Advice on tapering.?.

[Notepad123]

Ok, ive been coming to this web site for a while now..Ive actually posted before about quitting but didnt do so well..Im ready to kick this habit and hoping someone might be able to help me with a taper plan..Im going to lay this out for everyone to know my exact situation...I have been taking 4-1/2 to 5 lortab 10mg. a day for about 4 to 4-1/2 years..In that time ive never taken more than 5-1/2 in a day, but i rarely take less than that also..I know the dose is not as much as some, but make no mistake, I Am Addicted..I dont have any type of condition and do not really have a legit reason of why i started taking them besides the fact that they just give me energy and make work alot better..A basic day for me is one at about 8am, another at about 10:30, one at around 1pm, then one at about 4 then my last one at around 7pm..Sometimes i take 1-1/2 at 8am then the other half around 10:30 and so on but it almost always ends up at around 5 at the end of the day..Ive tryed to just skip doses and had a HARD TIME doing it..I am determined to kick this habit and would really appreciate any advice on this..Just let me know how many i need to do it, a schedule to stick to, and a time line, and im gonna make it happen...Thanx....

PS.  My wife also uses but hers is a lil less than mine..About 3 to 4 a day, but just as long...We are both quitting together.....

[Notepad123]

Well, ive tried the ct way and that was a bust..I do like the idea of asking a pharmacist..There is a lil family owned pharmacy right by my house..I somewhat know the pharmacist in there..Im wondering if he could help me or just tell me i need to talk to a doctor..It will be strange to go in there for the opposite of what ive been going there for years for..Its time though..I figure if i put half as much energy into quitting as i do getting them, then it should'nt be a problem..I will continue to come to this web site and post..I find more inspiration in some of these threads than anywhere else..If i have'nt said it before, This website is Great...Thanx....

[worried878]

tapering is usually not totally pain free..some would rather ct and get it over with...there is a great article in the health pages on tapering...small doses throughout the day,,but u already do that...i do know it is important to pick a QUIT day and to flush any un-necessary pillls..good luck to both of u

[elwoodsf]

I called my doctor and he gave me instructions on how to come off of a 3 year Vicodin course. He had me cut my dose in half, then half again, then half again, etc. Today is my first day w/o pain meds. I just felt more comfortable asking my doctor since he is aware of all my medical issues. A pharmacist would be another person who is knowledgable in this area. My pharmacist has helped save myself with various other medications too. I call my pharmacist the "drug doctor". Take Care.....Well wishes.....

[mtgoat911]

my husband and i tried to quit at the same time, i hope it works out better for you two
we had a tough time
do you have an idea of how long you want to taper, a standard inpatient loritab taper takes 3 to 5 days
i have a feeling you want to take it slower than that
are you using any confort meds?

tueasday-thursaday
8am 10mgs
1pm 5mg
9pm 10mg

friday-sunday
8am 10mgs
1pm 5mg
9pm 5mgs

monday-tues
8am 5mgs
9pm5mgs

weds-friday
8am 5mgs


thats an idea, of a decent taper plan, you said that you have no health problems, so this taper should do
you can also ask the doctor on the ask a doctor forum, see if he will set you up a taper
or call one of your local detox centers
tell them you are interested in their detox plan, what do they use, how long do they give you comfort medsyou can also goto opiatedetoxrecovery.org, there is a lady over there that has taper plans down to a science,
i wish you both the best, let me know what you decide
xo

[GettingItRight]

Can you take 1/2 a pill instead of a whole pill at your usual times and than cut back more from there? You must have some self discipline or you would have never been able to not go over your daily limit.  I tapered to 1/2 pill dose at a time and once I got used to that I cut back to twice a day (1/2 tab twice a day) and than stopped. I feel great and only felt really bad one day. My anxiety about stopping was worse than my symptoms.
Good luck.........