Help with Vicoden withdrawal

[jms2009]

I've been addicted to prescription vicoden for over a year.  I've tried several times to quit taking it, however I experience horrible withdrawal symptoms such as cramps, diarrhea, nausea, cold sweats, etc.  At the present time, I take around 10 (10mg) pills a day.  I've heard the best way is to slowly lower my dosage.  While doing this, can anyone help me out with tips to minimize the symptoms?

[jcd10]

Listen to Bob and Brian. To fast to soon is not good. You can do more harm than good.  I tried to get off myself and almost ended up dead. I finally had a doctor help me and she first asked me if I was commited to getting off the meds. Yes...next she asked if I would agree to go back up on the meds since I came down to soon.  I didn't want to but she said It was the successful way to do this.. You have to stick to a stricted schedule. Don't try to go down each day...she had me decrease each week. In your case 6 a day for a week...than 5 a day for a week and so on. Be sure you take them at the same time every day. Even though you will hate to take them you will probably be waiting for the next dose with your eyes on the clock...THAT'S OK..don't wait any longer than your scheduled time just because you think you can take it...you will feel tired and all the other things people have told you. But it's worth it to take your time. So you don't relapse.  It will (and should) take a few weeks...to get totally off them. Use the suppliments. At first  I took off work and slept as much as I could to get through the worse part. Don't beat yourself up for waiting for your scheduled dose...it's part of the process.  Remember stick to the schedule. I hope this helps. I haven't explained the all my details but I hope this helps. Ask if you need further explaining.  Good luck.

[bmdad]

I would be careful with a too fast of a taper. As Bob said, he felt 10% every 3 days didn't give much time to adjust. You don't want to feel too bad and end up right back where you started. Just take your time and let your body do the talking. I also fully agree with Bob on not letting your friend who has detoxed hold the pills. That is just asking for trouble. Once a addict, always a addict. I know if I had even 5 years clean and someone asked me to hold their pills they would just be calling my name. There would just be too much temptation. They may think they will be okay but if for some reason they just decided to take one, that may be all it takes.
Many people go cold turkey all the time. The worst is over in about 5 days or so and it gets better from there. So if you find that the taper isn't working, I would just go for it.
Just hang in there. You will beat this!!
Brian

[jstntime]

Hi again,

DO NOT give those pills to your detoxed friend no matter how long ago the detox happened or what their drug of choice was.  That is a recipe for disaster and you would forever live with yourself knowing you had a role in helping cause their relapse.  Please, I can't stress this enough.

Yes your other friend cannot understand, don't hold this against them, they have NO IDEA!!!!!

You are doing all the right things!!!!!!
Keep us posted,

bob

[jms2009]

Thank you both so much.  I have looked up the amino acid protocol.  I'm definitely going to stock up on some immodium and a few other things today.  

BMDAD, I am definitely going to drop my dosage a little faster.  Like you said, let your body do the talking.  

I took 6 pills yesterday.  If I can stay at 6 today without a problem I am going to try 5.5 tomorrow.  As long as I don't get those horrible stomach pains or feel any other strong WD symptoms I should be fine to do that right?

Bob, I can give the pills to a few reliable people.  One of these friends has been through this before and gone to detox for it.  I can surely give them to him and I know he will do that right thing, but its not that easy to see him.  I have another person who can do this for me, but this person doesn't truly understand whats going on with my mind and body right now.  This person says "that it is all in my mind. and i can just stop cold turkey".  That worries me because will this person get rid of all the pills and then I will be in the position that I worry about the most, no pills and horrible WD's.  I think I may be better off holding them myself.  If I even the slightest bit think I am going to take more I will have someone hold them for me.

I will definitely be posting and reading often.  Thanks so much for your great advice.  I will be sure to let you know how I am doing.

[jstntime]

Hi again,

You sound determined and that is good.  You are also preparing which is another great sign.

I think your taper plan is fine if you're able to stick to it.  Is your dispenser person reliable?  Will they give you more than you want if you beg them????  Be honest with yourself, you have admitted your difficulty tapering in the past.

Try your plan out and if you start to really feel sick, do not go to the next taper.  Sounds simple right?  It's not.  For most of us here tapering is impossible.

A friend I know made a deal with himself that if he took more than he was supposed to for his taper, he was going to flush the rest.  

As for remedies, immodium for sure.  You can also look up the Thomas recipe items found at bottom right of this site.

As for advice, come here often, post, update, read and learn everything that may happen to you based on users with similar size and length of time habits.  

My last piece of advice is to dig in and want this bad for yourself because it's the ONLY way it's going to happen.

Goodluck and Godspeed,

bob

[bmdad]

If you look in the health pages located in the upper right of the page you will see the "amino acid protocol". It list some vitamins and supplements that will help your mind and body heal a little faster. Another thing I would get for sure is immodium. It is a Godsend for the stomach and diarrhea. The L-Tyrosine will help a little with the lack of energy. You have to take this with the vitamin B-6 and B-12 for it to be effective. Also be sure to exercise! I found exercise to help more than anything. I know it's hard to muster up the energy to do so, but force yourself!!
When tapering you can let your body do the talking. Once in the past I did a very quick taper that only lasted about 10 days. I was taking upwards of 20 or so 10mg norco. If I would have dropped 1 every 5 days it would have taken months!!
Just keep up the great mental attitude. Like you said, you know you can beat this!! Hang in there and keep going strong!!
Best of luck!
Brian

[jms2009]

I've tried to quit several times and you are right, it is very easy to talk myself into taking a few more "just for today". I have someone I can give a "stash" and have them dispense me the pills.  I just haven't given anyone them yet.  But I've finally gotten to the point where I just can't do this anymore.  I KNOW I can stop taking them.  The main problems with the withdrawal are the stomach pains, diarrhea, and no energy.

I've read up a lot about this in this community.  From the posts I've read I made a list of a few things that are going to help me and purchased them today: bananas, spinach, peas, sports drinks, benadryl - to sleep, and Hyland's Restful Legs).  Are there any other remedies or pointers you can give me?

Also, I average about 10 a day.  However, today is my first day of tapering off.  I have taken 5 today.  I didn't get any bad stomach pains, besides when I first woke up in the morning.  Do you think it would be safe to try and take only maybe 2 more today.  Then start tomorrow with the 7 and go from there?  I read that you should reduce 10-15% every week or so, which worried me because I want to finish taking these things as soon as possible.  I am going to use your 3 day rule of thumb - or 4 if I can't handle it.

Thanks so much. Your help is definitely appreciated. =)

[jstntime]

Yes, withdrawal will be much easier if you taper your dose down slowly.  The problem however is that this is next to impossible if you are addicted.  Many find that they are more successful if someone can dispense them the pills as needed.

The problem occurs because as your dose lowers, it is so easy to talk yourself into taking a few more "just for today" and wrecking your schedule.

A general rule of thumb I see often is a 10% reduction every 3 days.  Personally, I never thought 3 days was long enough to adjust.

If I could taper from your dose I simply would take one less pill per day for the next week and so on.....  ( 9 per day next week, then 8 per day for a week and so on).  Like I said this is tough to do.  Some do manage however and I hope you are one of them!!!!

bob