Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

After a week on Hydrocodone, am I suppose to feel withdrawl symptoms already?

My question is that I went in a week ago to an Urgent Care facility with what I thought was a kidney infection. After a urine test ruled that out, I was told I had a bad lower back pull. I was prescribed Hydrocodone 5-500 strength and given 30 tablets, with instructions to take 1-2 tabs every 4-8 to hours as needed. I was also given Prednisone 20mg, 10 tablets, 2 each morning (its a steroid for inflammation), and finally Carisoprodol (350 mg). 30 tabs. 3 x a day as needed for muscle spasm. So the first four days I averaged about 7 tabs of the Hydrocdoone as needed for pain, but came back after I was out, and complained about the agitation and insomnia that the Prednisone causes. So after five days, I was told to stop the Prednisone, continue with the remaining Carisoprodol, but given a higher strength of 30 more Hydrocodone 7.5 - 500 with the same take as needed schedule I was given for the lower strength Hydrocodone. Now the Hydro's were very helpful and the pain has gone away. But as soon as I stopped taken them abruptly, as I was told to do when not needing it for pain, the next day, day seven, I was feeling anxious, had diarrhea, felt flu like and was very tired and irritable.. I knew it was from being on a week of pain pills so I waited until this afternoon to take my first two tablets and those symptoms went right away and I felt fine. I realized though, I was taking them today simply to avoid the initial discomfort of stopping immediately after only one week. So I can see how I could keep finishing the amount I have simply to avoid my body's demand for the medication. Is it that easy and quick to get addicted on? Should  I plan to taper off using the remaining 15 tablets with or go cold turkey?.
12 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
ask your doctor for serequill or also known as Quetiapine for sleeping. It is a great sleeping pill that has very little or no withdrawal symptoms. Here in Winnipeg Canada, this medication is prescribed to many addicts for sleeping issues at our detox and residential addictions facility. Good luck to you all.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I want to thank anyone who has commented or asked questions about my post. This is a great website. I think however, that I should have waited a day or two after finishing the Hydrocodone before I asked my question of  “is it possible to withdrawal from Hydrocodone after only a week.” After two days of not taking any Hydrocodone  7.-5/500, I feel pretty good. My back pain is gone.

I never have been on such a strong pain killer for a week. I felt so out of it ( anxiety, insomnia, tired), the next day after quitting the medication, that I felt I had to take another one to simply deal with feeling of being “so out of it.”. I stopped, but now believe it was just the affect of being on strong pain medication for a week that I am not used too. With this medication, it is very tempting to keep staying on it “just one more day” simply to address the discomfort of being off it, and when the real physical pain is already gone. I can see how dangerous it is and should have asked for a nod addictive pain treatment.

But I do have addiction problems (I am prescribed a dose of Klonopin for GAD) and as a pill taker, I love a quick easy fix. The comments I got did help, saying that its rare to get physically addicted in a week. Those comments helped me feel better and thank you again.

Again, I did not stop my prescribed use of Klonopin. I have tried to taper off it under a doctor’s care before, the short way, the long way, and the middle way. But the outcome for me was always the same. I lost a lot of cognitive abilities when off the Clonazepam. To me it was a question of value of life. The last psychiatrist told me that my brain, after years of Klonopin, would take a long time to heal for memory, math problems. organizational skills. Things that are needed to either keep or get a good job.

I did know the toxicity of Hydrocdoone to the liver, and did not want to have alcohol with it, and I did not. I may have many other issues with Clonazepam and alcohol that I need to face. I just am glad I am not addicted to a third drug, Hydrocodone.

Thanks.









Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Morphine was sometimes prescribed a hundred years ago to alcoholics as a less deadly "replacement" addiction, so yes you're right less a person might not be inclined to drink if they're nodding off on opiates. However, you can become addicted to both simulatenously as well. I used to drink a TON before I started taking vicodin, then pretty much stopped when I was taking 6-7 10s a day, and now that I'm tapering off I'm sometimes tempted to drink again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, I have been on clonazepam for over 12 years. Too long.  I did not stop taking them or slow down the prescribed dose on them with using the Hydrocodone. I am too well aware of the consequences of stopping benzo’s and I did not do so.  I did however stop the alcohol for a few days. But I am through with the Hydrocodone. Yes, I know I should not mix alcohol and Clonazepam. But unfortunately have been doing so for years. My liver tests have always come back normal still. But yes, I know the harm of mixing all together. But that was not my question, My question was "Can Hydrocodone, when taken as prescribed, give relief from withdraw of booze?"  Not that one should use it for  that purpose,  but wondering it if does. I think some are thinking if I am asking “should I use Hydrocodone in place of alcohol or benzo‘s.“. I know you should not. So again “Can Hydrocodone, when taken as prescribed, give relief from withdraw off other meds or alcohol?” Not if it is good to do, but can it?. That would explain a lot of things to me. I hope you understand the question. Thanks again.
Helpful - 0
429432 tn?1343594190
Abruptly stopping alcohol and benzodiazepines (klonopin) is downright dangerous. Mixing the two is also extremely dangerous. They add to each other's effects, making it very easy to overdose, even if you think you know what you can handle. You can have seizures or possibly even die if you don't get medical help. Adding hydrocodone to the mix just makes it that much more harmful. There is 500 mg. of tylenol in each of those hydros that you take. Very harmful to your liver! I know first hand because I did the very same thing. Just because your tolerance is high doesn't mean you are not harming yourself. You're still slowly poisoning yourself. Please take the advice of all of us...throw them out, flush them, whatever. But you should consult a doctor about reducing the klonopin if that's what you want to do.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Throw them out and don't take them anymore.  Hopefully this will only last a couple of days for you.  Mryna
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can Hydrocodone, when taken as prescribed, mask or ease the withdrawals from alcohol? Other drugs? I had a previous post yesterday about Hydrocdoone withdrawals so early after using them for only one week. Most people thought that was very unlikely. But Htownnofrown, got me thinking, and thanks. I do drink alcohol in the evening. I did not mention that when I went in to the Urgent Care for a legitimate back pain problems last week. I also did not mention that I was a on a long term prescription for Klonopin,  many years. I do have that posted on my bio on this website, but I wanted pain meds for a legitimate reason but knew my use of alcohol and Klonopin could jeopardize a fast pain relief prescription for obvious reasons. I have taken pain medication for short periods, a day or two, a few times before so I know they are effective but can make one feel high when abused. But this is the first  time I had a prescription for 30 tablets of Hydrocodone, 7.5-500. So I do have a problem with addiction. I guess my question today is, this week I have had no alcohol. The Hydrocodone seemed to fill in the “need to have my usual drinks.“. I normally drink a “few“ strong doubles of whiskey when I get home. I have stayed on my regular dose of Klonopin as prescribed but now think, maybe I am drinking enough alcohol that I am withdrawing from abruptly stopping the booze this week. I should not be drinking on Klonopin, but both my tolerance of alcohol and Klonopin mask the amount I feel I consume. I guess that added information would have helped (Klonopin is in my bio) but I just did not think that Hydrocodone, when taken as prescribed, can mask the withdrawals from other drugs and or mainly alcohol. Does it?
Helpful - 0
725350 tn?1318680468
Were you addicted to anything prior to starting the hydrocodone?
Helpful - 0
1331083 tn?1285912354
you should do what your doc say's im gunna tell you one thing that is how i got addicted i would throw those damn thing's in the trash and never look bk you will be fine in a couple of day's just lay around if you can for a few day's and you i promise will feel fine at least from the hydro's my last husbandwas giving me hydro's and the exact same thing happened to me i was in the restroom wondering what the hell was going on i wasn't addicted @that point but he kept getting them and feeding them to me and before i knew it i was addicted i promise you think you feel bad now ha no way keep taking those thing's and see what happen's you will be soooooooooooooooo sorry and broke and i could go on and on please foryou and everyone around you DON'T TAKE ANYMORE PLEASE!!!
Helpful - 0
429432 tn?1343594190
I would go cold turkey. I've never heard of anyone becoming addicted in a week, but I guess anything can happen. If you're already taking the pills to avoid discomfort from withdrawals, then you could be heading down a dangerous path. Stop while you still can. I sure wish I would have done that. Vicodin will destroy your health and your spirit if not taken properly and for short-term use only. I took them for over 15 years, averaged @ 12-15 pills a day,escalating to taking as many as 45 pills in a day at the end. I've been clean for 6 months, and I still can't sleep more than a couple of hours in a night if I'm lucky. I didn't mean to ramble, but I just wanted to share my experience so I can hopefully help others. You're going to be fine if you stop NOW...cat =)
Helpful - 0
1337425 tn?1278173987
I've personally never heard of anyone becoming addicted in such a short period of time.  One possibility may be that you have the flu, but taking the drugs actually masks the symptoms.

Hopefully someone will have more informationn for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HI and welcome to the forum...im surprised your having any problems from such a short time on them I would think it would pass in a couple of days I wouldent think you would go into full blown withdrawals but as you already noticed you might be a little uncomfortable
my advise would be to stop taking them will your ahead the more you take the harder its going to be so just stop...good luck and God bless......Gnarly  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.