Best plan to Wean off opiates

[Yank39]

I have read alot of stories on here, and they are all appreciated. Ill get right to it..

Here's the question: My Girlfriend and I have been taking Percocets pretty much everyday for a year and 2 months. The highest amount I was taking per day was 90mg ( 3/ 30mg blue tabs). My GF was taking 2 / 30 mg tabs  per day. We have tried to quit before , but would always go back after a few days. Sometimes we would substitute the Percocets with Vicoden, or we would use a small piece of Suboxone and put it under our tounge. The suboxone would help a great deal, but they are hard to come by without a Dr. I would rather not involve my Dr. simply b/c I do not have benefits at this time, and I also have a chronic case of Kidney stones ( I get them once every 2 yrs or so like clockwork), and would not want to be refused pain medication when I have an attack. We have decided to wean off the amount of Percocets we are taking. Now the question finally..:)

We want to wean off our dosage over a period of time. We are not worried about the time it would take to properly do this with the best possible outcome. We understand there will be SOME withdrawl. At this time we are both looking for employment, so needing to take time off to deal with this would not be a problem. I truly feel we can do this because we both very much want to quit altogether. Ill say it again....we WANT to quit. I think that is a big part to be successful. Does anyone have a basic idea/plan on how we should proceed to properly wean as best as possible? We are currently in day 3 of weaning. I have dropped 30mg so far, and my GF went from 2 30mg per day to 1 1/2 per day. Is there a certain amount you should drop off based on the length of time we have been using ( 1YR 2 MONTHS), and for the amount we have been taking? Our thought is to drop 15 mg every 4 days...we have no idea if this is a good way to go about it. Like I said I understand there will be some discomfort ( we are already dealing with minor muscle cramps, problems getting comfortable) ANY help on what someone would think would be the best way to monitor our intake based on the time and amount we have used would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much...

[leeisgettingclean]

i prob be not much help to you but here is my though
If you are already having minor w/ds and you are on  a lower dose as you both are, the best thing IMO is just quit. I know this sounds scary however you say you 2 have made it 3 days before, well that means you were almost done, w/ds actually start to improve after day 3, At the dose you are at, you are going to feel w/ds the whole time at every drop for 3 or 4 days anyhow so you can just quit and e 100% phsically after 3 or 4 days..I know it sounds scary but its not going to be undoable, if the two of you are really ready to quit this IMO is your best option...You do not work so that is not an issue..I say get it sone and over with in a few days versus prolonging it for months..like i said  you are going to have w/ds anyways so go ahead and get it done..If you have any ?s feel free to ask...i cold turkeyed from a 150-200mg a day habbit and it was uncomfortable but over in a few days,,,,just have an aftercare plan ready

[losfeliz1970]

hi there.

i just read your post and totally related!  my BF and i are weaning as i type.   we are down to taking 3/4 of a 10mg norco per day

take it slow and steady.  we took about the same amount as you guys did except we have been taking them for 3 years.  we quit once but stated again.  hello!!!  stupid!!!  i never want to be a slave to this again!

here is how we are weaning.

we are currently taking norcos-  the yellow ones.  i think they are 10mg.

every 2 to 3 days we cut back the dose.

day 1-2,  2 pills
day 3-4,  1 & 1/2
day 5-7,  1 (we split the one in half)
day 8-10)  3/4 ( one 1/2 and then we cut the halfs into quarters).

that is as far as we have gone.  last night was a little uncomfortable but NOTHING compared to what i experienced when i when i quit cold turkey a year or so ago.  

you are smart to wean!  it makes the WDs much easier to handle.

get some xnanax and take it at night when you get down to the lower dose of the vicodin, even if you don't think you need it.  even if it's a half.  you will be fine.  oh.... hot showers are grea at night too.  ust for the relaxation factor.  get lots of movies or a good tv series you can obsess on.  rent LOST the tv show from the beginning!  i know this might sound weird but my point is to keep busy!!!!

don't let the other posts on here freak you out.

oh- we are quitting smoking too!!! double whammy!!

[leeisgettingclean]

be carefull with xanax thats anouther prob  possibly by its self..if you can wean and actually handle it..Taper=being in control of usin...active addict=being out of controll...so its hard for most...but whatever works and makes you more comfortable, just use benzos ONLY with cation

[leeisgettingclean]

what i mean by the "use benzos only with cation" i am not incouraging them...i think its a bad idea...benzos give you a good feeling and are really not encouraged for a drug addict going through w/ds so PLEASE be carefull

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

I agree with lee.. just use BENZOS ONLY if needed...

Also.. if you haven't already checked out the Thomas Receipe.. it's worth a look.. you will find it under the health pages...

