Phil-help please

[Allycat]

Hey Edie..I so wish I could tell you something that worked for the headaches. I'm just like you,nothing comes close to stopping them. I say that, but I think I'm just using that as another reason to use them. I think we have to just say that as long as its not EXCRUTIATING...then we just have to learn to take something not on the lines of hydro since we are taking the hydro for the "other" effects and not what it is intended to be used for and that's getting us out of pain. I use it because I get things done. If I have something ahead of me I have to use to get it done. That was the way it used to be, now ofcourse, I use simply to keep from being horribly sick. But that's not even something that I can't get thru, Im just being rediculously ignorant. It's not going to kill me to go thru the damn withdrawals, we ALL know that. But....Im just too damn stupid I guess, No other explanation. But you, you're on a small dose Edie, please, for your kids and your own well being find something else to help with your headaches, please don't let these pills run you off in the ditch too, I don't want any company down here in the gutter..folks, I just want out myself. If I can shove you back on the straight and narrow that's the least I can do at this point, when I so obviously cant get MYSLEF out. I guess you have tried all the imitrex and maxalts(sp) out there, huh? I do know that you sound strong enough and focused to stop....dont do it too much at a time though, If I were you, I'd taper very very slowly, so you don't get disgusted. But, if Im not mistaken you will feel slightly uncomfortable if you taper right...you wont get that buzz that we all like and you will have to push yourself along. I know you can do it! Let us know how its going, you kind of dropped off there for awhile....keep posting! Ally

[Philster2003]

Edie, (sorry I'm late, bad back night for me so I was down last night) you need to get on a more timely schedule. So if you can move to 1 pill every 4 hrs that will get you to 6 pills in a 24 hr period. Get stabilized at this rate for several days (2-3) Then we can begin to introduce time and reduced qty. Please also check with your doctor, there are a number of new meds out for headaches and migraines. My daughter has headaches and migraines and she is taking some new meds that help greatly for her. This is a slow taper and will take a bit more then 50 days but hopefully with headache meds available to you this will not be to difficult with withdrawal. Here is where I insert my usual warning that taper requires extreme will power and discipline. You can’t cheat or it defeats the purpose of taper. It’s easy to hedge when you have the pills available but you need to stay the course. As the old saying goes; “Slow and steady wins the race” If you choose not to take this route then go CT with the meds that are mentioned frequently (Catapres patch, valium, benedryl; Imodium, etc…)
Good luck, and you can do it, either way you can do it Edie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

You will need an interval timer like a kitchen timer or medication timer. The Timex Iron Man watch has auto repeat interval timer built in. In this taper the time between doses is increased each day with occasional dose adjustments. You really have to make sure you hit the times dead on thus the need for the timer. You have to wake yourself up in the middle of the night.
Initial dose, 1 pill each interval
Day Interval Dose
1 4:00 1 pill
2 4:10 1 pill
3 4:20 1 pill
4 4:30 1 pill
5 4:40 1 pill
6 4:50 1 pill
7 5:00 1 pill (20% reduction)
8 5:15 1 pill
9 5:30 1 pill
10 5:45 1 pill
11 6:00 1 pill (33% reduction)(4 pills per day)
======================================== ==========
now reduce the dose to 1/2 pill at each interval and begin with day 12 below having a 66% reduction at the end of 22 days and only taking 2 pills per day.
Day Interval Dose
12 3:00 1/2 pill
13 3:15 1/2 pill
14 3:30 1/2 pill
15 3:45 1/2 pill
16 4:00 1/2 pill
17 4:20 1/2 pill
18 4:40 1/2 pill
19 5:00 1/2 pill
20 5:20 1/2 pill
21 5:40 1/2 pill
22 6:00 1/2 pill (2 pills per day)
======================================== ============
now reduce the dose to 1/4 pill at each interval and begin with day 23 below. At the end of the third period you will be down to 1 pill per day and 83% reduction.
Day Interval Dose
23 3:00 1/4 pill
24 3:15 1/4 pill
25 3:30 1/4 pill
26 3:45 1/4 pill
27 4:00 1/4 pill
28 4:20 1/4 pill
29 4:40 1/4 pill
30 5:00 1/4 pill
31 5:20 1/4 pill
32 5:40 1/4 pill
33 6:00 1/4 pill (1 pill per day)
======================================== ==========
now reduce the dose to 1/4 pill at each interval and begin with day 34 below. At the end of the fourth period you will be down to 1 pill per day and 88% reduction
Day Interval Dose
34 6:00 1/4 pill
35 6:15 1/4 pill
36 6:30 1/4 pill
37 6:45 1/4 pill
38 7:00 1/4 pill
39 7:15 1/4 pill
40 7:30 1/4 pill
41 7:45 1/4 pill
42 8:00 1/4 pill (3/4 pill per day)
======================================== ===========
for the final taper down, take 1/4 pill taking the interval from 8 hours to 12 hours by 1/2 hour increment a day.
day interval Dose
43 8:00 1/4 pill
44 8:30 1/4 pill
45 9:00 1/4 pill
46 9:30 1/4 pill
47 10:00 1/4 pill
48 10:30 1/4 pill
49 11:00 1/4 pill
50 11:30 1/4 pill
51 12:00 1/4 pill
DONE (no more pill taking hooray!!!!!)

[lisaaahubb]

Go Edie Go!!!!! Phil's taper schedule around the clock seems to be the schedule that works the best!!! Good luck and i will send some good {{{vibes}}} your way. A lot of it is mind over matter, try to keep your hands and mind busy...i have been reading, doing small crafts that need to be painted etc. Get lots of sleep and take some vitamins. I get terrible migraines...i take IMITREX, it is wonderful, takes away the pain and the nausea!!! Maybe you could give it a try. I get terrible headaches when i detox...but it is par for the course.....Good Luck and keep us updated
LISA

[Edie]

Phil,
Thank you so much. I just got back from a meeting and am excited to have a "plan". I know for some of you that take so many more than me it probably seems silly but sometimes I live for those 6 pills a day and It makes me feel so much better to have a schedule to follow. I am a very routined person so this works well with my personality. I have only 3 today and am going to try and only take one more that I will start the schedule tomorrow.

Thank you all for being cheerleaders, it really does make a difference to know people are rooting for you. Phil, I am a firm believer that get back what you give in life, and you my friend are due for lots of joy and happiness in yours. Your positive impact on so many people's lives is humbleing.

I am a little nervous bcause i have a nasty root canal coming up on a tooth that has been giving me a lot of trouble. Now that I have abused pain pills what do I do when I need them for real pain? Will this affect my taper?

Thank Ally, lisa and belle. I will keep you all posted.
edie

[Edie]

By the way i have tried, imitrex, zomig homeopathic remedies, ergo nothing seems to help my headaches. If any if you hear of something that sounds promising let me know. I just read some docs are prescribing soma for headaches. has anyone tried this. Is soma addictive?