Trying To Taper Off Norco

[NorcoHelpPlease]

I started taking Vicodin 4 years ago for traumatic arthritis of my right knee .I went through a total knee replacement which caused pulmonary embolism . I was started on Oxycodone and Vicodin post surgery .I had a lot of pain it was a 6 hour knee replacement versus the normal 2 to 3 hours and I still don't know why .I discontinued the Oxy whenI ran out because by then the pain was manageable with Vicodin .Two years ago my doctor bumped me up to Norco 10/325 because the Vicodin was no longer working well .My knee has still is chronically painful and swollen and xrays show that it is not the implant but possibly my bodies reaction to the metal...who knows .
I decided that I will not be a slave to these pills any longer ! No more watching the clock or planning my days by when a pill is due .I started tapering a 3 weeks ago and have gone from 8-10 pills in 24 hours to 5 in 24 hours .It is now becoming more difficult for me that is why I am here asking for help...or support .I read the forums and get encouragement but I am scared of life off pills .I know hat sounds strange to some but that is how I feel .I have 39 1/2 pills left at this point .I am scared that I will not make it through the taper but I have too get off these pills . I cut myself off from my prescription permanently though I getting 180 once a month from my doc .There are no more pills available and that was the hardest thing for me to do but I did .I can not get them in the country where I am because they dont exist here .Do you think I have enough pills to get off without withdrawel ?I get so anxious and start WD symptoms just 2 hours after my lat pill now and it is getting tougher to  wait for the time to pass until next pill is due .

[NorcoHelpPlease]

Also I come here to post about my thoughts and temptation to take another half because it scares him when I verbalize it . He is a great support when he is here but no one that has not been through this really knows how it affects you .The mind games that start,the nagging thoughts of just one more half will make it all go away etc .That is why I am here...you all know where I am comming from and that is comforting .

[brokenspiritandsoul]

I just read your story and you are doing great!  I sure wish I was strong enough to taper!  If I have pills then I take them, all of them!  Having a supportive husband is awesome!  I am doing it alone and sure wish I had someone here to give support!  It is hard for him as he doesn't understand how you feel but at least he is trying!  Just come here to vent and remember to let your husband help where he can!  Take care of yourself right now!  I have to keep telling myself that it is ok to be selfish for a week to get healthy!  I can do the basics and the other things, like a clean house, can wait!  Keep up the good work!

[Dane74]

You are doing great, keep up the good work.  I am a strong supporter of tapering if done correctly.  And just know slow and steady wins the taper.  Try to taper down slow and stay at that dose for a few days and then do a small cut and go from there.  If hubby can hold your pills and just give you the allotted dose for the day you will be better off.  With a taper you will still get the wd's just not as bad as going CT.  One you get down to lets say 2 pills a day then you can make that decision to jump or continue the taper.  Just do not go up in your dose.  As for your mind playing tricks on you, yes thats so normal, tune it out, its the devil talking, trying to give you every excuse to use, change your thought process and say i don't need you anymore i am going to beat this.  For the RLS, wrap your legs up with warm towels or heating pads and take lots of hot showers and or baths it really helps calm all your achy muscle's.  Rememebr you are doing great thus far, be proud of yourself for how far you came, life is going to be so much better and before you know it you will be living again......

[NorcoHelpPlease]

Thank you thank you thank you Dane....I am having a hard afternoon with the brain game . Ive been vacillating between just one more half earlier than scheduled and crying because of my own weakness . I took an inventory of why I was feeling like this .To my surprise I discovered I am feeling physical symptoms aside from feeling a bit tired like I am wearing weights to walk or the led suit lol. It was mostly in my own head !!!! This is so crazy...I felt a few hours ago like I was sailing through this taper but then the crazy self talk started .I cried and yelled at myself ...stop it ...this is not physical it is the addiction trying to make you loose it and take more .Omg I am so glad that I checked back here before I did...thank you ...this post made a difference in this moment for me .

[NorcoHelpPlease]

I meant that I was Not feeling physical symptoms that should drive me to more Norco...it was the head game .Im just feeling a bit off not sick .

[Dane74]

The mental game is far worse than the physical i know, but its so manageable.  Get in the car and go for a drive and blast your music and sing, sounds silly, huh? but honestly i helped me, it made me get through another 20-30 mins without caving in.  Your NOT weak!!!!  This is not about weakness its all about strength, and you are doing it.  When the head starts screaming for you to take a pill, get up walk around, call a friend, have a piece of chocolate, these craving come and go so you have to trick them and scream shout yell, whatever it takes.  IF you go and just take that half it will only set you back and make it worse.  Keep reaching out for help. Addiction is so cunning so we need to be on top of it to win and beat this beast.  Do you have any aftercare lined up?  Take this hour by hour, day by day and when you are feeling tempted reach out for help!!!!!  Talk with hubby and help him understand addiction and what opiates does to the brain, men like to see the science behind it:-)   You got this girl!!!!