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Avatar universal

Just sick of this like you are...

I have spent several hours over the last 6 months reading about everyone on this site and found a million people just like me.  So instead of watching I thought I would say something.  I am so sick of being a slave to pain killers.  The longer this goes on and the many times that I have quit only to return have taught me that each time gets harder than the last.

Now here I am again struggling to get away.  I'm trying to taper down for fear of the terrible WD.  Please pray for me this next week as I try to walk away again and I promise to pray for each and everyone of you.

I'll be checking in over the next week.  My plan is to taper down as best as I can for the next two days and then flush my stash minus 5 - 10 pills.  And then stretch them out to ease the WD.  I so sick of this.  
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Avatar universal
so, how's it going? it's been a few days. and those were the toughest for me tapering.
how is it coming?
realize that it will pass.
you need to get your mind and body back on your side...
and, the only way to do that is cut down. when you've "cleared up" a bit, then you can truly fight this!
at least, that's how it happened with me...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much Ben.

I know that took some time to put down.  I'm still operating on the one I took this morning and just feeling a little jittery.

I'm going to start with 6 a day schedule and work from there.  My biggest problem is wanting that afternoon blast like it's my happy hour or something.  I've got to get the mental thing under control.

Thanks again I'll keep you posted.
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Avatar universal
It's so hard to say. Sometimes we talk ourselves into feeling wds before they're even there. The fear that comes with thinking we're sick, is physically paralyzing.

But, you have to start somewhere.
If, normally, you take 10 during the day, try to cut that down to 9. Instead of taking 3 at work and 4 when you get home and a couple more later...Take one when you get up, and one more every 2 hours. If you get up at 5am, your dose times would be...
5am
7am
9am
11am
1pm
3pm
5pm
7pm
9pm
11pm

And, then go to bed. You might not get that BLAST of being high, but your body should be okay. That's 10 in a day. And, don't take necessarily do exactly what I told you. Only you know how many you were taking. That's just to help you start and I based that on you saying about 10 a day. So, that just starts you off on a "schedule" and "regular" doses...
The next step (which I did), was after about 4 or 5 days, take a pill every 3 hours from the time you get up...That would make your doses...

5am
8am
11am
2pm
5pm
8pm
11pm
Then bed...

Now, you're down to 7 per day.
5 days later...Every 4 hours...

5am
9am
3pm
7pm
11pm
bed

Now, 5 per day.

Then, what I did was start cutting the pills in half to get my body used to a smaller dose at a time...
So, if you were already taking a pill every 4 hours, 5 days later you can cut down to a HALF PILL every 2.5 hours...That would be the same as 1 pill every 5, but now your body is getting used to not getting as much every dose.
So, take half pills all day at these times...

5a
7:30a
10a
12:30p
3p
5:30p
8p
10:30p
bed

Now, you're at 4 pills per day. And, after 5 days, taper it down to a half pill ever 3 hours...Then, 5 days later, half pill every 4 hours...5 days later, half pill every 5 hours...
And, then, soon you'll be down to a half pill every 18 hours like me...With the goal line so close.

Please, what I gave you was an example of what I did. You have to really want to do this for yourself. Know that you can. Every time you win that battle of not taking a dose early, you've proved to yourself that you can do it, and it's not so bad. Just keep it up. Stick to the schedule. Write it out if that helps. You'll do it if you want to do it for yourself!

Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Ben,

I think I'm in real trouble here.  The problem I have is not knowing how to get on a schedule since I never was on one anyway.  I would wake up and go to work and feel bad so I would take a couple.  This would get me through most of the day and then I would go home and take 4 or 5.  Once those kicked in I felt great and usually took 2 or 3 more.  The weekends are really bad because I take even more since I am not at work.

Could I get some advice here.  Monday I took atleast 4 oxys in the morning and an additional 5 that evening.  Yesterday I got by on 1 in the morning and 3 & 1/2 last night. I did not feel that buzzed in the evening and actually felt sort of normal.  I was happy that I had managed to cut back .    I woke up this morning at 5am and could tell the wd was coming on.  I was freezing, sweating, couldnt sit still and very emotional.  It scared me so I took 1 this morning and feel like most of the wd has calmed down.  What do I do from here.  My wife is looking at me like I'm nuts and all I want is to be free of these damn things.

Can anyone give me an idea of how many and when I should do this to ease the wd.

Thanks everyone.  Still praying for all of you.

