Lortab withdrawl - Pain Management Message Board

vanessa27 · 03-03-2008, 09:11 PM

I have been taking lortab 10 for several years. Although I don't take very much at all (usually 1/2 a 10 in A.M and 1/2 a 10 in P.M) I feel very physically dependent on it. I want to stop however am EXTREAMLY scared of withdrawl which is probably making the anxiety aspect 10 times worse. My question is since I am taking so little and can't really taper off how can I stop without withdrawl??? Any advise will be greatly appreciated

kayci38 · 03-03-2008, 09:25 PM

Several years ago I decided to go off my lortab and I was taking more than that,my doctor gave me a blood pressure medicine called 'clonidine',they prescribe it for patients for the withdrawals and it wiped out the anxiety and I would suggest it.Good luck to you!

Oh yeah,he gave me valium also to help.

slipperyslope · 03-04-2008, 04:58 AM

Your dose is so incredibly minimal that I don't anticipate you having any issues at all. does that amount even control your pain or are you taking it to avoid withdrawals? If your really scared about it than do a taper. break the 1/2 a pills in half until your taking crumbs, that way you won't feel anything and to be honest with you I really don't see a need to even taper. your only talking 1 pill a day. You won't know until you try and stop so just give it a try and if you do get sick just taper.

good luck,
SS

aussiejono · 03-04-2008, 02:40 PM

try using excedrin pm to ease the withdrawl... or, ask your doctor for a bottle of hydrocodone cough syrup, being a liquid, you can cut it back a bit at a time, reducing the dose each day

brianpain33 · 03-04-2008, 03:11 PM

I would suggest telling your doctor about your intentions and see what he suggests. I am sure he would probably slowly titrate you down since you have been using them for several years. I know that it is not just the physical withdrawal but also the psychologial/mental withdrawal aspect of it as well. I am not trying to scare you just so that you will be prepared to go through life without using the hydrocodone. You will feel different, perceive things differently, and may even need support for awhile after you quit taking them. But I would suggest getting Lortab 5/500 from your doctor, and take those 2x/day for a couple of weeks, then 1 pill/day for a week or two, then maybe 1/2pill/day for a week, and then stop. This might sound very conservative but if you have been on them for several years it is better to go as slow as possible unless you are really good at dealing with withdrawal symptoms. I would also suggest asking your doctor for something for the slight withdrawal symptoms like clonidine, xanax, valium, or even just taking benadryl OTC, or Nyquil OTC, Melatonin, helps with withdrawal and sleeping. I would also suggest a good high quality B-Complex Vitamin for energy and maybe a multivitamain. Most people do not realize that narcotic meds "use up" some of our bodies vitamins/minerals due to their nature. Hope this helps.

Brian