Weaning off Hydrocodone

[Scarlet32]

I have been taking lorcet 10/650 for three years. I want to stop, I have to stop I have no choice. My health insurance has run out, and what i have left in my bottle is what I have. So I want to try to wean off. I have been trying to do it myself the past 3 days, but Ive been sick to my stomach, and very moody. Im either yelling,crying, or being very mean. I don't want to take these pills anymore. I have endometriosis so my ob/gyn started giving them to me before a surgery 3 years ago,and the rest is history. They made me feel good, they took away the stress. Now they're just the devil and I want them out of my life, but Im SCARED!!! So scared to live my life without them, scared about how im going get through the day, how im going to deal with the stress of my life.So Im finding myself very anxious about what i know needs to be done, for myself and my family. If anyone could please help me with the tapering, I don't really know what I am doing. Im chopping them in half and quaters and taking them when I feel sick, is that the way to do it?  and isn't there some kind of recipe to help with the withdrawls?I just really need the support of others who understand what im going through.

[salsinator]

Scarlet - you have enought to taper and minimize your symptoms.  Try taking the least amount that you can and still function, you will want to feel some withdrawal, as this will be an indicator that you are tapering.  I don't know how much you are taking in one day, but if its only a few, then the taper should be relatively easy for you. Keep posting and keep trying, you will make it.  

[Scarlet32]

quickrick- thank you! im crying as im reading your post and thinking about the words. i needed to hear that. Im scared to death, its the most frightening thing to me to think about when those  pills are gone. when they're gone im done, I can't get anymore this time, and it scares me to death! Ive relied on them for so long, its like they have been my evil best friend. Ive gotten off them before , but of course I always had more in case i freaked out. I always held on to one or two. but now Im having such a hard time with it, its horrible. I feel so disgusted with myself, that i let this happen, let it get this out of control, let it take over my life. thanks again for your kind words.

[Scarlet32]

im sorry to hear youre going through the same thing as me. its very difficult. I have some b12 i just took one. so hopefully that will help me out a little. i do have some anti anxiety meds that i can take, will those help me through this? they usually make me really sleepy, but if it will help me, i will def. take them. im so glad that there are others out there that can help me out on this terrifying journey i am on.

[Scarlet32]

thank you so much for your kind words, and encouragement. I am trying to stay busy, but its difficult when you feel so tired and yet not sleepy at the same time. Im just blah. Its a strange feeling. I will keep  you all posted on my progress.

[Scarlet32]

Hi, thanks for your help. I have about 25 or 30 left. Im not sure, scared to count them. I just want to be done with these. i will look at that recipe too. thanks again!

[Some_life1976]

weclome first off congrats for wanting your life back! i am on day 2 with no norco after a three year off and on addiction and yes it ***** i am going cold turkey in a sick way i need to feel the pain so i wont ever go back but you may want to call your doc there are meds to help with the wd i could never taper i dont have the will power for that. i feel like s*** today but just remind your self the worst of it will be over in 3 to 7 days for me its about 3 days but it takes longer to get the energy back the what kills me but i cant live this lie anymore! sounds like you cant either this site has been my saveing grace the last few days keep reading everthing you can the people here are AMAZING!! i did take some B12 today and lots of advil and hot showers work wonders. i also started lexapro 3 weeks ago cause i new i was going to stop the demon soon and wanted a jump on the deperssion all i did was cry lastnight and that also help good luck too you keep us posted and remender we are all going through the same thing you are not alone!

[GA Guy]

If you tell us how many pills you have left, someone here can suggest a taper. There's some info about the Thomas Recipe you alluded to in the Health Pages. Look in the top left corner here on this page for them. Also, consider getting some therapy of some sort to help with the mental side of things. Going back and reading past posts can give you a ton of information . There's literally hundreds of stories just like yours on these pages.

[salsinator]

Hi Scarlet - Welcome to the forum.  You are in the right place and there are lots of tools and people here that can help you.  You are taking the right steps to taper.  The best way to taper is to cut your regular dose in half, so if you are taking one pill say every 4 hours, try taking only a half every 4.  Then try going longer inbetween doses, so from 4 - 6 hours and so on.  Eventally, you will get to the point where you are taking less per day, if you have enough pills to take your dose down to 1 - 1/2 pill per day then you should be able to quit at that point with minimal w/d.  The withdrawal from hydrocodone lasts about 3-5 days, but you should start to feel better after about 3 days.  Each day does get better.  Read the Thomas Recipe in the Health Pages on the top right of the page, there are some pointers there that will help with the withdrawal.  Hot baths and getting some exercise will also help - even though you may not feel like getting out of bed.  Keep posting, we have all been in your shoes and we will help and support you.  Best of luck, take care.