Tapering off Vics and Percocet

[girlybuff]

Hi.  I am a recovering alcoholic, 5 years clean.  I have 2 herniated discs in my back and have been taking vics (prescribed) daily for about a year.  As with everyone, I am no longer sure if I am taking them for the pain or for the withdrawal.  I know I am both physically and mentally dependent on them at this point as I am no stranger to addiction.
I want desperately to get off of them.  I look around at everyone and wonder how they can go about doing normal things without being in pills.  I wonder how I ever did anything myself without them.  I have a new baby and I can't take care of her without my morning pills and God forbid I run out, well, you know how that goes.
Anyway, I get them from a few doctors but my story is getting thin and I just hate the fact that my life revolves around the next time I can get them.  I love the day I have a full bottle and dread the day when I have nne left.  Inevitably, I run out even though I have every intention of making them last....
If I am taking about 10-12 7.5/750 vics or 10-12 10/625 of percs a day (depending on which doctor I have gone to), how do I taper down?
I have managed to go about 8 hours without being in full blown withdrawal and then when I am I've managed to just take the 1 pill to feel better and not sick but that is such a stressful way of doing it.
I'm thinking of suboxone too but I don't want to trade one drug for another.
Help!!!
Thanks and prayers and well wishes to all who suffer from this.

[Ms BW]

If you do a very slow tapper you will have better results.  I mean SLOW.  Some people can't do a taper, because they don't trust themselves to stay on a taper.  I have done a taper in the past and have done so by cutting my intake back by half a tablet every 4 days or so.  Don't get in  a hurry about this.  If you have the disciple to do this then it will be the easiest way, in my opinion.  I was taking much less than you and I was only taking the 5/500 strength, so take that into consideration as well.  On day one take your normal dosage.  On day two cut that back some and continue on until you begin to feel uncomfortable.   At the first sign of discomfort stay at that level of pills for a week or two and then begin to cut back again every 4th day or so.  I found it best to write a taper schedule and then adjust that schedule as needed.  If this taper takes you 30 or 60 days that's okay.  Remember, you're in no rush here.  Just keep plugging along. Your body will gradually get used to the lower dosages and will adjust.  But you must be discipled about this.  Come here and we will offer you any support you need.

[girlybuff]

Thank you so much.  I am going to try.  I have 120 pills in which to taper off with so say a prayer for me.

[mema3]

I'm a fan of tapering - but don't get me wrong - you'll still feel like hell!

I'm from 7-8 pills (using since 2001) - now down to 1/2 pill every day.  I just want off of them so bad!!!  

It isn't easy - but as you've read in all the posts - stay hydrated, take your vitamins - and go hour by hour.  Some days it takes making a promise to make it that one hour, and then the next and then the next- and other days - you'll go several hours w/o thinking about it.

It isn't easy!  It isn't.  But keep coming back to check in on others - and it helps.  
Everyone on this chat is in my prayers -

Right now I'd love to take something to ease the sweating and chills - but I know that would only set me back.

Hang in there!  Girlybuff - you can do it!

[CanToo]

You guys are doing good....be proud of yourselves. And don't be too hard on yourselves if you slip back every now and then. I've been doing this for 3 weeks now and I've had a couple of slips but I just get back on track and it is working for me. You that are doing cold turkey...it is rough.  It is too bad you can't get a doctors guidance and support, it sure would help you.  

Another thing...keep as busy as you can or whatever it takes to keep your mind off yourself, this is not easy. Adjust your clothing from keeping warm to keeping cool. I found if my flu symptoms were strong, I treated myself like I had the flu.
I have taken walks around the block when I'm restless, up to 3 times a day to eat up time.
Write a journal, keeping track of how you feel throughout the whole ordeal.  Then if you do get entirely clean, and you think you might want to go back to your habit, get the journal out, read what you went through and it more than likely will deter you from ever going back to whatever you were taking.

If you are taking medications for real physical problems, look into an alternative if possible.  I have two herniated discs and osteoporosis pretty severely...I went to a P/T and she showed me how to cope, and it works.  At least I can keep up with my family pretty well.  I also used a personal trainer at 24 Hour Fitness Center for 6 weeks last summer, she helped me also.

Hang in all, think the good thoughts!
CAN

[girlybuff]

Thanks to you all for your support.  I really appreciate it.
I am going to discuss it with my doctor.  I know enough from AA to not be ashamed when you're seeking help.

[the_kid]

go to rehab as soon as possible

[noelangel]

Please help me i have been trying this taper thing for a week, how do you know that your finally off all of it?

[emilyanne]

See my post to Kitty's thread, labeled something like " going through withdrawals". Only a few posts down fromt the top.

[shrimpman]

Just want to let yawl know getting off opiates is doable ------------you need the right support medication to deal with the worst symptoms -----------I'm in day 3 from c/t off 5o to 7o mg of percocet and I only having RLS and Sleep disturbances ---------I'm no dr. this is only my   my experience---------- would be happy to help those in need--------based my way of doing c/t mainly on the Thomas recipe--------  this helped escape the worst symptoms--acid runs--pain--inability -----to eat or drink-------being curled up in the fetal position in bed----------I've gone through this before totally unprepared and suffered through ALL the w/d symptoms-----all my best to those that are suffering from this problem-------