"11 year on hydro-codone 750"

[asleep]

Real Simple question for which I KNOW there is NO simple answer, BUT.....I have been on hydos-750 for 11 years, 2x day sometimes 3 or 4 a day.....reasons are non-important at this time. I want to get OFF them badly, and I am fearing the worst for my liver. I have had bad head aches since I was a kid and these pills are the only thing that seem to take the edge off, never the less, I want to stop taking them. Every time I try to stop I get the aches and pains and 99% of the time the headaches are still bad. I want to know #1 how long, (after an 11 year run) will it take to get off these and can ultrams help me just until I am clear of the hydro. ALSO......and this will be weird......I have IBS, BUT when I am on the hydro it does not really bother me as much as when I am not, have no clue how to handle that one.
As addiction is a desperate thing, I know I sound desperate, but I can't stand taking them anymore because of anxiety issues regarding my health.....................PLEASE does anyone know how long it will take after 11 years or am I just spinning my wheels here?

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Use 800mg of ibuprophen for the headache......maybe invesigate L-Tyrosine for an energy boost........

[asleep]

Day two.....an unscheduled tapering of events has left me feeling pretty crappy this morning. I did not plan on missing my night time dosage by any means last night, but it happened and maybe it was a blessing in disguise. I also backed off the ambien dosage last night. My headache is sooooo bad this morning, I took a tab and a 1/2 of hydro as I had to get going and take care of my responsibilities this morning. So my plan was to be down from 5 or 6 tabs in a day to 2 tabs a day by Monday......for reasons beyond my control(or maybe sub-consciously in my control?) I am now at a tab and a 1/2 a day on day 2! I feel like ****!!!! I know it's been said before and I am not sure how some of you don't get tired of hearing it. I have a full schedule today and I am not sure how this will work out. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and achy. And this headache is killing me......

[asleep]

My self dosage varied, usually 2 tabs in the morning as this is the most painful time of the day.....which is why I have decided to only take a tab and 1/2 this morning. Then at lunch time I would take another tab, hoping to not take that one today. Then at night it would vary between 2 tabs or just one, but honestly it would be mostly be 2. With the IBS I have a big concern of functionality in my busy life. (no gallbladder to make it worse) I was able to use the hydro to keep myself out of the bathroom more often than not, also, I am very active in that my job requires a certain amount of physical activity, (just can not be in the bathroom all the time) and my other activities may find me in areas where a bathroom does not exist. Are these excuses? NO and yes, but if I am honest HERE, then maybe someone will write something that may work for me. I sure am glad that the days of locking up the addicted for months of solitude are long gone and that there all these help tools for the real person who are just trying to get through the day.

[worried878]

did u use them thruout the day or all at once?  ur dose is so low..u will feel perhaps a bit of discomfort physically..maybe none as that dose is so low..the time used is notable...but u have controlled ur use..most would be way over that by now..so perhaps u r not a true addict//and that makes wd much easier...good to worry before u r too deep in..keep posting

[beatingthis]

I agree with theeagle. 1 problem at a time.
You are at the point where you have had enough. It is stopping you from doing what you want to do.

At the bottom page you will see Thomas recipe It really help.
Your doing everything right. Knowledge is power. When I wanted to stop I wasn't sure what would happen with w/d's. I was ready because of this place.

Sleep is a problem during w/d's. Hydro first then on to the next.
Keep posting it really helps.
Don't forget to look at thomas's recipe.

Terry

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

You are in the correct frame of mind to quit entirely......Sounds like you are sick  'n tired of being sick and tired....everyone that doesnt Od or go on a maintenance drug gets to that point at some time. Time will be a huge part of this adventure....you know that.  Dont make the ambien a deal breaker on this. Sleep problems are a biggie and you might want to tackle one problem at a time. Use the tears generously - thats why we have them...many more emotions will probably surface. Stay strong and keep posting...and good luck with evrything ........

[asleep]

I really appreciate the words of encouragement! As I read on and try to establish a plan, I realize that as in most things....TIME is my biggest problem, funny, that go's for a lot of things in my life. I have BIG opportunities coming my way, but I have to be healthy and in shape....being on the pain meds really limits me in that area and I would tell anyone who said that they didn't- they are not being honest. I would hate to think that I let a chance of a life time go by me because of some stupid pills! I am sure that everyone here has read these words over and over again, and each has had to make up their own plan on how to tackle this, so I will ask......please keep the advise coming as I will NO DOUBT be referring to these forums in the weeks to come. I have not read much on this forum about ambien addictions, but as my luck would go, I am sure that it is just as bad as any other pill that has some warning regarding addictions on the label.............with that said, I am ALSO trying to get off of those. (15 years on that one). I have thought to myself at times that I HATED my DR. for giving any of this stuff to me in the first place, but then, WE do make the final decision on what we put in our body, don't we? I think I have written enough now, there is a lump in my throat and I guess I still DO have tears to fall, when your on these things, sometimes things like tears and laughter are just occasional happenings.  
Thanks again.

[beatingthis]

I am also a migraine person. Bad, almost daily. I was taking hydro 10/325 for 5 years.
10 sometime more sometimes less. It was the most horrible cycle I have ever been on.
Zomig, hydro, topamax, Botox, nerve block, all the anti depressants, beta blockers you name it I tried it. Hydro gave me life back....for awhile. I did a taper down plan that worked for me. I also went to my doc and told him I am done. Almost 70 days now and my head is better now then it has been in 20 years of the darn things. I still get them but not as bad. Somedays are worse then others. what I am trying to say is your better off without them. If you are worried about your liver get a blood test. I still get them every 6 months.
It is amazing how good you will feel. W/d's only last about 7 to 10 days. It is like having the flu x10. If you prepare you can do it!!!! So question #1 7 to 10 days. Everybody is different #2 tram is also addictive.
The reason your IBS is better is because hydro dries you out. See you doc.
You can do this!
Almost everybody here started with and still has pain. You just deal with it differently.

Terry

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Agree with TrayCee here - lots of people come through here with several hundred mg habits of hydrocodone. You do have good historical background - but thats not quite as important with the hydro's as it is for some other meds...... You are actually at a therapeutic dose.... so your liver should be okay...you may have a liver panel run pretty cheaply (about $30)  and then you would know for certain if your worry was warranted or not. The liver is an incredible organ and capable of regeneration - -  takes a lot to trash one. The limts on acceptable acetaminophen are 4000mgs per day.  The length of your use may be a bigger obstacle.  It is probably an ingrained habit by now.... you may need to take inventory and find some cues (triggers) and eliminate them, or at least recognize them.... And avoid them...

[TrayCee]

the worst physical wd's will be over in a week or 2. Thats when the hard part starts, it'll be a whole life style change.  Google PAWS for more info. Youre not on a very high dose so it wont be as bad as you think.

Good Luck!