Need Help to Stop Taking Norco

[TheTikiCarver]

Good morning,

This is tough for me to write because it means I have to admit to myself that I have a problem.  A little background - I have been taking 4 to 6 Norco 10/325 pills daily for the last 5+ years.  I began taking them to deal with neck/back pain that was the result of breaking my neck (C5 fracture) in 1993.  I had a C4 - C6 fusion after my initial injury and lived for several years relatively pain free until about 8 years ago when I developed bone spurs at the top/bottom of my fusion.  These spurs cause a great deal of pain, especially after any sort of strenuous activity (exercising, yard work, etc.).  The pain was so bad that I was prescribed Norco by my primary care physician.  I signed a pain management agreement with him and have been on them ever since.  There was a brief period where he had me try the Fentanyl patch instead and that was horrendous so I went back to the Norco.  So basically I have been taking the Norco for so long now that I feel like I "need too" - both physically and psychologically.  I'm 43 years old and I don't want to be beholden to narcotic pain killers the rest of my life...  Regardless of whether or not they help with my pain I believe I am addicted and I don't want to be.  This is where I could really use some advice and guidance.  To be quite honest I'm scared to death after reading how difficult the withdrawal symptoms are.  Many seem to advocate tapering and that is a real possibility for me.  I have about 100 Norco right now but I don't know what a good tapering schedule would be.  I am consistently taking 4 pills a day and sometimes that goes to 6 but mostly it is 4.  Can someone possibly recommend a tapering schedule and any other advice?

Thank you,

Tom

[TheTikiCarver]

Day 9 and feeling fine!  Well, a heck of a lot better that's for sure.  I have had 3 good solid night's rest and am prayerfully hopeful that the trend continues.  Mentally I feel so much clearer now that Norco is not clouding my mind.  I am thankful that God gave me the strength to get this far and everyone's encouraging words on this forum help beyond measure!

~tom

[devisatedandscared]

Yay...im so glad to hear you slept :) and 7 hours that's amazing..cant wait to see what tomorrow brings...maybe a full 8 :) hang in there...thank you for your thoughts I really appreciate them. We are breaking thru this together :)

[TheTikiCarver]

Thank you for the encouragement, it really does help.  I actually got some sleep last night, about 7 hours worth - it was soooooo needed!!  I hope you are doing better with each passing day and take courage in knowing that this is the right thing and all the discomfort we are feeling shall too pass.

[devisatedandscared]

I'm praying that your pain subsides a little each hour, and you are sleeping more, and more comfortable each night. Your doing great! Your an inspiration to us all. I'm right here with you...i guess all the great days we had on Norco...we are paying for now. I do believe it will get better...for us both soon :)

[TheTikiCarver]

I am now entering Day 6 and have steeled myself and ultimately placed all my weakness and will in God's hands to continue day by day.   My daylight hours are not so bad now, pretty good actually, and I'm feeling very clear headed.  I have, however. come to despise the night.  I was praying fervently for sleep last night and it came at about 4:00 am only to be interrupted with having to get up and go to work...  I tried Benadryl last night and it didn't work.  I've tried Valerian root to no avail and Melatonin is not bringing me any sleep either nor is L-Tryptophan or over the counter sleep-aids.  It' not that I'm not tired, I'm exhausted yet my restless leg and joint aches are the demons that continue to plague me as the sun goes down.  I was going to go to my Dr yesterday and get something to help me sleep but I canceled it.  I don't want to trade one pill for another.  Please pray for me - I need sleep, my body and my mind need sleep...

~tom

[TheTikiCarver]

Thank you so much for your reply, it's encouraging to know there is someone literally going through the fire at the same time I am.  I haven't yet tried Benadryl but I will tonight.  I tried some OTC sleep aids as well as Melatonin and Valerian Root but neither of those worked.  I know that Benadryl has made me really sleepy in the past so that may just be the ticket.  I have actually been able to eat pretty regularly and I'm trying to eat super healthy.  We have a juicer and my wife has been making me juices with tons of nutrients (beets, kale, carrots, ginger, etc.) and I'm also taking a multi-vitamin; B-Complex vitamin; acai berry capsule and drinking lots of detox tea.  Plus lots and lots of water to help flush my system.  I came very close to going to see my Dr. today to try and do something about the insomnia but cancelled the appointment - I don't want to trade one pill for another...  Stay strong and I'll be praying for you as well.

~tom

[devisatedandscared]

Hello Tom..congrats on making it this far...its got to be torturous to know that your wife has the answer to make all the anguish go away...id have had her flush them right in front of me by now. I'm on day 10 cold turkey...ive been going thru it with you. I agree the restless leg is horrendous...i never even knew what that was before this. I found that taking an over the counter sleep aid like Unisom really helped me get back to a regular sleep schedule..its just Benadryl. How are you eating? I cant eat a thing...its really bad. You are so lucky to have the support of your wife...id have given anything to have someone to help me. I'm just so thankful to this forum. I sincerely wouldn't have made it this far without the support of everyone here...keep posting. I'm praying for you.

