Hubby is home detoxing

[KoalaMommy]

Okay, hubby has been taking oxycodone (the extended release kind) for a long time.  A year and a half.  He started with 20mg, then 20mg twice a day, then 20mg three times a day, then 40mg twice a day.  He abused his last two bottles and took 40mg 4 times a day.  He decided to quit when he ran out this time.  His last was 1/2 of a 40mg yesterday morning.  I really don't know what he took in the days leading up to yesterday.  He's been on the floor for 24 hours now with rls, sweating, and terrible pain.  How much of this are we in for?  He HAS to go back to work Tuesday - will he be able to?  I'm checking in on him, taking care of the baby myself, trying to get him to drink gatorade...  Please tell me how to get him through this and when it's going to peak.  I need to give him something to look forward to.  
Blessings,
KM

[KoalaMommy]

By the way, you can absolutely get clean.  My hubby had about 3 really rough days but he came out of it and is better today.  His back hurts and he's weak from the diarrhea and loss of appetite but he's doing okay.  YOU CAN DO IT!!! :)
Bless you.

[KoalaMommy]

Thank you SO much.  I really didn't know what to do about him getting another bottle.  He says he'll just keep them and I can even hide them, but he manipulates me.  He gets mean and hateful or he whines like he's dying and I give in.  I know he shouldn't have any more.  Do you think the kindest thing I can do is to call his dr and tell him to cut him off??  I'm so afraid he'll be horrible angry if I do that - maybe even just buy them off the street.  He's a good guy.  

[ladybrock]

Your husband's suffering is an encouragement and inspiration to me.  I just wrote the post about the vicious cycle I am on of percocets and suboxone.  If your dear husband can suffer so, surely I can do this!  Also, Koala, do not give in to letting him get the prescription "for a rainy day."  That rainy day will be the first day he has them in his hands!  As a fellow addict, I know how it works.  I only wish my own husband was not an addict too.  Your support is the best thing your hubby has going for him.  You are clean and that is good, but do not be naive.  Praying for you on this Easter Sunday!  Ladybrock

[scottt]

I am also detoxing at home. I have taken lg. doses of mscontin for 10 yrs Feeling all the things your husband is feeling. been clean for 3 days now and I promise it gets a little better each day! Don"t let him talk you into giving him pills we addicts are great cons and will even manufacture extra pain so our loved ones will give in and feel sorry for us!!!! I have a great wife of 27yrs. who stands by me but does not give in to my whining!! It sounds like you are that kind of wife so be tough! You will both get through this. I have also found that a good regimine of vitamins thru detox helps too. Ialso got advice on this forum that bannas help w/leg pain. I found that they do help some. He needs your support and tough love more than ever this will not be easy but can be done!!!! GOOD LUCK!!! I"ll be thinking of you both!!  

[KoalaMommy]

Thank you very much.  Right now, he wants to wait to see how he feels on Monday.  I told him that on Monday, I will call his dr and tell him what's going on and ask for the Clonipine.  I think that's for the best because then there is no option to get more oxycodones as the dr will be in on the detoxing.  I'm just really hoping the dr will write a prescription without seeing him because I *know* they won't have any appointments available.  Praying!!!

[PromisedLand]

sorry for the late response...I got clonipine from the ER..walked in one night and said "I need help..I'm addicted to vicodin, I don't want drugs..I want help.  They prescribed the clonipine that night (a Sunday) within a couple of hour I felt so much better.  As I said, should he get it DO NOT EXCEED THE PRESCRIBED DOSAGE as it could cause his bp to get so low he passes out.

an antianxiety med might help along with the clonipine but using both will knock him out.
at least it did me..


Best of luck
Jim

[road2recovery]

i think he will be surprised to see that when all this is out of his system, his back pain will not be as bad..it is a fact that pain meds can actually make the pain worst....then going through w/d's every bone hurts and back pain is worst.....
hopefully after getting clean he will see he never wants to go through that again....But you know you can't really stop him if he wants to keep using..
please ask him to get on this forum, and maybe we can help.....
ps...what a great person you are , to support him!  i hope he knows how special you are
good luck
r2r

[KoalaMommy]

He's up and eating a banana!  Yay!  He had a cup of tea this morning, so I think we *might* be on the better slope of this.  Now, the question is, how do I keep him off this stuff?  He's still going to have the original back pain I think and he already told me that he wants to keep getting the rx's "to have for a rainy day".  I'll fight him on that but I can't really stop him if he does it.  Help!

[toxictome]

He'll be ok til you get back....he'll probably still feel like he's dying...trust me...he won't!!!

YOu are a sweet heart to be taking care of him.....keep posting!!!

[road2recovery]

LOL----i am sure u have missed it...so did my husband,,so lets say he is happy now  :)

maybe when he is up to it, he can get on here, and know he is not alone!!!
r2r

[KoalaMommy]

LOL!!  I have missed it, so it's welcome back!  Thank you so much for all the encouragment, advice and help I've found here.  You are all angels in disguise.  
He's using a heating pad on his back atm and he says it helps but he yelps whenever he moves just so.  I'm leaving him home alone long enough to take the baby to see the Easter bunny so I hope he's okay when I get back.  :(  I'll try to get him out for a little walk this afternoon.

