Day 2 taper off vicoden

[bonesy]

Thank you thank you, Free! I feel good today, and I pray i have the positive shift you refer to, where i'm not afraid NOT to take them. I'll stay in close touch and appreciate your words. How are you doing????

[free2see]

DAY 5 for Free. slept well (8 hrs) I have some anxiety and still that electric shock feeling in my legs but not bad. I will exercise to fight it.

It is getting better. I hope that gives some hope and comfort to those who struggle on this day.

woops-I had a lot of anxiety/irritability at points in my taper-I still do, but they will come and go and eventually pass. Take a deep breath and let it all go. Do what you need to do in regards to the taper but don't go backwards. Unfortunately, the anxiety is a very real side-effect but there are ways to ease your discomfort. You could fess up to a doc. (any doc.) and they could help with short-term medication or there are alternative ways-breathing ex., yoga, meditation. I think exercise is the best way to combat the anxiety and or depression-it's hard for me to get motivated to do, but I feel better after- even if it's just a long walk. Though it is hard, I try to think of this anxiety as life and energy coming back in my body after years of being numb. as for your family, you may want to tell them the truth-perhaps not about the addiction but your symptomology. They will soon be commenting about how much better you are-energy, awareness, available, clairity.

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”


“Anxiety is the space between the "now" and the "then."”



“This we can all bear witness to, living as we do plagued by unremitting anxiety . It becomes more and more imperative that the life of the spirit be avowed as the only firm basis upon which to establish happiness and peace.”

Dalai Lama



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[free2see]

Agent-How are u doing today?

[free2see]

Bonesy- I'm glad you are feeling good today!!!!!! You are on the right track!!!



30 years is a long time but it might as well be a single day. We can only learn from the past. Tomorrow will come regardless of our conditions and situations. Conviction is all we have today. How will we show up today? How will we show up to life today?

[agent alias]

Hello all!

Free2see- you sound great! keep on walking...helps , doesn't it?

Bonesy! - I'm so proud of you..after 30 years, it will take your body some time to heal this but take it one day at a time. Your body/mind will crave for awhile but be strong...you're my inspiration!

Woops- I know it isn't easy. You all want to know a secret? IMMODIUM AD works wonders for those inbetween taper dosages. If you decide to Cold turkey it, IMMODium AD works for physical WDs..but you do have to taper off it. Immodium AD is loperamide and is an opiod but doesn't cross the blood brain barrier.

I think I have a cold now. I feel pretty good considering it is my day2. I took clonodine yesterday night and a valium . Slept pretty good. I don't have anxiety or restless legs. Never really had it. I always exercised even during my heavy hydro use. The exercise helps tremondously. I will continue to do that today.

Y'all don't know my history. I use to be a big hydro addict- 35+ a day user....at that time , I was going to school, going through a divorce, staying at home with my daughter and basically being an addict. It was my very own secret. I told nobody and didn't know how to get off the shyt. I thought I was going to die.

I use to be on healthboards alot and read about Sub. It was around Christmas time and a dad use to post there. He was on the fence about tapering or going on the Sub. Anyway- one night he took too much and his wife posted for him that he passed away by ODing. That woke me up....I immediately made that call to a Sub doctor. I took sub and it saved my life. However, then it became another problem. Sub is a very strong opiate and I will never be against it but I do have to say, be careful with it.

So now fast foward to 2 years later. I have a full time career and I had some surgery went on Vicodin. Then went on Nutracleanse to try to get off. Boy, that was more of a monkey because we were mislead about that product (you can read the thread). That was hard to get off- hence went back on hydros to get off that and been on low dosages of hydros (between 30-40mg a day) for the last 3 weeks. So I said enough is enough and here I am on day2 and feeling good.

[Done-With-It]

You all are doing fantastic!

Just thought I'd remind you!

Hang in there

Keep going

It will get easier!!

[bonesy]

Agent, Free, woops, how you doing? Yesterday I struggled, almost didnt stick with my plan. I did end up taking a week bit more ativan, but did NOT up the hydro which is my DOC. But i've been getting freaked out reading about valium, ativan, hiding out in the muscles, etc, and i dont want to trade in one messed up problem for another. But i feel i need something in that family (benz) while i get off the hydro. Do any of you have advice about that? One friend told me DONT take both ativan and valium, cut one of them out, and having read these scary threads, i'm not sure which one that should be. My plan is to taper down .25 again this thursday. I ho[pe I can do it. Hang tough, guys! Bonesy

[free2see]

DAY 6 for me. I feel pretty good. The taper was mentally tough but phyically much easier than a CT experience. The taper has been empowering. Having a workable taper schedule and sticking to it was like a small victory everyday.
Bonesy- (quote) "Yesterday I struggled, almost didnt stick with my plan". Struggling is part of this process and "almost" is testimony to the struggle. You did it though and that is wonderful!! a victory. Wars are hardly won on a single battlefield.

Regarding the benzo's- Hydro is my DOC but i have also worried about the benzo thing. I have taken 10mg valium once a day on 3 of the 6 days to help with the anxiety but I will only take it as needed for the next few days. I would be careful if you plan to taper for some time and take benzo's-the longer you take them, the larger the chance for dependency. I don't know much about Ativan but I do know that it is not wise to take 2 drugs of the same family in conjunction. It's like taking Oxy and Hydro. I think many here can give you much better advice about Benzo's than me. Are you doing this taper/med. thing with the help of a doctor?

You are doing very well. Keep going!! And congrat's again on yesterday-sticking to your plan and winning!

[free2see]

Woops? Agent? how u guys doin?


