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How to withdraw from long-term hydrocodone use

I've been taking hydrocodone for the past five years, and at maximum prescribed levels (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours - - which, naturally, means 2 every 4 hours) for the past two.  How do I get off this stuff?  Cold turkey?  Phased withdrawal?
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Avatar universal
Hi, I was on hydrocodone/apap 750/325 for over 5 years for hand injury, finally had surgery and they bumped my meds up to 1-2  500mg of oxys every 3 hours which I thought was to much. So I took it upon myself to take  only 1 tablet every 5-6 hours, then after 5 days I went back to hydrocodone and started reducing my meds by half every 2 weeks until I got down to half a pill a day about a little over a week at that, the doctor told me to take vitamin B complex once a day to put the necessary vitamins back into your system and L-Theanine 200-400mg twice a day for the anxiety (your body will go through, achy pain feels like bugs crawling through your skin feeling) I would take 200mg once I started feeling edgy and 300mg at bedtime and I also took 6mg of Melatonin at night to promote sleep and soak in a nice warm bathe to relax all muscles, last you will need Imodium for the diarrhea. I'm on day 5 clean from this mess with little discomfort, honestly day 2,3 was alittle hard, but stay strong, you can do it. It's all natural and can find at your local grocery store. Also intake might be different for different people, so ask doctor or pharmacist, I'm 53 years old, 5'3" and 140lbs.
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Avatar universal
oh Diegocg55
I am so sorry for your pain but I am right there with you I had back surgery also and been on narco for three years now. 10/325 which I hate ,I am now having other problems I am now taking 4 tabs which coming home from surhery I was taking 8 so I cut half. I now have nerve damage for the rest of my life that I have to deal with. I been so depressed which drives me crazy. The crazy thing about my issues I am right now feeling like im having withdraws but stil on meds,I thought maybe it was me menopause because im in hormons replacements so the feeling of withdraws is the same when you lose estergene. Im so tired Im trying to figure out why do I feel this way. But i heard you can ask for meds to help u with the withdraws a medication call clondine I hope I spelled it right they say its for high blood presure but helps withdraws .Im there ready to quit ,I want my life back I just need to find out who much pain can i deal with.
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Avatar universal
I had back surgery 3 years ago and was prescribed Norco 10-325 I  always took the prescribed amount 3 a day never more. I am and addict but its stimulants that are my drug of choice I havent taken in over 15 years. Although I did take legal stims methodrone  in 2011 to 2014 not all the time ordered online once every 2 months I think that's when my downword spiral begin your past always catches up to you. that year 2011 is when my back went out and all hell broke loose had back surgery got on Norco. I'm getting off Norco expierincing withdrawels first two living hell please help.
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3197167 tn?1348968606
Welcome to the forum....an internet search probably led you here, I know that's how it happened for me the first time I found this forum.
This particular thread was started in 2002 so you would probably get better feedback if you go to the top of this page and find the green "post a question" tab and start your own thread.  That way your thread will be current and more people will respond.

Being 65 isn't too old to get off the hydros, especially since you said you don't need them for pain.  As healthy as you say you are, biting the bullet and getting thru the withdrawals would give you a very bright future.
Start you own thread and lots of people will rally around and help you.
This is a great forum....lots of support and kindness here~
  
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Avatar universal
I'm being prescribed 40 10mg hydrocodone per month. I NEVER make it to the end of the month. I'm usually out in 2 weeks and then it's hell until the next time. No, I won't lie, it's not so much the pain as I just can't function without them. I'm 65, have been having panic attacks before they even knew of the term (since I was a kid). I'm prescribed clonazepam for those and they work fine. I swear, without the hydrocodone I don't even want to be around anyone. I'm just a zombie. What the hell can I do? I just wish my doc would prescribe like all hell. I mean I'm 65 and don't expect to live forever. I am however very, very fit, I have the muscular body of one of those chip and dale guys, I've worked out all my life and I can really do the workouts and the cardiovascular workouts with the hydro, but without them it's not easy.
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271792 tn?1334979657
My mistake, I did not see the whole post. I realize it is some 12 years old. All the more reason to start your own thread.
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271792 tn?1334979657
Hi Bill and welcome to the substance abuse community. I assume you came in through a google search as you posted on a thread that is almost two years old. There is great support here for your questions and the members guide each other with help and getting and staying clean. Since this is an old post there is a chance it could get overlooked. I don't want to see that happen so scroll to the top of this page and hit the "Post A Question" button. Follow the instructions and start your own thread. That way we can talk to you direct and get to know you. I hope to see you in the forum and if you need any help just ask.
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Avatar universal
For over 8 years, I have fibromyalgia and over time, my medication has increased in strength and variety, all prescribed by my neurologist. After an ACDF for cervical spine C5/6/7, my concoction consists of Lyrica, Lexapro, Cymbalta, OxyContin, Oxynorm, acroxia, Ultracept, Febtanyl patches etc.

