Withdrawals...saw doctor this morning - read this it might help you

[bladerunnerb]

Hello, all.  Special thanks to all the friends out there who have been sending me notes and messages.  You don't know how much it helps.

Saw the doctor today...the good doctor that was my doctor before I went to the ****hole that fired me from his office.  I had gone to him for a second opinion.

Today (this morning) was one of the worst days...I'm on Day 5 going into Day 6 at 5pm today.  Withdrawals are mainly anxiety, stomach still cramping and anxiety.  Did I say anxiety?  And, it's not the type where you have it because you want more pills...but because your body is freaking out and you mentally start to question yourself and if your going to live.

So, I thought I would share with you what the doctor told me.  First of all, he said that it's totally normal to feel this bad when coming off opioids, and he doesn't care what the other doctor did or I did, but that he wants to make me  better.  Wow....I almost cried.  He increased my Lexapro to 20mg per day, and then told me to STAY ON THE CLONIDINE for two weeks (.1mg twice per day), and then to take .25 Lorazepam three times a day for seven days.  I had to have the pharmacy cut those things in half...they are TINY.  He said the lorazepam (ativan) will work on the anxiety and will help any anxiety caused by increasing the lexapro, too.  He prescribed only seven days worth, and told me that the majority of opioid withdrawal will be MUCH better after day 7.  He said to expect a full range of symtoms that can come back over that first week.  But then, he said the chemicals in your gut, intestines and brain have caught up from not making the chemicals from the opioid, and you will start to feel much better.

On a side note...he told me to ditch the tramadol (ULTRAM).  He said it is an opioid (narcotic) and it is NOT a good medicine and has a very poor risk profile...especially for someone like me that is taking an SSRI.  AND he said it was just as addictive and just as hard to come off as any other opioid (narcotic) drug.

Just wanted to share this with you all.  This was my doctor for about 6 years before I went to Mr. Quackhead and I really trust him.

[NautyOne]

FINALLY A DOCTOR THAT WILL ADMIT THAT ULTRAM IS AN ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE !!!!!!!!!!  SOUNDS LIKE YOUR IN GOOD HANDS......I AM SOOO HAPPY FOR YOU.

Luv,
Nauty...................

Ps.  ativan is excellent for withdrawal anxiety.......much better than valium.

[cathy5841]

good for you.  great attitude..and that makes detox easier. not that it is ever easy, but you know what i mean.  keep working it.  you will get better really soon.  congrats on the 5 days thats awesome.

[bladerunnerb]

Thanks for the comments.  It was so refreshing to see my old doctor.  He had me on 5mg of lortab for 15 months with no abuse.  When I went to the new doctor, he put me on 40mg of oxycontin and things spiraled from there.  I was so amazed that my old doctor said that he just wants to get me back healthy.  It was a real relief...he was my doctor for 6 years before and I should never have gone for a second opinion.

[cora001]

I have been on Oxycontin 20mgs 2 times daily plus neurontin 900mgs 3 times daily, for chronic pain due to 3 failure operations on my neck spine, herniated discs you name it I have it including the knees and legs but recently placed on durgestics tran c 75mg patch also oralmorph for breakthrough pain reading this ladyies story and your comments it seems you all have been a great help to her.  Could you advise me has my doctor done the right thing for me.  When you go there its a 15 minutes and your out the door 100 euos a visit. Any advice or options would be greatful.  To the lady coming off oxycontin may I wish you the best of luck.

[ladyboop]

I do not know if people know this But if you take an SSRI and mix it with Tramadol, You are increasing the chance of a seizure!! Please be careful..

Way back when my dr put me on the Ultram I was taking Celexa. I passed out in the store.. Just dropped to the floor!!! I had never been so scared in my life! That ultram is wicked stuff!!

  Lady

[troubleinohio]

that is awesome! I think thats the first time Ive ever heard of a doctor getting it RIGHT about the tramadol! It sounds like you have a very smart and sympathetic doctor and Im very glad you have him!

[GoingToMakeIt]

What a wonderful Dr you have. Wow, I am almost speechless. That is so good to read. So many Drs are clueless. And to actually know how bad Tramadol is? Might just restore a little faith in the medical community.

[road2recovery]

WOW...congrats...SO glad u found a doctor who actually knows what he is talking about....I love what he said about the ultram, one of the first i have heard of that really knows it is addictive and not good to take with lexapro....
i also increased my lexapro to 20mgs when detoxing and it helped so much...
Hope u start feeling better.....Everyday will get better, keep fighting and stay strong
r2r

[worried878]

Good information for people trying to quit...thanks for sharing

[lady67]

I am so glad that you found a doctor that you could trust.  That is great.  I am glad to hear that you are doing so well.  Good Luck and we will be here whenever you want tot talk.

[macksabratt]

Happy to hear that you got the help that you needed,and hope you feel better soon.Good luck.

[confused456]

You are so right! I am so glad the Dr. told you to flush them!! I feel better now knowing you won't be taking them...LOL

[bladerunnerb]

I couldn't have done this without you hanging around helping me!  He told me to flush the Tramadol, and said it made no sense to be tapering me off of opioids and then prescribing me tramadol at the same time.

Thank you for being my friend.  I am feeling better, and know now that quitting is the right thing to do.  You can't do it by yourself.  You need your friends here, and you need support from your doctor.

[confused456]

WHOOOOOO-HOOOOOO about the Tramadol!! You know my feelings on that!!
Glad that your Dr. wants to help you!! That is so great to hear!! I am so happy for you!! You are doing such a great job by being so open and honest with your Dr.!! Be proud my friend, be very proud! I am proud of you!