Be strong and keep us posted as there are MANY PEOPLE here to support you....

[Yank39]

Wow...thank you all so much for the quick responses....It makes you feel good knowing how much support is on here...and how fast it comes...:) losfeliz ty so much and goood luck with the smoking part as well...We will tackle that problem next..:)

So it seems to me the best route to go based on what I read from the replies is to take down the dosage every 3-4 days. We really don't have any Benzos to get a hold of, but I do have some Ambians to help at night to sleep, so far we really haven't needed them. We have been getting up earlier to try and help with being tired at night.

Anyway it feels good to know this kind of support is out there. I promise to keep everyone updated on how we are doing.

Thanks again...

[Yank39]

Oh and Lee...I very much appreciate your thoughts on the matter as well...but with job interviews that can happen at any time I wouldnt want to be in the middle of stopping coold turkey and having to take something just to get through it...the idea is to hopefully be out of the woods within a week or two....

Thanks again

[leeisgettingclean]

hey man, i 100% understand, its all about finding what works for you. good luck on this and the job thing as well

[Yank39]

Thanks man for all your thoughts on this process...A quick update, Im down to 1.5 per day, and will be moving to 1 per day on Wednesday. A friend of mine told me he has Suboxone if I needed it to help me sleep. That's when it seems to be the hardest..at night. I sweat like crazy, and have the leg kicks of course.. I would take a very little piece and put it under my tounge....bad idea?

[SuzzQ]

No, don't take xanax.. they are physically addictive... and very hard to get off of.. you can go through seizures coming off xanax.. be careful please..

[leeisgettingclean]

i am glad you are doing good!! you are making progress and thats whats important! how is the job searcin goin? i will not say anything about the sub besides please use EXTREME cation!

[desperatetostop]

remember...sub has opiates in them! I agree with LEE....use extreme caution. try doing it without.

best of luck

[kolo13]

Whoa, do not mix subs in while tapering. They have a stronger affinity for the receptors than the pills you are taking. They can put you into withdrawal and then they will block the pills. Suddenly - no more taper. Even a sliver of sub is way stronger than the 1.5 pills you are taking. Stick to your original plan, don't start mixing in other drugs in a misguided attempt to make it easier. You had the right idea from the beginning - there will be some discomfort but you can handle it. Good luck.

[Yank39]

Ok...well I haven't mixed any in at all. My thought was to get down to 1/30mg pill per day...take that for 3 days, and then if needed...switch to a small piece of Suboxone. I have read that Sub is much easier to wean off of than Percs. True False?

[ginsa]

There are a lot of differing opinions about Sub. I've never used it, but from what I've read here, ease of withdraw from sub depends on how high a dose you start on and how long you use it.

It seems like a lot of docs start patients at a way higher dose than they really need and some get addicted to the sub as a result. Seems like the lowest effective dose used VERY short term is best.

If you can taper off the percs I wonder that you even need to use Sub at all. Some withdrawl seems inevitable no matter what, and folks that have gotten addicted to sub often say that it's way worse to try to quit.

[leeisgettingclean]

SUB IS IN NO WAY EAISER TO COME OFF OF OVER PERKS.....i dont know were you got that info but it is 1000% incorrect

[kolo13]

Oh no dude, sub is great if you have a heroin or large oxycontin habit and you need to stabilize your life first. Then you can taper off the subs in a controlled way that's almost impossible if you are used to shooting dope or doing huge amounts.. But no way is it easier to get off of than perc's. There is no 100% pain free detox but what you are doing now is about as close as you can get. If you're scared to jump off at one pill then go ahead and cut them in half and do that for three days, then cut that in half for three more days.or jump off at any point along that spectrum. Please don't let fear of withdrawal cause you jeopardize the great job you have done so far. Go back through the archives here and start counting how many people made things worse for themselves due to an irrational fear of being a little sick. That fear is a fundamental symptom of your addiction. As I've heard other people put it " you are going to have to be OK with not being OK for a little while. And it is just a little while. You are so close dude. Don't let the addict part of your brain convince you to try another drug   (A stronger and longer acting one at that) to get off drugs.

[leeisgettingclean]

you said it just right

[Yank39]

Thanks guys...I can tell you right now, having people like you here for advice is alot of the battle..I will keep you posted every so often to let you know how Im doing.

