Day 2 taper off vicoden

[Lady_Blue]

This entire thread gives me SO MUCH motivation. I am feeling very weak at the moment, but will not cave in to my addiction!

[free2see]

<TABLE style="MARGIN-TOP: 5px" cellSpacing=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=sqtdq colSpan=2>"feeling very weak at the moment, but will not cave" good- stay strong ladyblue!!




“Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness�

</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> Jean Vanier

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE style="MARGIN-TOP: 5px" cellSpacing=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=sqtdq colSpan=2>“Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength and courage to yield to.�

</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> Oscar Wilde

<TABLE style="MARGIN-TOP: 5px" cellSpacing=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=sqtdq colSpan=2>“At times, our strengths propel us so far forward we can no longer endure our weaknesses and perish from them.�

</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2> Friedrich Nietzsche

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[free2see]

9 DAYS FREEHow's everyone else today? Bonesy? Lady? Woops? Agent? RecoverFL?

[woops]

[recoverFL]

Hey guys, A little weak this morning, but trying to get motivated.

6 days and counting!!!!!

Big step coming up for me. My S is going to see her Neurologist tomorrow.(script doc) Shes been staying at her parents as I told her that I wasnt going to have it around the house anymore. She really does need something as shes had several neck fusions and has been in a few accidents. I dont think she needs nearly what he writes her.

She wants to come back home.

As I was talking to her, I must have thought of 50 reasons to tell her to go ahead and get them filled. I came very close to doing so. I didnt!!!

Ive never had this craving before. They were always there, I just took em'.

Ack! Tension in my neck is aweful... Ill check back later guys.

Edit: Ok, I feel a bit better after that hot,hot shower.

I see that you guys are LOTR fans. Subsequently I am a bit of a MMORPG (Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Game) junkie as well.

I play a game called World of Warcraft, which mirrors Tolkens Middle Earth. Orks, Trolls, Elves, Giants the whole she-bang. Its hard to explain to anyone that hasnt ever experienced a MMORPG before. Its a world that stays online 24/7. So there isnt an end game per-say. It just lives 24/7. This allowed me even more so to dive into this world and not think about troubles out here.

I havent played to much lately, concentrating is getting easier, but still a bit tough.

[free2see]

More power to you Recover! TEMPTATION AND CRAVING are always lurking behind something. right now, i'm trying to look at it like a challenge/test of my will. my neighbor came home a few hours ago with a script of hydro and offered me one for my back. I got those 50 reasons to say yes, but said no. It is the one "no" that is important.

I'll have to check out world of warcraft- i play age of empires sometimes

[bonesy]

Free, 9 days!!!!!!!!!!! F'ing great. I am doing ok; sticking to the plan; my mind is messing with me though. One thing I want to come clean about, is that I have an enormous quantity of this crap. If you can believe it, i went ahead and had a prescription refilled even after i started my taper, mainly because..... jeez, because i'm an addict! so anyway, its tucked away high on a shelf. i am being "good" and sticking to my taper but i've been obsessing over the fact that if i were serious i would take the new bottle and throw it in the toilet. So for the past two days, when i've taken my morning dose, i've started throwing maybe one pill away. I feel like a nutcase. Does anyone have any sage advice? I dont at all feel inclined to take more than my taper, physically i feel so much better and feel the fog clearing, but there's something monumental about dropping the crap down the drain. In a way i feel like i'm getting somewhere because i'm actually talking about it. It's a start. Woops,
Agent, how are you all?

[free2see]

Bonesy

there's something monumental about dropping the crap down the drain.

so true. Monumental and empowering!! I made alka seltzer with my last pill-put it in a class of soda! Get creative with destroying them!! I was inspired by Done who made some Apple Sauce. It is so hard to let go but so nessesary.

[sandluvr]

I am new to this so please bear with me. I have just started tapering off of OC's this past week. I have been on them for 2 years. I am determined to do this, but I need support. Does anybody have any idea as to how long the w/d's will be. I would appreciate any input. I am taking great strength from all of you.
Thanks

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Sand,

The W/D period & experience varies according to many factors, such as:

1. How long you've been using
2. How much you've been using
3. Age and physical health
4. How many times you've quit before (see "kindling" effect)
5. How you decide to quit, taper vs. cold turkey
6. What kind of meds & support you have for the W/D period

There is an acute phase which lasts 72 hours or more, and then (in some cases, like mine) a protracted period of adjustment and normalizing. Some feel normal in a relatively short span, while other take 90 days, 6 months, or a year or more. Just depends.

Best thing is to commit to stopping now; get help from a medical pro, and research all that you can about nutrition that can help an addict (e.g. Thomas "Recipe".

Good luck - the great journey begins with the 1st step!

