How do I wean myself off of my norcos?

Hi,
I am a 30 year old mother of two. I have a rare bone tumor in my head that I am undergoing an experimental chemo trial for. I've had two major surgeries on my head, the last two years ago. I suffer from constant head, neck, and back pain. I've been taking 10/325 Norco's for two years now. I've built up a tolerance over the years and on an average day, take about 6-7 off them, depending on the pain. The doctors have tried other types of pain medicine and nothing seems to work. Well I ran out of my script and are waiting for a new one to come so I  have been without any meds for 6 days now.

I have been going through terrible withdrawal and it made me realize just how addicted I am to them. I haven't been able to function at all this week, can do nothing but lay in bed. I can't sleep, can't eat. I have terrible pain, sharp cramps, nausea, dizziness, hot and cold flashes, anxiety, and depression. I've never been through anything this terrible. I read on a few websites that once the physical withdrawal effects wear off, the user typically suffers a severe depression within 3-4 weeks after quitting. And since I already suffer from depression, do not want to go through that.

My script should be here tomorrow and I am thinking about taking them again and then slowly weaning myself off of them. This pain of withdrawal is just so bad, I don't think I'm strong enough to go through this cold turkey. This may be my last script as I lost my insurance and cannot afford treatment at this time.

I'm hoping someone can help me decide how to wean myself off of them. How often should I cut down the dose and how much so I can avoid as much of the severe withdrawal symptoms? I'd like to be off of them in 90 days.

Thanks,

[trdofbeingtrd]

We are not allowed to give specific tapering advice. What we can do is let you know things to get to prepare for this journey. You have the Thomas recipe and if you want, you can cut the vallium out of it. You have the protein drinks that are loaded with amino acids, mine was muscle blast. You have the "restful legs" stuff from walmart that helps for Restless Leg Syndrome. There is also herbal teas that can help. It's all about what helps you the most. Exercise is really important, it helps a lot.

Regarding your weening off, people on this site have kept journals with tapering methods put down. This is one way to learn about it. However, there are people on here that are just about experts and they know how to give information regarding that which will help you out. This place is also great for support when you go for it.

[Vanessa4459]

Thanks, I'm new to this site and have been reading other people's posts. What is the Thomas recipe? I want to try and find out helpful ways to help me get off of this without wanting to kill myself. I'd go see a doctor for advice but I've hit a rough spot, lost my job and insurance. We moved cross country a few months ago so I have no support system, family or friends around here. I just don't want to go through 'this' right now cold-turkey like this. I have no ambition to get out of bed and right now, that's not a good thing. But I do want to get off. I guess just trying to find out what worked for others who've gone through something similar.

Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it.

[PokerFace65]

If I were you, I would most certainly NOT get that script.  For what?  You have been off them for six days already, and are pretty much through the worst.  Going back on?....and weaning will only result in what you have been going through for the past six days all over again.  There is a common misperception about weaning--meaning that you taper and it's not so bad.....that is slightly true, but in your case.......your almost done....don't do it!.....It makes absolutely no sense at all if you think about it.  

Best of luck, and don't get those pills.  It all starts over again with just one.

[Dane74]

Vanessa, please listen to 'Pokerface" you already went through the worst of it!!!!  It will only get better now from day 6 on.  If you go and take a pill now and start a taper all you are doing is feeding into the withdrawals.  You made it this far, you are so close to the end PLEASE dont take a pill.  Stay on here and keep us posted we can all help you get through this.

Dane

[vicki595]

Vanessa--If you want to be off the pills,don't go back on now. It's been a week. BUT...what about your pain??  Do you need them for all that bone pain?? If you're in pain,you'll end up back on the pills. So,you need to decide now. Maybe start off with a small dose and see how that holds you...
Let us know...

[Vanessa4459]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Vicki, I do still need them, or something else, for pain. A side effect of the chemo treatment is also increased head, back, and bone pain. Sometimes the pain makes it hard to function normally. The doctor is suggesting a small dose of methadone as an alternative to the norcos since my pain is almost always consistently there. I would love to find an alternative way to deal with the pain and get off pills all together eventually. They say I will probably have to be on this experimental chemo drug long term, possibly the rest of my life. I do think I need to find a better way to manage the pain.