taper

[cowboyabc]

ok I am new to this site but not new to forums like this. (I have found alot of them) I am here because this comes up in google search. I have been reading this forum for a couple weeks, Like alot I dont post just read, It helps me for some reason to know I am not alone in my problem. I have noticed that this forum is very supportive and feel the need to post now only because I know it might help someone reading. I have been clean for 20 days. I myself used a taper and it worked pretty well and would like to share. ( only because c/t is so scary for some they wont even try including me) My taper worked because I believe it is simple. first off a little about me. I am a straight abuser I only used for pain a little while 3 years ago the rest of the time it was being high and running from problems. I only post this so I am not a hypocrite* spelling * and for you with ligitimate pain know that upfront because pain is not something I had to deal with tapering. But i am sure there are more than a few like me here. I was useing oxy crushed or chewed up to 3 "40" a day I dont know how much oxycodone that is but it took around 15-25 5/250 percs a day to keep that same feeling. But like us all I was finding it harder and harder to stay satisfied...... continued

[cowboyabc]

first off if you can get off oxycodone and on to Hydro that is a big help hydro withdraw is for me 50% shorter than oxy. if you cannot get off oxycodone to hydro it will add sometime but is doable. I have tapered and CT off both. I kept my taper to a time schedule of every 4 hours. 12 - 4 - 8 - midnight - 4 - 8 - noon this is simple and easy to remember. you take your dose down slowly the key is taking your dose down slow enough to not go into major DT's but absolutly do not get high. you will feel slight DT but only about 5% of full blown CT, give your body 72 hours on each level down. if you have access to xanex or other stuff try to use it for sleeping only your body will adjust down. everytime you get high you will have wasted the previous 72 hours but you can always start again you dont lose the whole taper. (unless it is a major bender) the lower the dose the slower the cut in mg of codone ...it is as hard to go from 20 mg a day to 15 as is it is to go from 100 - 50 (in my opinion) dont get ahead of yourself untill that last pill this is still uncomfortable but you can work function etc sorry for spelling.

[athena-8]

Thanks for the post and welcome! I think many will find it very helpful. Tapering didn't work for me--someone yesterday put it best: I was always tapering in the wrong direction! LOL!

For me, the fact that you have 20 days is MOST INSPIRING!!! Congratulations. I'm on Day #8 c/t after a failed taper from oxys, norco, hydro and asst. benzos (a regular garbage can).

Keep Posting; We need people in your shoes sharing their experience.

Warmest Regards,

--Athena

[cowboyabc]

I agree tapering is not for everyone but I know that neither is CT. I would like to add something to the men here. Opiates block alot of bad feelings (the chemicals in your brain that cause bad thoughts and locks them in a tank and represes them) your brain does not stop producing them it just is blocked from letting them out. when you quit or taper down from opiates the flood gates open (CT) or trikle out (taper) but make no mistake they come out. I know it is not man like to cry but I found out If you can just go off and Cry/Sobb cut loose and be sad and let it out you will find right after you will feel alot better. It is my opionion you have to use up those bad chemicals and that is a good way of doing it. (just not very manly)

[cowboyabc]

sorry but I felt the need to clarify more information is power. I am a firm believer in the round the clock taper I was reading birdsong saying he skiped the night time and this will cause undesired effects the goal is to get your body accustomed to producing its own endorphans * spelling* midnigth - 4 am - 8 am - noon 4 pm - 8 pm - midnight trust me you will adjust down alot smoother this way. the smoother the adjust the easier it is. you will have lower and lower doses in your system untill it will balance it self out. if you skip the night (just opionion here) you start the withdraws and the herky jerky of up down gives your body the wrong signals. you are training your addicion monster/devil to throw a bigger fit when you do go off. your training your body to go without codone for 8 hours not training it to do without.