how long does it take to get off vicodone & how to?

[psychdegree]

I've been on & off hydrocodone for 2yrs (on more than off..starting bc of two knee surgerys in the past 2ys now can't stop completely) . I've never taken (regularly) more than 3 tens a day. I've been thru withdraws b4 but only made it a couple days bc the leg cramps were unbearable. (That's the worst besides anxiety) & being so fatigued. Plse if any1s been thru this I need help. I also take valium at night so that helps..but other than that idk what to do to get off these & really need to. Ive tapered off as much as I could but I'm gonna be out probably tomorrow. so any advice? More the withdraws & how to keep myself from taking them again..ever. thanks

[ariley13]

I know you can do this! As silly as it sounds, just try to relax and go with the flow. The more you stress, the more worked up you get, and the worse the symptoms. It really is a mental game. Just try to stay occupied. Listen to music, watch a comedy. Take a hot bath to relax. We are here for you. Get on here if you can't sleep tonight. I wish you the best!

[psychdegree]

The w.ds have set in a little more now & its getting later into the evening. The anxiety & fatigue are pretty high. I have to work in the morning & have only a half left (which a half didnt help an hour ago) praying I can withstand this. But this go round I haven't been taking much but still very nervous what's to come. Trying to not think to far ahead but these cramps hurt, & I dont feel like getting up to take a hot bath (yet gonna make myself) so here it comes, ready or not I guess prayers for me tonight Plse..

[VICourageous]

Hi. I just wanted to give you some support here. Great advise from my friends above. That is the worst part is being scared and over analyzing it all. The detox part is so short lived compared to the years we used. I am no spring chic and I came off of 3 meds at once that I used for over 12 years. 16 if I counted the meds you are one. For me I went up the latter to the Methadone because I though I could take less. No Way went really out of control and added another med to it and was snorting it..I am embarrassed to say at my age I should of known better..Ya like should of could of.I too have pain but it is not a all over one like the meds made me feel.I would like to tell you that there are 2 meds that I have learned that the Drs use for the w/ds. One is the Clonidine a light BP med and Buspar (Buspirone). Buspar is a very very light anxiety pill that is non-addictive.I was too stubborn at first and would not take it..then i did only for a couple of weeks. The BP one I used only at night and I was able to get a few hours of sleep in the beginning. I did stay with the buspar for awhile. Now I just do all natural. My Dr wants me to stay with the buspar and another med right now..I will see how it goes.I just am at the point again that I like my real feelings and like being clear headed..Sometimes we need a little help. I wish you the best and do not be scared..You will feel so much better.
Bless

[ariley13]

You should start to see some relief within an hour. If it said you can take 2-4, take the 4. You need the extra vitamins and minerals during wds. Your body is deficient . Maybe try a multivitamin too. Bananas helped my legs some during wds. Can you get in a nice hot bath and try to relax for a bit? It can do wonders! Good luck to you!

[psychdegree]

Hi..I was also going to ask how long does it take for the hylands leg cramps take to work? I took 2 (it said 2-4 every 4 hrs) like 30mins or an hour ago?,my legs r cramping bad from lowering a lot bc I have only 2 left. So need these to work ASAP! Thanks again :)

[psychdegree]

Hi there! Well sounds like were in the same boat huh? I know its hard I obviously can say I know what your going thru. Its a hard thing to face esp when docs are trying to help & we/they end up messing our bodies up. I cant say I ever closed my self off & stuff on them but I remember a point when I was depressed wondering..is this really the only thing that's gonna keep me going & happy? I remember also stopping & remember how much better I felt after I got it out of my system (I was much younger & on a much lower dose for a much shorter time) There is hope at the end of this tunnel..& guess what we can travel together! I got down from 6 a day to about 3 1/2 a day.(by the way these are now 5'snow,  not 10s) Its doable.. but when we (I) got that low it really doesn't seem to work..it only keeps the wd.s at bay (& helps the pain slightly) So tapering to half would be your best bet. It took me about 4 weeks to get that low (maybe 3) but That was kinda my only choice..I had no way of getting enough to take 6 a day. But im here..we can report back our successes & maybe failures. (Not everyone passes test in school the 1st time right?) Keeping a positive outlook is soooo important. Ive been trying to & in the back of my mind when I take a pill I think..this may prolong this or will this even help you much longer? But sometimes that sends me back to feeling guilty. So either way, think positive..at least start by thinking you can do it, when your ready, when your able or when you really want it. I feel Im able, but the rest hasn't come together yet, but at least 1 of the 3 are there & trust me its taken a long time & a lot of praying for me to be able to think I am able to do this, even tho it will be hard! Anything worth fight for (our lives really) doesn't come easy! Ill be praying for you & you just keep thinking once it comes time to taper etc. that that's at least a start in the right direction! I have faith in u