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HELP, Norco taper
Hello everyone.
I had posted a thread on wednesday about my tapering off of Norco's (10/325). I have been consistent in dropping 1/4 pill everyday. Wednesday when I posted, I was down to 1.75 a day, thursday was down to 1.5, and today (well yesturday I guess since it's 3:30 a.m. saturday now) I was down to 1.25. It's been a journey for me to get this far, and I've really been focused and on track with this taper so that I don't feel crappy.
I was doing fine the past couple days dropping my 1/4 a day, until tonight. I can't sleep, I lay in bed sweating, I have a headache,ect...I guess my question is, since I'm basically down to 1 pill a day, should I just stop all together, or keep going down 1/4 per day to try and alleviate some of the withdrawl symptoms?
Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated, and thank you all for the support you all give! I'm basically going through all this on my own. Last time I had my girlfriend to be there for me, which was a blessing, but this time...no one.
I had posted a thread on wednesday about my tapering off of Norco's (10/325). I have been consistent in dropping 1/4 pill everyday. Wednesday when I posted, I was down to 1.75 a day, thursday was down to 1.5, and today (well yesturday I guess since it's 3:30 a.m. saturday now) I was down to 1.25. It's been a journey for me to get this far, and I've really been focused and on track with this taper so that I don't feel crappy.
I was doing fine the past couple days dropping my 1/4 a day, until tonight. I can't sleep, I lay in bed sweating, I have a headache,ect...I guess my question is, since I'm basically down to 1 pill a day, should I just stop all together, or keep going down 1/4 per day to try and alleviate some of the withdrawl symptoms?
Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated, and thank you all for the support you all give! I'm basically going through all this on my own. Last time I had my girlfriend to be there for me, which was a blessing, but this time...no one.
Hi again, thanks so much for the words of encouragement. How are YOU doing at 4, or is it 5, days out now? I woke up at 3:30am in a pool of sweat, it really sucked. Took a few Advil and some Benadryl and layed there until I fell back asleep. This morning I woke up with the headache fromo hell! Has anyone else had this? Like almost a migraine or something? What's funny is that it is something I feel I would legitmately need pain pills for, yet won't do that. Plus I don't have any and don't want to screw up my day trying to go in and lie to my doctor. You're right, I just have to suffer through this. Are you able to work? I feel like a big waste of space & am telling my hub that I must be coming down w/ something..... I keep getting all sweaty, then cold, then sweaty again, and am very agitated. Sort of feel like a cat on a hot tin roof as we say here in Tx! Anyway, thanks again and let me know how the rest of you are coping.
Hi Cris,
I'm happy to say that I'm going on day 4 with those stupid pills behind me! You CAN get off the meds! I did it, and there are many people on here who have done it, so why can't you. Everyone reacts differently to the w/d's, so its hard to say how your going to feel. Try a couple different remedies, and see how you feel. Go with which YOU feel works best. Just remember, NO MATTER how bad you feel, it's only temporary, and I'm almost positive that when your off of them, and done with the w/d's, your gonna feel better then you ever have in the last two years of taking those pills.
I hope you move forward in breaking this addiction, and keep us updated!!!
I'm happy to say that I'm going on day 4 with those stupid pills behind me! You CAN get off the meds! I did it, and there are many people on here who have done it, so why can't you. Everyone reacts differently to the w/d's, so its hard to say how your going to feel. Try a couple different remedies, and see how you feel. Go with which YOU feel works best. Just remember, NO MATTER how bad you feel, it's only temporary, and I'm almost positive that when your off of them, and done with the w/d's, your gonna feel better then you ever have in the last two years of taking those pills.
I hope you move forward in breaking this addiction, and keep us updated!!!
Hi everyone...reading this really helps. Today is "DAY 1" for me on this (horrible) journey. I'm so afraid of the next few days, as I feel scared of what is coming. Sounds like a slice of h*ll...
