hydrocodone help

[Sue13]

I have been taking increasing amounts of hydrocodone, (now 8 10-500/day) for about 2 years, and I am really sick of the side effects. I can deal with the pain without it, but I (used to) like the feeling of well-being.

However, now whenever I try to quit the withdrawal is awful. I have heard Suboxone bantered about, but some people seem to think it is as addictive ultimately as hydrocodone. Then there is the depression problem.

I am seeing my Dr. tomorrow (who is pretty sympathetic, but also guided by my wishes: Wellbutrin, Ultram, Valium, Ambien).

Any opinions? Anyone? I hate this dependence!

Thanks, Sue

[Robert_325]

I have been taking increasing amounts of hydrocodone, (now 8 10-500/day) for about 2 years, and I am really sick of the side effects. I can deal with the pain without it, but I (used to) like the feeling of well-being.

However, now whenever I try to quit the withdrawal is awful. I have heard Suboxone bantered about, but some people seem to think it is as addictive ultimately as hydrocodone. Then there is the depression problem.

I am seeing my Dr. tomorrow (who is pretty sympathetic, but also guided by my wishes: Wellbutrin, Ultram, Valium, Ambien).

Any opinions? Anyone? I hate this dependence!

Thanks, Sue

I always recommend sucking it up and doing the cold turkey detox. There are things you can do to ease the symptoms such as the Thomas Recipe. If your dr is onboard with helping you that would even make the Thomas Recipe that much easier as it does call for valium for about four days or so to help with the side effects. Do a Google search on the Thomas Recipe and it will come up. It's a proven and effective method for detoxing at home. Lots of people here have been successful with it.

Some people can't do a cold turky detox for whatever reasons. In those situations the next best alternative is subutex/suboxone. I am working with at least six different people on this forum right now on suboxone. The horror stories come from people who don't do it correctly. No one here that follows instructions properly from day one has any problems.

Ask yourself if you would rather be past the worst of it in a week's time and then get on with your life or would you rather stretch the detox out over six weeks or so and have no w/d symptoms with the suboxone. It's a personal decision that you have to make. I used subutex after abusing opiates for 35 years and it worked great for me. But again I always recommend getting it over with and doing the detox cold turkey if you can do it that way. You should look around this forum and read some of the many suboxone threads. It will help you make a better determination which is the best route for you to take. We are here if we can help after you do some reading. God bless.

[lilbri]

The thomas recipe is a good call robert. Brian

[Robert_325]

Talk to Brian who just posted above. He did the Thomas Recipe and is still clean. I won't go into his story as he can share it with you. But it does work. Good luck.


HI Brian! Hope you're doing well. God bless.

[musicman48]

Talk to Brian who just posted above. He did the Thomas Recipe and is still clean. I won't go into his story as he can share it with you. But it does work. Good luck.


HI Brian! Hope you're doing well. God bless.

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in here.Try the Thomas Recipe first but if that does not work, then do not be afraid of going the suboxone method.If you choose suboxone only use it for a few weeks and you will be fine...Or I should say that it worked out for me anyway...DO NOT USE SUBOXONE LONG TERM.....Thanks to Robert and Suboxone I have been free from a 100 mg hydrocodone daily habit and free from suboxone for over 2 months now.Good luck to you

[Robert_325]

Now you have seen posts from people who used the Thomas Recipe and Suboxone both successfully. They both work if the person doing either one is committed and will listen to suggestions. It's not either process but the person doing the detox that makes them work.

Thanks musicman! You are always an inspiration to those who read your story. God bless.

[musicman48]

Now you have seen posts from people who used the Thomas Recipe and Suboxone both successfully. They both work if the person doing either one is committed and will listen to suggestions. It's not either process but the person doing the detox that makes them work.

Thanks musicman! You are always an inspiration to those who read your story. God bless.

Robert ,getting clean has completely changed my life and my families life. If not for you I might have been one of those long term suboxone nightmare stories..THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.I count my blessings everyday and I never take my sobriety for granted.I wish that these people who are considering getting clean could know me before and after sobriety.I could never imagine myself saying this just a few short months ago but "Being sober is awesome" ! You da man!

