[secretaddict]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum....new to reply anyway. I have been reading everyone's postings for a while now and am so pleased at how well everyone responds. No finger pointing, no bad attitudes. You all are just here to help, and that's just what I need.
I have been taking 20-25 10/500 hydros for almost 2 years now. Like many, it started with a medical condition that seriously escalated because of the 'buzz' I got taking them.
Please give me advice on how to get off of them without going cold turkey. How do I taper with the amount that I'm used to taking? I have valium 5mg tabs if that will help with wd's. I am expecting pain, but I am very weak in that department. I've tried cold turkey and never last more than an hour. It hurts so bad. I have found a product on the internet called'viotox'. It is supposed to help minimize the wd symptoms. Has anyone heard of it? Please someone give me some advice. I can't do this anymore. Can I obtain suboxone over the internet without going to a Dr? I don't want to go that route. Price is not an issue. I will buy from anyone. I will do anything to get myself out of this mess that I have gotten myself into. Please give my info you have.

Thank you all,
secretaddict

skv

[mpvt]

Cold turkey almost always ends in failure and so does trying to taper by yourself.Have a look at suboxone at suboxone.com.There you will find a doctor locator for a doctor in your area.After 2 years of heavy abuse your going to need medical help and suboxone is having great success with patients in your catagorey.Good luck and let us know how your doing.....Dave

[secretaddict]

Thanks for the info, I will check it out. I tried cold turkey this am. I took 15 mg of valium and 2 hours later had to take 20 mg. I hurt so bad. I guess the valium is not going to work. I ended up taking 4 vics and feel better. I figure if I can slowly taper to 10 per day I'll be good. I'll check out the suboxone site. Thanks so much for the info.



skv

[secretaddict]

Hi, all.
I just wanted to see if anyone can tell me how to taper down. As I said before, I took approx. 20 hydros per day, 10/500. I started a taper today. I have taken a total of 10 so far and hope that will be all for the day. How long should I take this amount. Should I try to taper to maybe 7 tomorrow? I am hurting bad, but not as bad as cold turkey. Please give info if anyone can. If I do make it with the taper, how long will the pain last? If I make it to 3-5 per day for a week and then cut down to 2, do you think that will work? I'm desperate for info. I did check in to using suboxone, but it is such a process to get in for consults, etc. Anyway, please give info if anyone has any. any advice will be helpful.

thank you all

skv

[kickedtheaddiction]

Hi...Let me start by saying i am not a doctor, just someone with similar experience. As far as tapering down, you should not taper for than 25%-30% of your daily dose per week.

ie. If you are taking 20 10mg/day, you should try that first week to take only 15 or so a day that week. Next week try 10/day. next week try 5 a day. You should not set unrealistic expectation either. It is going to be hard and you will most likely not get that euphoric feeling that you would normally get from popping 4 or 5 at a time. You are basically tapering just enough so you don't get very ill.

With 20 10mg's a day, cold turkey is not an option in my opinion. It is just too hard on the body and your body may just shut down.

Keep us posted on your progress and what methos you decide to use.

Good luck and be strong!!!

[secretaddict]

Kickedtheaddiction,
Thanks for the info. I started the taper yesterday and took only 13. I was sick most of the day.....fatigued, aches, etc. today, i've taken 10 1/2 so far and it's only 3:30. I will try and stick to my 13 for another day or two and then try and go to 9 or 10 for a few days. How did you do it, and do you think the taper will really work with minimal wd's. I know I will experience some pain, but I hope that with the taper, it will be much less. Any further advice will be helpful. If you, or anyone else has any advice, please email me directly at sharon.vaughn@insightbb.com.

Thanks.

skv

[BSGjunkie]

SKV,

Many addiction specialists recommend a 25% decrease every 5 days for a safe but fast taper. So if you're taking 20, you may want to try something like this:

Day 1-5: 15
Day 5-10: 11.5
Day 11-15: 8.5
Day 16-20: 6.5
Day 21-25: 4.5
Day 26-30: 3
Quit

Hope this helps.
Junkie

[LauraCT]

You have made the right decision even though it is a difficult task.
I too have begun cold turkey and am more afraid of dealing with the emotional part than i am the physical part. I got hooked not because of physical pain but I liked the numb emotional feeling.
Best of luck. It sounds like you really have a tight grip on recovery. I know you will succeed.

