Taper off hydrocodone?

[RogerWilko]

I have ankylosing spondylitis, which causes a lot of pain in my back, neck and ribs.  I think I can manage the pain with ibuprofen alone, and I want to quit the hydrocodone.  I'm so glad I found this great website.  It's a good feeling knowing there are other people with the same problem.  Here's my question - I'm hoping I can taper down the hydrocodone and avoid a lot of the withdrawal symptoms.  For a while I was taking 10 Vicoprofen pills at a time.  I only take it once per day, in the morning.  I cut it down to 7 pills, and by the next morning my body is letting me know it wants more, mainly with anxiety.  If I stay at 7 pills, will my system eventually find that to be an adequate amount?  And then will I be able to go down to 6 pills and get used to that, then 5 pills, etc.?  I'm hoping I can taper down in this way and avoid the cold turkey symptoms.  Thanks in advance for all responses.

[hampstead]

I was taking 4 10.325 hydros a day for three years i am tapering off i am on day three at one and a half, every day i want to take more is there  any one
out there tapering off to help me with advice please let me know    

[I_Hate_Pills]

I agree with you that Suboxone is not a good option (for most). I was on it 6 months, turned me into a zombie. I quit cold turkey (not the best idea) and suffered the worst withdrawals imaginable. I was only taking 8mg p/day, too! I went straight back to the hydro's. The withdrawals from hydro is way easier than suboxone. So unless someone is a heroine addict I would NEVER suggest Suboxone. Just deal with the hydro withdrawal side effects (lasts about a week) and it will be much better in the long run.

[OvercomingAddiction]

Actually, The wellbutrin and xanax would be good for you to keep on hand, I just recently relapsed after nearly 26 days clean... Yeah I know. But I am getting back on track, But from recent experience of going thru the entire wd and recovery process, you will have some MAJOR anxiety and depression attacks,it's pretty bad usually the second and third week after getting clean. I wouldn't recommend taking them daily, as that just develops another addiction, but I wish I had anxiety medication several times, during the last month lol, I really had some "moments". - Good Luck to you, And How I got clean, Was God -- praying ALOT!! And adderall, it is a stimulant, and works wonders getting off of opiates, and then after a month I just got off the adderall no problems, This may not work for everyone but it did work for me :-) Good Luck to you, and Your future walk with sobriety :) You can do it.. It really is a mind over matter. :)

[Lefthandshake]

It's refreshing to see that there are others that are going through this crap. I've been taking about 4 Norco 10/325's per day, and I would like to figure out an effective tapering plan. All I know is that I can't successfully go CT-it throws everything out of whack. I saw a doctor in regard to all of this, and she game me a prescription for Wellbutrin (for the depression) and Xanax (for the anxiety). I'm beginning to think that this is not the right way to go. Thoughts?

[leesha499]

I am in the same boat as you are please if you figure it out let me know =(

[leesha499]

suboxone you dont want to use because those have withdrawls too. It is an opiate blocker which means if you take pain pills or herion you will not feel the effects. I also suffer from lupus and have been on vicodin 10mg. I am overly abusing them going thru 150 pills in two weeks. I cant tell my doctor because i do need them for the pain but i need help to learn how to take them has perscribed. anyways i feel your pain and wish you the best of luck