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

[qpatty]

I was exactly where you are but the difference is that I didn't choose at that time to recognize it and quit. I went on for another 7 or 8 years and ended up taking 16 10-325's a day. Started having to buy them off the street to make up the difference. I tried for a few years to get off them but never got more than a week or so before caving. And every time I did I ended up taking more and more. On March 9th of this year I just said enough is enough. I haven't touched one since. Today is 60 days and I already feel really good most of the time. Was it easy? Oh no! It was brutal.

The most important advice That I can give you is 1) Do it now. Don't make excuses or procrastinate. 2) The more positive your attitude, the less awful withdrawal and recovery will be. Be as physically active as you are able, stay as busy as you can (even when you think you can't), and try and keep your mood as positive as you can muster.

I wish you luck, you can do this if you really want to and the good people on here will help you with any questions or advice.

[spike6095]

I stopped taking my pain pills this Morning. will see what happens. 180 pills a month for 7 years

[spike6095]

My body is addicted to these drugs, I want to stop before it gets out of hand.I am starting to take a little more meds now and then.When I wake up everyday all I think about is my pain pills, they make me feel good

[pillguy]

Your situation is a bit different than many requests for info/help that I've seen here.

In the parlance of the treatment world you are opiate dependent, not addicted.  From your description you are not exhibiting drug-seeking behavior.

You have legitimate medical reasons to have pain management.

You can detox from your pain meds at home without the complications of children to parent or a job to go to.

These things mean the process for your situation may be different than someone like myself, who took opiates for mostly recreational purposes.
I'd like to give you a thoughtful answer and that's going to take a little time.  I will try to put together my thoughts on your situation and post by tomorrow evening.  I'm sure that by then you will also have recommendations from others here.

Cheers