slow tapering from percoset

[Joanne]

hi.  thank you brian for your advice.  i'm down to 1/2 a perc every 8 hrs. during the day and none at night.  waiting a few more days to taper to 1/2 in am., 1/4 afternoon, 1/2 in pm.  then after a few days i'll eliminate the middle of the day dose, etc.  going very slowly is the key.  i fessed up to my primary care and she was wonderful about the whole thing.  i'm wondering tho, when i finally am down to none, will i still have to endure the restlessness, loss of sleep, leg cramps, anxiety, etc?  please respond someone.  i'm so sick of this feeling.  i want my sober head back.  aa and na are helping a lot.

[mison]

How on earth does a family cope with a son who is 37yrs.old on percoset and possibly dilaudid. He's in denial. Says he needs his meds for chron's disease and colitis. He may be getting a new expensive I.V. treatment for his Chron's. I let him live with me and I thought I was going crazy after a week. His personality has changed and he has no tolerance.  He is on government assistance and depressed. His doc took him off cold turkey for some reason and now he's having terrible leg withdrawals and can't eat, sleep and is anxious all the time.  What hell he is going through. After reading the blog people seem to at least want to try to help themselves. He doesn't and the family are losing their health and resources. I don't know if I should try to help as I am fearful my nerves and mental health can't take it. He won't go to detox or Salvation Army etc. Afraid he'll end up dead. He takes 10 percs a day. I'm a mom who loves her son.  Any advice from anyone?  

[Jerm]

im a recovering junkie and i just want to say morphine adiction is the hardest thing i have ever dealt with in my life.

[Jerm]

im a recovering junkie and i just want to say morphine adiction is the hardest thing i have ever dealt with in my life.

[pete]

I just want to commend all of you for your strength in trying to break your addictions. I recently broke my ankle in a cycle crash and have been taking percocets for the last three weeks. I also have had hydrocodone and darvocets that I have also been taking. So obviously I've had to much. I'm down to just the percs now so hopefully I won't have any problems getting off of this. In 1987 I went thru rehab for cocaine/crack addiction.This was done pretty much cold-turkey and it was pure hell but it saved my life. But once an addict always an addict. Looks like I'll be needing a meeting or two. Good luck to all of you.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

Amen! How right on you are about addiction problems. In the end, all we have is ourselves and hopefully our loved ones. We can't get through life alone and everything we do affects someone. Good or bad, that is the choice we make. Be good and if You feel bad about something, try to change. It's usually yourself that makes you feel bad, isn't it?

[susie]

I agree with you have to  do it cold turkey.  I had been taking 3 oxycotins and 4 Percocet 650's a day for 2 years for migraines. During this time my boyfriend got a hold of them.  To make a long story short he became addicted to them.  He was up to at least 200mgs of Oxy a day plus. The normal stuff, lying and stealing from me until I caught on.  He went into detox 6 months ago came out 5 days later out of hell, and promptly relapsed.  We no longer have a relationship, my kids are devastated and we have no more life together, it's over. When he went into detox I took a look at myself and decided against Dr.s orders and quit cold turkey, I saw what happened to someone I loved, and looked at my kids and I wasn't going to put them through, what I had went through, they were not going to lose their mother.  I had withdrawals, vomiting, shaking, depression, and then I would look at my boyfriend in his own  little world, and it would strenghten my resolve. Maybe I wasn't really addicted compared with some, but the bottom line is I still lost in the long run.  It's been 4 months and everyday I swear I will not ever take an opiate again.  AA and NA are great, it's changed my life and attitudes.  One day at a time, works. And that's the best you can hope for. Life is looking good, I can laugh again I enjoy food people and everything around me again.  It's a long road but a short journey, and finally life is better than it ever was before the drugs. Just do it, because if you don't its the ones that love you that are the losers, because they no longer have you.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I agree with Wipster. I've never been able to taper down successfully. There's just too much time to think about. With me it's always been "all or nothing"! Sometimes the "one day at a time" approach works the best.

[Wipster]

EJ,

Know this is a bit late, but I had to comment.  Over the past four years, I've had three major surgeries, the last one three months ago (replacement of two vertebrae w/steel cage, titanium rods and screws) and I've been on Percocet or oxycodone for almost five years.  After my first surgery, when I had been on Perc's for the first time for about six months (4 a day), I stopped taking them and experienced quite a bit of withdrawal (anxiety, cold sweats, twitchiness, etc.) for about 3 days.  

My point is, it doesn't take long for for the body to become chemically dependent on a opiate.  If you're only taking them at night, I'm surprised you're not getting withdrawal symptoms during the day. I recommend you get off them ASAP and don't go back if you can avoid it (sometimes the pain can be too great though, I understand), 'cause the longer you take them, the more your body will become used to them.

