How to withdraw from long-term hydrocodone use

[Hydrocophobic]

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?

[chezzauk]

Hi. I've just read your post and felt I needed to respond. I have fibromyalgia and have done for 14 years. I have taken many, many types of opiod pain medication over these years. I moved the the UK and got myself booked in to see a GP quickly. I told the GP my history and they prescribed me dihydrocodine. I can take up to 10 per day at 30mg's daily. You guessed it...taking more and more to maintain the buzz I found myself with a serious addiction. I need the tablets for my pain but really donr know what to do. I have decided to go cold turkey and today is day 4. I feel lethargig, fed up (constant rain isn't helping), unable to sleep with RLS. Having said that by night 3 I managed a full7 hours uninterruputed sleep and no RLS. I also take Amytryptiline 50mg's prior to going to bed but it had no effect on night 1,or 2!! I put my prescription in at the chemist 5 days ago and told them not to let me have it for 2 weeks. I am forcing myself to stop and take only what the dr has prescribed. He took me off my repeat as I was taking up to 18-20 tablets per day. I feel for anyone in this situation that we seem to have gotten ourselves into but I can't help believing, the DR's enabled us then when we have an addiction, they don't want to know. I have to see my GP once every 2 months and he writes 2 prescriptions each exactly 28 days apart. The past 2 months I found very busy chemists that wouldnt notice the dates and fill the script...and they did but this time, no more. I am going to take control of my life back if it takes every bit of energy I have. I am a secondary school teacher and am fearful of going back to teach and not have my pain management but I think it's what I need to wake up and appreciate what I have. Good luck all,

[karen_in_san_diego]

I had 6 joint visions, 1 joint replacement and bone grafting on my foot. I have been in a wheelchair for the last 3 months and have 1 more month to go before I can start rehab.  

I have never had a problem with pain meds but I am starting to get worried and need some advice.

Initially the docs gave me percocet and diladid but after 7 weeks of it I asked for something less strong...my mom had a pill problem and I am afraid of addiction. The docs gave me hydrocodone-acetamnophen 5-500, 1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours.

Here's my problem...I am not taking the meds as prescribed. I am taking 3 tablets two - three times a day. Two pills simply does not help the pain.....I need three.

The doctors are not worried about the amount I am taking...they say the procedures I had done are painful and they are surprised that I do not want stronger meds.....but I am worried.

I do not drink alcohol or take anything else but I would like your opinion.....am I headed for trouble?  I know that I will need pain control when I start rehab so I'm gonna be on something for a while.

To be perfectly honest....my concern is that I feel so good when I take the pills....euphoric....that I am worried.

Appreciate your advice.

[mookie680]

We will keep you both in prayer God bless you I know what you are going through.

[checkedout]

Hi, I know your post is older, but I am wondering how you are doing?  Four years ago I started the roller coaster of back surgery.  I have had a total of total of 4 including a fusion since the first.  In that time period I have been on hydrocodone up to 8 a day sometimes more.  Now I have been diagnosed with Shuererman's Disease of the Spine and a slight buldging disc which will end in another major surgery eventually.  Well, to make a very long story longer, I went off all meds to find out exactly how bad it really is.  It has been 14 days clean.  Mentally, and as far as, side effects go, fine.  Pain and sleep awful.  I was just curious if you found a resoloution for your pain without drug.  I want to be the mom and wife my family deserves.

[Wickedtragedy]

I am an addict too. I took anywhere from 4 to 6 30mg roxys for about 8 years not to mention the 10mg perc's and 80mg oxy's in between the roxy's. I started taking 5mg endos in the beginning for pain from a car accident I was in....never realizing how addictive opiates were. I started taking more and more  because I couldn't get that same feeling from them anymore. I tried to stop but  I couldn't function right without them. I felt tremendous pain in my bones the second day into trying to stop. I failed  three attempts trying to quit so I started to go to this place callled elm for meetings {womens group} and they would do random urine screens and if you came up hot they would report you to dyfs {division of youth and family services} which could lead to having my children removed from my home...mind you I have four children 3 of which were minors at that time. So I stopped and it was a painful 5 days before I felt better. I am now into my 17th month clean and sober. It was a very hard road to get here. I had to learn how to do everything over being sober and though it sounds weird it's a hard thing to do but so worth it. My only wish is that I did this a lot sooner.
sincerely, Jennifer

[losttolong1111]

Dear Sad Girl :
I'm in my fourth day of cold turkey withdrawal after 12 years on hyrdocodone for 7 herniated discs and severe arthritis. As I hear your desperation (which seems so familiar to my own) I can't help but be reminded of a saying: the Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle. Boy I'd love to pummel the face of the guy who wrote this quote, bet he hasn't gone through withdrawal. I just took the advice from another post which stated cough syrup containing Dextromethorphan (such as Nyquil cough and Flu which also contains acetominophen for pain) helps. I sent my husband straight to the pharmacy, it's been 2 hours since I took it and I'm feeling better. For me the insomnia (complete exhaustion and inability to sleep due to anxiety, uncontrolled tremors, and panic attacks are the worst). Finally I wanted you to know that you are not alone, that this to shall pass, but don't substitute due to desperation one drug for another. You can do this, just take it one day at a time