UP ALL NIGHT! YUCK!

[wransomejr]

Well, my taper plan is going to have to be adjusted! It is the first full night and I am wide awake, though sleepy, and have the restless legs. I know I am going to have to deal with this...been there, done that with Tramadol. This time it is Hydrocodone.

I've cut my intake by more than half. I'd say I was on 6-8...more like 8 usually 10/325 a day and last night I had 1/2 a tab. Slept okay. Had a full tab this morning at 5AM before work. By 2 p.m. pulling my hair out but at least it was during the day. took one. Had a 1/2 at 7ish.

Anyway...I am going to rethink this and try to get on an exact schedule, and maybe I am trying too hard to go too fast. I am just not mentally ready to accept the heavy w/d symptoms. I only a few days ago decided I absolutely had to quit and that was only because I had to admit to someone I love how messed up I am. I am not by any means running around stoned...but y'all know how these devils are...they quickly take control of your life.

I let the emptiness I felt after Tramadol get to me and I started taking Hydros once or twice a week, and soon, bam...back in a mess. I am a textbook addict, I don't care how functional I am. I want to stop this for good and I did not take advice about long-term aftercare the first go round. It is important!

[forgottensick]

  Hello Randy.  At least you want to get off the pills. That seems to be the first step. I`ve been on methadone and have been tapering. If I taper too much, it hits me hard. I`ve learned to split it up throughout the day so my system stays level. Then before bed I take 1-2mg less and hold there for about 4-5 days. Once I`m leveled out for a few days, I lower it again by 1-2mg a day. The suppliments are helping and when I wait for my body to stablize, I at least get a couple nights sleep before tapering again. That is what has worked for me. I have to slowly trick my body into thinking it is getting all it wants.  Good luck and hang in there. You seem to have good support and a plan.
Dan

[wransomejr]

Thank you. I realize that. I'm not taking the huge handfuls I did with Tramadol, and honestly I think it is more about being ready, but cutting down does help. You have to be ready for those few days of feeling with crap, and despite what I was told on this forum about the emptiness and mental issues post-detox, I was so excited to be clean that I let that stuff sneak up on me.

After I got clean, I found that my partner was unhappy all the time because it took all my energy to go to work and pay our bills. He did not work, and waited for me to get home so we could hike or whatever, and he felt lonely. I was 21 years older, and we decided to split up. It seems to have been the right decision, but I eventually relapsed and here I go again. At least it is not Tramadol. That stuff is FAR worse than a regular opiate.
-Randy

[atthebeach]

you are going too fast.cutting your dose in half. the key is to cut a little bit out and then wait 3-5 day and drop some more. be patient. you can do this.

[wransomejr]

Thanks...my mother took me to the walmart and we got some med supplies, vitamins, gatorade, etc. I tapered for about two months with tramadol and had my partner give me the pills. My mother will do it. We've talked about going to see the family MD but she hasn't mentioned it again. My father just got diagnosed with macular degeneration and she has an appt with a vascular surgeon Tuesday for lower circulatory problems...I don't want to put too much on her. I really think starting out with these half a pill is too much. I haven't had time to really make up my mind that I am ready for the fight. That was important when I came off the Tramadol. And this group was very helpful Thanks all!

[marycarmel]

It's better to go slow with the taper than go too fast and then take one or two.  I tapered off a boatload of stuff but in the beginning was to anxious and went too fast and it really made things way more difficult.  If you can get your doctor to give you a taper plan, that would be great.  If not, be realistic and go slow.  Stabilize and then drop.  Even though your dose, in some opinions, isn't all that high, you dropped a lot.  Tapering isn't easy.  I was in mild-to-moderate withdrawals the whole time but you can treat your symptoms with things from the Thomas Recipe.

[342andcounting]

Hey Wrans

   I was taking the EXACT amount your were for years and I'm 11 months clean so quitting is possible.
   Couple things. First I tried the taper routine SEVERAL times and failed miserably. Everyone's different so what ever works best. It was like peeling a band-aid slowly off. I decided to go CT and it was more scary about the FEAR of what might happen than the actual physical WD. It is uncomfortable YES but after about 5 days it became more mental (which was harder). If you prepare and follow suggestions on here you can do it.
   I too was a "functioning addict", Working everyday,family life, routine as useal, which I believe is the majority of people addicted now. .So I believe the term is irrelevent. Although I had dabbled in other drugs Vicodin was the one that sucked me in and took over. It was great because "look no hangover". Problem was it became the only thing I cared about.ALL THE TIME and I was powerless.
   I know you can do this!! and getting prepared is the best thing you can do. Make a plan and STICK with it (no excuses!!) . Good Luck man

[342andcounting]

Hey Wrans

   I was taking the EXACT amount your were for years and I'm 11 months clean so quitting is possible.
   Couple things. First I tried the taper routine SEVERAL times and failed miserably. Everyone's different so what ever works best. It was like peeling a band-aid slowly off. I decided to go CT and it was more scary about the FEAR of what might happen than the actual physical WD. It is uncomfortable YES but after about 5 days it became more mental (which was harder). If you prepare and follow suggestions on here you can do it.
   I too was a "functioning addict", Working everyday,family life, routine as useal, which I believe is the majority of people addicted now. .So I believe the term is irrelevent. Although I had dabbled in other drugs Vicodin was the one that sucked me in and took over. It was great because "look no hangover". Problem was it became the only thing I cared about.ALL THE TIME and I was powerless.
   I know you can do this!! and getting prepared is the best thing you can do. Make a plan and STICK with it (no excuses!!) . Good Luck man

[selfinduced]

Hi There! Can you get a specific taper plan from you Dr. and maybe have your loved one hold the pills? It is so easy to cave in-between doses if you have full access to them. You are not on such a high amount and you should be able to wean down in a few weeks. Keep a positive attitude and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Stay as busy as you can to keep your mind off of the pills. Replace the habit of taking the pills with taking a good multivitamin and some b-12 and b-6. You'll get there I know. Sending lots of support your way.