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Trying to wean off hydrocone
I have been on hydrocodone now for almost 4 years. I started at 7.5 twice a day and in a matter of 4 years, I was taking up to 9 a day. I have chronic pain due to scoliosis and rheumatoid and after 4 years of my family doctor prescribing these, he sent me to pain management. They now have me on 10/325 4 times a day and what I have been doing is taking a half of one every two to two and a half hours because I am experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression from cutting back. I don't know if a lot of the anxiety is in my head, because I am so afraid of going through withdrawl from these stupid pills. I feel like a slave to them, it's all I think about, when my next dose will be, and of coarse, the anxiety makes the pain worse. I want to get off these things, I've become way too dependent on them and my brain loves the effect of the pill. What should I do, any advice from anyone? than you very much.
Thank you for checking in on me, I could not handle the sudden drop, so I went back to the dr. and he prescribed me 10/325 one every four hours, but I am still experiencing the anxiety. He said he will help me wean after I get radiofrequency injections in my back. I'm wondering if taking 1/2 every two hours would do better than one every four hours. It seems that the first 2 hours I am fine, with the pain level and anxiety and the next two hours are hell. I'm seriously thinking about going into treatment or detox. I have hepatitis c, some health problems which could make cold turkey a little too scary for me. Milk thistle helps protect and have been taking that for years, all blood work is normal thank God. I just am so looking forward to being free of this drug, it has obsessed my mind, my body and my spirit. It's been very upsetting to come to the realization that I am addicted to pain pills. Never thought it would happen to me. Never bought them off the streets, never been a street drugger, it's all been prescriptions. Anyway, thank you again for your concern, God bless you
Hi would you share your detox center experience with me? I think for me that is going to be the best route, however there is only one here that I can go to and it's only 3 days, they give shots of robaxone, is that how you spell it? and librium, I called them, dont want that robaxon stuff.
hi i just signed up when i read your post can you please send me more info...i am desperate and no one knows that im an addict.....if i log off sudden that is why not even my husband knows this....doing 600 mg daily oxy's.....i need help please tell me more about where you went.....any one else i need any and all help ..thank you
Congratulations Kim on your decision to quit - way to go. Hang in there, you will feel better in a few days.
Susan, you asked if anyone had gone to a detox center. I have gone through withdrawal cold turkey before and it was very hard, but it did not kill me. I did go through a medically assisted detox in June and it was the best decision I ever made. I detoxed off suboxone and it was an 8 day program. The doctor used some medications that really helped keep me comfortable and I slept alot - I was given doses of narcan each day - which knocked the opiate off my brain quicker. I was clean and had minimal w/d after 8 days and after about two weeks started to feel like my old self again. I will be 100 days tomorrow and have never felt better. I would be happy to share more information with you if you are interested - send me a message.
Susan, you asked if anyone had gone to a detox center. I have gone through withdrawal cold turkey before and it was very hard, but it did not kill me. I did go through a medically assisted detox in June and it was the best decision I ever made. I detoxed off suboxone and it was an 8 day program. The doctor used some medications that really helped keep me comfortable and I slept alot - I was given doses of narcan each day - which knocked the opiate off my brain quicker. I was clean and had minimal w/d after 8 days and after about two weeks started to feel like my old self again. I will be 100 days tomorrow and have never felt better. I would be happy to share more information with you if you are interested - send me a message.
The anxiety has gotten a little better. And Im not watching the clock as much as I did at first. That drove me nuts. But Im like you, I try to be busy and Im not thinking about it so much. Everyday gets a little better. Im looking forward to being off these things finally!
Thank you all for your support, has anyone here ever gone into a detox center? I think I would prefer to be monitored if I were to go that route. I think maybe the hydro caused my blood pressure to rise, it's been high lately, anyone else have that problem? Grateful to be here. Susan
How is your anxiety level? Mine is really high. That is the worst part for me. Good for you on the tapering you have done, I find that if I stay busy I don't feel the anxiety as much, however bedtime is rough. The only way I will go cold turkey is to go into a detox center, my blood pressure has been up and I think that would be safer for me, also don't think I can handle complete detox at once. Also the back pain is getting worse so starting to take ibuprofen for that so I don't want to take more of the hydro. Good luck to you, yes we can do this, and we will. Thanks
Ive been tapering for a few weeks now. I go down about 5 mg every 4 days or so. It seems to take me that long to get used to each taper. The slower the better really. My wd symptoms are minimal. Spread them out through the day even breaking them up to spread it all out. Tomorrow Im going down to 2 pills a day (10 mg pills). I will break them in half and take 4 halves throughout the day. Good luck to you and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Good luck to you!!! We can do it!
Hi Susan, i was on a similar dosage as you for about 2 years now and today is my first day with no pills. I have tapered a little the past 2 days but I feel like that just prolongs the process. I am quitting cold turkey, without any tapering at all. If you have a couple days to "be sick" then I think you should consider going that route, considering a lot of things I have been hearing from people about it. Tapering is hard because your mind will make excuses for taking that one or two extra pills. There's a lot of different supplements that you can take too... a lot of them are in the thomas recipe in the lower right hand corner health section. I also have been taking a sleeping pill or something similar to sleep at night, I've found that to be the most difficult part. I only signed up for this forum yesterday, and already the support on here has given me so much confidence to kick this addiction. So good luck to you, you can definitely do it and the worst will be over soon!
Today is my final day of tapering. From 12 10mg. lortabs down to 2 10 mg. in the past four days. It's been tough. But I'm sick of taking painkillers. I have chronic back and sciatic pain. I'm tired of my life revolving around my pain meds. I have anxiety, but not much more. I've been without meds. for 24 hours. Thats's when everything hit me. But I think I'm through the worst part. It's more mental for me than physical. If I can go 24 hours without ANY HYDROCODONE, I know I can make it. I cleaned my house, and am ready to be sick for 5-7 days. You Can Do It. I Will. I am. Meditation has helped alot, as I have nor want any benzos. I'm too afraid. GOOD LUCK! Know that there is someone else going through what you are, in real time.
Yes I sit and wait for my next dose, OMG, this is sad, I am crying a lot, but keeping busy does help. Do you think that taking a half every two hours is too much? How long have you been tapering off this stuff and how did you do it? I am ready.
Hi Susan, Im tapering of hydros myself. I was taking at least 6 10mg pills a day, most of the time it was around 8. Now Im down to 2 1/2 pills a day. Its working good for me, but everyone is different. I have small symptoms between each taper but its very minor. Some rls and Im a little tired but thats really about it. Oh yes, and the watching the clock waiting for time to take another, but honestly this past week that hasnt been so bad. There was anxiety with that for a while, but its gotten easier. I try to keep busy. Ive been meaning to get some vitamin b complex but havent gotten them yet, I think that might help my energy level. In a few more days Im going down to 2 pills a day. Its good if you have someone to hold them for you and give them to you when its time. I dont have that so Im having to trust myself. So far Ive done good with it. Good luck to you, and keep posting as it helps alot talking to everyone here.
Morning Susan, Anxiety from fear of withdrawal is strong and many of us experience it as we realize that we are dependant on opiates and have a drive to stop. Just know that everyone who takes opiates goes through the same thing that you are going through and it does get better. You are doing the right thing by tapering off the meds. The best way to taper is to continue decreasing your dose, but also going longer and longer in between your doses. Taper down until you are taking maybe 1/2 tablet once or twice per day, then decide on a quit date - if that's your final goal, and stop. There are resources in the health pages located on the top left that will give you additional pointers on tapering and some otc products that will help ease withdrawal. Keep posting, the awesome people on this site will help you through the process. All the best,
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