would have been had I not had Paxil. I was on 20mg daily for social anxiety disorder and mild depression, and I currently take 40mg. The Paxil made the Hydrocodone less potent and eliminated any sickness our nausea that is sometimes associated with opiates. So I would have to take more to get the same euphoric effect (tolerance), but at the worst time during my most recent "binge" I could go through 30 Lortab 10's in about a thirty hour period. A bottle of thirty filled at noon would usually be empty by 6PM the following day, sometimes sooner. I was aware of the danger of acetaminophen toxicity, so I took a liver supplement called Milk Thistle along with NAC. NAC is found in GNC stores and is used in hospitals as the anecdote for acetaminophen toxicity. (I would butcher the spelling of NAC and I don't have a source to spell it out, sorry) Well, this could not go on. To summarize, I have recently lost my job. My family is very worried about me, as they should be. My parents, who are divorced, do not like the idea of my taking Methadone which I will now go into. I was admitted to a local program and go to the clinic each morning to take my oral dose. I am currently on 30mg, and that is working well. I could probably stand to go up a little, but I want to detox. The thought of going off of it so soon does worry me, but I am moving to the San Francisco Bay area next month to be a roommate with an old friend of mine. (I currently reside in the south east) By the way, pot is the only drug he does. I could go through the beaurocratic hassle of setting up "guest dosing" in participating cities while on the drive out, and then hope that a clinic in the area will accept me immediately. From research on the web, I think there is a very long waiting list for candidates for Methadone maintenance. I have two options for the upcoming detox. I want to be off of ASAP. It does cost $11.00 per day, and that is one reason. The other is that I want to spend some quality time with my family before leaving. Even though I feel normal, I am told that I seem "altered" while on Methadone. I do feel like I have plenty of energy. With about one month before I start my drive out west, I can go "cold-turkey" later this week and suffer for, hopefully, no more than three days. Or I can use their reccommended "tapering off" program in which they bring you down gradually. I will decide soon, but if anyone wishes to offer advice, it would be welcome. Thank you.
Scott
PS: When I settle in to my new location, I am going do start attending support groups, NA, or what ever. I know that my addiction is going to be with me forever.
Posted by Greg on June 10, 2000, at 12:49:21
In reply to Methadone detox, posted by Scott on June 10, 2000, at 11:01:33
Scott,
I recently went thru detox to "kick" narcotics, Fentanyl (synthetic Morphine), Norco (a pure form of Vicodin), Soma, among others. I tried the "tapering off method" and it didn't work for me. We tried weening me off slowly, but every time we did I would experience severe withdrawals, ending up in the local ER getting shots of Morphine to get me "under control" My addiction reached the point where I would count pills, making sure I knew how long it would be before contacting my Pain Management doc with some lame excuse for needing more (lost or had my Rx stolen, was in pain I really wasn't having, ect.). I reached the point where I was sure that the pain killers were killing me, and that's when I decided to turn myself into detox. I choose a facility that uses a medication therapy treatment (along with group meetings). The meds used were Neurontin, Ribaxin, BuSpar and a myriad of vitamins. My detox was relatively mild. I was sure that I would return to normal life afterwards, nothing could be farther fron the truth. When I returned home I developed severe depression, anxiety, a lung infection, extreme exhaustion and the inability to sleep. I was told that my symptions were a result of my body not being able to process it's own natural endorphines. It seems that pain killers start to produce endorphines for the body, and when the pain killers are stopped, it takes the body a period of time to start re-producing them on its own. I took 6 weeks to start feeling anywhere near healthy. I was fortunate to find a wonderful doc who told me that first "we must get the mind healthy and the body will follow". This has turned out to be the truth for me. I still have anxiety and panic and probably always will, but my life is far more manageable with that it was with the pain killers.
