Withdraw from pain pills

[spike6095]

Hi you all, I'm 60 and have been on 6 pills daily of 10-325 Vicodin  for the last 7 years. I had three total knee replacements that went bad because of infection and then bone loss. My legs are a mess. I have never taken more than 1 extra pill in a day if I was in more pain  and than always back to the prescribes dosage. I want to get off these pills and see how my body feels. I'm starting to count them now and that's not a good sign. any help wold be great. I'm retired and can do this at home. I think

[spike6095]

Thank for your post, I also don't have restless legs, lots of sneezing , runny noise My energy level is bad and I'm far from a couch potato. Drugs are drugs, they can get you at any age and the doctors give them out like candy..I just hit day four at 7pm .happy happy.

[TikkiTT]

  I quit hydrocodone when I was 65 years old.  I had very bad issues with my knee and had been on it for about five years.  I finally had surgery a year ago in February.   I had to go back on it when I had surgery, and especially during PT.   I am sorry your surgeries didn't turn out well.   Mine was like the difference between night and day.   I am amazed that I have no pain any more and I can walk all day and never get tired.   The first time I quit (ct) was harder than the second time.   I felt lousy for about a week.   I didn't sleep, constant nausea, and the anxiety was through the roof!   I will be honest...it took about a month before I started to feel good but when I did, I felt great.   I was very lethargic, and I was only able to get up and work for about 10 minutes at a time.   Then I would lay down for about 20.   I hadn't had my knee operated on yet, so I had those pain issues as well, but once I started to feel good again, I had energy like I have never had before.   I remember I couldn't wait to get out of bed in the mornings....kind of unlike how I remembered myself to be, prior to the pills.

After I had surgery and had to go to PT, I went back on them, but mindful that I would be quitting as soon as I could.   I probably did stay on them a little longer than I should have, but once I quit, I quit.   No regrets or second thoughts.   The second time was easier than the first.   But, the second time, I tapered.   I told my doctor I wanted to quit, and he suggested a slow taper.   However, at the same time, he increased my pills.  I didn't realize it until I went to get the script filled.   I still had some  nausea, and lots and lots of sneezing.   I didn't have the bathroom issues like the first time, and I didn't have restless legs, and though it was a little harder to sleep, I didn't go for days, like I did the first time.  I never abused my prescription...in fact, I didn't take all that was prescribed.   The only time I did take as many as prescribed was immediately following my surgery, because the doctor told me to take them every 4 hours and not let the pain get away from me because it would be harder to control.

I just wanted to wish you luck and tell you that even us "old folks" can get dependent on these drugs....and we dread quitting them, but it isn't as tough as we make it out to be in our minds, usually.   Good luck to you.

[spike6095]

I wanted to add that I have read tons of old posts and they really help me understand what my mind and body are going through. I'm taking lot's of good vitamins, and water

[spike6095]

My other symptoms are very tired, it has rained for the last two days and I just cut the damp grass.lol  needed to get outside. My pain is not bad that I feel I need to take pain pills but I am also feeling all those little hurts that were masked with Norco..7 pm tonight will be four days..

[spike6095]

Victor, you can do it when your ready. I'm doing it and I know every day will be better

[refills]

Sleeping, anxiety, RLS, the bathroom and some other side effects can be rough. Yet is the bigger scheme of things they are nothing compared to what you were facing down the road spike. Keep your edge as you begin to find some relief upcoming. What other symptoms are you experiencing? You may be surprised at what knowledge is contained in this community that can help you. Keep posting spike and tell us what's going on. Good Luck...ike