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Quiting Lortabs?

What is the best way for someone who has a full time job and children to take care of to quit taking tabs? Quit cold turkey, tamper off slow, try the thomas recipe, or try suboxone without the supervision of a doctor?
Best Answer
1801781 tn?1461629469
I sometimes post this for support.  You might have seen it if you have read many of the posts..gonna post just in case.  Hope it helps.

I kept telling myself...YOU HAVE the FLU!  It will be over and I will feel so much better.  My brain seemed to get that and settled down a little.  It is hard, but doable!  The Thomas Recipe (bottom of the page under Health Pages will help.  I did not to the tranquilizers and had to cut back on the Ltryosine, but the rest really helped.  Imodium, Imodium, Imodium (liquid or pills if the liquid can't be found or you can't swallow it) will help.  I took double the dosage for a few days (personal choice) and it helped so much..even with the withdrawals in general and the opiate trots which sucked.  

Hydrate and eat!  Even if it is just a little every hour or so.  You have to eat something to keep your energy up as much as possible.  

If you have Restless legs..it is hit or miss what works.  Walking seemed to help me some.  Hot bath with epsom salts..a little.  I finally had to get my doctor to refill my restless legs meds (non addictive) to get some sleep.  If nothing works,your doctor might help.  

One hour at a time is all anyone can ask.  After 2 weeks it gets a little better and I started to say, One day at a time!  Your brain will do all sorts of things to get you to take a pill.  I found if I was hungry..the cravings got worse.  I would try to eat a banana, a few grapes or a few crackers to get that under control.

Good for you.  I hope all goes well.  You have made a good start coming here....this site has helped me so much!!!  Keep posting!!!!!
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Avatar universal
hello my name is Krista and I am new to this site I was wondering if I could talk to you. I am 35 weeks pregnant and doing my best to taper off of lortab. if it would be ok can u give me a call I really appreciate it. 716-948-5069 Thank you
Helpful - 0
1801781 tn?1461629469
You may have rebound pain...I think it is your body wanting the drugs and how does it get the drugs??  more pain!  Many have said that once that has passed..the pain is actually better than they expected.  Take the immodium (liquid is best) it helps so much.  I really believe it helps some with the actual withdrawals (but that is anecdotal) so not really sure.  I doubled the dose for a day or so.
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1926359 tn?1331588139
Peach-
the fear of the w/d is often worst than the w/d itself...everyone is different and most people on here are coming off big doses...I c/t off of 100 mg oxy and it was rough but I made it through and the pay off is so worth it.  The physical is like a flu and lots of people work through it, deal with kids etc...The mental is what most struggle with.  You have all the right tools, and you are prepared.  For me, tapering was worst than c/t.  But that's just me.  Just know we're here to support you whatever you need....Lu
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Avatar universal
The last few days I have managed to cut down from taking 5-7 (10's) a day "some days more"  to only 3 (7.5's) a day but I can already tell a big difference, already having body aches, getting emotional, muscle spasms in my back.  I feel bad already and haven't even went a day without one. I've never experienced withdrawls before and I am very scared after reading everyone else's posts. I know a lot of people on here are a lot worse off than me, taking many more and other things that make my problem seem very small but to me it is a very big problem that I really need to deal with.  I have took them everyday for the last 3 years and off & on years before. Should I keep taking 3 a day for another week or try going on down to 2 a day? I have all the otc stuff wrote down to go buy but will have to wait until payday which is not for another week and then I still won't be able to stay home for days to be sick.
Helpful - 0
1926359 tn?1331588139
I think you're smart to be afraid of the sub...Don't do it...You can make it through this and Texas gave you some great advice...Saint John's Wort is a natural supplement that works for depression...I've been taking it since detox and it takes awhile to get into your system...Some people can't do the detox process naturally because of pre-existing medical conditions and other medications that are not safe to C/T...I am one of them-but I try to do things as naturally as possible and from all the research I've done-your body and brain heal quicker....The OTC stuff is as helpful as anything else-the vitamins really helpful for energy and immune support.  Again-the sub will only prolong your misery...Trust your instinct and remember the fear of the unknown is intense-just know that you CAN do this and you are supported.....Lu
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Avatar universal
I could try all that otc stuff but the problem is I don't have a doctor or health insurance. I still have the 8mg/2mg suboxone film strips that I got from a friend but I'm scared to take them after reading about sub on the website plus I've never taken anything else but tabs. I've heard good things about sub and a few people say that they just used it for a few days but I don't know how it would effect me and if I would get hooked on the sub so I'm going to throw it out and keep trying to taper down then quit cold turkey sometime next week/weekend.  I will try the otc stuff you recommended. Thank you for the advice.
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Avatar universal
this might help as well.  Get some OTC analgestic like asprin or acetaminophen.  first generation sedating antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or meclizine (Dramamine II).  Get a 2 week supply of Loperamide Hydrocloride (Immodium AD).  It's structurlly related to the opioid meperidine but does not cross the blood-brain barrier.  It acts on opiate receptors in the intestines and stops spasma and therefore diarreah.  Take a doubble dose as your body will not be effected by single doses like take 8MG per dose.

Get with your DR about getting some Clonidine for blood pressure and some Klonopin for the anxiety. .
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I sent you a private message.
Helpful - 0
1959859 tn?1331741157
First of all Peach, you are not a bad mother, nor are you a bad person.  Addiction happens to the best people on earth.  It is what you do after you get addicted that matters.  You have to want this in order for it to work and you sound like you do.  I too started taking Norco after my divorce and was having to raise 2 kids alone and my ex had put me through an emotional ringer for pretty much most of our marriage.  First it was 1 or 2 per day, then 3 or 4.  Now, 6 years later, I was up to 120 pills per week, Dr. shopping, buying them off street, whatever.  I have medical records and do have pretty bad back issues but not that bad.  I am now controlling that with Ibuprophen.

