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1986216 tn?1358349860

Best way to quit a 1 year hydro habit?

Hi, I am a 31 year old female that has decided enough is enough and I need to get off pain pills. I was diagnosed with several back issues last spring, and was prescribed tramadol. I took (and began abusing) this for about 5 months before I started feeling very strange side effects, while at the same time my pain got worse. I went in to see my doc and he prescribed Hydrocodones, which I have been taking for the past 6 mos or so (give or take). The most I take is 80 mg a day. I wake up with pain and need them....but I also wake up physically needing the pill as well. I am doing physical therapy twice a week, yoga, accupuncture, and wearing anti-inflammatory patches on my back. This is all "kind of" helping but nothing beats the hydro. However, I also enjoy the high...and deep down I know I could deal with my pain in other ways if I tried. Regardless, I hate the fact that I wake up physically needing the pill. My question is, what can I expect as I detox myself? Should I do half a pill less for 3 days, then half a pill less for the next 3 days etc until I am done? I don't want to go cold turkey...I realize I am in a lot better spot than many people on here that are struggling with years of addiction and I am thankful for that, and hope that I can help them with kind words and suggestions as I go down this road. I also realize that I need to come to terms with why I like the numbing feeling so much....and confront the issues in my life that make me like this feeling so much. However, I am scared to death of detoxing,, I feel bad enough as it is waking up and needing a pill ASAP and can't imagine that feeling magnified. Would love any words of advice. Thanks in advance...sorry for any spelling errors I am writing this on my phone.
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1986216 tn?1358349860
Hi there...good luck to you as you try to wean again...we should help each other through this together since it seems we are in similar situations, all because of the demons! May I ask how you tried weaning before? How much did you decrease your dosage, etc?
Thankfully I do have a xanax prescription...
As you said, one of the hardest things is going to be not looking forward to my daily high. Yes, the pain relief is wonderful too...however, just like you, I feel it makes me do my job better (almost to the point where I get a little kick of energy and feel like I have better conversations with my clients and even work harder). I also like that when I am stressed or sad or angry, it always feels better when I am high and somehow those things that are bothering me become...well...less important. Now I look forward to having that warm feeling kick in...and almost wonder what i will look forward to after I am fully weaned. Its hard to remember life before this...especially since I have only been taking these for a year....but somehow for 30 years I was happy without these pills..
I have found that exercise always makes me feel better particularly yoga. But I am considering seeing a therapist to discuss healthier ways to manage my stress and unhappiness. I don't think I have full blown depression, but who knows. I have a supportive husband who wants me off pills (he doesnt know how many I take a day) but i think talking to someone professional could help.
What have you tried? You mentioned issues with family etc...do you have a strong support network? Its funny how easy it is to open up to strangers...my husband knows I want to get off the pills but I think he would be horrified to know I take up to 80 mg a day. Yesterday I only took 60!!

What methods have you tried (post wean) to stay off them?
The hardest part will be letting go of the warm fuzzy feeling...I don't know why but its so comforting...
If you want my personal email let me know and we can email back and forth as we go through this....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am in the same boat as you. The first thing in the morning when i wake up i open a pop and take a lortab and i am so tired of being a slave to those little demons. I am actually trying to wean myself off right now too. I have done it before, but started back because of my back, but have decided that i would rather hurt than to have something to ruin and control my life. I have found that anti diarreha medicene, the vitamin niacin, clonazepam or xanax if you have a script for either can help you with the wd's, I feel like i have to have it or i dont feel normal, or that i can do my job better, or whatever it is that i am doing as long as its in my system, but i am not letting them ruin my life, they have already done enough damage to my life, my family, and me. If you have any advice for me feel free to comment.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i am in the same boat as you. The first thing in the morning when i wake up i open a pop and take a lortab and i am so tired of being a slave to those little demons. I am actually trying to wean myself off right now too. I have done it before, but started back because of my back, but have decided that i would rather hurt than to have something to ruin and control my life. I have found that anti diarreha medicene, the vitamin niacin, clonazepam or xanax if you have a script for either can help you with the wd's, I feel like i have to have it or i dont feel normal, or that i can do my job better, or whatever it is that i am doing as long as its in my system, but i am not letting them ruin my life, they have already done enough damage to my life, my family, and me. If you have any advice for me feel free to comment.
Helpful - 0

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