And...I'm allergic to valiuum so I can't do the Thomas Recipe the right way. It's completely 100% cold-***-turkey for this girl. I keep telling myself: You are strong, you can beat this, norco is not your life! I had a 2 level back fusion 2 yrs ago and have been taking Norcos ever since; and like everyone else, after awhile they don't work as well, so I upped my own dose. Then I'd run out, make a stupid excuse to see another doctor, while the whole time feeling like a terrible person. So, when this last script ran out this morning, I said, "that's it." NO MORE. God I hope I make it the next few days. We have a huge family thing this wknd (5 days off) so I hope I'll be able to cope. I really think it's all about our own strength and not giving in to the monster as I like to call it. My doc helped my addiction by prescribing me 180 pills a month, and dang it, now I'm hooked on them. I told him how I felt, and he said "Why would you want to stop if they are making you feel better?" My DOCTOR said this! He's good in that he doesn't give early refills and plays by the rules, but I feel kind of pissed that he put me on a very addictive medicine. He's a pain mgt doc, so I guess I'm helping him keep food on his table, but at what cost? I don't even know what my own favorite food is anymore due to this **** I've been hooked on for 2 yrs. I haven't told him I'm going CT, but since I don't see him for 3 more wks I figure it's not worth the phone call; then he'd know I've taken more than the dosed amount. I'm so fearful of anyone knowing I'm an addict, so I keep this big secret to myself. Anyone else in this same boat???? Thanks and God speed to you all. Cris
And...I'm allergic to valiuum so I can't do the Thomas Recipe the right way. It's completely 100% cold-***-turkey for this girl. I keep telling myself: You are strong, you can beat this, norco is not your life! I had a 2 level back fusion 2 yrs ago and have been taking Norcos ever since; and like everyone else, after awhile they don't work as well, so I upped my own dose. Then I'd run out, make a stupid excuse to see another doctor, while the whole time feeling like a terrible person. So, when this last script ran out this morning, I said, "that's it." NO MORE. God I hope I make it the next few days. We have a huge family thing this wknd (5 days off) so I hope I'll be able to cope. I really think it's all about our own strength and not giving in to the monster as I like to call it. My doc helped my addiction by prescribing me 180 pills a month, and dang it, now I'm hooked on them. I told him how I felt, and he said "Why would you want to stop if they are making you feel better?" My DOCTOR said this! He's good in that he doesn't give early refills and plays by the rules, but I feel kind of pissed that he put me on a very addictive medicine. He's a pain mgt doc, so I guess I'm helping him keep food on his table, but at what cost? I don't even know what my own favorite food is anymore due to this **** I've been hooked on for 2 yrs. I haven't told him I'm going CT, but since I don't see him for 3 more wks I figure it's not worth the phone call; then he'd know I've taken more than the dosed amount. I'm so fearful of anyone knowing I'm an addict, so I keep this big secret to myself. Anyone else in this same boat???? Thanks and God speed to you all. Cris
Here's some more info for when you finally go off the drugs and the withdrawals kick in...
This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.
Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives), Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.
First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.
Thomas Recipe:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
This is a work in progress...something I've been working on off and on for the last couple of weeks. It's not considered complete, but has lots of info from lots of sources. If any of the "old timers" have anything to add, let me know and I'll add it to the document. I hope to use this to post a general "how to" every couple of days or so.
Listed below are suggestions for detoxing and quitting an opiate addiction. They are just suggestions compiled from the detox plans of people that have gone through cold turkey detox before. They are just that, suggestions, and any detox plan is best when done under a doctor's care. Consult your doctor before trying any of the suggestions below.
This is prewritten for anyone who is beginning, or planning on beginning, a cold turkey withdrawal to opiates. This includes drugs such as tramadol (Ultracet and Ultram) codeine (Tylenol #3, #4), Darvocet, Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco, Lortab and derivatives), Oxycodone (Endocet, Percocet, Oxycontin), Morphine, Demerol. Fentanyl, and Dilaudud. There are many other opiates not listed, so if you don’t see it listed, you can still use these suggestions if it’s an opiate based addiction. None of these apply to benzodiazepine based addictions. These addictions should never be dealt with by going cold turkey. Always consult a doctor for a detox plan for benzos.
First of all, opiate withdrawals are uncomfortable, but rarely life threatening. You may think you’re going to die, but most of the withdrawal symptoms are just very uncomfortable. If possible, take some time off work or schedule a week or so in order to fully detox. You will honestly not feel like doing much anyway. Opiate withdrawal symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after your last dose. But, the timing of withdrawal symptoms depends upon the drug taken, length of time you’ve been taking it, and how you react to medications. The physical withdrawals usually last 3-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst. Once again, this is all dependent on the person. You can expect these symptoms. Dilated pupils, diarrhea, runny nose, goose bumps, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, sweating, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, general aches and pains, and sleeplessness. This list is not absolute. You may experience all of these symptoms, only some of them, or other symptoms. Again, we are all different. Below is the famous Thomas Recipe. It gives some general information along with supplements that help with the withdrawal symptoms. The only thing I would add to this list is a blood pressure drug named clonidine. It effectively lowers the blood pressure and lessens many of the withdrawal symptoms. Most any doctor will prescribe it if you’re honest as to why you need it. Discuss dosages and frequency with your doctor.
