Help me kick the lortab habit PLEASE

[gizzy3]

I have been taking Lortab for a few years.  I don' even know how long.  It started with a 5mg. once a day and then it went up and up.  You know the story.  Well I have been taking between 60 and 100 mg. a day for about a year now.  I want SO badly to come off of them.  Today I have not taken any but I am having really bad hot flashes and I feel "yucky".  I have read so many differing things about coming off of them from the reasons not to go cold turkey to going cold turkey.  I have called four doctors in my area as well as my primary care physician.  The first four either couldn't see me or didn't return my call and neither did my primary care physician.  I don't know if I should taper off or just suffer till the withdrawal ends.  Suggestions please?

[gizzy3]

This is nuts!  I don't even remember signing up for this sight or writing any of this.  I am almost 6 years clean and sober.  I started AA in May 2008 and continued to take the Lortab until July of the same year.  I finally quit the evil drug and I have never been happier.  Reading back to where I was and the pain I was in really is breath taking.  I am so blessed to have walked this road and found my way back to a life alcohol and drug free.  If I can do it you can too!  Keep on keeping on and don't be afraid to ask for help.

[Naixela69]

Lortab is so easy to get addicted to...I never did drugs or smoked and at 31 I started taking .5 from dad every now and again. From working at the casino and cleaning houses I needed that kick to help keep me moving (I have 4 kids ) I needed ENERGY.. I am up to 6-10 a day Lortab 10 or Oxy-I get a supply because ive helped everyone when they were in need -now they help me ( and I'm a "beautiful girl" they all say) so when they get there's in I know mines in.. It crazy to know that I know when peep meds are coming in! I am going to get off them. I'm going to do it w a slow taper -I only have 6 left then Aleve , juicing , (Dr ******) and jogging and Jesus! I can do it ! So can u! I do believe the hardest part won't b quitting but telling peep no thank u when they come in (us addicts like to have a reserve)..everyone please keep posting so when can do this together!!

[MEGA12345]

YOU CAN DO THIS!! My husband was taking 20 - 30 10mg LT a day for 8 years. On December 26, 2011 he decided that he didn't want to take them anymore!! I'm not going to lie and tell you that it was easy on him for the first 4-5 days because it wasn't. He said what made it bearable were his somas or anything that helped him sleep. You WILL NOT die from quitting cold turkey. In fact, I've never heard of anyone dying from that so do not worry. 6 months later, he never stops talking about how happy he is with his decision to stop!! He also says that he's so "over" them....meaning that they don't even cross his mind regardless of what type of pain he's in.

Hang in there..you'll be glad you did. If he can stop.....ANYONE CAN!!

[littlebit667]

To those posting here.  This is an old thread and you are not going to get the help you want.  Go up to the top and hit the orange button (ask a question). Copy and paste your thoughts and this will start a new thread.  That way others will see it as new and will help.

[Rapitupbe]

I too have been taking lortabs/ perks for 3 years now 4-8 a day. I am not prescribed them so when I run out, man I run out! This will be my first day off of them with no suboxone for help. I can deal with the pain an the cold sweats but the constant visit to the bathroom I cannot deal with. I've completely lost my life to pills an spend every dime I got an every min of my day trying to find these pills. I started taking them over a girl that hurt me. The more pills I took the less I thought of her. An that was three years ago an now I'm stuck with an addiction greater than I've ever had an really no memories of the good times we had.  I pray hard for god to allow me to get my life back on track an til that day comes...

[dreamjordan]

Helli I have been taking tabs for 3years now. It started when I was taking 1 5. A day for fun now I take 4 pills a day. 2 in the am and 2 in the evening. Its not so fun now. If I miss a day count my out thats all I have to say. Talk about sick.  Iv never been into any kind of drugs in my life but these pills are a very very bad rabbit. Im ready to kick this habbit.

