I went from 10 to 11 tab to 2

[Jordontheo]

and I feel like a **** wrapped in burnt hair. But, on a plus side, my relationship with my mother has never been better (she opted to quit too, and she is doing PHENOMINAL...she hasn't taken a pill in 3 days) I, however, have attempted to taper...and the last 2 days I have actually reduced my intake significantly...from 11 pills to 2. I feel terrible pains, but I feel so accmplished mentally...It is unbelievable. I never thought I could make it this far but I have and I will continue until I am me again. It helps that I have been taking ambien to fall asleep (every third night, to avoid addiction) and yesterday I zombified myself with klonopins...(i mean ZOMBIFIED)...Tonight, since i have already taken the last pill...I will try to take a Tylenol PM and fall asleep..Tomorrow, 2 more pills, then 1 for the next 3 days....and then I deal with the withdrawals..My mom only took 1 pill a day for 6 years and she stopped and said she has had no withdrawals other than a sore back...So this is what i am hoping for, becuz a few days ago i tried cold turkey and only made 9 hours...I thought i was dying...If they were playing techo music, i would have been sure i was in hell....but any way...has anybody experienced a similar situation reguarding the withdrawals from a single pill a day? Help a brotha out!
-Jordon

[bmdad]

I tried to go as long as I could throughout the day before I took it. The reason I did this was hoping it would help me sleep. One thing you could do is split the 5 mg pill in half and take one around noon and the other later in the evening. Once you are down to one pill you could try and go every other day if possible. Just try and wait as long as possible. I would also start taking the supplements in the amino acid protocol. The truly do help. They also helped me mentally as I was still able to shove pills down my throat. The good thing is they are healthy! Also, I can't stress exercise enough! It will get those feel good endorphins going.
Sounds like you are doing a great job with your taper. Just stay mentally strong and you will get through this. Let me know if you need anything!
Brian

[Jordontheo]

When you got down to 5mg, at what time of the day did you take it? Because I have been take 5mg of hydro periodically throughout the day, but i make sure they are spaced 4-6 hours apart...So i was wondering when i am down to 5 mg, what time of day should i take it?

[Jordontheo]

Thank a lot guys, I appreciate the support. I am sticking with 2 a day today, 2 tomorrow, and then 1 for the next 3 or 4 days....Then i am quitting...I have been on 2 a day on for almost 48 hours and i am starting to adjust because when i wake up, i can actually go and make coffee and toast without having to take a lortab first....and I have been waiting 5 hours in between taking only a half of a lortab 10...and yesterday that became much easier (first day SUCKED), i am thinking that today will be cake in that aspect..I appreciate it guys i would keep you updated.
-Jordon

[BornofOsiris]

Hey watsup jordan, glad to see your still stickin with it. In all honestly your taper plan didnt really work that well cause you went to fast...a taper is so you can feel the least amount of withdrawl. You might as well not take anymore cause your just going to feel the same as if you were CT. You should start looking in aftercare like NA, or counceling, your addiction is over when the w/d's end...thats just the easy part. Then the mental part starts which in most cases thats when people cave. Na helps with this sooooo much its not funny plus you get tons of advice from people who have been there done that. Much love

Dallas

[bmdad]

I tapered down in the past and the last week I was only taking one 5 mg vicodin. I felt no withdrawals at all. So it is possible that your Mother didn't have any withdrawals also.
Congrats on wanting to get your life back! Also, congrats to you Mom! The withdrawals may be tough but it is worth every second of the pain you have to endure. Some things that may help are the amino acid protocol (found in the health pages), eating healthy, pushing the fluids, and exercise. I can't stress exercise enough. It will make you feel better much faster. I know it's not the best time of the year to be out but try. Also with the lack of energy associated with withdrawals it may be difficult but force yourself even if it's just a short walk at first. Throw in some headphones with our favorite music and try a walk or a jog. It seems to put us in our own little world and take our minds off of everything. The more active you are the quicker all of this will go. If you just lay around all you will do is think about the pills which can cause us to cave.
Just keep going strong and know that it will pass. Be very careful once you are clean We tend to get very vulnerable and think we can control our use. That one pill usually lands us right back to where we started. If you listen to anything I have to say, please listen to that! I have done it many times myself as have many others. I'm proud of you for your decision at such a young age. Just learn from this so you don't fall to addiction again with any substance. Stay mentally strong! Best of luck!
Brian