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IV Dilaudid Taper Help Please
I so need help, and from visiting here, think I may find some help.
I have horriblel pancreatitis, caused by gall bladder removal injuring my bile ducts, which has led to many ercp's and trips to both Johns Hopkins and the Mayo clinic. I spend 34 days in 2012 in hospital with pancreatitis so bad I went into renal failure and threw up so much I threw a blood clot in my abdomen. I had no food or water by mouth from January 1 till April 15. I came home in February, and went on home health with 2 iv's and family managing me with iv fluids, nutrition, and phenagran and IV dilaudid.
Long story, short. I got so addicted, and the docs when I came off, just gave me morphine by mouth at first. Then, they did dilaudid by mouth, with me having horrible wd's. Since May, I have been in pain management, but failed my last urine drug test (they test every month) because I ran out during work travel and took a few er morphine I had left over. I got my dilaudid this time, but I will not get anymore I am sure.
I am shooting 8-16 mg every 4 hours. I know I am in for a world of hurt trying to taper down from this.
Should I first taper the iv use down and then at some point jump to oral and continue tapering? I only have 100 8mg pills to do this. I have a few er morphine left in my "oh ****" stash.
I tried cutting down a few times, and I get so sick, and that brings on the pain, and if I throw up or have stomach cramps, here comes the pancreatitis back in full force. I cannot get as sick as I was last year again from trying to come off this medicine. My medical doctor will only dismiss me as a patient if I broach this with her at all. I can't do a detox because of the pain. Am I just lost? I have scarred my right arm so bad. I feel like ****.
Help? Any ideas? Suggestions? Methods? Thank you, thank you for just listening.
I have horriblel pancreatitis, caused by gall bladder removal injuring my bile ducts, which has led to many ercp's and trips to both Johns Hopkins and the Mayo clinic. I spend 34 days in 2012 in hospital with pancreatitis so bad I went into renal failure and threw up so much I threw a blood clot in my abdomen. I had no food or water by mouth from January 1 till April 15. I came home in February, and went on home health with 2 iv's and family managing me with iv fluids, nutrition, and phenagran and IV dilaudid.
Long story, short. I got so addicted, and the docs when I came off, just gave me morphine by mouth at first. Then, they did dilaudid by mouth, with me having horrible wd's. Since May, I have been in pain management, but failed my last urine drug test (they test every month) because I ran out during work travel and took a few er morphine I had left over. I got my dilaudid this time, but I will not get anymore I am sure.
I am shooting 8-16 mg every 4 hours. I know I am in for a world of hurt trying to taper down from this.
Should I first taper the iv use down and then at some point jump to oral and continue tapering? I only have 100 8mg pills to do this. I have a few er morphine left in my "oh ****" stash.
I tried cutting down a few times, and I get so sick, and that brings on the pain, and if I throw up or have stomach cramps, here comes the pancreatitis back in full force. I cannot get as sick as I was last year again from trying to come off this medicine. My medical doctor will only dismiss me as a patient if I broach this with her at all. I can't do a detox because of the pain. Am I just lost? I have scarred my right arm so bad. I feel like ****.
Help? Any ideas? Suggestions? Methods? Thank you, thank you for just listening.
oh geesh thanks everybody for the ideas, I am so happy I found this site yesterday--what a difference a day can make.
I am now in my hotel room home away from home. I will be here until Sunday. My goal is to go home off the needle.
Going to go now and start a post as recommended from the community to have a place to keep posting progress, etc.
I am switching from anxious to get started to scared stiff. Sometimes both at once.
I am now in my hotel room home away from home. I will be here until Sunday. My goal is to go home off the needle.
Going to go now and start a post as recommended from the community to have a place to keep posting progress, etc.
I am switching from anxious to get started to scared stiff. Sometimes both at once.
Yes, listen to IBK! Ace bandages work great for the restless legs and leg pain! I put some Icy Hot on first, then wrap them up. It's a lifesaver! (I have that feeling in my legs all the time due to nerve damage in my back. Nothing drives you crazy faster than that horrible restless leg feeling/pain!)
Welcome;I am do glad you found this site. I was so desperate when I first got here that I was about to buy Vicodin online. I found this site looking up WD and everyone's support helped turn me around.
Glad you are stocking up on supplies, I found the Epsom salts, bananas, Imodium, Benadryl, and ibuprofen to be helpful, ginger ale too.
You have had such a rough time; I'm praying for you and rooting for you. Good luck as you begin the journey towards freedom :))
Glad you are stocking up on supplies, I found the Epsom salts, bananas, Imodium, Benadryl, and ibuprofen to be helpful, ginger ale too.