[Robert_325]

Robert ,getting clean has completely changed my life and my families life. If not for you I might have been one of those long term suboxone nightmare stories..THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.I count my blessings everyday and I never take my sobriety for granted.I wish that these people who are considering getting clean could know me before and after sobriety.I could never imagine myself saying this just a few short months ago but "Being sober is awesome" ! You da man!

I know from our conversations how much you have changed. The same thing happened to me. They would really freak if they knew both of our stories.

I never take my sobriety for granted either. I went to an NA meeting tonight. I refuse to take any chances on anything going wrong for me. I know that to use for me is death. I really don't think that I would survive it again. And I mean that seriously. I thank God every single day. Being sober is truly awesome. I agree with you. I am so full of gratitude for my life today. God bless.

[Sue13]

Thanks for all the opinions everyone; I will look up the Thomas recipee and talk to the Dr. about that, along with Suboxone.

What trips me up with the "cold turkey" is that I have family gatherings every other week for the next few weeks, and i no sooner get into it when the worst hits and I have to "be there" for everyone.

Please continue to comment: the appointment is this afternoon...

Sue

[melinda7.5]

I have been taking increasing amounts of hydrocodone, (now 8 10-500/day) for about 2 years, and I am really sick of the side effects. I can deal with the pain without it, but I (used to) like the feeling of well-being.

However, now whenever I try to quit the withdrawal is awful. I have heard Suboxone bantered about, but some people seem to think it is as addictive ultimately as hydrocodone. Then there is the depression problem.

I am seeing my Dr. tomorrow (who is pretty sympathetic, but also guided by my wishes: Wellbutrin, Ultram, Valium, Ambien).

Any opinions? Anyone? I hate this dependence!

Thanks, Sue

Hi Sue
I was addicted to oxycontin and vics for about three years and like you just got sick of it.I ended up tapering off a bit and then going c/t.I'm so glad I did life is really good again.Let us know what your doctor says and what you decide to do,
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[Robert_325]

Thanks for all the opinions everyone; I will look up the Thomas recipee and talk to the Dr. about that, along with Suboxone.

What trips me up with the "cold turkey" is that I have family gatherings every other week for the next few weeks, and i no sooner get into it when the worst hits and I have to "be there" for everyone.

Please continue to comment: the appointment is this afternoon...

Sue

When we are adults with responsibility there never seems to be a perfect time to do this. It's pretty important though. Might just want to work your other things around it. God bless.

[Sue13]

Well, the opinion of the Dr. is a slow taper with the help of valium and I had already started on Wellbutrin, which he encouraged me to continue.

I must say he convinced me of the damage, not so much of the hydrocodone, but the tylenol component. What have I done to myself???

I AM going to look up the Thomas recipe and use that to try to, if not quit cold turkey, to at least help in this process. The Dr. suggested a taper of one pill a month (which brings me to almost May); I really would like this to end A LOT SOONER!

Thanks for the support,
Sue

[lilbri]

Sue 18 if you have the valium you could do this in one week with the thomas recipe. brian

[Robert_325]

Well, the opinion of the Dr. is a slow taper with the help of valium and I had already started on Wellbutrin, which he encouraged me to continue.

I must say he convinced me of the damage, not so much of the hydrocodone, but the tylenol component. What have I done to myself???

I AM going to look up the Thomas recipe and use that to try to, if not quit cold turkey, to at least help in this process. The Dr. suggested a taper of one pill a month (which brings me to almost May); I really would like this to end A LOT SOONER!

Thanks for the support,
Sue

I am not trying to argue with your dr but he isn't an addict. You will just be subjecting yourself to torture doing this through May. It would be wonderful if addicts could successfully do this like he suggested but it DOESN'T WORK like that. Trust me that isn't the way to taper. I have no problem with a taper, but reduce it every week if you are going to taper not every month. That is ridiculous. Otherwise just do the Thomas Recipe and get it over with. We are here if we can help. God bless.

[Sue13]

1 week with vallium? Really Brian? I am listening.

I am also listening to the idea of one pill a week. I was a little astonished that he was willing to do it PER MONTH...except he sort of emphasized the "danger" of tapering too quickly.

I have 100 5mg vallium...and i did print out the Thomas recipe. The Immodium is optional?

Talk to me and thanks for your help,
Sue

[lilbri]

You onley need 20 or 30 valium for about 3 or 4 day's to help you sleep and the immodium is not optional you will need it but im shure you have read the recipe good luck i know you can do it. brian

[melinda7.5]

Well, the opinion of the Dr. is a slow taper with the help of valium and I had already started on Wellbutrin, which he encouraged me to continue.

