Back from Surgery and need to do this AGAIN

[delightdee]

Well my chronic issue with my common bile duct is hopefully behind me.  I had two surgeries last week was hooked to a PCA pump of dilaudid and I stopped pushing the button.  After 12 hours was sweating, chills, runs, just flu!  Home on meds due to pain but DAMN why is this so hard?  I'm so sick of these pills.  So I'm starting today on a taper method.  I'm having a hard time even going CT from the PCA pump that I insisted on in the hospital.  Anyone done the taper method in the past?  Whats the best way?  I take 6 10/325 Norcos daily.  Right now even on that I'm somewhat ill.  I've been on these pills for about 10 months now.  Any advice would be great.  I know what I have to do but I just need some cheerleaders out there.

[Ktzen3]

Way to go!  I work in the medical field and have also experienced the darkness of 'prescriptions drugs'.  My personal advice is to visit your local holistic/organic stores and ask to talk to their medical representatives.  Our bodies are strong and while western medicine has amazing benefits, it's easy to get attached to the prescription drugs that temporarily can numb our pain.  I found a lot of herbal/natural remedies that have helped me with the pain that I previously needed prescription drugs to fill. It's incredibly hard to get through the withdrawals of the major drugs that have helped, but trust me that you can get through it, and there are 'natural' remedies that can help (in most cases)  I'm so proud of you, and you can do!!!!

[ImDONENoMore]

Definitely sounds like a good plan - and so glad to hear you turned down the tramadol (my DOC) - you don't want to trade addictions, and to trade to tramadol would be a horrible mistake (the stuff is poison in my book).

Good luck to you - and IB's right - keep talking because that will help SO much.  I'll be rooting for you!  (was never a cheerleader, so that's all I can do !:) )

[dominosarah]

Sounds like you have a good plan in place with your husband in control of the pills.  Happy to hear you are feeling better also.  Good job on turning down the trams.  Continue to keep getting better~~~~sara

[delightdee]

Well thanks IB for your cheerleading!!  Checking in.  Went to the doc yesterday.  I've tapered myself down to 4.  Feeling super good.  Got a full nights rest without sweating!  YAY!  Doc wants me to do it slow.  I'm determined though.  Still have pain so it needs to be managed as well.  He offerred me Trams but I declined.  Didn't want to get on those knowing that I have an issue with the Norcs.  IB my husband who is very strong has locked up the pills and only administers the pills as prescribed.  So thats been helpful.  Hoping to be free soon from these.  Thanks everyone for your help.

[IBKleen]

RAH RAH RAH SIS BOOM BAH!!! That is my poor attempt at cheerleading.

I am glad to see you got through the surgery okay. Your best bet for a proper taper schedule is to ask the prescribing physician. Let him/her wean you down as they see fit.

I will say that tapering is tricky business. Once you begin to taper, the withdrawal will kick in and, as addicts, we become tempted. If you have someone who can hold the pills and dole them out according to the schedule, you will have a better shot at it.

I hope it all works out for you and you get past this. Let us know how you are doing and keep talking here--it does help. We will be here for moral support.