[Iwilllive2011]

I quit lortab and survived!  I didn't learn my lesson and got back on them, now going through the quitting stages again, and I really reccommend the "Thomas recipe" if you are trieing to quit PLEASE give this a try, I promise it helps all of the withdrawal symptoms.  I have a job that I could lose everything if anyone knew what I was addicted to and I have to "keep up appearances" and with this recipe I was able to go to work everyday and function.  I pray for anyone on these pills, they have taken me to rock bottom but that's a good place to push off from and make it back to "life".  Please hang in there, remember, life starts now!

[Mdb72388]

I have a question I take 20 to 22 lortab 10mg at a time.. And I want to quit.. Ivey pains when I quit for a day but I know if I keep taking 20 of them at a time I'll die.. If I quit cold turkey will I die? Because I want to just quit I know I can.. Just scared replies are greatly appreciated.  

[Mdb72388]

I have a question I take 20 to 22 lortab 10mg at a time.. And I want to quit.. Ivey pains when I quit for a day but I know if I keep taking 20 of them at a time I'll die.. If I quit cold turkey will I die? Because I want to just quit I know I can.. Just scared replies are greatly appreciated.  

[lgotv]

god my story is so long i started having panic attacks around 1993 i had a 2year old 3year old and a 8year old i didnt know what was going on with my mind i went to the hospital ER they called my mom an told her i had a heart attack.i lived in such a little town seemed like they were closed off from the world.i didnt have a heart atack i had a panic attack but they didnt know.my panic attacks kept coming back over a whole year of going to doctors they thought i was depressed and would give me a new depression med every couple months 1 doctor in the ER gave me 15 blue xanax i went home and took 1 and it seemed like all my anxiety was gone i tried so hard to get xanax after that because they made me feel alive i could drive again walk around the grocery store again an most importantly take care of my kids properly.no doctor in that town gave me xanax ever again so i figured out drinking enough beer would stop my panic attacks.so that part of my life began i found out if i drank 5 or 6 beers i could go bye my own groceries i didnt have to ask my mother or bestfriend or boyfriend i would feel so ashamed to have to get up in the morning when most people or drinking there coffee i was drinking my beer. but i could get my son ready 4 school an get him 2 the bus stop come back home an take care of my 2 girls.the years kept on passing bye if i wasnt half drunk i couldnt even walk 2 my mailbox 20 feet away.this whole time i was getting abused by my boyfriend my girls daddy. i tried 2 hide it but its hard 2 hide a blackeye or broken leg.me an my kids went through hell here on earth.it was so sad because we were very poor if i didnt have that 5dollars 4 a 12 pack i missed my kids school programs plays when my daughter got crowned 3rd grade class queen i was hiding in the school bathroom trying 2 chug down enough vodka an orange juice so i wouldnt have an attack in front of everyone life was pretty bad 4 me when my son graduated 8th grade my mama went instead of me i just started thinking that if i stayed home in my safety net i wouldnt have a panic attack by this time it had turned into social phobia.i learned that later.the drinking was working that much anymore i was so messed up but i always thought of my kids an that kept me going as much as it could around the year 2000 my mother decided 2 move back 2 my childhood hometown were i grew up so we sold our olddddddd trailor for 2000dollars an followered her my daddy lived there an my brother an sister an i had alot of cousins there to.i tried 2 keep my drinking a secret all these years but my mama knew she was my lifeline.i thank god everyday 4 her.so here we go we moved i was drunk of course or i never could have made the trip.it wasnt easy but after moving in an out of about 4 houses we found a house 4 rent my boyfriend was now working he got a job in new orleans we live about 45 or 50 miles from there.i guess your wondering how we lived before that.we lived on foodstamps an welfare an my son was diagnosed with bipolar and schafranta spelled wrong when he was 9 so thats how we lived.but now we had moved and things were going to be different i thought i was still drinking one day i was talking to my cousins wife she told me she took lortab and xanax and asked if i wanted 1 i said yes very fast to hhe xanax i really didnt know what a lortab was.i finally told her about my problems and she told me what doctor she went to so i made me an appt and about 2 weeks later i had my own xanax with refills i had got so tierd of drinking but now after all these years i had a doctor who would listen to me and believed me i stopped drinking so fast i had what i needed 2 make me feel normal and i could finnaly live normal and go places and take my kids to town and skateing and to the bowling alley we were so happy.and then in 2001 i got a toothache.wow wish i would have took better care of my teeth.i didnt even make a appt with my doctor i just walked in and he gave me 30 7.5 vicodin i still remember i went home and took just 1 and it made my tooth ache go away but it also made me feel so good in my head i thought i could do anything i mean i started cleaning my whole house spotless i had so much energy and i felt so good i thought well i finally got it right i have my med 4 my panic attacks an i have a med that makes me feel wonderful.i started getting 90 a month i thought i was in heaven.and now its 2010 ther have been many many doctors since tha day in 2001.i have had cat scans an mri s they say i do have back problems i guess from all the abuse.it used 2 be i had 2 wake up an drink beer but now its ive got 2 have 4 or 5 lortabs to wake up an get going.its been going on 4 so long theres been times i had my water cut off just 2 bye lortabs that lasted maybe 2 days ive been taking those little blue pills so long i dont know how to live without them do i want to?yes very much i just dont know how.i dont know why i picked this morning to write this i guess i just wanted someone to here my story

