Tapering

[flutter0301]

I am trying to quit using hydrocodone.  I would like to do this with tapering.  I'm not entirely sure how to start.  Do you start with your "normal" dose and every few days 1/3 the amount?  Or do you wait longer in between dose changes?  I use anywhere from 10-16 hydrocone 10's every day.  I have a refill available to use for tapering.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  
Thanks!!

[flutter0301]

Thank you all so much!!  All of your reply's helped so much.  I tried going ct recently and I just can't do it that way.  I think my chances of beating this addiction will be better with tapering.  My husband is very supportive and I know he will help me through this.  I have also asked my sister for help, she will be the one holding on to my pills and only giving me a certain amount every day.  She is a very strong person and I know she will not give in to me even if I become a bit irritable and moody.  :-)  

I have been reading all the posts on here all day, very helpful and informative.  I will be back often for moral support.

Again Thank You for your help!!

[joann1975]

I tapered from approx the same amt of hydro you are on. I did a long slow taper b/c of taking care of my toddler. I cut my dose in half (from 20pills to 10) in about 2 days.. then from there I dropped a pill off about every 3-4 days. My wds symptoms were minimal..I also used the amino acids .. they are found in the Health Pages on the right side of the page. It takes alot of self control and if you can have someone hold your pills do it! The other thing I did was basically took a calendar wrote how many per day I could take and had a QUIT date set!

This is wonderful you are getting your life back and you will feel sooooo much better clean. I can tell you if I didn't have a toddler or PT job I would have gone CT to get it over with but I got it done.

Other tips I found helpful were reading on here and journaling. You can set your journal to private if you like ( I do ) and just say what you want! LOL

This forum is great for support and YOU CAN DO THIS!!

Good Luck & Keep Posting
JoAnn

[mom4CA]

I also am tapering off hydrocodone.  I am finally on only 1/2 tab twice per day, and next week begin 1/2 once per day. At the advice of my Dr., I sratred with 4 tabs per day for 10 days, then went down to 3 and 1/2 for 10 days then 2 per day for 10 days, and so on. The hardest part was when I went down to the 1/2 twice per day as I am now, and I am stalling the 1/2 tab til Mon. because I don't look forward to the anxiety that I know I will feel at the first few days til my body adjusts.  You can do this, I did, and was talikg hydrocodone regularly for more than 20 years every day. I know it is hard, but keep in mind how much better you will fell in a little while. Good luck to you!

[Flowergirl43]

I tapered from 10-12/10's a day. The first 10 days I dropped from 10-12 to 4 a day then spent 2 days at 2 and the I quit. Every time I dropped mgs in the taper I went through withdrawals and I look back I think I should have went c/t but I needed the mental time to "break up" with the pills.  I did find a old thread from Med Help and posted it for you.  You also can Google Lortab tapering and read a lot of different opinions. Good luck, I wish you the best as I know it is hard but if you really want it you can do it.  
Day 1-5 take 1.5 morning - 1.5 afternoon -1.5 evening.   This dosage is on the low side of what you were taking, so you shouldn't feel any different physically.
If you think you can taper quicker, then try it by lowering your mid-day dose.  The idea here is to try and gain sleep so tapering your evening dose is left for last.
Day 6-10 take 1 in the morning 1 in afternoon and 1 in the evening.
Day 11-15 take .5 in the morning, .5 afternoon, and .5 or.75 evening.
Day 16-20 .5 mid-morning, and .5 late afternoon.
Day 21-25 If you can cut them, .33 mid morning.  .33 late afternoon.
After that, if you don't feel bad, then quit.
You can adjust the taper to what keeps you comfortable, but ALWAYS ether stay the same or lower..  NEVER take more.