I must say he convinced me of the damage, not so much of the hydrocodone, but the tylenol component. What have I done to myself???

I AM going to look up the Thomas recipe and use that to try to, if not quit cold turkey, to at least help in this process. The Dr. suggested a taper of one pill a month (which brings me to almost May); I really would like this to end A LOT SOONER!

Thanks for the support,
Sue

Hi Sue
I did a taper,But it was a lot faster than one pill a month,That will be a very slow death...OMG...
I cut down a pill every few days and the Valium I would not stay on that for over 10 days or you will be with drawling from that and my oh my that one stinks...LOL I only took a few benzos when I did my w/d.If you can do this faster I think you will be happier,Wish you all the luck....
Talk to you soon, Melinda

[Sue13]

Well, I cut back on the hydrocodone yesterday, took some alleve (hip pain-kidneys?) and valium (and one hydro) and slept like a rock.

I also feel more optimistic this morning than I have in a long time. Still have the hip pain running down my leg but that may be totally unrelated here.

Anyway thank you all; I certainly am going to try to taper this down a LOT faster. I must have over 200 hydrocodone at the moment and just looking at the stuff makes me sick. As soon as I can get off of it I am throwing it out.

Can't believe I slept last night, 'courrse I probably did it with too many valium-I don't want to become dependent on that either.

Sue

[icandoitin08]

Well, I cut back on the hydrocodone yesterday, took some alleve (hip pain-kidneys?) and valium (and one hydro) and slept like a rock.

I also feel more optimistic this morning than I have in a long time. Still have the hip pain running down my leg but that may be totally unrelated here.

Anyway thank you all; I certainly am going to try to taper this down a LOT faster. I must have over 200 hydrocodone at the moment and just looking at the stuff makes me sick. As soon as I can get off of it I am throwing it out.

Can't believe I slept last night, 'courrse I probably did it with too many valium-I don't want to become dependent on that either.

Sue

Sue, good luck with your taper. Make a plan and stick to it. I was taking 20-30 norco a day for the past year, been abusing for 4years. I am 8 days off and feel great! I had surgery 30 days ago and motrin works wonders. The longer we take pain meds our bodies cant control pain. I have heard the best way to get out of pain is to stop taking pain meds. Our bodies make natural chemicals that relieve pain, but when we continually take the meds the less our bodies produce the natural chemicals. Good luck to you!

[pbs8218]

I always recommend sucking it up and doing the cold turkey detox. There are things you can do to ease the symptoms such as the Thomas Recipe. If your dr is onboard with helping you that would even make the Thomas Recipe that much easier as it does call for valium for about four days or so to help with the side effects. Do a Google search on the Thomas Recipe and it will come up. It's a proven and effective method for detoxing at home. Lots of people here have been successful with it.

Some people can't do a cold turky detox for whatever reasons. In those situations the next best alternative is subutex/suboxone. I am working with at least six different people on this forum right now on suboxone. The horror stories come from people who don't do it correctly. No one here that follows instructions properly from day one has any problems.

Ask yourself if you would rather be past the worst of it in a week's time and then get on with your life or would you rather stretch the detox out over six weeks or so and have no w/d symptoms with the suboxone. It's a personal decision that you have to make. I used subutex after abusing opiates for 35 years and it worked great for me. But again I always recommend getting it over with and doing the detox cold turkey if you can do it that way. You should look around this forum and read some of the many suboxone threads. It will help you make a better determination which is the best route for you to take. We are here if we can help after you do some reading. God bless.

Who would have thought I could actually add to someone else's problem? I am now 4 1/2 days clean. I won't say it's been easy, as some of you have been my godsend. I prepared for it mentally first. And that was by reading this EVERY DAY, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. I set my date, went out and got orange juice, tylenol pm, pepto, aleve, b-12 losenges, although the recipe calls for b-6 I think, vitamin c and also tylenol arthritis. Day one was ok, day 2 was dark, but day 3, as alot of you well know, was the darkest day of my life. I credit all of you for getting me through it. I was fortunate enough not to have shaky legs, vomiting, running to the bathroom every five minutes, etc. I just had aches and pains and NO energy. My mental state was enough to put me away yesterday in a padded room, but i made it through. Today, being the 4th day (and a half I'm proud to say) is better, much. My demons in my head must have gotten tired of fighting with me and I hope they stay away. But stay on here, all day long if you have too. No one sees you, you can open your heart and mind like you never thought you could. People care and listen. Their advice is true and sound and just people here 24/7 is enough to get you through. I know I have rough days ahead, but I know all of you will be there again and again. Thank you all.

