Question on how to taper...Please help going in the morn

[findingsobriety]

I am going to my doctor tomorrow to admit my addiction and ask for help getting off these. I am wanting to taper because I am a single mom and can not get off work. I know this is a lw dose compared to some but it is a high one for me. I am at about 40mg a day. What is a good taper. I would like to do it quick say a month tops. Is this possible???? What if he says he will not help me????? I am scared to death and embarresed. Please help

[petroglyph54]

I hear you. I know it's just way to easy if it's available to take more than planned. Most everybody here know's that one! Do you have somebody that is realiable to hold the meds for you, and will give them to you as planned. As addicts, most can't taper on their own and will usually run out early. If your feeling ill from the smaller dose, than you aready have a case of at least, physical dependence on opiates. The last few months, and for some people years, for me was only dosing to not be sick. I was, am treating pain, now w/o narcotics [9 days], but had to ask myself many, many times was I treating the pain or the disease? It's a vicious cyle. Have you been watching the clock till it's time for another? This stuff gets inside our heads in so many ways that we just don't realize till we get away from them, and see the mental mindscrew they been doing on us. It's really unfortunate that reading or hearing about how bad addiction is, can seldom be learned without us having to go thru it personally. But getting clean and knowing what you then will know can also be a valuable lesson, that will last. I certainly don't suggest anyone becoming and addict to learn it though! If you are determined, you'll beat this, the sooner the easier and better. The addiction builds steadily and rapidly, believe it or not at your own peril. If the tapering isn't possible for you like it isn't for most addicts, then at your dose you could be rid of most of the illness physically over a long weekend. If the thoughts of using are haunting you at all. Keep reading here, keep posting we all want you well. OK?

[findingsobriety]

Thank you all for your feedback.
@petro  I have been taking hydrocodone or hycodan/tussigon which is hydrocodone and something else. Somedays I take 25 mg sometimes more. I never feel the rush only do them to feel normal. I did go to my doctor today and told him I was taking 10mg at a time, I sometimes take 15 but mostly 10 so thats what I said. He wants me to only take 5mg 3 times a day and call him on Friday so he can see how I am doing and tell me the next dose for the week and call them in. I am going to call him tomorrow and tell him I had to do 7.5 because the 5 made me sick still. I figured a good schedule is go down 2.5 a week and I can manage that and stay on schedule since it is a small change. I have faith I can do this so keep me in your prayers.

[dominosarah]

The best taper plan you can get is the one from your doctor.  He/she knows your medical history.  Please try and not be embarrassed.  They see this sort of thing all the time.  You are doing a really great thing here by getting off the pills..........sara

[petroglyph54]

Yep 40mg is not the record here but the record here is not envied or sought after, only getting clean and staying that way. Can I ask 40mg of what for how long? If your dr. won't help you, kick him in between the legs and get a new dr. Whatever your drug of choice is [doc] 40 is a serious amount, and depending on how long you used might cause you some grief. Some people don't have much problem at all. Have you tried cutting back? Tapering,[which I did] hurts less but hurts all the way, at least it did for me. Not knowing your doc, I'm still pretty sure, one month won't be a problem, poor choice of words on my part. Hopefully your dr. has experience with the subject of addiction and wd's, many do not, and although they try their very best, with our help, makes many an addict seeking recovery.

[Me1025]

Everyone's addictin is different, but an addiction all the same. I think if your honest with your md that he/she will help you figure out a good taper schedule for you.
I wouldn't know about tapering myself cause I did CT, but everyone here will be a HUGE support system for you, encouraging you each step of the way.

It very scary letting go of the pills, I'm still scared and I've been off of them only 7 days but you can do it. Do it for yourself, do it for your kids, but most importantly just do it so you can find freedom from the demon.

Best of luck to you, God bless and I'll keep you in my prayers!