Thanks again

[ExOxy]

Hey Yank - You're doing well....
Kolo's advice is golden and right on the money... I am new here but, I have herniated L5-S1 discs, degeneration and sciatica, etc. I was completely hooked on about 15, 80s of oxycontin a day. My job and relationships tanked. After 2 years plus hooked, I used a 2 week taper on Subutex, which the Dr wanted me to take 24 mgs a day of (which would've just hooked me on Sub instead). So instead, (from advice on a forum like this) I took 8mg a day, for 3 days, then went to 4 mgs for 3 days, then 2 mgs for 3 and so on until I jumped off around 14 days - it was a little difficult and uncomfortable for a couple weeks. NA also helped and the occasional benzo for anxiety / sleep. That was me and everyones a little different. But- keep going brutha, it keeps getting better, every day a little bit easier. Im out of that prison for four months now and feel totally normal again and its so great to have my life back. You can do this, I have faith in you.

[Yank39]

Thanks again everyone....Ill say it everytime..having ppl with some great advice is a huge help....I can tell you at this point that I am taking a tiny piece of Sub in the AM...and maybe a another tiny piece early evening...haven't had a perc since last Thurs (4days), and I think taking such a small amount is ok for now...When I mean small..I mean it...for the day..Im not even taking a half a Sub..today..I will shoot for just a small piece in the AM, and see what happens. I am not taking any Xanax or anything...I have taken an Ambien at night to help sleep...and it's worked fine...although I still wake up pretty early wide awake ( even if I only got 5-6 hrs) My GF is getting the sweats alot more than I have...but at certain times we don't feel too great...Like everyone has said...there will be some discomfort...I do find myself having a short fuse..and I do get "down" for sure...but I keep telling myself it's just my brain trying to adapt..

[sunshinegal76]

I am weaning along with you... took a half a norco at 1030 this morning and I don't feel any different. Feel like I'm going crazy.

HANG IN THERE!! We can do this together!

[freedom007]

Hello all...new to this post...but not to the horrible game of getting clean.  It's been about 5 days (although I slipped a little over the weekend...had my kids alone and they are sick) and today I feel like I have turned the corner.  I know it's not over but the relentless restlessness, nauseia, diarhea (diarrhea), etc. has subsided.  I am dealing more with just a lack of energy/motivation.  

I agree with most of the posts...you just have to go for it.  There is no such thing as a painless withdrawal.  My day today is FAR better than last Thursday and I am looking forward to the end of the week.  This is the second time I have gone through this, and by Gods grace, never again.  But God helps those that help themselves.  You have to be willing to fight and claw your way out!!  Not easy...but a must.

  

[freedom007]

btw...this is the best forum that I have found...thanks to all, albeit unintentional, for your strength and courage and knowledge.  It has helped a great deal.  Jeeze, what did people do before communication pieces like this?!?

[Yank39]

Good to see some more ppl jumping ON the wagon..:) Like I said...yesterday I took a tiny piece, and haven't taken any today yet...I actually feel ok...I just want to kill someone, but other than that....not too bad..:) Seriously, at this point Im just looking to go each day longer before I try and take anything at all..So I have gone over 24hrs with nothing...and as silly as it may sound...I feel really good about that...I realize I didnt have as big a problem as others that I've read on here, and I give those ppl all the credit in the world, but I think doing this for over a year has it's consequences as well..Keep posting..Ill check backoften...Good luck to everyone..and sunshinegirl...KEEP IT UP!!

[sunshinegal76]

GREAT JOB YANK! If you can do it, I can do it, right? :)

A week ago today I took 8 Norco's, yesterday I made it through the day with 2 (and half a xanax in the evening). Yay?

2 WEEKS AGO: I took 16 Norco's.  

My point is that I have cut down very quickly in a short amount of time (running outta pills and being terrified of withdrawals really gives you a kick in the ***.

How much longer should I taper before I completely quit? My plan is to start Sun or Mon. And are the withdrawals easier the more slowly you have tapered down???

[freedom007]

if you are down to 2, I say go for it.  So many times I have said, "what if"...in terms of letting time go by without just going for it.  Simple fact is, yes, tapering will make it easier...but there will always be w/d symptoms to deal with.  Today is Tuesday...give it a shot...by Monday, you should feel pretty good.  Keep the ones you have in case of an emergency...and flush em once you know you are in the clear.

GO FOR IT!!!  And don't be scared...it's like the flu...just think of it like that and you will be fine.  Be prepared though with vitamins, water, good healthy eats, a bath/shower schedule...but most of all determination to say f you to these horrible things.  I am on day 3-4ish and am already feeling much better.  No energy, but no runs, rls, headaches.

Also, just stay on here for a couple days...it is amazing how inspiring the other folks can be...and good amounts of time go by while you are reading and typing and hearing that everyone on here succeeded.  I have yet to read one post that says otherwise.  We are not alone...FIGHT!

[Jayferg]

you're almost there........it feels like there's a demon within us when we're jonesing.  I hate the mental desire to satisfy the physical symptoms.  Keep hanging in there.  You'll get through if you really want to!