vastchoirs
Enthusiast
Reged: 08/05/02
Posts: 287
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Hey all,
A while ago I decided to take a holiday from Hydro. I read and read b4 hand to see what I could do to help the wd's.
Well, I came across people saying lopradime or aka Immodium.
Well, as crazy as it seemed, I said the heck with it and gave it a shot.
I wrote down how it worked day to day. I was reading through it today since I found it by accident. It really did help when I tried it.
I went to CVS, would purchase 2 bottles of 48 every two days. The cost is about 15 bucks every two days. But, I would take 24 every 12 hours. Lull and behold! it worked for me. Didn't have the jumpy legs or arms, no cold spells and hot spells or the runs. I did that for 6 days and on the 7th day, I went the whole day with nothing..nada...no loperadime, and I was ok.
For nighttime, to make sure I would sleep, I would take 2 tylenol Pm's and would sleep fine. As far as "gumming" yourself up, if you get my drift. It didn't do that to me, and if it does, just in advance, someday while shopping, pick something up for that.
I couldn't believe it!!! It really worked, and for the 15 bucks every two days, it well worth it. I would rather pay that then go through hell. Or even pay close to what 200 bucks for Ultram only to risk a seizure or getting hooked on that???
So, if anyone out there finds themselves in a bind, try this and I promise you it will help. For the pain with my back, which I would say was the only real problem since I do have a BAAAAAAAD back. Just try Aleve or even get yourself for those type of days in advance soma. I did have Soma and would take that with the Aleve and it would take 100% of pain, and make it 60% sometime 50% pain.
But, each time I thought to myself. I know what WD's feel like, and simply taking 24 loperadime with a soma and aleve is ALOT better then going with nothing and touching hell.
I know, 24 sounds like alot, and it is but, it gets you through those first days you would have felt like hell. Then, once your past those days, you can simply stop the loperadime or simply dose down a couple of days off them.
After all, your in the sense, still dosing down if you go from hydro to just the loperadime, then to a low low dose of that, to nothing. I thought when I first read about it that it was crazy, now I am a firm believer.
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Doc, you're a pain in my pain
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lttlbit
Member
Reged: 11/12/03
Posts: 194
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I wish you would have posted that when I was going through my w/d's I went for 2 weeks CT cause I ran out, and I actually only had very very minor w/d's like going to the bathroom alot and a got a cold. Other then that I did not have any, so I consider myself lucky, and plus I did not take anything at all for my w/d's.
I will refer to your post next time though cause I might not be so lucky.
L
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Deep North (East)
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Interestingly enough Loperamide/Immodium is actually classed as a "non euphoric opiate", which is one reason it is so effective in helping with hydro w/d. I learned that right here on DB, found it very hard to believe at first but it's true. I looked it up. Can't cross the blood/brain barrier for some reason, whatever that means.
Immodium is the old standby in every Hydro Holiday thread, it seems. Everybody has their own personal strategy for getting through it, with benzos and Ultram and Soma and aspirin and yoga, whatever works, but practically everyone seems to include Imodium in their list of essentials.
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Quote:
I know, 24 sounds like alot, and it is but, it gets you through those first days you would have felt like hell. Then, once your past those days, you can simply stop the loperadime or simply dose down a couple of days off them.
OOOOOH! I couldn't imagine the ramifications of taking so many Immodium ADs!!! (cringe...)
I use them, too, when W/D symptoms hit, but so far I have limited myself to 4 a day. TWENTY FOUR of them...it makes me shudder to think what that would do to me! And we thought constipation was problem from our PAIN meds! EEK!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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Julz
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/17/03
Posts: 222
Loc: NJ Shore
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vastchoirs~
Well, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I applaud you for sticking to your plan & even more so that it worked for you!
Let me ask you this; the 24 Immodiums you took- were these 24 pills, and, if so, did you take them all at once or in the course of the 24 hour period? Next question, and I hope I'm not being too bold or gross, but- were you able to go to the bathroom at all?
Again, Congrats on your successful holiday!!
Peace,
Julz
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Love never fails. 1Cor 13:8
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efffbeee
Member
Reged: 10/22/02
Posts: 115
Loc: usa
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IME loperamide syrup is much more effective (I suspect it has to do with better absorption), and it tastes good too 
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ars0n29
Stranger
Reged: 04/01/03
Posts: 21
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vastchoirs-
How much hydro where you doing a day before going off of it and how long where you on the hydro?
Thanks
ars0n
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xanthippe
Stranger
Reged: 08/20/03
Posts: 20
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I know it sounds nuts and I am NOT a medical professional, but I have taken 48 (12 2 mg at a time) immodium AD capsules a day during holidays and I had no problems in the poop department - just drink lots of water and eat lots of fiber. I swear by that stuff - takes physical withdrawals down to the ver barest minimum - a godsend, I tell you!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Don't laugh at the amount of Immodium these DBers are saying because on my holidays I will take around 30 a day. (10 3 times a day) It works! I swear it works! It doesn't fix everything of course (mental, pain, lack of energy, etc) but you will be able to get out of bed and take a shower without reaching for the bottle. I also would mix Lomotil with mine if I have it. I had no problems in the bathroom dept... at least no more than you have when taking a bunch of hydro. I really hope I am not encourging something that is dangerous like taking a lot of Immodium but it works for me and it does depend on the person and how many hydro you were taking before the holiday.