Laura C. Thomas

[secretaddict]

LauraCT,
Thanks for the kind words. I've been trying to keep at 15 per day, but have not succeeded yet. I've taken 17 or 18. Tomorrow is the day I cut down to 10, no matter what. I heard that I should take large amounts of immoduim. I will try that. I am even considering drinking beer if it gets too bad. I hate alcohol, but will do anything to beat this.
Thanks again. If you have any more info, email me directly at drummbum30@yahoo.com

skv

skv

[WestCoastMom]

Wow, It's encouraging reading through all this. I'm a 40+ mom, addicted to Vics. I also take Soma whenever I have them. I don't fool myself that I take them for any other reason but the high... which has dwindled over the years. I've been using steadily for about 5 years now. I can hardly believe it. I will tell more of my story when I have time... maybe when I have the nerve. You wouldn't believe how many of these friggin things I can take in a day! How am I still alive, I wonder sometimes. I've gone off them before, but only for short times... If I run out of the S's, I don't go through withdrawls... I just bum out cuz they enhance the buzz I get from the Vs, then I get over not having the S's in a day or so and even feel improvement in my energy, etc. I've gone off the V's from time to time if I've run out or whatever... never seem to really experience real w/d symptoms as described here... mainly I get worried that I will have w/d and then get surprised I don't. Is it possible to go off them and not really experience w/d??? From what I read, the answer is no. Is it possible to go off taking 12-20 pills (more or less) a day and not experience real w/d symptoms?

I'm reluctant to go to a doctor about getting off them b/c I don't want this "secret addiction" on my record anywhere... don't want to go to NA or AA because I just don't want the religious aspect and I can't stand the thought of going to damn mtgs every day. Maybe I'm just not ready to admit I need to get off these damn things yet. No one really knows that I take them.... well, some people know I have them from time to time, but no one I MEAN NO ONE knows how much I take. I'm reluctant to go to family or b/f because I feel they won't really help... just badger and judge me, analyze me... omg I hate that! (I'm just being honest here) I feel like a liar and loser and bad mother... I know I am all those things. I keep thinking I can do this myself, on my own... when I'm ready... haha, right?

I have really found support and reassurance reading through all your posts, though. I don't feel like I'm so alone in this. I really think though... the worst thing I have to face when quitting, is being honest with my people around me... esp. my bf. Actually, I think my children will be the most understanding and supportive. I am blessed with them. I just don't think my bf will understand. I'm not so worried he'll dump me or anything... just will judge me and just won't understand how I could be so weak and such a liar. I make myself sick sometimes... well, a lot of times, lately. I feel like I need to "get clean" at least get started, and make some improvements in my personal life before I reveal to him the truth. Is it possible to get clean and not really tell people about your problem? Or is that just more denial and lying?

I really want to write and read more here. I believe it will give me the strength to do the right thing.

Thanks everyone for all the honest and some gutwrenching posts.

WCM

[dave2124]

HI ALL ,I AM NEW HERE AND HAVE READ ALL OF THE MESSAGES YOU ALL HAVE POSTED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO AND COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT I NEED TO GET HELP! I TAKE ABOUT 30 VICS A DAY ,AND NEED TO STOP BEFORE IT STOPS ME ! I HAVE TO SEE 5 DEFERENT DOCTORS TO GET MY MONTHLY SUPPLY. NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND I FIGURED I CAN TRUST YOU GUYS FOR SUPPORT!I HAVE BEEN USING FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW.
THANKS DAVE

[cluelessNJ]

Dave,
Are you willing to tell anyone of the 5 doctors? I am asking because they can see you and not document anything depending on how close you are to your doctor. I did that but I waited until I was 4 days into withdrawl. It sucked! Now at 20 days clean I can look back and it seems like so long ago. I would either do that or start to wean yourself off.

Not so clueless,

CLEAN DATE 1/23/06

[dave2124]

Thank you Not So Clueless for getting back to me! I have one Doctor I can trust, But what do you think he will do?
Dave

[Junkie781]

Dave, your doctor should help you. Just try to be honest. Most doctors understand addiction and can help you get through the withdrawal. If your doctor is anything but professional and helpful, you need a different doctor

It is always advisable to quit using narcotics, particularly in cases of long-term use (long term being a year or more, i guess) under the supervision of a physician. Depending on your medical conditions and the amount of drugs you were taking any number of serious conditions could manifest themselves during the withdrawal period. So please give some consideration to the idea of working through this with the help of your doctor. I understand it can be embarassing and difficult to talk about with your doctor, particularly if this doctor was also a supplier (like mine was) but TRULY coming to terms with your proplem does involve honesty.

It's hard, no doubt. I've started working with a substance abuce counselor and we have now notified my doctor about this and she was really cool about it. Asked if I needed any help or anything and my counselor told her I was narcotic free for three weeks now and so, FINALLY, my doctor, who was precribing me percs and vicodins regularly, KNOWS I am an addict and will act accordingly.