Buzz

[sandluvr]

Hi Buzz, Well I've been on these for about 2 years due to a back injury, the past 6-7 months I have been taking(prescribed) 12 per day. I have decided, with the help of my Dr. to taper off. I have been doing this for 3 days. I have Valium to take for anxiety, I have run out of the meds before and felt very "disconnected" and kranky. I'm hoping that tapering will be an easier way. Thank you so much for any advice or help you could give me.

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Sand,

I'd be happy to give you specific advice, but I have a few questions for you. It's great that your doc is willing to help. MDs get little training in addiction and withdrawal; hence many have just a cursory understanding of the challenges you face. 3 days off the meds is a huge achievement; the acute phase will end soon.

1. Are you still in pain?

2. You've been taking 12 "what?" a day? Vicoden? Norco? Oxy? It is important to determine the total daily dosage of both the opiate as well as the compound mixed with it (e.g. Vicoden 5/500 has 5 mg. of Hydrocodone & 500 mg. of acetaminophen; thus a daily dose of 60 mg. of HC plus maybe 6 grams of acetaminophen. Note that the daily max. recommended dose of the latter is 4 grams)

3. Do you have mobility and can you exercise, e.g. low impact like swimming?

I'm not a doc but I can give you some things to talk to your doc about, based upon my own experience, plus share some things that have worked for me.

Buzz

[sandluvr]

Hi Buzz,
I haven't been completely off for 3 days, I am tapering. In answer to your ? I was taking 12 Oxycodone 5mg. per day. I am able to excersise, and am trying to do that. I just worry because as I said, I have run out of my meds before and felt terrible, but I'm praying that tapering will help. What do you think, and any ideas on what may lie ahead these next few days. I believe I will be taking 4 tomorrow, then 3, etc.
Thank you so much for helping me.

[recoverFL]

Hello Sand,

Im new here too. Ill be into my 7th day "cold turkey" here in about 2 hours.

Im no expert and can only tell you what Ive been going through.

((Im asuming 12 x 20ml Oxy = 240 ml daily.))
(( Edit: Scratch this, I just saw your recent post))
(( The OC you posted earlier threw me off ))

Thats about twice what I was taking but I was taking for twice as long. I dont know what kinda conversion that makes.

day 1-3 - Didnt sleep or eat. Cant concentrate for more than 5 min.

day 4 - Constant hot / cold flashes. Deep bruise like muscke pains. Got about 5 hours of sleep.

day 5 - hot / cold. Upset stomach. Twitchy muscle spasims. Slight cramping. Not much sleep ( 2 hours max )

day 6 - Having clear peaceful moments at times. Pain still peeks at times. Extreme tension in my neck muscles. I took a valium & naproxen late today and that seems to have helped alot with my neck tension. OH. I actually got up and did some jumping jacks for about 3-4 min. Little fatigue setting in.

Remind me to get some exercise tomorrow. Day 7 here I come!

[sandluvr]

Hello Recover;
Thanks for the info. I'm wondering if it makes a difference that you went CT? That seems like a long time to go through all that. I'm really not looking forward to that. How are you feeling today? Your just about at the end I would think.
Thanks so much

[recoverFL]

Right now, I feel pretty damn good actually. I can actually feel the difference from the morning to the evening. Im sure it makes a BIG difference in tapering and going ct. I dont think I could have tapered. I would have reduced and then gone right back up. Youll have pains and discomfort for sure. I hope you dont go through the week of hell I just went through. I found this site in about my 3-4th day and its the only thing I could keep focused on for more than 5 min. I read, cried, cried, cussed and just kept reading. Didnt think the pain would end. Trust me it does. Oh how I wish I would have done this years ago. I have alot to pick up.

12:03 ----- 7 DAYS!!!!!!


I walked outside earlier today and I felt the wind blowing for the first time in four years.

[Alera]

Originally Posted by recoverFL

12:03 ----- 7 DAYS!!!!!!


I walked outside earlier today and I felt the wind blowing for the first time in four years.

I still remember that feeling as well. It is wonderful to "feel" and be aware of your senses, isn't it?

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Sand,

You many want to talk to your Doc and perhaps taper a bit slower if you have the self-discipline. That just lengthens the time you'll feel rough but it may make it more bearable.

Here is a URL with recommendations from a doc on getting off methadone, including medicine and diet regimens. The same applies to other opiates and it's good advice IMHO:

http://www.dpeg.org/treatment/methadone_withdrawal.htm

Take his nutritional advice especially. Can't hurt.

As you taper you will feel down and maybe have trouble sleeping. You might have more physical discomfort if you taper off too fast. Then again, if you go CT be prepared for a few hellish days where you don't feel like doing anything and you'll be anxious and depressed. Same when you take your last tapered dose, only less so.

Exercise as much as possible, even if you aren't motivated.