Hope this helps...
Train 
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Very very interesting but I think I will still stick to extra dose of my Klonopin, some Soma, Tramadol or possibly Buprenorphine if I have it, and lots and lots of OTC Advil, Aleve, anything in the house that doesn't contain Tylenol.
I dunno, I am hearing more and more reports about this high-level Immodium thing, but is that safe? There has to be some side effect to that.. Maybe not. Think I am gonna do some Loperamide research tonite.... It just amazes me that it could help so much, when it doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier. I mean, one of you said it doesn't really help with elevated pain or the psychological aspects of w/d - then if this is the case, how is it working as an effective alternative opioid? - These are the two worst parts! The rest of the symptoms are just flu-like and/or physical like runny nose, watery eyes, nausea, diahhrea, and muscle twitching. All of those things can be cured with OTC meds, a few benzo's (I am already on them so I just use a little more as needed), Soma to relax the muscles as well as help with pain when taken in conjunction w/ Advil or Aleve...
I have used this recipe, (sometimes along with Tramadol or Buprenorphine - like I said, that is IF I have a current script of it) - But I have gone from 60-70mg's hydro, stopped suddenly, and had a comfortable enough w/d with aforementioned things, that I was able to even clean the house, make myself food, and drive to the store for dog food. Also did other normal life-stuff. Wasn't that bad at all, and I have been taking opioids daily for over 3 years (the holiday was about 5 weeks - longest stopping period ever because my back pain always comes back and reminds me why I got on them in the first place... ) -
Anyway, I guess it sounds complex to use all those substances to get thru 'comfortably', but it works, and most of the meds are un-controlled or low-enough controlled to be easily obtained OTC or by a doctor or an OP. But if the immodium works, and doesn't seem to have any crazy side effects, that's incredibly interesting, seriously, but I just dunno what that could do to the bowels if done like this on a regular basis. (Like monthly holidays or something) - I dunno. Just don't like the idea of taking more than 3-4 of any tablet at once for some reason.....
Many people also swear by Buprenorphine and Buph alone - I have done it myself - and it does work, although I have usually also been taking Klonopin and Soma. Never tried just Buph and nothing else. Many people say it cures everything top to bottom, and is a very smooth transition with little-to-zero additional pain in the transition. I am going to try it when I have enough of the Buph. Anyway just some thoughts....
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//zeuzjuz
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Julz
Enthusiast
Reged: 11/17/03
Posts: 222
Loc: NJ Shore
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Train~
What is Lomotil?
Julz
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Love never fails. 1Cor 13:8
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Caveman6666
Enthusiast
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 218
Loc: Earth
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Quote:
Train~
What is Lomotil?
Julz
An antidiarrheal.
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1193
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When opiates are by themselves in a drug, the amount you need to take is entirely dependent on your tolerance. So while you shouldn't take 20 Percocet (because of the APAP), you could take 20 OxyIR if your tolerance allowed that. Two exceptions that come to mind at the moment are Ultram and Demerol.
So, if your opiate tolerance requires 20 Immodium to maintain yourself, which is 100% possible for some people (not the Norco 3 pills a day crowd) nothing bad is going to happen to you. Certainly if your tolerance doesn't allow that, don't do it- constipation and nausea are the main side effects unless you dramatically overdo it.
Immodium does really stop some withdrawal symptoms, this is even mentioned in the PDR, though I don't remember exactly what it says.
But I can vouch for Lomotil during withdrawal. It contains a Demerol-analog that works wonders for physical withdrawal, but be careful: If you take enough Lomotil to get rid of physical withdrawal (not just gastrointestinal symptoms), you won't be making a bowel movement for a loooooong time Really easy to get from doctors as well, it's the kind of the drug that can be mentioned by name and prescribed for diarrhea when "enough is enough."
-yawkaw
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks yaw for helping me out on this one. I learned about Lomotil from you and keep a stash handy and it works wonders. Immodium does too though. ZZ when I said it doesn't help with the pain or the fatigue, I simply meant your extreme back pain is not going to go away by taking Immodium. The opiate traces in Immodium are small so all it is really doing is supplementing something that your body has become dependent on.
My 30 a day example for myself is DEFINETLY not for everyone. It's like yawkaw said, it's based on tolerance. I DO NOT want to give the impression that either of these (Immodium and Lomotil) will cure everything because I don't think anything will. And I espcially don't think that the same wd kit will work for everyone either. Just try it and see what works for you. ZZ I too add benzos and Soma to my list for sleep.
Hope this helps....
Train
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junebug101
Journeyman
Reged: 03/27/03
Posts: 69
Loc: NY
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Buprenorphine (also called temgesic overseas) worked great for me. 2 or 3 sublingual tablets for 4 days, and I had hardly any w/d symptoms. A little sleep disruption, some oddball dreams, that's it. I didn't use any immodium, didn't have any diarrhea and to be honest I was so constipated to begin with it was nice to be able to go (sorry for the visual guys - know you'll understand ).
