I also have a drag queen persona, Quief Richards. Quief's specialty is the reinterpretation of Celine Dion's early catalog through the lens of Norwegian Black Metal Quief's work has been hailed by critics as "a cosmic abomination" and "What Enya would sound like if she were in psychosis from a chronic Methamphetamine addiction while two sick cats are having rough sex barely within earshot".
Hey @BWG707Damn, you've been here at BL a long-ass time. A similar period of time to yours truly, the 33-year old geezer known as Keif' Richards to the world and Sir Biggis McDikkis to family and close friends. I also have a drag queen persona, Quief Richards. Quief's specialty is the reinterpretation of Celine Dion's early catalog through the lens of Norwegian Black Metal Quief's work has been hailed by critics as "a cosmic abomination" and "What Enya would sound like if she were in psychosis from a chronic Methamphetamine addiction while two sick cats are having rough sex barely within earshot".
To get serious, I would not say one is easier than the other. I feel that some people prefer a short, intense withdrawal, while others prefer a milder but longer withdrawal. People often use the phrase "ripping the bandaid off quick" in regard to withdrawal, though I don't feel this is an accurate way of looking at it. Once a bandaid is off, it's off. There is no danger of the bandaid spontaneously reapplying itself. I say this to a lot of people regarding the quick, brazen attempts at withdrawal: you can have amazing intentions yet still be setting yourself up for failure.
My opinion is that a longer, milder withdrawal is almost always preferable. I believe it's easier and ultimately leads to a better chance of success for most people.
Your usage is ~25mg Hydrocodone per day. You're not exactly an intravenous Fentanyl addictThis will work in your favor. Everything is relative though and the process is never easy for anyone, however, I feel conficdent saying that your case is very hopeful, possible and I dare say probable. You are approaching this issue at a relatively low dosage which tells me you are a fairly responsible person. If you make a plan and stick to it, this can all be accomplished.
If you want help figuring out the taper, just let me know here and we will figure it out. For right now though, you have my answer to your initial question.
@BWG707 Hows the taper going?
I am in the same boat as you , just for a Much longer time [10+ yrs of Norco]
I have been off them for no longer than 2 weeks, then over do it and go back, due to pain, and emotional stress sick family members. My addict brain tells me that a pill will help my moms situation. Opiates really are a very difficult drug, for me to handle. I have been sober for over 12 years, which is my DOC, but maybe Norco now is my DOC??
I need to really follow a taper!!!
I do not take more than 20-30mgs a day
Dude you know that I love that God has put you in my life!!I've known you for a long time buddy. I feel you have a really hard time giving yourself credit for what you do right. There is so much in what you've said here. This has been going on for years. I understand there has been fluctuation in your dosage, though you never take it to the extreme. In my opinion, these fluctuations all happen within the realm of acceptable use. You have conditions and a history that anybody could say justifies the use of pain medication.
People can use these drugs chronically without them ruining their lives. Like anything else, the problems come to us when we mess with the delicate balance of our lives. Opioids are potent, powerful and difficult for anyone to handle. It's easy for people to make a small mistake and for that to spiral into a serious issue.
You work hard to maintain the balance in your life. You have had other issues with our health and wellbeing that have likewise harmed that balance. You could just as easily say being in pain would negatively effect the balance of your life.
You do your best to exist with the hand that you have been dealt. From what I know of you, you try your best to be the best person you can be despite all that you have had to deal with. It makes me sad to think that despite all of this striving, you still feel you have not done enough for yourself or the people in your life you care about.
Yes, continue to be mindful of how you feel, how these drugs are impacting your life; never stop that, but don't beat yourself up over it. You are trying and that is more than many of us can say. 30mg of Hydrocodone a day is no reason to say you haven't lived life to the fullest.
I’m not actually tapering right now. I was just wondering about ER vs IR when tapering because I have access to MS Contin right now and was thinking about getting some for when I do feel like tapering off pain meds. I just don’t see myself taking these meds for the rest of my life. I’ve learned that it’s always good to have some sort of safety net. For instance, I always keep enough extra meds stashed in case I need to stop unexpectedly. I don’t take meds to get “high”, I use them for moderate to severe pain relief only. I keep my dosage as low as possible, it constantly fluctuates. Thanks for your concern.@BWG707 Hows the taper going?
I am in the same boat as you , just for a Much longer time [10+ yrs of Norco]
I have been off them for no longer than 2 weeks, then over do it and go back, due to pain, and emotional stress sick family members. My addict brain tells me that a pill will help my moms situation. Opiates really are a very difficult drug, for me to handle. I have been sober for over 12 years, which is my DOC, but maybe Norco now is my DOC??
I need to really follow a taper!!!
I do not take more than 20-30mgs a day
Wise words. But the funny, or sad, thing is that I was wrecking my life with stimulants cause doctors were not taking me seriusly and pain was unbearable. It was when I started using (pharmaceutical) opioids my life stabilised. Even though I was buying them. Now I have a prescription and am fixing the damage I made when I was not using opioids. If we generalise and look at the "typical case" that is presented to us by media then opioids are not worth the risk. But it isn't much different than alcohol situation when it was banned in US...People can use these drugs chronically without them ruining their lives. Like anything else, the problems come to us when we mess with the delicate balance of our lives. Opioids are potent, powerful and difficult for anyone to handle. It's easy for people to make a small mistake and for that to spiral into a serious issue.
Same here! I have never been in to the "High " from opiates ! I am a booze guy. Now that wrecked my live and I started in AA in 1982 ... dam that was a long time ago?I’m not actually tapering right now. I was just wondering about ER vs IR when tapering because I have access to MS Contin right now and was thinking about getting some for when I do feel like tapering off pain meds. I just don’t see myself taking these meds for the rest of my life. I’ve learned that it’s always good to have some sort of safety net. For instance, I always keep enough extra meds stashed in case I need to stop unexpectedly. I don’t take meds to get “high”, I use them for moderate to severe pain relief only. I keep my dosage as low as possible, it constantly fluctuates. Thanks for your concern.
Thank brother!! I need to reread you this AM! I am so grateful that God has put you in my life.I've known you for a long time buddy. I feel you have a really hard time giving yourself credit for what you do right. There is so much in what you've said here. This has been going on for years. I understand there has been fluctuation in your dosage, though you never take it to the extreme. In my opinion, these fluctuations all happen within the realm of acceptable use. You have conditions and a history that anybody could say justifies the use of pain medication.
People can use these drugs chronically without them ruining their lives. Like anything else, the problems come to us when we mess with the delicate balance of our lives. Opioids are potent, powerful and difficult for anyone to handle. It's easy for people to make a small mistake and for that to spiral into a serious issue.
You work hard to maintain the balance in your life. You have had other issues with our health and wellbeing that have likewise harmed that balance. You could just as easily say being in pain would negatively effect the balance of your life.
You do your best to exist with the hand that you have been dealt. From what I know of you, you try your best to be the best person you can be despite all that you have had to deal with. It makes me sad to think that despite all of this striving, you still feel you have not done enough for yourself or the people in your life you care about.
Yes, continue to be mindful of how you feel, how these drugs are impacting your life; never stop that, but don't beat yourself up over it. You are trying and that is more than many of us can say. 30mg of Hydrocodone a day is no reason to say you haven't lived life to the fullest.
Thank brother!! I need to reread you this AM! I am so grateful that God has put you in my life.
Thank you for caring about other people so much.