I felt the increase in variety and strength has not improved by pain situation but instead, has caused more disruption to me and my lifestyle. Recently, I got more and more withdrawals of cold sweat, chill, irritability and uneasiness and I've refused to increase my dosage. I spoke to my neurologist about the problem but he seemed unaware about these. Seriously, why do they prescribe something which they are not familiar of the sides?

I have decided to go off all the meds since I do not know what's causing all these aides and withdrawals. I've read that clonodine is useful, spoke to several doctors about having it to help with my withdrawals but clonodine is not available in my country, none has offered any other help.

I managed to purchase clonodine online and have started on it today. I took a whole tablet and was sleepy immediately and have slept twice in the last 10 hours, each lasting an hour plus. I hope that with the help of clonodine, I will be off all the meds and I'll then find other ways to manage the pain, certainly not with any more of these crap meds.

Will appreciate advice on taking clonodine, my blood presaure was on the high side 140-150 and this evening, when I measure after having taken clonodine this afternoon, my blood pressure is a healthy 120. Appreciate also your sharing on the meds I was on, pain management for fibromyalgia and post ACDF, any help that I can get to rid myself of these meds and conditions are appreciated.
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Avatar universal
my mother..age 100...was given hydrocone for pain in her wrist that she broke..she started on this in March 2014...I just found out that her doctor has never stopped the prescription...her pain has been gone for months....but he neglected to review her med list at the nursing home and kept it coming...he is on the medical staff at the same facility by the way...what recourse do I have? legally...
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Avatar universal
I HOPE I AM AS BRAVE AS U ARE       DID IT WORK FOR U ,  I AM SURE IT DID U SOUND LIKE A STRONG PERSON    NOW ITS 2014 AND I STOP TODAY
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Avatar universal
I am going through withdrawls right now. I've been on pain Meds for 5yrs. Started with hydrocodone and ended up ANY pain med I could get my hands on. I was taking up to 30 tabs a day, sometimes more if the mg was low. This is HELL but I will get through! Praise God I have a husband that loves me so much, that even though he wasn't aware of the extent of my addiction until I finally told him, he still loves me and understands my addictive personality, and is helping me through this. Stomach cramps are rough, nausea is rough, sweats and panic are rough, but I will overcome this and so will you!!!!!
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Avatar universal
I'm on my 10th free of Hydrocodone and by far I did not take much heavy dose as most people in this forum.  I tell you the WD  was not better than what everybody said in here.  I thought I was being cautious take 1 -2 10mg a day so I should not have a problem.  In last five years, I live in guilt because I felt bad using them to numb my pain.  It all started with knee replacement, back injury and not to mention to Tbone mc accident.  I still felt carving at a time if I have a quiet moment and it led me to become anxious and want to get back to my pill  I found something it was helpful, keep yourself busy whether it is at work or outdoor.  My GP told me in fact my tranquilizer can do the trick if I felt shaggy but strongly discouraged if you can avoid.  I dont know my future will hold for me.  Just remember take one day at a time.  One other trick I did for myself, like I will have a chiropractor tomorrow, my goal is keeping myself away from taking a pill at least through tomorrow.  This month, I will have another appointment with my knee surgeon, so I strive not to taking any medication so I can brag to him not taking pill even though he is the one keep refilling my meds. Take a short benchmark as a goal, that will make easier for you to keep yourself thinking about taking pain pills!
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Avatar universal
I am a mother of two small children and I want to get off the med school . I take up to 20 10/325 Norco a day .I'm on day 2 of not having them and I'm so sick u can hardly move.  What can I do to help. I don't want to buy them off the street or get any from the doctor. I can't afford rehab and if my husband knew he would take my children and leave. I want to be the wife and mother u used to be not an addict.  Reading theses posts let's me know there is hope I'm just afraid I'm not strong enough to handle it much longer..
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Avatar universal
You are an idiot
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Avatar universal
many highly functional famous people take narcotics on a regular basis. Everyone does not loose control.
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Avatar universal
i have been on pain meds for 7-8 years.. i was always scard to cut cold turky.. 3 weeks ago today i woke up an told my husben to take me to detox.. but the catch was i had to tell my doc the truth what was going on.. so as if it was fate the detox had 1 bed avable an the drive was3 hours away.. my doc had a opening right then when i called. so my husbend an i went in an i was nervis about telling him i needed help.. but he already new i need help he was waiting on me to  come to him.. well he avousely took me off hydrocodone an morphne an has me on methadone to help with the come down .. i have to get my scripts every week he blood tests me every week pee test me every week.. i never thought i could do it but it did..An sence i have been off  of hydros an morphone i have been so proud of my self.. good luck to all .. t
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Avatar universal
Been taking hydrocodone for about a 1 1/2 yrs this time. This is my 3rd trying to stop taking the meds. I also have back problems. That's how I am able to stay on the meds. I get refills for 6 month at a time. I'm working on my 72 hours not taking the meds. Every time I say, this is it and I find myself right back. I'm so done with this roller coaster ride. Jesus give me strength to conquer this battle
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271792 tn?1334979657
