Vicodin Question

[Immrgy]

Is it possible to take hydrocodone for 10 months and NOT be addicted?  I have severe, chronic back pain  resulting from degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, congenital malformation of 2 lower discs and scoliosis.  I've managed to avoid surgery until now by keeping my weight in check and exercising. However, nothing works anymore and just getting out of bed in the morning is almost more than I can stand.  At first, I took ½  pill (they did and still do make me ill) every 5 – 6 hours. I now take 1 every 3 – 4 hours often around the clock.  These are 500-5mg tablets.  I was diagnosed 20 years ago and have tried almost all other treatments and medications except surgery.  I won't take Percocet and Fentenil since they seem to be so strong that they make me VIOLENTLY ill while Tylenol 3 and Darvocet don’t work at all.  The Vicodin still makes me nauseous so I have to eat and drink with every dose. I don't get any kind of high or euphoria but I they don't kill the pain as well as they used to.
I'm now looking at my surgical options but I'm worried about being hooked and afraid that it might be so. Any and all opinions and feedback would be welcome. Thanks.

[TimH2]

Welcome to the forum.
Sorry, but you can get addicted after only 3 weeks. The longer you are taking them, the harder the w/d's will be when you stop. I would take only as directed and really try to space them out. When you stop using the pain meds here is what you can expect: The w/d's start (for me) about 12 hrs after your last dose. Anxiety, sleeplessness, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, chills, sweats, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, restless leg syndrome and it is compared to the flu. This will last anywhere from 5-7 days. We will be here to support you when needed. I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. You do not sound like a whiner and I commend you for wanting to get of these after the surgery.

God Bless,
Tim

[Immrgy]

Ummm... okay.  Once the surgery is done, I have to stop. What can I expect? About 2 weeks ago, I had a bout of the flu and was so sick I couldn't keep down water let alone meds so I didn't take them for a few days. Now I was already pretty sick but since I've never experienced withdrawals, I don't know if I was having wd's or was I so sick I just wasn't aware them or was I having any at all. How long before I would feel withdrawals? What are they like? I hate to sound like I'm whining but I must admit to being really worried about this.

[D30]

NO