No matter what road you choose for recovery, don't expect miracles. All good things take time, and most are worth the effort. I don't know where out west you are coming, but if it happens to be the SF Bay Area, let me know. I'll be glad to attend any NA meeting you want to go to. I am also a recovering alcoholic and attend meetings all over the area. I'll be glad to e-mail you with my phone number so you can contact me.
Whatever road you choose to travel, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Peace,
Greg
Posted by ChrisK on June 11, 2000, at 6:54:21
In reply to Methadone detox, posted by Scott on June 10, 2000, at 11:01:33
Have you tried Naltrexone at all? I've taken it for alcoholism and it seems to work pretty well for me. It's generally prescribed to block the opiate receptors and remove the "high". It's now being used mostly for opiate abuse. It has also been found to have the added benefit of having some AD properties. It won't stop what your body has to go through to detox but it does stop the cravings.
As a slight disclaimer this comes from an alcoholic without having had drug problems. I think I knew early that I became addicted to alcohol too easily and knew that I couldn't get involved with drugs - prescription or otherwise.
It may be worth a try.
Chris
Posted by SLS on June 11, 2000, at 10:36:50
In reply to Re: Methadone detox, posted by ChrisK on June 11, 2000, at 6:54:21
> Have you tried Naltrexone at all? I've taken it for alcoholism and it seems to work pretty well for me. It's generally prescribed to block the opiate receptors and remove the "high". It's now being used mostly for opiate abuse. It has also been found to have the added benefit of having some AD properties. It won't stop what your body has to go through to detox but it does stop the cravings.
Nice, ChrisA doctor recently told me that naltrexone was being used for methadone discontinuation. He seemed to like it.
- Scott
Posted by MB on June 11, 2000, at 18:49:46
In reply to Methadone detox, posted by Scott on June 10, 2000, at 11:01:33
Methadone has a long half life, so the chance of you getting through with detox in 2 days is slight at best. How long have you been on the methadone. If you've been on it a couple days, it shouldn't be too prolonged. I'm thinking after about 4 days, though, you're looking at about 2 weeks of detoxing. 30mg isn't that much, so it should be mild. Can you apply for a split dose? I was up to 110mg on a maintenence program. I was able to get a split dose (2 times a day). This allowed me to taper more quickly, and I was off of it in 2 weeks. Given you're only @ 30mg, you could do it even quicker. At 30mg, I think the detox would be bearable, but not the best way to feel on a road trip.
Posted by Kath on June 14, 2000, at 14:54:01
In reply to Methadone detox, posted by Scott on June 10, 2000, at 11:01:33
Hi Scott - No advice, but my thoughts & support are definitely with you. The very best of luck to you. I'm going on holiday tomorrow for 10 days but I'll check in when I get back & hope that things are okay with you.
Kath
> I am a thrity-two year old male, from a good family with a BS degree. I have served in the military, and have lived in different regions of the country. I have used all of the drugs that people encounter during their younger, partying years (heroin being the exception) and have always been able to take it or leave it for the most part when it came to substances. That changed about five years ago when I was introduced to narcotic pain killers. Like many opiate addicts, I was prescribed lorcet plus after wisdom tooth extraction. This innocent, legitimate reason for having this medicine is what I am referring to when mentioning fellow opiate addicts and how many of them got started. The next couple of years is when it slowly built up from receiving them by chance alone, to eventually asking friends or co-workers if they had some or knew anyone that did. I knew I was developing a problem when I would go into Dr.'s offices or emergency rooms making up stories to get prescriptions. My dad is an MD, and he caught on very quickly when I asked him for them. (That is a very long story that is not going to be in the scope of this post) So, from going to clinics and so forth I became addicted and also found a very expensive source on the black market. I have also been on Paxil for about a year and a half and