help with quiting

[janshan]

Hello,
I am trying to quit a 4yr hydrocodone/vic addiction.  I snort or chew about 40 milagrams per day.  I have gone through withdrwas sevral times but have never made it all the way.  tell me what  need to do and how long will the pain last?  I have regular vicodins to help me wean off.  I need some suggestions and help.  Please tell me that it will ot last long.  How do I keep myself from going back.  Do you ever get energy back?
Thanks

[broknbck]

To your question is ct any different than weaning down. Huh- yes!
Sounds like you are weaning too fast though.

About the drink at nite. Well something mild like a glass of wine or maybe a beer. But you don't want to over do it and then have to deal with a headache also.

Just keep your mind set and it will be all over soon. It's just not going to happen over nite. But i found that a slow, consistent taper was the only way i could get through it.
It was bearable and took 1 month. When i was finished completely it was a week and i actually felt like myself again and it was finally all over.

You have really good motivation- and sound like a good caring mom.

[janshan]

Well this is day 2 of my wean down, I do not feel like I have accomplished much and feel like ****. I still have not snorted anything, I have eaten two V's and a tiny bit of ocycotin at 5am so I could get the kids off to school.  I sort of feel like I should go ct or I will never get there.  This is the only week I can slack with my job and I need to be up for my kids and such.  I think I am too much of a wimp to go ct, is it really any differnt than weaning down?  I was up all night and horrible tummy, my legs are killing me.  At least I am at 1/2 my normal dose.  I always have chewed my pills is it really better to swollow them?  Ok I am off to a hot bath.  I need to get over feeling sorry for myself, my poor boys if I am skipping out on work I feel like they should be home with mom.  I know in the long run this will be better for them I do know that.  
So I have a big work event next week has anyone ever been sucessful in just eating one pill to seem mildly normal for work and then left them alone. I think I already know the answer to that as this is my 3-4 time trying ti kick this.  I cannot do this again this is %^&* it! Please send positive energy my way!!!
Thanks again!
Should I try and drink booze at night to sleep or just deal?

[bladerunnerb]

If you CAN taper, without cheating...I would do it that way.  I'm on my third time...cold turkey this time.  I would get yourself down a little if you can...and stop snorting that stuff! lol  That tylenol is nasty!  I would start by taking them orally and if you can, I would get down to at least 20mg a day...that is where I was when I quit (not by choice...doctor fired me...lol).  20mg C/T is do-able.  If you can ask your dr. for clonidine, it will help with the RLS (totally got rid of this for me) and some anxiety and the big D.  Works really well for some and okay for others.  But, you have to be really committed to tapering...and if you can do that you can go all the way down to 1/2 a pill or so and it will be much easier.  The mental part of tapering will be the hardest...but you can do this!  There are lots of moms, dad, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, kids, sailors, etc., on here to help you!  Post on here...these people will help you!

[worried878]

I fu decide to taper...i would hand over my pills to someone u trust..hubby?   i know u say he uses but he can hold urs if u trust him...ct would be very do-able off of ur dose...if you taper quit snorting and chewing....spread small doses out over the day to avoid spikes...those surges of dopamine is what makes us addicted and builds out tolerence...say on day 1 split ur 4 pills in to 4 doses 3-4 hours apart, then take off 1/2 pill a day...or u could go even atser if u wanted or slower....long tapers can fail for some as motivation gets lost along the way....gotta make a plan

[broknbck]

That is really not enough of a taper to make a difference.
A taper should last for at least a few weeks and go down to like 1 pill a day at the end.

But you sound like you are ready. Just be prepared for the worst and hopefully it doesn't come.

And everyone here will help you out. Stay posted.

[janshan]

I picked up the goods for the Johnson diet, do you take it while gone done on dosage or only if you go ct?  I did pretty good today. No snorting at all and only 20ish  ocycotin and 2 v's.  I plan on only doing vicodin's tues/wed and off all on thur?  Does that sound ok?
Thank you all for your support, I cannot believe how many of us there are out there.  I will try and lend some support, I wish I was stronger but I AM quiting this time.  My boys deserve a mom who is really there.
Thanks

[broknbck]

I am a real whimp. i could not quit cold/turkey or do it while i was working. Tried to for 2 years.
So i quit my job and tappered for 1 month. Told all my family about it and they helped me through the tappering.
When i quit it was not bad at all. And no cravings since. 6 months now.

