Day 2 taper off vicoden

[woops]

Originally Posted by sheat

Good luck woops! I hope you read my post for free and maybe you can talk to your dr. about getting some help with this! Good luck! You are very brave working and taking care of a family,I know its hard. I have 2 kid one is 12 months and one is 7, and my fiance of 8 years (their father) died at 22 years old from methadone over dose,and the dose wasn't even high it just didnt agree with him that day any ways i have no one no family-well they don't know im still on this so i have to do it alone! I think i'm going to try your way first,and if i don't have self control i will do fast taper or c/t it. Well good luck I hope you and your family the best of luck!

Hi Sheat
So nice to hear from you again.
Well - I too know nothing much about sub - but there is a load of information on it elsewhere in here - and there are plenty of people to offer advice. If you think the time is right - and you seem to think so - then why not talk to your doc about a taper? I understand why free is going at such a pace - but I could not manage this and stay functional - and I have to for my family's sake. I can be a grumpy old sod - but must produce the dinner on the table and keep my work ticking over in order to put that food on the table!! I know you will know what I mean!! LOL So - you have kids - and maybe a nice slow taper would be easier in your circumstances............. but whatever you decide - dont lose heart - you can do this - the evidence is here on the boards for you to see. When the time is right for you.........
Keep posting..........
Take care
woops

[illbeback]

Free, take this advice or leave it, but once you're down to 2 per day for a couple days, either stop all together without going to just 1 per day or make sure you take that 1 per day as late in the day as you possibly can. I found that when I got down to one, taking that one pill made me want another so bad it just wasn't worth it. I'm really no expert, but I'm pretty sure that if you can get yourself down to 2 per day, you can stop fairly easily. But, I may be wrong. Just my experience...and I did it many, many times before I finally stopped.

[free2see]

illbeback- Thanks for the suggestion. Actually that is my plan. 2 for 2 days and then zero. I can't imagine taking one per day-I think it would drive me crazy.

How were the WD's after going from 2 to zero? I'm anticipating feeling crappy for 4 days or so but who knows. Anyway, it will be 10 times better than if I hadn't tapered.

Congrat's again to you

[Hope]

Originally Posted by free2see

Suffering with purpose and intention for a better tomorrow.

It does get better. I'll be here to support you each step of the way. Each day brings a new healing.

[free2see]

Thanks for the support Hope4life

[free2see]

day 2 of 3 vicoden per day-down from 8 last week.

Wd's aren't as bad as I thought they would be. A little flu like symptoms but who doesn't get the flu every once in a while? I'm thankful for the good moments and hopeful in the bad ones.

How is everyone else on this fine day (in South Texas anyway)

Woops? Sheat? Illbeback?

[woops]

Hey free
Great to hear you sounding so upbeat......................way to go!
You are getting so very close now to being free.
Listening to you - I am kinda amazed that anyone ever attempts c/t - you have done such a rapid taper - but sounds as though it has been doable..............For me - the bad moments can be got through by focusing on the time just after taking the pills when things are a bit better.........
Looking forward to seeing you pass the finnish line..............
I am plodding on - slower - not too comfortable - but also not so bad that I cant work and function...................... just hoping that it remains this way.......................

[free2see]

Woops-glad to here you're still plodding!! Though this isn't a race, remember the tortoise (and the hare) and his plodding!! You have so much more on your plate than I, with a family and job. You'll get there!

You know, I think I'll change my screen name on Thurs. to just Free- Good idea!

[woops]

Freeeee...................

[illbeback]

Free, "Free" as it, no pills today? If so, congrats! You asked yesterday how difficult it was going from 2 to 0. Honestly, it wasn't a barrel of laughs, but it really wasn't that hard. After about 3-4 days, I'd feel "normal" and it was never so bad that I had to miss work or anything.

But, for me, that's what made it so easy to take them again. If it is relatively easy for you, don't think that you can start taking them ever again. It's only easy to stop until it ISN'T easy to stop.

Good luck and keep us posted!!

[Done-With-It]

Down to 2-3!!! THAT'S AWESOME!!!!!!!! KEEP GOING!!

[woops]

OK - as ya'll can see - I aint sleeping!!
Spurred on by free2 - I will drop 2 today - take me to 7.........................Feeling not great - fluey - but feel that this is going to drag if I take it too slow..........In for a penny - in for a pound? Dont want to risk relapsing - but need to move forward a bit faster - cannot face feeling like this for weeks and weeks.
Illbeback - I couldnt describe this as easy................... argggggg..............
The final struggle on the fileds of Pellenor!!
Hope everyone else going forward
woops

[free2see]

Woops-good for you. You'll start feeling better. I think I am adjusting to my taper. So far, the beginning was the worst. The first few days- a combination of WD and surrendering to this process.

Be careful with the sleep thing-I know you have been thinking about it. Insomnia is a common side-effect. (I like to think of it as an "awakening symptom" But a couple days of no sleep can and will for most drive ya a little nuts. I have been taking my last dose close to bedtime and haven't had trouble yet - but I'm sure that will end when I'm at zero.

I'm at 2 today. Biggest problem is my back-can barely walk. I don't really have any WD symptoms-which is strange-it's all in my back.

Everyday foreward is one day closer.