Hi Hope and welcome, this is a very old post and could get over looked. Please go to the top of this page and hit the orange post a question button. Follow the instructions and create your own thread. If you need any help just ask. Hope to see you in the forum. this is a great place for support.
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Avatar universal
I have been having headaches for years. My wife made me go to doc a couple years ago and it ended up being caused by bone spurs and I tried the shots through the side of my neck and they made the pain worse.They did a disc fusion last April and I don't have to turn my neck at my hips anymore but I still have a lot of pain especially when it's cold.Since I am a cabletech there is no hiding from the cold. I was taking four oxycodone 10/325. My wife told me to stop taking them or get out.I was not over taking what was prescribed.I tapered down to one a day but I break it in half. I am still in a lot of pain.Is there an alternative to opiates for pain?
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Avatar universal
I have been having headaches for years. My wife made me go to doc a couple years ago and it ended up being caused by bone spurs and I tried the shots through the side of my neck and they made the pain worse.They did a disc fusion last April and I don't have to turn my neck at my hips anymore but I still have a lot of pain especially when it's cold.Since I am a cabletech there is no hiding from the cold. I was taking four oxycodone 10/325. My wife told me to stop taking them or get out.I was not over taking what was prescribed.I tapered down to one a day but I break it in half. I am still in a lot of pain.Is there an alternative to opiates for pain?
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Avatar universal
going through withdraws right now.....isn't fun. I went 5 days straight with nothing at all and I was very proud of myself.  I have been taking any type of pain killers from loratabs to straight oxycotins for on and off 4 years.  I was clean for a year from may, 5th 2012 - april 27th 2013. man I was so proud of myself.  but I was also traveling around from grand Teton Wyoming to vail Colorado for seasonal work.  I moved back Kansas after the last winter season and was bored out of my mind.  my friend came over and had percocets and he gave me a few to take. knowing that I would jump right back into the same routine I had I did it.  that was the worse choice I ever made.  things weren't bad at first but then stress and depression came onto me.  so I started buying more and more everyday.  I couldn't stop myself.  and then I became addicted again.  starting watching my money go down the drain.  the first time I quit it was hard but I went to the doctor and told them I hurt my back and I didn't want narcotic medication.  and they gave me two types.  they gave my tramadol and gabapentin. I was lucky that I got these cause I kicked the habbit alittle bit easier.  I took 6 tramadol and 6 300mg gabapentin.  within 2 weeks I was feeling a lot better and signed up to get the hell out of Kansas.  now this is the worse I've ever done.  my girlfriend moved to Kansas to be with me and we had a plan to move back to Colorado together.  but since I have no money and she has no idea about me taking pain killers she always wonder where my money goes.  so at the momentshe is moving back to Colorado and I'm staying here.  she couldn't afford to bring me out there with her.  so with no money,no job, and my girlfriend leaving, I'm back on my own.  its ruined my life.  I have to sell my TV, my computer and my xbox one I just got in order to pay the bills.  I feel like this really screwed up my life.  so as of yesterday I was 5 days clean.  well I had people call me and tell me they had an awesome deal for me.  and I broke my 5 days clean.  but I decided to use this to my advantage and take less and less everyday.  will that work?  if anyone has any advice for me on how to help the pill sickness go away please help.  I need to get my act together and be the person I was and save up money to buy an engagement ring.  I just want to feel normal again and happy.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my post
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Avatar universal
        Britt,I  like willing addict that just had a multiple disc repair other's are either u are just drug addict, just taking them to get high. I'm waiting to get high; Lucky to control surgery Just done Monday at 6 levels, I've finally learned that it's without choice and I need never explain,
        Now I have learned to start tapering down on my own. Rather than going to Detox who is ready for your speedy get out of here attitude 4 to 5 days in, meetings every hour, and a lot of head counting not dealing with the real reason you felt you needed to go as follows; I sick of being sick, I'm hurting from head to toe, I need to feel better self worth, I want my family to feel better about me and trust me, everyone thinks I need help, I can't stop, etc. Any ring a bell?
         Well let me try to give you my help and advice, if you feel any of the above is why you went, you shouldn't have went. I went on 9-11-13 9 days, Nov.13, 14 days effort to avoid surgery, which means more pain meds, In short I found out in both cases if I didn;t have name tag they didn't even know me. I turned it around and it floored me. $1,400.00 a night, I had real issues, and couldn't say I'm so terrible for stealing, being abused, or I'm just sick. My real needs went unanswered and was not a person there to help me deal with head injury, lost of family member, in constant pain from a 5 level d
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Avatar universal
you sound worse off then myself, i have had 2 disc fusions, and been diag... with ddd,and authorize , and 6 years now on Vicodin, and the latest they gave me  gabapentin also,but started noticing more anxiety and depression from it, and bad thoughts,so i could turked the gabapenten   now im working on the hydrocodone i have been taking for 6 years, but i have never missed used them,took 3 a couple of times, but mostly 2 a day 7.5/acetaminophen , now i am trying weaning myself off those,just wondered if you new a time frame, ill be praying for you and hope you feel better, prayer does help me and staying busy with walking and light house cleaning exercises helped pretty good today, hope this helps you a little God Bless.
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Avatar universal
How you doing? Im on day 12 no energy its been hard  
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