How do I wean off of Vicodin?

[Done15]

I been taking vicodin now for maybe a year or two it started as one pill a day of 500 mg's but now I am taking almost 2000 mg's a day and want out! I feel like CRAP without it. Please help.

[Done15]

Ugh the withdrawal symptoms are really kicking in now....my whole body is aching bad esp my legs & my arms/hands this really sux!!!!!

[Done15]

I have been sick with a bad headcold/sinus infection :( sux how is every1? Bama?

[bama88]

Glad your back. Where did you go?

[Done15]

Ok so i am back! I haven't had any other slip ups other then last saturday & now i am taking only a half a pill a day while doing the thomas recipe, i still have a lingering cold/sinus thing going on but i feel pretty good. I am feeling real positive & determined! Nomore dancing with the devil.

[lulu747]

Hi there...
I'm happy to see you are still posting.  Thinking you aren't capable of doing anything without popping a pill is the addiction talking.  That's why when getting clean it's so important to get rid of ALL your pills, ALL your connections to pills, and ALL the temptation around pills.  This is why I mentioned aftercare.  Aftercare can be many things and is an individual choice...But there are meetings, counselling, church groups, support groups etc.  When changing your life you need to change the behaviour that is associated with the drugs...
You knew and stated that being around your b/f when you tried to get clean was going to be challenging and probably not the best idea...Have you given this more thought?  Most important-keep moving forward...Don't dwell on what is past...focus on what you can do to move forward in your recovery....You have to really want it-and then you have to work at it..Believe in yourself.....Let us know what you need.....Lu

[Done15]

So on Saturday night I had a fight with my bf and boom I popped a pill! Smh...I didn't last night but it seems as though I cannot cope with anything without a pill?!

[Done15]

Kyle I know what u are talking about when u say "that feeling" that first feeling when u get when u first take it, well "that feeling" will never come back, that feeling gets fainter and fainter....So it's Friday night n I am home with a cold and what do I feel like doing?! Popping vicodin! But I will NOT surrender! In fact I am watching movies and stuffing my face bc I am smoking marajuana instead lol anyway I do not have a plan for aftercare, I don't really know what u mean by that so please explain. Thanks alot for your support guys. God bless.

[kyle505]

I admire your inner strength, even though you may not see it right now. i am in day four of ct - i won't go in to detail; I just took a lot of Norco for almost a year. I couldn't cut back because I wanted "that feeling" even though I knew I'd pay later. For me, the first three days were hell; I told my family what was going on, told my doc to red flag me as an abuser. i too have been on this site, and have found it very helpful...I got Gatorade, vita B12 and C, an OTC sleeping aid; stuff I would not have considered. And, I found a quote that helps me "...count the seconds, count the minutes, whatever it takes to get you through". That has really helped me. I wish you all the best; you are in the right place. Finally, I see this hell as a blessing of sorts - I'm never going to let this happen to me again. May have said it, I mean it.

[lulu747]

I think that's a good idea...This is hard and you want to set yourself up for success..Will power is often not 'enough' and you want to make this as easy as possible on yourself.  When you are through the detox process and seeing the world with clear eyes, then you can look at your situation and decide what is the best thing to do for you and your recovery....Have you thought about aftercare?

Take care of you and the rest will take care of itself....Keep posting and let us know how you are...Lu

[Done15]

Yes u r right. It is right in front of my nose, I got outta the shower last night and his pill bottle with 120pills was right in front of me on the bedroom floor! I just said NO to myself and got dressed. I can go to my best friends house, maybe I will do that.

[lulu747]

"he just likes me to be weak right along with him...Misery loves company"

I'm a little more than concerned about that comment.  It doesn't sound like he's supporting you in your recovery...I'm sorry you're feeling rough but you are doing the right things to get through this physically.  Mentally and emotionally it sounds like an up-hill battle.  Is there somewhere you can go while detoxing?  Family or friends that are pill free?  I am asking because I know how badly you want it and I want you to be successful-and the mental part is so hard even without the proverbial carrot in front of your nose.  Remember-you've got to take care of you...You only get this one life....Lu

[Done15]

He says he wants to help but leaves hos jar anywhere in the house! LIKE HELLLOOOO is he an idiot?! I think he just likes me to weak right along with him. "Misery loves company" it is so very true....so last night i got home ate sum soup took my vitamins, xanax and nyquil and fell asleep around 8:30-9pm. Woke up around 10:30pm tossing n turning bc my legs were aching and it felt like i had a burst of energy...weird.....so i took another xanax and fell asleep. Woke up for work n my legs feel rubber and hurt. Also on antibiotics and it is doing a number on my stomach. Ughhhhh! :(

[lulu747]

That's the right attitude!  You and your recovery first!  As for whether it's a cold or detox...it doesn't really matter-it's suffering...But for a greater good.  Hot baths, warm cozy pjs, soft music, candles...

