Taper & Withdrawls

[Quietlylistening]

First off, Thank you lorigurl, reading your post gave me the incentive to "come out" and try to do this. I have been taking 6 - 8 hydros/day for, lets just say, too long.  Because of not being able to take off work, (very quickly) approaching holidays, hiding this from everyone, having a family that depends on me, and a dwindling supply (I absolutely refuse to reconsult!!!), I want to try a "quick taper" if there is such a thing.  I'm thinking 5/day x 3 days, 4/day x 3 days, 3/day x 3days 2/day x 3days and done. My question is, what kind of withdrawls should I expect at the end of this taper? I'm trying to time it so I get the Turkey in the oven and come down with the flu over the long weekend.  Is it possible that I could be slightly functional if I stick to this and am successful???  Any advise is appreciated!!

[alexandra fox]

Hello there, our situations sound a little bit the same in that I have been forced into a quick taper due to my body not coping with the ibuprfen etc that I was taking. I have been doing exams throughout and it has not been pleasant, the lack of energy and concentration, and that hopeless feeling are the worst, as well as the hot/cold flushes, and for me a couple of bad headaches.

Now I don't think our amounts or substances are comparable, I am on codeine about 400mg per day, and my taper is not so strcit as yours because I am actually hoping to hold off withdrawal until exams finish, so my intake is varible - but so far that has been my experience.

Perhaps do as much prep for the dinner party as possible in the next day or two, when you will be feeling the best? Also, you could start to feel "a bit flu like" a couple of days before you get the actual "flu", and perhaps family members can help out a bit more. That is my plan - around Monday I will start mentioning that I'm not feeling too terrific, so that when my "flu" comes, it would have had a nice gradual introducton.

And keep posting here, support makes such a difference, and this is such a terrific bunch of people here.

Alex

[FLaddict]

5HTP is the pre cursor to what the brain makes into serotonin. Helps depression, sleep, appetite, anxiety, ect. CANNOT be taking with any prescription anti depressants. It helped me ALOT when I was getting clean. I started all of the aminos prior to quitting while I was still tapering. Helps to take it with some juice, on an empty stomach with a Vitamin B complex.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.. Best of luck to you.

[Quietlylistening]

Interesting stuff.  I've made notes and added to my shopping list. What is 5HTP though (is that what I ask for at GNC?) - Thanks Again!

[FLaddict]

If you check out my profile I have some articles in there about nutritional supplements that can help. I used many of them when I quit pills almost 5 months ago. Many of them can help heal the damage done by the pills to the brain and neurotransmitters, helping these heal can speed the process along a bit.

[Quietlylistening]

Thanks so much for your advice. I don't expect this to be a very plesant experience at all, but I got myself into this mess and now I want to dig myself out.  I will definitely be camping out at this site during the process.  Its so encouraging to read about the accomplishments that have been made here and to hope and cheer for those as their hours of success turn into days. My goal is to share some of my baby steps as I go through this. Thanks again and Good night...

[FLaddict]

Doing a quick taper like that may help but it usually doesn't work out that way. You will start having withdrawals during the taper which will help some when you do stop but you will be feeling it through out the entire taper when you do a fast one.  I suggest if you are gonna do a fast taper. Split the pills in halves. If you are gonna take 4 per day, take one half every two hours. This will keep a small steady stream of the med in your system which will help your body adjust better to the smaller amount of med. After a few days of this take one half every 4 hours.  After a few days one half every 6 hours. Your body will adapt but still have a smaller amount in your system. Stock up on supplies prior to comeing down with the "flu" post here often and you will be fine.

[Quietlylistening]

Thanks for your comments.  I've been using for four years (5/500s).  At one point about 6 months ago the doctor upped them to 7.5/200 (ibuprofen). Last month I asked if he could drop the dose back down to 5mg(?).
For about 18 months I was up around 10 - 12 per day and since Sept. I've gone down to 6 - 8 per day.  The last couple days I've only taken 5/day and have gotten some sweats, chills and feeling pretty tired at times, but I'm still able to function w/o much problem.
I'm not feigning illness now, but there is absolutely no way I can miss work next week and due to family coming in from out of town, I'm going to need to produce a Thanksgiving dinner.  I'm trying to taper upto that day, produce the dinner and then come down with the "flu" Friday - Sunday. I went thru a pretty typical (in my mind, AWFUL)  WD about  a year ago.  Got thur the sick part (lasted about 6 days), but I couldn't sleep at all. After 2 1/2 weeks I was still only getting about 2 hours/night of sound sleep. It affected all parts of my life and I gave up. At this point I know that my health and life are deteriorating so right now I don't care if I have to go 2 1/2 months w/o sleep, I want to quit!   At this point in time I don't feel that I have anyone I can share this with (except here).  So again thanks and any comments appreciated

[IBKleen]

It depends on a lot of things. How long you have been using for example, is one.

Everyone is different, but the norm is it takes usually 6 days of withdrawal. The intensity depends on how long you used as well as the dose you jump off at.

That is a quick taper and you will start to feel the withdrawal through it. Do yourself a favor and get prepared for the cold turkey. Get all the vitamins ahd supplements stocked up in advance. Hunker down and do it!

So, you are telling people that you have the flu? Do you think you could share with someone in your family? I don't know your situation so I am asking.

If I don't see you..Good Luck. I wish you the best.