Story Cutting down on opioids

[Sherri]

So this week I started to reduce my intake of opioids, so far so good. But have a long road ahead to claim victory, unfortunately had to up the benzos a bit, but that I can manage well. If anyone struggling with opioids please PM me, would be good to talk to someone who is facing the same struggles as me. I ended up taking the gabapentin but only 100mg 3 times a day, guess that's helping a bit. Clonazelam not really, can't feel any effect on it. Def gonna ask my doc go up the dose so I can leave Xanax as it lasts longer than Xanax. So just wanted to share my little recovery story with you, don't expect any applauses. Just needed to get it out of me.

 

[woknows]

I was thinking of abusing opioids a bit. Probably it is not a good idea.

 

[intheweeds]

Congrats on taking a positive step.

Have you thought about purchasing a milligram scale? You can get one for about $15-$25 on Amazon. It helps to accurately measure your dose.
I used one a few years ago to get off of benzos by reducing my dosage by 0.10mg every two weeks. It helped a lot.

 

[Sherri]

I was thinking of abusing opioids a bit. Probably it is not a good idea.

Not a good idea the withdrawal symptoms are horrible.

Congrats on taking a positive step.

Have you thought about purchasing a milligram scale? You can get one for about $15-$25 on Amazon. It helps to accurately measure your dose.
I used one a few years ago to get off of benzos by reducing my dosage by 0.10mg every two weeks. It helped a lot.

I have a pill cutter, I'm taking bupernorphine. So they are easily cut, been going 12mg after abusing it for a month taking high doses. Today I will go down to 8. Spent a week on 12mg, só going to 8mg now should hurt that bad. Thank you for the tip.

 

[W’ren]

Well done, it's a great step! I take gabapentin too, and tramacet and codeine contin... and i'm coming off of the codeine contin very slowly by my choice.,, also trying to reduce my pain medication/opioid intake.

I take an awful lot of Gabapentin though, i'm talking 600mg 4 times a day... i'd be interested in chatting sometime about how you're doing + offer support

Also you mention Clonazepam, are you taking that? Or coming off of that? I'd just like to warn you- it's so very addictive, i know first hand- please be careful. It's easy to up and up it not realizing how many mg your body gets to needing.... then coming off it is a real b*tch. Very hard. BUT if taken as directed, carefully, eyes open- you should be ok.

Just my personal experiences, hope they can help a bit!

 

[Sherri]

Well done, it's a great step! I take gabapentin too, and tramacet and codeine contin... and i'm coming off of the codeine contin very slowly by my choice.,, also trying to reduce my pain medication/opioid intake.

I take an awful lot of Gabapentin though, i'm talking 600mg 4 times a day... i'd be interested in chatting sometime about how you're doing + offer support

Also you mention Clonazepam, are you taking that? Or coming off of that? I'd just like to warn you- it's so very addictive, i know first hand- please be careful. It's easy to up and up it not realizing how many mg your body gets to needing.... then coming off it is a real b*tch. Very hard. BUT if taken as directed, carefully, eyes open- you should be ok.

Just my personal experiences, hope they can help a bit!

yeah let's be pm sisters I'm assuming your a girl if not buddies, clonazepam is too week, only 0.5, will ask my doc for 1mg. Contin us Musca stronger than what I take. Kudos to you, hugs sweetie, and legs stay in touch.

 

[Sherri]

I still struggle with bupernorphine, if anyone here is on it and wants to give me some advice please PM me.

 

[woknows]

I have never gotten so far, as to get addicted. I think that you should try slowly reducing its use. Good luck.

 

[Smart No More]

If you're struggling with the benzo reduction I would say go to diazepam if possible. Much longer acting and therefore easier to taper. Clonazepam is longer acting than xanax as you pointed out but not so long as to be as beneficial as diazepam.

Regarding opiod reduction I would say take it slow and drop by smaller increments. Bare in mind that as you get to lower doses the reduction should be smaller and proportionate to your current dose. What may be 25% of your current dose will soon be 50% of your next dose and 100‰ of the one after that. Putting it in the simplest of terms.

