The purpose of this article is to give you a step-by-step plan on how to get off hydrocodone at home. I used to be addicted to Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin and other prescription opiates, and later went on to heroin abuse. Throughout my addiction, there were many times where I ran out of hydrocodone and money. Since I couldn’t afford detox and didn’t have insurance, I had to learn how to get off hydrocodone at home.
How to Get off Hydrocodone at Home
At first, it was horrible. The withdrawal symptoms were so bad I wanted to jump out of a window! After my first experience getting off hydrocodone at home I ended up relapsing a week later, but the next time I ran out of pills and went through withdrawal I had researched in detail what I needed to do to ease my symptoms.
Over the years I learned everything there is to know about reducing opiate withdrawal symptoms from home. I’ve since made it my life’s purpose and mission to help other opiate abusers get through withdrawal and learn how to stay clean and love life without drugs.
By using the following steps you will not only know how to get off hydrocodone at home, but you should also be able to reduce your withdrawal symptoms to a tolerable level.
1. Start a Taper
The absolute best strategy available for minimizing hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms at home is to complete a taper regimen. Tapering is systematically reducing the number of pills you take over a period of time. Hydrocodone withdrawal is so intense because coming off this powerful medication cold-turkey is a HUGE shock to your body.
By tapering, you allow your body to gently adjust to lower amounts of hydrocodone slowly, thus decreasing withdrawal symptoms.
There are a few key points to know about the art of tapering:
- Slow tapers are easier on your body than fast tapers.
- The lower you go, the slower you should go.
- A strong mindset is essential to adhere to and complete a taper.
Example of a fast taper:
A man who has been using 80 mg of hydrocodone daily for two years decides he wants to get off hydrocodone at home and starts a taper. His goal is to be clean for his daughters fifth birthday in three weeks. He could take 60 mg per day for the first week, 40 mg per day the second week, and 20 mg per day the third, so on the last day he would go from 20 mg to 0 mg.
He could also choose to lower his dose by 5 mg each day of the taper and be clean in a little over two weeks. Both of these examples would be much less of a shock to his body than coming off hydrocodone cold-turkey. However, he would get even better results if he decided to make his taper longer in duration.
Example of a slow taper:
Let’s say the same individual who’s taking 80 mg of hydrocodone per day chooses to taper for two months. In this case, he could simply reduce his dose by 10 mg every week until his taper is complete. Reducing his dose by 10 mg every seven days would be easier on his body, but I would also recommend slowing the taper when he got to around 20 mg.
At this point, it would be beneficial to start decreasing the hydrocodone dosage to 5 mg drops per week rather than 10 mg. This would help to further decrease withdrawal symptoms due to it being less of a shock to your body. I believe a good taper length to shoot for would be around 30-90 days, depending on how much hydrocodone you’ve been using, as well as how long you’ve been using it for.
Note: When it comes down to it, you’ll have to write out your taper plan and stick with it. If this is too hard for you, I suggest giving your hydrocodone to someone you trust who will only give you the amount you’re supposed to have every day. It takes strict discipline to adhere to the taper plan when you have the whole bottle of pills in your possession.
2. Start Taking an Opiate Withdrawal Formula
When people ask me how to get off hydrocodone at home, I tell them the second most important strategy next to tapering is taking an opiate withdrawal formula. These are natural supplements that are specifically engineered to minimize opiate withdrawal symptoms.
My favorite Opiate Withdrawal Supplement is very powerful. It has a high potency herb and amino acid combination, plus it’s inexpensive and comes with a 100% no questions asked money-back guarantee.
If I ever had to go through hydrocodone withdrawal again I would definitely invest the money for a 30 day supply. The most effective way to use an opiate withdrawal formula is to start taking it right away when you start your taper.
Continue taking the supplement for at least three weeks after getting off hydrocodone, as this takes care of the lingering symptoms s such as low energy, insomnia, depression, anxiety, stomach problems, etc.
Note: The first time I tapered and used an opiate withdrawal formula in this manner was five years ago. I ended up feeling good enough to go to work during my withdrawal, which I thought was pretty amazing since the withdrawals before that were so bad I couldn’t even leave my house due to being extremely sick.
If you can afford it, I also highly recommend taking this awesome supplement, because the benefits are just too good to pass up.
3. Take Time Off
Okay, so you’ve tapered your hydrocodone and started staking an opiate withdrawal formula. Now what? Do you really want to know how to get off hydrocodone at home the right way? One of the most important things you can do is take time off. I encourage you to do everything in your power to ensure the first week you come off hydrocodone you don’t have ANY responsibilities.
I don’t know if this is possible for you, but I seriously can’t emphasize the importance of doing so enough. If seven days is too much time try and at least schedule four days off from all responsibilities. The worst of the withdrawal symptoms are usually over after day four.
4. Make a Hydrocodone Withdrawal Shopping List
A few days before you come off hydrocodone completely you’ll need to make a shopping list and gather supplies from the store.
The following items can really help:
- Water – Keeps you hydrated.
- Gatorade – Replenishes electrolytes.
- Peppermint Tea – Eases stomach discomfort.
- Ginger Ale – Eases stomach discomfort.
- Loperamide HCL – Stops diarrhea and relieves stomach cramps.
- Advil – Relieves pain in aching muscles and limbs.
- Icy Hot – Relieves pain in aching muscles and limbs.
- Dark Chocolate – Increases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals in the brain.
- Heating Pad – Soothes sore muscles.
- Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) – To add to hot baths.
- Saltine Crackers – Easy to hold down.
- Other Food – Things that are easy and fast to make.
5. Complete your Hydrocodone Withdrawal at Home
Now that you’ve tapered, started taking an opiate withdrawal formula, got time off from responsibilities and gone shopping, you’re finally ready to go through hydrocodone withdrawal at home. Typically the first day of hydrocodone withdrawal is the easiest, the second day gets harder, and days three and four are the worst.
However, that being said, if you’ve done a good job tapering and are taking a high-quality opiate withdrawal supplement, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Regardless of whether you’ve taken these steps or not, the following schedule should help you get off hydrocodone at home easier:
- 7:00 am: Wake up and take your opiate withdrawal formula with a glass of water.
- 7:15 am: Go for a long walk, jog or swim. Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, which are your natural pain-killers. This natural morphine eases hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms quickly and effectively. I know the last thing you probably feel like doing during withdrawal is exercising, but let me tell you, it’s the absolute best natural remedy there is.
- 8:00 am: Drink a glass of water or Gatorade. Eat breakfast. Have something like a fruit smoothie with whey protein powder or a breakfast sandwich. Eat a big piece of dark chocolate.
- 9:00 am: Take a long, hot bath with two cups of Epsom salt. Taking a hot bath during opiate withdrawal soothes aching muscles and limbs, relieves anxiety and promotes relaxation. Adding Epsom salt helps you calm the nervous system even more, while also stimulating the production of ATP and serotonin, improving the absorption of nutrients, and flushing toxins.
- 10:00 am: Put on some extremely comfortable clothes, lay down on the couch and watch either a comedy or an inspirational movie. This will take your mind off the withdrawal and get you into a positive mindset.
- 12:00 pm: Eat lunch. Try to eat something with fish, turkey, beef or chicken if you can stomach it. The amino acids in the protein will help bolster mood-enhancing chemicals in your brain. A sample lunch would be grilled chicken, rice, and steamed veggies. Eat a big piece of dark chocolate
- 1:00 pm: Watch another movie (comedy or inspirational).
- 3:00 pm: Take a long and hot regular bath.
- 4:00 pm: Drink a big glass of water. Eat a snack if you’re hungry.
- 4:30 pm: Watch an inspirational movie.
- 6:30 pm: Go for a long walk, jog or swim.
- 7:30 pm: Drink a glass of Gatorade and take a hot bath. Drink a glass of water after your bath.
- 8:30 pm: Eat dinner. Some good examples are fish tacos or a turkey burger. Eat a big piece of dark chocolate. 30 minutes after dinner drink a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea.
- 9:00 pm: Turn off all the lights in the house. Light some candles and listen to relaxing music. You want to avoid bright lights, the TV, computer, and any other electrical devices after 9 pm. This is when your brain starts producing melatonin to help you fall asleep. Staring at the computer or other lights tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, and this interferes with the production of sleep-inducing melatonin.
- 9:30 pm: Start writing in a journal. Write about all of the things you are going to do with your life once you complete your hydrocodone withdrawal.
- 10:00 pm: Start reading a self-help book by candlelight and go to bed as soon as you get sleepy. Make sure to get to bed before 12:00 am. Also make sure the room you sleep in is cool, quiet and dark. If you don’t get good sleep then don’t worry, lack of sleep won’t kill you.
Note: This is just a sample of what a day of a planned hydrocodone withdrawal at home could look like. You can switch it up and adjust things as you see fit. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day. Avoid alcohol, coffee and energy drinks at all costs!!!
*If the food I mentioned doesn’t sound good then don’t worry…simply eat what sounds good to your body. If you have any diarrhea take Imodium AD. If you have aching muscles and limbs take Advil and rub icy hot on the problem areas.
*Don’t Google anything about hydrocodone withdrawal! Stay out of the forums! Most of the people on forums aren’t professionals and give horrible advice. I’ve cringed after reading several of the things people on these sites have recommended. Sometimes there is good information, but usually, this is not the case.
If you want more information about hydrocodone withdrawal and recovery just read my blog. There is a ton of information that you will find valuable.
6. Stay Clean!
If you follow the first five steps getting off hydrocodone at home can be easy. I know it’s possible because I’ve done it! The real challenge is staying clean. You are going to feel like using in the next few weeks or months. Don’t give in! Continue taking your opiate withdrawal formula, exercising and eating healthy.
Continue writing in your journal and reading your self-help book. Start another book as soon as you finish the first one. Feeding your mind is essential for developing a healthy recovery free of addiction. If you’ve been purchasing hydrocodone illegally then I recommend deleting your dealer’s phone number. It would also be wise to change your number.
If you’ve been getting them from a doctor you should probably tell them the truth about your situation. I realize many people also use hydrocodone for pain as it’s intended.
There are many natural pain relief methods you can utilize in place of narcotics:
- Meditation
– Shown to be more effective than morphine in research studies. - Anti-Inflammatory Foods – Fish oil, tart cherry juice concentrate, ginger, and turmeric all relieve pain and inflammation.
- Topical DMSO – Dimethyl sulfoxide is a natural compound that kills pain and inflammation better than anything else.
– Shown to be more effective than morphine in research studies.
, 
, 
, and 
all relieve pain and inflammation.
– Dimethyl sulfoxide is a natural compound that kills pain and inflammation better than anything else.
Note: If you really want to kick it up a notch, take Curamed, a concentrated curcumin supplement (the active pain-relieving phytochemical in turmeric).
Learning how to live life without hydrocodone can be difficult. We get so used to reaching for pills to give us energy and happiness. The next few months after getting off hydrocodone at home will test you. The first 90 days after getting clean is when 90% of people relapse. Don’t let it happen to you!
I’ve been clean for three years now, and I feel better than I have in my entire life at the age of 35. It took me about six months to really feel amazing after I got clean, so I encourage you to be patient. It takes the body some time to recover from all the brain chemistry imbalances that hydrocodone addiction created or exacerbated.
Find other people who have quit hydrocodone to talk with and use them as your support group during this early recovery phase. I have faith that you will stay clean now that you’ve learned how to get off hydrocodone at home.
Click here now to view my best home detox program. If you have any questions on how to get off hydrocodone at home, please don’t hesitate to leave it in the comment box below.
I’ve been reading your page on how to get off opioids at home. And I wanna do it, I want an change an life. I have an question for the schedule, I’m using the same one you have up there, but idk what time to take an small dose to taper down
I’m going to start going cold turkey off of Norco tomorrow…I would love to check in daily and I ask you for support and encouragement.
Thank you!!!!
