hey guys. I need some answers PLEASE. I am a 2nd time pill addict. About two months ago I became desperate in my life and decided to start using again.
I know very stupid of me. I have tapered myself from 10 to 12 pills a day to know I am taking 6 a day. Loratab 5. Any advice? I am going to only take 4 today. I am starting to have leg cramps pretty bad and anxiety. The first time of addiction I was taking 18 pills a day of anything I could get my hands on. I went cold turkey and it was pure hell. Will it be that bad this time? Please any advice would be great. I depended on everyone on this chat board the first time.
I would love to tell you that your detox is going to be easy but no one really knows, honey. Can you go to a detox? That might be your best bet.
Kyc,
Welcome to the board. My 1st question is have you talked to your doctor about this? If so what does he/she say? Are you taking them for legit pain? How long were you clean before you relapsed 2 months ago? Have you thought about outside support such as meetings? I would consider doing what your going to do stick with 4 today and maybe even stay there (if possible) for a 3-5 days and then drop again. You could even drop 5 mgs at a time when your ready as long as your dropping something..Try and get down as low as you can, stick to the taper and then quit. I tapered and it worked for me. I went from about 20 -30 mgs a day down to 5mgs before stopping. I had flu-like symptoms but they were not severe. I think I had more of a fear of going through withdrawls than anything.. It doesn't work for everyone though, I understand some people have to take more and more and it's hard for them to do it.....I used motrin, multi-vitamins and Immodium AD when I went off vicodin 9 months ago. Talk to your doctor before taking anything OTC somethings may not be recommended I don't know your history.. He may beable to give you something to help you when your ending your taper... Or if you decide to go cold turkey and just quit.. Good luck and keep posting. Would love to hear more of your story..Rae
Welcome to the board. My 1st question is have you talked to your doctor about this? If so what does he/she say? Are you taking them for legit pain? How long were you clean before you relapsed 2 months ago? Have you thought about outside support such as meetings? I would consider doing what your going to do stick with 4 today and maybe even stay there (if possible) for a 3-5 days and then drop again. You could even drop 5 mgs at a time when your ready as long as your dropping something..Try and get down as low as you can, stick to the taper and then quit. I tapered and it worked for me. I went from about 20 -30 mgs a day down to 5mgs before stopping. I had flu-like symptoms but they were not severe. I think I had more of a fear of going through withdrawls than anything.. It doesn't work for everyone though, I understand some people have to take more and more and it's hard for them to do it.....I used motrin, multi-vitamins and Immodium AD when I went off vicodin 9 months ago. Talk to your doctor before taking anything OTC somethings may not be recommended I don't know your history.. He may beable to give you something to help you when your ending your taper... Or if you decide to go cold turkey and just quit.. Good luck and keep posting. Would love to hear more of your story..Rae
Hi - No matter how you do it, getting off these pills can be pretty uncomfortable. But there is a list of OTC products that can make your life a bit more tolerable as you get the opiates out of your system. There is also a drug called clonidine that seems to help with wd's. You'll need a prescription for this drug. No matter what you should consult with your doctor or someone in the medical field - I've gone cold turkey and I've tapered successfully with the assistance / oversight of a doctor. As much as it sucks it really is worth it.
And one peice of advice based upon my experience - setup a recovery network now. Friends, family, AA/NA, etc. You don't need to do this alone. Get f2f support and it will help, trust me. And last but not least, pray.
Good luck;
Jim
And one peice of advice based upon my experience - setup a recovery network now. Friends, family, AA/NA, etc. You don't need to do this alone. Get f2f support and it will help, trust me. And last but not least, pray.
Good luck;
Jim
Dear KYC,
Welcome! You will find this board VERY helpfull...It is a god send. Ummm...I agree w/the others..there are over the counter drugs that may help..but you are in for a ride (as you know)...Detoxing sucks. Are you DONE? Have you done this enough yet? Be done babe...Can you stay home this weekend? You are going to need to be...Just ride it out. You can do it, dont let your mind lie to you..because it will...Your mind is & has been lying since you got the hook. So you are going to have to change your mind...I wish I could take it all away for you...I hope you are done..I hope hope hope...please try?