Based on my
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you said you were taking 10-15 oxys per day, and if you have access to enough, you can successfully taper and minimize some of the withdrawl symptoms. that's what i'm doing with hydro now. and, i'm down to 5mg every 16 hours...almost there! can't wait to take my last one.
but, don't get too anxious! make a plan and stick to it. i allowed my body 4 days for each dose until i tapered down. and, i you have the resources, i suggest you do the same.
now, as many will tell you, they CANNOT taper! and that's just reality! some people (actually most people) have it worse than i do. but, if you can do it, i suggest (like i did), every 4 days adding an hour between your doses. you have to give yourself a few days on one schedule to stabilize.
at first i was deathly scared that "dragging it out" would only mean that i wouldn't be able to do it. but, for me, that's not the case. each day...each dose...i felt stronger! i could do it that once, why not again. the mind is a powerful thing. you have to tell yourself you're going to do it. and, when you believe yourself, then you will!

and shelowoy is right. don't beat yourself up. you're not weak. the drug is strong. and it has turned your body and mind against you. you're not a bad person. this disease is real. and, it's hard to do what he know deep down is right when our mind is altered. give yourself and your mind that chance.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Ben,

It's really hard to concentrate and be at work like this.  I know it's only going to get worse as time goes on.
Helpful - 0
614557 tn?1243708351
It is really important for you to realize doing this on your own has a dramatic disadvantage. I am not a avid AA/NA person, but I do feel some assistance medically and emotionally will be of great value to you.
Tapers need to be long and supervised. It is virtually impossible to trust yourself to do the right thing because all your brain wants is to not be experiencing pain,so you will do what you have to do to avoid it.It is not a weakness of self, it is merely the brain being distorted by the drug- so I really encourage you to work with someone who has experience with quitting successfully.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey...Don't get down about that. How long did you go between doses? And, you're at 18 hours now? That's awesome! Keep it up!
You've won a big battle by spacing out your doses!
You can't win the war over a weekend!
It doesn't happen over night!
Don't beat yourself up...You're on the right track!
Keep on it.
You did a lot of work over the weekend...You're not back at square one.
The drugs and your body are trying to tell you that. That's what the drugs do.
But, you're closer now than you were 4 days ago.
Build on that.
You can only do so much. Again, don't beat yourself up!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well the weekend did not work out like I thought it would.  Having them around when you start feeling really bad it just too much temptation.  Knowing you can end the suffering by just taking a handful of little pills is too much to try and fight with.

It's obviously going to have to be cold turkey which is really going to suck.  It's been 18 hours since my last dose.  I'm averaging 10 - 15 oxycodones per day.

I'm really nervous about this.
Helpful - 0
682838 tn?1240604330
I have been clean for over 15 years. Check out Narcotics Anonymous. It works.
    http://www.na.org

  Jerry
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
just wanna say good luck, it can be done and reaching ur goal will feel awesome, I cant wait to feel free from this addiction. I have a long road ahead but its nice to know there is a site like this  where people can support each other.
Helpful - 0
518031 tn?1295575374
Tapering the way you have the w/d's shouldn't be real horrible i quit moraphine and percs cold turkey and they were bad also i am on dialysis so it was harder on me then most but your almost there so no turning back now..remember lots of hot baths for body aches and look at the health pages on here and they have suggestions to help you .But you should be in good shape the way you tapered plus i admire you for doing thet i never would have had the will power that you had ...says alot about you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hang in there. That's what I'm doing now. I'm at the tail end of a taper. I've done it all alone mostly. Until last week when I told my girlfriend. That has helped take a tremendous burden off my shoulders. I was beating myself up over and over and over. And felt so inferior. Well, she supports me 100%. I try to tell her daily how I'm doing, and I always feel better afterward.
About a month ago, I was at 15 norco (10/325 hydro) per day. Now, I'm down to 1/2 norco per 14 hours. I haven't slipped once. I haven't struggled with cravings as much as I have the mental rollercoaster. And, physically, I've been pretty fine. I tapered my dose every 4 days. I would add an hour between doses. Then, I cut down from whole pills to half pills to get used to smaller doses.

Anyone have experience with this?
I don't know if I really want the answer...But, I need it...
;-)
I'm assuming that I'll have some physical wds when I finally stop, but by tapering like this, did I probably flatten out my mental rollercoaster a bit.
I'm hoping so. But, I want to be prepared too.
This is the first time I've ever really been able to be open with someone (my gf). And, it's helped by being able to tell her what I'm feeling and why.

And, motherprayforme, I'm just like you. I've been on and off for 5 years. Longest I've been off is about a month and a half. But, I've never felt more determined than now.

Take a listen to this song by SIXX AM...It's called Accidents Can Happen.
I'm assuming most of you know who Motley Crue is? Well, their bassist/brains Nikki Sixx has a pretty incredible story. Read THE HEROIN DIARIES. Well, he made a soundtrack to the book with a new band called SIXX AM. It's all about his being ****** up, getting clean, and relapsing...He's been clean for a long time now!
Well, the song hits pretty close to home...
Check the youtube link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nan4Kdtz-9w

It's all about the struggle to get clean. Don't beat yourself up for slipping. That's all part of it. We all slip. But, that doesn't mean we're back to square one. Don't let the drugs tell you that. Don't let yourself tell you that. You've worked so hard, and slipping doesn't erase that work. It's still there. Build on it.
Some other great tracks to check out are TOMORROW, PRAY FOR ME, & LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.