You have had such a rough time; I'm praying for you and rooting for you. Good luck as you begin the journey towards freedom :))
Gatorade. You will need to replace those electrolytes. Potassium supplements for the rls.
Perhaps some soup and crackers, also. Light comforting food. Also, some Ensures or Boosts. I lived on those for a week. It's very important to keep up your strength, although you won't feel like eating much! Take care! Looking forward to your progress updates.
Immodium--yes, I need to add that to my list to pick up tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder! I am going to post tonight about my taper and let that be the place to find me as I go forward.
*makes a list, checks it twice* Immodium. Don't think Rudolph will be carrying any of that with him. Adding that to the list along with jugs of water and fresh fruit.
*makes a list, checks it twice* Immodium. Don't think Rudolph will be carrying any of that with him. Adding that to the list along with jugs of water and fresh fruit.
Hi karmawitch! I just want to add my welcome to the forum, and offer of support. As you now know, this is a wonderful place. We are all in a similar boat, and have all been through this, or are currently going through this together. I wish you the best as you begin your taper. Keep posting with any questions you may have, or if you need some support. In other words, make yourself at home! Take care, and be sure to pick up some Immodium. It really helps with stomach and bathroom issues. Best wishes!
I read you this AM on the post I did about how you read our Days, Months and Year or Year Marks..You statement hit me hard and I pick you as the Best Answer which I usually try not to because everyone on here is the BEST. I sure Pray that YOU do stick around becasue something about you just touches my Heart..I want to see you succeed..Like Most we can not do this alone and we need Support in all areas of our life.
I just want to say that I sure wish you could get a DR involved here. You most likely have the Addiction to the needle too..I just feel if you can be honest with a DR then they can set up a good taper plan for you. They can also give you some Meds to help when you do start the w/ds.
From what I have read is the Morphine is alot easier to detox from then Methadone..If you look up these meds you will find the ones that have a bit of the opium plant in them but they are made to be semi-synthetic like Codeine..(Oxys, Hydos etc.) then when they get to the Methadone, Trams and so on they are synthetic. The more closer to the opium plant the easy it is to detox becasue it will leave the body quicker. Now I am not sure if I explained this right but we do have Many on here that Explained this to me. When I first detoxed off of my 3 meds and one being Methadone I did not like the idea of Subs..BUT now that I understand how they work sometimes I wish I might have went that route for awhile. My Detox would not have been so intense and for many, many, many Months. OR if I would of did a nice and easy Taper..SO I just want you to know we have alot of Knowledgeable people out here and WE are very Supportive. I still think the Best Bet for you would go and talk to a Addiction Dr. Considering your Health issues I do think you should be watch very closely. You can do it but this way it will not be so hard on you..I sure wish you the Best and you stick around. I want to watch or hear from you as you grow toward your Recovery. You are going to be one of my Special ones here and I will help you anyway I can..ALL of us will..
I think the Lord that you found this site..Ya!!!!
Vickie
I just want to say that I sure wish you could get a DR involved here. You most likely have the Addiction to the needle too..I just feel if you can be honest with a DR then they can set up a good taper plan for you. They can also give you some Meds to help when you do start the w/ds.
From what I have read is the Morphine is alot easier to detox from then Methadone..If you look up these meds you will find the ones that have a bit of the opium plant in them but they are made to be semi-synthetic like Codeine..(Oxys, Hydos etc.) then when they get to the Methadone, Trams and so on they are synthetic. The more closer to the opium plant the easy it is to detox becasue it will leave the body quicker. Now I am not sure if I explained this right but we do have Many on here that Explained this to me. When I first detoxed off of my 3 meds and one being Methadone I did not like the idea of Subs..BUT now that I understand how they work sometimes I wish I might have went that route for awhile. My Detox would not have been so intense and for many, many, many Months. OR if I would of did a nice and easy Taper..SO I just want you to know we have alot of Knowledgeable people out here and WE are very Supportive. I still think the Best Bet for you would go and talk to a Addiction Dr. Considering your Health issues I do think you should be watch very closely. You can do it but this way it will not be so hard on you..I sure wish you the Best and you stick around. I want to watch or hear from you as you grow toward your Recovery. You are going to be one of my Special ones here and I will help you anyway I can..ALL of us will..
I think the Lord that you found this site..Ya!!!!
Vickie
Consider it a Christmas present to yourself!
Be sure to get imodium for stomach issues, too.
Be sure to get imodium for stomach issues, too.
