4th day

[Ladykonnie]

This is a bummer! I am on day 4 and can't get past taking 7. I tried and tried. I was even feeling better, my stomach pain was subsiding and all. Please continue your prayers. I can not quit cold turkey. I just can't. I tried it before and I can't. Also at least my dose has gone down. That is a positive.

[clean_in_ks]

Hey there girl......I just went back and read your post about how you went from 14 to 9 to 8 pills per day....and I think you said you did that reduction over a 4 day period?  You also mentioned that you probably should have spread those 8 pills out throughout the day......so that makes me wonder now that you say you are down to 7 pills per day exactly how you are dosing those 7 pills?  Like an even amount of hours between pills?
Have you made out a taper plan or gotten one from your dr?

Let me share my crazy experience with you.  At my very worst...I was up to 30 pill/day.  On June 6, 2012 I started what "I" called a taper....please keep in mind, I had never heard of MedHelp at this time.  From June 6th to June 21st I went from 30 pills/day to 10 pills/day....then I had a "breathing crisis" and made a useless trip to the ER.  To keep a very long story as short as possible...a lot happened in the next 55 days, but I knew I would only take the pills if I had them and I still had a half a bottle...so I just decided to quit.

I found MedHelp 55 days later and learned what I did was a FAR CRY from an appropriate medical narcotic pain med taper.  In fact, back in the day when I was only using 3 pills/day.....the PA I had at the time told me if I wanted to taper off and quit I should cut 1/2 pill per week until I got down to none.  My medical crises multiplied after that time....so of course I never got off pain meds when I was at 3/day.  Many more years of pain and pain pills were in my future.

I only tell you that so you might understand that what "we" think is a taper is really NOT a taper at all.  That's what Vicki and NG were attempting to explain.  A medical taper is A LOT slower than we could imagine....you need a lot of pills and your dr on board to do a medically supervised taper plan.  They do it SO SLOW that you body doesn't go into w/drawals "as" you are tapering.  Do you see what I'm saying?

You may just need some time to process the "idea" of tapering versus going CT.  You may need to try and fail to learn what is best for YOU.
All I can tell you is that if you REALLY want to get off the pills.....you WILL find a way.  

It is true that "some" addicts can taper......but they have a very strict taper plan...usually written out....and the pills are divided up and put in daily doses that are strictly adhered to.  I could NEVER do that....my brain KNEW those pills were here in my house.....and that just made me want them all the more.

I hope somehow, someway, my experience may shed some light on your own personal experience.  Find what you "CAN" do and stick to so that you can eliminate the word "CAN'T" from your vocabulary.  Cause remember that childhood sayin...."Can't never did nothing".

It IS possible to be free of pain meds....even if you are in pain....I am living proof of it....I haven't put an addictive pain med in my mouth for almost 22 months now.  We're here and rootin for you~    

[jerry4664]

thats alot of pills per day 14? that would be really hard but tapering for a little while is a good plan maybe a 15 day plan but after that you need to get off them but with that being said you are moving in the right direction just remember taht you want this and it can be done " PILL FREE" do you have a sober friend that can help you? someone taht you can confide in? sometimes taht helps to have someone on the ground with you but if not thie is the GREATEST website for support i could have never gained what I have if not for this site be stong JJ

[jugglin]

Thinking about you today.  Be kind to yourself thru this process whichever route you take.  Just know that we are here when you need to vent or need to feel some support.  K?

[vicki595]

If an individual is going to go up on their dose during a taper, it doesn't matter how fast or slow they're going. If the commitment isn't there, nothing is going to work. No process is easy. The point is to try to be as comfortable as possible...and seek support for the mental withdrawal. That will decrease the chance of taking more than the taper allows...

With any detox, there needs to be a commitment to stick with the plan and keep your eyes on the prize!

[nursegirl6572]

I agree with vicki.  If you're one of the lucky ones that can adhere to a taper (admittedly not an easy thing to do for anyone, let alone someone with an addiction), the taper should be done right, which is how vicki describes it, gradual and deliberate with time in between dosage reductions to allow your body to adjust.  It's called a stabilization period, and it's very important.

Basically, if you're going to taper that fast, you're going to keep yourself in a constant state of moderate, if not severe w/ds.  If you're going to do that, you might as well stop cold turkey.

I also second the fact that if you can, you should be doing this with the assistance/guidance of a doctor without a doubt.  Very best to you, hang in there!

[Yesidid]

With all due respect to Vicki I disagree only because a slower taper leaves the question open to should you go back up? Absolutely not! Let your body adjust for a little bit. Talk to your doctor again about the plan. I admit that if Vicki has any medical training at all, she has more than I do - so maybe I am wrong. But I do know this, you are showing an incredible amount of will power here.  How many of us could say the same? VERY FEW. 99% of us were "if we have them, we will take them" kind of addicts. You are a special breed my friend. Get good medical advice on tapering and keep up the good work!

[vicki595]

Hi- your taper is too fast. I read on a previous post that you went from 14 to 9 and then to 8 the next day...too fast and too much.

A taper needs to be slow, dropping a small amount over a period of time. The object is to let your body adjust before the next drop. This way, the wd's are minimal and it becomes doable. It's still tough mentally but you've got support to help you through.

Do you have a doctor to advise you?  Do you have access to enough pills to do a proper taper?

Good luck to you-

[Ladykonnie]

Thank you all! It is great to know I am NOT alone! Please do not give up on me!!!!

[VICourageous]

You are trying and getting the dose down is a great sign.
Keep pushing hard. Prayers to YOU!!!
Bless

[takingmylifeback2014]

Prayers your way for Strength and Courage ..... You CAN Do this .... If I can anyone can :-)

[jugglin]

You have prayers coming your way!  Stay positive and keep moving forward.  You can get thru this!