Rehab
Been here since April 15th to try and reduce my Tramadol (opioid) prescription from 500mg/day (25% over the daily maximum) all the way down to 0.
I'm currently already down to 25mg a day so at the current rate, I'll be down to 0 for the first time in around 10-12 years or something. I eventually got a Tramadol prescription all those years ago due to the onset of chronic pain in my lower legs sometime after my partial lung removal and the onset of my hormone condition. The doctors were never really able to put a diagnosis on it so after trying all sorts of NSAID medications and some alternatives like Lyrica/Pregabalin, they eventually just gave me opioids. At some point I started abusing them on and off but never really bothered withdrawing all the way down, only back down to my prescribed daily dosage. My legs aren't very appreciative of the current dosage but I think it'll be manageable. I've only ever abused prescriptions and would never consider obtaining them illegally so I think it'll work out.
Even before I had any sort of medication at all, I've heard the "dead eyes" remark plenty of times so I don't think it was ever particularly noticeable. You can function just fine on opioids, especially since Tramadol is one of the least potent. It's definitely a fair question or suspicion from the staff, I just wasn't really expecting it because I'm almost down to 0 and don't feel like I look particularly different aside from being tired.
It's not exclusively a rehab facility, technically this ward I'm at is part of a psychiatric hospital.
The target group for this audience is people with autism or psychosis but I got put here because there's no arbitrary maximum stay.
I was originally going to be placed in one of the other wards that focuses more specifically on short term rehab but the maximum stay was 3 months and had a longer waiting list.
At the current rate of tapering down, I should hopefully be 'clean' in around a month, assuming all goes well. The tapering down has been relatively smooth up until this last stretch and I'm guessing the step down to 0 will be extra rough.
Based on discussions with the staff, I assume I'll probably be staying here for another month or 2 after I get down to 0.
I know the neurology department has also asked to monitor my epileptic seizure frequency both during and after the withdrawal process so that's probably part of why an exit plan hasn't been brought up at all yet. I take a nuclear dosage of anti-epileptics and still get between 2 and 4 seizures a month so that kinda needs a resolution.
I already take the maximum daily dosage of Keppra, which is a notoriously potent anti-epileptic, and 200mg of Vimpat (another anti-epileptic) on top of that so they can't really ramp that up much without completely frying my brain. Aside from the occasional short term memory issues, I don't really have any side effects from those 2 but that's already extremely lucky according to the neurologists.
if they aren’t that concerned, what does their kid being unruly have to do w/you tho? if it is going to bother you to the point you can’t/don’t/won’t enjoy seeing your friend(s) you likely be better off skipping it, you are all adults & from the description it doesn’t seem like it’s on the level of family obligation for you to show face, so i’d imagine your friend would be cool w/a ‘happy birthday’ call/text