[Shotrock]

Just remember every hour will get better, you guys can do this.. 3rd night is usually the worst, was for me.  Your so close to a better Life don't give up, don't ever give up! God Bless you your Husband is a Lucky man.. Just be careful cause day 5 or 6 his sex drive will come back.. LOL

[road2recovery]

the only way to get it is from a doctor...if he goes into the ER they will probably give it to him...but it sounds like he is doing a little better, if he can get up this afternoon, maybe a short walk...it helped me even though i didn't think i could do it....
good luck
r2r

[KoalaMommy]

How do I get Clonidine?  His dr is closed now for the holiday weekend.  He's had a bad night.  Shivering and shaking and one bout with diarrhea.  This morning, he says the tingles are a bit better but he's in a great lot of pain esp. his back.  (He was put on the meds for a back injury.)  He thought he might try to get up this afternoon.  

[PromisedLand]

I highly recommend clonidine...very close to a wonder drug for wd's.  DO NOT EXCEED THE PRESCRIBED DOSAGE.  After some bad withdrawl from vicodin, I felt better within a couple hours of taking the first one and was able to go to work the next day..did not
function perfectly, but I was able to do my job.  If he goes this route, get plenty of hard candies for him to suck on as clonidine does produce dry mouth (and drowsiness).

Jim

[Magpie70]

Immodium - lots of it - will help with the diarrhea (which will hit eventually) as well as some of the restlessness/anxiety.  It's active ingredient is loperamide hydrochloride, which affects some of the same receptors that are going crazy for Oxy in his brain right now.

LOTS of fluids.  Can't stress this enough. Not just water tho - needs to be gatorade or juice or even kool-aid.  something with sodium and sugar, which will help the water absorb into his system better.  

Like everyone said, frequent hot baths.

If you can get some Valium and some Catapres (Clonidine - a blood pressure medication), this will alleviate much of his discomfort.  Gotta be careful w/ the Valium tho, since it's a benzo and habit forming.  You need just enough for 3-5 days.  

Tylenol or Ibuprofen will help w/ the sweats.  And the muscle aches.  

OTC muscle rubs can also help w/ the achey feelings.  Like BenGay, with 20-30% Methyl Salicylate in it.

My doc is helping me detox this weekend, and these are all the things he has prescribed.

Good luck to you, too.  I know it can be really scary to be the support person in this situation.  Remember to keep hugging him, telling him that this will pass, that he is a good person (we get really depressed and self loathing, cuz our endorphins are missing).

MP

[KoalaMommy]

Thank you for your kind words.  I feel helpless and guilty too because he forced me to turn the bottle over to him and I gave it.  He's drinking as much as I can force into him but he won't eat.  He hasn't eaten since Wednesday.  He hasn't been mean so far and I hope he doesn't get mean because I'm soft hearted. :(
Thank you for your prayers.

[road2recovery]

tommorrow could be day 3 if you want...lol..it doesn't matter just as long as he can get through these w/d's....you are a wonderfull wife to take care of him...
if he says things that hurt your feelings, do not take it personnal...it is the drug not him...when he starts thinking clearer it will get better..
for now he just has to go through this...
i am glad he got in the tub, because he may need it during the nite...maybe just help him get out if he feels dizzy,,
is he drinking alot ?  eating?
keep us posted
u and him are in my prayers
r2r

[KoalaMommy]

The bath helped but he got dizzy when he got out.  He's on the floor with the heating pad and a sleeping bag.  (He can't sleep in bed with me because he kicks me hard all night because of the rls and he's sweating a small pool.)  If his last was yesterday 8am, 1/2 of a 40mg, what day would you say he's on?  I say tomorrow will be day 3, but maybe I'm being too hopeful?  
KM

[avisg]

no its not addictive and some people say it has helped them threw withdrawl ,i is not going to hurt him to try it

[toxictome]

Get him in the tub...it helps so much...and he's putting no meds in his body!!!

HOT BATH...HOT BATH...HOT BATH.....it REALLY does help!

Push the fluids, he needs to stay hydrated.
Also, he can take OTC meds for pain...Motrin, Tylenoll, Advil, Aleve, etc...

GOOD LUCK and KEEP POSTING!!

[KoalaMommy]

I guess the Lyrica won't help.  The website says it won't be effective until one week has passed.
KM

[KoalaMommy]

Is the Lyrica addictive too?  Won't he just become dependant on it?  Won't it be a crutch he can't shake?  Please advise me.  I'm from a very sheltered life and family.  My only exposure to this is from hubby this last year and a half.  I'm clueless but trying to support him and love him.  Will a 7 pill rx of Lyrica be enough to cause harm if we plan on ttc in the next 6 months? aaahhh

[avisg]

ummmmm for now if the lyrica will help him I think he needs to take it .....it does not have to be long term but right now he is going threw hell.