Thomas Recipe:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5. During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it. At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. With breakfast, take the mineral supplement. As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.
Hi this is pre-written for new people… hope this helps:
It’s good to come clean with your doc concerning your desire to get off. Ask him to prescribe clonidine, (not klonopin), and ativan. These will help with sleep, RLS and anxiety. These are best to try before formal detox and drugs like Suboxone. I had to do formal detox because I tried everything else, including alcohol to get off and nothing worked for me. Keep in mind that when you try… make it a good one! Have some time off of work if you can… maybe a four day weekend or more. Make the last day of work without any drugs, because the first day is usually the easiest. Try your best to get clean and stay clean because the other methods require more potent drugs and you have to come off of those. I am still on Suboxone and am a little worried about that… It does work well but the jury is out on, “At what Cost.” I also learned while in detox, that the mind can psychosomatically create pain to “get’ the drug. Another was that healing while using opiates greatly diminishes. I would have sores on my hands that would take way too long to heal.
Best
Fish
I have to say this from the bottom of my heart, Please do not keep playing around with these drugs they are very powerful ….. kinda like heroin in a pill and just as hard to get off once you attain the, "addicted" status.
It’s good to come clean with your doc concerning your desire to get off. Ask him to prescribe clonidine, (not klonopin), and ativan. These will help with sleep, RLS and anxiety. These are best to try before formal detox and drugs like Suboxone. I had to do formal detox because I tried everything else, including alcohol to get off and nothing worked for me. Keep in mind that when you try… make it a good one! Have some time off of work if you can… maybe a four day weekend or more. Make the last day of work without any drugs, because the first day is usually the easiest. Try your best to get clean and stay clean because the other methods require more potent drugs and you have to come off of those. I am still on Suboxone and am a little worried about that… It does work well but the jury is out on, “At what Cost.” I also learned while in detox, that the mind can psychosomatically create pain to “get’ the drug. Another was that healing while using opiates greatly diminishes. I would have sores on my hands that would take way too long to heal.
Best
Fish
I have to say this from the bottom of my heart, Please do not keep playing around with these drugs they are very powerful ….. kinda like heroin in a pill and just as hard to get off once you attain the, "addicted" status.
Hey workinghard.
I'm still following my 1/4 decrease per day. Yesturday I took one, and today I'm only taking 3/4, tomorrow is only going to be a half a pill,ect. I seem to be doing okay with the taper, little tired, but not much else. Slight depression, but nothing like when I stopped cold turkey last time.
Today I had alot to do. Lots of physical stuff in the hot sun. Waking up early, driving 80 miles to my other house, loading up tons of stuff, picking up my car trailer, car, and driving another 80 miles to my parents house to drop it all off. It was over a 100 degrees up at my other house, and with all the physical activities I had to do, I knew this was going to be a good test for me. But I did fine! I didn't feel to tired, I was pretty focused, and definately hungry! Now I'm back home, tired, little sunburnt, but feeling okay.
I've been taking centrum multi-vitamins everyday, and trying to exercise as much as I can, and eatting very healthy. I think the combination of it all is helping tremendously. I'm more worried about when I get down to my last 1/4 pill per day, and the day after with no pills. Even though I tapered 1/4 pill per day for the last two weeks, I'm still worried that when I'm finally down to none, I'm gonna feel bad. I guess we'll see. I'll know by wednesday! Hopefully I'll be okay, and by next week, I'll be all clean, and back to normal. I forgot what that's like!
How is everything going with you????
I'm still following my 1/4 decrease per day. Yesturday I took one, and today I'm only taking 3/4, tomorrow is only going to be a half a pill,ect. I seem to be doing okay with the taper, little tired, but not much else. Slight depression, but nothing like when I stopped cold turkey last time.