I truly want to believe what you are saying here. And I really do mean this. Please believe I am not being sarcastic whatsoever. I have suffer with opiate addiction for a very long time. I have had some trips down what I like to refer to ask “withdrawal lane” and I am frightened beyond believe to go back. Why I struggle to believe the statements made in this post about “natural” at home ways to get off opiates is that I am a scientist and have spent many years researching the biochemistry of the human body (trust me, what I do is more complicated than my statement, but it is unnecessary to take a deeper dive in this post). Of the ingredients list for rapid detox, I do not believe there is any scientific evidence from well-controlled clinical trials at a respected institution to show that either of the two medications mentioned actually do anything besides make the vendors of each medication more money when you buy it from them. Please believe, I would absolutely give me right arm if the statements made were true, but again I just cant see how. Please, please, please prove me wrong. Trust me, I would love to be wrong and get the help that I so desperately need to get off these damn opiates. Thank you in advance.
Responsibly Yours,
Richard
If you only want to use methods of detox that have studied in well-controlled clinical trials you should do some research on that and see what comes up. I teach common sense methods. Tapering off opiates works and it’s common sense. Opioids make the body create endorphins and dopamine in huge amounts so when a person comes off they will have deficiencies of these neurotransmitters. The supplements I talk about increase the body’s natural production of these, as does exercise. GABA is a neurotransmitter that causes mental and even physical relaxation, so it’s also important when coming off opioids. Some supplements and some medications help with increasing GABA in the brain and body. And many medications have been known to help with opiate withdrawal. Just because you don’t see the type of studies you would like doesn’t mean things don’t work. But if you only want to use methods with the right studies you’re looking for then simply do some research and find out what has been studied the way you like then ask your doctor about it. I’ve seen these medications help so many people. I get comments and emails all the time from people that have used methods they’ve learned on this site to get off opioids. It’s really fun to see so many people succeeding. I wish you well in your search for a detox method that meets your standards. Take care my friend.
I stumbled upon this on researching opiate withdrawal. I was prescribed Hydrocodone 10/325 up to 3x a day for injuries from a car accident in April of 2017. I took never took the full amount prescribed…took about 1-2 a day and eventually tapered down to only taking 1/2 a pill a day about 5 days a week to be able to still function. Even at that low dose, the doctors want me off. I stopped over two weeks ago and still have no energy and feel depressed. I was wondering if you have any insight as to if this could still be withdrawl symptoms? If so, do you know how long can it take to feel “normal” again? Thank you!
Linda,
I was prescrirbed 10/325 Hydrocodone at 4 times a day. I didn’t realize what I was doing to myself. I have been taking that amount for three or four years I sccaled down to three times a day. Now I am stuck. I want to get off them completely but can’t. I have been trying to taper down gradually but I absoltuley feel horrible. I have been looking everywhere for help without success. One center wanted to prescribe Methodone but I don’t want to do that. I am trying to find someone who can help me with the answers I need. I hope you are doing well and have beaten this terrible curse.
Hi Jeff, I just stumbled on to your page and what a great source of info and sharing for people who are desperately looking for answers and help. I have been on Hysingla ER for 3 years and Norco for about 8 years due to multiple spine and bone problems. I have starting having severe stomach problems and have to get off this drug so I took myself off the short acting Norco and would like to start weaning down the Hysingla, but I’m not sure how to do that due to it 24 hour release? I can’t get in to see my pain doctor for a couple of weeks and would like to at least cut down on the Hysingla while waiting. Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
I have been on Hydrocodone since my first back surgery in 2012. Though my dose for that time was 5 mg four times a day. I basically only took it about twice. In the last year and a half the dose was upped to10 mg which I could take three times a day but only took it at bedtime unless I had an extremely bad day. Along with this drug I have be n taking gabapentin which I read could be terrible to detox from. Have recently been started on medical marijuana to get off all my meds. Having the flu and not taking my medication has me going crazy. You see everything that goes in comes out. Please give me some incite on how to feel normal again. It’s been a long time
Hi Wanda,
If I read your post correctly, it appears as though you’re using marijuana to ease co-occurring hydrocodone and also gabapentin withdrawal symptoms?
That sounds very difficult to come off both of those drugs at once, especially when gabapentin can be used to mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms.
I’m going to provide links to a few articles that relate to your situation, which should help you out a lot:
How To Use Gabapentin For Opiate Withdrawal>>
Opiate Withdrawal Remedies Review: Top 30 List>>
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome From Opiates>>
Please help! I’ve read this all and I know I need to quit asap, for my unborn child. I cannot, will not, be selfish to make him go through withdrawals on his own at birth. I’ve already started weaning off. I see the supplements that are mentioned here have herbs in it, which frightens me. I currently am on Zoloft and to mix with it can be extremely dangerous. I once tried Ginko Biloba and almost lost my mind. I use supplements now, but not with herbs. I have to get off the safest way because very bad withdrawals will also hurt my baby. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! And thank you all for sharing your story and inspiring those going through such a toxic addiction.
Lisa, it is imperative that you get a plan from your doctor that is safe for both you and your unborn child. Please do not move forward with any plan until you get it cleared with your doctor first, as they are the specialist on what you can and can’t do while you’re pregnant.
You’re going to get through this! And everything is going to be okay. Just have your doctor provide you with the perfect plan for your situation. Don’t try to do this without professional help.
Hi all. It’s frustrating trying to seek help in stopping pain treatment under the guise of “pain management” as a chronic pain sufferer. I’m very glad I stumbled across this site. But I’m looking for people to share their experiences as pain patients, users, abusers, and or addicts, about their emotional/mental state once they experience tolerance. Do you find over the time you’ve used these meds, you’ve lost your motivation & energy? Become more depressed and disconnected?
I get the whole conundrum with initial euphoria from meds and needing increased doses to feel those ‘affects’, but I’m really referring to basic mental/emotional health and daily living. I’ve been on various pain medications for a few years now, current and longes-hydrocodone. I’ve not increased the amount I take daily over the years, and even have up higher dosed meds (opana, fentanyl, morphine, etc.). I never got the extreme ‘highs’ from these meds; just a bit of energy and more talkative. BUT, I’ve noticed over the same duration, my personality had dwindled. My energy depleted. And often I feel like an emotional shell of my former self. I don’t feel joy or smoke much. And the only thing I can truly identify, is the parallel to taking narcotic pain medications. Does this happen to everyone?
Reading about the changes in dopamine and endorphins is what ultimately led me here. I truly think my life’s slowly been disregarding as a result of long term use and tolerance.
I somehow convinced myself the long term use wouldn’t effect me as bad because my liver burns through the meds so fast (I even once tested negative in a pain management random urine); obviously I was wrong. I’m pretty sure taking these meds is essentially destroying my life; and ironically I not only lack that would with my liver metabolism issue, I also lack the same levels of pain relief.
Yet here I am in what I think is the majority’s dilemma: I’m terrified of withdrawal & created a mental illusion that this crap somehow makes my life better! ironically, I know first hand that not taking them, plus taking supplements with vitamins, makes me feel better. I’m not even sure what mind game is in my head besides fear. Even worse, I successfully weaned myself off my Dilaudid prescription with no memorable withdrawal.
I think my fear lies with having gone through withdrawal from running out of my hydrocodone script in my initial ‘leaning curve’ that regula use creates dependence and withdrawal. SO-questions:
Is weaning off hydrocodone the same in the brain and body as hydromorphone (Dilaudid)?
Has anything tried weaning off hydrocodone by stretching the lowest dose to every other day, then every 3rd?
Is there a point to tapering the higher doses (e.g. 80 mg/day to 70, 60… Vs. 80 mg/day to day 40mg/day, then taper)?
What are people’s exit experiences withdrawing once you get to say 2.5mg?
Would those withdrawal symptoms be even less if you took the lowest dose a little longer (say 2-3 weeks vs 1 week)?
How long after stopping do you begin to feel mentally and emotionally normal?
As in, how long does it take for our dopamine levels and endorphins to start to replenish themselves??
When it’s all said and done, I just want to feel like my old self AND NOT feel sick as hell in the process!
Oh, and has anyone heard of tried it used kratom during withdrawal and/or for alternative pain relief?
There’s such fear instilled when anyone has experienced withdrawal and knows they’re about to ‘face it again’! But for me, if rather spend my life committed to natural alternative forums of pain management and have my quality of life back. I don’t think I’ve experienced much joy and emotional happiness in over 2 years!
Sorry so long… Thanks in advance for any and everyone who chimes in.
I’m in such a fix. After almost 10 years with a pain specialist (I have degenerative arthritis can’t take insaids) I found one closer to home. She immediately told me she was changing my meds. “Better for me ” and she was probably right. Well after 3monthes of trying several different combinations. She gave me a d n a test and said nucyclin was a fit I was to take 2of those a day (lowest dose and no more than 4hydtocone a day and see her in 3monthes. Well 4 did not hold my pain. I was taking 6sometimes 7. I called in for an ” early refill” and she fired me as a pt. How humiliating it’s been. And my next pain dr has to have my medical records from her. I don’t know what’s in them but I’ve been turned down by 3drs so far. I’m about to completely run out of hydrocodone and no where to turn. I need help. Fast.
Hi all
I like many others have an issue with norco.
I tore my back to pieces back in 2005 lifting things i shouldnt have.
Any how after ther cat scans and mri both with and with out the dye they shoot you with that is radoactive.
It was decided i had two smashed disks and a third thats close so a double fusion was called for.
I was told this was my best and only option or do nothing .
So after several hours in the O.R. i come out expecting to be whole again agter some heal up time, boy was i wrong . But as time passed i did get better 2-3 weeks or so.
But i still had cronic pain that just would not go away W.O. the use of the hydros and they only mask it.
My doc asured me that as it healed and the pain would go away for the most part.
Ok after 6 months were still in terrible pain i cant go back to work i cant do much of nothing and i want to know why, so we do the tests all over again only to find out the upper 4-5 healed good and is solid but S-1-5 stopped growing about an 1/8 of an inch from touching, so in a way my back is in two pieces.
I was sent to other specalist and so forth and they all agreed i needed more surgery.
Im still on the hydros mind you, plus soma for muscle relaxers.
I chose not to have the operation, now mind you that was 2005 and here it is 2017. All the time taking the junk, so id say im hooked like a fish but i want off of them, i have gone 4 days cold turkey and although i had some pain and discompfort, it was the withdrawels that took me back to
Takeing the hydros again.
I would like to be off of them and actually see just what sort misery there masking.
I thank you for this blog and will give it a try.
I might add that i have over 25 years of being sober from acohol. So alot of
I dont know the pain my be more than i can stand and be right back to square one. But thats a gamble im willing to take.
My most sincere wishes go out to each and every one of you that give this program an honest try.
Richard.
Hi Matt, thank you for the great advice. Can you possibly assess my situation and tell me what to expect? I’ve been taking 30-50 mlg norcos for 3 years this December. I took them in the beginning for a legitimate reason but then kept taking them for energy, happiness, etc. I feel as though I’m ready to quit and titrate down. I just picked up my last script of 90 tablets. Can you suggest a healthy plan for me, and do you think my withdrawal symptoms will be less severe given the lower mlg and time frame being relatively lower then some too? I’m terrified of withdrawals and do not have health care insurance to cover any other form of withdrawal support medication – such as suboxone. I don’t use anything else and am not much for alcohol either. I’m scared. Thank you in advance and your advice was the BEST out of anything else I’ve read.
Hi Caitlin,
I would love to help. Are the 90 tablets 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg? Pretty sure you are taking the 10 mg ones but I need to be sure. Once I know this I can help you devise a taper plan. 🙂
Your words have encouraged me to kick this once and for all….can I email you
That is awesome Andy!!!! So happy that you have this motivation! You can email me at matt@opiateaddictionsupport.com
I’m so with you. What about those of us that do have real pain. (See our MRI s ) where do we turn.? We are dr shoppers addicts. And drs dont want us. I’m 75 years old I never dreamed I’d face this crap so late in my life I wish I had wisdom for you. All I Say is I think there are a lot of us. The “oxycodone” epidemic the drs are afraid of. Does that apply to us. ?
Soma is highly addictive as a muscle relaxant. You will have to wean off of it as well as hydro cosine.