If your b/f is telling you that you need to stop why does he have the pills around you?  I'm a little bit confused...It really doesn't help the mental side as you've stated.  Unfortunately, whether weaning or C/T-the w/d is going to happen and the mental part will be there regardless...Hang in and hang onto your faith and yourself....Lu

[Done15]

I can't really say I have support at home but my bf takes them as well, he has had back surgery. I have been taking one pill a day for three days now and I am going to start cutting them in half and then stop completely. I am prepared for whatever. My bf has said to me u need to stop before it gets really bad which he is right. I am sick of feeling like I need this drug like it were a million dollars in front of my face....I feel like I have the flu, bad body aches, sore throat n runny nose. Idk if I am sick or just sick from not taking as many pills. If it comes down to it and I cannot stay clean around my bf bc he has pills I'm gonna have to move out & leave him. I am mentally upset but it is time to put ME FIRST.

[lulu747]

Hi-

I just wanted to let you know that sinus headaches are a fairly common w/d symptom...Our bodies do all kinds of tricky things to make us think we need the drugs.  You are on a rather low dose and weaning sometimes just prolongs the misery...especially mentally.  You sound prepared.  Is your plan to stop the pills and detox over the weekend?  Do you have support at home or have you thought about aftercare?

sending support...
Lu

[Done15]

Thanks...now this will be day 3 of just taking one 5-500mg. On Monday night I started get a sore throat now which I have a head cold with body aches, just at the right time huh? Ughhhh! I seem to be doing pretty good, last night my brain was telling me "Hey just take another one it's ok" but I actually was talking and yelling at myself and said NO! so I went home, took my vitamins, xanax and nyquil n went to bed. This morning was hard getting up for work but I forced myself. I just need to occupy myself for the weekend bc I know it will be hard. Thanks again.

[Ashley0710]

6 days clean today and I feel great. I did it cold turkey and thought I was gonna die the first three days were miserable but everyday after got easier and today I felt about 95% better. Now if I could just get a full night sleep I would be happy. Never again will I get involved will those horrible little pills.

[Jimmy1975]

OK I understand that you are taking about 20 mg. of Vicodin a day . That's a pretty low dose . Even lower then my 30 mg. a day . I would think you are not going to have that bad of withdrawals . Maybe a day or three of feeling like you have the flu . Now the psychological portion of it remains to be seen but I hope you have very little effects from that low of dose ..Take care .Jimmy

[Done15]

Jimmy i was taking 5-500's four times a day, as of today I have only taken 1 earlier...went to cvs and bought everything but copper for the thomas recipe N on top of it all I am getting a cold :( Amanda- I know what u mean about the getting vics from the boyfriend. My bf as well gets scripts for 120tabs at 1000 mg's....so as of now i have taken a 1mg xanax to relax, took my vitamins n i am eating chicken soup. Going to try to stick to my 1 pill a day. Thank u for the support....god bless

[Jimmy1975]

So that we understand were you taking 5/500,s 4 times a day or 10/500,s thanks Jimmy

[Amanda270]

That 1st post about my health issues was for you still getting used to the forum...sorry

[Amanda270]

I work full time to and know what u mean. I cannot function at work if I go cold turkey. I was trying to only take 1 pill otday tomorrow and then stop all together. I just took my 2nd half today so that means im prob. going to need 1 more before bed. I hope I can stop this. I went on my lunch break and got a multi-vitamin and some imodium for bad stomach. GOOD LUCK HANG IN THERE

[Amanda270]

I had similar pains in my lower left back, only to find out is was my kidneys. I am 27 years old not overweight or anything in perfect health. Until these pain meds. messed up my kidneys I suffered from kidney stones and had an infected swollen kidney. Still took pain killers. Then I was on anti-biotics for the infection and had extreme nausea. I had to take an anti-nausea medication which I had a bad reaction to and almost died. I do not have medical coverage so I am now in debt up to my neck from medical bills. Ruined my credit and I have judgements against me. STILL TAKE PAIN MEDS...FML

[Done15]

So today is the day I start tappering off, I just cannot do this cold turkey if I work full time, there is noway I will feel pretty crappy. I am going back to the pharmacy on my lunch hour to find something for the leg cramps bc that is a big issue with me. I thank god for xanax bc without them I would probably go insane. Thank u all for your support.