HYDROCODONE

[teri]

I guess you might say that it can not happen to you.  Wrong I have gone through 7 surgeries in the past 8 months to recunstruct my teeth and jaw.  I have been taking this medication (hydro) regularly for the entire time. Finally I tried to stop taking the medication and found myself very ill. I did not understand the problems it can cause.  I sat down with my doctor yesterday and she was wonderful.  Because I have been taking 5 to 6 pills a day she decided to slowly take me off them.  I will start by taking 5 pills for 3 days, 4 pills for 3 days, 3 pills for 3 days, 2 pills for 3 days and then and optional one pill for 3 days.  I skipped the first part and started with 4 pills for 3 days.  I only feel a little nausous at times.  However, once the medication starts to leave my body will it become worse and worse?  Or is this method of detoxing your body the best?  Also is it true the more you take the harder the withdraws are.  I think it is very important to keep a positive outlook and know that once its over I will be ok.  Also my doctor gave me a medication called bentyl.  Will this help my stomach?

[Victor]

I have been taking an average of 25 painkillers per day for the past 2 months. Sometimes as high as 40 pills (in the form of hydrocodone & oxycodone- Vicodin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, Loritab, etc...) I use to buy these drugs illegally, and am now in the 54th hour of completely quiting. I went from 19 pills on Wednesday, 10 pills on Thursday, and 4 pills on Friday....to none from their on out. The withdrawl has not been easy, to say the least. My question(s) is this. How long should I expect to go through withdrawls? Is it possible that I have permanently hurt myself / body? Has anyone ever had a simmilar experience?

[Kimberly]

I am just starting the Tapering system, I was taking about 20 Codine 3's or about 12 Vicodin ES tabs, per day.  My doc has me on a liquid narcotic pain killer, the first week is the same dose as you have been taking and they reduce 10% every week.  I am not happy right now, it's my first day and I miss the pills.  I have no choice but to stop, my doc cut me off of the Vicodin ES and the codine is not strong enough, I have to take too many and that scares me.  I was taking the meds for Kidney stones.  My problem is not the physical withdrawls (the taper takes care of that) it's the emotional withdrawls that kill me.  Any advice??? you can email me at Zeldagirl_***@****.  Thank you.   Kim

[tracy]

I went through severe oxycodone withdrawals, taking enough to kill most people.  Bentyl sucks!!! in plain english, but lowering your dose day by day is the best way to go. You should do it by your docs. orders though not your own.  You will get through it.


Good Luck to you.

[teri]

DEAR BOB,

THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER, SOMETIMES IT JUST HELPS KNOWING SOMEONE ELSE HAS GONE THROUGH IT.  I AM ABOUT TO GO THROUGH IT MYSELF.  I WILL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT MY SUCCESS. I AM PLANNING ON SUCCESS.  I AM ALITTLE WORRIED HOWEVER ABOUT FIGHTING THE FEEELINGS TO GO BACK TO IT ONCE I AM CLEAN.  ANY ADVISE FOR ME?  I NEVER WANT TO DO THIS TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AGAIN.  MY HUSBAND KNOWS ALL AND IS BEHIND ME 100%.  THAT HELP ALOT.  TAKE CARE AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I AM CLEAN.

[bob]

Yes the Bentyl will help with the cramps...they will not help with the nausea. For the physical symptoms the tapering method is the best. But, there is a psychological aspect to physical addiction, which tapering will not help with. If you can stay with the agreed on plan and shut your mind off to the cravings and not listen when it says, "but it hurts, and one more will help" then you can lick this.

Good Luck!!

Bob