I have been on hydro 10 for over 17 or 18 years. I have had 3 back surgeries with a fusion and one fusion on my neck. I was a nurse until my back and legs got so bad I could barely walk. I am 57 years old. I once was on fentenyl patches with hydro for break through pain. I told my doc that I wanted off the patches and he said nobody ever gets off their pain meds. Well I tapered off them. I still take hydro 10s but usually 3 a day. Sometimes just two. My problem is now my liver enzymes or up and for the past few days I have been like losing time. Last night I took my night-time meds and my husband told me I was mumbling and talking crazy. This truly scares me. I believe that I have really damaged my liver and it can’t filter like it should. I am going to start today with 5mg in morning and 5mg at night. I go tomorrow for a ultrasound of my liver. I pray if it is damaged that getting good off the meds and flushing my body with lots of water will help me some. PLEASE if anybody else has had their liver damaged like this could you please tell me about your experience. Thank you.
Pattie being a nurse i am sure you know, that a damaged liver from the Tylenol is a one way deal. They told me that the liver cant heal itself from that kind of thing. Mines good as far as i know. With all the blood test ive have had and so far so good. i wished that i had better news but i dont.
But maybe now they have. For yours and many others sake.
Richard.
Most of us are probably aware of the damage to the liver but balance that with a life of constant pain. I guess it’s a matter of degree You have to do what’s best for you.
at first when i been surgery my back 2011 after surgery the doctor give me the mop.and after mop .i been take that almost a year and then they give me ocycodonce .for two year after two year they give me hydrocodone until now 2020 .i want to get off the hydrocodone 320-10 mg but some time i try to cut them down i get very sick i been taking 6 a day i cut them off to 4 a day now i try to take 3 a day but i m been hurt so bad no sleep eye tear come and the born the body hurting so bad what do i do .?thank you very much
Matt,
I am very encouraged to find your “plan”. I started LorTab/now Norco when
I was 45 and I am now 65. I have never had to taper off my medications but, I am
now considering it. Why? My Dr. (he is my 3rd Dr. and I have outlived the other two) say’s he will continue to prescribe Norco but…….I am concerned that with all of the conflict in the world and especially North Korea, Iran and soon problems are going big time with Russia, that access to Norco will be curtailed via greater need for the product on the battle fields and potentially the availability of electricity ending through an EMP………….all of us will be giving up hugely important every day items.
I likely will not have access to Norco and your plan will likely be very important in saving my life.
Thank you…….I am going to prepare.
Mike
I’m glad you found this home detox plan. I certainly hope the conflict in the world doesn’t continue to escalate. Wishing you the best on your journey and it’s always good to be prepared.
When I was a counselor at an opiate treatment program, I had a patient on methadone that told me he had stockpiled several months worth of Subutex, cigarettes, and lighters.
He said if there was a big war or natural disaster, he wanted to make sure he had medication and smokes! Very smart thinking!
Hi my name is Tony and I have used for 4 years and I have been taking 6-8 10 /325 a day I just recently got off eight days ago and still are going through some rough times how long can I expect this to last and start feeling ambitious and normal again?
Hello all,
Many compliments to all of you with the courage to try, the veracity to share, and the will power to succeed.
I have fibromyalgia pain and possible chronic fatigue syndrome….i can’t tell you what a blessing and a curse hydrocodone has been for me.
I feel like I’m dependent, not addicted but idk and it doesn’t matter to me much anyways, I just want done with them. It has taken me several years to realize that I just have to take the slow and stiff days as they come, do less and take advantage of the more energetic less painful days. I’ve been trying to go full throttle and live my life the way I did pre- fibro through the use of pharmaceuticals. I’m over it.
I have been tapering for a couple weeks now and it IS taking a toll on my husband as he is doing the majority of the care of our energetic pre-schooler and the chores. It’s SO easy to be tempted to go backwards because I see how little I’m contributing right now and the shame is almost unbearable.
So, needless to say, finding something that may boost my energy and enable me to help while tapering is almost too good to be true….and I’m worried for me that it is.
My background is off and on Norco use or tramadol use for several years. The first time I came off hydro cold turkey I didn’t have a clue what hit me but I did it and was off them for a couple years. Then tramadol, NOTHING I have EVER experienced prepared me for THAT withdrawal, but again triumphed. Then came a renowned pain management clinic in my area for fibro and I found myself back on hydro for 2 years, the day that I found out I was pregnant, I started to taper and seriously had zero problems. Fabulous pregnancy and refused the hydros they offered for the pain on my way out, lol.
Two years later, a new house and a new town, a toddler and a marriage on the rocks brought a flare up and I started them again like a moron.
Here I am, 2 years later, and I probably got up to 8 Norco 10/325s a day.
The worst part is- when my marriage was failing, I started having panic attacks and a Dr put me on Xanax.
The reason I say “the worst part ” is that I read on another forum NOT to take calm support if you also take benzos. I’m tapering them as well, so you can imagine how pleasant I am to be around…. but now I feel trapped…
Is there ANY possibility that I can do this and not be miserable and ruin my family’s whole summer watching me kick this crap?!?!?!? I am the social coordinator, the chef, the cheerleader and the organizer of all things domestic. This home falls apart without me full throttle and I’m watching it in misery.
Does ANYONE have experience with taking the calm support while also tapering a benzos? I would be SO grateful to hear from you.
Thanks in advance 😟
Hello, yes you can take them together. I don’t know how high your mg are of Benzo? I am on low dose of benzo and calm support so far has not interfered but helped with taper..etc. I highly recommend and dlpa. Be strong you can do this!!!
All I can say is there are many of us. Pain or addiction. And how debilitating is the pain ? And how much it depress you All the scientific research and we have so few choices. And addicted are truly the modern day lepers. Like we take these things for fun. One day at a time one hour at a time. God I wish I had the answer
I am a nurse. We know that when taking strong pain meds in high quantities a reaction from this is called hyperalagesia. It is a condition where pain meds can cause your nerves to increase pain instead of medicate it. At this point the MD should be decreasing the medications but instead prescribe more. This makes matters worse. If you look up the definition for Fibromyalgia you will see what I have just described.
Please, need help and support. Been addicted to hydrocodone for 10 years. Was just taking a couple of 5 mg for most of those years, then upped it to about 3 or 4 10 mg about 2 years ago. Been taking them a long time, but I can just take 2 a day and be fine, so I’m now starting the tapering method. I want off of the stupid things so bad, but am absolutely terrified of the withdrawal. I got started on them in the hospital, but soon found they made me happier and not so depressed. Any advice from people who have tapered and used supplements? How should I taper? How bad will withdrawals be if I can taper down to 1/2 10mg pill a day? I’m so desperate to be rid of these things. Need support!
Hello…..take the last part of taper slower than before. Meaning a longer timeframe. Would recommend calm support and dlpa. Eat healthy..be positive . Read Matt’s advice…hot baths, exercise..etc.. it is more than possible!! Hugs
Even when I was in high school I never tried drugs and here it is 35 yrs later I`m hooked on Hyrocodone for the past 10 yrs . I smoked cigarettes for 14 yrs and quit , cold turkey , but that was a walk in the park compared to this . I had times when my Doc questioned me the amount I was taking so I didn’t always get them when I wanted them and going a day without them was horrible . Trust me , suicide was not out of the question . I have been trying my best to cut back and I am down to 3 a day at 7.5 mg . I am at a small emotional high cause I really think I am gonna make it . Good luck to anyone who reads this and God bless!!!
Folks , here it is almost 8 months later , and I`m now taking 1/2 pill a day . Yes , it has been a long haul but I now know the end is near . Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year !!!
Hello,
I too have no one to talk to or help me through this addiction to hydrocodone that I have. I’ve been taking it for about 4 years for endometriosis. I had a full hysterectomy two years ago, but continued taking the pills. My husband asked me to quit taking them a long time ago and I tried and had horrible withdraw symptoms. So, I started taking them again and didn’t tell him. Well, it came back and bit me in the butt. He found out and has lost all of his trust and respect for me. I feel ashamed, embarrassed, and disgusted in myself. He calls me fat and lazy every day so he can’t be supportive for anything that I try and do. I have tried to taper several times and always break the schedule and take my usual dose. I asked my husband to only give me what I am supposed to take and he told me “No.” I have to figure this out on my own. I have two young boys that I want to be there for. I want to be happy again. Please help me! I feel lost, alone, and depressed.
Keep trying to taper or go cold turkey. For me, cold turkey didn’t last, my BF was not very supportive but he will keep the pills for me and give me only what I ask for, which is a double edge sword. Make a schedule, put out only what you’ll take that day or spitball some strategies for that, keep busy, drink water, take vitamin C (check out the mega dosing with Vitamin C post), find an inspiring book (I’m reading Dancing with the Beloved by Paul Ferrini). Stay strong, I’m rooting for you!
Kray, I hope things turned out for you. I came here because I’m at the last stages of my tappering, I’m excited and nervous – but determined. I’m sitting here reading your story and hope you found the support you needed. I also hope you left that dirt bag husband, we all need support, and should never have to do this alone. You may not see my reply I hope the next person reading does because no matter what your going through, your partner should always stand by you and support you.
Honey don’t let that person make you feel worse about your self I couldn’t call him a man because he’s not if he loved you and your son’s he would want the best for you he would have your back and treat you with kid gloves know one knows pain untill it happens he should move heaven and Earth to help you through this it is the doctors that get you stuck on this crap with out any regards to our lives because they get kick backs for prescribing this stuff it’s not just one it’s more and more because we have insurance but when we don’t they drop us like a ho potato .but I am proud of you just keep thanking of the boys and that you can do it for them one day one step at a time you will stumble we all do but pick your self up hug those boys and keep going but find someone to talk to it helps believe me best luck and love your self Robin
I’m in week 2 of tapering and I’m extremely nervous today. My doctor prescribed 7.5 Loratab for me in 2007 for back pain and fibromyalgia. Started with 2 and within six months I was taking 3 a day and have been since then, nine years. They stopped helping my pain but I refused to increase the dosage so I supplimented with Aleve or Advil. I also take (1) 1 mg Ativan a day. I’ve been wanting to stop taking the Loratab for a while and decided to start April 30 by breaking one pill in half, taking 2 1/2 pills a day and plan to decrease 1/2 pill every seven days. Started second week taking 2 pills a day, it’s now day 4 and this is the first day I’ve been shaky and nervous. So far I haven’t been physically sick. My concern is that when I’ve decreased down to 1/2 pill and then no pill, I will have severe withdrawal symptoms. I just hope I’m doing this right and and am asking what the best plan would be for me as I finish this taper, which will be the first week of June. I am in my 50’s and take blood pressure meds so I’m trying to so this without serious problems. Any advice would be appreciated.
Jenny,
I had the same issue while I was coming off hydrocodone as well. I actually stopped taking adivan 2 months before tapering the hydro. I was down to 2.5 mgs of hydro twice a day when I just stopped. But, I was having a nasty reaction to the hydro so the withdrawals were awful but I still felt better then when I took it! Are you under a doctor’s care? With your health issues, it might be wise to let your doctor in on your plan to stop. They may even be able to prescribe some needs to help take the edge off the withdrawals. Also, have a good support system even if it’s talking to someone on here. I have a couple friends on Facebook I memet on here first…and it’s made all difference. I’m on day 91 today and feeling much better. I dealt with the anxiety for a few weeks before I felt better. Having anxiety is part of the withdrawal process for some of us opiate users. There are measures you can take to help though but getting clearance from your doctor would be wise before attempting to taper any further. If you want to try and find me on Facebook, I’m Sandy Lewis and my profile picture is of a police officer with wings and lights behind them. Prayers hun..
Thanks for responding Sandy, I really appreciate it. I talked to my MD about tapering, even though he is not the dr that was prescribing them. He thought I had a safe plan but to contact his office if I had problems with my BP, which I take everyday, and heart rate. How long were you on the 2.5 x 2 before stopping? I’m going to look for your FB page because I have some questions and need to talk to someone about this. Thanks!
Hi my wife needs help how do I help her
I am 31 years old. Have a husband. No kids. From Nova Scotia, Canada.
I have had a severe Hydromorphone addiction for about 1.5 years now.