[Necrodog]

It is all about will power. I have off and on been in this problem. Trust me, have a friend regulate your intake if you don't have the will. Take your dose at one time then none for 24 hours. Bordom is the true mind killer here. then take less in 24 hours, it will seem like it doesn't work but it will in time. What you are trying to get to is one every other day. once you can take that quit, the side effects only last for a few days and are easier to handle. Cold turkey will make you sick like you never have been. remember depression is the true problem, everything else dies out soon. first day ok second worse third about the same and after that you get better each day. I have quit so many times I'm a pro at it now. YOU have to have self control or get a friend to help! After a week you will be right as rain. Check it off on a calander.

[jdjones]

i have been taking the blue lortabs for a year now.. i take 10 + a day... my fiance begs me to quit and my family is concerned.. i try to convince myself i dont have a problem, but i do .. i tryed to quit once and  couldnt get out of bed and didnt even have enough energy to stand up in the shower... i spend about 300 a week on them...i have a serious problem, and i cant quit.... its harder for me to stop these than smoking... what can i do ????? i dont want to lose my fiance over this, and i dont think i can quit cold turkey...

[joann1975]

this is a very old thread...if you will click back to forum and then click post a question you will get ALOT more responses.... this is probably being overlooked b/c it's an old thread....save time if you want and cut & paste the question

you will recieve so much info & support!

joann

[jeff321]

im 25 i got in an a car wreck 2 years ago messed up my back the hospital gave me 20 5Mgs lortabs i have no insurance so i just started bying them on the street untill i found a doctor that was well lets just say 100 bucks and and your on your way out the door now i get 120 10/325s a month iv been taken 6-8 a day now for a year and have just ran out 48hrs a ago  i cant leave my bed thank god i dont work again until teus how long will this **** last im have no energy stomic pains leg wont stop twitching thank go my wife has valum she gets them and never takes them so we have a bunch i never cared for the valuims but have poping them like candy triing to fall asleap WHEN WILL I FEEL Normal or do i have to just buy some on the street and do this ween me self off **** sorry im very upset anyone ideas im going friggn crazy

[happy5380]

I am trying to kick the lortab thing once again. I am a pharmacy technician student who was doing my clinicals at a pharmacy. I found a way to take a few everryday. I would take different brands. The day of my last day of clinicals I took a wholesale bottle of Norco 10. I was taking at most ten a day. I have ran out and I am so scared of what is going to happen to me. I have a four year old and two jobs. My husband does not know about it it. I bought ten to wean me off. I need to know of some home remedies and solutions to get through withdrawal symptoms so that I can go on with my normal life, and hide it from my husband so that I can get over them and act like I never had a problem.

