The 'New' Plan

I had my call yesterday from Next Step, they can not help me as they only do In-Patient Detox, but they did suggest I go back to my Doctor with a list of what I want and see if he is prepared to give it to me direct, only thing is Doctor's arn't allowed to prescribe Sub over here - which is probably the reason he referred me to Next Step.

Here is what I will be trying to get to make my withdrawals more tollerable, I know, very lame but I just can't do it un-assisted.  Click the name to link to a Wiki page with very detailed information on the specific drug.


  Gabapentin (Neurontin) - for the restless leg, I get this lots anyway, even before I was addicted.  One of the many reasons for my insomnia, though I did not even know it was an illness till very recently.

It is a GABA analogue, or γ-Aminobutyric acid is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system.  It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system.

In humans, GABA is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone.  In insect species GABA acts only on excitatory nerve receptors.

It was originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy, and currently, gabapentin is widely used to relieve pain, especially neuropathic pain.

Gabapentin should not be discontinued abruptly after long term use.  Abrupt or over rapid withdrawal may provoke a withdrawal syndrome similar to alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal.  Gradual reduction over a period of weeks or months helps minimize or prevents the withdrawal syndrome


  Trazadone - for sleep, it is a psychoactive drug of the piperazine and triazolopyridine chemical classes that has antidepressant, anxiolytic, and hypnotic properties.

It inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, but possesses a far lower affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT) than drugs in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa).

Abruptly stopping the taking trazodone, even in doses as low as 25 mg (common for use as a sleep aid for people with anxiety disorders), may experience adverse mental reactions such as emotional instability, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts.  Although such warnings may be included in printed materials supplied with the drug, physicians prescribing trazodone, particularly those who are not psychiatrists, might not give oral warnings.


  Clonidine - for watery eyes and nose, diarrhea, irritability etc.  It is a direct-acting α2 adrenergic agonist, an adrenergic agent is a drug, or other substance, which has effects similar to, or the same as, epinephrine (adrenaline).  Thus, it is a kind of sympathomimetic agent.

It may cause lightheadedness, dry mouth, dizziness, or constipation.  Clonidine may also cause hypotension.

Clonidine suppresses sympathetic outflow resulting in lower blood pressure, but sudden discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension due to a rebound in sympathetic outflow.  Clonidine therapy should generally be gradually tapered off when discontinuing therapy to avoid rebound effects from occurring


  Alprazolam (Xanax) - for the anxiety, insomnia, agitation, shakes etc.  It is a short-acting drug of the benzodiazepine class.  It is primarily used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and is used as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety associated with moderate depression.

It has a fast onset of symptom relief (within the first week); it is unlikely to produce dependency or abuse.  Tolerance to the therapeutic effects of alprazolam is controversial with one view being that alprazolam is ineffective with long term use and the other view being that tolerance to the therapeutic effects does not occur.

It, like other benzodiazepines, binds to specific sites on the GABAA gamma-amino-butyric acid receptor.  When bound to these sites, which are referred to as benzodiazepine receptors, it modulates the effect of GABA A receptors and, thus, GABAnergic neurons.  Long-term use causes adaptive changes in the benzodiazepine receptors, making them less sensitive to stimulation and less powerful in their effects.

It should never be abruptly stopped if taken regularly for any length of time because severe withdrawal symptoms may occur. Severe psychosis and seizures have been reported in the medical literature from abrupt alprazolam discontinuation, and one death occurred from withdrawal-related seizures after gradual dose reduction.

  Immodium - for nausea and diarrhea..



In the air is, Suboxone it is supposed to cover the 'want' part of WD, it is a semi-synthetic opiate with partial agonist actions, and antagonist actions.  I am going to try to avoid this, for two reasons, getting on it means I have to wait ages for any treatment at all and the I am still worried by all the horror stories out there.
 
I mean looking at what those other drugs do, I reckon I can get through it without Sub, others have done so.  I am thinking it just depends from person to person and the best way is to just give it my best and see what happens, and if necessary make the modifications as needed...

Not sure of doses yet, need to sit down with the 'Quack' and fugure all that out, have an appointment tomorrow with the Dr. in question.  For that matter I am not even sure he will go along with all this, all up in the air at the moment.

Will post up the outcome.

Cheers!