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Kid Free and Loving It!
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Livingeazy
Stranger
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 18
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I Have looked endlessly on this board and there is no mention of the drug Ultracet. I Did alot of research and when I Wanted to take a Break from Hydro,I Began taking Ultracet(ultram,Tramadol,acetamenophin) and it has worked wonders! It is actually better for me than the Hydro was and does not cause the mood swings, or drowsiness that Hydro does. It also helped regenerate my hormones(lol) and that is amazing. I Recommend anyone going on a Hydro Holiday to try Ultracet but it is habit-forming so be careful.I Have had no seizures, but I Have read that too much at one time may cause these.Good luck Family!
Tina
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bakzero
Journeyman
Reged: 11/18/03
Posts: 54
Loc: PA
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A Story That I would like to share about Imodium
In college I worked in the ME office and they brought in a guy who OD on a High % of Black tar Herion/Meth Mixed "Who the hell would do that" we call them "Tweakers". In his belongings were a PDR a batch of BD needles and spoon and couple other things.
I felt bad for the guy, when we open the PDR the page was highlighted for opiates .
Also in the bag was 3 bottles of Imodium.
The Me chief ME director stated that when he had his spell of pain killers, Imodium/Motrin 800 was the trick for him.
Edited by bakzero (12/18/03 06:08 PM)
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vastchoirs
Enthusiast
Reged: 08/05/02
Posts: 287
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Well, to answer questions quickly. I would rather take the Immodium for a few days then do the Buph or Ultram etc. All you're doing is trading one addiction for another. Plus, Ultram at ant stage can cause Seizures.
I had no problems going to the bathroom. I drank plenty of water and did the fiber thing. Mentally I was fine. I did not rely on Norco to make my day go fine and happy. If I was pain free, then I was happy no matter what I had.
Basically, what works for one, may not work for another. For me, simply taking Immodium, which does not cross the blood brain barrier for Euphoria BUT, it does attach to the receptor in the brain that opiates go to.
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Doc, you're a pain in my pain
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elo2003
Stranger
Reged: 10/20/03
Posts: 12
Loc: Bay Area, CA
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What is the best thing for a migraine for hydro w/d?
I can handle the other symptoms, but my migraines are killing me!!!! Any advice?
Thanks, K 
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1193
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You are a migraine sufferer who is in withdrawal? Or you're in withdrawal and you have a headache you think is a migraine?
I would suggest a triptan, but I don't know what your blood pressure is like...if you are only in mild withdrawal and you have taken your blood pressure and it's not high, go take Imitrex or a similar triptan.
If you can't or won't take your blood pressure, there are two things I would do. First is take a nausea med like Phenergan, Tigan, or Compazine. Maybe Atarax/Vistaril if you have it. You could take a high dose of Aleve- I think I read in another post of yours that you have Fioricet w/ codeine but it's not working?
If you aren't certain this is a migraine, try getting some glucose tablets or the glucose gel. I don't know what your eating schedule is like during withdrawal, but I know I can barely touch food- I can feel my blood sugar being low- food is of course the best thing, but if you can't stand the sight of it, have some glucose. Better than nothing.
What you are describing is why I do my absolute best to avoid cold turkey, even if it means taking a dose that will give me no pain relief- as long as I won't be CT'ing, I am ok. It took me a lot of CT withdrawals to learn I had to taper- I just cannot CT and be successful, I know I will relapse. A taper gradually weans you off of it physically and psychologically, leaving you plenty of time to develop new coping skills.
Good luck, I've been there- I wish you the best.
-yawkaw
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elo2003
Stranger
Reged: 10/20/03
Posts: 12
Loc: Bay Area, CA
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Thanks for your reply, Y. Actually, I do suffer from migraines, but have been overmedicating myself and can't continue to do this anymore...I'm trying to take a complete break from hydro. Yes, on my other post (thanks for reading that one) I have a few firocets (spelled wrong, sorry!) but will run out by tomorrow and I'm supposed to go get the injectable med tomorrow the doc was supposed to get me--if he even comes through with that!
I do have atacand--I completely forgot about it. I don't have high blood pressure, but the dr. said it was ok to take for my migraine. I don't have any of the other med you mentioned. Also, I have imitrex injectable, and pill form imitrex, and it didn't even touch my withdrawal headache I got for 3 days last week going cold turkey. I will try the atacand and let everyone know what happens.
Thanks for your advice and support I TRULY appreciate it, exp. since I'm fairly new to the group!
Thanks!
K
Edited by elo2003 (12/28/03 09:53 PM)
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1193
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I have a feeling you will make it, elo. You are in on the of the best clinics in the country, and will soon be on a blookbuster drug. Please keep us posted or PM me, I want to know how you are doing becausse I'm considering bupe- important to be honest, I know you will be be.
Again, good luck- you've got a great shot this time.
-yawkaw
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