Hello all.

Many of you on the board know me, and my struggle with tolerance to Norco 10/325's. As you may know, I was in the middle of attempting to taper when I had a terrible car accident. During my recovery, of course they gave me Norco 10/325's! I thought I had everything under control, but as I've mentioned before, hydrocodone is a slippery slope and I've "slid" back into tolerance/addiction. Hopefully this post finds some folks with good ideas to help me. I appreciate everyone's patience from the last time I asked for this help, and my thanks go out to them in advance.

Here is the story, yet again. I take 6 to 8 10/325 Norcos no longer on a daily basis, but rather a NIGHTLY basis. Typically from 7pm to 1am or so. Two here, three there..etc. Obviously this is not the proper regiment for my pain, and would in many circles be considered an addiction.

Here is what I have left, about 120-140 Norcos to "work" with. I'm looking for a way to taper down from 70mg per NIGHT, to a more therapeutic dose of perhaps 10 mg per DAY for occasional, residual back pain that require opiate treatment.

What I'm looking for is suggestions for a slow as possible taper schedule to avoid w/d symptoms. I would like to do this w/out clonodine, kratom etc. However I will mention I have a steady supply of alprozolam.

My first thoughts were to spread my dosage out during the entire day, therefore keeping the opiate in my system all day rather than for a few hours. I suppose I'm looking for suggestions on how to get my self down to using ONE 10mg pill. I think I have a good chance with 120-140 of these little babies left for a slow enough taper as not to be uncomfortable.

Any suggestions would be helpful, and please feel free to PM me if you would prefer to stay off the boards.

Thanks,

-Steve

Ski,
JMO, I'd wake up and take a whole pill. Then allow yourself a half evert 2 hrs for a day or two, then go three hrs , then 4 hrs between dosing. try each day to go an hour longer. That half pill in your system will keep WD's at bay. Just a thought. Hope whatever you try, it works for you.

2Cool

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Well Steve as others have mentioned before start by reducing your intake one pill at a time. Instead of 2 or 3 here and there take 1 or 2 here and there. Be sure to write down how many and when you take them. By reducing one pill at a time you won't be uncomfortable and still maintain some opiates in your system. When I get low that's what I do. I'm still in a great deal of pain but it beats not having any and going through w/d's. Good luck darlin. You did it before you can do it again. We will help you anyway we can and be here for you.

Whatever method you try, I would suggest putting aside what you take each day. I started doing this so I could keep track of my pills (when hubby kept taking them) and found it is a great way to stay totally in control of what you take each day.
When I first get my 2 scripts (Oxy and Norcos) I sit down at table with small white, self adhesive envelopes. I cut each envelope in half. I count out my daily pills for each medication and put them in 1/2 of the little white envelopes. I adjust it so the little white package (about the size of a fat quarter)is sealed with the self adhesive stuff on the envelope. I put 7 "little packages" in weekly Small envelopes and put the date range (for example 1-7, the 8-14, etc).. I take out 3 days worth at a time from the locked box I have hidden in my house. Every 3rd day, I get 3 more out. Each day, I empty the contents into a small glass jar (originally had very expensive under eye cream in it). Every day, I know exactly what I've taken. There are never "stray pills" that hubby can be tempted by if he were to get into my purse and if he were to find the hidden box, I would know at the latest, within 3 days.
I read what I've just written and it sounds like a real pain but it's not....You are in control of your meds for whatever reason you have to be in control of them...

Give your presrciption to a close freind, whom you trust implicitly. When you have to ask for one, it makes you think twice. If you are self-medicating, you don't think at all.

If you have addiction problems like me, you have no control. You look for reasons to take the next pill. A freind can help modulate this tendency. It also helps to connect to someone, so you don't isolate....a big problem for me.

What a good motivator to get UN-isolated...satisfy a crayving. This method has worked for many people.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, please keep them coming.

Good Luck Ski.
You can do it!!!!

2Cool

Thanks 2cool,

I think I can taper, and I'm all over the net looking for tapering schedules which mimic my dosing. Now is the time, especially since I have so many "tools" in the form of 120-150 Norcos and a ton of left over Xanax.

-SKB

See your PM Steve.

Ski,
I think it's great to get ideas on tapering scedules. To get an idea of where to get started. You just have to keep in mind, everyones different & you may have to make adjustments that suit you. And also deal with your pain. And I know there are several here who have thoughts & ideas of things that help while doing this. I think Daved is a wealth of info on the subject.

2Cool

I recall seeing threads here that have a withdrawal and tapering schedule...Including various herbs and advice etc...

Good luck Steve...you are made of strong stuff and with all of here pulling for you, you will be successful.

You have done it before, don't give up.

ADR

ADR,

Thanks.

Anyone else have suggestions for a taper schedule for me?

Thanks so much in advance!

-SKB

Not sure I addressed this to Steve, I may have omitted one essential withdrawal aid. IMODIUM HCL~ For those who have been fraught with W/D you will know that this is often accompanied by diarreah. (not good, flushes out electrolytes and will dehydrate you quickly)

ImodiumHCL is an OTC schedule 5- It is also a opiod of sorts (though it has little analgesic value) BUT, the brain will "think" it's getting a narcotic which helps decrease discomfort of W/D...yes there can be some mild euphoria, possibly stimulation, but there are also less deserable side effects. Imodium CAN be habit forming. Read WIKIPEDIA before considering this aid to W/D. Don't overdo it.

Also, for diahrrea, cooked rice helps stop this.
Stay Hydrated. Contrary to common belief, a hot beverage on a HOT day, will actually LOWER your core body temperature.

Good luck to all.
-David