I'm going to kick the oxy's cold turkey in about three months, when I get some needed business completed, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I'd rather go cold turkey then suffer through lowering the dosage.  4 days of suffering is preferable to 4 months (in my mind at least).

Good luck!

[Renee1060]

Hey Lynn...you disappeared.  I'd like to know how you're doing.  You didn't sound good at all last time I read your post.  Please drop us a note and let us know what's going on.  Have you completely relapsed...going cold-turkey...tapering...what?  I hope you're ok.

[[email protected]]

Been on vicodin for about 6 months, sometimes 6 to 8 a day.Don't know if that is a lot out there or not but have cut back to about 4 a day.Is it going to be tough to just stop as my supply is running out!!!! I also take xanax 3 to 4 times a day .5mg.
Sounds as if I may be lucky to have access to the xanax when I hear about the anxiety,muscle cramps ,sleeplessness,etc,etc.
      Truly hope someone out there will let me know because I feel as though I'm under a dark cloud here and am also new to this computer scene. Thanks!!!!!

[Lynn to Neena]

Yes, sadly, I relapsed. The past week was too much for me to handle. First, I had to put my beloved cat to sleep (he died in my arms), then I got suspended from work for 3 days. To try and handle a detox now was impossible. I know they sound like excuses to use, but it was the only way I could cope. This was my first attempt to stop, I'll try, try again. But not now. Although I am not going crazy and eating 30 in one day like I used to. Just enough to see me through. I am reading and following all your posts, I promise to keep in touch.

[Leigh]

Yes, I realize tapering is an idividual's choice. That's why I posted my personal experience. Never meant that to be a generic bit of advice. Hence, the sentence contained in my post,"Just my personal opinion."
I'm just an ordinary addict trying to stay sober and share my experiences with others who will hopefully show some empathy. I know we all have to take different routes to get sober, just like we all took different paths to get addicted in the first place. However, I find it extremely helpful to read the varied opinions and experiences posted on this site. I may not always agree, but I take what I need and leave the rest.

Hey, Sandee--how are you, my friend?

[loanne]

hi ej.  in my experience it is different for everyone.  that's a pretty low dose compared to some of us around her, but i do know that once having been addicted, it's much easier to become addicted more quickly when abused again.  i'm no dr., but i would talk to yours.  i have been tapering down from percs and so far, not so bad.  so even if you get addicted you should be able to taper off without too much trouble.  keep posting.  it helps me.

[EJ]

I am taking 2 percs in the evening for back pain following a spinal cord tumor removal.  How long can I take this dose before my body becomes tolerant?  (This dose still works well after about 3 months)

EJ

[barbara to pain and lortab]

You seem to have beaten the physical withdrawals well, but the psychological ones will stay with you a while. I suggest meetings and lots of them for personal support, either N.A or A.A.

Good job, stay with it. You are doing alot better than me, even though I have been alcohol free for over three months, I simply replaced it with Klonopin to get off of it and help stop seizures. That will have to be dealt with one of these days.

Good luck to you, stay busy and it will keep your mind off of the negative things for the most part and help you stay clean.

I try hard but get real negative and even suicidal/homicidal after a seizure. I learned it is the typical response to the post ictal brain activity so at least now I can deal with it better than before since I understand it.

I have been having a harder time working however, because they raised the dosage of my meds to control the seizures and I am half sleeping through work and even driving I find myslef closing my eyes for a few seconds. It is getting dangerous to drive at times. I am alone so I have no choice. We don't have the choice of a transit system out here, it's either a taxi or your own car. I cannot afford a taxi or to lose my job. I have to discuss this problem further with my Doc I guess. Sorry for babbling on but I have the early morning psychobabble syndrome today!

Again, good luck and congradulations on your two weeks!

[Sandee]

I'm on my second week clean of Vicodin. I feel pretty good but know i have a long way to go. As Sharon said, tapering is not effective. Cold turkey is the only way to go. Any words of advice out there?

[Kimber]

Thank you so much for all this advice. I'm trying to wean off Lortab. I very afraid of running out. But hopefully some of these things I've seen on here will help. Thank you very much!

[loanne]

hi sandee and sharon.  i know that tapering isn't for everyone, but it is effective for many, especially when a dr. is involved.  so, please, remember that it's an individual choice.  we're all different.  nothing negative meant by this post.  just want to make sure that people are aware that tapering does help a lot of people to minimize withdrawl.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I am not looking forward to the day that my Doc finally says, okay enough of the Klonopin! Let's start the tapering! She has ignored that subject so far, but I am sure it will come up. I am on 8 mg a day and feel like **** by the morning when it has worn off. It is so much better than when I was on the booze though. I can no longer stand the thought of booze!

