Hydrocodone

[gsdalphamom]

It’s true, I’m an addict. I have been lurking here for several months but now I need to stop the drugs! As briefly as I can I’ll provide you with a little background.

I was in a car accident about 3 years ago. I was hit from behind and crashed into the car in front of me. I suffered pretty bad whiplash (along with a few other injuries) and consequently was given a CT-Scan. Supposedly, it showed 2 herniated disks in my cervical spine. The ER put me on Hydrocodone. I followed up with my primary care provider and she refilled the prescription and gave me several more refills (along with ordering physical therapy). I was in PT for almost a year with not too much improvement, all the while I’m taking the hydro’s (5/325). My primary care provider then refers me to a pain clinic.

The pain clinic kept me on the hydrocodone but increased the mg’s to 7.5/325 4 times per day. During this time, the pain clinic is also giving me epidurals in my cervical spine. They are not working too well, though. After a few years, and about 10 epidurals, they increase the mg’s of the hydro again, this time to 10/325 4xdaily, which is what I am on now. However, I end up taking more than that. Some days, I was taking 8 or 10 per day. Not so much because I was in pain, but because I wasn’t getting that “fix”. Yes, I still have pain but I think it would be tolerable, to some degree, without narcotic pain pills.

Last month, my primary care provider ordered 2 MRI’s, one of my brain and the other of my C-spine. According to the brain MRI I have lesions similar to people with multiple sclerosis. Consequently, I was diagnosed with MS. The pain clinic said they can no longer help me and I’ll need to see a neurologist. However, I can’t get in to see the neurologist until mid February. Also, the pain clinic will no longer fill my hydro prescription. I just refilled my last hydro refill (I had 1 refill still left). When these are gone I will not be able to get any more. I want to stop taking the hydrocodone! I have to stop now as I have no choice. Also, I think the hydro has re-awakened my ulcer.

So, I’m wondering what the best method is to get off these things. I’ve read some people quit cold-turkey and others taper off. A very dear friend of mine is putting me on a schedule to taper off of them. She is going to keep the pills at her house and everyday bring me my daily dose (I’m afraid that if I have the pills in my possession I will not follow the schedule and take more than I should. So, she has graciously agreed to keep the pills for me.).

Another question I have is about the length one is on hydrocodone. I’ve been taking them for 3 years and they (the doctors) have increased the dosage more than once. Since I’ve been on them so long will that mean it will take longer to get off of them?

Any help, suggestions, or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

[ARTIST658]

Good to see you're stopping the hydros. Tapering off them is an excellent way to do it, especially since you have a trusted friend handing them to you. This is generally my first advice to anyone with an addiction problem - taper down, then stop - but don't be the person in charge of the pill bottle!

It may take a little more time to taper, due to the amount you're now taking. But, aside from that, the withdrawal itself should not be longer simply because you took them for many years. The significant withdrawal symptoms generally last about 5 days, if you were to stop abruptly. The more you taper, the less withdrawal you will experience.

Have you read about the Thomas Recipe to help you through the withdrawal? Here's a link to it: http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...wal-35169.html You don't need to read through the entire lengthy thread, just the initial post about the recipe itself. If at all possible, I suggest you do it without the valium or benzo listed on step 1. I suggest that only as a last resort, as I am reluctant to suggest another addictive drug to get off the first one.

Your first hurdle is the tapering and stopping - and getting past the physical withdrawal symptoms. Afterwards, there are mental and emotional facets to addiction that can really trip you up down the road. It's often said that stopping is the easy part - what's difficult is the staying stopped. That's where a 12-step program like NA or AA can be essential. Some use the support of their church or a counselor; the idea is to not try to do it all solo.

Gather together whatever support you can - this forum (you may want to check out the topic, "Need to Talk" where many folks are in similar shoes), friends and family, your doctor, minister, as well as NA or AA meetings - we need as much help as we can to tackle this monster called addiction. But recovery is entirely possible, and completely worth the effort. I promise.

God bless - you'll be in my prayers,
Ruth

[srb2011]

Congrats on your decision! If I can do it, so can you. I was taking up to 20 a day. I wish you the best of luck.