Kicking Heroin- Feeling Bruised All Over

[Zaphod_1]

Swim has been kicking for 44 hours & 45 min's, and is in agonizing pain. He should check into a detox center but has to maintain employment, hence he is kicking in the weekend. He knows it improves after 3- 4 days but must live in the present for now.

[u4ic]

Ouch, you poor thing. Few know your pain but I am one who does. I must have missed this in past posts but I'm assuming your kicking H right? Care to proivde any details like how much for how long. Cold turkey sucks and I don't think is the best way. Methadone works wonders in making you feel well but it is also an opiod and could cause an addiction transfer if you're not extremely careful. Keep us posted. Gotta get some sleep it's almost 4 am this is going to be one of those posts that will be new to me when I read it in the future. Good night.

[Silver Fox]

The effects of withdrawal are due to the body going into adrenaline overdrive once the opiates start to wash out of your system.
In the normal case scenario, adrenaline would get your body into the 'fight-or-flight' response - ready for action: the muscles become tensed in order to run or fight, the pupils dilate so that vision is clearer, the mind becomes sharp, etc.
However, in withdrawal, this whole adrenaline response goes into massive overdirve: muscle cramps, restless legs, watery eyes+nose, brain agitation, physical agitation, gut cramps....

Lofexidine is a medication that counteracts the adrenaline-driven symptoms. It comes in 0.2mg tablets. Try ONE to see what the effect is - it will slow your heart-rate and drop your blood-pressure within 20 minutes. If you feel OK with this, you can take up to eight of these tablets within 24hrs. Space them out; if you take them all at once, your blood-pressure will drop precipitously and you will faint. During the worst of the withdrawals, (days 3+4 for Heroin and short-acting opiates; days 4,5,6 for methadone), keep at this dose, afte this, slowly decrease the dose. Don't just stop, or you may get a rebound high blood-pressure; after a total of 10 days (max), you will not be needing the lofexidine any more.

For muscle cramps - Ibuprofen 400mg up to four times a day. Also try Voltarol gel rubbed on the sore muscles or joints. A hot water bottle is good, too.

For gut cramps - buscopan 10-20mg up to three times a day.

For nausea or vomitting - maxolon / metaclopromide 10mg three times a day.
You can also use stemetil. If swallowing is a problem and makes you more nauseated, dissolve the stemetil under your tongue or inside your cheek. It is absorbed rapidly.

For diarrhoea - loperamide 2mg. Take 2 tabs after the first episode of diarrhoea, then one tab after each subsequent loose motion; it will dry up pretty soon.

For sleep, try Zimovane / zopiclone 15mg at night for a week or two.
**Stay away from Benzo's/Valium/Temazepam as they are too habit-forming, and will simply cause you more problems.

**Keep well-hydrated - drink lots of clear fluids - water, juice; avoid tea+coffee. A lot of the discomfort is due to dehydration.

**Avoid all opiates - (Heroin, methadone, dihydrocodeine/DF's, MST, etc), although they may take the edge off a severe withdrawal, they are all opiates and will only prolong the agony as they,too, will have to wash out of your system in order for you to become clean.

(Most of these medications are available over the counter; Lofexidine and Zimovane may need to come on prescription from a friendly Dr, or you may be able to buy them on the street).

GOOD LUCK! HANG IN THERE - YOU ARE MOST OF THE WAY THERE ALREADY!

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Damn good post...very informative
	Really Useful, clear advice

[Zaphod_1]

Hey thanks to both of you for the empathy and advice shared, I haven't checked this forum for a few days hence the delay in replying. Swim has made it to day 6 of abstinence and is not feeling much physical discomfort, but is now feeling high anxiety, emotions are overwhelming and intense. Heart rate has been quite high but this will pass.

Swim did use Loperamide for managing colon excesses.

Take Care

[sammydaze]

there is nothing nice about opiate withdrawls. and there is no easy way to do it. just dont forget that it will pass and youll feel alot better. hang in there.

[bonghed]

Welldone. for making the time you've done, more than i will, har. welldone again if u want my support pm me, chat p2p if it'll help i'll giv u my no. via pm (i'm not recovering though, sorry)

And silverfox. benzo's might really help as lonbg as carful, might help induce a little short sleep, ......