Weaning myself off Norco after seven years......

[LMKoch]

Looking for someone to discuss this with.  I've been taking 3-4 10mg tabs for the last seven years for back pain.  I've had surgery to correct the problem and my pain level is much improved.  I'm not sure what to expect and would like some input from others that have gone through it........

[YesLife4Me]

No good at tapering here either.   The only way that would work for me is to have someone hold my pills for me and only give me what I was supposed to have.  If I can only have one and you give me 2, guess what, I'm going to take ...2!   Doesn't matter that I know better, it's just what an addict does.    We try to outwit this thing and it's not possible.  

If you can get assistance from your Dr, there are meds they can give you to help ease you off so you don't have the withdrawals as bad.   If you want to do this on your own, if you don't have someone to help you taper, then going cold turkey is it.   It's really not as bad as we fear it to be, but still no fun.   I guess we are supposed to learn from the pain and sickness of w/d to keep us from going back.   For some the craving and desire to use is so intense that we block out and forget how bad it really was until we are in it again.   I just don't have it in me to do that again.   No thank you.  

Some good suggestions here.  Please let us know how you are doing.  

[ChoosingLife]

When I went through w/d's..I was taking the same amount. I had been taking around 6 a day and tapered down to three before jumping. I was never good at tapering because I have zero self-control when it comes to pills. Pretty much what you can expect is 3-5 days of sweats, chills, no energy, restless leg, anxiety, and no sleep. It's not going to be easy but you CAN do it! There are so many people on here who have beat this and can help you through this journey. What helped me the most was this site, making myself get up and move around, and listening to music. If you can, try to get at least three days off work to lay around and do nothing. Day three is usually the worst and after that you start to feel a little better each day. One thing I would strongly reccommend is looking into some kind of aftercare after you start feeling better...NA has helped me tremendously.
To help ease the w/d symptoms..look into the Thomas Recipe (it can be found on the bottom of this page on the right hand side). Make sure you get some immodium for tummy troubles and stay hydrated. Congratulations on making this decision to get better. You can do this and you deserve to have a good life free from addiction. Keep posting!

[vicki595]

Welcome-Have you begun to taper down? I think that's the best way; less of a shock to your system...you could abruptly stop, as well.  If you do that, you have strong withdrawal symptoms, no doubt. Unpleasant but doable....What can we help with?