[OXYmom]

Sue, good luck with your taper. Make a plan and stick to it. I was taking 20-30 norco a day for the past year, been abusing for 4years. I am 8 days off and feel great! I had surgery 30 days ago and motrin works wonders. The longer we take pain meds our bodies cant control pain. I have heard the best way to get out of pain is to stop taking pain meds. Our bodies make natural chemicals that relieve pain, but when we continually take the meds the less our bodies produce the natural chemicals. Good luck to you!

Sue, I found your thread! I want you to know that I have to agree with Cheryl, Brian, Melinda and Robert. All of them have given excellent advice here and also to me.

Here is the main point I want to make and if I say it wrong or come across harshly, please do not take it personally. This is just something I feel VERY PASSIONATE about.

***We are addicts***

I tried the taper method with my oxys every month. I would get 120 10s. I was supposed to take them every 6 hours. I took more like 6 an hour! I would run out after a few days and then I got to detox until I could get my Rx refilled. It was pure hell for me.

If there is any way that you can taper quickly and go ahead and get your withdrawals over with then I promise you will feel better and more in control of your life. I just don't want you to prolong your suffering. I know you are in pain. I am too. But, Cheryl is absolutely correct when she said that the best way to get out of pain is to stop the pills. Our physical addiction to the pain pills is a source of real physical pain. Believe me, I have spent the past couple months researching all of this. We cannot even begin to judge the status of our "true pain" without first getting clean.

I was on day #4 on sub when I fell while walking my German Shepherd Dog. I landed on the curb on my right hip. Great, I thought. Here I am off pills and NOW I get hurt! And, I am not a little girl. So when I fell I hit hard as there was more of me to hit Even though it has been difficult not to grab a few oxys to make myself "feel better", I have stayed clean. I am taking Advil for the pain and I have taken a few Excedrin as well. I am not going to die just because I am hurting. I just have to deal with it differently than I have before.

I hope that something that we have said will be the nudge that you need to hurry up and get off the pills. If not, I promise not to judge you. It is up to you to make the leap for yourself. Until you can, we will be here to listen and support you. Good luck and God Bless!

[Sue13]

OXYmom and all,

I have started today with the 6 Hydrocodone recommended, and plan to cut it to 5 tomorrow. The Vallium has been a huge help at night, as has been the Potassium for leg cramps. You ALL have given me the courage to try this; my Dr. (while well-meaning) would have had me on a 6-month road of h*ll!

There is nothing like personal experience, and I have found it here in depth (I hope the health-care pros are reading this stuff!). I am also appalled at how the drug industry apparently has a vested interest in keeping people on Methadone! Well, I should know this; it is all about money.

OXYmom, you are still my "buddy" in this; thanks for asking for one!

Sue

[Sue13]

You onley need 20 or 30 valium for about 3 or 4 day's to help you sleep and the immodium is not optional you will need it but im shure you have read the recipe good luck i know you can do it. brian

Brian, I am taking you seriously and trying to limit my Valium...so we are talking about 8? 5mg/day? They really helped last night: 4 at bedtime, and 4 at 5 AM. I also took Potassium, and caved in on a Hydrocodone at 4 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM (2) client meeting, 1 at 4 PM, and I am going to try to forget it until bedtime (11 PM)
so that is 6 (Hydrocodone) today, one tomorrow morning at 5AM? and one at 9AM and then ... well, I will have three left if I cut it by one.

As for the Valium, I am allowing 8 5mg tablets for tonight. Also I have started the Thomas recipe (thanks for that).

Whatdyathink?

Sue

[Robert_325]

Brian, I am taking you seriously and trying to limit my Valium...so we are talking about 8? 5mg/day? They really helped last night: 4 at bedtime, and 4 at 5 AM. I also took Potassium, and caved in on a Hydrocodone at 4 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM (2) client meeting, 1 at 4 PM, and I am going to try to forget it until bedtime (11 PM)
so that is 6 (Hydrocodone) today, one tomorrow morning at 5AM? and one at 9AM and then ... well, I will have three left if I cut it by one.

