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Am I addicted to Hydrocodone?
Hi, I am a bit concerned and confused as well as to whether or not I am addicted to hydrocodone. I started taking it a couple years ago for fun (i.e. 1/2 to 1 pill occassionally on the weekend). Last year I found out that I have Restless Leg Syndrome. I tried many other treatments but the only thing that worked was a very small dosage of hydrocodone (1/2 of a 5mg pill). I read on the RLS.org site that opiate pain killers are a very effective remedy for severe RLS. I also read about "drug holidays" so that you don't take the medicine every day. I only took it during severe episodes that sometimes lasted up to a month or two, but took these "drug holidays" here and there.
A few months ago I had my wisdom teeth and got a script for 3 bottles of hydocodone (5mg., 30 pills ea.). The first two days I took 3 or 4 a day but after that I tapered off to 1 or 2, and then back down to my original starting point, 1/2 (2.5mg) at night to help RLS symptoms. I still have one bottle left at home and one "refill" available.
About a month ago I came down with a sinus infection and then Mono (bleh!). The dog gave me a hydrocodone/guiafennisin syrup to take, of which I have been taking 1 tsp (5mg) at night first to help with the sinus infection but then to help with the Mono symptoms. The past week or two I started to notice that the 5mg (which originally would have been a lot for me) didn't give me the same "happy" feeling. I never upped the dosage but I kept taking it at night. I've kept my Fiance up to date and told him every time I've taken the medicine (whether it be for fun, RLS, etc.) Last night I told myself that I would take a night off to make sure I wasn't becoming addicted. When I've done this in the past (granted it was 2.5 mg not 5mg) I was always fine the next day. Although I do think about it I feel I can mentally go without it and did so fine with the mental aspect last night (was asleep by 11pm). However, I woke up at 3:30am and couldn't go back to sleep until 7am. Bleh, it was miserable and I just felt cr@ppy. I didn't know what to think because I do also have Mono and the symptoms are similar except for not being able to sleep. This also happened the night before to a lesser extent (I woke up and couldn't sleep for an hour or 2) but that night I had taken vicodin. So I'm kind of confused here - am I addicted on such a small dose? Should I taper off and if so at what dosage? Should I go back to 2.5 mg and then try and go off of that for awhile or should I just stop it cold turkey and hope I can sleep through the night tonight? I really need to sleep because that is the only way Mono will get better.
There are genuine times when it is amazingly helpful in dealing with RLS and I would like to be able to use it (with care) for that. 2.5 mg at night when needed for RLS I am comfortable with. I am not comfortable with 5mg on any sort of a consistant basis because I do know the potential for a dangerous addiction is there.
I hope I have explained my case clearly. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.
A few months ago I had my wisdom teeth and got a script for 3 bottles of hydocodone (5mg., 30 pills ea.). The first two days I took 3 or 4 a day but after that I tapered off to 1 or 2, and then back down to my original starting point, 1/2 (2.5mg) at night to help RLS symptoms. I still have one bottle left at home and one "refill" available.
About a month ago I came down with a sinus infection and then Mono (bleh!). The dog gave me a hydrocodone/guiafennisin syrup to take, of which I have been taking 1 tsp (5mg) at night first to help with the sinus infection but then to help with the Mono symptoms. The past week or two I started to notice that the 5mg (which originally would have been a lot for me) didn't give me the same "happy" feeling. I never upped the dosage but I kept taking it at night. I've kept my Fiance up to date and told him every time I've taken the medicine (whether it be for fun, RLS, etc.) Last night I told myself that I would take a night off to make sure I wasn't becoming addicted. When I've done this in the past (granted it was 2.5 mg not 5mg) I was always fine the next day. Although I do think about it I feel I can mentally go without it and did so fine with the mental aspect last night (was asleep by 11pm). However, I woke up at 3:30am and couldn't go back to sleep until 7am. Bleh, it was miserable and I just felt cr@ppy. I didn't know what to think because I do also have Mono and the symptoms are similar except for not being able to sleep. This also happened the night before to a lesser extent (I woke up and couldn't sleep for an hour or 2) but that night I had taken vicodin. So I'm kind of confused here - am I addicted on such a small dose? Should I taper off and if so at what dosage? Should I go back to 2.5 mg and then try and go off of that for awhile or should I just stop it cold turkey and hope I can sleep through the night tonight? I really need to sleep because that is the only way Mono will get better.