Oh, and thanks Done

[woops]

Hi Bonesy,
Yep - I do so know how you are feeling........................ I know how to solve the problem of symptoms - but its all just short term. Look how well you are doing - down so low .................I'm sure you dont want to throw all that effort away? I dont. So - am slogging on.................
As for benzos - well - as far as I can see in my reading - these drugs are so much more addicting than anything else ............more so than opiates.......... and from what I read on the net - it's a terrible - long and difficult withdrawal.............. so - I dont intend to go anywhere near them. If things get too bad for me - then I will stick at where I am at and wait for my body to adjust b4 going further with my taper. Could you just imagine getting addicted to another drug while coming off an opiate? Unthinkable? YIKES!!
So - my update - am now at the equivalent of 6 vicodin.......... and will drop to 5 on Wednesday - hopefully!! Symptoms - not nice but OK!! LOL
So - Bonesy (and Agent!!) - we are in this together? With any luck - it should not be too long for us? And for now - I am just focusing on today - this afternoon and this evening............... and then to bed - another day over....................
woops

[woops]

Hey Free
So - day 6 for you and going up........ GREEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT
Are things beginning to settle down for you now? How about the anxiety?
Sounds as though you are on course?
Well done!
woops

[BeginAgain]

Beno withdrawals can be very nasty and dangerous. IMHO I think very light and short term use during withdrawal is probably okay...just don't start liking that relaxed feeling too much...lest we trade one for another. Plenty of people take them occasionally and safely for legitimate reasons. Just be very very careful. If you want some real experience look for emmer on here and read some of his posts. Emmer has recently kicked benzos and opiates after a very tough period of withdrawal. Emmer is a shining example of it can be DONE!!!

Everyone seems to be doing so well. I'm proud of you - I know how though this can be...been there...a few times unfortunately....but you can do it. HANG IN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[free2see]

Woops. I'm doing. I've still got a bit of anxiety and the jimmy legs but it is tollerable. I need to get some exercise!!! It helps more than I thought it would. It's just cold and rainy here. I can't believe that would stop me. I'm from Maine!!!!! I've got thin blood now.

Great job on 6-ur getting there. shooting for 5 on wed? that's great!! Every day is a victory for you.

“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”

[agent alias]

Everybody is doing great here! sorry to hear about your bad weather...sometimes i forget i have sun 24-7 and i can get exercise anytime.

Free2see- 6 days is AMAZING...you're almost there....can you do jumping jacks in place or jump rope for 20 minutes inside since its so darn cold for you there outside.

Woops- your are doing it - tapering...takes steel strength willpower..but you're doing it!

Bonesy- don't mix the valium(diazepam) and ativan (lorezepam) together...they both are the same (they even sound the same..see) and ativan has a longer life than valium. Take either only for a few days and you won't get addicted. Benzos are much harder to get off...takes months of WDs.

I'm sick today with the flu but I don't have really any WDs...just very slight and I'm on Day3. feeling pretty good overall except for this dang flu thingy.

Hang on everybody...almost there..

[bonesy]

Woops,
Good for you!! You're right i'm sure about the benzo's. Will be extremely careful. Remember you dont have to zoom through your taper. My friend who initially helped me advised me to stay put for 7-10 days. Her doc tapered her, so i'm just mooching off her medical advise, as i dont have (or want) a doc to talk to. Anyway, you're doing it! Me too. Another day.

[bonesy]

Agent, good for you. Day 3 is big! Thanks for the advice. No more mixing the ativan and valium. I think i'll read more horror stories of the benzo's to keep me on the right track!

[bonesy]

Free, thanks again for your support. You are doing great. Keep checking in. You have been so helpful!

[free2see]

Agent- Sun 24/7? -I just saw snow in LA county hope ur staying warm!

[free2see]

One week, How grown-up it sounds!!!!!

My God, the addict mind is so decieptful. I still crave. Can't go backwards though- won't go. Still have the "electric legs" and a little anxiety-but when I woke this morning I was symptom-free. great feeling!! I've drawn my line in the sand, held my ground and my enemy is retreating. I've had enough. 150 weeks of living in fog and having no control. My 2 weeks of suffering are nothing but short and behind me.
Sailing out of the fog

[agent alias]

Free2see- is that where you are ? sailing away? beautiful pic! You saw snow in L.A. county?? Its been cold the last couple of days....more like ice/hail...never lovely snowflakes...only in the local mountains or further..but Mammoth for skiing is awesome....woo hoo..

I'm dying from the flu bug, way worse than WDs right now...in fact, i don't even feel any WDs...i think Ive surpassed it already.

I'm here for y'all.........sick but here....if you need me..

[golf99]

electric legs


I know, man they drive me NUTS!

[free2see]

8 DAYS FREEI feel better with everyday that passes.

I'm reading alot and trying to exercise as much as possible. I'm still not working but that was all part of this plan. Sometimes we need time to get better. I am thankful to have had this time.

Bonesy & Woops- How u guys doin?

Agent- Thanks-sorry you've got the flu but if it's masking the WD's then it might be a blessing

Strength to all out there

"if there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are people who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. That struggle might be a moral one; it might be a physical one; it might be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. it never did and it never will. People might not get all that they work for in this world, but they must certainly work for all they get."

Frederick Douglass - Abolitionist<!-- / message -->

[woops]

Hi free
Having a lousy day to day!
Glad you are feeling good.................. I'm comin' up right behind you!!
woops

[free2see]

Woops. Sorry you are having a lousy day. I know how you feel and can tell you it will only get better.


If only it was this easy

[woops]