How to withdraw from long-term hydrocodone use

[Hydrocophobic]

I've been taking hydrocodone for the past five years, and at maximum prescribed levels (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours - - which, naturally, means 2 every 4 hours) for the past two.  How do I get off this stuff?  Cold turkey?  Phased withdrawal?

[Poolman56]

I have been on hydro condone for 4 years and the last few weeks my feet burn and my head feels all tingly behind my ears. Any ideas. Poolman58

[lua154]

This is the first time I am write any comment on this kind community, but reading the posts really make me feel so much better and  strong to continue with my Lortab pills free life-  
Like most people here- I was such in denial about being addicted to the pills, for the last 4 years I am on this non-sense life style for pills- the last year is all what I think about, how to get my next prescription.  I am so thankful to God that I am realizing that I need to stop before gets out control, like some people here I never had being involve with drugs or alcohol, but one time my father in law gave me one lortab and felt so sick, maybe year later a coworker gave another one and I felt so great, working in retail 10 to 12 hours per day was one the best things I had done , gave me so much energy and make me feel so good all day- soon I was asking her for more and more, than I started looking for a doctor that will prescribe me some pain pills, when I finally found one after trying some that would not work, because my goal was getting to Lortabs I felt mission accomplished. After 2 years my family doctor notice that I might being looking for pain pills and reference me to a pain doctor, I am with  him for the last 2 years and he kept my prescription at 4 lortabs per day , what is not enough for my so call " back pain" after injections and have the thoughts about when I can get something else more strong and how, I decide  enough is enough, for the last 6 months the doctor put me on lortabs and tramadol- so I quit the lortab - because I took all my 120 in 2 weeks- so did not have any and was able to manage the dramadol last me until next prescription, but I was short for one day- the wirtdawls is brutal, I end up calling the doctor , told the true and ask them for tramadol and my next visit we will plan my idea about stopping the lortab and tramadol for good. I do have my husband support , what makes a big difference.
Finally I was able to realize that I don't want leave like this, with consuming thoughts every day in and out how I can get pills, my mother in law has a big suply Norco, Oxi, the norco she will give me time to time , what did not help to my increase desired to have more and more- so finally mu husband told her enough and I believe is the reason she stop give me them. Sorry for the long post- but in the end was for a good end anyways, I have not take lortabs for the last 10 days had not one and feeling so much better - my doctor did suspend the refills authorization I had , what in so many ways was blessing. Now is take one day at time - God bless you all

[chriskat777]

Wow... this thread is bigger than some books ive read... Thats a good idea to make it into a book... lets call it hydro....  Well I've taken hydros for along time and my brain says yes I want pills but I graduated last year to oxys and if I kept on going I would be on heroin right now... think about it please........

[gnarly_1]

HI you may have arested your use to 3 pills a day did to 4 pills a day for years so its not uncommon just know long term use WILL change your brain chemistry and your just a pill away from this thing running your life if your an adrenaline junkie like you say loose the pills altogether you dont need them it dose not say take for energy or clarity on the bottle there for pain get off them b/4 they grab ahold of you try an experment go 2 weeks without one and see how you feel you will then know just what a hold they have over you........Gnarly  

[Tellmetrue]

I take 2-3 hydro 10s per day. If been an athlete of many extreme sports for 30 years and continue my sports. Needless to say I've broke a few things and had periods of recovery and painkillers, taking as many as 4-6 per day, lasting for periods as long as 3 months. I usually stopped cold turkey and grateful to be clear and out of the fog of painkillers at those high amounts. I seek hours of exercise and maintain good nutrition and I'm only guessing that's contributed to why I've never been aware of withdrawals. I am ADD and unlearned that typical petscriptipn drug opiates give me energy, clarity and focus. I worked closely with my doctor monitoring my use at my request  and have no trouble keeping it to 3 or less hydro 10's per day. If I exceed this amount I don't like how I feel and I get headaches. 2-3 hits the spot and I'm just kind if locked into that. The more consistent and intense my workouts, the less I take. If I'm running, jumping out of planes or riding fast on my motorcycle I can go all day  and forget to take one. I assume I'm replacing the pills with my own endourphanes?  Again I don't want to harm my body or mind!! I'm not aware of any significant withdrawals but after 5 years I'm concerned I may be causing long-term harm to myself but I don't really know for sure and my doc seems to have no concerns.. It seems that it gives me more energy and I seem to be more productive; particularly when I'm in the computer or need motivation to do mundane tasks. I feel great and I have no lingering pain anywhere in my body. Lately I have been considering stopping cuz of the social stigma and I honestly have no idea if I'm harming myself and going to pay later. Is this a big deal? Should I stop??? Btw, my only noticeable symptom is that if I don't take them I have a drop in energy and I drag a bit and need a coke or a coffee to get energy but it's not the same and I don't want those sugars of excessive caffeine in my system. When life is good I have no problems but in stressful circumstances I feel like I'm more sensitive or potentially emotionally reactive. I don't tend to express it externallly but I'm aware of the stress internally. Is 2-3 a lot? Can long term use at these levels effect you vision and/or memory. Both have been changing in the past year or so but I don't know if it's the pulses or age??? I'm grateful for any insight and especially any data regarding my usage. Thank you

[Vannessa12]

Well i read all ur testemony and i want to share mine well i started to take vicodine exstra streght 4 my gallstone surgery and thn kept on taking thm 4 5 yrs already and this is not da 1st time i detoxed but i could say as of today im 2 days clean its hard i knw the longest was 5 days but i even went through burning my self just to get a bottle i dnt knw why i did that but i guess it was the enxiety that led me to that i uselly get 30 ultrams 60 vicodines and 45 tynelo 3s every month  but i run out in 3 to 4 days wow i just cannot cotroll my self even after feeling real good i still take more i knw i need help but im scared of getting it someone plz help advise thank u