If the Klonopin withdrawal is anything like the alcohol withdrawal I am going to tell my Doc NO-WAY, I'll take the easy way out in the next typhoon. I have partial status epilepsy and chronic pain to deal with anyway. You have to come to that decision sometime in your life if it is really worth it. I have everything I need except human support, no family, no friends, but luckily a good A.A. sponsor which has helped tremendously. Well enough babbling for now I have to get back to work. I am probably in a bad mood because the big K is past due!

Good luck with your taperings and hope your withdrawals are not too bad!

[loanne]

hey.  when you asked when i started tapering i had to think about it.  it was 9/5/00  fot down to 3 1/2 pretty quick, then started going slower.  the lower the dosage, the slower the taper.  that's what i've learned around here.  i can understand wanting to get it over with and just suffer through withdrawls, but for me, because of what it felt like to kick 8-10 bags of heroin cold turkey, (for the first 48 hours), i needed to take the slow route.  it hasn't been that bad.  if the dosage cut you took is bringing on bad withdrawl, i'd call your doc, and he'll probably just go slower.  aside from some moderate anxiety, and no energy, it hasn't been bad.  i was surprised at how easy it's been so far.  i don't know what will happen when i'm finally done, but i won't be withdrawing from much more than 1/4 perc a day.  i think it's gonna be ok.  deep posting.  it helps me.

[Renee1060]

You'll make it Lynn!  Could you please fill me in on why you started taking the drugs in the first place?  Did you take it only to get that "euphoric" feeling, for pain,  or to get energy, etc etc?  Do you get your meds from a doc or the street?   Have you gone into rehab or tried to get help from outside sources?  I don't know how anyone could do this alone, and you sound very alone right now.
I know I felt so disgusted with myself when I got the other script.  Couldn't believe how I could do this to my family and friends and myself.  This doesn't mean we are BAD people Lynn.  It's not going to be an easy road to learn how to do everything in life all over again without something to numb our feelings or make us so high that the world seems like a hunky dorey place to live in all the time.  But life will become easier to deal with. If one can keep in mind how much misery these dang pills cause in the long-run...it seems to help from reaching for them when the cravings and withdrawls seem unbearable.
Please keep us posted as to how you're doing.

[Renee1060]

Watering down the withdrawl...yeppers...that's exactly how I felt.  I was just prolonging the inevitable.  Yet I tried it cold-turkey, made it through what I was told was the hardest part, yet was still so weak and depressed that I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Therefore, I got another script.  I don't have any choice but to follow the doctors orders and try to taper off.  But, last night the withdrawls started to hit about 6 hours after I tapered down to 80 mgs from 120 mgs on just the afternoon dose!  I couldn't believe it.  So is this the way I'm going to feel for the next few months while tapering?  Then when I'm completely off of it, will the withdrawls hit full force?  
The doctor made it sound like I shouldn't notice the slow taper yet if I did...that he will just maintain me on that level for a month or so before starting to taper again.  This is going to take YEARS!!
Joanne...when did you start to taper off the meds and how quickly?  You're doing great...keep up the great work.
I have alot of respect for all of you that have made it off of this stuff and stay off...and for everyone else that is giving it one hell of a try even though relapses seem to be a part of the recovery process.
Thank you for the info on trading one addiction for another.  It seems like it would be extremely easy to do.

[Lynn to Neena]

I'm not going to make it. I really tried to taper but guess what happened to me today? I bought 40 percs this morning and I ate more than I even want to count. The vial was brimming over this morning, what a pretty sight that WAS, now I can see the bottom, what a sickening sight that IS. I can't believe how I can't stop, I feel really ugly and awful right now. You know something, I would probably be able to handle the withdrawal, its the mental cravings and knowing I will not feel that buzz again that I won't  be able to handle. Tomorrow is another day, I hope I do better than today.

[Leigh]

Hi Loreen,
I tried tapering quite a few times (Vicodin). Never successfully, though. As long as I have a pill left, somewhere, I will justify violating my tapering schedule and taking the pill. One thing leads to another, and then I'm back to my usual daily dosage. The only thing that worked for me was cold turkey. Uncomfortable and unpleasant, but at least it worked. Also, I found that tapering meant prolonging the pain. I lived in fear of reaching my last dose, and I always felt kind of lousy (probably a lot of psychological elements there--reverse placebo effect). I found it a lot more effective to just quit. It means a few days of utter misery, but I'd rather cope with a few days instead of many weeks of a watered-down withdrawal.
Just my personal opinion.
Either way, nothing works without a few meetings. And an anti-anxiety or muscle relaxer. Just be wary of substituting one addiction for another.
Good luck!