Will tapering for 4-5 days help with Norco withdrawals?

[jennybreeze]

I am currently taking around 6 Norcos a day for disc disease pain, but my body has become dependent. Do you think the withdrawals will be much different this weekend if I cut down a pill each day until Saturday? Or will it basically be the same thing? I've been trying to figure it out based on everyone else's posts.

[Rebequitay2boys]

What ever happened? I'm scared. Just started a new job last Monday. Single mom & house clean nights & weekends just to support my habit. I can't do this anymore but so scared of the withdrawls I'm afraid to stop. I take about 12 norcs a day or 80-120 OxyContin. This started for chronic pain but ended up for energy/to function working 12 hour days 5-7 days a week. I have a script for 30 soma & 30 Vic but buy the rest at 3-20 a pill depending on norco or oxy. This is really now a $2000/mo habit & I don't make that kind of money. Did the taper work? I have 20 norcs left & have been doing this for about a year-year & 1/2. Please help! I'm afraid to tell my dr & I still have chronic back pain!! I'm so ashamed & embarrassed I've allowed myself to get to this point.

[jennybreeze]

Off to exercise even though I don't want to. Well actually mostly BECAUSE I don't want to. I'm sure that will make me feel great. :)

[jennybreeze]

Ha! Well, I technically wasn't trying to stop until this weekend when I will have time to take care of myself. But I had hoped to taper down a pill a day this week and was asking for advice if that might help things for me come Friday or whether it would be the same either way.

It's 3pm and I've still only had the one this morning! That's from my usual 6 each day prior. So I am very pleased that not only have I started off reducing, I've totally blown away my plan too! :)

[KLB84]

12 hours is usually when I cave - how long has it been?

[jennybreeze]

Thanks Marie! It's 2:30 here and I've still only had the one. Feeling a little funky - sweaty, chills and just a bit anxious - but I want to see how far I can push it before feeling REALLY bad.

I had planned to just drop one pill each day, but I might end up doing 2-3 today instead of the 5 which is great!

[GA_need_help]

Hi, you are going to do this, just as I am doing this!!!
Big hug,
Marie

if you ever need to private message me, please do.

[laurel453]

trust me, i know well that coming here helps, i understand you very well  :)...

[jennybreeze]

Thanks Laurel. It's noon here and so far I have only had one today, which is really good. I'm going to push myself as far as I can over the next couple days until the weekend comes and I have time to just take care of me.

I really appreciate being able to come here and talk. It's making everything feel better somehow already. :)

[laurel453]

this is a really good idea, reading as much as possible... and keep posting and telling us how you are doing.... Be positive, look at this with a positive mind, you are taking a great decision ... you also know about the rebound pain , right ? At first, pain might increase but it will diminish with the days, many people that have been taking opiates for pain experience that their pain is not as bad as they thought... Ok, all the best and good luck !! :)

[jennybreeze]

Thanks so much. I've been using on and off (mostly on) for 3 years now since my diagnosis. Up until last year I was still only using as directed - maybe 1-2 regular strength vicodin per day with no problem. Back then I was able to stop and start anytime with no problem. Then my tolerance climbed sky-high.

OK, I will start using the mineral supplements today. And yes thank you, read all up on Thomas Recipe.

Thanks for the help! I'll keep reading and checking in. :)

[GA_need_help]

Yes, a taper would certainly help.  You have to do it at the speed your body can handle.  I have pushed my body to the max in trying to taper from Opana ER (this is a very intense, powerful drug in it's extended release form) and  I have been doing a 3-month taper.  I didn't get hooked overnight.  Actually I have been taking Opana ER for over three years.  You will be able to tell by you symptoms (can you function?) if you are going too fast.  But a taper would definitely help!  Please know we are here to help.  
Big Hug, Marie

[laurel453]

HI, jennybreeze.. any taper might be a help but the fastest, the lesser effects it will have ....I think that a week of lowering down the dose you are taking is a fast one but if you are not feeling too unconfortable along the week , do it. If you feel the wds, just jump in... How long have you been using ? Do you know about the Thomas recipe ? I would start taking the mineral supplements