I've made a schedule and a quit date!!!!!

[Mandapanda17]

hello all, just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has sent me words of advice, wisdom, etc! It is so helpful to have everyone here dealing with the same issues I am. I typed a taper schedule and I'll be darned if I don't stick to it! My jump off date is 8/26/08!!!! Ironically enough that is my fiances birthday :) I'm excited to do this and can't wait to be free from pain meds forever! Wish me luck and strength to do this and if anyone wants to chat about anything I'll be on here as often as possible. Thanks again to everyone and hope to talk to you all soon! Much love, Manda ;)

[GoingToMakeIt]

That is the best birthday present you could give.

[avisg]

You can do this sweety !!!!we will all be here for you .

[Mandapanda17]

thank you soooo much!! I know its the best birthday present for him and for myself!!! :)

[CR_ST_NA]

great for you...............so happy for you, hope your taper works for you....... i could never taper, i've always been all or nothing. ive always been cold turkey, i could never taper. i am proud of you. stick to your guns and i look forward to your sobriety birthday so i can send you lots of birthday congrats..........christina

[LONESOME]

That sounds like a great day to regain your life back,
Good Luck and we are here for you always

[Mandapanda17]

thanks again :) I am going to do this!! I need to stay motivated every day and I'm going to do my best.

[wanttobeclean]

Congratulations Manda!  It's different written down on paper..isn't it!  We'll be happily counting down with you too!

[Mandapanda17]

It IS different when its written down! Its liberating. I know I can make this happen!!  thanks for the support :)

[worried878]

Sounds like u have a plan!   good 4 u...stay focused and dont lose motivation....u r enthusiastic and dont lose the enthusiasm..stay strong

[Mandapanda17]

So now I have a quit date!! 8/26/08! It could be sooner if I get sick of this and jump off, but for now I'm going to focus on keeping that date and taking this day by day until I get to where I need to be. CLEAN!! :) I am motivated now, but I worry about myself because as soon as the wds kick in....I'm no longer motivated. I'm going to work tomorrow morning and I'm nervous about that too. I need to not let everyday life throw me off. i'm easily thrown off by stress and anxiety, this time I can't be!! thanks :)

[dominosarah]

You have the strength, determination and plan so lets go girl!!!!!!  I am so happy for you.  Take it one day at a time.  We are here and keep posting!!!!!!           sara

[Mandapanda17]

thanks!! I will be definitely be taking it one day at a time!!! :)

[FriaryGrad]

When you get fully clean -- which you WILL because I will be praying for you -- you're not going to believe the vicious cycle of anxiety/stress/drugs/stress/anxiety you've been experiencing.  Get rid of the drugs, and the other two will greatly improve. If you need treatment for anxiety, GET professional treatment for anxiety, and reveal to the doctor that you are a recovering addict, whose anxiety has remained despite the fact that you no longer use drugs.  You know, the truth.  It will feel really good, and your doctor will help you.  HOWEVER, if your doctor gives you another addicting drug, change doctors. Don't fill the prescription.  There are ways to treat anxiety with non-addicting meds, talk therapy, or both. Please stick with this....speed it up if you can.  You won't believe the freedom you'll have.........

[Mandapanda17]

thank you for the prayers :) I'm sure I will need them. I hope so much that my anxiety will ease after being completely clean. If not I will talk to my doctor and see what I need to do. I may speed it up depending on the days I have off work over the next month. If I have 3 off in a row then thats a good way to deal with the withdrawals at home :) thanks again!

[broknbck]

good for you!
it went pretty smooth for me and i hope for you too.

[Zantaz]

Good luck!!  I've done the same.  Started tapering last week and my end date is labor day weekend.  If I fail, then that weekend, I'm going CT.  This is kind of a bday present to myself as well as the 29th is my bday.  I'd like to spend it with my family rather than going thru massive wd's.

Tapering is tough, but keep reminding yourself about your goal and keep reading here if necessary.  I've got a FT job as well as 2 little ones.  I've been moody and depressed and tired.  But I'm plowing thru it.  When I'm feeling weak, I read some of the stories here to give me inspiration.  It really has helped.

I also find that doing things to get my mind off of it has helped.  I've chosen to read on the internet because that's all I can really do at work.  When I feel the minor wd's start, I find an engrossing website or just stumble along until it's time for me to take my next pill.  I'm down to half's every 3 hours or so now.  Next step is adding an hour in between.

[worried878]

So nice to hear the xcitement in ur typing  LOL....excitement and a bit of fear came with being done for me...I was really excited but a bit afraid...mixed emotions...now i see what would have been scary was to continue on the path i was on...excited 4 u!

[Mandapanda17]

I will definitely be going CT if I fail as well. Today has not been as positive as yesterday so far. LOTS of anxiety. Feeling better already as i''ve been reading on here already. how have you been sleeping so far during your taper? For me anxiety=insomnia. Not a good combo!! I know I can do it and know you can too! If we can't taper it'll be CT soon enough! thanks for your note ;)