Meanwhile, I've cut off a major supplier of my addiction by getting honest. THis is a battle for your life. These are the steps involved in winning. The prize is you get to live.

Best of luck to you in your quest.

B

[dave2124]

Thank you I will talk to my Doctor and see what he will say. I hope I can beat this as it is getting the best of me.
Dave

[sheryl]

I hope I can help someone. I was addicted to hydrocodone for about 8 years; I got to the point where I was taking 15-20/day. I got off them, believe it or not, by going COLD TURKEY. I won't kid you, it was pure hell...it took to day 12 before I began to feel normal and happy again, but it was about another two months before my energy came back. Withdrawal was one of the worst things I've ever been through, but I assure you there IS a light at the end of the tunnel and I am finally a very happy person again. I never even consider taking a narcotic painkiller...they are out of my life forever (unless God forbid I get a life-threatening disease where there's no hope). You can do it. I assure you, it's so much better being OFF those pills and having no addictions. Good luck to you all!

[sheryl]

Dave & WestCoastMom, I am here to reassure you. Dave, if you can trust one of your doctors, I think you should talk to him and tell him all about what you're going through. My doctor was wonderfully understanding and helped me so much through my period of withdrawal. And WestCoastMom, you are NOT a bad person, you just have an addiction problem and many of us have been there. Although it was difficult getting off the hydrocodone, I am SO HAPPY that I did it! While I was on them, I noticed at one point that they weren't "fun" any more, so you know how it goes -- you take more and more trying to feel that euphoria, but it doesn't quite come along after a while. I started out innocently enough (major back pain), but now I can truthfully say I'd rather face this pain than be a slave to narcotics. And I literally NEVER crave the pills. If any of you want to talk to me, I'd be glad to try to help: everly@earthlink.net. Good luck to you all. I'm FREE!!!! (And you can be, too.)

[sydbean]

Sheryl ~ I am not sure if you noticed but the thread you are responding to is from over a year ago. They started in 05 and the last one was in 06 exactly a year I think before your post. But if you would like to chat with some people that have "been there, done that" or are fighting the good fight to get clean, come on over to the pain killer addiction thread and join the "fun" LOL !!!

Hope to see you there!

Syd

[nulu]

[SIZE="3"]COLOR="Red"]

lorettaw,

You mention a natural substance that yopu had been taking (since June), that had helped with your fibromyalgia pain. I too have fibromyalgia, and my pain meds have gotten out of control. I want to taper off the pain meds, but am afraid of having bad flares and not being able to take anything to get relief from my pain. Could you tell me the natural substance that gives you some relief. I am newly married (3 months) to a wonderful man, who knows that I have a problem, and is very supportive, though I am still afraid that this may drive him away. The fibromyalgia is hard enough for a spouse to have to live with without something like this to make maters so much worse. Thanks for all the helpful information. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!




[QUOTE=lorettaw;93939]

