This thread has saved my life, my job, and my ability to function.
As a healthcare professional, when I read this initially I was so very skeptical. But given my profession, I should have never gotten addicted to these damn things anyways. I feel like such a hypocrite all the time. I preach about drug abuse when secretly downing opiates of every kind. It tears me apart sometimes, even though it was for a legitimate reason.
Although I'm sure if someone is reading this they are already in the throws of withdrawal, but if you're reading this for "educational" purposes, please don't even start. I can't tell you how horrible this is and for most you, you already know how it feels.
So, from a scientific perspective I've decided to try this. I have no other options at this point and because of my livelihood methadone clinics or other rehab options are not options for me. I did as much research as I could, pulled from my pharmokinetics resources, here is what I'm trying. This is my experience only and every person's body and metabolism is different.
My addiction: 120mg oxycodone (oxy/acetaminophen combo)
My current situation: on day two without anything...
My typical withdrawal symptoms: Anxiety, Anger, Irritable, stomach butterflies, sneezing, yawning, body aches, hot feeling in my face, tingling, restless legs, watering eyes, cold skin
After reading everything last night I decided to try the following:
Daily supportive stuff - 1 5-HTP herbal supplement, 1 Alpha-Lipoic-Acid herbal supplement, ibuprofen PRN (usually 600mg BID), Gatorade for dehydration and potassium benefit.
Day One - Had all symptoms - 10mg lope at 5pm (felt the tinest bit better); tried to go to bed with my sig other at 1130p and my legs would not stop. Took another 10mg at 1230 and waited a half hour and the RLS went away. Slept through the night until my alarm. Day one never works like that and I usually can't sleep at all.
Day Two: Woke up 6am; all symptoms present - 10mg lope; all but eyes and nose issue disappeared; 10mg lope at 7am - only sneezing present; 830am - 10mg lope with 75mg zantac; its 1010am - all symptoms gone for now and I'm able to work and function as before... Also had a significant BM this morning despite the lope from the day before and actually still need to.. lol. My opinion is that my bowels are so used to being muted, that the lope doesn't do any more or less than the opiates did. I always could BM even if it was a little forced so I don't think this is any different. Time will tell. I'll add a dulcolax if needed at night.
I'll try and keep up my posts to relay my experiences. No craving at this time. The 5-HTP is a serotonin booster (happy hormone) and the ALA is an energy booster (increase glucose metabolism).
I'll be back later to give feedback. At this time, its working. No adverse effect. I will not go above 40mg lope today though. I can't believe this. I'm constantly trying to discredit it all, but I just can't. Positive mood, no withdrawal symptoms, and I can eat sleep and work like before. I'm gobsmacked.
Just another follow-up, although I have a feeling its going to be my last one.
Since Monday, its been 80mg lope, 60 lope, 40 lope, now 30 lope. Always taken as 10mg every 4 to 6 hours. Its not as if I'm doing any reduction on purpose. Its just kind of happening on its own. I'm quite pleased. I am also contributing the success to the 5-HTP I'm taking as well. I didn't realize how big of an issue having a lower serotonin level in my head was actually having. I believe that coupled with the lope has led to the success I've had. Zero... I repeat... Zero withdrawals. Only slight constipation that was alleviated with dulcolax and softeners. I also drank copious amounts of gatorade and multivitamins. I did do the tagament/grapefruit juice thing and it does work. I'm just happy to almost be done.
Don't let anyone tell you it doesn't work. It works and I couldn't be at this point if it didn't. Maybe its because I know I can buy it anywhere and the thrill of the hunt is gone. Who knows. I just know that life is good again. I could function the entire time with no one the wiser.
Thank god.
Loperamide is good for withdrawals, but kratom works better. Kratom rocks for getting off opiates, Kratom itself tickles the same Mu receptor as traditional opiates, but it has different alkaloids and actually has some antagonist properties as well. And i think you need Dopamine more than you need serotonin. Get some L-tyrosine, it helps build up dopamine reserves and it works great.
Are you sure about loperamide not being addictive? It's really important. I'm in the process of a self administered detox. I will have to pass a urine test, for my new pipeline job. Does loperamide show up in urine as an opiiod? Thanks
Hi! I have never been on a forum so forgive me if I am doing this wrong...I have been taking vicidon for about 5 years, starting with 1 a day and now up to 2 sometimes 2.5. I know this is a low amount compared to others but I do still get withdrawls without them. I have a rx from my Dr and get the pills due to chronic pain in my lower back, hips, and knees. I also have a neck issue. My pain is legitimate but I won't lie, I enjoy the light buzz I get. I have just picked up my last script due to the schedule change of my narcotics this month. I refuse to go to the Dr monthly for this script then have to run all around to see if a pharmacy will fill the script. I plan to tapper off very slowly, 1.75 for 7 days then 1.5 for 7 days etc. Can anyone help me with the loperamide schedule? When should I star that? Thanks all!
I just started this loperamide and robitusson last Monday...on 6th day. I also drink green tea and have some acupressure points to help with cravings. Have been on 5/325 vics 2-5 a day for nearly 7 years...legitimately. Love the way it makes me feel...hardest addiction for me because it doesn't have overt side effects except when you try to quit. This loperamide etc. recipe really works. I tried cold turkey and was ready to hurl myself onto the freeway. With this I had no physical or emotional issues...of course it's not vicodin so plan to have methods of support in place e.g. 12th step friends, exercise, animals, TV, whatever keeps your mind busy for the time being. I started with 2 loper., 2 robitusson cough meds...increased loper. to 4-5 2X a day. Except for constipation (never a prob before this), it's been relatively easy. Miracle drug!! I drink camomile tea, quinine water and herbal sleep meds with melatonin to sleep. The first night was the hardest...I now sleep through the night with no problems. I highly recommend this method to anyone who's suffering from opiate dependency. Want to post something in 6 months to say I have no cravings at all but for now, a week is awesome for me. Never could get though ONE DAY wo opiates for years.
To get over withdrawals you have to figure out several things, 1:How you got there? 2: Why you want to stop taking these meds?3:Can you stick it out? The reason these are important to answer are -- Did you really need to go past the ORIGINAL prescription (30 pills etc.) to get more or did you like the high? What is affecting your life so dramatically at this point that you want to stop? Something happened. And, you are apparently the first part of an enabling team. You can put names to as may other people that you see fit but the fact is without you, you wouldn't have withdrawals. Sounds preachy right? It is.
I have wanted to stop taking these pills for about 2 years. I have 5 bulging disks, torn cartilage, spina bifida occulta (all MRI proven) and the reason I was taking them the most.................they give me energy. I hit an energy wall when I was about 18, I'm 47 now. Chronic fatigue, and mono. I had mono at age 44. It was supposed to stop in my 20s. Needless to say, anything that helped me go to work for 12 hours I wanted.
Now, how to survive withdrawals. The guy that has been supplying you (lets call him the doctor) can get you off of them. Switch doctors though, you already bullshitted the first one into helping you become an addict (truth hurts). Be honest with the next one cause your life literally depends on this step. Get a doctors note and stay away from work or school for a week, unless you like people judging you, then by all means, go and look like a junkie. Here is the real secret to getting off of the meds,,,,,,,commit to yourself that there is no other reason than that you want off of these meds and you want to stay off. And there you have it. Oh yeah, if you were really thinking I had some magical potion to help you not feel the pain that is coming your way,,,, I don't.
I used immodium to get off tramadol. Unfortunately, I continue to take 40 pills a day immodium a year later. I regret using immodium. Now I have to withdraw from a drug with a longer half-life. Don't use immodium other than for controlling diarrhea. This short-cut will bite you later.