I need some direction

[scared2Bwithout_my_Vees]

I have been taking Vicodin ES for about 7 years. I want to taper down and then quit but am very afraid of withdrawal. I was taking it as presribed for an injury for the first few years but then went to 10 a day and have been taking 20-25 a day for the past few months. Does anyone know a schedule I can use to taper down & then quit entirely?  I can't go to a doctor because my husband is a dr in town & it would be horribly embarrassing.  Also I'm not working but staying at home with my 1 & 3 year old children.  Will I be able to care for them while I do this?  I've only taken 3 pills today and don't feel so bad but I know it's only the 1st day of trying to cut back. When do withdrawal symptoms start and how long do they continue?

[toxictome]

Welcome to the forum. This is great place for help and support. I also tapered of vics. The wds were minimal and tolerable. It will still not be fun..but you will be able to function.

Some of the wd symptoms you can expect are: irritabliliy, lethargy, achey arms and  legs, bone pain, rls(restless leg syndrome), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea(although i had NO diarrhea or N&V),restlessness, sneezing, watery eyes,cold flashes, cold feet, insomnia, sweating).
Ok..don't let these scare you...you prol' won't have all of them...but many of them..but it will be milder than going ct...You may have to say you have a mild case of the flu...wd symtoms start 12-24 hrs,. after your last dose..
HOT baths work well for the aches , pains and rls. Also a heating pad.
OTC meds for aches and pains. Immodium for diarrhea.
Drink LOTS of fluids.
Take  a multivitamin.
You will probably hav ecryin gjags while you ar ewd...and for a few days after...it's normal...so is NO ENERGY.
If you can exercise or take a walk..tha talso helps tons!
Any questions, feel free to PM me...
Good Luck .....YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
Avis will get w/ you soon...in the mean time..keep posting!!!

[scared2Bwithout_my_Vees]

I did pm avisg.  It was only 10 minutes ago & I don't think she has had time to answer but I will keep checking.  It makes me cry every time I see that someone has cared enough to give me advice!  But I have to stop doing that because my son keeps asking "Mommy do you have a boo boo".  It makes it seem possible that I may be able to do this since you said that you were taking just as much as me & c/t'd.  Was that absolutely horrifying?   I guess I read all these other posts from people on various days of their wd & thought that if it was working then they had a different situation that mine.  If it wasn't working I identified with it.  Thanks John- I'm tempted to try to taper quickly because it's not so bad yet so I'm glad you put in in perspective for me. Thank you. How do I find out if someone replied to my pm?

[hopsing94]

BMC,big B is what I call him is right. You will still have some mild withdrawl with the taper and for some it is impossible to do. You will endure longer,milder withdrawl symptoms. Since you need to care for your children c/t may not be possible until u get down to a small dosage. Try the taper plan and see how it goes. Remember if you go to fast it will not work, you will have strong withdrawls and will most likely end up worse than when you started. Good luck--John

[cathy5841]

oh yes you can do this.  i was taking mg wise just as much as you and i c/t'd...so yeah you can taper and git off them.  with 90 pils you should be able to do a good taper....did you pm avisg, i tell you she know her taper.
cathy

[scared2Bwithout_my_Vees]

I can't believe you people are so kind!  I haven't told anyone about this.  No BMC, my husband will not be supportive of me in this.  He doesn't realize how much I am taking.  In fact he was the one who got me started.  But, I've let it get way out of hand.  I have about 90 pills left with no particular time frame in mind. Your advice & support is invaluable.  I don't know if I can do this but I don't really have a choice!  

[worried878]

I tapered and quit 3 weeks ago,,,the main thing is to know how many pills you have to work with...the length of time you want to do it in and a quit date...I had a printed sheet with 5-6 doses per day spread out that got smaller and smaller as time went on...i did a 10 day taper but was not taking but 10 a day but for 3 years...you even get to where you cut pills in half and quarters at the end..I wanted to go CT but had to work until I got a couple of days off to do this in as my job is very mental and physical...My WDs were worse the first day and better each day...felt ok by day 4 and pretty much back to normal physically by day 5...I went back to work on day 6...It was kinda like the flu...you can say you have the flu and that is what it will sem like....loose bowels was my mainproblem..a certain amount of anxiety/tolerable and very tired...let me know if I can help you...shoot me a PM

Laura