Tapering off Oxy/Opiod Receptors

[Cade0712]

I have a question about tapering off of oxy...I stopped using for a week and have had the most horrible anxiety and depression but I can't bring myself to use after finding out that it kills off your natural opiod receptors and that I won't stop feeling this depression and anxiety for atleast months without them, but at the same time I just can't deal with the anxiety and depression (I can't function and feel like I'm going to end up in the looney bin) so my question is if I take say around 10mg a day for a little while and then taper down even lower (after about a 90mg a day habit) will my natural opioid receptors still be able to start healing themselves? I can't find anywhere that says if you're taking opiates that it cancels out all healing entirely, even if it is at way lower doses. Somebody please help! I can't deal with this and I don't want to end up having to take subs or methadone and getting into that whole drawn out process that just leads to another addiction.

[Cade0712]

Thanks guys...I know tapering won't help them heal any faster but I need some sort of relief until they actually do start healing ya know...it's just hard to think that I won't feel happy and 'normal' again for maybe months :/ but I'm too stubborn to get back into the habit after having already gone through the worst so I guess that's a good thing lol I'm starting to feel better, just these damn nerves creep up on me and the not sleeping is horrible! I'll check out the website for sure...I've been taking multi-vitamins and trying to go out for walks which seems to help, and a hot shower helps a little to relax and maybe get some sleep. Congrats on day 9 btw Steve! Keep me updated! Especially since we are on about the same timeline!

[sandstone27]

Here is the link to the health page I was referring to:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/Foods-that-Increase-Dopamine-Naturally/show/594?cid=66

[sandstone27]

Hi there,

Congrats on 7 days!  You should be through the worst part of the physical withdrawal.   The depression and the anxiety are the part of detox that takes longer to heal - but I don't think going back on oxy at a lower dose and then tapering is going to help your opiod receptors populate any more quickly.  

Mostly it just takes time.  How much time varies from person to person, but there are things you can do to help increase the natural occuring endorphins in your brain.  Dopamine and norepinephrine have been supressed for a while due to your drug use.  There are certain foods you can eat to help increase dopamine levels - if you check out the health pages here at the bottom of your screen, you will find the article about which foods are best.  

In my opinion, exercise is one of the most effective ways of getting those endorphins going again.  For some people it may take months, for some it takes weeks, but as most will tell you, time is the biggest factor regarding when you start feeling like your old self again.  

If your anxiety and depression are unmanagable, you could consider seeing your doctor and getting a script for your anxiety or possibly an antidepressant.  

Check out the Thomas recipe as well;  there's a few items there that will help you feel better mentally - the Whey Protein mix has all of the amino acids you will need to help get your endorphins going again.  

Well wishes to you...and again, great job on 7 days clean!

Sandy ♦

[steve1220]

some say the taper down works if so wished id tried it!!! i've always ran out and had to go cold turkey (from 200mg a day) but a lot of people say it's better and easer on you but all said and done theres still going to be WD time and only time is whats going to make you feel better....and thats the bad part of getting off these things as far as the subs i hated them and even a worse WD and a longer time for me at least.....best of luck with this and keep posting it helps and the people on here are great !!!!! ps day 9 for me still not sleeping right