Today I had alot to do. Lots of physical stuff in the hot sun. Waking up early, driving 80 miles to my other house, loading up tons of stuff, picking up my car trailer, car, and driving another 80 miles to my parents house to drop it all off. It was over a 100 degrees up at my other house, and with all the physical activities I had to do, I knew this was going to be a good test for me. But I did fine! I didn't feel to tired, I was pretty focused, and definately hungry! Now I'm back home, tired, little sunburnt, but feeling okay.
I've been taking centrum multi-vitamins everyday, and trying to exercise as much as I can, and eatting very healthy. I think the combination of it all is helping tremendously. I'm more worried about when I get down to my last 1/4 pill per day, and the day after with no pills. Even though I tapered 1/4 pill per day for the last two weeks, I'm still worried that when I'm finally down to none, I'm gonna feel bad. I guess we'll see. I'll know by wednesday! Hopefully I'll be okay, and by next week, I'll be all clean, and back to normal. I forgot what that's like!
How is everything going with you????
Considering your situation I would take 1/4 and another 1/4 the next day until your out. If you have one left dont throw it out but use it over as long a term as you can. GOOD LUCK!!!
AWESOME!!! Congrats on your success workinghard. I know what it's like to go from 10 a day, down to where your at. That's a big accomplishment on its own, and keep it up!!!
My problem is I need to get off of these asap. I don't have a whole lot of time to spend tapering. I am down to 1 10mg norco a day now, been a journey to get to this point, and I guess my question is since I'm down to only one left a day, should I just stop, or continue to cut it down 1/4 a day. So tomorrow only take 3/4, monday take a 1/2, ect.ect.
I don't know how bad the withdrawls will be going from 1 a day to nothing. I ASSUME they will still be present since I have been taking these for a year straight.
Thanks for your replies guys! Keep at it!
My problem is I need to get off of these asap. I don't have a whole lot of time to spend tapering. I am down to 1 10mg norco a day now, been a journey to get to this point, and I guess my question is since I'm down to only one left a day, should I just stop, or continue to cut it down 1/4 a day. So tomorrow only take 3/4, monday take a 1/2, ect.ect.
I don't know how bad the withdrawls will be going from 1 a day to nothing. I ASSUME they will still be present since I have been taking these for a year straight.
Thanks for your replies guys! Keep at it!
I to have been fighting a dependence on Norco; I’ve been working with my family Doctor to wean off. Originally I was on up to 10 10MG pills a day. What has been working for me was to drop gradually to get me to three a day for a week, then move to 3 7.5MG pills per day for a week then move to 3 5MG pills per day for a week. Then 21/2 5MG pills per day for a week and continue to cut down by ½ every week thereafter. It’s been my experience that cutting down to soon is not a good way to go as your body needs time to adjust to the reduction. I’m very fortunate to have a family Doctor who understands and is working closely with me on this journey. It’s been two months since I started and I expect it to be another month before I’m clean. When I started I was taking in excess of 100MG per day and I’m now down to 15MG per day without any negative side effects. I hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply awakan. I'm not sure what you mean by save that one a day for when I need it.
I heard its harder when you start to get into the minimal doses, like I'm at now. Should I keep dropping my dose 1/4 pill a day until I'm off, which would be 4 days, or should I drop a 1/4 pill every other day?
I took a 1/4 at 8:30 this morning after waking up from sleeping for about 4 hours. Still feeling somewhat okay except for being tired.
I don't want to just pro-long the withdrawls by dropping 1/4 everyday if I'm gonna feel like I did last night everynight. However, I have so much I need to do this weekend, so I need to try and somewhat function.
Thanks everyone!
I heard its harder when you start to get into the minimal doses, like I'm at now. Should I keep dropping my dose 1/4 pill a day until I'm off, which would be 4 days, or should I drop a 1/4 pill every other day?
I took a 1/4 at 8:30 this morning after waking up from sleeping for about 4 hours. Still feeling somewhat okay except for being tired.
I don't want to just pro-long the withdrawls by dropping 1/4 everyday if I'm gonna feel like I did last night everynight. However, I have so much I need to do this weekend, so I need to try and somewhat function.
Thanks everyone!
Cagraff try saving that one a day you have left for a time when you need it the most, when you can no longer stand it and then take it. That way you will for one thing find out when withdrawals are going to start kicking into overdrive and may even discover you don't need it. That would be my advice anyway..a-wakan
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