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getting off of vicodin

by maile, Jan 09, 2000 12:00AM
I am taking 15- 20 vicodin E.S. a day, and I really need to stop but I don't want to be sick.  what can I do?  my husband doesn't even know but I need to get off of this ****.  I am a full time student (medical asst)  please help!!!
Member Comments (19)

by maile, Jan 09, 2000 12:00AM
what is the answer

by Tom P. Martinez, Jan 09, 2000 12:00AM
My wife has been taking my vicodin without my knowledge for about a year and is now addicted. How can I help her withdrawl at home?  I really need some answers.

by ddavis, Jan 11, 2000 12:00AM
Same thing.  My husband is hooked on Vicodin after a motorcycle wreck injuring his neck.  He used hard drugs years ago and the monkey is awake.  He's been afraid to tell me if he's doing something other than hydrocodone, but I think he has.  How can I help him?  Thanks.

by Mich, Feb 19, 2000 12:00AM
to tom martinez.



tom you cannot have your wife kick the habit a home that is impossiable , she needs to go into a treatment facility a good one so do your research, i went in beach hill hospital in connecticut, it was great, you detox with methadone, and your stay is 3 weeks, so your do not suffer withdrawel/ they also start you on an antidepressant that is wonderful you wont believe when your wife comes hoem how wonderful it will be again, see the antidepressant takes at least 3 weeks to kick in i found zoloft works the best, bt tom get her help, she cannot possiably does this alone, without a dr's help, that is dangerous. please email  me if you have any ohter question, or i would be happy to talk to your wife good luck docket3@aolcom

by Bridget, May 24, 2000 12:00AM
I have been on vicodin for about 2 - 3 years.  I had it for some surgeries and also use it for headaches.  It seems to be the only pain killer that really works.  I tried at one time to go off, but I couldn't.  Then I had got to about one a day, but I'm back up to at least two.  It kills the pain, and I feel good.  I feel like I can handle things better and I'm just more happier.  The doctor wanted me to only take one a day, but it just isn't working.  Your advice would be appreciated.

by Bridget, May 24, 2000 12:00AM
I have been on vicodin for about 2 - 3 years.  I had it for some surgeries and also use it for headaches.  It seems to be the only pain killer that really works.  I tried at one time to go off, but I couldn't.  Then I had got to about one a day, but I'm back up to at least two.  It kills the pain, and I feel good.  I feel like I can handle things better and I'm just more happier.  The doctor wanted me to only take one a day, but it just isn't working.  Your advice would be appreciated.

by Brian to Bridget, May 25, 2000 12:00AM
IF you have chronic pain you may need to be on narcotics for life.  Just be aware that even with real chronic pain, your tolerance will continue to grow, requiring ever higher dosages which, unless you have some serious documentation will not be forthcoming.  My advice therefore is, if you can bear it from a pain standpoint, stop using the pills.  Easier said than done, I know.  At only 2 a day, you can stop pretty easily.  My advice would be to try taking 1.75 a day for a few days or a week, then 1.5, then 1.25, etc. so when you stop you'll have no withdrawal.  You may mentally miss the pills but it will go away.  Finally, most of us here started with a small habit and ended up with a gorilla on our backs.  I remember the first time I "detoxed" it was from taking 3 Lorcet a day.  Eventually I was taking 25 a day!  Good luck.

by Vinnie to Karen, May 26, 2000 12:00AM
yeah thats right started just like everyone, had the tooth ache and got the script of vikes. loved the warm buzz and thats what got me to this web site. your 1st step is listen to ***@**** take it from a guy who is no junkie. a business man. i went from 2 to 25 vikes a day in 1 year. can we live like this for ever???? i know i cant!!!!!