The meds work on the brain's mu receptors, but also on all of the major neurotransmitters. When you stop your brain will be trying to adjust to normal. If you have pain, psychic or physical, as your doc about anti-depressants. They help folks with chronic pain but also can really help with anxiety and depression, because they manipulate some of the same brain chemicals but in different ways.

After perhaps a week of feeling like you have the flu you'll begin to feel better and the good feelig gets better with time. I'm just starting to feel normal after almost 60 days but damn, it is a heck of a lot better than being on the meds and I can't tell you how glad I am that I quit. You will be too. Only don't expect a miracle overnight. Even feeling sub-normal is better than the CT experience, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel that is not the approaching train!!

Take hot baths, showers, Ibuprofen, Immodium, Valium, etc. PRN to deal with the physical symptoms.

Hang in there buddy . . . we are ALL pushing for you. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Buzz

[bkc]

Hello my friends.Its great to see ya'll sticking together through this.I've been off and on opiates for 24 years,all kinds.stayed clean for 8 years and 2 years during that period.After an accident 2 years ago,I started taking the hydrocodone again through one surgery.then stopped ct.Only to find out there was more damage and another surgery,so I am back on them.Going through therapy and doing a slow taper.From 7 to 5 750's a day.Through the many detox's in my life I've had some rough ones and some that weren't so bad.The MAIN thing for me is to make up my mind that I'm going to do it.No turning back,my bad times come when I start entertaining thoughts of taking extra's ,or just giving up.I treat it like my worst enemy,refuse to give in to it.Remember, after day three it's all downhill,slowly at first, but downhill.Hang in there everyone the end is near and the pain is worth it.BTW break the darn things in half if you need to.1/2 a day taper for four days then level for 2 does wonders for me,then at the end I'll take halves at night and to help me eat and rest.Gatorade is great.Sorry for the long post.Beat it do not accept defeat.Life is on the other side and it's good.

[Alera]

Originally Posted by free2see

9 DAYS FREEHow's everyone else today? Bonesy? Lady? Woops? Agent? RecoverFL?

Keep that train going. Congrats

[woops]

Originally Posted by bonesy

Free, 9 days!!!!!!!!!!! F'ing great. I am doing ok; sticking to the plan; my mind is messing with me though. One thing I want to come clean about, is that I have an enormous quantity of this crap. If you can believe it, i went ahead and had a prescription refilled even after i started my taper, mainly because..... jeez, because i'm an addict! so anyway, its tucked away high on a shelf. i am being "good" and sticking to my taper but i've been obsessing over the fact that if i were serious i would take the new bottle and throw it in the toilet. So for the past two days, when i've taken my morning dose, i've started throwing maybe one pill away. I feel like a nutcase. Does anyone have any sage advice? I dont at all feel inclined to take more than my taper, physically i feel so much better and feel the fog clearing, but there's something monumental about dropping the crap down the drain. In a way i feel like i'm getting somewhere because i'm actually talking about it. It's a start. Woops,
Agent, how are you all?

Hey Bonesy
I'm a bit like this too - but I have to have enough to see me thro this taper? When I am thro - then I will bin the rest. But not till then.
Had a rotten night last night................. this is where I start to wonder at long slow taper.................but I may actually be going too fast? Maybe should think of reducing by 1/2 per 4 days. It doesnt really matter what I do - as long as I do it and reach the end without collapse!! Pain is becoming a real issue...............
So - bonesy - how are you today?
Free - I am going to say well done on day 10 - in anticipation.................................. hope everything coming on line now? When do you start back at work?
Bkc and recover - well done you guys - great work............... keep posting and encouraging us??
woops

[free2see]

DAY 10


Feel good today so far. I'm so thankful for the times I feel good during the day! Exercised like crazy yesterday and it helped a lot. Built a stone fire ring in the back yard, got some wood and sat and stared at the fire for hours last night. The draw of a campfire is so much older than this addiction. Anyway, It inspired me to go camping- I'm leavin with the dog and going into the woods. It's going to rain but it won't dampen my spirit.

And when the thundercloud passes rain
Let it rain, let it rain
down on me. (U2)

[woops]

'What would the world be once bereft
Of wet and wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Enjoy the camping!

[bkc]

Hey Woops,and others hang in there.I absolutely agree about the end result.The main thing is not going backwards,I reduce my dosage's as quickly as possible,but a few days in hold pattern can help,for me any way.One of my biggest issues is trying to stay somewhat physically strong through the ordeal.Eating is almost impossible for me when I go to fast.And, when I'm weak I'm more apt to falter.Too long is not good for me either so there is kind of a zone in there that I try to stay within.Praying for the best for ya'll.I hate this more than anything but once again Life is good on the other side.bk

[recoverFL]

Hey guys!!! Monumental day today!

My wife and I tore up a script for (90) Oxycontin. I told her about this sight and she might be joining, definately reading, as there are other issues she would like to read about. Hope everyone is doing well today.

Keep u