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Withdrawal

Posted , 5 users are following.

l71207
l71207

This is my first time on this website. Tomorrow I will be quitting drinking. I've abused alcohol for almost 15 yrs. All I have is some generic librium and I'm kinda scared. I self medicate frome the moment I wake up. Is this going to get me through withdrawals? I have to do outpatient and cannot take time off. I have the next 2 days off. Any advise please would be greatly appreciated. My doctor is on vacation and I'm afraid I need more than he perscribed. Thank you.

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • vickylou
    vickylou l71207

    Posted

    Well done for taking the first step. Please don't stop drinking suddenly as it can be very dangerous and in some cases can be fatal. You need to slowly wean yourself of alcohol gradually. Without knowing how much you've been drinking for the last 15 years it's a bit difficult to advise. What strength of librium have you got? A home detox is usually 7 days on librium, am sure you start with 20mg and reduce the dose each day.

    if you are really suffering with, shakes, nausea, seeing things, cravings and insomnia, then you need to contact your doctor immediately or out of hours team for advice . I know you said your Dr was away, but there must be another Dr at your surgery you could see. If the librium is the correct dose, then you shouldn't suffer horrific withdrawals.

    like I said, don't just suddenly stop. We've all been where you are, and it can be hard. The first high dose will make you sleepy and the second day too. Personally I don't think two days is enough time for you to be fit for work

    you will find loads of help and advice here. Good luck and let us know how you're doing.

  • PaulJTurner1964
    PaulJTurner1964 l71207

    Posted

    Vicky Lou is correct. We normally start people on either 20mg or 30mg four times a day. If you find that you are suffering severe withdrawal symptoms despite taking Librium, then you will need to drink and go back to your GP and explain that it wasn't enough to stop your withdrawal symptoms and that you know these symptoms can be dangerous. Ensure that you tell him in that way to prevent him making out that you just didn't bother or have no motivation to stop.

    I'll be honest, we do not agree to detox people unless they have a person with them (normally a partner, relative or close friend), throughout the detox, to supervise, and we expect them to call us before EVERY dose of medication with a blood pressure and pulse reading. That way they are properly monitored and we can ensure that they get the correct doses to stop their withdrawal symptoms without over-sedating them.

    We also insist that nobody goes out alone during the detox. Work is definitely out, as is driving. It takes approximately three days to get past the point when you would still have alcohol withdrawal symptoms but we tell our clients to expect the detox to last 5-7 days to allow us to bring their Librium dose down gradually and not stop it abruptly.

    Sorry if I sound a bit 'over-the-top' but safety and well-being is first priority. People DO do unsupervised detoxes but it is certainly not an ideal situation and I am a but surprised your Dr has done this, in this way.

    I DO wish you all the best with it. I would recommend that you ask somebody to stay with you if you don't have anybody living with you (over 18) who can observe you and I would certainly advise taking at least Monday and Tuesday off work if your doses of Librium are any higher than 20mg for the whole day.

    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Thank you. I'm only 36 and scared and I don't want to scare my wife. I just want to get better
  • l71207
    l71207

    Posted

    Thank you so much for replying. I have read many of your posts and I was hoping you would comment on mine. I appreciate the advice. I am married but she doesn't know the severity. I am going to try to get through the weekend and get checked at a dependence clinic on Monday. This is the second time I've tried to detox. Lasted a month and then relapsed. My doctor did say I could double my meds if I need to. I have to work though. Should I get a doctors note because I use powered equipment? Thank you again so much for responding. All advice is appreciated. When I'm not drinking all I feel is anxious. I hate it. This helps
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 l71207

      Posted

      Yes, you must not drive or operate machinery while on Librium. You can always tell work it is medication for 'stress' if you don't want to tell me everything.
    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Thank you for replying again. Your knowledge is so very helpful. One last question for now do you have any advice when I should start taking the librium after my last drink
    • vickylou
      vickylou l71207

      Posted

      Am pleased that Paul picked up your discussion, as he is a specialist and gives excellent and correct advice. What made you decide to stop immediately and how much were you drinking? (Please don't think you have to answer me) My son and wife are expecting their first baby in October, my first grandson. This is my motivation to stop and I want to be involved with their baby. If that means no drinking, then I wont. I don't drink daily, although 25 years a go I'd get through 2 bottles of gin a week. I too needed a,drink to get me functioning in the morning, then more at night to help me to sleep, it's a vicious circle. I enjoyed social drinking when out and sharing a bottle of wine with my OH. I've had a very stressful year and my anxiety has been dreadful. I've had several binge relapses, and usually after a couple of days without alcohol I'm back to 'normal' again. This time it's taken longer, but am now on 12th day without alcohol and without any medication.

      you will find it hard, in a way I feel the detox is the easy bit. It's keeping it up that's the hardest. Hope you will keep posting how you're getting on and good luck. You can do it and get your life back, but you have to be motivated .