 

[little helpers]

I'm gonna PM you in a second. just know you're prolly going too fast on your taper. also like, do you consider staying on subs? what's your main reason cutting down on a maintenance medication?

 

[Sherri]

Thank you all for your kind advice it's been hell.

If you're struggling with the benzo reduction I would say go to diazepam if possible. Mich longer acting and therrfore easier to taper. Clonazepam is longer acting than xanax as you pointed out but not so long as to be as beneficial as diazepam.

Regarding opiod reduction I would say take it slow and drop by smaller increments. Bare in mind that as you get to lower doses the reduction should be smaller and proportionate to your current dose. What may be 25% of your current dose will soon be 50% of your next dose and 100‰ of the one after thay. Putting it in the simplest of terms.

I'm on 12mg a day as per my doctor, the thing is I'm taking more and then I have to reduce to 8 after taking 2 or 3 sometimes. And my problem it's to stay on 8, I have to, the doctor Is already getting suspicious of me.

 

[Smart No More]

You could buy some bupe' on dnm's and taper yourself a bit more slowly if your doctor is an issue and not open to working with you. It may take a little bit of a struggle for the first few weeks but at least it will allow you to taper more comfortably than your doctor is currently accounting for. Hopefully it goes without saying, be very careful when buying from dnm's.
Also, reducing two meds at the same time sounds challenging. Especially a benzo and opioid. If you've been on them for a while it's challenging to say the least. Even 10 days use is enough for me to experience withdrawal symptoms for a week or so. I can't imagine what it must be like for people that have used for months and years. I don't even know how anyone can use them for that long without needing to double their dose monthly at least.

 

[It'sNotLookingGood]

I am also trying to cut down on my opiod intake.

Since the new year, I've cut out smoking (cigs) and drinking - but I'm allowed to smoke as much weed, and take as many benzos as I want.

I know there's no point saying I'm gonna cut out opiods rn - because I won't stick to it - but I am really trying to reduce my intake. Painkillers have really redefined what happiness/contentment is to me - this is making my depression worse in the long term.

This year, I've done codeine 3/4 times, and taken tramadol once I think. No heroin at all.

I think I'm actually doing very well, but it is hard. I'm not physically addicted, but psychologically it's very hard. I think about/crave painkillers multiple times a day, everyday.

 

[Sherri]

I've quit smoking around 5 years ago, but I do vape, a lot! 250ML only lasts two weeks, chain vaping. Still unsuccessful about cutting down. Even now just took another half. I can't tell my doctor this.

 

[woknows]

What will you do if he stops prescribing?

 

[AnneRee]

I am also trying to cut down on my opiod intake.

Since the new year, I've cut out smoking (cigs) and drinking - but I'm allowed to smoke as much weed, and take as many benzos as I want.

I know there's no point saying I'm gonna cut out opiods rn - because I won't stick to it - but I am really trying to reduce my intake. Painkillers have really redefined what happiness/contentment is to me - this is making my depression worse in the long term.

This year, I've done codeine 3/4 times, and taken tramadol once I think. No heroin at all.

I think I'm actually doing very well, but it is hard. I'm not physically addicted, but psychologically it's very hard. I think about/crave painkillers multiple times a day, everyday.

Well done to keep trying -it's so hard - sounds like you've done so well already - Best Wishes to you

 

[Onkyo74893]

I'm addicted to Seroquel, Xanax and Klonopin. Only so I can sleep. Since I obtained the Xanax and Klonopin, I reduced my Serquel to 50mg. I never take more than one tablet of any of them in 24 hours, because I'm aware that increasing tolerance can lead to taking more to get the same effect. My doctor only prescribes me the Seroquel, I had to find the other two on the black market. I wish I could slowly reduce the doses to get off them completely, but suicidal ideation is what causes my insomnia. But of course, suicidal thoughts are a possible side effect of all three. It's a vicious circle. I recently watched a documentary on prime titled "Unprescribed". It's on U.S. war vets who, when they come home, have their doctors prescribing them many of these types of meds. And many of them testify that when they just smoke weed, they can get off the pills and lose their suicidal ideation. I found the movie too simplistic. Surely smoking weed in place of pills can't work for everybody? Thoughts?

