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
poster:Greg
thread:36834
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000610/msgs/36844.html