Getting off Hydrocodone

[Danny750]

Hi I'm new to this site.  I'm trying to get off hydrocodone 7/750 which I've been taking 6 to 8 a day for 3 years. I had back surgery 7 years ago and got better for a while but then my back has been getting worse again and then started taking the pills. This seems so common.  So last night I went for 8 to 3 and already had a little bit of a rough night. I'm trying to taper it a little because I know what's coming.  I tried this before and didn't make it.  Anyone know how long this will take? Should I continue to taper or just deal with it?  And what do you for pain once you stop taking them because I never want to take any kind of opiates again.  

[Danny750]

I'm still laughing at the loser comment.  I tried doing the tapering before and felt like such a loser when i cheated.  But I think taking them when I'm with my kids I feel like the biggest loser. I think CT is the way to go.  I already have the idea that I will only do one if I wake up in the middle of the night and can't sleep but only for a couple of days.  I should have taken time off of work, this is so ridiculous. As for the doctor I cut him off. I can't believe how horrible he actually was.  I'm just wondering what I'm going to do when this is over. I've checked out other doctors who wanted to put electrodes on my nerves and implant some kind of pace maker in me. The alternative is chiropractor but I'm not sold.
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[worried878]

dropping from 8 to 3 pills a day is a big drop..maybe space it out some and drop a pill every few days ..write out ur taper and pick a quit day..flush what u dont need..many keep a few xtra for emergencies...tapering is hard and handing ur pills over to someone u trust helps...sometimes CT is the easiest way to go and even tho wd may be more intense, it is over in a few days.tapering can drag wd out and can make u feel like a loser when u cheat..cutting off all scripts or connections for pills is important as well as aftercare...there is a great article in the helth pages on tapering..good luck and keep posting

[Danny750]

I know how you feel.  I didn't think I would get hooked but I do love it too.  I realized how bad it was when my docs practice got bought out by a hospital a couple of months ago and he tightened up on the scripts then I realized how bad it really was.  I got a bottle out of him on Friday of 40 and was going to use them to taper off but I've decided to just go cold turkey because if I take one I'll take 8.

I know how you feel about thinking you're failing.  I felt that way about my 2 kids for the last 3 years but all in all nothing bad has happened to them thank god and I've had a good relationship with them.  I've definitely lashed out at them when I was running out of pills and felt really guilty about it but all you can do is look to the future and change it.  

As for the weed I smoked from age 14 to age 30 the last 10 years of it I smoked every day.  Even went to work high and would get high at lunch.  I feel that was so much easier to kick then these pills. Do one thing at a time and my suggestion is the pills first because these things are just aweful.

Good luck and thanks for the response.  This site is great.

[HurtinT]

Hey Dan!

I am in my second day of detox from 7 - 8 10mg Lorcets per day for about a year.  I know how I got here, and I am trying to change.  I have had two back surgeries, and have DDD, I have a good amount of pain, and I have always dealt with it without meds, once I started on them, I knew I would love them!  The "high" is awesome!  I am married now, and been taking them since my marriage because "my back hurts", and I feel like I am failing my wife right now, and failing at life.  I am numb when I am on them and everything is "great", NOT!

I am determined to kick this habit, but I am scared, as I am only two days into it and have already been counting the days till my next script is filled... this *****.

I guess I wanted to get the truth about my using off my chest!  Thanks for listening/reading... I hurt right now, body aches, the runs, sleeplessness, not hungry... why do I still want the pills???? UUGGGGHHHHHHH

I have a few valiums to help keep me calm, and some weed to help eat and take my mind out of it.  I feel very down on myself because I have let this happen... I thought I was stronger, but I am weak to this stuff.

I also want to quit my daily weed habit that I have had for 10 years....

So, there I am ... Hope that helps someone.

Hurtin for Certain

[Danny750]

Thanks Craig.  I know I can do it.  I think I'm going to do this cold turkey.  I may take one tonight to sleep but that's it.  As for my doctor I'm done with this guy.  He's great for an addict because all he does is give out pills but I started buying some to support me taking more then the script.  I have 2 kids so I still feel so guilty about it.  I was on 6 vicodins when my son was born.  So there's plenty of guilt going on :)  What do you or anyone know about chiropractors?  I hear good and bad but I hear they don't give out any pills which is what I want.  I may try one not sure yet.  Again thanks for the response.

Dan

[ToWonderWhat]

Welcome to the community.. 6 to 8 vic's a day can be very do-able either way...Very smart of you to get out of the cycle while you can. With that amount it wouldnt be dangerous if u did cold turkey. Physical part last about a week. Check up on somethings (vitamins/supps) that can help cushion the fall. The 3 yrs of doin it will be the real mental challenge. If you stick to your guns like you did with your other habits you sound like you could have a high success rate. Aftercare will only increase your chance's. If you are still having back probs maybe talk with your doctor about an alternate pain management. Read and research can do wonders. Alot of support here so please stick around share your stories and experiences :)  When the time comes you will welcome the sleep with open arms brother even if it made ya pee lol. Very good luck you can do it.          Craig

[Danny750]

Thanks for your response.  That was fast :)  I never had control to taper but I'm very determined right now.  I quit smoking cigarettes years ago cold turkey and weed about 5 years ago tapering off.  When I want to I can do it but this seems so much worse.  I thought I'd just stop and be ok but as you know that's not the case.  I'm going to do it I just know that it's going to be bad.  Also I do have muscle relaxers but they make me fall asleep which really *****.  I guess I really should worry about one thing at a time.  Again thank you.  I think this forum will help me do this.

[troubleinohio]

your post is similar to one i just responded to this morning - as for you, if you can taper, try it. It may help ease yoru WD symptoms. I wouldnt know personally because i never could taper, i would just eat up all my pills until they were gone with no control. But for those of you folks who are able to display some control and do a taper, I'd try it, maybe your WD's won't be so bad. Im sure some other folks here who have sucessfully tapered will be able to advise you more on this. As for what can you take for pain other than it...well it all depends on each individual. For me I use Motrin 800 daily for my back pain (and tooth pain too, right now). Maybe muscle relaxers too may be a benefit for you. THey don't help me though, just make me pee when i cough or laugh lol. Wishing you all the best..