Probably the wrong place for a W/D question, but here goes...

[OpiateHead]

I stumbled across this site not to long ago and have been lurking ever since. And I must say one thing before I ask my question... you guys are mind boggling smart. And I really mean that.

Ok, so I started taking Vicodin for migraines almost 3 years ago. We tried the various other routes, Imitrex, Topomax, Relpax, Fiornal and they didn't seem to work very well for me, and they were expensive too. So the doc broke down and gave me the Vics... I liked them from the beginning. And they really helped to get rid of the pain. So then I started taking them for other reasons, bored, had to clean house, go to the store, etc. Around 6 months ago, I lost the ability to moderate myself, and am hiding my pill usage from everyone around me. In the last 4 days, I went through 10 Norcos and 30 Vicodin 5/500. Obviously this is a problem. And now I'm sitting at work and I'm going through mild W/D symptoms (I had a Norco left for this morning). I went and bought some Immodium, but after further research, I found that it will not produce the effects that I was after. Damn..

I have heard of the wonderful effects of buprenorphine, but only 2 docs anywhere close to me, and they want a lot of fucking money. I'm on limited resources and I have no health insurance.

I guess what I'm looking for is some advice to make this a little easier. This is my 4th attempt in about a year.

Thanks in advance

[HistoryofMadness]

Preface: I am not a medical practitioner, and this is just my experience.

I would highly suggest you keep trying to get some control before going to bupe / subs or methadone. By the way, don't take bupe lightly just because it isn't methadone, 'cause its still a very powerful drug. Much more powerful than vic, by a long shot. It won't get you as high, most likely (or at least not for long) but that means nothing... its just the way the drug is designed.

I'd suggest looking into why, first. Are you still having migraines? Do you need another med? My sister went through vics, and ended up on percs for migraines.

But if its out of love (the high, etc) then I'd suggest talking to your significant other, especially if you live together, and without making a big deal about it just say: my tolerance has gone up, and I need to taper down from my medicine. Will you help me?

If that's out of the question, you should know that once you come out with the word 'addiction' things change. But if you want to get it under control, talk to your doc about a 10 day methadone prescription, and do a taper that way.

Lastly, you could come clean, and not get the pills anymore, and go through the WD now while they aren't as bad as they will get if/when you take more or switch to a more powerful drug. Don't get me wrong, it will be awful, but it get worse. But if you do this, its over at least for a while.

Or you could use maintenance: first, learn to do a Cold Water Extraction to get rid of some of that APAP. Secondly, use some OTC meds and other substances (legal) discussed here to potentiate your meds, and keep your tolerance from going up. Finally, check out kratom, I've heard its been used successfully to get off of hydro, but its addictive too, so be careful.

[BLUEGIRL85]

Hey history can we chat

[Darthvarga]

Go online and buy some kratom. History, Brilliant advice. Kratom works and will be at your house in two days. Vics are pretty easy to kick. 50 mgs should be pretty easy to get over. Buy some Kratom, Listen to every word History says and you will be fine. Kicking is never easy but I think your biggest problem is keeping everything a secret. Sincerely, best of luck to you.

[bronyraur]

I would highly suggest you keep trying to get some control before going to bupe / subs or methadone. By the way, don't take bupe lightly just because it isn't methadone, 'cause its still a very powerful drug. Much more powerful than vic, by a long shot. It won't get you as high, most likely (or at least not for long) but that means nothing... its just the way the drug is designed.

I can't agree with you more, History, about the above paragraph.

I feel that too many people are under the impression that just because Subutex/Suboxone is "new" and it isn't METHADONE, that people think it's a "one-week-and-you're-done" detox. I have several friends who planned to only use Subutex/Suboxone for the week or so it's "ideally" designed for and then they thought they'd be clean and sober; however, many of them are now on Subutex/Suboxone MAINTENANCE, which costs much more than their illicit fix, and can be just as difficult to get off of as their previous opiate of choice.

My advice, try all other options before you go down the Subutex/Suboxone road (but realize that Subutex/Suboxone does work for many highly motivated people).