Long term side effects of Vicodin?

Ive been using Vicodin/Lortabs for the past 5 yrs now, nearly every other day. Needless to say, Im addicted to the damn things. Just recently, the past 6 months or so, Ive been having sharp chest pains and trouble breathing. I feel an intense amount of pressure around my heart in the direct center of my chest, running up and down the sternum. They go away if I lay off of the medication for a week or so, but I get them back every time I take them, and they gradually keep getting worse. I went to go get my heart checked out thinking that it was something to do with that, but according to the tests my heart is healthy and functioning.

Could the long term use of pain medication be causing this pressure in my chest, and what is the pressure?

[worried878]

possibly anxiety?  might be time to stop the narcotics..what were u thinking?

[Ronnie152]

If you can stop for a week, why not stop for good? Talk to your dr. let them know what you are going through, they can help you. You are concerned about your chest and not your pill in take? You should take some time and read other posts on here and u will see. Do you want to stop them? Hope you do, everyone here is great and will help u through it. Keep posting and krrp reading. Take care and good luck!

[noopy23]

I would guess anxiety? Do u also get a stuck feeling in your chest like its hard to breath or u have to burb and u cant? This happened to me also, doctor thought was related to panic disorder or anxiety. If u went a whole week without the pills I would try to quit once and for all. its not easy but definatly doable. Best wishes. Kim