philster or any one else who's tapered or tapering - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

pez · 09-07-2003, 01:54 PM

Does anyone have any advice on tapering? I guess my specific question is how did you do it? I'm not really sure if I know how many total I take in a day, but may be kind and say 20. Do you start to decline from that dosage in 1/2 or more dramatically? I think that I may need to have pain control for the rest of my life, not sure what form it will take but for now am desperately searching for a strategy to get them into control. Each time I've posted someone has berated me because my questions don't have a underlying message about wanting to quit....so I want to be very clear. I do want to quit, but more so want to have adequate pain control as well. A couple of tylenol won't do it. My doc doesn't want me to go off my vicoprofen but wants me to "cut down" which seems to be the reoccuring advice he's had for me. I went to a doctor (after a 3 week wait) to get on Suboxone, which I thought was my slavation and was told that I'm not a candidate for it because I take pain pills for pain. I came completely clean with him and he still told me to try to find a doctor who would support me while I got my doseage under control. Anyway, sort of off point, but was hoping someone out there may have some wisdom to share. I've been a bit dissapointed in the lack of response to very deep questions, maybe I haven't been inducted into the "cool group" on this forum, or I'm not saying the right things, but I can't be the only person who feels slighted here.

BlueSkies · 09-07-2003, 01:58 PM

pez,
I don't have any advice about tapering, but I wanted to let you know that I read your post and hope someone can give you the help you need!

joan64 · 09-07-2003, 02:16 PM

Hi pez,
I don't have the answer that you are looking for as far as tapering..but to give you an idea you could look back to the answer I got from Phil...(the subject for the post is (Philster, from me dated 9/5) I am sure that your situation is different than mine, but it might give you an idea anyway...As far as your other point..I do kind of feel the same way as you about "not fitting in" I have definitely gotten some great responses/advice from different people here, but just like any other situation sometimes it is hard when there are already established "cliques".( no fault of anyone really, just the way it is)so....Pez I will be your friend..I could definetely use one right now too...and if it is someone that understands what I am going through...all the better....So feel free to write back, I check in here quite frequently....Joan

pez · 09-07-2003, 02:23 PM

thank you, I appreciate your response and shared impression. Sometimes it's like you're all alone with a million people around you going through the same thing. Have either of you tapered? Active addictions? Mine is Vicoprofen and if you're not familiar it's really a wonder drug, but now I'm wondering how it snuck up on me! It's a combo of 7.5 mg of hydrocodone and 200 mg of ibuprofen. I had several bad accidents, stupid accidents and general bad luck leading me to this point and the extra energy used to be used to do a million things, not I feel like I've had a reverse affect and want to do nothing. I've lost interest in just about everything and desperately want my life back. Now knowing my mind will "addict" to substances like vicoprofen or red bull or cigarrettes....I need to get back into check .But they seem to feed into each other. It's not hopeless, but I think I've grown so lazy. How about you?

Oldtimer · 09-07-2003, 02:24 PM

Pez,
I had a smaller habit than yours but that didn't mean I wasn't sick as a dog. I really wanted to take 10 or 15 but kept it down and stayed sick and afraid. I ALSO had a doctor who told me I "wasn't a bup candidate" and turned me away but I think I was so protective of myself that I told her more about the "pain" pills than the fact that I was addicted and had chronic relapses and felt like I was in constant withdrawal. So she said "no". From what you describe, there's no reason for you not to at least give buprenorphine a try. If it works, you can deal with the pain in other ways. Keep trying----I finally got a Dr. to work WITH me, and the bup works FOR me. I see him again tomorrow and only hope he will keep me on it and I don't care if it's forever. Please don't give up...you have a substantial habit...Maybe you can do the taper but I'd sure opt for the easier way if I could get it.