[ericinvegas]

I found this site while Googling about quitting lortab.  My gf of 4.5 yrs was just taken to the emergency room in an abulance for the second time in a week.  She has been taking lortab & xanax for yrs.  She always takes more than her daily amount and always runs out by the end of the month. This time her Dr is not buying the story that she lost them or the were stolen.  She ran out 6 days b4 she was due.  She decided to quit cold turkey as she says she had enough of pills running her life.  For 5 days I watched her get weaker and weaker.  She would not eat or sleep.  She became increasingly dizzy and finally fainted and hit her face on the floor really hard.  She was pounding her heart and couldn't breathe.  I thought she had a stroke.  She was taken in and stabilized.  She was then taken to a local detox center where they gave her Zyprexia & Trazodone.  They recommended I take her to a mental health clinic.  So I did last Friday, where she was evaluated by a nurse and then scheduled to see a psychologist then a phychatrist who would recommend a treatment program.  This morning she was shaking so badly and could not stand up I called an ambulance again.  She is currently in the emergency room.  For the last 2 days she would not eat or sleep.  She kept begging me to get her lortab (as in go find some dealer on the street).  She would not eat because she feared I was poising her food.  She has had the most paranoid delusions you could imagine.  Including calling the police yesterday to say that her life was in danger by me, or the people living in our attic, etc.  She would not take the pills given to her at the detox center.  When I call the mental health clinic where she had an appt. this morning they say there is nothing they can do until she comes back in.  There doesn't seem to be any immediate help.  It almost seems to me as though society really doesn't want to deal with prescription pill addicts.  It's kinda like a "ya shouldn't have gotten addicted ya know" attitude.  Even if it was for a medical condition that required pain medication.  She was injured 3 yrs ago and complains of constant pain.  Drs today are so busy they don't want to treat anything, they just write a script and say good luck.  Its really up to the individual to say to themselves enough is enough.  Lortab DOES affect your brain and will cause you not see the world thru the eyes of reality.  Stealing, lying, saying things you don't mean, aggresiveness, paranoia, rudeness, etc  are the side effect that are not listed on the bottle.

[gizzy3]

I had a bad, bad day.  I got called into the HR office at work and was told that I need to go to Employee Assistance Counseling or lose my job.  They have NO idea about my problem.  But they say I am agressive and rude.  They gave me the rest of the day off and I went to the beach.

I was doing great and then I was feeling SO bad that I took one 10mg.  I only have one 7.5 left and then I have no more.  I have also called my primary care doctor and told them I have a problem so they can help me.  The will not prescribe anymore to me and good chance they will contact the pain mgmt. doctor and tell them too.  Even if they don't I am cxl. my appt. on Monday.  If I cancel one more time they will not see me anymore.  Then I have no way of getting the meds.

I don't have the money to buy them on the street and don't really have the contacts.

I am kind of bummed that I took the one but I keep telling myself it is better then the 10 or 12 I have been taken.  I am just SO tired.  I also have bad diarreah.

Be back tomorrow.

Thanks for the support.

Trying again!

W

[alex77]

I started with lortabs. When I finally escalated to stronger opiates and ultimately dilaudid I was taking around 400mgs of hydrocodone daily. My best advice for you is to either go cold and just deal. It does suck, but not as bad as oxy's or dilaudid. There are doctors who specialize in detox. I saw a shrink who gave me clonodine and it helped. It lowers your blood pressure enough that it doesn't feel like your skin is going to explode. You are not dosing at a high enough amount to risk stroke or cardiac arrest, but you will feel like ****. You can also try the taper method, but I fond it nearly impossible especially if you have a prescription. Just try to do this before you go on to something stronger to get the high back. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

[shelby74]

gizzy,

I am sorry I did not address your questions earlier.  I meant to try to help you by telling you my story.  Tapering has not worked for me.  I would always find an excuse to take just one more and end up back where I started.  Medical detox is a great way to go but expensive.  Cold turkey as far as I know has no life threatening side affects like Benzo's or alcohol.  You will feel poorly that first week and will not want to do anything.  It is a battle between the addiction and doing what you know will be better for you in the long run.  Trust me I know what you are going through.  I know it won't seem like it but things do get better.  It is a slow process but you will get YOU back.  I wish you all the best and I am sending strength your way.  You can do this!