I too used them for energy, but eventually, that wears off and they make you a dull, lifeless zombie who cannot feel.  you said you have had trama and one way to deal with it is to feel it.  You cannot shut it down with a pill, it still is living inside of you and until you deal with it, you cannot move on.  Get counseling, I had to.  I too have been through emotional hell.  My grandmother died and my dad 2 months later about 15 years ago.  Never really dealt with it.  I know you can do this, and yes, everything is private unless you post a picture or give out your email.

I am here for you!  I am Day 11 and feeling really good. If I want to cry, I cry, but most of all, I laugh!
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Avatar universal
The biggest thing that scares me is the depression, I starting using tabs for recreational use then as anti depressants. I have heard so many horror stories about anti depressants. I also use them to get motivated, I feel like I can not do anything unless I take a tab. I am a very functional addict and have so much to do and so many people to take care of everyday. Tabs give me a boost and make it easy for me to get everything done faster. Everytime I try to quit, something comes up or happens that makes it impossible to quit. My other big fear is reality, I've never been one to adapt to change well and the last 3 years I have experienced alot of tramatic experiences and some very big changes that I just don't know how to deal with on my own without the use of tabs, they help me get through the day and keep my sane (or atleast they make me feel sane) lol and also keep me from crying and being a emotional wreck. I haven't been a day yet without one but I have cut down alot the last few days but this is going to be the hardest thing for me to do but I really want to quit for good this time so I need all the support I can get. I have nobody at home to support me because nobody knows and I don't want to be viewed as a bad person, especially a bad mother.
Helpful - 0
1926359 tn?1331588139
Hi Peach...Good for you for claiming your life back!

I just wanted to say-am 31 days off opiates today and my sleep is slowly coming back to me.  I use melatonin on top of my prescribed sleep medication (health food store) exercise and keeping busy are good for the anxiety and if you are not using anti-depressants...Valerian root is a good option.  Hang in there and let us know what you need.  This forum got me through my detox process and is going a long way to support me in my recovery.  Sending support....Lu
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Avatar universal
There are some other things that I'd like to post on here but I am new to these forums and blogging so not sure how private everything is. Nobody knows about my addiction so I'm a little worried about someone that I know reading my post and finding out that it's me. Does my real name or e-mail address show up on here?
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Avatar universal
Peach - I also did mine on a taper process. I was and still am needing them for horrible pain but was also abusing them by taking way too many when I would first get my rx then would run out early - scramble to figure out what to do until my next refill etc etc. I was able to wean down to no more than three in an entire 24 hr period. reading on this board helped me realize I was an addict but I still had major pain issues that had to be addressed. 2 years ago when I got into this mess I was on the fentynl patch, taking tabs, ambien. Now I just use the tabs as needed and topomax for nerve pain.

Not everyone can do this but I am so thankful I did. My pain is controlled and no more scrambling..  Good luck on whatever path you decide to do.
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Avatar universal
Telling myself and everyone else that I have the flu sounds like a good plan. Thank you again for your advice. I'm glad I have found this website because I can't do it on my own without support even if it's from strangers but sometimes the best support and advice is from strangers when nobody else understands or knows what you are going through.  Thanks.
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Avatar universal
Thank you, I read about the Thomas recipe last night, sounds like it will help also.
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1801781 tn?1461629469
The 3-5 days are the worst for most.  Try to time it so that your weekend is on those days. check out the thomas recipe at the bottom of this page under health pages for suggestions.  It helped me.  Prepare to have sleep problems, that is natural.  Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the advice "mylittlegirls". I don't have any will power but going to give it my best this time. The anxiety and not sleeping will be and is already a problem so I will see if I can find something non addictive to take to help with that.  
Helpful - 0
1414636 tn?1288284680
I have done it both ways. I have three children and am a stay at home mom. I would not suggest cold turkey. I would highly suggest tapering but who knows if you have the will power. You may not even know at this point. Cut down as low as your body will handle. I cut down to one ten every four hours one day then the next day every eight hours then the next day a half every five hours then the next day every eight hours. This worked well for me. Before I quit I was taking three tens every two to four hours. But the time I went cold turkey I suffered from extreme anxiety which you will probably have either way and I suggest st john wart. Also you will have a hard time sleeping no matter what way you do it. Ambien helped me greatly! I also take trazadone. Good luck to you and stay the hell away from suboxone and subutex!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Thank you both for the advice. Going to try to tamper for the next few days then cold turkey over the weekend and see how it goes.
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1959859 tn?1331741157
Also, Peach, I would never take suboxone without dr. supervision, or at all. I did so much research on it before stopping and have heard too many horror stories about how much harder it is to quit that after taking and even worse withdrawels.

The first dose has to be taken in the doctors office.
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1959859 tn?1331741157
Peach, how many are you taking per day?  I was taking 120 per week and am 10 days clean but would never have been able to do it if it hadnt been a holiday week.  If you can maybe stop on a Thursday to where you are sick Friday, Saturday, Sunday, you might can return to work on Monday.  everyone is different.  It is going to be like the worst flu you have ever had in your life.
Helpful - 0
1895503 tn?1332373374
Hi, a question is can you taper? if the answer is that you can cut back (the effect is too mood altering to handle) then you may want to taper.  I am tapering now. I have gone from 50 mg. Opana 3 times a day to 12.5 mg. Opana 3 times a day.  I am still in process.  I am going to do this.  I am a stay-at-home mother of an 8 year old.  If you want to private message me, please feel free.
I pray for the best for you.
Marie
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