Originally posted by jr091940

Hi there!
I totally understand what you're going through, all too well. I've been taking vicoprofen/vicodens for the past 2 years since the birth of my daughter. I had a c-section and they put me on vicodin for the recovery. (Please read my post / jr091940) Anyhow, I've been off the pills for 13 days now. I looked high and low for a way to get through it without having much money to afford to do so. I initially was wondering how in the world I could come off the pills without anyone knowing, realizing that wasn't going to happen I started opening up (first my husband, the hardest part, then parents, sister, and a couple very close friends). They've all been extremely supportive. So I ended up finding a dr. who put me in the hospital on methadone for 3 days. ("they" say the first 72 hours are the hardest"). He sent me home with nothing, told me I should start feeling better in 7-10 days but did not tell me what I'd go through. (I'm NOT HAPPY with this dr. at all) Needless to say the first week home was the absolute worst, I'm just being honest. All they symtoms hit at some point. First the severe depression, then the shakes, hot/cold flashes, diarreah, major fatigue, HIGH Anxiety, and the worst part of all at this point is no sleep. (and of course want to rip your skin off or jump out of it) I've tried everything to help sleep (teas, baths, over the counter sleep aids) and nothing helped. So I finally called my regular dr. and she gave me 2 ambien just so I could get a good nights rest. (this was last night, day 12)I feel at this point that is all I really need to feel better. Depression is almost completely gone, except for now I must work on living everyday without the buzz, but things are definately looking up. Ambien didn't work last night (put me right to sleep but I still woke up 3 hours later wide awake and stayed that way) but I'll try again tonight. Still sweating it out a bit at night but I just keep hoping that by the end of the week I'll be better and have all this ******************** out of me. Day by day it's getting much better, that's all I can say. My regular dr. has offered me prescriptions for "happy pills" or anything I want to help me but I'm insistant on doing it as naturally as possible. I asked for only 2 ambien and told her to NOT refill that no matter what just because I HAVE to sleep. I have a very active 2 year old and I"m on my own with her during the day. So......... please keep your chin up, it will be a rough couple weeks but just think how much better life will be when you're all through. I feel VERY positive, I know, I won't ever go back as I never would put my family, friends, and most importantly myself through this hell ever again. I just keep reminding myself what I felt like before the pills, and that was happy and normal. I"m on my way back and you'll make it to Please write back if you need to chat at anytime, it helps for me to talk about it with others who are there as well. WE CAN DO THIS!!!
I am planning a cold turkey this week at home. I have been on Vicoprofen for 3 years due to fibromyalgia and am anxious to get off. My pain has gotten much better due to a natural substance I have been on since June. Also, I believe that my pain threshold has gone way down since the start of the meds. I'm not worried about being without the pills. I can't wait for that. I am scarred of the w/d's. I have set aside 5 days of staying at home with no kids. This is good timing as my job just ended due to cutbacks, so will be home till fall with no obligations. I have already gotten Ativan from my dr who so willingly fed me this poison and am going back the day before I start (plan to start Thurs the 31st) to get 4 days of methadone (20 mgs for 4 days). This is the way my son withdrew and was foggy for those days, but it really cut down on the misery. I don't plan to take the Ativan and Methadone together. Dr wanted me to taper off but one a day is worse than none. I am miserable and crabby and want it over. I have never been addicted before and it is a situation I never thought I would be in. I guess no one says "When I grow up, I want to be an addict". I have watched my son battle addiction for 11 years now and figure if he had the guts to flush the narcotics, so can I. I will never take painkillers long term again and have begged my dr not to do this to anyone else. I can't wait till Thurs to get started, but haven't told anyone but my son and a friend who is a RN (but is 30 miles away). I will of course tell my dr. Any suggestions?

[mylanda]

Originally Posted by Degania

I take around 10 hydrocodone pills per week for back & hip pain. I usually take 1 or 2 pills at a time, almost only in the evening & frequently with a drink. Sometimes I take a pill to assist me socially as they make me more relaxed & talkative. I don't particularly feel the need for a pill on a daily basis. Does this sound like an addiction to anyone?

Did anyone ever respond to you? I take hydrocodone for pain in my neck maybe once or twice a week. Lately though the next day I feel horrible, with a headache in above my eyes, awful sleep, sweats and chills in my sleep. I am thinking that this is my body reacting to the lose of the hydrocodone. Anybody have any thoughts?

[*Karen*]

Hello.My name is Karen.Im new here.Ive been on Hydrocodone for about a year now.It started with bad headaches and teeth problems.I didnt have a prescription so I just kinda got them wherever and whenever I could.I was finally able to get all my dental work done about a month ago.The whole time I was thinking Id have no problems getting away from the pills.Im beginning to believe I was wrong.Im still having headaches.I wake up with them and I have them all throughout the day.About 2 or 3 times a week they will be so bad all I can do is lay in bed.But this only happens when I dont have any pills.As soon as I get them the headaches ease up.In the past year Ive taken up to 10 pills a day.My family has a history of migraines.So Im confused if what Im going through is addiction or migraines.Like I said the "migraine" headaches only hit when I dont have any pills to take.And go away after I take a couple.And when these headaches come on my eyes water badly and i start to shake sometimes.Anyone have any ideas?Thanks.

[axel44]

To buffqueen297,
We are all scared and anxious about getting off of pills, meth,and now suboxone. Suboxone is going to be the way to go for everyone sooner or later. I took my first dose at 2:30 p.m. today the 27th, and it is 5:28 right now in my time zone, and I feel great! 6 years of hydro, oxy, vic, 300 to 400 mgs per day, everyday. I took my last 6 pills of norco 10/325 around 2:30 am.
The dr. said to wait at least 12 hours, longer if I could. I was in full blown withdrawals. I took the SUB,or bupe, and within 30 to 40 minutes I was fine.
Right now, I mean RIGHT NOW, I have no symptons, and I have tried at least a dozen times to quit, on my own and in detox ctrs.
Anyways, I pray alot to my higher power, it helps me. And I will say a prayer for you. TRY SOBOXONE.....SOBOXONE.COM
axel44

[mpvt]