He sort of knows. Addiction is so foreign to him, but he knows I am trying to quit a prescription drug habit. He saw me almost dead last year, and knows how much I have had to use to have any quality of life. But honestly, he does not know I am using IV. That would terrify him.
My attitude changed last night. I just got myself in hand and said, we are doing this. Some of the posts here advised: be prepared to not be well for a bit. Prepare like you are going to have a terrible case of say the flu. WD's are awful for me, but I am trying to see through them and remember that last year, I was not sure I had a future at all.
Going out tonight to get some epsom salts, a few good supplements, and make a formal taper plan.
And yep, understood about making a post and letting it be my place to be found :} I will do that before bed tonight and post up my plan.
I am scared. But if I can survive throwing up every 10 minutes for weeks and not having a sip of water or food for months, I can do this, right? Part of me wishes I had access to methadone for pain and WD, but that is just trading one addiction for another, I think.
Almost to the hotel now, and stopped to buy organic Stayman apples and some pink grapefruits. I also got some raw cashews.
I sure picked a tough time of year to do this, huh?
My attitude changed last night. I just got myself in hand and said, we are doing this. Some of the posts here advised: be prepared to not be well for a bit. Prepare like you are going to have a terrible case of say the flu. WD's are awful for me, but I am trying to see through them and remember that last year, I was not sure I had a future at all.
Going out tonight to get some epsom salts, a few good supplements, and make a formal taper plan.
And yep, understood about making a post and letting it be my place to be found :} I will do that before bed tonight and post up my plan.
I am scared. But if I can survive throwing up every 10 minutes for weeks and not having a sip of water or food for months, I can do this, right? Part of me wishes I had access to methadone for pain and WD, but that is just trading one addiction for another, I think.
Almost to the hotel now, and stopped to buy organic Stayman apples and some pink grapefruits. I also got some raw cashews.
I sure picked a tough time of year to do this, huh?
Your attitude has taken such a positive turn. I am so happy for you and proud of you as well. You wait and see how much being positive really helps.
You can start a new post as you begin your journey this weekend and then stay within that post to ask additional questions and get support. Starting several posts confuses us and it is hard to follow. We get to know you better if you stay in one place. I hope that makes sense.
This is not going to be easy honey. I won't sugar coat it so get yourself mentally prepared. And any supplements, vitamins, food, etc. you can get your hands on..do it.
BTW, does your partner know and understand what you are doing?
You can start a new post as you begin your journey this weekend and then stay within that post to ask additional questions and get support. Starting several posts confuses us and it is hard to follow. We get to know you better if you stay in one place. I hope that makes sense.
This is not going to be easy honey. I won't sugar coat it so get yourself mentally prepared. And any supplements, vitamins, food, etc. you can get your hands on..do it.
BTW, does your partner know and understand what you are doing?
OH! I understand now!!! Thank you for the clarification. I understand now, looking at my question how it would not be appropriate to actually make that kind of recommendation. But, I can come and ask about things that have helped, do a regular check in, and that makes me so happy! I am traveling today and am blessed to have a partner with me to drive. I brought my new art therapy book, some art supplies, good food, music, etc. to use as he works and I try to do a get-off-the-needle mini detox. I want to come home Sunday using some other way than the needle.
Reading the support the folks here have given other people tells me the universe has led me to the very tribe I need as I take this journey. I hope that by me being honest here, it might help somebody else start their journey.
Should I make a posting in the community that I update and use to ask questions all in one place? I am so full of gratitude just to have a place to be honest and ask for support. That is not easy for me. I take care of so many people. I am the family "fixer" who is herself now broken.
I came here looking because I was at the point of picking up the phone to try and find heroin. I was shaking, scared, mad at my pain doctor, at my illness, and thought, ok, I will just go all in. I started crying, and then ended up here after researching support a bit more.
Thanks again to the community here. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I can do this. I just can't do it alone.
So, make a post and update that the way to go?
Reading the support the folks here have given other people tells me the universe has led me to the very tribe I need as I take this journey. I hope that by me being honest here, it might help somebody else start their journey.
Should I make a posting in the community that I update and use to ask questions all in one place? I am so full of gratitude just to have a place to be honest and ask for support. That is not easy for me. I take care of so many people. I am the family "fixer" who is herself now broken.
I came here looking because I was at the point of picking up the phone to try and find heroin. I was shaking, scared, mad at my pain doctor, at my illness, and thought, ok, I will just go all in. I started crying, and then ended up here after researching support a bit more.