No matter what comes through that door, you will hold your ground!! (Battle of the fields of Pellenor)

[sheat]

Hi Free-How are you doing on your 2?? I'm glad toread that your w/d aren't that bad! Have you tried taking motrin for the back pain?? It really helps alot, When I was detoxing from vics, my back hurt really bad too! And the motrin 800's really helped! Well I have decided my total quit date is by May hopefully sooner that would be better! Well I hope the info I gave you about the meds was helpful, you may need them when your totally off! You should take the calicum and maginesum for the back pain it helps for the bone & joint aches. Well I wish you the best of luck,and keep us posted how ur doing ok? Look on the bright side your in warm weather, I'm freezing here in Michigan! They say sunshine helps Good Luck! Shea

[sheat]

Hi Woops, How are you doing? I know not sleeping well Sorry to hear that! Have you ever heard of valerian root? It helps with nerves,like during the day take one ,but at night it will help you sleep if you take like 3. The bottle will tell you! You can find it at anydrug store, they smell but work good! Well good luck with everything, and stay strong! Good luck, Shea

[sheat]

FREE & Woops, Have either of you heard of the 12 step program? Or attending any meetings? There is alot more than just quitting,you need some kind of support system. Thats probablly why I relapsed! I thought I could just quit and be done but boy was I wrong! I'm getting into therapy soon! I thought I could just take some vics just so i had it under control(like once a week ) It didnt work well,as you can see!Suboxone is a pill they give you to get off any opiate. But its an opiate its self, I didn't know that when i 1st started taking them! Its like methodone. Well I hope all is well! Good Luck

[free2see]

Thanks for the support and suggestions Shea!

well, Today is day 1, the big leap, The cold plunge. I'm off the taper and off the Vicoden. Hard to surrender to it but it's ok. Feel a little crapy- Anxiety has been the worst.


“Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets.”


“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?”


“To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite; To forgive wrongs darker than death or night; To defy power which seems omnipotent; To love, and bear; to hope till Hope creates From its own wreck the thing it contemplates”

[Phinneas]

Originally Posted by free2see

well, Today is day 1, the big leap, The cold plunge. I'm off the taper and off the Vicoden. Hard to surrender to it but it's ok. Feel a little crapy- Anxiety has been the worst.

Blessings and suupport winging it's way to you. Hang in there through the detox stage and know that it will be awhile before your body and brain heal. But you can do it. Every 5 minutes, hour and day you get though is that much closer to feeling better. A whole new life awaits. You are worth it.

[woops]

Fantastic.............. free - in every sense of the word!

Looking forward to hearing you get better and better..........

Well - I am at the equivalent of 7 and struggling a bit - its not nice..................... but its bearable. I will go down to 5 tomorrow - spurred on by your example - think maybe better to try and get this over with?

So - how does it feel (psychologically) to have "killed the beast"?
No matter - enjoy the feelings of success.............you are being such a great help to me and others trying so hard too..........

Fancy a dance??

[woops]

Hi Sheat
Thanks for all the helpgul suggestions................. I am afraid that the valerian nor the St John's Wart do anything for me regarding sleep. But - to tell you the truth - I am not too worried - I can still function while tired and I know that it will sort itself out - if I just leave things alone - no more chemicals thrown into my system! (Thank goodness for coffee!! LOL)
But - I will perhaps take some magnesium and calcium supplements..........
As for 12 step programs.............. yes.......perhaps? How do I get into a meeting online with NA? Do you know? I have looked but somehow havent actually managed.................I am missing something!! Honestly - I have tried and had no success at all. Anyone let me have a link?
So - how are you Sheat? Are you thinking taper? But whatever you are thinking is good - you are aware and that has to be the beginning.....?
woops

[free2see]

Woops- Day 2 here. I really don't feel as bad as I thought I would. I think the taper has helped soo much. I just remember my cold turkey attempt and all those times running out of pills a couple days before a refill- God!, What a monster that is!!-bed ridden and in agony.

I'm a little anxious, upset stomach, and a little restless-leg synd. but I'm up and about. It's gonna be 80 degrees here today so I'm gonna get out, walk around and enjoy the sun.

Great job on going to 7 and pushing for 5!! ("it's not nice".....my precious) The first part of my taper was the worst but my body would adjust to a new dose after the 48 hours. When you get down to a few or zero-you may want to schedule it on a weekend or a time when you have a couple days free from too much of lifes chores. I could work right now if I had to but it's much better at home-only a suggestion.

As for the psychological monster, the beast of which you speak- I have not, and probably cannot kill it- I can only surrender to it-over and over again. It holds power only if I give power to it.

[bonesy]

It helped so much to read this. I just joined this forum after reading poss for months and agonizing over my addiction. I've been taking this crap for years!! I was up to 3-4 Norco a day. I'm on day 10 of a slow taper and i am down to 12.5 mg a day. I know it doesnt sound like much, but trust me, its a serious habit going on about 30 years. I have been petrified to deal with it. I have 3 kids in college, a husband ( he knows nothing) and fortunately I have a friend who recently got clean who has been my "advisor". I'm routing for you all and will keep you posted.

[free2see]

welcome and good for you bonesy! Sounds like you're on your way to a better you. Stick around - the ride ain't easy, but we're all on the same train here-moving foreward.

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
--- Frank Herbert

[agent alias]

Good job on tapering. it is difficult but probably the best for your body/brain to heal.

I'll be right behind you guys. I'll CT off 6-8 a day of hydros soon. Not sure yet, probably by end of tomorrow. Only have 6 left but will finish by tomorrow.

Sheat- tapering on Sub is the only way to go. Sub is a long acting opiate- it stays in your system for about 12-24 hours. it sticks to your receptors like mud and it leaves your receptors super sloooowwwwlyyyyyyyy. so a slow taper is best even if you have to chip off the tablet. I've done it and it is not easy. I use to be at 30+ pills a day and went on Subutex to get off that crazy rollercoaster 2 years ago. Here I am again after having some surgery but this time around was a different story and my usage is not even comparable to what it use to be. Sub saved my life but it is a very powerful non-narcotic opiate. They recommend a short taper on Sub. How long have you been on it?

Everybody else- benadryl and melantonin works great as a combo for sleep. Valerian roots doesn't work that well but will calm nerves.

good luck.