Vicodine user ready for Detox

[Brentwood]

I have been a medically prescribed addict to Vicodine for nearly (5) years.  I have had 2 total knee replacements and endless pain issues so this habit wasn't developed out of recreational use but I am smart enough to know that I am addicted.  I had what is hoped to be the last of (8) surgeries in the past (4) years this past February 14th.

I am now ready to begin an attempt to get off the vicodine but I have gone through this before, just not as extremely physically addicted as I am now.  I am terrified and really not sure how to even begin to go about this.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[bmc1976]

I think your taper sounds pretty good. I would go at least a couple days before going to your next dose. You just have to find out what works best for you. I once did a quick taper over a week and then I was done. I would stretch it out a little longer if you can. If you find out you're not able to taper any further, you might have to just go cold turkey. Tapering takes a lot of willpower.Just stick to your plan and you can do this. One thing that helped me the most during withdrawals was exercise and fluids. I would go for a walk in the evening, then a hot bath, a little tv, and then bed. It makes it so much easier. Also, come to this forum for support. It's amazing how typing about how you are feeling and getting responses can help. I couldn't have done it without all of the wonderful people on here. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

[Brentwood]

Giving it a shot.  I went for a stint cold turkey, last dose (took 2) yesterday at 4 pm.  I made it through the night and am now trying a reduction method as suggested. So I went 15 hours 45 min without any pills.  Instead of (2) I took 1 1/2 this am at 7:45.  Right now it is 11:30am (almost 4 hours in) so far so good.  I figure if I traditionally take 6 to 8 4 times a day, by eliminating a 1/2 pill at each time, it is a start.  How long do you go before you reduce your intake further?

[Shotrock]

Doesn't sound like your ready. Some say Suboxone is a miracle drug, it needs to be used right, it does allow you to function, if you don't mind all of a sudden sweating profously at any moment. lol  It needs to be monitored and tapered by a good doctor.
Sorry but you have to suffer, I'm day 4 and feel free thanks to my new friends here. When you ready taper and then Cold Turkey. You say 6-10 OK prove it do 6 for 1 week, 2 every 4 hours make it thru the night or 1and a half every 4 hours to make the night better 6 days Then 1 every 4 hours 3 days time it to a Thursday and take long weekend and go Cold Turkey. Good Luck

[Brentwood]

What is suboxone?  Secondly, I currently take anywhere from 6 to 10 5-500mg pills a day (depending on pain levels)...Is there no way to do this without suffering physically?  I'm not sure I can taper down this time.  I fear that if I can relieve my suffering, I will simply do it.  

[mommy52713]

have you thought about cutting down on the amount of pills you take per day? say you take 10 try 9 for a week then go down 1 more the next week untel you are down to nothing this can be easeyer than going cold turkey just a thought i know it has worked for me in the past i am also tapering off methadone good luck this site can really help there are alot of great people on this site holly

[cathy5841]

hi, welcomr to the forum.  there are a couple of ways to go.  cold turkey, tapering and with something like suboxone.  to avoid such harsh physical w/ds if you have the pills available you could taper.  keeo in mind this is very hard to do.  i couldnot do it...if i had pills i took them.  but if you can taper it will take a little longer to get clean, but the end results are the same.  if not you can go cold turket.  you are lookin at about 7 days of hell and then it gradually gets better.   or the suboxone plan works great for some.  let us know how you wanna do it and we will help anyway we can.  keep posting it helps alot
cathy

[Shotrock]

First of all you can do it. if your ready, I'm in day 4 of WDS off Norco 4 years 15-20 a day. Don't do suboxone unless all else fails, for me the WDS off it were the Devil. How many are you doing a day? We need to set you on a taper program, you have to want it, because if your not suffering a little your not tapering ( my opinion ) but I'm only day 4 maybe crazy legs is gonna come back tonight I hope not.  The best thing you ever did was post on this site, regardless of what you do let these people help you, they are the Best. And because of our former hobbie's we're all pretty smart about DOC.