As for the Valium, I am allowing 8 5mg tablets for tonight. Also I have started the Thomas recipe (thanks for that).

Whatdyathink?

Sue

I don't see too much wrong with that night dose of valium but I would spread out the morning dose. Valium is taken most effectively if done three times a day. I would suggest taking two 5mg valium in the morning and two in the afternoon. Then take your night dose and I think that would be the most beneficial way to take it. I took valium for twenty years, lots of experience. Don't take any more than what you are taking for sure. And you should only need it for about four days on the Thomas Recipe. Keep on with the hydro taper and you should be okay to jump off completely very soon, like in a matter of days. Keep us posted. God bless.

[melinda7.5]

OXYmom and all,

I have started today with the 6 Hydrocodone recommended, and plan to cut it to 5 tomorrow. The Vallium has been a huge help at night, as has been the Potassium for leg cramps. You ALL have given me the courage to try this; my Dr. (while well-meaning) would have had me on a 6-month road of h*ll!

There is nothing like personal experience, and I have found it here in depth (I hope the health-care pros are reading this stuff!). I am also appalled at how the drug industry apparently has a vested interest in keeping people on Methadone! Well, I should know this; it is all about money.

OXYmom, you are still my "buddy" in this; thanks for asking for one!

Sue

Hi sue
Hey your going to do great on your taper,When it was time for my next pill I would say to myself oh,I can wait another 10 min.and I would and then I would do it again it works really well.before I knew it I was waiting hours before I took my pill...I will be cheering you on,and I'm really excited for you..
Talk to you soon,Melinda

[Sue13]

Thanks for the encouragement Melinda!

Robert, so I am talking 5 Hydro and 6 valium-5mg today? (The Alleve seems to help with pain, and the Wellbutrin may be kicking in because I don't find it onerous to get up in the morning, and outside of a little malaise (valium, I guess), I feel better (and more importantly, more hopeful than I have in months?years?).

Haven't really started the Thomas recipe yet although I have been taking one tab of L-Tyrosine each morning.

What are my gaps here? I take electolyte combo + potassium for cramping, and have always been a healthy eater; am I missing anything?

Thanks, Sue

[icandoitin08]

Looks like you stuck to your taper plan yesterday. GOOD FOR YOU!!

you are off to a good start. You can do it!

Keep updating!

[Sue13]

Kind of same plan today. We are going to the bf's son's house, and I am an alien there anyway; can't quite see making it through on 4 Hydros, but I am going to try.

I will keep posting; opinions welcome!

Sue

[Sue13]

Also I wanted to ask if there are reactions to Wellbutrin+Hydrocodone+Valium+Thomas recipe?

Anything I should look out for? The Valium is 5 mg (can't take it during the day-totally makes me want to take a nap), the Wellbutrin is 300mg in the morning. Hydro-10-500 (whatever that means). I have had 3 today...will probably take another just to be "upbeat" for the bf's family, and will reserve 2 1/2s to be taken at bedtime and at 3 Am....so that will be 5 today.

Opinions?

Thanks, Sue

[icandoitin08]

Also I wanted to ask if there are reactions to Wellbutrin+Hydrocodone+Valium+Thomas recipe?

Anything I should look out for? The Valium is 5 mg (can't take it during the day-totally makes me want to take a nap), the Wellbutrin is 300mg in the morning. Hydro-10-500 (whatever that means). I have had 3 today...will probably take another just to be "upbeat" for the bf's family, and will reserve 2 1/2s to be taken at bedtime and at 3 Am....so that will be 5 today.

Opinions?

Thanks, Sue

Hi Sue, you can enter the drugs you are on into the interaction checker. You can also enter them in the mednotes. I hope this helps. One thing you have to start breaking is the need to take a pill to be upbeat at a gathering. We have to learn to deal with things without the pills. I am 12 days clean now, I chose the suboxone route, and I am not even thinking about pills. The thoughts do pop into my head but I push them right out. I find myself thinking more like wow, this just happened and I did not even think about taking a pill. It is a great feeling. It sounds like you are sticking to your taper plan and that is just great! Keep up the taper. Keep updating.