Tapering off is way better...

[donnasdone]

Hi everyone, thanks for the brain zap responses. I am over  3 week now and feeling ok.  Just want to say to those thinking of stopping that tapering is way better if you can.  I knew I wanted to stop to see if I could live with my pain.  I  detoxed two weeks 2 years ago before surgery and stopped c/t and it was bad.  The muscle aches alone were killer, plus cramps, bathroom constantly, no sleep, anxiety, chest pains, but worst was my pain from an accident was so bad I had to go back on the meds.  Now 2 yrs later I was ready to see if I could live with the pain so I decided to taper off, I took 1 every 3 hrs instead of 2 every 4 and got down.  I should have stayed longer on the small dose, but I had enough.  I did not get any of the muscle aches in arms and legs which was great, instead I got brain zaps badly, they are definitely getting fewer, bathroom is the worst (I have a sensitive stomach), which the pills always helped.  The best news is I don't miss the pills at all.  I can't wait to feel free enough to be my old self.  

I wanted to stop so long ago and PM told me no.  I can't believe those stupid pills made my pain so much worse.  I still have pain but advil is doing the same thing the norcos and hydros did, except my head is feeling so much clearer.  

I wish good luck and easy detoxs to all.  Tapering off and really wanting to be done are the way to do it. I am so done.  When you can say that with a full bottle in the house, you are done.

Anyone need to talk, I'll help I I can.

[VICourageous]

Keep it up..This RECOVERY is a LIFE LONG JOURNEY.. Just keep that Armour on at all times against this Disease. You will have some emotional waves come and go after the detox..Just stay tuned in with your self and know this is all part of the process and life does have its ups & downs.

I too agree with Dominosarah. She is our Community Leader and has many, many years in and is 100% right about having those pills around..When we get done with the detox and think we have it beat.Ha!! That is when just ONE pill can start this all over again..This is a disease of the Brain and it affects many areas as well..One being the Midbrain (survival) Pleasure part and it will always remember the Pleasure and will play that tape over and over again if it knows the pills are Around or if you even feed it. This is very serious here. This is talked about a lot at the meetings being the "Pink Cloud" thing. We never have this beat..It can go into remission (sort of speaking) but the beast can bite you in the ash when you least expect it. If you would like to read some info on this go into my Journals and read 3 different pieces I put in so far from info I collect..One being the "Nature of Addiction" and One on the Pleasure Part beyond Will power and One about the Grieving cycle we go through..I wish you the best and just keep your "Guard Up" at all times. Flush those PILLS..We love Flushing Party's.
Bless

[donnasdone]

I'm glad the c/t worked better for you.  I read all posts and take what people say as ideas, of course what works for one is not best for another.  I just did the taper cause I wanted to try to cut down, if I would have done it longer it might have been easier.  I was happy not to have the muscle ache with the tapering most symptoms were better this time except the head.   You sound like you are on the same page as I, not wanting the pills at all.  I just can't wait to feel a little better so I can start going out more.  This place is very supportive, I wish I had found it earlier.

Best of luck to you.

[donnasdone]

Congrats on 34 days. How are you feeling?  Are you done with all side effects?  I still have cold symptoms, sneezing, nose and major cough, maybe its a cold. but head doesn't feel like it.  I have no desire for any pills. This is working and I can see a big difference.  Don't expect this to be over in a week.  It didn't take a week to get here.  THE BEST PART IS I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO THE PILLS.  NO MORE COUNTING, WATCHING THE TIME, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I HAVE TO GO IF I RUN OUT.  I AM FREE.  

I wish everyone luck and remember, this definitely works when you have enough and you don't want to play this anymore.  Stay strong people we are in this together.

[SuzzQ]

I tapered for about 2 weeks too... and to me, it just seemed like the w/d went on forever and ever! It was horrible for me.. until I came here and people urged me to just jump.. which means to just stop taking them! And throw out the rest... So, I did.. Now I am so much better!! I mean, amazing.. I still pray a lot and God does help me. I hope you soon realize the tapering makes w/d last so so long... Maybe it does make it easier.. my concern is that a few years ago I decided to taper and I went down to under one norco a day... then just went back up .... This time, I was determined I never wanted another pill again in my life... No ifs, ands, or buts.. Pure determination and an aversion for the pills....I wish you the best and hope you completely succeed as I have... I now have 34 days without the norcos... I will just keep having more and more days behind me.. This I know with all my mind and heart... I am through with Norco, and life goes on.. I get pretty happy quite a lot.. I am so grateful I quit... I hope you do too... : O )   Congratulations on your efforts!!

[wendall2840]

Thank you so much for your post.  I am tapering off now and it is getting easier.  I feel so much better just cutting back although I know I need to jump soon.  I have some pressing family matters that I have to deal with first before I can risk feeling sick. Plus have time off work coming up.  You are soooo right about you have to make your mind up.  I am going to meetings even though I would love to just go home and park it on the couch.  I never was like this before taking pain meds.  At one point a month or so ago I couldn't even read something and understand it my attention span was so short.  Now I can actually concentrate alittle.  It was a problem before the pills but so exasperated by them.  I think we only here the horror stories of w/d.  Don't get me wrong I soooo appreciate everyone's story but I am beginning to believe there are some that get off this stuff with minimal w/d.  Your mind has to be in the right place. Lot's of support.  One of the biggest things for me was telling people that cared about me.  And it has kept me in check with what I'm doing and taking.  Well....I guess I shouldn't comment until I have completely quit. Thank you again for your insightful post.

[dominosarah]

Congrats on getting your life back!!  Alot of us found our pain actually got better once we were off the meds.  My one concern with your post is your comment about having pills laying around.  Please get rid of them as at some point they will call your name.