Buprenorphene is exellent for anyone taking\abusing codeine, hydrocodone ect.The only time you need to worry about switching to buprenorphene is when your on a dose higher then 30mg of methadone. You need to be stable at 30mgs of methadone otherwise the chances of buprenorphene won't work.
Also long time I.V. user's don't usually find bup very effective this is were methadone comes in.I abused morphine dilaudid and fentanyl for 23 years so bup wouldn't likely have worked but methadone did.I had to go to 400mgs a day but it finally worked.So there is a place for both drugs and I for one am happy that buprenorphene is now available because it's going to help alot of people that weren't able to take methadone.....Dave

[sotried]

i feel your pain i have done the whole ER thing.now i have bills lots of them. i stoped the past day in the half and my back has been killing me.never had back paib so bad. Is this a withdraw thing. i feel better that i found this site and have people to talk to about this its so hard. and i wont to stop using. am so tried of this life style.

[sotried]

i feel so tried its been a day an a half with out pain meds and my back is killing me and i never had back pain befor is this a withdraw?

[mpvt]

Yup, your in withdrawl.Try and take some advil gel caps and imodium ad. Try and drink lots of water...Good luck.....Dave

[J120]

Hi everyone. I have a question. My brothers wife is addicted to painkillers, hydrocodone, percocet, etc.. She manages to get scripts for them, even though she has a felony on her record for stealing script pads in the past and ruiened her future, as she was going to school to be a nurse. She will take all of hers and then get them off her mom who is also addicted. She just had their baby 3 months ago but what should be a joyful occasion seems like hell for my brother. She makes his life miserable with her mood swings, she tells him everyday that she wishes he would die, she is violent, and imbalanced, she hits him and throws things at him all of the time. The only time she even considers being nice is when she gets a new script. She is always creating pains in order to get them. She doesn't realize she has a problem. My brother has tried to talk to her but since she doesn't see her addiction and her mother does them too she sees nothing wrong with the pills. His worst nightmare is getting a divorce and his daughter being left alone with her. We all want to help her but I know if I try to talk to her she will fly off the handle. Any suggestions on how we can help her where she won't lose it?

[help_13]

HI ALL ANTHONY HERE. WELL I HAD A REALAPSE TODAY> MY DAUGHTER WAS PRISCRIBED 30 HYDROCODONE 5/500 FOR A RECENT KNE INJURY. I TOOK THE REMAINING 28 AND REPLACED THEM WITH EXCEDRIN. SHELL NEVER KNOW AND IF SHE DOES CATCH IT ILL BLAME IT ON MY WIFE OR JUST GROUND HER. ILL TAKE HER TV OR GIVE HER PUPPY AWAY OR SOMETHIN. I I MIGHT BE AN ADDICT BUT THAT BRAT NEEDS TO KNOW HER PLACE> SADLY SHES ALOT LIKE HER ROTTEN MOTHER, ANYWAY BEING "CLEAN" WAS NICE AND ALL BUT WHOM I KIDDING< NOTHING BEATS COMING HOME FROM WORK, GRILLIN A STEAK AND POPPING A FEW VICS LIKE SWETE TARTS. I EVEN NAMED MY CAT "ROXY". IWISH I HAD A PERCOCET TREE IN MY BACK YARD. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT BUT I JUST GOT A DEAL ON SOME 10s I CANT PASS UP.

[Kellyalittlesexy]

If you want to kick it you can, if not you won't and I know that sounds rude but I honestly am not being that way. You will have w/d's and that isn't easy from what I have read. But, Good Luck to you and let me know

[Kellyalittlesexy]

Originally Posted by help_13

HI ALL ANTHONY HERE. WELL I HAD A REALAPSE TODAY> MY DAUGHTER WAS PRISCRIBED 30 HYDROCODONE 5/500 FOR A RECENT KNE INJURY. I TOOK THE REMAINING 28 AND REPLACED THEM WITH EXCEDRIN. SHELL NEVER KNOW AND IF SHE DOES CATCH IT ILL BLAME IT ON MY WIFE OR JUST GROUND HER. ILL TAKE HER TV OR GIVE HER PUPPY AWAY OR SOMETHIN. I I MIGHT BE AN ADDICT BUT THAT BRAT NEEDS TO KNOW HER PLACE> SADLY SHES ALOT LIKE HER ROTTEN MOTHER, ANYWAY BEING "CLEAN" WAS NICE AND ALL BUT WHOM I KIDDING< NOTHING BEATS COMING HOME FROM WORK, GRILLIN A STEAK AND POPPING A FEW VICS LIKE SWETE TARTS. I EVEN NAMED MY CAT "ROXY". IWISH I HAD A PERCOCET TREE IN MY BACK YARD. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT BUT I JUST GOT A DEAL ON SOME 10s I CANT PASS UP.

see it isn't easy and why so angry