how long?

[tapiatiff]

I take 4 hydrocodones a day just to function. i don't really feel them anymore so sometimes I'll take 2 at a time. I'm a full-time student, a waitress, a mom, & a wife. I have no time to feel like crap, but I have to do this! I'm going broke trying to make sure I don't run out & pay the cost of living. It has just recently got to this point & I've tried to not take anything, & I don't make it off the couch. Does anyone know how long that might last? I'm thinking about taking a 3 day weekend to just be ill. Any advice?

[satiniair206]

If you do it very very slowly you can taper. I did it for 1 month then stopped a week ago tomorrow night. What happens as the amount slowly decreases, your will power slowly increases. It's still not pain free by no means but I honestly do not think I had as rough a time as some others here judging by their stories. If you reduce very slowly and stay at that amount for say a week or so you won't really feel it as your body adjusts to the lower amount.

If you are where you say you are- that is you are taking them to function rather than for fun, then you are where I was at as well. Like you I was only using small amounts, but the fact that I NEEDED them rather than WANTED them put me over the edge to the point where I knew I needed to stop once and for all.  I have a friend who is forced to spend $100 a week at some clinic to function and there was no way in hell I was going to let myself end up like that. That is a big waste of money to me, let alone the health issues. I just got out of school so I know all too well how expensive it has become and that is money you can use to pay for that. Think about things like that to keep you motivated. Use your moments of clarity to help convince yourself to come back to normal living..it won't be pain free, but it's certainly will be worth it. Good luck to ya!!!

[tapiatiff]

Thank you for putting it that way! It sounds so much more liberating. I needed to find something like this so that I could really say how I feel and have awesome responses like yours. You really inspire me for toughing it out at work like that. I wait tables and can't wait for a 3 day weekend to put this down. I'm going to try to taper off, but I'm thinkin that's not gonna work.

[tapiatiff]

I can't taper. I'll cheat myself out of recovery. I keep telling myself that I need them to get up in the morning, to do the dishes, give the baby a bath, to do anything. I have to let it go all together. I know I can, I think I just need this type of sensitivity to the situation. I've never felt this out of control.

[tapiatiff]

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely use them! This is helping so much just in one day because I really do feel supported rather than just hearing, "Oh you can do it, you just don't want to" Thank you

[missyjane10]

Hi, was on vics for 2 1/2 years, tomorrows day 10 for me!! Also quit because of money.  If its possible to get a couple days off i would do so, i decided to quit on a sunday and had to work 9-6 mon-fri.. :/ ..i do think being active helps. Its deff hard but soo worth it in the end. Think positive things about quitting, (not wasting anymore $, worrying about how ur gonna get more, ect) drink LOTS of fluids and i take tynol PM's at night.. You CAN do it!! believe me i didnt think i could. Good Luck!!!

[Innerstrength67]

The good news is your not taking large quantities everyday so the WD might not be as bad. Can you taper? If not, your just going to have to take the leap. Yes, do it on your off days. It's hard to say how you will feel but like free said, get the stuff from the TR, lots of Gatorade.
You can do this. We all know jow you feel.

[Free_ovitall]

It isn't easy, but if you plan to quit around your days off you can get through the worst of it while you have a couple days off.

If you use the "amino acid protocol"  (link at side or bottom of page under the "Most Viewed Health Pages" category) and take the vitamins recommended, as well as Imodium and fluids recommended in the "Thomas recipe"(same location) you can reduce and even eliminate a lot of the wd symptoms, which is a lot better than going through it with nothing.