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Hydrocodone Withdrawal

I have been taking hydrocodone for about 2 1/2 years at an increasing rate, ending up with the 7.5 strength and about 18-20 per day.  I do have severe arthitis pain and am a 51 year old woman.  I have to cut down and recently cut down to 10 a day and have experienced physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms.  I have some clonidine and don't know how much to take for withdrawal.  What is the recommended dosage.  My goal is to eventually cut down to 4 a day, but have been very uncomfortable at 10.  I also take effexor and trazadone for depression, but I am so depressed right now.  Hydrocodone, believe it or not has helped my depression and has given me something to look forward to. This site has helped, knowing other people go through the same thing.  Hydrocodone has become my reason to live. I know this has to change.
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Avatar universal
I am a 56 year old chronic pain sufferer. I have been taking 5-500 Vicodin at the rate of 3 to 4 a day since 1992. I've been moved up to 10-500 Lortabs (4 a day) since I became a diabetic at 52 and developed painful neuropathy. I am also a heart patient, have Barret's espphpgus, arthritis and a form of Carpal Tunnel in both feet that will require a REALLY painful surgery maybe next year. I've had 9 orthopedic surgeries and in all reality I actually need this relief. A year ago I was moved up to 5 Lortabs daily as my left knee showed signs of my 9 year old ACL cadaver piece transplant possibly failing. When I could stand the pain no longer (in spite of the meds) surgery was set up. Recalling the sheer agony of the machine you strap into to slowly bend the new knee for 3 weeks, I explained to the doctor I would need a single dose of Oxycodone to take after I got home from work until I got surgery. As a utility worker I walk 8 to 12 miles a day. As an HMO member I had to wait a month for approval. The doc complied. I was taking 4 Lortabs to hobble up and down the stairs of the power plant and one Oxycodone 30mg when I got home. When the HMO took a second month to approve the proceedure, I got a second bottle. Then I informed the surgeon that I would need a 'scrip of Percocet (also an Oxycodone as opposed to Lortabs and Vicodin's Hydrocodone) 7.5's to get through the therapyy and recovery.  This is where I am at now. The surgeon gave me one week's worth of Percocet 7.5's then a week's worth of Percocet 5's. As I lay here I have 3 pills left and have been weaning myself down from the Oxycodone  with the aid of my faithful Lortabs. But surprise !  Hydrocodone does not replace Oxycodone hardly at all. So I lay here, my pain controlled with my usual meds, BUT I am going through withdrawals from the Oxycodone ! I don't need any more Oxycodone as I am recovering BUT I will continue to require the Hydrocodone maintenance dose for all my other issues or it is a lost job and a wheelchair for me. Don't forget the needless pain I would endure. I found an empty bottle of clonidine my bipolar wife used to take. Before I threw it out, I looked it up.  Depression, anxiety treatment AND Opiate withdrawal symptom treatment!  Really?  Will this actually work WHILE I am still taking a different type of Opiate? Research on line says clonidine works but will it work like I need it to? Could it be dangerous to even try this? Anyone out there who would like to offer advice to a busted up old man who must keep working to feed his family? Please write ***@****. Thanks and God Bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Pat!  An instant response?  Wow.  I will certainly do as you ask. I had to type that long message on my iPhone in bed. One thing....my profile says I'm female. How can I cange this? Could you fix it?  Thank you very much.
Please explain "watch list" and "join this community". I have 6 big health issues and still work a heavy labor (at times) job.  This is golden for me.  Thanks again, Don (daweezel)
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
You have posted on a really old thread and you should start your own.  I don't want your question to be missed and it may be.
.Go to the forum and click on Post a question and copy and paste what you have written into it.
I can't respond to your question because I have no idea about clonidine.
Please post a new thread because my heart is going out to you and I wish I could help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a 56 year old chronic pain sufferer. I have been taking 5-500 Vicodin at the rate of 3 to 4 a day since 1992. I've been moved up to 10-500 Lortabs (4 a day) since I became a diabetic at 52 and developed painful neuropathy. I am also a heart patient, have Barret's espphpgus, arthritis and a form of Carpal Tunnel in both feet that will require a REALLY painful surgery maybe next year. I've had 9 orthopedic surgeries and in all reality I actually need this relief. A year ago I was moved up to 5 Lortabs daily as my left knee showed signs of my 9 year old ACL cadaver piece transplant possibly failing. When I could stand the pain no longer (in spite of the meds) surgery was set up. Recalling the sheer agony of the machine you strap into to slowly bend the new knee for 3 weeks, I explained to the doctor I would need a single dose of Oxycodone to take after I got home from work until I got surgery. As a utility worker I walk 8 to 12 miles a day. As an HMO member I had to wait a month for approval. The doc complied. I was taking 4 Lortabs to hobble up and down the stairs of the power plant and one Oxycodone 30mg when I got home. When the HMO took a second month to approve the proceedure, I got a second bottle. Then I informed the surgeon that I would need a 'scrip of Percocet (also an Oxycodone as opposed to Lortabs and Vicodin's Hydrocodone) 7.5's to get through the therapyy and recovery.  This is where I am at now. The surgeon gave me one week's worth of Percocet 7.5's then a week's worth of Percocet 5's. As I lay here I have 3 pills left and have been weaning myself down from the Oxycodone  with the aid of my faithful Lortabs. But surprise !  Hydrocodone does not replace Oxycodone hardly at all. So I lay here, my pain controlled with my usual meds, BUT I am going through withdrawals from the Oxycodone ! I don't need any more Oxycodone as I am recovering BUT I will continue to require the Hydrocodone maintenance dose for all my other issues or it is a lost job and a wheelchair for me. Don't forget the needless pain I would endure. I found an empty bottle of clonidine my bipolar wife used to take. Before I threw it out, I looked it up.  Depression, anxiety treatment AND Opiate withdrawal symptom treatment!  Really?  Will this actually work WHILE I am still taking a different type of Opiate? Research on line says clonidine works but will it work like I need it to? Could it be dangerous to even try this? Anyone out there who would like to offer advice to a busted up old man who must keep working to feed his family? Please write ***@****. Thanks and God Bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oaky, listen.  This is serious. At that dose of Xanax and Soma, abruptly stopping will likely cause seizures. Both those drugs need tapering!  Did you stop the Vicodin,as well?  Alcohol?

I'd recommend getting with your doctor for guidance. This is complicated enough to require in patient detox.  Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just started my journey today. I was also additiced to the evil opiate for four years 7.5gr. 4 a day. I was also taking 1mg of xanax 4 times a day and soma 350mg 3 times a day. Most every night I throw down two or three Vodka and club sodasafter dinner just to make sure I was good and ****** up.
I tried to hide it but my family had noticed the change in my behaivor (It didn't take a genius to see the condition I was putting myself in EVERY DAY.) My wife searched the basement (were I usually hid my stash) and came up the stairs crying. My youngest son wants nothing tp do with me and my older son may come around if I get clean AND STAY THAT WAY. The real question/concern is how??? My wife cancelled me from her health ins. policy and will probably be seeking a seperation. I've heard the cold turkey benzo withdrawal can be as ****** up as it gets and possibly fatal!
A little scared as It's been 15 hours and I'm starting to fell the benzo need.
Helpful - 0
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