Weaning off Vicodin/Norco. Tapering began yesterday!!!! Yaaayyyy

[trip666]

Hi All, first timer here. I'm a 39 yrs old Male and I'm done with these damn pills (Vics and Norco)

First off, since I began my tapering yesterday, I already feel better just NOT having that much Vicodin and Norco in my system, not going to over do it by tapering to quickly though, I know it can be a mess trying too much (or shall I say, too little) too soon.

I have began my tapering process as of now, 9-23-09. Currently I'm taking about 15 pills a day 1 7.5/750 and 15mg norco every 4 hours for pain. I know this is a lot (I think) but I was taking about 18 (an extra 30mg of Norco or so a day than my current tapering plan. So basically I've took out 30 MG Norco from my daily "routine" and will stay there for a week or two  and see how I feel. I know it's best to taper slowly. My wife is in complete awareness of my problem and I have given all my meds to her to hand out to me every four hours (I have on a Timer just so I can start really managing it and track it well). She does work so she only leaves me enough to get through the day and I do NOT take more at any given time than my scheduled amount. I'm also taking Milk Thistle to help with any liver issues I may have. I have been on pain meds for about 6 years and was completely off for a year or more, but got back on them due to a surgery. I haven't told my doctor yet, but will not be calling for refills as I have plenty to do my tapering, and I'm also on Clonezapam and have some Xanax also. I RARELY take the Clonezepam or Xanax anymore but understand it may help once WDs kick in. I'm also on a high Vitaminc C and POM regimen along with some good, regular eating of soft foods and have some pepto and Immodium ready. I KNOW it will be necessary soon, as I'm on day two and so far so good, but As I taper off again in 2 weeks (trying to cut 10mg/day for another couple weeks) I'll need it as the bowels will start to loosen.

The Clonezepam is 2MG and Xanax 2MG but don't and haven't needed to take both. I asked my doctor for Clon instead of Xanax because the xanax makes me sleepier than the clon, and I have to function during the day. so I'll try to leave the Xanax alone. I've been on it for years and I can honeslty say I can go weeks without it as I never took it too much anyway. The Clonazepam seems more preventative than anything as I don't "FEEL" it too much, just seems to keep anxiety low.

Anything anyone can provide for me would be certainly appreciated. I'm not a man of religion just Kharma so I'm not asking for prayers or some magic of God here, I got myself in this mess and I'm getting myself out of it as of yesterday.

Thank You!

Trip66

[trip666]

So far so good, I'm actually going up to 5 hours without taking anything except my clonezepam to help the "edge" and I'm only taking 10 pills a day total (down from 12 or so) SO, I'm going to stay at this level for 2 weeks, then lengthen out my "dosage times" maybe an additional hour. so far so good and I'm at day 3. Won't overdo it and take it slow. but so far so good :-)

Trip666

[trip666]

Thank You Bikerdad1963, I know it's easy to get excited but as I start to cut back more and more It'll hit I know. And I'll feel bad physically and emptionally but the tapering and then a final quit will help this to be at least the best it can be anyway. I'm excited now and know it may dwindle a bit, But I won't let it get me. I'm VERY VERY sick of these pills and want this more than anything I've wanted in a long time. just not taking as many in one day has already helped me feel better and somewhat normal but it gets a bit ugly after a few hours so I'm going to taper slowly and just stick to the plan without going too extreme either way.

Thanks again!! All your input/experience is soooooo necessary and so much appreciated!! Thank You!

I shall help others here with my personal thoughts as well. "Pay It Forward" ;-)

Trip66

[BIKERDAD1963]

  Being excited is a great thing. I was very excited at the end of my taper. I think in one post I had mentioned that it felt like christmas when I was a kid. I was just giddy with excitement. The only problem is that i got to excited and jumped ship early. I went thru 3 days of bad wd and I caved. So just stick to the plan no matter how excited you get.
  My last taper I was only doing 1/2 norco a day. Thru your taper dont hesitate to start cutting pills. At a point you will only be taking half pills. Stay excited and be determined. If you want you can check out my journal and my taper process.

[trip666]

Thank You!! I'll certainly let my body "talk" to me for sure. But Super excited to be kicking this **** now too!

Thank You BikerDad



@beatingthis: No I'm on about 12 in a 24 hour period. I take a 7.5/750mg Vicodin ES and a Norco 10/325 MG (sometimes an additional half too) every four hours now. sometimes less than that, but I've been n for a few years so I've built a tolerance to them a bit.

I've heard of some people taking much less and some taking far more like 20-30 a day! And certainly don't want that so I'm going to kick them all together instead ;-)

Thank You All!!

Keep advise/support coming and I'll do the same I promise!!

Trip66

[BIKERDAD1963]

Take the taper slow just as you planned. Usually 1 week between tapers is enough time. Also during your taper as you lower your dose further start to put more time between your doses. A good taper takes time so just dont get to anxious and stick with your plan. The wd will be slight and you probable wont need the pepto and such. Let your body decide on your taper process. Dont taper if your body hasnt got use to the last taper. Wait a few days after your body feels good to taper again or you will just find yourself in a constant wd mode. My taper took about 6 months but I was doing way more than you. My wd was very minimal. The longer the taper the less severe the wd will be. Congrads on your decision.

[beatingthis]

You are taking 15 a day now right?

[trip666]

Do you think I should cut back more in my taper? I mean I have gone over 1.5 hours without taking anything and I'm ok. I don't want to overdo it though. I have a pretty high tolerance so I'm not TOO scared to cut back maybe 2 more a day and try that for a week. I'd do a more rapid taper, but I'm stretching it out a bit as I'm job hunting right now and don't want to be completely thrashed when an interview comes up so I'm trying to baby step things a bit.

Thank You For your support Terry!!!


Trip66

[beatingthis]

I did a taper too but much more then you are doing and not for as long.
I was also on the same dose as you and the first week I cut to 10.mg 3 times a day did that for a week then 1 twice a day also for a week then 1/2 in the am 1/2 in the pm.
Took me almost 4 weeks. I think you are still on a really high dose of pills.
I was on mine for a little over 5 years.
Everybody is different. Really glad you are getting off them anyway you can!!

Terry