Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
2044797 tn?1330046262

starting to tapper from 10mg norco after 14 years how long does it really take

i am starting my tapper down from being on norco 10/325 mg x 12 a day for 15 years very worried aboutgoing off it due to how i will cope with pain without it but want my  life back again. i hope my doc will help the right way. after reading on here i have heard alot of things that scare me and encourage me to do it.i would be happy to hear any suggestions and tips on only having to attemp this one time and doing it right. thanks hope to hear back soon. moe
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1895503 tn?1332373374
It sounds like your doctor has a plan, and that is a very good thing.  I told 4 doctors, and I haven't had any of them try to sit down and make a plan with me!! It has taken me 4 months to get from 40 mg Opana ER three times a day plus some 10mg PRN Opana IR to three 10 mg Opana ER daily plus three to four Opana IR daily.  I have now just switched all the ER to IR.  This is why I am awake at 3 am now! And hoping (Unlike last night) to get some more sleep).  44 days is a fair amount of time to taper, and it seems to me that doing it over this amount of time will minimize rebound pain!  I am still on about 10 (much lower mg) Opana IRs a day.  I am scheduled to go through a detox and program in 10 days.  I am trying to taper to the extent I can (without driving my family crazy) because I fear having major rebound pain if I give up all 10 or so pills over three days (even with medical help).  My husband says they bring people through this all the time.  I still say (as I have read has been the case with some people on MedHelp) that that has a great chance of ending up causing a very painful situation for myself.  So over this next 10 days or so, I hope to taper by a pill a day until I am 1/2 way there.  Then I will chip pieces off of the remanding 5 to bring me as close to 0mg as possible--a state I haven't known in many, many years. The hardest thing is having a plan and choosing to follow it to the best of your ability.  I would definitely work with your doctor.  Oh, the I could be so fortunate as to have a doctor that would see me through this right now!!! Much love, Marie
Helpful - 0
2044797 tn?1330046262
thank you for your feedback. hope you stay healthy and dont need them again.
Helpful - 0
1801781 tn?1461629469
yes, I understand the pain concern.  I just manage to avoid that issue with a dental concern and am convinced the fates decided to give me a break and did not add dental pain to the mix.  I have a back that goes out and when it does I am in trouble.  My doctor and I talked about it and we will just take it as it comes and if I need pain meds, we will do it on a limited basis ONLY!  1 week and no more.  If that does not help well so be it.  I am not even sure I will do it then, but time and pain will tell.  :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you've made the first step admitting you want off. but it takes determination and a COMMITMENT ON YOUR PART...we came tell you how to taper...i jumped off of 120msg and it was like having the worst flu you had. when that's finished the real work begins..research  go to meetings therapy stay here and post were Jeremy to support one another...so welcome...get the Thomas recipe ...the best advise is to go tks to your doctor they are pro active to help you..they javelin heard it all
Helpful - 0
2044797 tn?1330046262
yes my doctor is tappering me down says it will take 44 days to do it. i never bought on street as well just got so damn tired of the fog not feeling anything. i was also on methadone for 10 years 2 x10mgs 3x day but quit that no problem i got in trouble with my doc cause i did it on my own but i think it was easier to do cause i had norco.i could not function on it and so i just did my own tapper and stopped taking it. didnt really feel any wd from it except some mild flu like stuff.only thing is the pain is more intence. now. thats why i am so worried about what happens after the pain med is not there to help. after all thats why i started it in first place after a long talk they convinced me that was the best way to treat the pain. i am scared and looking foward to it at same time is that insane or what. thanks for all the help i will keep on checking in.
Helpful - 0
1801781 tn?1461629469
Some have tough w/d and others have a milder one.  But at the amount you are taking and for the length I am not sure.  All I know is that once thru it, you still have the mental issues dealing with addiction and pain management.  You have to really want to do it and be willing to not feel well for awhile.  Your addicted brain will try all sorts of tricks to get you back on the "feel good" pills as it has to work now as the pills were doing all of it's work.  The mental is the hard part.  The withdrawals go away, the brain is here to stay.  Having said that I am so glad I tried again.  I relapsed after stopping in Sept. and am so glad I was willing to try again.  My brain is still pissed, but I told my kids, my husband and my doctor and so there is no going back.  I never bought on the street and am even terrified to try.  So for me all avenues are blocked.  Can you talk to your doctor about help??  Mine helped me so much and is still helping me stay clean.  I am so glad you came here and hope you continue.  This site has helped me so much and continues to help.
Helpful - 0
1959859 tn?1331741157
Welcome Tazmoe,

I too was taking Norco between 10 and 12 per day for many years.  Initially, I was not taking that many but it became that the past few years.  

We really are not supposed to give tapering advice but I will tell you my story.  I decided to  quit on Christmas Day last year.  I am 60 days clean today.  I went from taking 10 to about 5 to 4 then 2 (consecutive days) and on Christmas Day I took a half prior to bedtime.  I was in full blown withdrawals within 36 hours.  It really does not do much good to cut down.  some people say just jump but for me I had to take about 5 days to cut down.  The number 1 thing you must have is Imodium AD and take more than it says.  Hot baths, for aching muscles, All I can say is just imagine the worst flu and that is what it is.  After about day 4 you can eat again.  Try to eat anything during the first 3 days.  Crackers and bananas was all I could stomach.  I lost about 12 lbs that week.  Tylenol and a heating pad for the aches, and if you can get a sleep aid you will need it. Restless legs and the crawling skin bothered me the most.

Most importantly, keep posting here because we all totally understand what you are about to go thorugh...God Bless and Good Luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think the reason most people fail is out of fear. I was scared of the unknown, just like many here, and continued for some time just for that reason.

There is plenty of help here, stick around and meet some of these folks.....you can be free of that monkey on your back!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.