How do I get off of Vicodins

[ladyingold]

I am a 55 yr. old woman who is going through menopause and also suffer from fibromyalgia and bi-bipolar.  I started taking vicodins about 6 months ago to deal with the pain of fibromyalgia.  The typical dose 20 mgs a day.  When I run out of vicodins I "borrow" percocets from friend and take the same 20 mgs a day.  I now realize I am addicted.  Can you tell me what dosage do I start out with to get of the drug(s) suffering the minimal side effects.  Because of my employment,  I can not sign myself in to rehab or be so sick from withdrawal that I can't work.  Please help me.  Thanks in advance.  

[Greatgreebo]

Listen to worried...she's a nurse. If you have picked a quit day you can taper down a bit to get your mind and body ready. If you are on 20 mgs a day (4 pills X 5mgs?) you can start by only taking 3 pills a day (every eight hours) and after a few days bump down to 2.5 pills etc.....1 in the a.m, 1/2  mid-day, 1 at night. After a few days of that cut your a.m dose down to 1/2 a pill. After a few more days cut your mid-day dose out all together....anyway, you get the idea. Like worried said-you can go CT without to much difficulty-  It will be mostly mental rather than physical. If you are afraid of the CT then do the taper......It's great you are deciding to quit NOW before you get in deep. Keep positive and don't worry. You can do this. Keep a positive outlook and you will be fine.
Keep posting!
Greebs

[ladyingold]

You have no idea what your post means to me!  To your question how bad do I want this?  This is a must do thing!  I am the sole care taker of a son with late MS, thus the reason I can not do an in- house treatment.  I manage my bi polar without medicines.  It is very important to me to be substance free.  I switch to the vicodin from a drug prescribed for fibromyalgia called lyrica.  I suffered bad side effects from the lyrica the most annoying my feet feeling like needles where being poked in them. I will get my daughter to stay with me and her brother for 3 days when I quit to ensure my son will continue to receive quality care.  My quit day will be before next month!  Thank you so much worried878 you are a God-send!  Your post is the support and encouragement I needed.  I will come back to this forum to report my victory!  

[worried878]

20 mgs is not usually a "rehab dose"  I know to u it feels huge...but it is very do-able without inpatient rehab...i am a nurse and was a hydro user at 100 mgs//average//when i stopped///a nurse with a stressful job and went back to work day 5///2 years ago....i am 50 with a diagnosis of fibro but not accepting it as to me it is very vague
This is 90% upstairs///the physical wd at ur dose for 6 months is neglible///but ur mind will kick in and make it worse//specially with the bipolar diagnosis///being that u r bipolar//talking with the dr who takes care of this condition would be a good person to relate ur wishes to//in reality, physically u could drop that dose of 20 mgs and feel a bit flu-like for a few days and move on//if u r afraid mentally it is much much harder
Flushing what is left//tapering but as ur dose is low and tapering down is hard when somone is tightly mentally addicted/...picking a Quit day, cutting off supply including drs and friends or dealers, educating urself on supps, exercise etc to help u thru//health pages..thomas recipe rock!  being sure ur mind is ready to do this and hence a positve attitude as far as knowing this is sumpin u can do..seeking some sort of support/aftercare to keep u  from returning to the addiction u want to let go////are all important....the forum is full of support//and welcome////how bad do u want this?