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Avatar universal

Help with home detox

Hi,
I'm interested in the Thomas Recipe for overcoming a dependence on hydrocodone. I took it 2 years prior to having major back surgery and continued 3 years after. Surgery outcomes were not good, but at least not confined to a wheelchair. I still experience pain and have been told will likely continue to do so for the remainder of my life.

I am tired of needing these damn pills, because I realize there are times I take them because of the pain, but others because of the nagging feeling I experience when I go for more than 10 hours without them. I want to use holistic and actually effective ways to heal (like getting into better shape, using naturally derived and absorbable supplements and spiritual mind treatment).

Regarding using the Thomas Recipe, I have a few questions:

First, I have never taken the prescribed dose, always less. I have been taking 2, 7.5-200mg tablets a day (cut in half, so 4 half pills a day). Even so, each time I have tried to taper off, the least I have ever been able to take is 2 halves a day, and usually only lasts a week or so before I am up to 4 halves. I'm so frustrated because I just can't seem to taper off any lower than that and not for a long time. If I use the Thomas Recipe, should I continue to take any at all, or just stop taking them altogether?

Also, I take adderal for a sleep disorder and wonder if there is anything I need to be concerned with regarding continuing to use it while going through the detox for the hydrocodone. I would prefer to eliminate just one drug at a time. I suspect the need for the adderal may disappear once I am free of the hydrocodone dependence. Thoughts?

Lastly, I have had terrible issues with constipation the entire time I have used hydrocodone. Will this problem likely go away once I am off of the drug?

I would appreciate other's thoughts on the Thomas Recipe, especially from those who have had experiences similar to mine. Thanks in advance for your advice and feedback.
10 Responses
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Avatar universal
I have just begun to detox myself from  hydro. I have taken 5mils 4 times a day for 5 to 6 years.Only as the doctor prescribed. I have been constantly decreasing for 6 days. Today the runs hit. I figured it was the detoxification process. Thankyou for your information.I have scoliosis and aging disc desease. I am going to a pain specialist and getting tiridol shots they are helping.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your input. I appreciate the insight and encouragement. I wish you the best in your recovery. Sounds like you are really committed to this. I know you will make it, just hang on. Us "newbies" need your experience, strength and hope! Hot baths and boring books (especially recovery books) may help you fall asleep. Keep the faith, friend.
Helpful - 0
6541568 tn?1382412751
Yes...Insomnia.  I'm an opiate and suboxone abuser for many years and I'm on day 17 of my detox and although I've lost count of the nights I think I'm at about 12 nights without sleep.  The best I've done was yesterday morning where I dozed off for about 15 minutes.  Suboxone wds take a lot longer than just straight opiates.  If you are planning to home detox I would say C T is the easiest in the long run.  Tapering will more than likely backfire and the suffering you do go through will be for nothing.  I wish you all the best.
Helpful - 0
4626633 tn?1382597122
I have a lot of experience with helping people on CPAPs, and you're most likely correct, you'll be sleeping so much better, you won't feel so tired in the day time.

I have heard many patients say around the ninety day mark of using a CPAP that they feel ten years younger! So that's a lot to look forward too!

But please don't get discouraged if your sleep is disturbed for awhile after quitting your opiates. Insomnia is pretty much common for almost everyone for awhile. So keep that in mind, and don't get discouraged thinking the CPAP isn't working!

Good luck!! You can do this!
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Avatar universal
I don't anticipate taking the Adderall for much longer. I have sleep apnea which I just began treating with a C-PAP device and now that I am actually sleeping, the narcolepsy should be going away.
I agree. If I can't seem to get past the one pill a day thing, I'm just going to go CT. Thanks so much. What a great community of support! I wasn't expecting so many replies so quickly. Grateful for you all and wish you the best as well!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Forgot to mention that I don't do a good job drinking water. Been kind of addicted to soda. I do take Emergen-C when I feel a cold coming on, so it's always in the house. That would help me drink more water. I appreciate that tip.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your feedback and encouragement. It means a lot. I have not told my doctor about quitting altogether, but have told him of my discomfort in taking these drugs for so long. I am fortunate that I am already in recovery for alcoholism and had a parent who was a prescription drug addict, so I have been fearful of these meds since they were first prescribed. Honestly, though, I have been more afraid to quit. I am trying to get down to one pill a day right now, but will begin the Thomas Recipe ASAP. Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
4626633 tn?1382597122
Hi there. I was on Ritalin when I ct'd oxy. It didn't factor in one way or another with it, because I have very low blood pressure.

When stopping opiates, blood pressure and heart rate tend to rise for the first week, so I would say just pay attention to your body, and make sure the Adderall isn't making your BP to high while detoxing.

Btw, I stopped Ritalin ( which I wasn't abusing, but I'm sure my body was addicted) a couple months after opiates, with zero withdrawals. Just throwing a positive out there for you!

You're on a relatively low dose of opiates, and your detox will be uncomfortable, but totally doable.

Perhaps think of going CT if your health allows. Tapering is good, but if you can't get past the one pill, maybe just go for it. Congrats on decision to quit!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Helps me NOT depend on my bones, sorry my phone is busted.
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Avatar universal
Welcome and congrats on the choice to finds alternative health care. Dropping one drug at a time and starting the Thomas Recipe now is a good idea. You will like have the runs after quitting Hydros and the constipation should not continue after detox. If it does, something else is the cause. A thing called rebound pain makes pain worse than it really is for a time after detox, getting into alternative treatment ASAP will be very helpful. I am a naturalist as well and have scoliosis with degenerative arthritis. My pain was severe for awhile, but is actually better than on pills now. Swimming is my favorite exercise for detox and building strength. I find strengthening muscles to hold myself up helps me depend on my bones so much. You are on a low enough dose to quit, I would start the supplements a week before and drink tons of water. I think EmergenC is a good addition to the Thomas Recipe and helps water go down. Is your docotor aware of your plan to quit these meds?
Helpful - 0
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