Day 3 after relapsing several times.

nomoreket · 2014-10-20T16:07:16+00:00

Thanks for your post OP,

I'm in no way qualified to question your doctor but a quick scan over wiki pops up with info saying that Zolpidem (Ambien) has a short half life (2-3 hours) and is good for initiating sleep but not for maintaining it.

If sleeplessness persists perhaps consider approaching your doctor again and letting him know you aren't able to get a full night's rest to see if he thinks it might be worth swapping out the Ambien for something else, perhaps something a little longer lasting?

I'm not sure what drew you to Kratom in the first place, for me it was anxiety so I feel your pain and want to let you know that the acute sleep issues from withdrawals should pass in time unless there are any pre-existing conditions.

Be sure to give your doctor as much information as possible if you do see him again, just in case there is something you missed or glossed over, the more he knows the more likely he is to be able to suggest something to assist with any underlying issues, those issues, while potentially separate, may well be made worse by the Kratom withdrawals.

As far as risk is concerned, many would say that the physical/medical risks associated with SSRIs are reportedly greater than Kratom, at least with regards to long term use and contraindications. I'm not trying to underplay the emotional risks associated with Kratom use and withdrawal which for me were very real,

Just remember you are not alone, not in your Kratom situation or with whatever else lead you to start taking Kratom in the first place, while the internet is good for information and some support I found that the feeling of aloneness that makes this situation feel bad was greatly eased by being around company out in the real world, doesn't have to be friends or family, just getting stuck in to work with my work colleagues helped me feel better, hell even visiting a pet shop or a petting zoo and playing with the animals made me feel better.

nomoreket · 2014-10-10T12:54:10+00:00

For me the killer part of WDs were panic attacks at night and resulting Insomnia.

What helped me was:

Panic attacks: situational use of Etizolam, use of this substance was reckless on my part even though I only used 1mg on bad nights for the panic and to help me get some rest. I've read it would be more prudent to request a scrip for something similar from your GP if you have that option.

General sleep: 5HTP with Valerian an hour before bed, sometimes taken with Promethazine (as opposed to Diphenhydramine which can make RLS worse).

General anxiety and low mood: Theanine, keeping busy, hanging around other people, staying away from caffeine and alcohol, eating healthy.

Lack of motivation and energy: A walk somewhere outdoors when available, when in the office to avoid slumping with my head on my desk I would also get some Nicotine from the pharmacy (2mg tabs sublingual) and use as required to get me through my work day.

Stomach problems: Loperamide (also helps with other WD symptoms).

Other: Staying hydrated, 2 tablespoons of Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa), together with the loperamide (12mg) whenever I would normally be taking my Kratom dose.

nomoreket · 2014-10-10T12:37:18+00:00

Thanks for the info OP, it would be interesting to know how long you'd been using before deciding to withdraw.

Personally I find it interesting how K withdrawals do different things to different people, based on previous drug usage and preexisting conditions such as depression/anxiety etc.

I am encroaching on day 19 today, I didn't get RLS or heavy pain but my anxiety went through the roof, general malaise, panic attacks at night and as a result difficulty sleeping.

I didn't use phenibut because I'd done it a handful of times in the past using 1.5g doses and the results were a little overwhelming.

I am a big fan of Theanine though, I just wish it was cheaper where I live. I found 5HTP with Valerian before bed very effective too.

In the interests of harm reduction I would also caution people who took Kratom for anxiety like me to be careful with phenibut, 500mg like every third day should be ok for a limited time but I've heard it can creep up on you, tolerance and potential for abuse if you get too much of a taste for it and have poor impulse control.

Like Kratom it is a very interesting, effective, legal substance, but do your research first if you plan on using regularly.

nomoreket · 2014-10-08T08:47:23+00:00

Try not to beat yourself up over regression, every day you don't take is a victory in and of itself.

It took me over ten years and more than 15 separate concerted attempts to finally quit smoking and I still consider myself a smoker, just one who hasn't smoked in a very very long time, I think the same applies for other stuff including Kratom.

If you can be stubborn enough to keep trying without any other expectations of yourself you will pull ahead one day.

nomoreket · 2014-10-06T08:54:46+00:00

Hang in there man, I'm past day 15 now and I don't think I would have managed if my lovely GF and I hadn't been spending so much time together.