I know this has made my experience with narcotics (in particular, hydrocodone) different then it would have been had I not had Paxil. I was on 20mg daily for social anxiety disorder and mild depression, and I currently take 40mg. The Paxil made the Hydrocodone less potent and eliminated any sickness our nausea that is sometimes associated with opiates. So I would have to take more to get the same euphoric effect (tolerance), but at the worst time during my most recent "binge" I could go through 30 Lortab 10's in about a thirty hour period. A bottle of thirty filled at noon would usually be empty by 6PM the following day, sometimes sooner. I was aware of the danger of acetaminophen toxicity, so I took a liver supplement called Milk Thistle along with NAC. NAC is found in GNC stores and is used in hospitals as the anecdote for acetaminophen toxicity. (I would butcher the spelling of NAC and I don't have a source to spell it out, sorry) Well, this could not go on. To summarize, I have recently lost my job. My family is very worried about me, as they should be. My parents, who are divorced, do not like the idea of my taking Methadone which I will now go into. I was admitted to a local program and go to the clinic each morning to take my oral dose. I am currently on 30mg, and that is working well. I could probably stand to go up a little, but I want to detox. The thought of going off of it so soon does worry me, but I am moving to the San Francisco Bay area next month to be a roommate with an old friend of mine. (I currently reside in the south east) By the way, pot is the only drug he does. I could go through the beaurocratic hassle of setting up "guest dosing" in participating cities while on the drive out, and then hope that a clinic in the area will accept me immediately. From research on the web, I think there is a very long waiting list for candidates for Methadone maintenance. I have two options for the upcoming detox. I want to be off of ASAP. It does cost $11.00 per day, and that is one reason. The other is that I want to spend some quality time with my family before leaving. Even though I feel normal, I am told that I seem "altered" while on Methadone. I do feel like I have plenty of energy. With about one month before I start my drive out west, I can go "cold-turkey" later this week and suffer for, hopefully, no more than three days. Or I can use their reccommended "tapering off" program in which they bring you down gradually. I will decide soon, but if anyone wishes to offer advice, it would be welcome. Thank you.
> Scott
> PS: When I settle in to my new location, I am going do start attending support groups, NA, or what ever. I know that my addiction is going to be with me forever.
Posted by Scott on June 14, 2000, at 15:48:01
In reply to Re: Methadone detox » Scott, posted by Kath on June 14, 2000, at 14:54:01
Hello to all who have responded so far with kind words or advice and/or suggestions. I am still going to the clinic, and have not yet set a date to leave for California. I am still on 30mg and have not skipped a day to see how "bad" it is going to be. When its time, I'll just give it my best shot. I'll write more soon.
Scott
> Hi Scott - No advice, but my thoughts & support are definitely with you. The very best of luck to you. I'm going on holiday tomorrow for 10 days but I'll check in when I get back & hope that things are okay with you.
>
> Kath
>
>
> > I am a thrity-two year old male, from a good family with a BS degree. I have served in the military, and have lived in different regions of the country. I have used all of the drugs that people encounter during their younger, partying years (heroin being the exception) and have always been able to take it or leave it for the most part when it came to substances. That changed about five years ago when I was introduced to narcotic pain killers. Like many opiate addicts, I was prescribed lorcet plus after wisdom tooth extraction. This innocent, legitimate reason for having this medicine is what I am referring to when mentioning fellow opiate addicts and how many of them got started. The next couple of years is when it slowly built up from receiving them by chance alone, to eventually asking friends or co-workers if they had some or knew anyone that did. I knew I was developing a problem when I would go into Dr.'s offices or emergency rooms making up stories to get