Hydromorphone is 5 times stronger then Heroin. An opiod. I have never ever injected it. Too scared. Which is a good thing but i sniff it every day.. as much as 30 + mg a day some days. In comparison, 12 mg a day is a substantial amount. But not for someone who abuses Dilaudid.
I dont even get high usually after sniffing 20 mg. Which is baaaad.
My husband is currently going through Methadone Treatment for his addiction. He has been clean for 3 weeks now. Me, i can not do the methadone program due to its morning commitments, and I have a professional job with 11 hour days.
I am quiting all on my own. Ive tried to taper… but im an adict. Its soooo hard to do smaller amounts when theres “More” in my pocket. So hard.
Ive tried to just not take anymore… and by 24 hours later… my legs and back are in so much Pain it drives me absolutely crazy mentally. My brain spins out of control about sniffing a Dilaudid. Its I N S A N E. I do have my husband for support.. but he has to focus on his own recovery.. as I do as well. I need to get off this drug ASAP.
I am tapering now… down to 10 mg a day from 30 +. But will still take a week or two before I can start Detoxing. The mental withdrawal for me.. is worse then the physical so far.
We were falling behind in bills… because mine and his habit cost 100 a day pretty much. But were better now that he is clean and im tapering. Long road ahead of me. Would love to meet others that i can help support.. and that can help me. Even just talking.. and coming up with a plan we can keep eachother in “check”. This is by far.. the hardest thing ive ever had to do (detox and get clean) but i need my LIFE and HAPPINESS back naturally!
How is it going for you now?
How are you doing?
Paul,
Hi…I tapered down off of hydrocodone and fentanyl in February and I’ve been off of everything since February 8th. I’ve helped support a few people on here and try to stay in contact frequently. Are you doing ok? Have you tried this before?
I completely understand..!!!
Withdrawal from hydrocodone is horrible.
I have been on 40mgs. A day for over ten years due to back surgery..
I also am attempting to taper off and called my doctor to sort of oversee the issue
40 for two weeks, then 30 for two weeks and so on…
It’s been such a long time that maybe if I did 5 msgs. Less every two weeks
It may be more successful…. Thank God the hydrocodone it was there in the beginning.! It was prescribed for intense pain and worked.!
I was also on fentynal patches at first … Than I began hallicinating and talking to people who wearn’t there..
Getting off of that was a nightmare as well.. I still have chronic pain, but there must be some other way to manage it..
I did try to cold turkey, but got extremely sick….
I think it probably will take months to stop, but stop I will…
I cannot afford to feel horrible… It does make you relapse..
Hi….congrats on your decision. I have been on 3 month going on 4 month taper. Hopefully is the end. Mine has been by 3mgs a month. I too, had a surgery..cancer tumor..messed with back nerves. I recommend calm support and dl-phenaline along with nutrition and extra vitie and supplements. Slow for me seemed way to go since I have been on 9 yrs.
i been same way like you when i m 40 year old .very hard but you try will try and you help your self when i try to stop it i take two week vacation go to beach .i bring some with it the first day when i get to the hotel i get tire i take 10 mg sleep pill and reading some of book i fell to sleep until i get up the body hurt so bad i try go to take the bath with cold water i dum in so cold and get off to take cover with the blanket no sleep you turn the tv on and watching some action movie .and try put it to the water and drinking to get off the sick after no more sick you oder some thing to eat and then taking seeping pill again and turn on the tv to watch you go to sleep you don/t know until you get up again .you will been tire when you get up .try to moving around and until you feeling very sick now you taking the hot bath after that drinking them a little when your self feeling o k try to order some thing to eat again after you eat get back to sleep again with the pill 4 day on the week in side the room no going out until day 5 try to going out shopping and find some thing busy on the mind thinking to some love one or some body you care .good luck
I feel empty and lost due to my addiction to pills. I started out stealing them from someone, and now it has escalated to buying them. I am a single mother with a limited income, and I cannot spend anymore money on these awful pills. Please help! I need advice, a friend, a connection, a support system to get off these ….for good. I’ve tried quitting several times, and I always cave in after about a week or two…I think the longest I’ve gone is 6 weeks! So I know I can quit…I just always cave. Why? It’s so embarrassing, no one knows so I live with this secret alone now. My entire family thinks I’ve been clean for a while…I can’t bear the thought of them knowing I relapsed AGAIN. Please help.
Wow I think you and I are twins because I’m in the same exact spot minimum income and I have 2 boys I just quit today and I’m not feeling well. I waiting until my vacation to start which was today and I don’t want to be on those awful things anymore! I want my life back but I always cave and tell myself one more time! My bank account doesn’t have one more time so I tell myself that and I don’t text my connect
Thank you so much for responding. I too have two boys. I’m in AZ. Yes, it’s SO hard. I commend you for your strength right now. It’s got such a strong hold, and I NEVER thought anything would have a hold on me like this does. I hate it. I wish I could go back in time and never have let it get to this point. But I can’t. I just feel so ashamed right now! I feel like I need to go to an actual rehab for 30 days so i can have some time under my belt to feel normal instead of just a week or two. But I can’t as I have no insurance and one of my sons has special needs, so it’s impossible to find caregivers for him. I just don’t see myself being able to stop and I HAVE to stop because just like you I too have been squandering money when I could have been saving for vacations, the future, etc. I can’t even let myself think about the money I have spent. The “connect” i have is very intent on texting me whenever he has them so I need to do like some mentioned and change my number and delete him from all social media outlets. thanks again for responding. Hope you’re hanging in there. Noelle. xo
I have already ruined this year for any vacation I want to do with my boys and I hate myself for it that is why I quit I am thinking of my boys and my bank account.I too do not want to think of the amount of money I’ve spent because I would break down so I don’t think of it and I look at old pictures of myself when I was not on the pills and I was happy so I know I can be that way again. The pills do nothing for me anymore and that is why I don’t want to waste my money. I’m on day 2 and let me tell you it’s been horrible for me. I wish it was warm out so I could walk or bike ride instead of sitting in the house. Body aches shivers hot and cold flashes and now I have diarrhea lol but I have been eating and drinking water. Mentally it’s hard it’s really hard I can handle the body aches and all that but mentally it’s hard my brain keeps saying one more just one a day and then quit but honestly I’m done and I want my life back I want that money back in my account! I got paid today and it feels good not pulling money out for pills! I’m actually doing better mentally because next year my boys will get a vacation! Those pills are the devil! Honey I’m here if you want to find me on fb and we can support each other because I have noone except sandy who I met on here and she has been supportive we connected on fb and I have her cell. You can do it you can I want to for the sake of money and I want money again I’m tired of being broke I’m tired of it!
Noelle,
Hey, how are you feeling today? I read your story and it’s so nice just top have extra support while you’re going through this. I’m here for you as well. I’m also on Facebook if that works better for you (Sandy Lewis). The first few days are the worst but stay hydrated and try to get out for a walk at least once a day. Take a hot bath for the aches and keep comfort food around. Going through this alone is not an option, I’m here for you. Give yourself the credit you deserve for wanting to get off these awful pills and for having the courage for attempting to stop. This will pass, second by second, minute by minute, day by day. Before you know it, you’ll be a couple weeks in, a month, I’m at day 53 and feeling better but still have some side effects. Let me know if there is anything I can help with. Chin up hun, it’ll get better!
Sandy,
That is what I said I’m not passing day 2 and I feel horrible! Aches diarrhea and can’t sleep with hot and cold flashes and what is worse is I feel like I don’t want to be near anyone but I am glad I did this on my vacation and also that I started the first 4 days I dont have my boys so monday I get them back and I will be on day 5 will it get better? I can’t go for walks or anything because of rain and cold but I have went for drives to clear my head and tomorrow will be a movie in the morning. Menatally I am done I really am I def do not want to relapse and go through this withdrawal again!
How is it going for you now? I am in the same position you are in.
I am going through detox right now from severe Hydromorphone addiction. We can help each other maybe.
Hi Paul,
Are you doing ok? I try to check in once in a while to see of everyone is detoxing ok. I’m on day 64 today and feeling better. Keep up the good work, it’s worth it!
Noel I took my first dose liposomol vitamin c I am using max message of flooding my body with vitamin cI know it’s all in my head but I feel better after the first doseI am going to taper off hydrocodone and morphine I’m taking 2-30 milligram hydrocodone every four hours 100 milligram morphine every 12 hours I feel it’s going to be a long ride 2 taper along with tapering I am ttaking lypo-spheric Vitamin C.I am keeping a journal I’ve been on pain medications for 5 years I am so tired I can’t always get my meds on time so I go through withdrawal almost every month if I don’t buy them illegally I am ready with the help from Matt and the mega doses of Vitamin C call support and using his home remedies I feel I can do it you can do it also you just have to want it your family loves you do you love yourself if not you need to start by liking yourself then the Love Will Comemy email is Thomas Deana at gmail.com if you need to talk I will be here for you for you keep what you got by giving it away much love you can do it
Hello, I am a wife and a mother and need help. I have been on hydrocodone for about 3 years now and have decided to quit this month. One I do not want to spend the money on it anymore and 2 all I can think about is getting better for my boys. I run out of money alot but always make sure bills are paid and my boys have what they need but the problem is having extra money for myself. Any extra money I get I buy pills. I want to be able to save money and give my boys a good vacation together next year and not spend any money on this crap anymore. My husband does not know about this and I have no true friends to help me and I am scared. I have tapered down to just one pill a day starting yesterday Feb 23 and going to taper until my 7th day and then full out quit cold turkey. I have to be strong and I have to do it for myself my bank account and my boys. What scares me is I have noone to help me through this I am completely alone. Anyone out there willing to give me advice? Help please.
Jana,
I’m on day 16 completely off hydrocodone after tapering down to 2.5 mg 2xs a day. You are not alone hun. I know it’s scary but it’ll be ok. I’ll help and support in any way I can. Stay strong, it’s worth it!
Hello thank you for your response. How did you do it? How did you mentally get through not wanting to take one? I went down to taking 2 5mg a day instead of 10 and my goal is to do that for 7 days and then stop cold turkey after that. I have a vacation coming up and will help me focus on quitting and not worried about taking one at work but I also want to quit before my vacation so I can enjoy that time with my two boys. I just dont know how I am mentally going to do it.
Jana,
I’m glad you’re taking some vacation time to do this, you’re going to need it! I had weaned down to 2.5 mg and I was still miserable for the first 7 days. The worst of it will happen the first 72 hours. Mentally I was just done! Each person is different and affected differently. I lost 10lbs. And I’m still not able to sleep all night at 17 days in. I quit mid prescription, and I’m so happy. I feel like my old self. Energy is coming back, my world is so colorful and hopeful! It’ll be ok hun, hang tough. The first week will drag by, you’ll be miserable, you’ll want just one to get over the hump. You have to stay focused on your long term goal while setting short term goals along the way. Don’t overwhelm yourself…one day, one hour, one second at a time. Support is here for you. Your You’re doing really well with tapering! Keep it up! Oh, during the first 3 days…Stay hydrated…gatorade/water, comfort foods as tolerated, and try and watch comedies to help with the depression.
God all I want is someone to be here to help me! Thank you for responding! I know if I tell my husband he will be so angry and I’m just so alone here! This will be day 2 and I have only taken 2 each day so far and I’m already feeling the effects of tapering but I am so done with these pills I want my life back! I look at pictures of when I wasnt on pills and saw my old happy self in those pics! I’m so tired of waking up and having to rely on hydro I’m done. I’m done. I’m just scared I will be in so much pain I will break and just take one or call my person up to pick up more. I’m scared of the pain and my vacation starts April 1st and I will be out of work for 10 days.
Jana,
I went through the same thing. I had no one to talk to. My husband knew but he had never been through anything like it. I’m here for you hun. In between tapering doses, you should give your body time to adjust. Don’t do too much too fast. I think slow tapering is the key to success. The pain, initially will be intensified but your body will soon start to produce natural pain relief. Please post anytime you feel weak, depressed, like using. I’m here for you. Support is a big deal in coming off this evil crap!