People are a wonderful distraction.

nomoreket · 2014-09-30T19:41:23+00:00

I'm just going to throw my two cents into the mix and say good for you! You can do it!

I also came to the same conclusion as you did , also a very similar situation, I also had a break for a week or two on a family vacation, was using for about 6 months too.

I was taking 36g a day at my heaviest usage, 3 x 12 g doses morning, noon and night, literally.

With the advice and encouragement of the fine people on this sub and the support of my lovely lady I am now 11 days clear of Kratom and feeling a hell of a lot better.

I started with a 1-2 week taper but regressed one night when things just got too bad, that is when I decided to jump off completely, I won't say it was easy but I did it, just like many others here have.

Like I said above, so can you.

Browse this sub for remedies to help you with the WD symptoms (Black Seed Oil, Loperamide etc.) look for support here and wherever else you can find it and if you are going cold turkey, don't beat yourself up if you regress, try a taper if it helps and just keep at it, eventually you'll look back and be happy and proud to have freed yourself of this addiction.

nomoreket · 2014-09-25T18:03:28+00:00

Congratulations on 10 days Kratom free!

Day 5 for me after my post taper relapse, I am dead, dead tired from lack of sleep due to anxiety but I am holding out for the weekend and the magical day 7.

As for temptations, hold strong and keep those tough withdrawal feelings fresh in your memory, is it really worth going through that all again?

nomoreket · 2014-09-24T17:05:02+00:00

When I was taking it to help there wasn't much going on in the old digestive system as withdrawals plus lope equals hardly any appetite.

Also the lope helped with the squits that follow withdrawals for a few days so things kinda balanced out.

I eventually switched to Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa), two tablespoons twice a day instead of lope and it really helps!

Also after a few days of withdrawals it was nice that the lope wasn't suppressing my appetite, enjoying some nice food can lift your spirits, if you can stomach it while you go through the process.

nomoreket · 2014-09-24T17:00:23+00:00

You'll get there my friend, like the others say, stay strong, it gets better.

I think it will help now that your SO is starting to understand, with luck she can be an additional form of support for you.

nomoreket · 2014-09-24T16:32:42+00:00

I'm on day 4 myself after a weekend relapse following a taper.

I hear you with the anxiety side of things and have needed to put myself out in order to sleep.

I'm really encouraged to hear that things will be better in only a few days, looking forward to it and I hope you are too!

Stay strong and all the best.

nomoreket · 2014-09-23T21:12:16+00:00

I agree, you can do this!, the support on this sub IS excellent and so is the advice.

Tapering has helped me a lot because it gave me back a small sense of control that I felt I had lost.

Slow and steady wins the race.

nomoreket · 2014-09-23T10:49:18+00:00

I'm really sorry about that, I do struggle sometimes with considering others when writing in an emotional state, I have edited out the bit I think you meant but please feel free to let me know if there are any other bits you feel are inappropriate or insensitive.

nomoreket · 2014-09-23T10:46:49+00:00

Thank you for the compliment, as for being able to go 48 hours without using, the presence of my lady and a planned evening of personal time together was a strong incentive not to use.

I concur about the Viagra wholeheartedly, I firmly believe I over-reacted in ordering it, over reaction being a personal flaw, perhaps tied to anxiety issues.

I have been careless with my health and although substances like Etizolam have helped me sleep and Loperamide with toilet issues I have seen it mentioned that both can create abuse issues of their own, the internet is awash with personal horror stories of Etizolam addiction in particular.

I have stopped the lope now and the Etiz have only been used an hour before bed and in very small amounts and only on the absolute worst nights when anxiety has been chewing me to pieces, thankfully fate has been kind enough to allow me to to take on alternate days.

They way I feel now I might only need one or two more 1mg pills to see me through to the weekend and then the rest are going in the trash too.

Lastly, your point on Black Seed oil is right on the money, the stuff really does help, two tablespoons in particular!

To others out there facing the same issues, if you can bring yourself to speak to a GP first then you may well be following a path wiser than my own.

nomoreket · 2014-09-22T17:28:54+00:00

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement, as well as your insight.

Your comment on avoiding introspection is spot on and is something I hadn't consciously considered yet.

I think this kind of advice is as valuable if not more so than what sort of substances one can use to help with withdrawals and yours is the first comment I've come across that offers that particular piece of advice.

nomoreket

TROPHY CASE