JBRONCFAN
Member
Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 124
|
|
I'm prescribed 10/325 of Norco's 4 times a day. I'll take 2 at one time for breakthrough pain and have noticed 2 months later I have developed a tolerance to them. I was hoping to talk with others here that have experienced the same thing about this and what they did. I guess if they are not working I should stop taking them for a few days, maybe hope the tolerance goes away. Thing is my job, after I do a few clients my back pain can get pretty bad. Any suggestions? If I did stop taking them for a few days, would the tolerance subside? What have you done in this situation? Thanks in advance.
|
swtangel
Member
Reged: 07/09/04
Posts: 137
Loc: Delaware
|
|
Hey JB I am on the same stength 10/325 and have a high tolerance as well. If you do want to talk and want to keep it off the boards PM me anytime you want!
|
edward73
Journeyman
Reged: 04/30/04
Posts: 58
|
|
Pm me as well if you feel the need. As we speak, im on a hydro holiday. Shooting for a month to drop my tolerence issues. It is hell but if you plan ahead and have other less potent meds to take the edge off, it is "do-able". Personally, Darvocet and Ultracet work pretty well for Hydro W\d for me, and they are fairly easy and cheap to find online. I start to taper the hydro intake two weeks before I plan a holiday. Then use the othe meds to keep myself sane. Keep active, drink lots or water, load up on Immodium and use a sleep aid if needed. Trust me, you will be glad you did it. At one point my hydro intake was thru the roof, dont go where myself and Im sure others have been. The first three day's suck, after that you will feel awsome. 
|
JBRONCFAN
Member
Reged: 04/20/04
Posts: 124
|
|
Thanks guys. No need to pm, I have nothing to hide and would like to hear as much input as possible. So, what happens after the month is over and you return to the hydro? How long before the tolerance returns? What do you mean you after 3 days you'll feel awesome?
|
infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 84
|
|
was going to help but your name bronc fan,i decided not to
patriots here and still kind of a bucs fan but they really suck right now so i fall back on the patriots being that i live in nh now. just kidding in my experience it really sucks and your tolerance isn't going to return to the good ol'days when you felt some thing from one or two hydros and haven't found anything to help with pain that put you in this situation in the first place. never here anyone talking about thaT alwAYS w/d's. well its not the wd that hurts me its my pain i was also wondering if using morphine instead of hydro would lower tolerance or defeat the purpose and make it higher and worse. have tried tons of tramadol and flexeril etc.. any nonnarcotic. and haven't found any relief so basicly good luck.
and may the bucs turn it around and win.
|
Madgally
Journeyman
Reged: 12/13/01
Posts: 57
|
|
I'm sure they have local places that will help you with a 24 hours IV solution - they expensive I believe and I dought insurance covers them. Then find a new medicine. Either that or get off HOWEVER - best if with help and then stop forever !
|
TR6
Newbie
Reged: 08/27/02
Posts: 49
|
|
Increased tolerance is the number one problem for those who take pain meds - eventually it catches up with everyone. There are only a few ways to reduce the effects of tolerance. If you take a pain pill more often, as needed, as opposed to taking more of them at one time, it will slightly extend the amount of time it takes for tolerance to build up. Instead of taking two or three at once, take only one at a time but take them more often. This will usually only make a slight difference, but at least it will slow down the buildup of tolerance to some extent.
It isn't a good idea to go beyond 60-70 mgs of hydrocodone a day -- if you need more then you should either get a stronger drug like timed-release oxycodone or morphine, or you should detox. The best drug to detox with for a lot of people is buprenorphine. If your daily dose of opiates is too high, bupe can throw you into w-d's so be careful with it, start out with no more than 1 mg at a time.
Tramadol is another alternative, but you won't get much reduction in tolerance if you take more than 150 mg per day. The need for pain relief during detox is something that each person has to find a way to deal with, some can do it and others find it impossible.
Potentiation is an option that some people find to be useful, sometimes taking an acid reducer/inhibitor like tagamet or even plain tums can make a dose of hydro a little stronger or longer lasting, but the effects are different for everyone.
Detox, or at least titration of your dose, is usually the best and often it is the only realistic option. As someone already stated, you'll never get back to that original level of potency of small doses, but you can at least get back to a lower dose. Taking half a tablet at a time, just enough to ward off w-d's, or substituting some other opioid, is the best way, the fastest way is to just go "cold turkey," which is really no fun at all. You should get noticable reduction in tolerance after a week or so of titration, 2-3 weeks can produce a significant amount of reduction.
