Hydrocodone

Hey Guys,

I'm not actually addicted to Hydrocodone, but I am worried. I do not want to become addicted. I have chronic migraines, they sometimes will get so bad that I cannot function properly and do everyday activities, I have had them my entire life. My doctor recently prescribed me 7.5 mg Hydrocodone tablets (with 200 mg ibuprofen). Having read this website and many others like it...I am pretty worried....I wouldn't be taking any more than 1 pill a day at the most...I wouldn't allow myself too, I would be too scared...I am just not a big medications guy...I don't like taking them...Can any of you give me some sort of advice on how not to become addicted? Also, how addictive is it?

Appreciate it,
Jim

[wait2long]

Vicoprofen is very addictive, it was one of my first drugs prescribed to me for foot pain, it was MY start to addiction.
but if taken properly, NEVER deviate from what the prescription says, never take more, never spike your dose, take as prescribed or less like you suggested, then you shouldnt have any problems, but do keep in mind, a lot of us here got started this way by taking them as prescribed, eventually they dont work as well so you start to take more and well that can lead to addiction rather quickly.
my advice is to find an alternative...i used to have migraines also, tylox was the answer for that one, another addictive drug, but it never worked once the migraine hit...coffee worked better...LOL!
imitrex is another option for migraines...i wouldnt take vicoprofen for migraines, you could end up with rebound migraines or headaches from the vicoprofen. another option would be your BEST bet...
GOOD LUCK!

[Ghilly]

Hi Jim.  :)
If your migraines are that debilitating, I agree with wait2long that a drug that is specifically FOR migraines would be the way to go, rather than a narcotic that could lead to other problems for you.

I used to deal with migraines before my neck surgery, I can't imagine how awful it must be for you having to deal with them for your entire life!  Have you tried all of the other routes to getting to the cause of the problem?  Before they discovered that my migraines were being caused by nerves being pinched off by herniated discs, they had me keeping journals of everything I did, everything I ate, what the weather was like, etc., looking for what triggered the migraines.  It's exhausting work, but sometimes there is a breakthrough and you are able to isolate the actual cause of the headaches and eliminate it from your life.  

In any case, if the Vicodins work, I would limit taking them to the times when you absolutely cannot stand the pain any longer.  Occasional use is probably not going to lead to addiction.  You won't build up enough of the drug in your system to get addicted to it.  But if you find yourself taking them every day it could definitely lead to a problem.

Ghilly

[Missy31]

I have migraines and I have immitrex which works well. I would definatly try a different med because those pills can get cha before you know it. One day just that 1 won't be enough and then your in a battle that isn't easy, is winable but hard. Just reconsider your options maybe get a second opinion. Best of luck to ya.

[Jim1985]

Hey Guys,

I really am happy to have so many supportive and informative responses, I really appreciate it. Yeah, my neurologist prescribed me Hydrocodone for abortive use on my migraines and I am taking Notriptyline (30 mg) for preventative migraine use. I want to try Immitrex because many people have told it works well. But my doctor assured me nortriptyline would work starting me at 10 mg and now i'm up to 30 mg...it is not even a triptan it is actually an antidepressant..which I don't need...So I absolutely agree with all of you and I think my best course of action would be a month from now at my next appointment I should tell my doctor to give me something less addictive..because I am worried about going down that path.

Thank you guys so much for responding with so much thought and consideration.
My heart goes out to you all.
-Jim

[MizDemeanor]

Jim
I started with 5 mg lortabs for pain 2 years ago. When I found this forum about 6 weeks ago, I was up to 10 - 12 10 mgs of lortab or percocet (whichever I could get) I am a professional woman in my 40's with a teenage son. I NEVER expected to become addicted to a prescription drug.
If there is ANY other med that works, I would suggest that you TRASH the narcotics. It's very insidious and dangerous. Im not saying it cant work if you take them correctly but the problem generally is tolerance. It builds and then you HAVE to take more for relief over a period of time.
We welcome you and hope that you dont ever become addicted. Very good forethought on your part to check first. I cannot tell you how much I wish I had known before I almost lost everything.
Thank goodness for this forum and the people here! Good luck to you Jim.
Peace.

[house1]

There is a very simple test to find out if your addicted.
Stop taking them for a week, can you?

[Jim1985]

I am not worried that I am addicted yet. If you are talking about the Nortrityline, that is not a pain killer, it is some sort of antidepressant and I don't see it doing anything for me and I know I am not addicted to that because I am finding it to be a bother to simply take it daily...I think I will just end up not taking the Hydrocodone though and either have my doctor find an alternative or find an alternative doctor.

Thanks alot,
Jim