Tapering off

[einekleinekle]

I've been taking 5-7 Norco (10/325) for probably close to three years--chronic arthritis, degenerative scoliosis. I actually don't think it helps the pain that much--NSAIDs are probably even better--but I've really liked the mood lift. Now I think I ought to quit doing it. I've been tapering down, from an average of six/day (often by the half-pill, so, 12 half doses) and I'm now down to three a day.

I'm kind of assuming that tapering down will mean that by the time I get to two halves a day and then one half a day and then . . . nothing, my physical withdrawal shouldn't be awfully acute. Doesn't that make sense?

I am an addictive person, so I'll have to deal with the nostalgic wish for the mood lift, no doubt.

Any feedback? TIA.

[einekleinekle]

Day three of two pills a day--that is, half a pill more or less every six hours. I am sorry to report that I took my 6 o'clock pill at 5, because I was so extremely uncomfortable. Thing is, it's very very hard to tell whether what's going on is more arthritic pain or more pain involved with "withdrawal." Aaack! It's very difficult to distinguish between different kinds of pain.

For most of the day I do fine on this very low dose. But towards the evening, and during it, I hurt considerably more. How can I tell whether that's because I'm tired and therefore the arthritis bothers me more, or whether I'm just getting worn down by the (very subtle and difficult-to-pinpoint) withdrawal??

Any help out there?

[einekleinekle]

Nice to know I have company! Today (Tuesday) is my second day of two 10/325 Norco/day. Six hours apart, I take a half-pill. It's not awful by any means. My legs seem to get a little jumpy in the evening. I take the last one at betime (whenever that is) and the next one when I wake up in the morning.

Once I'm completely off them, I want to spend the next few months (a) seeing what I have in the way of pain with reasonable NSAID use, and (b) really getting serious about  more exercise and interesting activity, because I've noticed that one reason I liked taking the stuff was that it made me feel, oh, content with not doing very much. That's not good for me. Sure, I'm an old woman--77 next month--but I"m certainly playing with a full deck, and need to be involved with life--friends, my musical instrument, exercise, activities with my dog, etc., etc. Sitting at home online all day feeling *content* seems to be a little like giving up on life.

[murphed]

I'm doing exactly what you are doing. I'm down to 2 pills tomorrow, but I want to stop altogether. So I think I will do that and get off this %£#$ ride and get my life back. Norco should not be prescribed for chronic pain.

[einekleinekle]

Just a little update and one more question: I'm on my second (or is it third?) day of 5 half-Norcos/day, i.e., 2-1/2 pills total per day. I'll cut back to 4 halves (2 pills) tomorrow, Monday. I seem to be doing okay, though I do miss the lift.

Question: since I'm tapering gradually, then by the time I'm down to one half pill every 24 hours, and then none at all, shouldn't I be able to expect that I won't have further physical withdrawal symptoms? I do know that it'll take considerably longer to quit wishing for the feeling, mostly because, as I said, I'm an addictive person . . .  (40+ years off booze)

[einekleinekle]

I am already a longtime member of a recovery program and I go to a regular meeting. I have as much support as I want. I just hope the wish--"craving" is, at least at this point, a bit too strong a word--for that quick high subsides sooner rather than later.  The stuff just made me feel so much . . . oh, *happier.* Sigh.

[Muddyhands]

The mood lift is the hardest part for me too!!  now on month three of  very  slowwww taper from 90 mg morphine and 40mg oxycodone a day… now down 70% on both, and just began  1  of 15 mg morph ea 12 hours, (2 a day) with 3  of 5mg oxy as fill in per day…I find I can't go 12 hours without feeling totally crappy..so take 2 oxy to get me thru to the eve dose of morph.  first 10 days on 2 morph and 3 oxy was  horrible..not sick, just so damn weak and malaise lethargy.

Dr gave Clonidine, and now  Promethazine for  withdrawal shakes and nausea..both knock me out to sleep so take at night only.

I too fear how i will handle just 1  little morphine a day…but am committed to tapering for many reasons, just been prescribed them so many years for all sorts of  serious pain issues..now it is just addition and withdraw to deal with.  acetaminophen works fine for pain ( can't take NSAIDS)

[lulu747]

You are RIGHT Nsaids are a much better choice for arthritis.  Personally, I can't take them because I have Crohn's and so they are off limits.  I find a good yoga practice and heat- infrared saunas the best for my rheumatoid arthritis.  Also, curcumin (natural anti-inflammatory) is great.  Takes awhile to work so be patient.

Opiates are NOT a good option for chronic pain.  I found this out the hard way.  I am currently having to use them as I'm having a medical crisis and waiting for surgery but will use the lowest dose possible and taper off quickly post-op.

You should really think about some aftercare.  NA/AA, addictions counselling, smart recovery, but SOMETHING.
The issue for you is going to be mental.
Getting clean is the easy part of recovery.  Staying clean requires hard work and lot's of support.
Set yourself up for success.
Want it more than anything and freedom will be yours-
Lu

[einekleinekle]

Thanks! Thing is, I've been alcohol-free for many years, and definitely don't want another addiction! AND, I've got all this chronic arthritis. But, as far as I can see, the Norco isn't actually doing that much to dull the pain--I suspect NSAIDs do a better job of that--it's that whole narcotic thing of yes-I-can-feel-that-but-who-cares, which isn't really pain relief in the first place!

And yet--the effect of the pills on my mood is really positive. So, I have more than a little ambivalence about getting off the stuff. But I am doing that. As o f today I'm down to 2-1/2 Norco/day. I figure at this rate I should be completely off them in, what, a week or so. And then I can get a better idea of what I have on my hands without it.

[EG70]

Everybody is different, w/d might be difficult, perhaps not. Just prepare yourself with the necessities in the event that it gets bad. You have no way of knowing til you jump off all meds. Even if things do get very uncomfortable just remember we've all been there and you CAN get through it!!