Sandy,
I will post anytime I feel like taking more or giving up and you are right it is evil lol. I sit here every day and think maybe if I just took 3 or more I will be ok and start another day of starting with just 1 a day. But I am now on day 3 of taking 2 of the 5mgs and I am already starting to feel the pain because my body was use to taking 3 to 4 10mg a day. But I am dedicated on giving this horrible pill up. I want to wake up again and not having to count how many pills I have left or count how many I will have to last me the week its exhausting and I am done. But yea so far day 3 for me on tapering when do you think its best I then quit cold turkey after tappering though? Do you think I should just start April 1st my vacation week? Thank you
Jana,
You should listen to your body. You say you are already starting to feel the effects of the tapering so I suggest you give yourself another couple days at this dose (2 a day) if you can. Then maybe try 2.5 in the A.M./P.M. for a few days. You’re going to need to try cold turkey when you have a few days off work. I’m sure you know what’s coming. Day 18 here and I’m still fighting for sleep and with anxiety/energy. I had to quit, the pain meds were causing extreme panic attacks, to the point I thought I was having a heart attack. I tapered from 30mgs to 2.5 a day in just a week. It was uncomfortable but not unbearable. I think you’re being smart to wean off. And yes, wait until vacation because wheven at small dose, you’re going to be sick hun. Always here for support…
SANDY,
hello today isn’t a good day. I am not feeling well now this is my 4th day tapering. Cold and hot chills are starting, severe body pain,headaches, I don’t want to eat or drink. I don’t want to give up if I’ve made it 4 days so far but I’m scared. I went from 4 pills a day to just one and different dosage. Can’t stop using the bathroom either. What else can I expect? I just want to take more to feel better but I won’t I just won’t
Jana,
I’m sorry you aren’t doing well. Do you have some Imodium? That should take care the bathroom issue. Take 2 straight away then 1 every 6 hours as needed. Also, I know you’re sick to your stomach but push water and gatorade down as much as possible. You’re almost through the woods day 4/5 was the worst for me as well. Don’t give up, you’re 96 hours in hun, you’re almost to the awesome 100 hour mark. You’re going top feel as though you have the flu…chills, body aches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, restless leg/arm syndrome, no energy, sneezing, and generally feel like crap. I promise it gets better. Your brain is doing several things right now. One, it’s fighting you because all it has known is the drug for so long it is depending on you to supplement that. Two, it’s healing…Your brain is starting to make its own neurotransmitters again (dopamine, serotonin, feel good endorphins) but you must give it a chance to do its work. Three, it’s over and under stimulated…it’s trying to figure out “hey, what the heck is she doing to me”?!
Try taking a hot bath for the body aches. You must eat to keep your energy up. Try raw veggies and fruits, they have natural antioxidants amd break down easier in the body. Gaga supplements are good but pricy. I took nothing while detoxing. You may need to go in and get maybe a weeks worth of a benzo for sleep and anxiety. I had some but I didn’t want to take them for fear I would become dependant on those. Please please sick to you guns hun…you’ll be ok! I know those words sound hollow and the depression is awful. You need to try and get outside for fresh air, and walking produces natural occurring endorphins to help you feel better. I’m here hun, day and night to see you through this.
Sandy,
I am happy I met you and you responded. I wish there was a way we can talk quicker. Thank you for helping me get through this! I took some advil for my massive headache and took a hot shower. I do have a heating pad I rest my back on. It was a nice day out today so I did go out for a bit to keep my mind of wanting more. I am now ready to make dinner for my boy’s and keep active as much as I can lol. There is a lot of times where I want to lay in bed and be miserable hide under the covers and keep away from everyone the world the suffering but I know I can’t I need to get up clean and just stay at it. I have 30 pills left which will last until my Vacation and then boom cold turkey. I def am already feeling the affects but it’s not dreadful it’s managable. I’ll tell you one thing it has been nice not spending money on this evil drug it has been nice not having to go to my bank every other day! Also it’s been nice not having to count how many pills I have left! Any good suggestions on meds to help my back pain and body aches for work? Also did you get really bad headaches as well?
Jana,
I do wish (lewis) there was another way to communicate as well. Do you have facebook? So, I had horrible headaches and still get them. I was prescribed my medication for fractures in my back so when my back starts to hurt, I take a bath as hot as I can stand it or take Tylenol PM. I still have rough days but once I hit double digits (19 today)…I was so proud of myself. Be kind to yourself, give yourself credit, and praise yourself. This is no small feat! Get your body ready for the next step down and stay hydrated. I know how important it is to be rid of this crap so you are doing an excellent job of mitigating the circumstances you’re in. Anyone that can push against this demon and come out on top, is a hero in my eyes! Keep up the strong work hun, those boys depends on you! I’m here, day or night. I know what it’s like and I wish I had had someone on here to keep me from losing my mind but I got through it and I’m willing to lend support where I can.
Sandy,
Yes I do have facebook. In what area do you live? I reside in crest hill IL. Today I feel ok just a little body ache day 6 now on tappering. I just can not wait to make my goal!
Jana,
NM…look for a picture of a couple, I’m in a wedding dress, he’s in a suit. We’re standing in front of a water fountain. Sandy Lewis. Glad you’re, I was so very worried! I’ll look for your friend request. What’s your last name…look for you.
Jana,
Are you ok? I haven’t heard from you since last night. Do you have facebook? (Sandy Lewis) look for a wedding picture.
I am 63 yrs old. I am in pain management take 4 10/325 hydrocodone for pain due to crushed left foot (2plates&14 screws). Have major back problems due to 12 ft fall. If I don’t take hydrocodone and flector pain patch. Pain is crippling. Is there a substitute for opiates. Thanks
Hi Sandy,
I too have gittrn gown to 2.5 mg per day. For some reason even this small amount makes me feel better and gets me through the day. I am still in pain after 4 breast surgeries and my back is a mess b/c of being in bed for 4 months.
Woke up today and decade this is the day.
How did you do going from that dosage to zero.? Did you still experience withdrawals?
Lisa,
I still experienced withdrawals at 2.5mgs daily, when I stopped. However, I was on opiates for a long time amd some high powered stuff as well. When I stopped, I was only yakking hydrocodone. I’m at day 40 today and still having sleep disturbances but nothing like the first couple of weeks. I wish you luck and if you need support, I’m here.
Lisa,
Are you doing ok?
Sandy you are awesome how are you?
Maddie,
Thank you!! I’m good. How are you? Happy Easter!
Lets talk. Im tapering now from a severe Hydromorphone addiction. About to go thru detox. Im also looking for support and am too scared to go to narcotic meetings alone and just need someone to talk to. Try to help each other.
Matt, I wish I had found your article sooner. I started taking pain medication for legitimate orthopedic problems and surgeries. I only started out with 7.5 my pills. I honestly don’t remember when it got out of control but my Rheumatologist started treating my osteoarthritis with Loratab 7.5/500. I started feeling more confident when I would take the medication and I have always had low self-esteem. So to me it was a miracle drug. Then when the 7.5mg wasn’t working my doctor gave me 10mg/500. It was so much better but then one didn’t do anything so I took two. She prescribed me 2 pills 3 times a day. So I thought, okay I can spread that out and take the recommended amount. But then I found that the more stressful my job got, or when I was angry or upset about something, I would turn to the medication. Now mind you, although I had been taking this medication for nearly 10 years, the most I ever took in a day was 10mg to 12mg, which sounds like nothing compared to the ones in your blog that would take 80mg. I can’t even fathom that. I could still work and function on what I was taking so I kept telling myself I was not addicted but dependent. I got concerned (of all things!) about the amount of acetaminophen I was taking so I asked my doctor to drop it to 10/375. At first she prescribed me 90 pills a month with 5 refills. This was before the DEA started cracking down on it so I had to go to her office each month to get the prescription which was inconvenient because her office was about 45 minutes away. But before that, the 90 pills she was giving me wasn’t enough so I would run out before I could get them filled. So I told her my pain was getting worse, which it was, so I asked if she could bump it up. So for the majority of the years I was taking it I had 180 pills a month with 5 refills. I would always run out before it was time to refill them and that is the worse feeling because I would panic and worry about if I could make it until the next refill. Sometimes I could but other times I was so obsessed that I didn’t have them that I would go to urgent care places and say I was in pain. All this time, I knew what I was doing was destructive and killing me. However, it was destroying my mental health more than my physical health. I tried once to come off cold turkey when my family found out I was taking them and they had me put in a psychiatric place that I can only describe as pure hell. I didn’t belong there because everyone there were hard core addicts and they were so out of it they didn’t care that you were treated like a dog. The place was filthy, the nurses were mean and they would not let you in your room all day and you know when you come off of the medication, it messes up your stomach and there was only on bathroom that all patients could use which I would or couldn’t use because so many people were throwing up, peeing on the floor and worse. I had never been so terrified in my life. That’s when we get desperate and tell God that I would promise to stop taking them if he would just get me out. Luckily I had a friend who almost got arrested trying to get me out of there but did. So for the next week I gave the pills to her and I would have to ask her for one when I needed them. But when I said I can control this and she gave them back it got out of control. I failed to mention I was taking them with the muscle relaxant Soma. When I started taking two of each at a time, I would slur, couldn’t think of what I wanted to say and people were noticing although I was in denial. Finally, it all came crashing down on me when I was so stressed at my job, working late at nights on my doctorate, and taking care of my terminally I’ll mother that I made one small judgment in error at work and ended up losing a very promising and successful 22 year career as an administrator and not finishing my doctorate and my dreams of teaching higher education. I lost everything. And after my mother passed away 2 years ago, I am still unemployed going on 4 years. Every ambition I had was gone. I continued taking them because I was so angry and hurt and it was the only thing that took the emotional pain away. But not too long ago when I went to get my prescription, they informed me that my doctor would no longer prescribe this medication. Of course I went into a full blown panic attack. I had a friend who knew someone I could buy 120 pills for $240 so I did. Here I am without a job and throwing money away on drugs. It made me sick. I turned into a horrible, bitter, angry person until one day I just decided enough was enough and I wanted my life back. So when my last prescription ran out in January of 2016, I had no choice but to stop cold turkey. However, I had been taking less because if I didn’t have the soma to take with it, I really didn’t crave them. So I have been off almost 10 days and I have had a few good days but a lot of bad days. My anxiety level is off the charts, I am severely depressed, can’t sleep or eat. Needless to say I’m at rock bottom. I don’t want to get more and start your tapering off system after 10 days off so can you tell me what you would recommend to help the withdrawal symptoms? And after hearing my story, do you think it’s going to take me 30 to 60 days to be free from this he’ll since I wasn’t taking nearly the amount the other people were. I need some advice and good news and know that there is something good for me soon. I can not function like this any longer. Thanks for your article and I hope I will soon be free and not feel so dead inside.
Mary thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. I too gained immense confidence and energy from the pills, and I know how hard it is to all of a sudden not have them. I am sorry you are going through this pain, and I hope it is a short process for you. For the situation you are in, I recommend reading the following two articles:
How To Stop Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome
How To Get Your Energy Back After Quitting Opiates
I am tapering off 10/325 3 times a day. I’m taking them for a torn disk and fractured vertebra from a car accident. I’m not addicted but dependant as in I go through physical withdrawals if I don’t take them. I’ve decided to just stop but taper. I started having a weird reaction to the hydrocodone last summer, it causes extreme anxiety, rapid heart rate, sweaty, nausea, headache, feeling like I’m having a heart attack. It’s not like that every single time I take it but the symptoms are transient and reoccurring. I’m also a nurse so I know what to expect, sort of. I cannot wait to be rid of this devil! I will NEVER recommend opiates to ANY of my patients as a long term pain relief regimen. I was so happy to find this group. All the others were older forums. Is there any one I can talk to in here on a regular basis to make sure I’m staying on track? I can’t turn to work or family…
Sandy,
I too am a 3 a day 10/325 hydrocodone prescription user and have been for a number of years now, I started my step down method this week taking 1 every 12-14 hours and believe me when I say my body screams for it at that 12-14 hour mark though this is just my third day, I hope to cut it to 1 1/2 a day beginning the first of next week. This isn’t my first time quitting though but I truly want it to be my last, maybe we could lean on each other when the times are difficult, I too hide it from people so I know the loneliness of dealing with this by yourself.