prescriptions. My dad is an MD, and he caught on very quickly when I asked him for them. (That is a very long story that is not going to be in the scope of this post) So, from going to clinics and so forth I became addicted and also found a very expensive source on the black market. I have also been on Paxil for about a year and a half and I know this has made my experience with narcotics (in particular, hydrocodone) different then it would have been had I not had Paxil. I was on 20mg daily for social anxiety disorder and mild depression, and I currently take 40mg. The Paxil made the Hydrocodone less potent and eliminated any sickness our nausea that is sometimes associated with opiates. So I would have to take more to get the same euphoric effect (tolerance), but at the worst time during my most recent "binge" I could go through 30 Lortab 10's in about a thirty hour period. A bottle of thirty filled at noon would usually be empty by 6PM the following day, sometimes sooner. I was aware of the danger of acetaminophen toxicity, so I took a liver supplement called Milk Thistle along with NAC. NAC is found in GNC stores and is used in hospitals as the anecdote for acetaminophen toxicity. (I would butcher the spelling of NAC and I don't have a source to spell it out, sorry) Well, this could not go on. To summarize, I have recently lost my job. My family is very worried about me, as they should be. My parents, who are divorced, do not like the idea of my taking Methadone which I will now go into. I was admitted to a local program and go to the clinic each morning to take my oral dose. I am currently on 30mg, and that is working well. I could probably stand to go up a little, but I want to detox. The thought of going off of it so soon does worry me, but I am moving to the San Francisco Bay area next month to be a roommate with an old friend of mine. (I currently reside in the south east) By the way, pot is the only drug he does. I could go through the beaurocratic hassle of setting up "guest dosing" in participating cities while on the drive out, and then hope that a clinic in the area will accept me immediately. From research on the web, I think there is a very long waiting list for candidates for Methadone maintenance. I have two options for the upcoming detox. I want to be off of ASAP. It does cost $11.00 per day, and that is one reason. The other is that I want to spend some quality time with my family before leaving. Even though I feel normal, I am told that I seem "altered" while on Methadone. I do feel like I have plenty of energy. With about one month before I start my drive out west, I can go "cold-turkey" later this week and suffer for, hopefully, no more than three days. Or I can use their reccommended "tapering off" program in which they bring you down gradually. I will decide soon, but if anyone wishes to offer advice, it would be welcome. Thank you.
> > Scott
> > PS: When I settle in to my new location, I am going do start attending support groups, NA, or what ever. I know that my addiction is going to be with me forever.
Posted by Bryce S. on June 22, 2000, at 7:38:30
In reply to Re: Methadone detox, posted by Scott on June 14, 2000, at 15:48:01
Scott,
It takes 72 hrs. for meth to get out of your system. If I was going to kick again, I would plan on not feeling bad at all for the first couple days. That is when I got all my personal stuff done and made sure I had someone to talk to if I felt like using before I got thru the detox.
I can't tellyou enough that you should get off now before this stuff gets in your bour bones. It is much harder to get off then because the detox can last WEEKS!! I have just finished mine and finally feel pretty good. I was on 148 MG and if I can do it, so can you. I don't think you will feel that bad but remember, it is only as bad as you THINK it is.-Bryce
> Hello to all who have responded so far with kind words or advice and/or suggestions. I am still going to the clinic, and have not yet set a date to leave for California. I am still on 30mg and have not skipped a day to see how "bad" it is going to be. When its time, I'll just give it my best shot. I'll write more soon.
>
> Scott
>
> > Hi Scott - No advice, but my thoughts & support are definitely with you. The very best of luck to you. I'm going on holiday tomorrow for 10 days but I'll check in when I get back & hope that things are okay with you.
