Weaning of Hydrocodone

I have been taking about 40mg of Hydrocodone ( 10/325 tabs ) per day for about the past 2 years. I have been very careful to maintain a low dosage within my doctors prescription. I have fiber myalgia along with back pain from a herniated l4 l5 disc. Over time the hydrocodone has been leaving me with muscle pain and a severe feeling of being tired about 3 hours after taking the medication. I yawn a lot and develope severe muscle ache in both my legs and back. Recently I have been able to reduce my consumption to about 25Mg per day. I break the pill in half and take 5MG in the morning and then 8 hours later take another 5Mg at dinner and then another 5Mg at 9PM and finally take a 10 Mg tab at 11PM in order to sleep. I can't seem to lower my intake below this amount without feeling great muslce pain and anxiety with severe restless legs while trying to get to sleep. The daytime is a struggle to stay awake while the anxiety grabs at me. I think I could finally get off this all together if I could just get to sleep at night. I heard that valium for 4 days might work, but I am concerned that as soon as I stop the valium, the restless legs and muscle pain will return. Any ideas on how I can continue to reduce my consumption without going through so much physical pain. I know this is not a lot of Hydrocodone, but I have been taking it for years. Can you help me??

[Sunnyd210]

There is the thomas recipe in the health pages it has alot of good tips. How long have to been tapering for?

[BakedBeans]

I have been weaning off it for about three weeks now, but I have hit a road block. I do not abuse my meds, but I want to be done with it once and for all and let my body deal with the pain. I think most of my pain is actually being caused by the withrawl.

[road2recovery]

congrats on wanting to get off of this stuff...First off you are very lucky to have kept it this low for two yrs...I do beleive that you are experiencing w/ds...Your body needs more and more and you are giving it a little less...
What other symtoms (symptoms) are you having?  any dirrehea?  chills? sweats?
If i were you, I would just bite the bullet and do it...You will have a few bad days physically, then maybe some mental...BUT you did not drug seek, dr, shop, etc. it seems, so you are in a pretty good place right now...
There are many things to help you through it..., and we can too
best of luck
r2r

[ochooked]

Agree with R2R ---  Be thankful that your addiction did not grow like so many of us on the site.  You are and will feel the effects of W/D's for a few days but that will pass and then you will have to deal with a lack of energy for awhile --- but you will finally be free of the curse ---- and it is a curse -- it sneaks up on you and in the early days is such a wonderful help -- but the drugs turn on you and you will never seem to get enough to do what they once did. Just stay strong -- keep posting and soon, very soon, you will be free.  All the best.

[BakedBeans]

Thank you all for your encouragement. My most difficult time seems to be in the evening. If I can get to sleep for a few evenings taking valium, as the Thomas recipe suggests, will that be an easier way to go? The assumption is that I would progressively reduce my Hydrocodone intake at night while I use the valium (10MG) as a sleep aid. Or am I making matter worse?

[Sunnyd210]

No I dont think it would make things worse. I found that I had a really hard time getting past taking a pill 3x a day. It didnt even have to be a vicoden I think that was part of the mental addiction for sure. If you can cut that night pill out thats GREAT!!

[BakedBeans]

I guess my big concern is that as I am weaning off this last 25 MG's a day, most of which I take in the evening, will it be easier if I reduce my Hydrocodone at night and take valium (10MG) for 3 or four nights? Or will the valium just be a substitute that will bring me no closer to the finish line. In other words, which is less addictive over the next 3 or 4 days, Valium (10MG ) or Hydrocodone (10 MG )?

[worried878]

sounds like u r physically dependent and not mentally addicted...something for sleep for a bit will help..ask ur doctor...benzos are not the best choice but ok for short term like a few weeks or so as prescribed....some muscle relaxers help as well...elavil helps and is not habit forming as well as phenergan...there are also meds for rls and exercise during the day helps alot...my mom has it/not from drugs and she takes 800 mg of magnesium and calcium every night with tonic water....she said she doesnt have it on the days she plays tennis...and an iron supp every day as anemia has been associated with RLS..there is an article in my journal from a study at my hospital ..treat the symptoms and get ur sleep..doesnt sound like u r the type to abuse or become addicted to everything u take...ambien is what I used..lots here do not like the drug but in reality it is safer and less addictive than benzos...lunesta is another....valerian root also helps me sleep, many like melatonin/but it gives me a hangover in the am for some reason....keep posting..u can do this if it is ur goal

[BakedBeans]

That's true. I could kiss it goodbye today if I only didn/t have to deal with the unpleasantness of the physical withdrawl (withdrawal). I do not seek the high, only relief from physical pain and withdrawl (withdrawal). I just feel that it is now doing me more harm than good.

[Sundance1961]

Hi BB,

I have just went through all of this also and my pharmisist told me about the natural drug melatonin will check on the spelling, It really seamed to help me at night. I wasn't able to sleep at all either.  God Bless and Stay strong and keep posting here, private msg me if you need to talk more :)