YOU CAN DO IT!
pease & best wishes
Jennifer
Welcome! You will find this board VERY helpfull...It is a god send. Ummm...I agree w/the others..there are over the counter drugs that may help..but you are in for a ride (as you know)...Detoxing sucks. Are you DONE? Have you done this enough yet? Be done babe...Can you stay home this weekend? You are going to need to be...Just ride it out. You can do it, dont let your mind lie to you..because it will...Your mind is & has been lying since you got the hook. So you are going to have to change your mind...I wish I could take it all away for you...I hope you are done..I hope hope hope...please try?
YOU CAN DO IT!
pease & best wishes
Jennifer
I have only had two today. It is now 3:45 and I feel fine. I took some b12 and a vitamin. I was off of them for a year and 3 months. I had some lows in my life and took the easy way out. Not for physical pain but for emotional pain. I can not tell anyone about this. I would be afraid I would loose my husband, my kids, everything I have worked all my life for. I am a strong person and I know I can do this. I was just wondering if I am only taking such a small amount, such as 6 a day would the withdrawls be easier than someone who is taking a larger amount? Thanks to all of you for your replys and your prayers. I am going to take 1 1/2 tonight. Tomorrow the same. That would be lowering it from 6 to 3 1/2. Please any more advice would help. Thanks so much.
Wow...a year and 3 months is great. So you know you can do it again. I don't know if there is a difference in the amount you are taking or not. Last time I detoxed, I had tapered to about 5 percocet a day. I felt like hell but I also know that I had it alot easier than others. And it did seem to make a difference from the times I had to withdraw from 10 - 12 a day.
I am taking loratab 5. Are they weaker than perocet? Did anything help you when you detoxed?
Everyone is different, but based on my experience, w/d should not be as severe this time around since you are taking less. Try to taper down and decide on a plan to stay clean. I recently notified my Dr. and all other sources that I have a problem. Now if my brain lies to me and tells me I need those evil pills, I can't just pick up the phone and cry "back pain." My friends and family know not to give them to me. I am going to counseling and getting support from the people on this board. Good luck, You can do this.
I think they are about the same thing...not sure though. This board helped me alot. I posted so many times to just say I was giving up and someone was always there to reassure me. Have you seen the list of OTC stuff you can try to help ease the withdraws? Hot baths also help alot.
I'm not sure if I'm the best person to be advising you. Like you, I have to go through this again. I made it through the withdraws and then picked up again and haven't stopped since. But I didn't have anywhere near the clean time that you did. Good for you for wanting to stop the insanity again so soon. Good luck to you and keep posting. So many people here want to help.
I'm not sure if I'm the best person to be advising you. Like you, I have to go through this again. I made it through the withdraws and then picked up again and haven't stopped since. But I didn't have anywhere near the clean time that you did. Good for you for wanting to stop the insanity again so soon. Good luck to you and keep posting. So many people here want to help.
Good for you kyc! I could only taper when someone else was doling out the pills. I always say the sooner the better...you're getting down to a level where the wd's won't be fun but they should be tolerable.
My mind always told me when to ditch the pills and get on with recovery. I wish you all the best!
Jim
My mind always told me when to ditch the pills and get on with recovery. I wish you all the best!
Jim
Welcom kyc,Wow you did have some clean time under your belt so you know you are a strong woman.I myself could never taper.Id always cheat.Anyways are you getting your pills through your DR?If so maybe you & he can work together but it sounds like you are ready to do this.You will feel crappy for a bit but its like the dark before the dawn it must happen.Someone suggested the OTC stuff & Ive heard that it can really help with some of it.Please feel free to post & post & post you dont need to feel alone in this I think we all can understand what your feeling......mj
kyc,
I just bumped the thread with the OTC stuff up to the top of the page for you. Hope it helps.
I just bumped the thread with the OTC stuff up to the top of the page for you. Hope it helps.
hey guys. I just came back from dinner with my kids. I have only had 2 pills today. I feel a bit anxious but other than that okay. Having patience to deal with the kids can be a bit hard. I hope all those who replied who are still taking, that I can be an inspiration that their is light at the end of the tunnel. This is a horablt thing to go through. I am a little worried about tonight. If it gets to bad and I have to take one then that is still only three for the whole day. Better than my six I had yesterday. Thanks guys so much. Please keep replying it helps me so much... Much Love To You All.
KYC Just keep on trying.It sounds like your off to a good start & I know there is light out there.So many post on here that can show you that.Hot showers can be the best medicine sometimes.Try & stay focused & positive.And if your having a hard time come here & post or just read.There is so much that can be learned on here.For me knowledge is power.The more we know the better prepared we are to face this thing called addiction.Take Care...mj