The final insult is that with each cycle of tolerance/detox, the time it takes for tolerance to come back is shortened. This is why doctors generally try to avoid long-term use of opiates.
At any rate, I wish you success, this is a great place for support, lots of people here have been where you are and can offer lots of good suggestions and support.
|
edward73
Journeyman
Reged: 04/30/04
Posts: 58
|
|
Thanks TR6 for taking the time to post all of that, Its much appreciated.
|
Farmer
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/23/01
Posts: 202
|
|
Another hint is to wait until you need it, then take it. If you have really built up you'd be suprised at how often you are dosing. I got to the point where I would leave for work with three Norcos in my pocket. The problem was often I was not in pain, I would just feel the pill in my pocket, or see it in my desk or I'd have a drink handy and it was just a reflex to wash down another. Unless you really let hydro wear off, you don't feel the true pain relief that comes with a dose - When really needed.
The was codeine and its derivatives work, the brain does not really use a new dose until there it begins to clear out in your brain. This is more so with true codeine than hydro but let me put it this way. If you take one dose at 10:30am, then go to lunch and take another dose at noon, that noon dose will have very little effect. Then by 3:00 that wasted dose from noon has worn off and you need another dose - making three doses in 4.5 hours. But if you take a dose at 10:30 - write it down on a little sheet of paper. DO NOT dose again for four hours. the second dose would be at 2:30 at the earliest. And that dose will do more for your pain than that third dose would have if you took one in between. I know weird but true.
My advise is this. We all will eventually build up. Some earlier than others. But the first thing to do is find out what you are taking. Write it down, keep track. Go ahead and allow yourself say six doses in a day, if that's what you do now, but write it down. If you take 6 a day, that's once every four hours. If you sleep for 8 hours you are already one ahead to start the day. After a week of making sure you limit yourself to 6 a day, shoot for five. That mean instead of 1 every 4 hours, try to make it 4.5 hours. Eventually 1 every six, then 8, then 12. Most folks would find 2 a day workable. Then maybe a holiday. A holiday from 2 a day, will be much less painful than a holiday from 8 a day. Shoot mabe you'll even skip the WD issues. But keep track, write it down, you will feel good about getting those doses down. And it will happen. Good luck
|
blissmiss
Member
Reged: 08/10/04
Posts: 124
Loc: Connecticut, via Illinois, Mis...
|
|
Not FarmerJohn, I pray. Halfbakery, fj. I pray.
--------------------
Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?
John Keats 1795-1821, British Poet
|
spondylo
Journeyman
Reged: 08/13/04
Posts: 68
Loc: Mid Atlantic Region
|
|
Quote:
My advise is this. We all will eventually build up. Some earlier than others. But the first thing to do is find out what you are taking. Write it down, keep track. Go ahead and allow yourself say six doses in a day, if that's what you do now, but write it down. If you take 6 a day, that's once every four hours. If you sleep for 8 hours you are already one ahead to start the day. After a week of making sure you limit yourself to 6 a day, shoot for five. That mean instead of 1 every 4 hours, try to make it 4.5 hours. Eventually 1 every six, then 8, then 12. Most folks would find 2 a day workable. Then maybe a holiday. A holiday from 2 a day, will be much less painful than a holiday from 8 a day. Shoot mabe you'll even skip the WD issues. But keep track, write it down, you will feel good about getting those doses down. And it will happen. Good luck
Thank you for posting your experience with this. It's a good approach ... requires being honest with yourself and much discipline. But I like that it's methodical, common sense, progressive, and reduces w/d effects. It may not be for everyone, but it does appeal to me.
|
pwptds
Journeyman
Reged: 09/02/04
Posts: 88
Loc: Highway to Heaven
|
|
just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post all of that. I've been trying to reduce my dose for a while now, without very much success. I really like the schedule you wrote out. Hopefully I can make it last this time!!
