vicoden withdrawl question

[tracids7707]

Hello. I am a 29 year old mother of 2 girls.  I have been addicted to vicoden for about 2 1/2 years.  I first started taking it when my momwas diagnosed with cancer, and it seemed to help with the stress of taking care of her and the thought of losing her.  After she passed , thats when things got out of hand.  Last summer I was taking up to 8 a day.  I cut back to 4 late winter, 3 a few months ago, and 2 a few weeks ago.  Today I took 1 (1/2 am, 1/2 pm).  I feel ok.  I want one, but physically dont need one.  Tomorrow I will take one in the am, and so on for 3 days I am guessing.  My question is , now that I have weened myself, will I get terrible withdrawl symptoms?  I have not went without them since last summer, and all I remember is the terrible stomach pains, not being able to sleep(tinlging legs), and the worst, the awful nervousness.  My husband and his entire family have this same addiction, I kinda got sucked in.His sister commited suicide last summer as a result of her addiction.I am tired of being controlled by this, and tired of keeping this secret. My husband is the only person who knows.  I guess I am just scared and have absolutely no one to turn to.  Will I be able to function?  I plan on taking something for my stomach.  I very ocassionly take xatex to help me sleep (havent needed it in weeks), I had my dr lower my last script from 1 mg to .25, thought that might help with the inital nervousness?  Is there a chance I will feel little withdrawl symptoms?  thanks!!

[Kevin_Bacon]

I think itwill be a cake-walk, after such a disciplined taper. It's the mood thing, which was already mentioned, that will take a lot of work ...

Don't spend too much time reading the horror stories here -- you're a different bird than most of us, having gotten down to practically nothing. Waking up with no pills can be "panic time," but don't spend your time worrying about it.

I'd be inclined to get the Xanax (if that's what you're taking: the bottle should have "alprazolam" or something similar on the label, or you can ask the pharmacist) upped to 1mg in case you're not sleeping well for a few weeks.

And good luck, and let us know how it's going.

[tracids7707]

Thank you!  I really do not know how i will stay off. Like I said, my husbands entire family has the same problem. My husband has a bad problem, but will not admit it. He has changed so much since starting to take them.  I think getting this far, I can do it.  6 mo ago, I did not think I could make it on just 4.  I was taking them before I got out of bed, then xantx to fall asleep.  I have to do this.  I watched my 47 year old mother die of cancer almost 2 years ago, my 6mo old neice passed of sids, and my 22 year old sister die from the same addiction I have. I am having such a horrible time with my moms death, the first year was hell.  Now I am seeing my neices and nephew try to figure out why mommy is gone.  I know if I dont stop, I could put my girls through the same pain. For the first time in a long time I feel like things are going to be ok.  I guess my plan is to look at my kiids and know they deserve better.  And when I am clean, work on my husband.  If he is not willing to try, then I have a big decision to make.  Vicoden makes me feel happy, but for him, the more he takes, the shorter tempered he is. And like I said, my babies deserve better than that.  As hard as the past few years has been on us, its been hard on them, too.  Losing 3 people that were part of their everyday lives is confusing to kids.      

[wanttobeclean]

Congratulations on making this big step.  I could never stick to a taper, so I don't know for sure about your withdrawl symptoms.  From what I hear though, the symptoms are diminished significantly with a taper.  But that doesn't mean you won't feel anything.  And the emotional withdrawl is sometimes tougher.  Do you have plans to help you stay off the drugs?  

Good luck and stay strong!