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[foxes73]

What is the best way to stop taking hydrocodone? I have been on it for over 20 yr's and getting tired of the side effects, it seems all I want to do is take the pills. I feel life is short as it is to be living just to take pills. Thanks Foxes73

[tellit2her]

HI foxes well you made the very first attempt in stopping this dreaded and fatal habit and disease. It may sound funny but its true, but after being on hydros for over twenty years myself I developed a love affair with them. I could not function without them, so I thought, It became a big part of my life to the point I pushed away a 33 year marriage. I stopped so many times only to find, I couldnt part them. After I damaged everything that was important to me, and just being flesh and bones I had enough and gave up. First of all, if you are beaten, Give up. Plain give up!!! Try the thomas method and speak to someone that walks in your shoes, call up a rehab center and just talk to someone that is recovering from opiates. Listen and get some tips, get some tips from this board. But try the recipe. Take it slow, baby steps. Your life will change and you are changing your life for the good. I am going on a year now, and I never ever felt so much better. I am functioning now, I remarried, saving money,  paying bills, have friends,s
go to meetings twice, I suggest ninety meetings please, but if you cant,  then just talk and talk to someone please,, stick with us. Thanks for posting and being brave, welcome, mike

[Dav125]

A down to earth conversation with your doctor, trying to do a taper would be one way to help minimize some of the withdrawals but with 20 years of continual use ,its going to be tough anyway you approach it. Cold turkey is the quickest way to get over some of the physical aspects but the best way there is to find some vacation time from work or line things up so that you have a week to deal with some of this without being burdened with outside responsibilities. That first week is rough. Insomnia,restlessness, stomach problems, lack of energy and confusion associated with the depression aspects work on a person pretty hard. But everyone is different. There have been a few folks in here recently that were expecting real bad wd's and kept updating wondering why it wasn't as bad as some others had said it was for them..

With some preplanning such as getting some otc meds like immodium which you would take on the first hint of the stomach problems coming on along with suggestions in the "Thomas Recipe" at the bottom of the right hand column do help greatly. And understanding that once you drop the pills you will have 4 rather confusing and uncomfortable days about to hit also helps. So doing some homework on what to expect will help you get thru some of the bad moments..

There are a few folks in here that know more about getting away from the hydrocodone with alot of clean time than I do that can give you some good feedback once they see your note..Discussing this with your doctor would be a good place to start planning on this though. There are some additional non addictive medications he can prescribe which can help you thru this process as well..