Can you Tapper down off hydrocodone

[Mcappelli]

I have been taking norco 10/325, 6 to 10 times a day for approximately 2 years.  I was wondering if it makes things easier, the withdrawals, if you tapper down.  I have gone down to 4 a day, then 3 a day and am now at 2 a day.  I plan on going to either 1 a day or stopping cold at the two a day plan. Has anyone tried this?   Are the withdrawals any easier or no different in affects and amount of time needed (5-9 days).

Thanks in advance for any help.  

[Laciepaws]

Hey M--take a look at the thread from June 6 by Onewayoranother. Did the taper thing and there's some good advice on it, should answer your questions. Short answer is it's 50/50. Some tough out the cold turkey (CT) some slow taper, some just jump. I've done all 3, this time was both short and fast--one day about 2.5mg over 8 hours, next day nuthin. For me it was all the same...except this time I'm not goin back. On day 10, feel better every day,  and decided it was time--kinda forced into it but from day 1 made up my mind it's time, for the best, and am getting the relief and help I WANT and need.  Enough roller coaster....I'm taking my life back!

You can too--troll the threads, take what works, and let us know if we can help or how you're doing. No judgment here, just great support from newbies like me to old hands like gnarly, spider, msdeligt, and many many others.  Reach out--there are more spirits than you can count reaching back and you'll make friends and form an online support group along the way!  

GOD BLESS!
Lacie

[spike6095]

I stopped cold turkey 38 days a go ,was taking 6, 5-325 for 7 years. Good luck, you can do this.

[TikkiTT]

I did a slow taper, staying at each level from 4 or 5 days and finally dropping to 1/2 of a 10/325 and while I didn't have severe symptoms, I did have diarrhea, sneezing. and lethargy.    I did it about as slow as humanly possible.   I made out a schedule and adhered to it without fail.   I didn't have the RLS or trouble sleeping, but I did not escape the withdrawals entirely.   So they were lessened, but I still had them.    I was taking about the same as you and dropped to 3 before I began the taper.   Sometimes I thought it would just be best to do it CT and get it over with.   Anyway, that's my take on it.   Good luck to you.

[pillguy]

Tapering will make the withdrawal much less intense but nearly the same lenght of time (week +)

[Mcappelli]

Yes, I am having symptoms now.  Not as bad as when I tried to go off cold turkey however I have not stopped completely and that is where my fear comes in to play.  Will this method make things easier and/or shorter when I do totally stop?  Does anyone know?

[IBKleen]

Well, has it been easier so far? If it is working then keep on going. Many people cannot do it but the few that can..that's great. Are you having any symptoms now?