Thanks again to the community here. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I can do this. I just can't do it alone.
So, make a post and update that the way to go?
I hope you do come back and talk with us. Please understand that it would be dangerous for us to provide you with a taper plan, especially the type of medication you on and the method of use. It would be reckless and dangerous coming from lay people such as ourselves. Undermost circumstances we would recommend cold turkey as that is what most of us have done but for you it is different and we all feel you be best served by a medical professional.
Having said all of that this is still a great place for moral support. One addict helping another is the way to go so I do hope you stick around. Let us know how you are doing. And remember, slow and steady wins the race!
Having said all of that this is still a great place for moral support. One addict helping another is the way to go so I do hope you stick around. Let us know how you are doing. And remember, slow and steady wins the race!
ABSOLUTELY!! You can talk about ANYTHING you want....ask ANYthing you want....and we'd LOVE it if you'd check in with your progress.
You may have misunderstood what IBK was saying to you about tapering.
This forum doesn't allow us to ADVISE or get SPECIFIC about taper plans for several reasons. A person's entire medical history must be taken into account, age, pre-existing conditions, each and every prescription drug you are on, etc. We are not equipped to do that for anyone here on this forum. It's a place to share ideas, support, encouragement, tips on getting thru w/drawals, how to stay clean, etc.
You will NEVER be wasting anybody's time....we are glad you found us....and transitioning off the needle is a good first step. Be safe and please consider NOT doing this on your own.....keep talking to us...keep an open mind.....and please check back in with us, OK? Wishing you well~
You may have misunderstood what IBK was saying to you about tapering.
This forum doesn't allow us to ADVISE or get SPECIFIC about taper plans for several reasons. A person's entire medical history must be taken into account, age, pre-existing conditions, each and every prescription drug you are on, etc. We are not equipped to do that for anyone here on this forum. It's a place to share ideas, support, encouragement, tips on getting thru w/drawals, how to stay clean, etc.
You will NEVER be wasting anybody's time....we are glad you found us....and transitioning off the needle is a good first step. Be safe and please consider NOT doing this on your own.....keep talking to us...keep an open mind.....and please check back in with us, OK? Wishing you well~
I am on my way out of town today, and will be in a great hotel until Saturday. My plan is to transition to some other usage than IV before I leave there. That will be a great success, just to get off the needle first.
Am I not supposed to even talk about my taper here? I don't want to waste anybody's time or discuss anything against the rules. Is it appropriate to check in here with what I am doing?
Am I not supposed to even talk about my taper here? I don't want to waste anybody's time or discuss anything against the rules. Is it appropriate to check in here with what I am doing?
I agree with IBK in that you need in-patient detox. Dilaudid is the strongest pain med on the market and the fact that your IV'ing it doesnt help. Since you say in patient isnt an option, Id suggest going to see an outside/ 3rd party doctor and explain your situation to him. You dont have to tell him where your getting your pills from...just that you are interested in quitting and you need a tapering plan. He can evaluate your medical history and tell you what he thinks.
I will tell you one thing though and this is coming from someone who has done the whole IV Dilaudid thing...if you do taper, you have to do it completely free of IV....Trying to taper using intravenously just doesn't work.
I wish you the best of luck.
I will tell you one thing though and this is coming from someone who has done the whole IV Dilaudid thing...if you do taper, you have to do it completely free of IV....Trying to taper using intravenously just doesn't work.
I wish you the best of luck.
Sorry, I did not think discussing various taper schedules that might help, or other support ideas, would be against the rules. I will try to continue developing my own system. Again, thanks for listening and for your caring words, but in-patient for me is just not an option. Off to do more research into a good taper schedule. I am so tired of pill counting, getting supplies, etc. Sigh. Take care!
Hi & welcome to the community,
Honey, I have to be honest...you need to be in in-patient treatment for several reasons. the drug you are using, the method, etc, etc.
We cannot help you with tapering (against our guidelines) and you cannot do this alone.
Can you google treatment centers near you, clinics that can help you or even mental health clinics. Please find a place that can properly taper you.
We can support you and help you through this once you are on board with a taper an d treatment plan. You are in my prayers. Let us know how you are doing.
Honey, I have to be honest...you need to be in in-patient treatment for several reasons. the drug you are using, the method, etc, etc.
We cannot help you with tapering (against our guidelines) and you cannot do this alone.
Can you google treatment centers near you, clinics that can help you or even mental health clinics. Please find a place that can properly taper you.
We can support you and help you through this once you are on board with a taper an d treatment plan. You are in my prayers. Let us know how you are doing.
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