 

[woknows]

YOu will need to try it for yourself, or not.

 

[Nevsky69]

Maybe I'll get a little out of the trend. When we have an addition, it doesn't matter wich one, there is always something behind it. It could be depression, anxiety, or many other reasons... our personal ghosts. If we don't resolve these or learn to keep them under control we are in danger of reverting back to our addictions. Acknowledging the problem and taking the step to solve it is only the first part of a very difficult path that often involves a lifetime of fighting your ghosts. It is very difficult to overcome them. Anxiety, discomfort is difficult to leave behind. Steps back are not uncommon, but you must not give up. Analyzing yourself is difficult. Many times you need help. Goodwill may not be enough. And we are all different. Take into account the experience of others, some will be useful to you and others will not. Everyone has to find their own method. In any case, good luck, I hope you succeed and move forward.

 

[Sherri]

It has started today, feeling the WD symptoms already with only half a pill. I dunno if I will be around for the next 5 days. Don't want to spread on how bad I feel. The aches are the worse, the restless legs, I have lots of Xanax. So that will help me a bit. I could easily get codeine or tramadol if I wanted. But will just endure it. To top it up, I just had my 3rd Covid vaccine this morning. So it will be twice the pain, on my second Covid vaccine I was in bed for 2 days. Gonna be a nice weekend. Gonna take a really hot shower tonight and hit the bed with a movie playlist.

Maybe I'll get a little out of the trend. When we have an addition, it doesn't matter wich one, there is always something behind it. It could be depression, anxiety, or many other reasons... our personal ghosts. If we don't resolve these or learn to keep them under control we are in danger of reverting back to our addictions. Acknowledging the problem and taking the step to solve it is only the first part of a very difficult path that often involves a lifetime of fighting your ghosts. It is very difficult to overcome them. Anxiety, discomfort is difficult to leave behind. Steps back are not uncommon, but you must not give up. Analyzing yourself is difficult. Many times you need help. Goodwill may not be enough. And we are all different. Take into account the experience of others, some will be useful to you and others will not. Everyone has to find their own method. In any case, good luck, I hope you succeed and move forward.

Thank you, it's not the first time I experience withdrawal , so I know what it's coming. Hugs

 

[Sherri]

I know I started this thread long time ago, I'm doing Okish with the tampering, as I got a new script today of 14 pills, the pharmacist told me. There is a lady who has cancer who takes a full box a day. I had to comment and say I feel so selfish. Poor lady she must be in such anguish.

 

[Foresight]

I worked in pharmacy for a few years. The cancer patients were always the hardest to see. They'd start their treatments and be so hopeful and bright and you'd slowly watch their light go out.

I don't know how healthcare workers do it and keep their internal balance. It's hard seeing the tragic side of sickness.

 

[AnestheticVoid]

Benzos are just as addictive be careful. Wish you the best.

 

[fox_wannabe]

I am happy to hear you get better I wish you the best.

 

[Sherri]

Benzos are just as addictive be careful. Wish you the best.

Thank you, I was able to cut from 10 or plus Xanax a day to 3 or 4. Thank you so much.

I am happy to hear you get better I wish you the best.

Thank you fox

I worked in pharmacy for a few years. The cancer patients were always the hardest to see. They'd start their treatments and be so hopeful and bright and you'd slowly watch their light go out.

I don't know how healthcare workers do it and keep their internal balance. It's hard seeing the tragic side of sickness.

I know, I've visited cancer wards due to my auntie. I just saw a healthy chubby beautiful lady shrink into a stick, I got to say I love you and will never forget you as long as I live while holding her hand one day before she died. After that day she closed her eyes and barely opened them until her candle light went off. If I ever get that disease, I wont even Bother with chemo, that's what killed her faster. Gone too soon, had such a great sense of humour till the end. Carminda was her name. RIP my angel.