|
infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 84
|
|
sry to change the subject but i was taking tons of hydro and added morphine in the mix 3 weeks ago iam 24 hours clean of each but am really hurting have been on hydro 2 years and others when possible ie: ox, morph my tolerance is that a elephant trank couldn't put me down. my question is, would some beer or vodka with xanax or vals help whith this situation. have tried holiday many times before and only been able to make it 2 days tops this is by far the worst it has been but i want to make it at least a week. other problem is i work 7 days a week,nights actually. and there is no one to take shift. its just me and my aunt and she already works like 70 -80 hours a week. i don't know what to do about the every 20 min bathroom torture chamber and everything that goes with it. i took 2mg xanax about an hour ago and not much help. anything would be good thank you
|
Luca_Brasi
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/01/03
Posts: 237
|
 Re: squirt squirt scream! - Advice; Opioid W/D. [Re: infliksta]
#195715 - 10/22/04 08:56 PM Attachment (5 downloads)
|
 Edit |
 Reply |
 Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I have the same problem. Many of us do. But you should never mix Vodka and benzo's. Thats not wise at all. You need to buy some Tussin. Make sure the only active ingredient is Dextromethorphan. You can get them in gel caps. I have had to drink a half a bottle to get relief. This will slightly help take the edge off. I also recommend taking Motrin for the aches and pains. As for the diarrhea, take Imodium A-D Caplets or the generic, Loperamide. Opioid w/d doesn't last much longer than 3 weeks. If you think your in a world of hurt now, DO NOT play around with those benzo's. I went to the depths of hell when I w/d from them. True insanity. Thats just another Pandora's box. This is all standard advice for opioid w/d. Your situation may call for a more radical plan. You may need to check yourself in to a drug treatment program of some sort.
I think you can do it. My tolerance was through the roof as well. I had to fight to get clean, but now I'm much better. You can do it, but it won't be easy. Maybe some Soma will help you sleep. I will PM you about that. Best of luck. Hope you feel better soon!
|
tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 512
Loc: Chicago
|
|
OxyTrex is a new drug cuurently in Phase III trials and still pending approval. OxyTrex combines an ultra tiny dose of naltrexone with oxycodone. This eliminates most of the tolerance and dependance is reduced as well. studies with ultra low dose naltrexone and morphine showed morphine restored to 80% - 90% of original effectiveness.
WRITE to the FDA and DEA and BEG THEM with all your heart and might to let OxyTrex be Unscheduled
|
Luca_Brasi
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/01/03
Posts: 237
|
|
Tone, I've been reading your posts and I must say, your a genius!
|
trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 121
|
|
Tone, what makes you think they would allow oxytrex be unscheduled?
Its a very interesting pain med, and I for one would love to see it out on the market sooner, rather than later.
Thanks
trixxie
--------------------
The truth shall set you free!
|
Blueysbe
Stranger
Reged: 03/15/04
Posts: 6
|
|
How long do the wd's last when you stop taking hydo? Can taking a 1/2 a table when ever you feel sick help. Doing that until you don't have any more. Then go cold turkey? What is the best way to stop taking them? I haven't been taking them for long but when I did run out I got sick to my stomach. I can handle the head aches but being sick to my stomach I didn't like that. So I want to stop taking them but not sure how to. Any Ideas let me know. Thank you
|
infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 84
|
|
3 days you shi t your brains out and it hurts depending your intake of hydro then you hurt
--------------------
we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
|
tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 512
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Trixxie, i know it sounds like a long shot to do such a thing and that they would never do that, but if we all just changed are mindsets and go with whats right and not what seems to be the norm, then maybe some change could occure. Isnt it rather silly that what i posted about asking them to make it unsceduled isnt a bad idea at all but we are programmed to see it as either a bad idea or a long shot that will never happen? i know that you arent saying its bad or a long shot, just addressing this to anyone
|
trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 121
|
|
Tone, I agree 110 percent with your ideas. There are probably more responsible people in pain that would not abuse it.
I personally like the idea, but with the DEA playing doctor in our exam rooms the chances of oxytrex being unscheduled is unlikely.
I would encourage people to work on the goverment angle to get the DEA out of the doctor-patient business all together. We would be treated much more humanely when this happened.
best
trixxie
--------------------
The truth shall set you free!
|
Eli6969
Newbie
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 48
Loc: NC
|
|
I would like to know the same kinda stuff... Can we get more spacific? I've never taken a holiday. I've done maybe 3-4 days (cold) and then go back. I do get the poops, but another thing is this wierd thing with my shoulders. They feel like they NEED to move. I wake up at night and, like, do a rowing motion with my arms. But the only thing that makes it stop is another dose.
What else, specifically, do other's have beyond the "norm?"
What does anyone have to offer for the psychological need to dose? That is REALLY HARD for me!!! I think it's worse than the physical stuff!!
How about a "group holiday?" Maybe if there's some of us ready at the same time we can do a support thread. Just a thought... sorry for rambling on this long.
--------------------
One good thing about music when it hits you you feel NO PAIN!!!
O.A.R.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
