Lortab Withdrawl Symptoms

[utahfox]

I am strting to wean myself off of Lortab 10/500.  I take about 20 a day at the most, sometimes less.  Cold turkey is too hard.  O can handle all of it other then the restless legs and restless arm.  I just can't sit still and it is driving me nuts.  What can I take to stop this?
What is the best way to do this?  I want to go from taking one every 2 hours to every four hours and then once I adjust to it, every 6 hours, and so on.  Has anyone tried this?  I need some serious feedback.  I have to kick this ****.  I have never been addicted to anything in my life and it is humiliating that this has gotten a hold of me.  
I have been taking these for 4 years due to dibilitating migraines.  I can't believe the doctor just kept prescribing me more when we were treating my migraines instead of making sure that I did not form an addiction to this.  Now, he acts like it isn't his problem and I should just keep doing what I am doing because it is keeping the migraines from coming back.  I am pissed!
My main goal is to stop taking these and kick this addiction.  Help me with that first!

[anewbeginning]

I was also taking 20 a day & I tried to taper, but couldn't do it! If you can taper, you will have to be VERY STRONG & not cave in, once you set a schedule. Continue to ask lots of questions & you will get all the info you need on here! Which ever way you decide to do it...it's better than being a slave to pills. I went c/t & am lookin' at over 4 months clean now & I feel very thankful! Good Luck to you!

[Decisions]

As a follow up to my previous post, I would like to point out that if you suffer from diarrhea from the W/D's, then you do need your electrolytes.  Gatorade or something that replaces the electrolytes, but again try to eliminate ANY salt after 4pm as the book suggests?

[Decisions]

Although I don't have personal experience  with RLS, I have a long-time lady-friend, who has/had the problem.  She had the problem mostly at night although sometimes during the day, whilst at rest.  After trying the various RLS meds, she gave in to the problem.

I felt so bad for her, having been around when it happens, and her being embarrased.  I told her to "remember" who we are...  2 very close people.   She is my oldest friend of almost 30 years.  

Anyways,  it turns out ,   SALT  , was the  culprit for her.  I did some research and purchased an online book about RLS.  In the book , it laid out the possible causes of RLS, and the author isolated the main problem Salt.  I won't go into the details of why, but it has something to do  with the nerve transmission, and how salt effects that.

Again I am not sure of the corellation of W/D's and RLS, but it would be worth a try?

OK  the SHORT suggestion would be to try and cut your salt intake.  Especially after 4pm, do NOT eat any kind of salt.  See if it helps.   Good luck.

[lonelyinCA]

I too tapered down from about 20/day.  When you are at that level, your tolerance is high. I would drop two or three per day until I reached 6/day. Then I would stop C/T.  I would have a few bad days, but nothing like the first time I came off them.  

Go as low as you can. If you can get down to 1/2 a day... even better.  When you take a few and don't feel anything (high) - that's a decent level to stop c/t.  At least for me..

I'm on day 30 and feeling fantastic. Far more motiviation, drive, and energy than before. They do rob you of life.  

[kim715]

The RLS was the worst for me , take really hot baths with epsom salt,eat plenty of bananas,you can wrap your legs with ace bandages,and they also sell something at walmart called restful legs.If you are wanting to taper there are a few people on here that can help you with a taper schedule.Of course you will have to be committed to the taper and not exceed the daily dose.If you are not comfortable enough to control the daily dose yourself perhaps there is someone close to you that you can give the pills to and who will not cave no matter how much you may ask for more.You will find lots of support here so keep posting and we will help you in any way we can.Please know that you are not alone and that you can do this.Congratulations on taking your life back.Stay strong. Peace.

[enemy48]

We have a lot in common.  Read my profile.  It was written beginning of January.  

I had many failed attempts to taper and c/t, till I found this forum.

5 months later, I'm still here, but free of the pain killers.

You'll get much love and great advice.  You'll actually form a new addiction.....US!

Best Wishes.

[oxyaddict420]

Well tapering is a good idea since you cant handle the cold turkey.  That would be taking less and less each day or every 3 days or so adjust your meds less and less gradually though.  It will not be easy ot pleasant!  Even when tapering there will be alot of symtoms for withdrawl.  There honestly ISNT ANY EASY WAY TO GET THROUGH IT!  That is just the brutal truth.  Best of luck