God bless...
Hope that hits you like it did me...
;-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you can do this. im now day 25 off percs and vicodin. the first 5 days are the hardest physically-as you know and then the mental sets in. im still struggling with that now. this forum has been a huge support. stay on here and keep posting. i also found it helpful to keep up a tracker. i look forward to filling it out each day and also journal. i wish you all the best. im here if you need any support. i also tapered and then went cold turkey cuz it seemed to drag out the withdrawals-just something to consider maybe. im praying for you.
bkitty
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well its a new day otherwise known as day 1.  It would be great to not take one today and that is my goal.  Hopefully the body aches etc won't push me to hard towards my last few otherwise its cold turkey.

Praying for all of you and I know you are for me as well.

Peace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If not for this forum I would have never made it..Stick around..there are some great people here...
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401095 tn?1351391770
cool!  so u r gonna stick around!  great cos the forum needs more old timers..many come here, seek the help they need..never to be heard from again..and that is cool too..that is what the forum is for..but sticking around to help others with the experience and wisdom u have to offer will help u and also help tons of people who need the help so desperately... keeps reasons to stay clean in ur head/fresh/when u continue posting after detox...glad u r gonna join us mother (:
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I never thought it would help so much to talk with all of you but it really makes me feel like I am no longer in the shadows.  I'll keep posting and let you know what I am up to but as for now I'm going to sleep.  Be safe everyone and I promise to help back to others once I get through this.

Thanks so much for your thoughts it really does help.
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
like eagle said..staying ydrated is so important..the runs takes tons of fluid from ur body and many are a bit nauseated during detox so oral intake is low..many feel horrid wds when in fact they need fluid as dehydration feels worse than wds..most do not trhow up unless heavy use is in play...but the runs r common..imodium and fluids can save u lots of pain and suffering...getting ur game plan together/write it out//save 5 or ten like u aid and flush the rest..go on and do this taper plan soon..tomorrow if u can/wopuld be glad to help...get the xtras out of ur house pronto..having someone hold ur pills during a taper is best..as addicts we dont taper well as a rule//i was a big fat cheater and it really made me feel like a big fat loser!  humiliating and when an addict tries to control a taper it is a very rude awakening..cos we have no control over narcotics..tis the definition of an addict..pm me if u need help..tell me ur daily dose, DOC, how many you take at a time, ur peak level of the day where u use the most./some are day users others are night time users, and ur quit day as well as how many pills u have to work with..flush extras and cut off ur supply..find a meeting near u and u gotta a plan that will work if u r truly dedicated to quitting..let me know if u need any help
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have had some good advice listed above, plus you have been through it before......so here is wishing you well, sending lots of support your way!

                                         Good Luck!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Post as much as you can - ask questions or just for support - maybe even to vent if things get rough .... you arent going to be able to come up with anything that will surprise anyone here.  As Cathy said - check out the Thomas Recipe and the Amino Acid Protocols ...... they are valid.  Watch your hydration if you have bathroom issues -its easy to get low on fluids and its important to maintain levels .... white grape juice and warm flat 7-UP are well tolerated .... Use a heating pad or electric blanket for restless legs or abdominal muscle cramps .... WalMart has a product called Hylands Restful Leg that some say worked for them. I liked benadryl (diphenhydramine) for sleep and its OTC...  two days isnt much of a taper - maybe should just stop right now?  Whatever you choose - good luck to you.....  many here have done it .... it can be done ....  and your life will be so much better when you get it back on track .....  Time to get strong and stay strong .....  Stay in touch - -   Peace.. (through superior firepower!!)   eagle
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good luck my friend and keep posting we have all been where you are, and we will support and help all we can and remember there are no dumb questions ask whatever you need to ok Good Luck to you
Helpful - 0
518031 tn?1295575374
well if you didnt want to stop you wouldnt be posting,,,like you 44 days ago i was sick of pain meds ruling my life, i am in less pain now then when i was on pain meds i was on them for 4 years..really addicted the last 2 years  so it's not easy but you can do it you will love your life so much more when your free of the drugs..good luck God Bless i will be praying for you and your recovery...brian
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's true that once through the w/d then comes the "mental rollercoaster" that we have to ride for awhile.  Alot of people on here have tried to quit many times before they have stayed clean along time.  I know, exactly how you feel, the call it has on us mentally, but it is doable, not easy at all, but doable.  Try not to beat yourself up over the past.  Talk to your dr. about something to help hold yourself together, clonidine and tranzene will help so much.   Perhaps you know all these things, so I will close for now.  You will be okay, we are here,  someone will come along who knows more to help you and I will be pulling for you.

Ella  
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