I've seen it done, but again, it's more work than replacing the
drywall.

You'll need the longest metal cutting saw blade you can find for a
Sawzall. Start at the top of each stud and bend the blade slightly so
that it saws flat against the sheetrock. Then cut through the
nails/screws the whole length of each stud. Use a smaller metal
cutting blade to saw the toe nails at the top and bottom of each stud.
You may hack up the back of the drywall, but that's not a big deal.

Cut out sections of the bottom plate as you go and install the pocket
door wall supports as you go so the bedroom drywall isn't flapping in
the breeze. Use construction adhesive to attach the drywall to the new
wall supports.


We have a traditional doorway (that didn't actually have a door), with
about 3 feet of open wall (ie no electric, plumbing, etc., not load
bearing) on one side that we would like to put a pocket door in now.
The drywall is out on one side of the wall (our bathroom, which is
completely torn out right now). The drywall on the other side however
(our bedroom) is still intact, and if I can get around it I'd rather
not tear that side out. All the DIY articles on pocket door say of
course the first step is to frame out the opening 2x the size of the
door, which of course assumes that both sides of the wall are out. Is
there ANY way to take out the 2 or 3 studs, the header, replace the
header, put int the pocket door hardware, etc. without tearing out
that other side of the wall?