taper

[chronicmistake]

coming off norco 10/325 and need to know how to make a taper schedule.  I am down to 4 every 24 hours.   my goal is not to suffer too much.

[IBKleen]

I'm proud of you hun. We would not tell you to do anything that we have not done..you know that right? I'm proud and impressed that you trust that we are being honest with you.

As I said...it will be uncomfortable but it is doable. And off of work a week you are lucky. Take that time to get this over with and behind you. Keep talking and let us know how you are doing.

Just please, please be very careful with the benzo. It is highly addictive in itself and that presents a whole new set of problems.

[chronicmistake]

here goes nothing.  I am off work for a week so I might as well take advantage of the time.  I have all my vitamins and immodium, a small number of benzo and sleeping pills to help a little.  

[avisg]

at 4 I would take the plunge . with benzos and tramadol tapering is necessary ..Most likely all you are going to do it prolong the discomfort  tapering from where you are ...

[vicki595]

Yes. What IBK said was true. That's a long taper...you should do it MUCH quicker.

Really,tapering doesn't help or lesson the withdrawals. (unless it's a benzo)   Tapering is more of a psychological thing.  Just stop and get it over with.  Get yourself prepared
for detox,buy everything you need,start some vitamins,and get it done. It's the best way!

We'll support you...keep posting!

[IBKleen]

I'm glad to hear you are calling him. Get honest and ask for help.

I just wanted to clear something up with you. Your goal is to get through this without suffering too much. Believe me, that is everyone's goal. Probably 90% of the posts here are people asking how to get through detox painlessly. My first detox was 42 years ago and I have been through it enough times since then that you think I would have figured it out by now. Most everyone here, thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people have tried and not one of them has succeeded in getting through detox without the side effects.

You need to get it into your head that you want this, and I believe you do. Then you need to buckle down and get it done. Have you ever had the flu? If so then you know what you are in for. You will have maybe 5 days, in your case not even, of not feeling well. You may have chills, sweats, diarrhea and achy muscles. We can recommend some home remedies that will help ease the process. It is 5 days of not feeling so well to get your life back. I think it's a pretty good trade, how about you?

You are only taking 3 pills a day. Believe me, in the scheme of things, it is a very low dose. If you get on a taper plan and get down to 1/2 pill a day you will still go through withdrawal. And, I don't think you understand this part, but you begin the detox process as soon as you take your first drop.

So, bottom line, do you want to spend the next month of so dropping your dose and feeling the withdrawal a little every day or do you want to make up your mind to do this and get it done in less than a week? It's the old band aid thing---pull it off slow or pull it off fast? Your choice.

I know all of this information is confusing you and I totally understand that. Think about everything and decide what you want to do. Whatever you decide we will be here to walk you through it.

[chronicmistake]

ok.  God I know everyone means well but I am losing my mind trying to to the right thing.  I am proud and only took 3 Norco in a 24 hour period.  The worst time for me is waking up at 2 am kicking!  Your right!  I will call my doctor tomorrow.  He already knows that I am addicted so it will be no suprise to him.  If he can't give me a good taper program he can call a pain doctor and ask him.  Thank you  IBKleen!!  :)

[IBKleen]

Hi Chronic,

Cutting one a week is not a taper plan. If you follow that suggestion you will run into problems and I would hate to see you go back up when you are working hard to get clean. Please do the right thing and get a proper one through your doctor. Like Vicki mentioned, it is tricky business and very difficult to do. If you are going to try this at least do it according to a schedule that will work with both your brain chemistry and your body.

[chronicmistake]

I took 3 yesterday so I will go with your plan of sticking to 3 for a week and then go 2 for a week and then 1 for a week and then none. Cannot wait till this is over and I can go to a 12 step program

[vicki595]

I think you'll suffer less and over less time if you just walk away from them. Tapering is VERY difficult and prolongs everything.  The schedule is just dropping a dose every few days,taking them far enough apart and never going back up. It's not easy. I'd quit.

We'll support you. Get prepared in advance. Did you read the health pages upper right?