Rodney
Rodney,
I hope this finds you doing well. Thank you for your response. I’m on day 7 I think, I’m down to 15mgs a day, one in the morning, one at non, one at night. I’m feeling ok. I think I’ll take another 2.5mgs away tomorrow at noon dose and see how I do. I’ll be so happy to not have these weird reactions! Hang tough…We can do this!!
Sandy,
Thanks for your words of encouragement and my day has had me feeling very anxious and a bit depressed and I know this is all part of it, but these symptoms make you want to reach for the prescription for some relief, though I haven’t. I guess the worst part is not being able to vent with those close to you and acting normal even though your body and mind is in termoil. I’m trying to be strong in kicking this disease. I hope this finds you kicking yours too……
Rodney,
I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling but every minute is another minute close to our goal. I had to cut back to 2.5 mgs every 8 hours because of the reaction I’m having. My body seems to have adjusted well. I’m not feeling near as bad as I was the first 3 days. I’m hoping to be done by next week. Every body is different and responds differently to withdrawals. The last time I did this, I ended up in the hospital having seizures. I think you are doing great. Keep your eyes on the end prize! This is just as any other battle in life, difficult, almost impossible but in the end…completely worth it. Don’t stop hun….full steam ahead!! I’m here for you!
Sandy,
It’s been a pretty good day, not having the responsibilities of M-F grind of work. I can’t take off of work for this unfortunately, so I am grateful for this weekend with no pressures. It sounds like you’re almost done with the symptoms “Good For You!”. I’m stepping down again with tomorrow’s dose so at least I’ll be off another day to deal…. OK, well I just wanted to let you know I’m still hangin’…….
Yeah my name is Melissa I am 25 I take about 16 sevens in a day or 14 tens . if I have fives I take 8 at a time to equal 5 tens. It’s ruining my marriage wife thinks I’m off but I’m not . but I want to get off them. We’re going to end up divorcing because I get so mad and violent when I withdrawal.
Melissa
You’ll need to start a step down plan asap, I don’t know if you have a prescription or you are purchasing them off the street. I started by taking a third of what I was taking a day away from my daily dose and did that for 5 days and then took a third from that the next 5 days and so on until I was down 1/2 a 10/325 a day which I did for another 5 days, then I went cold turkey the withdrawals were still there but not like they would be if I had quit them all at once. I kept active and wore myself out by exercising taking a multivitamin and the hot baths where I could sleep some at night. This is how I dealt with the addiction and its still a struggle not to take them but I’m feeling better my mind is clearing and I try to keep a positive outlook. I hope this will help you get your plan started and kick these addictive devils.
Melissa,
I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. I too struggled with the withdrawals while detoxing. Oily quit mid prescription (I have 70 10mgs left). I’m on day 13 and I’m feeling so much better! Have you tried tapering off? How long have you used? I can tell you right now, there is no “easy way” to do this. It’s mind over matter and lots of support! I’m here for you.
I’ve been taking between 3-8 10-325 pills per day for a little over a year. Long story short I finally decided to stop. I took 3 on Sunday, and 1/2 on Monday and another 1/2 today. I started each day by taking the 1/2 pill along with .5 mg Xanax two times a day. After day two of taking 1/2 of a 10-325 I’m doing ok but I have an uneasy feeling in my chest. I’m off work for 5 more days. Can I keep this up or is it going to get worse over the next few days?
I have quit taking these things several times. I usually get bout two weeks past the physical withdrawals and then cave. This last time I was determined to stay quit, two weeks there I was taking again. It’s been 8 days. I want so bad to not take them anymore. I take care of my mom, she has chronic pain and has prescription that I m trying to find a way to make totally inaccessible to me. I have caused her to run out of her pills several times. I REALLY want to be done with them. I am embarrassed and ashamed. I am going to have to tell her. I have no one to talk to. No one I can trust.
I can empathize. I took care of my mom and thats how I got started by trying her meds. Do you have God in your life? it could really help. Good luck and God Bless
I am in the process of trying to get off these too. I also take care of my mom and she takes them too for pain. I stopped taking them in the fay and take one and a half / 5/325 . I am not the same person and feel energetic and happy when I take them, so this is not going to be easy but holy crap I am 61 years old and have to stop!! Good luck and try to be honest with your mom, she will understand!! Good luck to us both!! We can do this dang it!!?
I am the same , I’ve moved to new location and work, my mom and my grandma passed , my only child moved out of state , I’m in my 50’s , so I’ll take these meds to be happy , energetic ?. I dread the withdrawal that I’ll justify continuing , I take about one and a half daily . It bothers me I feel guilty
Hi Matt. I wrote you awhile back after reading your article realizing I am addicted to hydrocodone. Here I am having to almost go cold turkey because the pills are literally burning a whole in my stomach. I am so nauseated from them I can barely get out bed in the morning. I had a few pills left so I’ve been tapering the last few days but now my stomach can’t handle it. I just need prayers. I dont have a thyroid been dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome now this crap. Wished I would have never taken them. Thanks for your attention.
Heidi , I just ran across your post. I just said a prayer for you . I finally hit rock bottom after 5 years I want to clean up also. I know it’s going to be a long hard road. All addicts need prayer tell your post touched my heart for some reason
So i tried cold turkey today since i work from home i thought i could manage. I could not even manage to focus on my everyday autopilot tasks. I had to do something so i gave and took half a 5 and then an hr later took the other half and then a 7mg hydro. Even with the crutch It was quite painful and still feel like i got hit by a train.
I really am interested in your taper schedule. The way i understand is you reccomend a slow taper for a course of 30 days depending and then on the last day to start the opiate withdrawal aid. I enjoy your schedule as a guide for the withdrawal process. It’s a day filled with great structure. However i see myself just wanting to sleep the whole day away to get it over with. Do u not reccomend that strategy? I’m going to do the taper after the day i had and trying to work was impossible. Even working from home.:(
Yes cold-turkey is very hard! Sorry you had that horrible day at work, but now you’ve learned what not to do! Please check out the following article for some tapering tips:
Tapering and Discontinuing Opioids
Thanks for your reponse. Your site is a wealth of information and inspiration. I am starting the slow taper and wondering what self help books you would reccomend. Especially during withdrawal and recovery.
Appreciate your input.
It’s my pleasure Nicole. Below are a few self-help books that I have read that I believe would be helpful in your position:
Unlimited Power : The New Science Of Personal Achievement
The Power of Intention
Power, Freedom, and Grace: Living from the Source of Lasting Happiness
I bought the first 2 to keep me busy. They both seem right up my alley and look forward to gain some positive perspective. Thank you for your reccomendations!
Oh that’s awesome!!! Good for you. I know you will enjoy them. 🙂
If you have any suggestions for movies as well i would love to hear what’s on your fave list! I tend to watch murder mysteries which aren’t very inspirational so to speak.
Oh yes! I am actually going to write an article on this soon. Here are some inspirational movies and YouTube videos that I have seen just this year that I believe would be awesome to watch during opiate withdrawal:
McFarland, USA
Wild
Where Hope Grows
Best Motivational Video on YouTube
Funny YouTube Videos
You are the best! You have no idea how much this helps. Thank you so much for taking the time to care and respond. Looking forward to adding these to my list during withdrawal. Starts soon.
You’re welcome Nicole. I’m sure you’ll enjoy 🙂
I started out on hydrocodone 325-10 in May, I had my surgery in mid-August. After two weeks I lowered to 325-5 twice a day. I am now at 1/2 of a 5 in the morning and i/2 of a 5 in the evening how long should I do this before going to 1/4 in the morning and 1/4 in the evening then quitting?
My son had quadruple by-pass surgery and kicked the hydrocodone, but he also had 3 bulging and 1 herniated disc in his back and is in constant pain. I bought the CuraMed for him today and was wondering since he take blood thinners, should he either stop taking the blood thinners or not take the CuraMed.
That sounds like a question only the doctor can answer. I’ve read that curcumin (active ingredient in CuraMed) can make the effects of blood thinners stronger. So best to check with the doc first.
I’ve been pouring over so many forums for the last week trying to find a place to talk about my situation. I’ve been taking 7.5/325 Hydro 3x a day for about 7 years. For about 4 of those years, I’ve known that I needed to stop but was afraid, and would keep going to my pain mgmt doc every month for refills. I never took more than 3 a day and don’t take any other drugs, scripts or illegal. I knew that the 3 a day were more due to my fear of withdrawal than anything else because they sure didn’t provide any pain relief or euphoria. A week ago I finally decided it was time to take the plunge…I went from 3 a day to 1.5 a day for 4 days and yesterday I tapered to a half, cut in half, twice a day, and I plan to stick to that for four days, then I’m going to do half of a half once a day for four days and then stop completely. Overall, mentally I’m feeling ok, sure I think about taking them more than I don’t think about taking them and I’m starting to feel some discomfort, loose stools, back ache, and leg pain…but it’s nothing that if I keep busy I can’t overcome. I’m taking a b12 every morning and epsom salt bath every night, and I’m sleeping about 6 hours a night thus far, which is about normal for me anyway..what can I expect from here?
Hi Renee,
Sounds like you’re doing amazing on your self-directed short taper protocol. Congratulations! There is no way for me to know what you can expect, but I can make an educated guess. You were on hydrocodone for a long time, however, you stayed on a very low dosage, so that is too your benefit. You’re doing a rather fast taper, but being on a low dose really helps that.
Also, things like your age, general health and constitution, psychological issues or lack thereof, medical conditions, lifestyle, and other factors come into play during the impending jump from hydrocodone you’re about to do. The steps in this article have helped many people reduce their symptoms…I know because they’ve emailed me, commented, or even found me on Facebook to tell me.
You’re doing great Renee. It takes real courage to do what you’re doing, and I honor you for that. If there is anything else I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask. Take care.
Thanks Matt. It’s tough. I know my dose was low, and for that I guess there is hope the w/d won’t be to bad, it was more of a routine 3x a day. I know the taper schedule I am doing is aggressive, and Monday will be time for another step down. I tired yesterday to step down a few days earlier and wasn’t successful so I’ll stick to the original plan and go from there. Replenishing supply isn’t an option and I don’t want to go back to 3 a day and start over and have to cold turkey it. Thanks for listening and I’ll update next week. The forum helps.
I feel alone too I feel as if I don’t have any support its really hard I’ve been looking researching for answer.I take about 97.5 mg a day I need help I want to leave them but I can’t because of my job I need the energy. I hate them I’ve been taking them for a year now. I need help…. !!!! Now I’m loosenin a lot of things such as my h poo use I already lost my car I’m about to loose my job and now my relationship
Been on (3) 7.5 mg hydrocode for 2 weeks. Taperred to 2 today. Scared to death of withdrawal. Please help
Yes the opiate withdrawal syndrome can be scary, however, the mindset of fear will only make things work. Study this website and come up with a plan of action to reduce symptoms, because having a good plan will help to build confidence.
The amount you’ve been taking is typically considered a pretty low dosage. These articles can help you find things that can work to reduce your symptoms.
Please refer to the following blog categories:
Natural Remedies For Opiate Withdrawal
Medications For Opiate Withdrawal
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I have been on hydrocodone for 5-6 years. Originally prescribe for endometriosis/adenomyosis. Had a complete hysterectomy 4 years and have continued with pain since. I take any where from 15 mg- 40 mg daily. I want to come off of these so incredibly bad. I am a mother of 3, a nurse, a wife….I want my life back. I’m prescribed only 40 – 10mg tablets a month now and the rest I have to buy “off the street”. Some days I can’t find any so I go without, but not for more than 24 hours. I came off of these back in January and was clean for over a month, but relapsed. These things are the devil. They are causing serious financial problems in my life, and honestly, I just never feel happy anymore. I know they are affecting my mood tremendously. I don’t think I am capable of a taper right now. I’m broke and have 3 tablets left. I need some advice. Any advice is welcomed. Thanks in advance.