There are genuine times when it is amazingly helpful in dealing with RLS and I would like to be able to use it (with care) for that. 2.5 mg at night when needed for RLS I am comfortable with. I am not comfortable with 5mg on any sort of a consistant basis because I do know the potential for a dangerous addiction is there.
I hope I have explained my case clearly. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks. Last night went great. Fell asleep around midnight and didn't wake up until my alarm went off at 9am. YAY! SLEEP! I fee a ton better today. I had a great talk with my FI about this too.
FLaddict, I agree with your take on it. I think where I got into trouble was when I started taking the syrup form consistently at night for the Mono symptoms, which not only has twice the dosage per serving but also I would assume you absorb more since it's in liquid form.
It is a confusing thing for me because: Yes, I like to take it recreationally and Yes, it does help me medically. This drives me NUTS when I actually need to take it medically because I feel guilty about liking it. I have a huge tendency to over analyze everything in my life and totally freak myself out even at times where it's not necessarily needed or completely irrational. I usually end up just confusing/scaring the heck out of myself over nothing *doh* lol Not to say this is nothing, I do believe there was a dependency forming and I thank you guys for helping me to figure it out! It's time to step back from the hydrocodone for now and know to always use caution with this powerful substance.
So annnnyways, I hope that made some sense.
Meanwhile, hoping this mono clears up quick! I can't wait to get back to normal activities. Thanks again.
FLaddict, I agree with your take on it. I think where I got into trouble was when I started taking the syrup form consistently at night for the Mono symptoms, which not only has twice the dosage per serving but also I would assume you absorb more since it's in liquid form.
It is a confusing thing for me because: Yes, I like to take it recreationally and Yes, it does help me medically. This drives me NUTS when I actually need to take it medically because I feel guilty about liking it. I have a huge tendency to over analyze everything in my life and totally freak myself out even at times where it's not necessarily needed or completely irrational. I usually end up just confusing/scaring the heck out of myself over nothing *doh* lol Not to say this is nothing, I do believe there was a dependency forming and I thank you guys for helping me to figure it out! It's time to step back from the hydrocodone for now and know to always use caution with this powerful substance.
So annnnyways, I hope that made some sense.
Meanwhile, hoping this mono clears up quick! I can't wait to get back to normal activities. Thanks again.
Yeah I would just stay off if you already went a day... That little of a dosage can start to build tolerance.. and dependency... and eventually in some people addiction.. You don't want to go down that road.. Sounds like you were using it pretty responsibly prior to needing it as frequently.. Take some time off of it and try some other types of stuff for your RLS..
ConfusedandConcerned, yeah me too, tell us how it goes but if your up late (like I am usually) and feeling bad, get in here and post and read and you will find the hrs ticking by.....plus it's nice when people actually respond quickly - even at 3 am in the morning - sometimes.....so anyway were here 4 you......
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I really do hope all works out for you, and if you need to talk, it's pretty much a sure thing that someone is hanging around the forum, regardless of what time it is...
I really do wish you luck. And everybody is different when it comes to getting off their DOC. Weaning, some can do. C/T is the only option for others. I think that's the only method that works for me. Tapering requires a lot of willpower...so does quitting smoking, and dieting. Other things I tend to fail at.
The best thing to do, if you can, is wean. You will have minimal discomfort, and your body won't see it as too large of a shock. Although, you are on a relatively low dose, so it shouldn't be TOO bad either way. I guess it just depends on how your body operates.