> >
> > Kath
> >
> >
> > > I am a thrity-two year old male, from a good family with a BS degree. I have served in the military, and have lived in different regions of the country. I have used all of the drugs that people encounter during their younger, partying years (heroin being the exception) and have always been able to take it or leave it for the most part when it came to substances. That changed about five years ago when I was introduced to narcotic pain killers. Like many opiate addicts, I was prescribed lorcet plus after wisdom tooth extraction. This innocent, legitimate reason for having this medicine is what I am referring to when mentioning fellow opiate addicts and how many of them got started. The next couple of years is when it slowly built up from receiving them by chance alone, to eventually asking friends or co-workers if they had some or knew anyone that did. I knew I was developing a problem when I would go into Dr.'s offices or emergency rooms making up stories to get prescriptions. My dad is an MD, and he caught on very quickly when I asked him for them. (That is a very long story that is not going to be in the scope of this post) So, from going to clinics and so forth I became addicted and also found a very expensive source on the black market. I have also been on Paxil for about a year and a half and I know this has made my experience with narcotics (in particular, hydrocodone) different then it would have been had I not had Paxil. I was on 20mg daily for social anxiety disorder and mild depression, and I currently take 40mg. The Paxil made the Hydrocodone less potent and eliminated any sickness our nausea that is sometimes associated with opiates. So I would have to take more to get the same euphoric effect (tolerance), but at the worst time during my most recent "binge" I could go through 30 Lortab 10's in about a thirty hour period. A bottle of thirty filled at noon would usually be empty by 6PM the following day, sometimes sooner. I was aware of the danger of acetaminophen toxicity, so I took a liver supplement called Milk Thistle along with NAC. NAC is found in GNC stores and is used in hospitals as the anecdote for acetaminophen toxicity. (I would butcher the spelling of NAC and I don't have a source to spell it out, sorry) Well, this could not go on. To summarize, I have recently lost my job. My family is very worried about me, as they should be. My parents, who are divorced, do not like the idea of my taking Methadone which I will now go into. I was admitted to a local program and go to the clinic each morning to take my oral dose. I am currently on 30mg, and that is working well. I could probably stand to go up a little, but I want to detox. The thought of going off of it so soon does worry me, but I am moving to the San Francisco Bay area next month to be a roommate with an old friend of mine. (I currently reside in the south east) By the way, pot is the only drug he does. I could go through the beaurocratic hassle of setting up "guest dosing" in participating cities while on the drive out, and then hope that a clinic in the area will accept me immediately. From research on the web, I think there is a very long waiting list for candidates for Methadone maintenance. I have two options for the upcoming detox. I want to be off of ASAP. It does cost $11.00 per day, and that is one reason. The other is that I want to spend some quality time with my family before leaving. Even though I feel normal, I am told that I seem "altered" while on Methadone. I do feel like I have plenty of energy. With about one month before I start my drive out west, I can go "cold-turkey" later this week and suffer for, hopefully, no more than three days. Or I can use their reccommended "tapering off" program in which they bring you down gradually. I will decide soon, but if anyone wishes to offer advice, it would be welcome. Thank you.
> > > Scott
> > > PS: When I settle in to my new location, I am going do start attending support groups, NA, or what ever. I know that my addiction is going to be with me forever.
Posted by KarenB on June 22, 2000, at 11:41:02
In reply to Re: Methadone detox, posted by Bryce S. on June 22, 2000, at 7:38:30
Scott,
I'm sure this will sound goofy but here goes anyway: For your road trip, get one of those relaxation, de-stress subliminal tapes you can find in any major bookstore. The music is very soothing, with waves and natural sounds but recorded under the music, undetectable consciously but audible enough for your subconscious to grasp, are realaxing suggestions. I used a "Quit Smoking" tape on a road trip 14 years ago. I had a 1 1/2 pack - 2 pack a day habit and have not picked up a cigarette since. I really think it helped.
So, goofy or not, I thought it might be helpful.
Karen
Posted by leslee on April 7, 2004, at 14:16:25
In reply to Re: Detox Roadtrip - Scott, posted by KarenB on June 22, 2000, at 11:41:02
I need some advice and encouraging words. I have been on methadone for a little less than a year...My pill addiction lasted for 1 year b 4 I seeked the "clinic". I am 34 years old and I previously lost my children b cuz I had a relapse on the meth and some backstabbing people were involved which is another story. It came highly reccomended ( not ordered) that i get off the methadone. I want to but I am frightened I might relapse..even though I do have a positive outlook...I will b goin to rehab directly after i wean....but my question is ...I have been pretty succesful on the methadone..If something isn't broke why fix it?? just know I will do anything to make me and my childrens life better.
This is the end of the thread.
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