lortab withdraw

I have been on lortab 10mg for 3 yrs 4x a day due to migraines, I had sinus surgery last year, since then I have been tapering off, I'm now down to 2x a day, I would like to know if I stop cold turkey would I have withdraw symptoms?

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

You are taking 20 mg of hydrocodone per day--- a low dose of narcotic.  To put it in perspective, oxycodone is 50% to 100% stronger, and a typical addict who comes to my office for help is taking 100-300 mg of oxycodone per day-- sometimes over 500 mg. So I would expect your withdrawal to be relatively mild.

BUT-- everyone hates opioid withdrawal, and even mild withdrawal is miserable.  You will likely experience a very strong desire to keep taking the medication, and an inner restlessness for days that cries out for hydrocodone.  I strongly encourage you to stick with your plans though-- the cravings WILL go away, probably in 2-3 weeks (the worst of it will be over after a few days).  By the end of a month you'll feel 100% better.

[mommy03507]

sounds good, I can deal with a desire to take it, as long as I don't have the sweating, unable to sleep, crawly skin as I've read. I'm pretty strong person, when will the little withdrawl (withdrawal) start?