I wish you luck!
The best thing to do, if you can, is wean. You will have minimal discomfort, and your body won't see it as too large of a shock. Although, you are on a relatively low dose, so it shouldn't be TOO bad either way. I guess it just depends on how your body operates.
I wish you luck!
Thanks! I've got one night under my belt, and really the insomnia is the worst part (not so bad in the grand scheme of things) so I'm gonna go ahead tonight and continue trying to go cold turkey and take Tylenol PM (gotta take the Tylenol for the Mono anyways) and try this homeopathic RLS stuff I got at Walgreens. Hopefully I can get some sleep! If I can get 7 hrs that would be enough for me to function tomorrow. If for whatever reason it doesn't work I'll have to reevaluate but I'm hoping for the best!! Thanks for the advice and kind words. :)
yes... insomnia and tummy problems are definitely symptoms of w/d...
if you can wean, great. alot of us can't do that - have it in the house without taking it. if you think that might be you, c/t might be a better option. it DOES suck, but it is certainly survivable...
i wihs you lots of luck with this...
be well,
mj
if you can wean, great. alot of us can't do that - have it in the house without taking it. if you think that might be you, c/t might be a better option. it DOES suck, but it is certainly survivable...
i wihs you lots of luck with this...
be well,
mj
Do y'all think the insomnia (and slight stomach discomfort) stems from withdrawal? If so should I cut down the dosage and ween off of it or would it be best at this point to just stop taking it? I'm a student and taking a rigerous Summer course. I missed class today because of lack of sleep, and every day counts when it's only a 4 week course.
I definitely do like the way it feels, no way to get around that. I used to use it strictly recreationally but since I've found that it helps RLS I now use it off and on for both. I would agree that I have become dependent.
There certainly are other meds for RLS, many which I've tried, but to no avail. I do continue to research the syndrome and search out alternate methods.
I appreciate the feedback.
There certainly are other meds for RLS, many which I've tried, but to no avail. I do continue to research the syndrome and search out alternate methods.
I appreciate the feedback.
i felt there was one thing really telling in your post - that the usual dose wasn't giving you the "happy" feeling it normally does. this leads me to believe you are not just taking this for pain/rls..
it seems to me you are at the very least dependant. if you don't want to be, aren't there other medications for rls?
good luck to you....
mj
it seems to me you are at the very least dependant. if you don't want to be, aren't there other medications for rls?
good luck to you....
mj
Well, I don't think it matters what doseage of hydros you are on, you can still become addicted/develop of tolerance. You would have to take more to get the same high, which I'm sure all of us have experienced. That may be something that is happening to you. I'm no expert, but I think that taking it for more than a few weeks, whether it's 2.5mg or 15 mg, you will develop a bit of "dependance" on it, and would feel a little under the weather if you stopped taking it daily.
I know if I take it for a week or so, and then don't, I have a hard time falling asleep. It only takes me a few days to get my sleep back on pattern....no where near where it was when I started taking them for pain, and then was taking them recreationally. Opiates are no fun, period is how I've come to deal with them.
I hope you are able to find the answers to your questions, and for your sake, I hope you're NOT addicted...or if you are, it will be something that you can easily get off of. Maybe try a homeopathic way of treating your RLS. I'm not really familiar with the disorder, so I don't really know what the options are, but I hope you find what's right for you.
I know if I take it for a week or so, and then don't, I have a hard time falling asleep. It only takes me a few days to get my sleep back on pattern....no where near where it was when I started taking them for pain, and then was taking them recreationally. Opiates are no fun, period is how I've come to deal with them.
I hope you are able to find the answers to your questions, and for your sake, I hope you're NOT addicted...or if you are, it will be something that you can easily get off of. Maybe try a homeopathic way of treating your RLS. I'm not really familiar with the disorder, so I don't really know what the options are, but I hope you find what's right for you.
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