I have made five days and no drugs!

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

Good job so far. Glad to hear you're going another route. Good luck. It's obviously taking a lot of guts to do this. Don't get discouraged.
Oxycodone doesn't make me loopy but it gives me vivid dreams. A bit too intense I'd say. I certainly understand you wanting to get rid of it.

That's what happens to me, I have trouble sleeping because of the vivid dreams. Then the next day I'm in fog.

[joeychitwood]

I'm amazed that you have kicked on your own. Great work! The hydrocodone and oxycodone deplete dopamine from your brain, and when you stop taking them, you basically don't replenish the natural dopamine in your brain for days to weeks. The absence of dopamine leads to a feeling of anhedonia (the inability to enjoy anything) which is very difficult to push through. It's during this time that relapse is so prevalent, because the anhedonia is so unpleasant.

However, soon your brain will start producing natural dopamine again in normal amounts, and you'll find that enjoyment of life comes back. One day, you'll look up and suddenly appreciate how blue the sky looks, and that means your brain is returning to normal. Keep up the good work.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I'm amazed that you have kicked on your own. Great work! The hydrocodone and oxycodone deplete dopamine from your brain, and when you stop taking them, you basically don't replenish the natural dopamine in your brain for days to weeks. The absence of dopamine leads to a feeling of anhedonia (the inability to enjoy anything) which is very difficult to push through. It's during this time that relapse is so prevalent, because the anhedonia is so unpleasant.

However, soon your brain will start producing natural dopamine again in normal amounts, and you'll find that enjoyment of life comes back. One day, you'll look up and suddenly appreciate how blue the sky looks, and that means your brain is returning to normal. Keep up the good work.

So far Clonidine and Klonopin is what I have used but the Klon stuff gave me real bad headache.

[hdrazor251]

Stay strong. You can do it.

[BarkMaster]

I haven't had to live through that, so I can't really say I understand, but I do wish you the best. Hang in there!

[joeychitwood]

Look into short-term Neurontin or Lyrica to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, especially the night-time restless legs and back sensations.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Look into short-term Neurontin or Lyrica to reduce the withdrawal symptoms, especially the night-time restless legs and back sensations.

I take 1800mg a day neurontin for past few years
can u go higher ?

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

I haven't had to live through that, so I can't really say I understand, but I do wish you the best. Hang in there!

I would never wish WD's on anybody....except ex wife.
Its days of living in hell, its the worst flu you could ever have is the best way to put it....Mins seem like hours etc.
Layne Staley said it best.....The pain is more than you can handle. It's the worst pain in the world. Dope sick hurts the entire body

[threemonkeys]

Keep on keeping us updated, Greg. We're all sending you the good Karma vibes.

[PSG1 Nut]

Good luck man. I have seen family go through the same thing. He had deteriorating disks and was missing L4,L5,and L6. He has the pump and seems happier and I know we are. He was on a bad path because of the amount of meds he was having to take.

[HL65]

Good for you---stay strong and don't look back!

[1966-Oyster]

Thank you for sharing your story . . I hope you continue to do well! It takes much strength and courage to take the steps your taking. We are proud of you!!

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

I take 1800mg a day neurontin for past few years
can u go higher ?

The maximum daily dose is 3,600 mg, but the fact that you are already on a good dose means that increasing it probably wouldn't make much difference in the withdrawal you are experiencing. However, I can assure you, things would have been much worse had you not already been on it.

[gqllc]

Do not use benzodiazepines to help as their withdrawal is far worse than any of the other drugs and typically can last years for recovery. Some people can get off benzo's with no issues and others can bring years of hell

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by gqllc

Do not use benzodiazepines to help as their withdrawal is far worse than any of the other drugs and typically can last years for recovery. Some people can get off benzo's with no issues and others can bring years of hell

Xanax (alprazolam) being the worst. I've seen people pick up Xanax pills on their way home after six months in rehab.

[gqllc]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Xanax (alprazolam) being the worst. I've seen people pick up Xanax pills on their way home after six months in rehab.

Joey is correct...1mg Xanax is equivalent to 20mg Valium....NOT Good stuff to be on long term

[Runnin' Rebel]

Keep strong Greg... I was kinda in the same boat when I shattered my ankle and the bone above it, I forget the name of that bone. They had to put in 9 screws and a plate, it was not a pretty picture. They gave me oxycontin for like 3 months. It was incredible stuff to get off of. 7 day stint in re-hab and I was good to go. 5 years ago it happened, thank god for insurance cause re-hab was 1200 bucks a day. PM if you need to talk.
Best of luck
Mark