by steve99316, Dec 19, 2007 04:02PM
To: Steve S.
I have been taking viocodin afor alomost a yar now, at firwst it was just at night to help me least a bit longer during sex (which totally worked), then it turned into a problem where I was taking two, every four hours or 8-10 10's (Norco) a day. When I ran out I would take tramedol but didn't realizes until after I ran out of pills, how sick it make me.  Nights sweats, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and depression.  My doctor recently prescribed clonazepam which seems to have helped, but i have only taken it for half a day.  i can't wait to be free of these and feeling nornal again.  when i tired to go cold turkey, iI had to miss a few days at work, which was not right.  then i took a few tramadol and it seemed to make the sickness go away.  now i am taking clonazepam instead of the tramedol.  how get a get past this as quickly as possible.  i am ready to concentrate om bigger and bettre things.  Any advice that might help?  How long with these terrible withdrawal symptoms last.  should i taper off the drug, or just go cold turkey and take the     clonazepam my doc gave me.  Please help, this is not the way I want to live

by GoingToMakeIt, Dec 19, 2007 04:15PM
To: steve
I know it is confusing but you posted a response on a very old post(2000). Start a new post with your questions and responses.

by steve99316, Dec 21, 2007 10:36AM
To: going to make it
thanks, not sure how to get to the other post, guess I'll see what happens.  So far I am feeling much better on Clonazepam, but hope to quite taking it within a few days.  Then I will see if I get sick again....

by GoingToMakeIt, Dec 21, 2007 10:39AM
At the top of the page is a 'button' labeled Post a Question. Click that and then ask away.

by MEL766, Jan 16, 2008 11:26PM
To: GETTING OFF VICODIN
I CAN ONLY FEEL YOUR PAIN..I WAS IN THE SAME SITUATION AND STOPPED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I USED TO TAKE  7-9 PILLS A DAY OF WHAT EVER I HAD AVAILABLE. I AM A SURGICAL TECHNICIAN AND I HAD THE MEDICATION AVAILABLE. PLUS THE DOCTOR WHO I WORK FOR GAVE IT TO ME AS WELL AS OTHERS. ANYWAYS, HOW DID I STOPPED???

- IT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING I EVER HAD TO DO IN MY WHOLE LIFE. I DID IT ALL ON MY OWN..GOD IT WAS HORRIBLE, BUT I DID IT. DON'T ASK ME HOW I GOT TRU WORK, SCHOOL AND MY FAMILY HAVING WITHDRAWALS..IT WAS HARD.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO STOP AND NOT KILL YOURSELF..BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE BASICALLY DOING, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A STRONG WILL AND STOP.
I FEEL GREAT NOW!  NOW I HAVE THE POWER TO SAY NO!

GOOD LUCK..WISH U THE BEST!

by Graciedw750zzzzzzz, Jan 17, 2008 01:28AM
To: Can Anyone Help Me
Hi I'm a mother of 4, married , and Vicodin addict. I want to stop but there are a few problems. First of all I have legit pain from a skiing accident that caused permenant damage to my lower back and right knee. I've had 3 surgeries (which is how the vicodin got started). I used to manage nicely with 3 VicodinES a day. 4 years later I'm up to 10-12 a day(that amazingly don't even make me high,not even a buzz).If you met me you would have no idea I was addicted to anything. I'm also worried about the effect this is having on my kidneys due to recent symptoms (orange urine with a terrible oder, breath that smells the same etc)I've had numerous tests for a UTI that all come back Neg & the LFT tests are all normal as well. I can not tell my husband any of this. He has a family history of addiction and has no tolerance for it at all. He has no idea I am addicted and would never understand. So Rehab is out of the question, besides there is no one who could take care of my kids. I've tried to stop on my own several times and the longest I've lasted is 2 days. I was wondering if there is a way to do this and keep the withdrawal symptoms (especially the diarea) to a minimum. I have access to xanax and I've read that that helps with some of the other symptoms. I need help, I want my life back. I have no one to help me because no one knows. I work full time , I am on the board of education, president of the PTA and am very involved in all of my kids schools and activities.I function just great but I have never felt so alone , frightened and helpless in my entire life. Is there some kind of home cocktail of vitamins,xanax,OTC meds, that could get me through the withdrawal? Then I worry what to do about the pain. I remember way back when ,when I could deal with it with only 3 a day. i don't understand what happened. I guess I could figure that out once I get clean. Can anyone out there help me?

by GoingToMakeIt, Jan 17, 2008 01:48AM
To: Graciedw750zzzzzzz
At the top of the page is a 'button' labeled Post a Question. Click that and then post this again. This is an old post.
   You are at a dangerously high dose of Tylenol. If I remember correctly Vic ES is 750mg of Tylenol 10/day =7500mg....4000 mg is the MAX per day.To withdrawal it takes 4-5 days, after that it is b