making a plan

[knaankj]

i have read SO much from all of these older posts and now i think it is time to start making a plan to get off these drugs. i definitely will NOT use any kind of other drugs to get off the hydro...from what i have read it is not the way to go. i dont think i found one single post that suggest that someone was glad they used anything to help with the w/ds. so it seems like i need to load up on all the things that DO help such as the OTC aids for the discomforts that will be coming my way when i quite. i have enough pills to taper down but i am not sure how to do it exactly. i think i am going to have to confide in my oldest daughter who helps to take care of me and just come clean. i am going to need her help with dosing the hydro out to me while i taper off. i know i will not be strong enough to do it alone. i have another full refill for the month of may so i am having a really hard time convincing myself to start this process now. i need to get my mind focused and get a plan and get started. i tried to go without anything yesterday when i woke up and i only made it a few hours before i started feeling sick. so cold turkey is just NOT the way for me i know that much! i hope that with a taper down i will have less sickness to deal with. idk......sounds like there is no way to avoid the ugly that IS addiction withdrawal!

[knaankj]

thanks clean n ks.....im going to try for some rest now. its been an acceptable day for the most part. i stayed within my prescribed amount for today so i count that as a success. tomorrow is another opportunity to plan. thanks again for your support.

[knaankj]

i have not successfully cut back at all yet. i tried cold turkey yesterday and that was miserable. i have the pills available to do this slow and steady as you all suggest and i am grateful for that because i know some folks are forced to just stop all at once and that would be pure hell i am sure of it. i just cant even get my mind around the idea of planning to stop! how pathetic! but hey... i am trying to at least tell myself it IS a starting point of some kind in that i am wanting to quite and i am here trying to get some support right? i do like what you say....i didnt get here overnight! so its not going to be overnight that i get clean. as for my pain level....i am in need of knee replacements that i can not afford so my dr just has me on pain meds  until something changes. he writes for 270 pills a month along with 10 patches of fentanyl that i have not filled for fear of getting hooked on those too. i dont need ANOTHER drug to fight off later. without the drugs i am not able to walk for more than a few feet at a time. i dont sleep well due to the pain either. but....even as bad as it can be with the pain...i HATE being addicted to these drugs more than anything!

[vicki595]

Maybe you cut your dose too much for today?  If you try to rush the process, it won't work or help...Slow and steady wins the race...

So many folks cut themselves waaaay back on their pills, force themselves to wait HOURS between doses, and just plain suffer. It doesn't have to be that way at all. The process of detoxing from opiates shouldn't be a punishment! It's something that usually needs to be done and a positive attitude is important along with minimal suffering. If your suffering through detox you only set yourself up...

Get a paper and pen and map out a taper plan of so many pills per day...I know you can do this...it does not have to be fast at all. You didn't get here overnight, right?

One concern: How much pain are you in daily?

[knaankj]

thanks vicki595....i appreciate your kind words. it seems so impossible at this point...to get off the drugs completely. i know it can be done....so many of you are living proof. but at this stage, i am feeling so overwhelmed. i just dont want to even think about it anymore. i just wanna take more pills UGH!!! i hate to admit that on here. im sure im supposed to stay positive but im just really struggling this afternoon.

[vicki595]

Hi there-   I like your plan and seeing a counselor is perfect!

We're not allowed to give any sort of taper schedules or tell you how much to drop down at a time...due to the forum guidelines. But I can tell you that dropping a small amount over time is the secret. It needs to be consistent and slow and steady. After each drop in dose, give yourself time to adjust and then drop another small amount.  Most important, once you drop down on your daily dose, don't go back up again.  Your best bet is to ask your doctor for guidance with a taper plan and having your daughter hold the pills for you will help a great deal.

Let us know how we can help and, please know, you CAN do this!

[knaankj]

you people are awesome! truly! now that i am very aware that i have a problem with this...getting clean is all i think about! i am bed ridden for the most part for the last year and a half following a bad surgery outcome. i have NOTHING but time and drugs and solitude to keep me entertained. NOT a great combination to be sure! in between doses of pills i watch countless hours of movies to keep my mind of feeling pain/ nausea and the urge to take more drugs. i AM going to beat this one day....it is going to take some time i understand so please be patient with me and help me to stay patient with myself of course lol. i have an appt to see a counselor in a week or so to start working on some plans to make my life a bit more pro active than what it has been for all these months. i am going to try to own up to the addiction when i meet with her. no promises..but i think i could use all the help i can get when im going through this process. i have only used once so far today and that is good for me. sooooo hopefully another episode of whatever i find to watch next and checking back in with you folks will tie me over several hours. thanks again for the unconditional support and encouragement...i am SO looking forward to the day when i can come on here and help cheer the next addict to freedom!

[littlegirlinbigworld]

Have your daughter help you!  Just slowly decrease your amount. Keep the dose the same for a couple of days until your body gets used to it then decrease again. You will still feel the withdrawals but they won't be as bad. I tried to taper a couple of months ago but I had no one to help me. You have to convince yourself that you can do this and that you are ready!  Please dont let fear stand in your way!  If we let fear control us then we wouldn't have children because the fear of labor!  I can't really give you advice because i haven't beaten this yet but i am here if you need someone to talk to!  Im alot better at telling someone else how to do it then telling myself!  Lol. While you are still trying to make the choice on how and when then try to just take out 1 pill today. See if that is doable. Please dont give up on you!  

[dominosarah]

I think this is a great plan.  We will be here to help you.  You will feel better once you talk with your daughter.  I am heading out for the afternoon so will check on you later.

[VICourageous]

The First Step you take is the best Step ever..Like now or never....We can not give you a taper plan on the site..But you can PM someone who has done a taper from your DOC..Have you told the DR???? If you just be honest and up front with the Doc, they can surely give you a taper plan..Giving them to your Daughter is a very wise decision. There is alot more to this addiction then just the detox state...I would Highly recommend you talk to the DR...You can come back for information on what, how, and why we use or still using the vit/min and such... OK
vickie

[SmilingBright]

I weaned since jan 1st.  My wds really weren't bad.  Only bc I did such a long taper.  With lots of support from this forum and Gods grace I made it through.  Right now it's just the anxiety that I fight with on occasions.

You can do this!!!!!!  Praying for u!!!!!!
Christina

[knaankj]

how long did it take you to get yourself weaned off? how bad was your experience with the w/d?

[SmilingBright]

U can do this!!!!!  I think it's a great idea to have your daughter give u what u need for the day. My hubby had to do the same for me.  

Praying for u!!!!