Vics and xanax

[amy378]

Ok, I've been taking vicodins, and xanax...prescribed by my doctor for quite sometime now. Probably over a year. I started taking the vicodin due to an accident I had, for major back pain (2 hernitated discs, and a ton of arthritis in my back..and I'm only 32) and a bone spur in my hip, which causes pain...well, it's time to stop. Because I have completly lost myself in these meds. First thing is first..I am needing to get off the vicos first, then the xanax. I don"t want to come off them at the same time. I was taking anywhere from 3 to 7 a day (vicos). And the instructions says to take a 2mg tablet by mouth daily of the xanax. There the circle ones that you break..I've been taking a whole circle daily (not all at once). But in the last few weeks..I've cut myself down to 1-2 vicodins a day. But I still feel crappy. Now, can I just keep weaning myself off the vics and won't feel the whole complete effects of withdrawels?? Then how do I wean myself off the xanax once I'm done taking the vics?? And people who are giving me advice..easy with the code words or abbreaviations, cause I don't understand them as I am new to this site... :) thankyou...

[ImDONENoMore]

I totally understand what you're saying - I too lost myself, forgot who I was or what kind of person I used to be.  It's almost surreal now when I look back on what I was doing.  But you are right - it is TIME to get your life back and you're on the right track here.  Admitting that it's a problem is step one - and getting the help you need is the next step.  Feel good about that okay?  Your Dr. will help you get off the xanax to please talk to him/her and get that tapering schedule in place.  Only your Dr. will know the safe way for you to do this.

And as far as the opiates are concerned, as I said, quitting cold turkey is very doable.  And there are a ton of suggestions here (vitamins/supplements, etc.) that helped me so much and in fact, still do.  You can DO this amy!!!  :)

[amy378]

Thanks! I know, I've been on these for way too long. Longer than I wanted to...and unfortuantly, my doc would prescribe me just about anything, he is not a very good doctor. I have noticed that I have lost myself, my personality in these drugs...and it's time I get my life back :)

[ImDONENoMore]

Welcome amy - glad you found us.  :)

The opiates and benzos were also my DOC's.  As long as you don't have any other medical issues outside of your pain, quitting the vic's cold turkey is doable.  However weaning off them is more comfortable as far as withdrawal goes, but it was never an option for me - I did not have that kind of discpline to lower the dosage.

And more importantly, you can not stop the xanax cold turkey - you need to wean off of those as stopping suddenly can cause seizures.  So I think it's best that you get with your Dr. on what you want to do and he/she can give you the proper direction to do this.

And equally important - CONGRATULATIONS! for deciding to quit.  Quitting those drugs was the best decision of my life and I know it will be for you too.  And keep posting - this place is so great for support and for sharing experiences.  :)