[atthebeach]

congrats, you are doing awesome.
just take it as it comes. sleep is very hard to come by. your natural
brain chemistry needs to repopulate itself of the dopamine, serotonin,
endrophins, this will take some time.
rest when you can. keep up with the magnesium, calcium, zinc, melatonin.
move around, walk around, exercise as much as you can, do you have access to a pool, river, ocean for swimming?
the more active you are the faster it will help heal you.
you can also try calming teas, kava tea, sleepy time, you can get valerian root at the health food store and add the drops to the tea.
keep up the good work.
this too shall pass.
when you cant sleep don't stay in bed. then move to the couch, try not to get frustrated that only aggravates the situation.
you are reclaiming your life.
keep the faith.
sending prayers,
Debbie

[TheTikiCarver]

How long does the insomnia last???!!!  I've only had maybe a total of 5 hours sleep over the last 5 days...

[TheTikiCarver]

I am hanging in there.  It is now 53 hours with no Norco.  The nighttime is the worst and I am only getting maybe 2 hours of sleep in 10 minute increments - the restless leg is horrendous...  I saw my acupuncturist yesterday and that really seemed to help for a good while.  I am praying I reach the peak and will be on the downside of the withdrawal process very soon - I will go insane if I can't sleep...  I need to go back to work tomorrow so please pray for me that today and, more importantly tonight, will be better.  I gave all my remaining pills to my wife and she is being very supportive.  My kids just think I have the flu!  Uggg I rue the day I filled my first Rx of Norco...  ~Tom

[lulu747]

It's important that once you make the choice to jump you GET RID OF THE PILLS.  There are all kinds of creative ways to do this safely.  I just gave em to my parents and said "Get rid of these".  Because we are so accustomed to taking a pill every time we feel the slightest something- it is EXTRA important to have them away from us.  They have to no longer be an option.  As long as they're around your brain will trick your body into thinking you need one.  Just one.
This is why tapering is hard and God knows I'm scared about having to do it after surgery.  I won't have the luxury of cold turkey (Yes I just said luxury and cold turkey in the same sentence...(:)
You can do this!
3 days of badness, a couple days of yuckiness, and then it will be done and all up to you and your choices about what you're gonna do to heal.
Keep posting...
Lu

[glassguy]

Dude you have to stay strong!!! Glad to hear that you are going keep going thats what you need to do...STAY STRONG....

[TheTikiCarver]

Last night was a nightmare.  I'm ashamed to say that I broke and took a pill at 3:00 am.  The joint pain, insomnia and restless leg was overwhelming.  I'm going to keep going even though I was weak last night...

[jifmoc]

Tom- just read your last post: GREAT idea to just jump!!! Excellent! Those 2 dumb pills a day aren't preventing any wd's anyway. Go for it!! Great you have the days off!!!

Keep posting. As much as you need to:)

[TheTikiCarver]

Hi all.  Update - I am now 10 days in and have been following a taper schedule that now has me at 2 pills per day.  I believe I need to just bite the bullet and go to zero right now and take 3 to 4 days of misery rather than this gradual but consistent crappy feeling on the taper.  I have not yet taken a pill today (Friday) and will not.  I've marked myself out of the office next Monday/Tuesday and am hoping by Wednesday morning I will be feeling much better.  Praying for strength and resilience to get through the next 4 days.  I have continued with the Potassium supplements as well as Magnesium supplements and am using Melatonin at night which does help  a bit.  Thank you for all the supportive comments so far.

~tom

[Jinx_777]

i totally get not wanting to tell your doctor.  
i told my doctor 'i want to see where my real pain levels are without meds'.  she is NOT happy and really pushes fentanyl, but this is my body not her's.
you don't have to say 'i am an addict', but you may have to say something to explain why you no longer want the meds.  just a suggestion.

[momwithnosleep]

I am on day 61 off Norco 10/325 (4-6 per day). Personally I didn't taper but I also was stopping 4 other meds and this is what was best for MY situation.
I Took the vitamins from the "Thomas Method", MA DE myself get out of the house, took LOTS of hot showers/bath utilizing the bathroom heater to make me sweat and did as much as I could to sweat!!
I was AMAZED at how much less pain I have since getting off the meds. And I actually did this 2 weeks before I was supposed to gave my third back surgery. I know I will eventually need it but I canceled it for now. The first 3 days was HELL and it took 3-4 weeks for sleep to get normal.
You got this dude!!!