If you can’t do a taper, then please read the following articles that can help with a cold-turkey withdrawal:
How To Mega-Dose Vitamin C To Stop Opiate Withdrawal
How To Use Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal
The Finch Formula is a Super Potent Opiate Withdrawal Remedy
I just had a scary thing occur this past weekend. I have been on lortab for a couple of years due to neck pain. Well I had surgery. Now have occipital neuralgia. Was sent to pain management. Put me on hysingla ,trental,lorzone, and a lotion compound. I was on all this for a little over a month. Also taking 0-2 lortab 7.5 a day. Well all of the sudden my speech was not right. Kind of stuttering, acting child like, picking at things, and I had a jerky gait. I was admitted. On paper work I was very healthy. I just think I need to stop all this stuff. I took it to make pain a little less. Not for any high. It didn’t effect me that way. Quite humbling when someone makes you ambulated with walker. Today I have been using TENS unit to make it tolerable. Going to acupuncturist tonight. I think you have great ideas
That is certainly very scary what you went through as a result of taking all of those medications Terry. I wish you the best of luck on your journey towards relieving pain and improving quality of life. I have had acupunture with good results, and I hope it words well for you. Take care.
48 hrs clean from 80-100 mg day Vicodin.
Way to go!!!
So I’ve read stuff posted here which is helpful. But I didn’t come across this until I’m out and sick of this each month. Any suggestions for moving forward today? Help
Since it doesn’t sound like you are able to taper or plan ahead, you might benefit from using remedies for a cold-turkey withdrawal.
The following two blog categories can help you find a combination of natural remedies and medications that could reduce your symptoms:
Natural Remedies For Opiate Withdrawal
Medications For Opiate Withdrawal
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Does this plan work with Kratom, or is it for someone who can not access kratom. How would I use this plan with kratom? I take 140mgs a day. I also have the ability to take 30 days to tapper off the 15 mg oxycodon.
Will you please help me with your advice.
This plan could also work with kratom. Please refer to the following article:
How To Use Kratom For Opiate Withdrawal
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I currently take 10mg Percocet 5X per day with 1 30mg ER morphine tablet at bedtime for pain at night/sleep.
So I feel that I either need to increase dosage again with MD or taper down to get my tolerance lower or taper to get off them and try anything else for pain. I have a 4level cervical fusion that last year my C7 disc blew due to the fusion, I am 41 going on 81. when I wake I can barely move its ridiculous I refuse another surgery I feel that’s my last option..and only down hill from there unfortunately? I have thought for years my body has been in so much pain constantly that it’s screwed up my central nervous system like it’s constantly shooting out pain signals..now I wonder how much is from the medications at this point? I can tell when my tolerance is changing due to the restless legs I get, they’ve started again so I’m at a crossroads, I either have pain clinic increase or I taper on my own to see what is making me hurt more? I am not addicted to these pills, my body is absolutely dependent on them. I have had numerous times I’ve taken a sleeping pill so I don’t wake up in the middle of the night (think morphine isn’t working any longer either) so I sleep but when I wake up my legs kill and my body hurts so unbelievably bad from not moving all night the first thing I do is take 10mg just to be able to move, walk down stairs, or hold son if needed (4yrs old)
I knew going into this its fighting a double edged sword but I was doing ok until I switched to 10mg.its as though my relief is lasting about 4-6mos after increase then WHAM I feel awful and still in pain..so frustrated!
What are your thoughts on a slow and a fast taper at home if I choose this method, can you please give me samples for both? I mentioned my concerns to pain clinic and they use Suboxone..I wouldn’t mind using very shortly but not long term (pain centers want long term) I also have anxiety which is intensified once my legs get restless so I guess what I’m really wanting to do is taper and when I see how my body/pain levels react decide then if coming off completely is my best route or tapering when I notice a decrease in pain management?
Hi Lisa,
I want to say a few things in regards to your questions:
1) It sounds like your chronic pain has continued long-term, despite numerous different approaches at treating it. At this point, you might benefit from looking into something called Tension Myositis Syndrome
2) If the pain is doesn’t respond to this TMS therapy, and is with you for life or long-term, then a low dose of Suboxone may work much better than all the pain meds. I know many people that have stayed on a low dose of Suboxone for their pain, and they state that it’s much better than short-acting pills.
3) Most people respond better to slow tapers, but there is no way for me to know which type of person you are. It’s all about listening to your body and trying things out. If something isn’t working, change your approach. Keep doing this until you succeed!
4) Since there is so much stuff going on, please feel warmly welcome to email me at my personal email: finchy444@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Can we take calm support formula while tapering off hydrocodone?
Yes. It works very well for this.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions it means so much. God bless you.
My pleasure. Take care and I wish you the absolute best life has to offer.
I have been addicted to lortabs for about a year I take about 97.5 mg a day I’m willing to tapping down 60 or 50 tomorrow that’s my plan but I have a ? Can you please tell me which withdraws number day is the worst
Hi Natasha,
Typically the withdrawal symptoms are the most mild on day 1 coming off Lortab, day 2 gets worse, and days 3-4 are the most severe. Then typically they start to get less severe day 5 off Lortab and beyond. To learn more, please review the following article:
Opiate Withdrawal Timeline: How To Stop Withdrawal
Hello I have been taking 10mg a day I have been stuck on 10mg and really want to get off. My question is when I taper down can I take the calm support formula while tapering off? Or do I have to be off of the hydrocodone completely before taking calm formula?
Sara it can be taken while tapering. I just had a friend use it for 90 days while tapering off hydrocodone. He said it worked very well at relieving anxiety and cravings. He has been off completely since July 4th and is feeling great. He is still taking 3-5 capsules per day. The supplement can be taken while tapering and after getting off completely.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I have tapered from 2 10mg tablets a day to 3/4 of a tablet a day. In 2 more days I will go down to 4 1/8 of a tablet and then down to none. Is this a good schedule?
It sounds like a good schedule to me Thomas.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I just realized today that I’m addicted. I thought because I only take 2 or 3 pills in the late afternoon I was fine. But six months ago I started having severe stomach pain; as of today I get sickly bedridden every other day. . I’m a healthy eater, organic foods, studied nutrition in college, raised in an educated athletic family, etc… and thought how could I possibly be. The pills at first changed my life for the better. But now the opposite is happening. I have strong faith and trust in God. Im glad I found your article. Thank you and please pray; for all of us!
I’m glad you had this important realization Heidi. Now that you have the knowledge, you can take the appropriate action. Best of luck to you. Take care and I will pray for you.
I take a very, very low dose everyday (7.5 mg a day). I have tried to wean by taking only half that dosage but the flu-like symptoms are terrible and I am very irritable. It’s hard to cut the tablets any smaller than half. Any suggestions?
Many people have crushed the pill into powder, then taken small amounts in water. Or filled vitamin capsules with the powder to use smaller micro amounts.
Thanks! Didn’t know that was an option but I will definitely give it a try.
I’m going to try this
Thank you so much for being here for people like me,, I’m afraid I may be addicted,, I’ve had two knee replacement in a year and 3 months,,I want so bad to get off I’m going to try your home remedy and taper myself off I sometimes take tramadol instead but it’s a narcotic drugs also ,, THANKS so much for your advice I know I can do this ,,,with God all things are possible!!!
Thanks so much for the kind words Val! I’m really glad you found value in this article. You can do it!!!!
It is so helpful to hear that others have successfully gotten off this evil drug. I know my mental symptoms are the worst but the physical withdrawals are just as unbearable. I have been taking 30mg a day (usually more) for the past couple of years for chronic migraines and back pain from scoliosis. I now have 25 pills left and am wondering what a good tapering schedule would be? I would like to do it as gradually as possible because I work long, hard hours. Any help would be much appreciated!
Hi Rachel,
I would love to help you out with an example tapering schedule. How many mg are the pills?
Rachel did you get your taper schedule ?
I had heart surgery 3 weeks ago. I have been taking hydrocodone 7.5 mg. I have gotten down to 2 a day. I’m wondering if you could suggest a short taper for me.
Days 1-4: 12.5 mg
Days 5-8: 10 mg
Days 9-12: 7.5 mg
Days 13-16: 5 mg
Days 17-20: 2.5 mg
Day 21: 0 mg
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I’ve been dependent on different pain meds for the past 15 years. For the last 6-7 years I’ve been taking 6 to 8 10mg hydrocodone pills a day. The time has finally come where my supply has stopped. I knew this day would eventually come and I’m almost happy to get rid of this addiction. Your page was the first one I came across regarding how to wean off opiates. Any tips for someone who has had an opiate dependence for so long? Will your regime work just as well? Is 60 to 80 mg a day considered a high amount? Thank you for passing your help along. Peace
This article was designed for people to learn how to get off hydrocodone at home using this sample plan. I know people who have tapered off more than 100 mg for many years, and some who only used 40 mg for a couple of years. In my experience, your dosage is neither very high or low, it’s about the average of what I hear about. Take care and best of luck to you.
Hi. I’ve been off and on Pain Meds for Many years (back surgery). I now have only 4 pills left. I am so scared to tell my husband or anyone. I finally realized that I may could get on the Internet and see if there was something that could help.
Hi Theresa,
This website is full of plenty of good info to help you achieve your goals.
I want through a program 2 years ago and completely got off of Hydrocodone. However life and bad things happened and 5 months ago I injured me back and I’ve been taking 10 mgs a day now. My back is fine now but I’ve continued to take them. I want off but I’m horrified of withdrawals I have to work.
Hang in there Rochelle! You’re not alone in this. If there is anything I can do to help, simply ask.
I’m now to 1/2 tab twice a day. I have spells of pain due to my pain disorder. I have a strong desire to
Remain on them or to tramadol. However, a strong desire to get out of that cycle. Have not took more as on this weekly taper. Any advice on your natural pain relief and psych’ie help is greatly appreciated.
Kay, you’re doing absolutely awesome! I’m very proud of you. As far as natural pain relief goes, please review the following article:
16 Epic Natural Painkillers To Use Instead Of Opiates
Be strong and know that natural painkillers can help a lot. Please continue to update me and I will assist you in any way I can.
I have been on hydrocodone for about 4 months for knee injury. I was taking 10mg 3 times daily. The doctor just stopped it an he gave me no taper off instructions. However I had like 12 tablets left and I luckily was able to get a taper off plan. She said to take 1 10mg tab 3 times daily for 2 days, then 1 10mg 2 times daily for 2 days, then 1 10mg tab 1 time daily. Is this crazy or is this doable?
Hi Debbie,
Everyone is biochemically unique, so I can’t predict whether or not the taper plan your doctor gave you will be easy or hard to come off. However, if if proves to be too difficult simply tell you doctor to prescribe some medications that will take away the majority of your withdrawal symptoms.
Here is a list of the most common and effective medications:
Medications For Opiate Withdrawal
If you have any more questions or need guidance I’m here to assist you along the journey. You’re not along, and you can do this. Just have a strong mindset and know that you can ask me anything and I will be here for you. Take care.
Can you give me the vitamin regimen. A prior suggested tab would not open or removed. I am going on 2nd week of 5mg taper down weekly. Thanks for you support system:)
Hi Kay, the supplement I recommend in the article has vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and other supplements that can really benefit you taper. Here is the link:
CalmSupport
Congrats on your taper, and good luck! If you need more assistance I’m happy to help. Take care.
This article has been a huge breakthrough for me, and it started Matt with the picture on the couch…..that’s what my life has become after continual abuse of hydrocodone for the last 2 1/2 years….prior to that it was necessary for chronic lower back issues because of my professional career as an athlete. Last week my wife found my hydrocodone and sent me an angry message call me “a drug addict,” and she was right. After desperately looking for justification for my prescription..I had to admit there was none….and that’s when I searched the web and found your blog. My shipment of calm support arrived last friday, and my wife and I sat down yesterday to read the blog together….and qe agreed on an 8 week taper plan. Our breakfast meeting was filled with lots of tears as I had to OWN my addiction. At the end I stood up…and she hugged me….and that’s exactly what I needed. Yesterday was tough…she has the bottle of hydrocodone, and i didnt manage my 1st day very well…but I’m hopeful. The journey has just begun…and i thank you Matt, and everyone else who’s messages I have read and continue to read as an inspiration to NOT give up.