Shelby

[dogguy]

Slow and steady.  Dont quit cold.  Worst thing for your health.  Keep a record of your accomplishments daily.  There will be days that you fall off the wagon, but a slow taper process is the answer.  I got off of them once before and did not learn my lesson.  Now doing it again.  I took more than you and I am telling you.....do not quit cold.  If someone stole my tabs, I would suck it up and check into rehab before I quit cold.  Symptoms are escalated.  Insomnia, hot and cold spells, inattention, muscle aches, no drive to do anything, and the worst diarrhea ( spelling ? ) ever!!!  Take your time, beat the pills.  Hang in.

[shelby74]

Hello all.  I have been an addicted for close to 10 years now.  At the peak of my addiction I would take anywhere from 10-15 10mg vics a day.  Along with Soma (muscle relaxer) as an extra little kick.  I have been through withdrawal many times.  The first time was the absolute worst.  I was completely miserable for a week.  I could barely move to get up and go to the bathroom, let alone feed myself.  One of my problems is I had access to a constant supply.  My husband has very bad back pain and simply cannot function without chemical help.  He can control his intake very well.  If he is having a good day he will take less then the recommended dosage.  His doctor is a friend of ours and he simply ships them directly to my husband and for awhile there was not questioning the quantity.  I have stole them constantly over the years and lied to my husband on a regular basis as a result of this.  His Doctor friend has been shipping him less lately, trying to control his intake but it has not been my husband...it has been me!  Nothing else would occupy my thoughts but the drug.  Did I steal enough from him for the day?  What about tomorrow?  The process just goes on and on.  I am now 33 years old and my 20's were all about getting pills.  I have wasted so much time.  I feel as if I have lost a decade of my life to drugs.  And I have become such a good liar its pathetic.  I have been clean for three days now.  I was only taking about 4 a day and I am just so tired of it.  My withdrawals are not nearly as bad as the first time.  I am tired during the day but at least I can sleep.  My energy has also started returning already.  Does the brain remember withdrawal?  After so many times going through it...it seems as if I am getting better at it.  Then again it is probably just the lower dosage.  I actually feel relief this time that I am getting off the drugs.  I am looking forward to my future now.  It is so nice not to have the cloudy head.  I cannot believe some of the decisions I have made while on the drugs.  They really impair your judgment.  I have been coming to this site for years, just lurking.  Your stories have stuck with me.  Thank you for all your posts and to those of you going through withdrawal you are not alone.  Trust me though it will be worth it.  I know now that I was helpless and I have finally admitted to that.  A slave to those awful drugs.  I know that with work though I can get through one day at a time...even one minute at a time.  One thing that really helps me is keeping my mind occupied.  Even watching the show Intervention or reading the posts has helped me a great deal.  Thank you all again and I wish each and everyone of you my best.

Shelby

[tomanypills]

you can do this,,25 hrs 21 min for me lol ( lortab ) i try to taper and it just doesnt work for me. I dont even flush my pills when i decide to quit, i eat em all and bite the bullit. probably the dumbest way. keep posting and remember ,somewhere,, someones going thru the same as you,,gl

[gizzy3]

Thank you for your thoughts and support.  I don't think I can taper.  I tried and it lasted two days of 4 a day and then right back to 6 or 10 or 12 or possibly more.

I read that you won't die from going cold turkey but you wish you had.  I am almost 24 hours without any lortab.  I am continuing my Lexapro (5 mg/day) and my clorazepate (similar to xanax) - this I take as needed.  Some days I take one, some none, max. is 2 and I just took my second one so I can sleep.  The worst part right now is the hot and cold sweats.

I am trying to be strong - will pray to get through tonight and see how work is tomorrow.

Pray for me- I need to stop the Lortab.  I am ready!

[tomanypills]

can you taper ? most addicts cant but ask around and if it sounds best for you then try. your NOT gonna die going c/t but your gonna feel like ****. its done both ways in here,,gl