I am without a job and going broke but at least i am back to normal and can start all over again. It is the price i have had to pay. And i would do it the same all over again, because i am so grateful to finally be free!

[sunshine73]

I am also a mom with 2 small kids. My husband knew about the pills but since I got off over a week ago he has no idea I have been taking them again. No where near as much as I did. I had a really hard time with the withdrawls. I could not even funtion for the first three days. Then I slowly came around and was crying at everything. We had a camping trip planned and I needed to get some stuff done so I caved in. I went 8 days, had no energy and everyday my husband was asking me if I was better. Iwas sick of complaining,and the look I would get. I have 5 pills left and am trying to ween without him knowing. your not alone and this sight helps so much. If you need to talk Im here almost everyday. Take care.

[janshan]

Thank you, that means a lot to me to know there are other moms out there.  I am worried about the supermom thing.  I feel like I ahve been such a better mom and woker while on pills.  i feel like I can do so much more and have so much more enrergy for them.  I know i have a serious problem and I want to set a good example.  i will go pick up the thomas recipe stuff.  I just need to do it and be done.  I am so glad i found you all, I have not told anyone except my husband since we use together.  WTF did i do this to myself and my family?  Do you think I should just go ct?  It is hard with pills around?  Well I better get my running around done before I get too crappy.  I have gone through the hell of wd but I know that pill will make it all better and it does.  Send your positive energy this way! Thanks

[limodan73]

HI, and welcome to the forum. You have found a great place to find help. Okay, first. You will need to make some real decisions. Do you REALLY want to quit, and if so, is it for you. Or for someonelse. I ask this because this is something that takes alot of commitment. It was the hardest thing I have done. And, if ya knew me, you would understand the gravity of that. But, I want ya to know that I am not, in any way, trying to scare you. You have made the first step as to admit something is wrong and something has to be done about it. And, unfortunatly, no-one else can do it for you.  Now, you really need to stop chewing/snorting. You're just making it harder on yourself. If you are looking to make it easier on yourself. Then, its time to make a plan for yourself. Tapering can make it easier, but, not easy. I believe that timing and planning can make a huge difference. If you can, you want to take a week to do this. It helps to have the time to get better as you will feel like ****. It feels like a really bad flu with a cornacopia of other effects. Look up the thomas recipe and the amino protocall. It really helps.  Keep posting and read up as much as you can. Good luck and god bless. You are not alone.

[bandnmom]

Dont do that to yourself. I felt the same way. I have 2 small children and i remember thinking..god i am a terrible mom. They deserve better but then u will come to realize that u r a good mom no matter what. You are a mom that has a problem and you are working to fix it. They love you regardless and you know that. AS far as doing all the super mom things without pills...im not gonna lie, it does take a while to get use to but it is possible. You will see.
I had no choice but to go cold turkey. I couldnt taper cuz i would just pop them all and i knew that. Dont take trams to help with the withdrawls. Those are addictive to. U dont want to trade one addiction for another. If you need anything please dont hestiate to ask. You can PM me and everyone here is great. You will see.

[janshan]

In my heart I just want to go ct but I do not think I can do it.  My husband is also addicted and we have two small kids so we are trying to stagger our quitting so at least one of us can be a fully functioning parent.  I feel horrible saying I am a drug addicted mom in fact I am crying becuase I feel like such a looser.  I just want to be done but I cannot seem to follow through with it.  If I knew i could quit ct and live I would.  Will i still be able to get the kids to school in the am?  This week I can afford to miss a couple of days of work.  Can tromadol help with wd?  I just want to be done!

[worried878]

Best thing would be to stop snorting and chewing right now...there is a great article on tapering and also the thomas recipe in the health pages....do u want to taper off or go CT?...the energy returns but for me it was a few months later...exercise and the vitamins helps alot with the energy

[bandnmom]

Honestly...the energy is the last thing to come back. At least it was for me. You just have to force yourself to get up and going.
You really have to want to be done with the pills in order for it to happen and it sounds like you do. There are many people on here that can help you will a good taper. I myself couldnt do the taper so iwent cold turkey. Also check out the Thomas Recipe it has helped countless people.
Everyone is different when it comes to withdrawls. I felt the first week was the worst part as far as withdrawls. Good luck to you. I'll be rooting for ya!