Hi Brian,
What you’re doing takes real courage, and you’re going to accomplish your goal. In the next two months there will be some hard days. After you’re used to working and doing other things under the influence of hydrocodone, they can become difficult on lower dosages.
The pills often provide people with energy and happiness to get through the day. They sure did for me anyways. I would take them to work long hours as a cook at a fast-paced restaurant in New York. They gave me energy, and helped me to enjoy my job, when normally I hated it.
Since you’re wife is holding the pills you should be able to adhere to the taper regimen. Now it’s up to you go through the motions, one day at a time. As I stated in the article, I was able to take just a 3-day weekend from work as a result of tapering and taking supplements.
I’m here to help you along the way to give you support and answer any questions that come up. I’ll tell you right now that the best thing you can have is a STRONG MINDSET. If you’re just getting off for you wife it might be difficult, but if you truly want to end this addiction more than anything in the world…then watch out!
That kind of determination permeates through everything and you will become unstoppable with that resolve to quit!
It is now July 17th and I have been off of hydrocodone since my birthday which was July 4th…
and have brought new meaning to the name Independence Day 🙂 and I want to thank Matt and all of his continued support to help me get through this as well as my amazing wife and family… I also want to express gratitude to my tennis clients who cheered me on to break free from a terrible addiction that I now understand how difficult it is to get off of. Just a clarification that I checked with my Walgreens history and I was abusing hydrocodone since January of 2012 which is actually three and a half years of taking 6 or 7 pills everyday…tapering with Calm Support WORKS.
Thanks for updating us with your progress Brian! It’s been a pleasure to watch your journey, and you are truly a success story! It was my pleasure supporting you, and you’re so blessed to have such an amazing and supportive wife and family. After three and a half years of taking 6-7 pills daily, it’s simply incredible and extraordinary to hear about your transformation. So glad the Calm Support helped your tapering process. Congratulations!!! 🙂
I’ve been on hydrocodone for 3 years. My prescription which is a months supply only last me less than two weeks. I get 90 a month. I had back surgery and now I’m addicted. I can’t deal with it . I’m so sick.
Hang in there Lisa. Study the the other articles on this website and you should find a strategy for coming off hydrocodone that will work for you.
I’ve been on hydrocodone for about 3 months. I had a c section on January 10th and have been taking medicine for it since. Right now I take 20 mg 2x a day. (They’re 10 mg pills and I have 30 left because I’m supposed to be tapering but I’m failing.) I also take cymbalta for postpartum depression and can only take tylenol or ibuprofen because im allergic to everything else. What would be the best way to taper off? And what kind of regimen of withdrawal remedies would you recommend?
I really liked how you did this. My husband is addicted but isn’t truthful about it but this is the best advice I’ve read
Hi Dee,
I’m glad you got some good information from this article. Hopefully your husband will start to become truthful and ask for help with his hydrocodone addiction.
I take about 18mg 2x a day for Severe Stenosis and osteoporosis . They want me to take more because of severe pain. Now they put me on Oxycodone which caused my Blood pressure to drop. Stopped that immediately and now want me to go on Tylenol 4 with Gabapentin 100 mg. per day .What would you do.? Please ? I have been taking a very low dose of Hydrocodone for a year now..
Thank you
Hi Karen,
Tylenol 4 is much weaker than hydrocodone and oxycodone. However, gabapentin is very good for nerve pain, and can also be used with great success to get off opiates with less physical withdrawal symptoms.
Are you afraid of going on something weak like Tylenol 4 after being on a stronger medication? If it was me I would listen to the doctor, then if the new protocol didn’t work discuss it and try a new approach.
There is an amino acid supplement called DLPA
that can help raise your blood pressure and supply you with more endorphins (natural pain-killers) that could be taken in combination with prescribed opiates. This would allow you to take less opiates than usual and get good pain relief benefits, without the low blood pressure.
I hope this info helps. If you need any further assistance I’m happy to help you Karen.
Disclaimer: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. This comment is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I find your directions very inspiring. I am 79 years old and have take hydro 4 times a day for about 10 years for back and hip pain. It is messing up my colon, my mind and psychology and its a hassle going to the doctor every month. In addition it now longer gives me much relief. I tried it once before, but I was not prepared with all the knowledge you have provided, especially the natural remedies and dark chocolate!!
So wish me well!
Roxie
Hi Roxie,
I really appreciate you telling a little bit about your story. I’m so glad that you find the directions in this article very inspiring. Now that you have an effective plan for getting off hydrocodone…
I wish you GOOD LUCK! Take care 🙂 And thanks for leaving a comment.
Well, I was down to 1/2 I a tablet 5 times a day and trying to stay active: swimming and gardening. Then I made a big mistake. Prior to a luncheon and book club I decided to to take one whole tablet. New rule: you cannot go back go back. Once you are reducing no cheating; it comes back and bites you.
You’re absolutely right Roxie. If you take more than you’ve been using, it effects the taper negatively. Luckily you only did it once and learned from it. I’m so proud of you for exercising and tapering. Sounds like you are really serious about getting off hydrocodone. Thanks for updating your progress, and I hope to hear from you more.
Just returned from a good swim. Joints feel like they are full of sludge and muscles hurt. And I am not even half way yet. I wanted to go down to 4 1/2 pills this week. But since I messed up my schedule, I might wait and do that Sunday. I wonder if I ever will feel good.
I appreciate your comments and encouragement.
Thanks, Matt,
Roxie
You’re doing great Roxie. Just keep at and eventually you will off hydrocodone and on our way to be feeling better. You’re really getting the hang of it. Of course there are going to be times where you feel bad. But if you continue with your program and push past the negative feelings, you will come out on the other side free from hydrocodone dependence. I can help you along he way with natural tips for feeling better and easing pain.
Have a wonderful day Roxie, and I look forward to hearing more on your progress along the way. And keep up the swimming! That’s going to help you out so much.
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
Hey matt ,
Im Jasmine . I’ve been taking hydrocodone since I was 16. Im almost 21. Feb. 22nd & I want to be sober for my birthday. Im tired of hydrocodone … I was prescribed but then go taken off etc. Im a waitress at a breastraunt and hydro help me feel happy and talk a lot and not have shaky anxiety etc today I didn’t take one at work and was lazy and weak. I wanna take off work but it’s hard. I just wanna see if life like better sober ? Like are you happy ? Not weak ? Not having stomach pains ? Etc . I have scoliosis and atheritis and hydros just sub the pain.
Hi Jasmine,
Thanks for sharing your story. I can totally relate to what you’re going through. I got hooked on hyrocodone and oxycodone while I was working at a restaurant in New York. The pills gave me energy and made work really easy. The more pills I took, the more energy and happiness I got. I would have to call in sick or make up some excuse if I didn’t have pills for two days in a row.
I could get through work for one day without them, but it was really hard. The 2nd day I could barely get out of bed. Fast forward to present day:
I’m happier and healthier than ever. My brain chemistry is really balanced. I have a ton of natural energy. I don’t have any pain or lingering symptoms. In fact, I felt WAY BETTER after about 6-8 weeks of coming off opiates this last time. In the past, I would get clean for a few months and still felt shitty! This time was different because I did certain things:
I started exercising a few days per week. I ate much healthier than I used to. Most importantly, I took specific herbs, vitamins, amino acids and other supplements that rebalanced my disrupted brain chemistry that opiates messed up. I’m going to provide you with a link to a list of over 30 remedies for helping you get off hydrocodone. In this article, you will find a ton of natural remedies that can help you feel better while coming off hydrocodone.
Opiate Withdrawal Remedies
Jasmine, I can tell you right now that getting clean from opiates will feel more amazing than ever if you rebalance your brain chemistry with natural supplements. The reason most people never make it to the 90 day clean milestone is because they still feel crappy. This can totally be avoided if you exercise, eat healthy and take certain supplements.
I know you can do it! Happy Birthday Jasmine, and if you have any more questions please post them in the comment box and I will assist you. Good luck!
Attention: I am a Strategic Intervention Coach, not a doctor, so I can’t give professional advice regarding aspects of the body, only the mind. What I write is for informational use only. It’s not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, trying any new supplements, medications, exercise or opiate tapering programs.
I started taking hydro when I was 15 after I had cancer removed. I took it sparingly for 6 years then after more surgery I went to daily. I was diagnosed with fibromialgia in 2008. I am trying to taper now and I’m down from two 10mg to one. I was previously on morphine along with the norco and I got off of it. When I did my back pain stopped! I sometimes have back pain but not like before. I’m scared to go to no hydro but I wonder if it would stop my pain. Has anyone had that experience?
Jana,
Are you ok?
Sandy,
Hello I have not been ok a lot has been going on and I am lost with noone. No family no friends . It’s been hard overcoming this on my own and I am lost I am scared I don’t know what to do I have noone to talk to or help me as in friends and family because I have neither
Jana,
Facebook me. Sandy Lewis. If that doesnt work, we will try something else. It’ll be ok hun. The worst is almost over. Stay in touch, please. It is almost impossible to do this alone. What is your last name? I’ll look you up on Facebook.
Jana Graf from crest hill
See if you can find me there is a lot of sandy lewis not sure which one lol
I have a Broken back and have surely had my fair share of extreme pain. A little over 10 years ago we moved to Texas after Hurricane Katrina and needed to find new doctors. Well in small town Jasper, Texas you really don’t have many to choose from. Well we finally found a doctor taking new paients and he had the perfect fix for my pain, Hydrocodone which was dropped down to Norco 10/325mg. I’ve been on Hydrocodone for 10 years now, I have never once took more than prescribed which is 4 a day equals 20mgs a day. However after 10 years I know my body is addicted, wished I’d known about the drug before ever taking it, that seems to be something doctors are good at leaving out. Well now my doctor is no longer doing pain management and is sending all paients out to get injections which I know absolutely nothing about and don’t think I’m interested. I am ready to be completely done with addictive medication or living my life reaching for a pill. However I am scared to death of withdrawals especially when I suffer severe panic attacks daily, several times a day. I’m ready to deal with pain in natural ways. I have 1 full bottles of 120 count of 10/325mgs of Norco to taper off of with. However I don’t know where to start . All I’ve read was people tapering off way more than I take daily, which is usually 2 to 3 pills a day and only a 1/2 at a time which is 5mgs. However regardless of how small of a dose I take, after 10 years I know my body is addicted and cold Turkey would probably be brutal for me as well as someone taking 80mgs a day. I just don’t know how to taper off or how much to decrease and when. It’s extremely scary for me due to anxiety and panic disorder I suffer with on a daily basis to the point I live like a hermit. If you have a dosage plan that would help and work for me, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you and I’m so very proud of your success which has further encouraged me that getting completely off this addictive medicine is the right decision, not only to get my life back, but to hopefully prolong my life as I now know these drugs are not good for your liver, kidneys and heart and 10 years is a long time to feed your body with a drug that’s supposed to be for short term use. Thanks Misty
Misty,
Sounds like you are dependent and not addicted to opioids. There is a huge difference. Although someome who dependent isnt necessarily addicted, a person who is addicted is also dependent. In short, dependence can lead to addiction, but it seems this hasnt happened for you. Since you have several pills to taper off with, I would suggest making a schedule and sticking to it. Maybe start with 1/2 pill every 6 hours which would equal 2 pills a day. Schedule this for maybe 3 days and stretch it out to every 7 or 8 hours. Hopefully you can keep stretching the time limit to every 12 hours meaning one pill a day. After this start reducing the dose to 1/3 of the pill…and so on. During this time, I would start using a either a good withdrawal aid (such as Calm Support) or start using a combination of supplements that will help. Here is a link to articles in the blog that may help you: opiateaddictionsupport.com/how-to-get-off-opiates-with-ease-in-2016/ & https://opiateaddictionsupport.com/tapering-off-norco-naturally/
~Mary
OAS RECOVERY SPECIALIST
My name is Dawn and I want to feel normal again . I’ve been on hyrocodone 7 yrs due to back injury. I’m a CNA and doing this kind of work I can’t function without it but I want to give this poison up for good. I have been a cna for 24 yrs and this is the only job I now to do .Im 54 yrs old and Im just tired of taking these pills.CAN YOU HELP ME….