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 l71207

      Posted

      You should wait until you feel signs of withdrawal. The problem is, because I don't know what dose you have, I don't know if it is going to be adequate. I am worried that you have been given some tiny dose which won't be enough to work and that you could find your withdrawal symptoms not alleviated by it. Could you tell me what dose you have been prescribed?
    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      I was perscribed 10mg 4 times a day but he doesn't know my severity. He did say to double up if I needed to and we would do a longer taper.
    • l71207
      l71207 vickylou

      Posted

      thank you so much for opening up to me and replying. I want to stop because I think it is killing me and my wife just sprung on me she wants to have kids. I have to be there for her. She is everything to me.
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 l71207

      Posted

      I think you may need to double up at first. I can't advise, though, having not met and examined you. I have no clue what your blood pressure and pulse are or what your liver condition is like. I also have none of your medical history to refer to. So please follow your doctor's instructions but ensure that if you are getting withdrawal symptoms, still, you seek further medical attention.
    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your advice. Im doubling up on my meds to get through the day. I will keep posting
    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      So this is where I'm at today. I gave.in Saturday and Sunday and kept drinking. Then I went to work Monday and started my detox at 30 milligrams four times a day. That was a huge mistake. This is my third time trying to detox and it feels like the worst. I ended up coming home sick. I didn't get any sleep last night I'd have lucid dreams sweating did not eat anything until this morning. I've been taking vitamins and I had a fruit and vegetable shake for breakfast this morning with some raisins. Shaking hands have gone down tremendously but my stomach is still in knots. I took extra blood pressure medicine last night as well. I only have 16 10 milligram pills left. & I can't make it to the clinic until Thursday. What do you suggest I do. I don't think my doctor wants to prescribe me more because I've already tried multiple detoxs. Please any advice
    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      I took 2 pills at 1am and am about to take 2 more. I am at work right now
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 l71207

      Posted

      Firstly, I am shocked that you are going to work on such high doses of Librium. You should not be driving or operating machinery and, if I was doing your detox, I would be insisting that you were not alone at home or going out alone.

      You shouldn't be at risk of serious withdrawal symptoms 3 days after you stopped drinking. Librium has a half-life of 48 hours so there is a cumulative effect and the amount in your body increases during the 48 hours. Tomorrow will be day 3, I would suggest working out a reducing scale with the pills you have left. If you find you are having to reduce too quickly, write down a planned reducing scale and take that to your GP, asking him for the pills that you need to successfully complete the detox.

      This whole situation is not ideal and I think your well-being has been neglected. You have had no supervision, your blook pressure has not been monitored as it should be in all cases (and particularly if you are taking blood pressure medication) and you have been badly advised about going to work. Detox is a serious medical procedure and should be treated as such. It also appears that even on high doses, that hasn't been enough to totally counteract your withdrawal symptoms which wouldn't have been the case if you had been monitored properly and the dose adjusted to ensure a comfortable detox.

      Please don't see my comments as criticism of YOU. You are clearly doing all you can to resolve your problem.

      Good luck!

    • l71207
      l71207 PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      I thank every post that is sent here. It helps me to calm down. What type of tapering schedule would you suggest? Would today be good 20mg 4 times a day. That would leave me 8 10mg pills. Or should I cut down today to spread out longer. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 l71207

      Posted

      I am in a difficult position. I can't tell you what to do because I am not treating you. It sounds like you need to write down what you are going to need and get more from your GP to complete the detox. If you cut down too much, you will suffer withdrawal symptoms which defeats the object of doing a detox. As long as your GP knows that you are not drinking, there shouldn't be an issue with him giving you sufficient pills to complete your detox. Showing him your reduction plan should convince him further that you are not misusing the Librium.
    • vickylou
      vickylou l71207

      Posted

      I'm surprised you can function with that amount if librium, let alone work. Many years ago I had a home detox and spent the first couple of days under a duvet and slept for most of the time. Days 3 and 4 were by far the worst days for me. Days 6 and 7 were a lot easier. Don't beat yourself up about giving in. I can relate to how desparate you must have felt.

      i totally agree with Pauls comments regarding the lack of care and support which you need, to get through this detox. Is there no way you can stay at home, as you really shouldn't be driving or operating machinery. Hope things improve for you and you get more care and support

    • l71207
      l71207 vickylou

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. The first day I went home after 3 hrs and crashed hard. Couldn't eat a thing. Today I'm still at work but I don't drive any powered equipment. Have been able to ear something all day. My wife doesn't know how severely this detox effects me because it doesn't bother her. Thanks for all the support.
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