at the end of taper from Vicodin, question about withdrawal symptoms

[ollie2009]

Hey all,
I suffered from pain due to a chronic condition for the past 8 months. I had surgery last month to correct the problem and am now mostly pain-free (hallelujah). I had been taking anywhere from 2-5 10 mg vicodin per day for the pain. When I asked my doctor how to get off the vicodin, she just said, "cut down gradually." Uh, OK. I should have asked for more specifics, but I always get so intimidated in the doctor's office.

So, I basically set up my own tapering schedule and stuck to it exactly (which has been a relief... I hope this means I haven't crossed the line into mental dependence/addiction?). I have been cutting down by .5 pills every three days, then the last few days cutting the pills into smaller and smaller bits.

When I dropped down to 1.5 pills/day I started to get the RLS/leg pain stuff and general insomnia. Baths seem to help some. In the past few days, a little anxiety has crept in and the leg pain is worse. I'm also cranky. Again, nothing debilitating like so many of your stories, but still not ideal for the mother of a very independent and active toddler.

My question is: how long should this last? Will it get worse before it gets better? I know everyone is different and nobody can predict, but I guess I'm just looking for insight from anyone who tapered down successfully after chronic pain?

Thanks! And kudos to all of you who have kicked your addictions. Your stories are inspiring.

[karaboo]

I personally couldn't taper, if I had them I would take them. But I know that Melinda did a taper successfully and she should be on soon. Just wanted to say good job, and keep it up! The withdrawal symptoms last for 4 to 7 days with cold turkey, just not sure about tapering.

Kara

[melinda7.5]

Hi ollie
When I did my taper I stopped when I got down to two 5mg vic's a day I was sick for about 4 days.
but I could function, just toss the rest that you have and get it done.
start to do a little exercise as soon as you can.
It will start your endorphins working again and give you a sense of well-being
I know how hard it is to stop when you have chronic Pain, I have fibro and DDD.
But i have to tell you the pain is a lot better now than when I was addicted to all those pills.
You have done great with your taper...

So let us know what the plan is if you will get rid of the rest or taper more.
I promise tho your ready to quit.
Talk to you soon, Melinda


Hi Kara !!!

[ollie2009]

Yah, my husband was laughing at me taking halves of halves and said "sweetie, I think you can stop taking the Vicodin now." I've just been so paranoid about withdrawal, paranoid that once I taper off I'll find out I'm really addicted.

I took a tiny bit this morning (seriously, I basically shaved off a tiny fleck of a pill, hahah!) before reading this thread but I think that will be it for me. No use prolonging it.

As for remaining pills, I planned the taper so that I'd be out when I finished so I only have one pill (minus the shaved bit) left. I'll just pitch it!

Thanks again!

[Robert_325]

That's the smart thing to do. You're done, you don't need any more pills. God bless.

[karaboo]

Yah, my husband was laughing at me taking halves of halves and said "sweetie, I think you can stop taking the Vicodin now." I've just been so paranoid about withdrawal, paranoid that once I taper off I'll find out I'm really addicted.

I took a tiny bit this morning (seriously, I basically shaved off a tiny fleck of a pill, hahah!) before reading this thread but I think that will be it for me. No use prolonging it.

As for remaining pills, I planned the taper so that I'd be out when I finished so I only have one pill (minus the shaved bit) left. I'll just pitch it!

Thanks again!

You go girl! You CAN do this, and you will feel soooo much better (and stronger) once you do. Congratulations on the beginning of your pill-free life!!

Kara

[nelly005]

Hi Ollie,
I tapered off vicodin and methadone the same way and it worked...it's been over 6 weeks (I think, I stopped counting a while ago) and it sounds like you're almost there.

Try taking a long walk/slow jog around 3-4 hours before you usually go to bed, then right before bed take a long hot bath with a cup of sleepytime tea and your leg cramps will be much better.

Also make sure you're eating lots of healthy immunity building foods and no junk food!!

And no need to even think the word addict, you were in pain, did what you had to do to fix the pain and now you're stopping the meds cause you don't want or need them!!
Congrats!
Beth

[melinda7.5]

Yah, my husband was laughing at me taking halves of halves and said "sweetie, I think you can stop taking the Vicodin now." I've just been so paranoid about withdrawal, paranoid that once I taper off I'll find out I'm really addicted.

I took a tiny bit this morning (seriously, I basically shaved off a tiny fleck of a pill, hahah!) before reading this thread but I think that will be it for me. No use prolonging it.

As for remaining pills, I planned the taper so that I'd be out when I finished so I only have one pill (minus the shaved bit) left. I'll just pitch it!

Thanks again!

Hi ollie
I'm glad your husband is on board with you. that will make things easer...
keep posting and let us know how you are doing...
and here is the Thomas recipe...you might find some things on there that might help...
Talk to you soon, Melin"PLEASE NOTE: I am not a doctor, simply a long-time Rx opiate junkie who has had many opportunities to develop a way to detox. This is a recipe for at-home self-detox from opiates based on my experience as well as that of many other addicts. It is not intended as professional medical advice. It is always wise to make sure none of the recipe ingredients or procedures conflict with medications you may be taking. Likewise, if you have any medical condition, disease, allergy or any other health issue, consult your doctor before using the recipe. Thanks, Thomas

THOMAS RECIPE

If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll need:

1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.

2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).

3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.

4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).

5. Vitamin B6 caps.

6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:

Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.

Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.

Thomas"

[ollie2009]

Hey all,
Just wanted to give you an update... I did toss the remaining pill as you suggested and have actually been feeling pretty good. Since yesterday morning, I haven't had any leg or knee pain or RLS. Whew! I am still not sleeping so well and am crabby off and on but nothing like what I was worried about. I feel kind of silly... I feel like I was waiting to jump off a cliff only to find out I was standing on a step stool.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and encouragement.

ollie

[melinda7.5]

Hey all,
Just wanted to give you an update... I did toss the remaining pill as you suggested and have actually been feeling pretty good. Since yesterday morning, I haven't had any leg or knee pain or RLS. Whew! I am still not sleeping so well and am crabby off and on but nothing like what I was worried about. I feel kind of silly... I feel like I was waiting to jump off a cliff only to find out I was standing on a step stool.

Thanks to everyone for your advice and encouragement.

ollie

Hi ollie
Thanks for the up date...Im glad your doing ok...you really made me laugh about the step stool...That was funny....
Talk to you later, Melinda