[lulu747]

hey there-

Welcome back and thanks for the update.  Take Advil and tylenol for the pain.  No bath su*ks but hot showers are a good alternative.  Look up the amino acid protocol in the health pages.  This is essential for rebuilding your body and brain.  Get some melatonin to help with the sleep issues and try doing meditation at night.  If you go over to the social forum I posted a Yoga Nidra mediation link.  It is specifically for those dealing with chronic pain and addiction.  Be as active as possible during the day to get those natural endorphins pumping and make sure that you get plenty of potassium.  Bananas are your best friend.  Voltaren is great for joint and muscle pain so try rubbing it on your limbs at night after a hot shower.
YOU CAN DO THIS!
Lu

[glassguy]

You can do it bro!! I came off a10 to 15 a day of norco I was real big abuser. With that said I'm on day 25 and day gets alittle bit easier. Dont give up no more norcos!!!!!!!

[TheTikiCarver]

Ok, here is an update.  I decided not to go to my doctor.  Rightly or wrongly I came down on the side of not wanting it in my record.  I'm a disabled veteran receiving benefits from the VA and I am very fearful of this becoming a rallying point for the VA to threaten my disability compensation.  I'm sorry if that that sounds weak ... Anyhow, I came up with a taper schedule on my own to try and make the withdrawal symptoms easier to deal with.  Essentially I'm incrementally going to zero over 5 weeks.  I am on my 3rd day of cutting back to 3 pills per day.  Even that little bit is already causing withdrawal symptoms and last night was somewhere close to the 7th ring of hell.  I slept off and on for maybe 3 hours and it seemed like every joint in my body was screaming in pain.  Maybe it's just psychological but it was not pleasant at all.  Unfortunately we don't have a bathtub so I can't use that for the joint pain...   Just wanted to check and let you all know I am committed to seeing this through.  I let my wife know what is going on and she is being great and very supportive.  I will keep you all posted.

[TheTikiCarver]

Thank you very much for your post, it gives me confidence to know I can do this.  

tom

[lulu747]

Hey-

You are gonna be just fine.  Your dose is low and tapering will not be uncomfortable- maybe a tiny bit but not much.  It's really all going to be a mental thing.  Even if you're not using the pills to get high, we get into pill taking habits.  You can replace the norcos that you would normally take with a tylenol or ibuprofen.  For example, when you go down to 3 a day, take them at the normal times and then the fourth time take a non-narcotic pill.  I did this and it really helped me out mentally. A taper only works if you go down, stabilize, and then go down some more.  If you drop too fast you will feel it and may be tempted to double dose to get 'normal' again.  This is dangerous so as IBK said it's best if you can get someone to hand them out to you.
Also, you are probably going to find you are in LESS pain off the opiates than on.  Long term opiate use/abuse creates more pain receptors.  When you've been totally clean for about a month you will have a better idea of what your true pain levels are.
I was in 90% LESS pain one month post detox than I was on the opiates.  And I have 4 fairly severe chronic illnesses that cause pain.  I had to work really hard to manage that pain without narcotics, but I did, and it was awesome.  For 2.5 years. Recently I had a very bad relapse of my stage 4 endometriosis which is the ONLY one of my chronic illnesses that cannot be managed without narcotics.  I tried for 7 months but my quality of life was so low and I was so altered by pain that I had to give in at the behest of my family, partner, and doctors.  I signed an opiate contract and upped my support.  After my upcoming surgery I'll do a taper and then hopefully be done forever.  My point is that when I got clean I told my doctor I had a problem with my pill use and I wanted off.  I did taper until my dose was low enough to jump safely at home.  I was on a VERY high dose.  About ten times what you are taking now and for a very long time.  

Your use is long but not high and as the poster above me said it will probably not be as hard as you think it is.  You will absolutely know after you get through the w/d and are clean whether you are an addict, or simply dependent on the drugs.

All the best.
Keep posting...
Lu

[Leaveurfearsbehind]

IMO there's a big difference between someone who takes their meds as prescibed for years and someone who is a addict. I had a family member who was on hydro for over 10 years from a serious accident. They always took it as prescribed never taking more. Me on the other hand went from taking them as prescribed to taking as many as I needed! Never once did a doctor tell me that it's just to keep the pain under control not to feel like superman all day. Long story short my family member did a taper and had almost zero withdrawals while I went thru heck to get off them. With that in mind I really believe that you can do this with the help of your doctor. Good luck my friend.

[TheTikiCarver]

Thank you for the advice.  Speaking with my Dr. is definitely an option. My concern would be that once it is documented would any future need be mitigated by this tapering off?  Maybe that's just me rationalizing...  I will keep you posted.

Best,

Tom