To Much Information and Ignorance is Bliss

[gettingmylifeback1964]

I'm the type of person that once I set my sights on something I can't stop until my resources are exhausted.  Unfortunately last night it was researching all the various meds I am taking for my pain.  Probably not a great idea since I'm on day 11 and anxiety is at an all time high.  The more I read the more I panicked.  Oh my god, im going to die if I stop them cold turkey, then omg I'm going to go through withdrawal again for these other drugs. Now I'm thinking, well I'm going to have to take these for the rest of my life anyway. NOT Because I followed by reading the side effects and took them seriously this time.  By the time I was done reading I could not stop crying.  Why do we get ourselves into these situations.  I remember when my doctor perscribed me these drug and I would go home, read the pamphlet and warnings and go ya ya, they have to put that side effect down even if one person felt it in the study.  So here I am, addicted to opiates, sleeping pills and muscle relaxants.  Heck I'm even addicted to nose spray that I need to use because of one of the side effects from my prescription!  Well I can tell you one thing,  I will never play ignorant to another doctors prescription, that is for sure!  One good thing out of last nights little breakdown, I got 4 hours sleep!!!!  Woohoo!!!

[gettingmylifeback1964]

Krissy, I don't need to come off sleeping pills, but I would like to.  After reading about them, they can be problem causing and I do wake up in a fog everyday.  I just want to be off all drugs.  I started taking sleeping pills 10 years ago and everything on the Internet says you are only to take them for 4 weeks max!  My doctor told me they were not addictive, but I think that's what they thought 10 years ago.  My circumstances have changed since I started taking them.  10 years ago I was the world wide manager for quality and customer service for a large company, working 13 hour days.  Tons of info flowing through my head at all times.  Today I am retired.  Physio is the most important thing on my mind.  Maybe I don't need them now.  I would like to see at least.

[gettingmylifeback1964]

No worries, the opiates are gone.  I sent them back with my pharmacist last Friday!  Felt strange seeing them go, like it was the end a 5 year chapter in my life. Than I turned around and went out shopping and bought all new pots and pans for my new gas stove!  I rewarded myself

[clean_in_ks]

First....MAJOR congrats on 12 days off the opiates!!  And on the 4 hrs of sleep last night.

Reading on the internet can be a blessing AND a curse.  But knowing NOW that you want to research ANY and ALL drugs before you take them is a GOOD thing.

I, too, jumped off 3 drugs at the same time.  It was CRAY CRAY for me!
I think your plan to wean off the Baclofen after you stabilize and heal from opiate w/drawals is a wise idea.  But I would probably wait a little longer than 30 days if it were me.

A note to "Againnot".....Baclofen is NOT an addictive muscle relaxer. You taking it occasionally like you are should NOT be a problem, imo.  Neither is Flexeril.  Soma definitely IS addictive...that's one of the meds I got off of, so I have a lot of experience w/that drug.

I have a sister with MS who was on Baclofen for YEARS....it just added to her fatigue though it did help with spasticity and relax her muscles.  She tapered SLOWLY and did just fine getting off of it.

Ambien on the other hand IS an addictive medication and has a rebound insomnia affect so I would do it last if you decide to taper off of it.

If I remember right, Liz, you have a pharmacist that comes to your home?  How soon can he/she come and get the opiate stash out of there?  The sooner the better, imo.  Make a phone call and see how soon you can make that happen if you aren't comfortable disposing of them yourself, ok?

You're doing good....but those internet searches may only add to the normal anxiety we have when we are w/drawing from opiates.

Keep on keepin on....you're doing good!

[dominosarah]

What are you still taking?  Do you still have pain meds at your disposal?

[VICourageous]

Good Job all the way around!

I would just like to tell you that I did c/t from 3 meds and I was no spring chic.
All 3 of those meds hit different areas of the Brain/Body and it was NO fun going through the w/ds. One med got me wired up and that was the one I got off the streets to add to my Methadone. The last one was a Benzo. IF I knew  better I should of NEVER c/t all of those meds at the same time. Well at least I should of held on to the Benzo and then did a taper. I went to a place that took all of them away and wanted me on Subs. SO I just stayed strong and did what I had to do with out ANY! I sure did pay the price..BUT this has Scared me Straight to this Day!

Yep! We all read them labels and think nothing of them do we..Hahaha
It never even crossed my mind that I could of got a DUI driving under my Pain meds..Daaaa!!!

Keep it Up YOU are doing a Great Job!
Bless

[Madmax88]

Do what you feel is accomplishable!! Getting to one month clean off opiates could help you out mentally with your upcoming detoxes! I would cut the muscle relaxers now and just keep the insomia medication. Least the two physical drugs will be out of your system! Anyways I never had bad sleep till I got addicted to opiates, then I sleep 5 or 7 hours then wake up for the pills. Now like you said my brain will not shut down to go bed it's always thinking so hard. I didn't take the ambien last night and got 2 hours of sleep lol so I'm wishing I did take it. Anyways have a good day

[Jerry198]

Congrats on day 12 your on your way now,,, just remember sometimes its best to take one TYPE or drug at a time when coming clean it takes longer but is easier on the body best wishes.

[msdelight]

Hi there girl. Congratulations on 12 days of opiate freedom.  Its probably best not to read things randomly off the internet because each person is an individual and reactions will vary. I would concentrate on getting off the opiates first. The pills for sleep and muscle relaxer can be tapered later once you are over the percocet.  There is only one thing I want you to do right now, and that is get rid of your stockpile. You need to do this asap if you plan on staying sober these next two weeks. Please go to a dumpster or flush them.

[againnot]

Baclofen is addictive ?  I specifically told my dr not to give me anything addictive!  I take it maybe once a week when my back hurts a lot.  Wow.  I'll have to research that.
I agree with Krissy.  Talk to your dr. and maybe tackle one drug at a time.
Congrats on getting off the opiates!

[Krissy_123]

And congrats on 12 days clean!! That is really awesome!!

[Krissy_123]

Do you have to come off the sleep aid pills? Or is that your choice? Are they addictive and problem causing like opiates,or are they helping you in life? You said you have a medical condition where your brain doesn't shut off. Does doc think you should come off them? Coming off 3 meds in one month though,wow you're a tough cookie hun,I know how hard it was with just one. Good for you!!!

[gettingmylifeback1964]

Hi Krissy, I'm on day 12 now off opiates.  I'm going to wait till I hit a month and than I will get off the baclofen muscle relaxant.  The sleeping pills are going to be hard because I suffer from chronic insomnia, right from childhood.  I just have one of the brains that don't shut down.  Probably why I stayed on all these drugs for such a long time.

[Krissy_123]

You're off the opiates now though right? Is it the sleep aid and muscle relaxers you're trying to come off now? So glad you got some sleep!!! :D