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Vicodin withdrawal symptoms...how long?

I am a 40 yr old male and I have been taking 2-4 Vicodin a day for the past three years. A medical doctor prescribed it for me after it was discovered I suffered bone degeneration in my lower 2 disk vertebrea. At the time I thought little of taking a prescription painkiller. Now after my first 6 days of no longer taking Vicodin I am realizing how powerful of a substance it actually is. I'm having withdrawal symptoms I didn't expect. Light headedness, the runs, blood pressure going up, and general fatigue. Lots of fatigue. And some irritability. I am hoping that these symptoms begin to decrease soon. Well, they have gotten better than it was in the first 2 days. I am still wondering how long I can expect to have these side effects of withdrawal?
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Avatar universal
Pain pills take 2-3 days to get out your system for a drug test but if you have a script from your doctor just show your job you will be fine
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Avatar universal
I'll gladly adopt your monkey.
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18581475 tn?1466016439
Hello Michael. And yes to your question. Your gut is healing itself from the drug that you have been taking for quite some time. You have to give it a little bit of time and it sure will start to get back to normal. Use this regimen as it will help you to detox faster. Start taking natural Turmeric at two tablespoons a day with water or milk as it will progress your symptoms and drink yellow lemon water with a pinch of olive oil as well on a regular basis Michael. Trust me. It will help. Just make sure you are not allergic to any of these before taking and if you like to ask your Doctor just in case you will feel better about it. I hope you feel better and thank you for reading my comment. Have a blissful Day Michael.
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Avatar universal
I am 69 year old male. I have been on vicodin for about two years. I started taking 1 per day in the morning. I am now taking 3 to 4 per day 5/325. My issue is muscle pain. I am going to quite this drug tommorrow. I have 4 pills left and will not be able to fill my script for 10 days. I know that with Gods help I will be successful. Any information on what I can expect withdrawal wise.  
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Avatar universal
I have had lower back pain and my first surgery was in 2004, they put a cage in my L5 S1. I was okay foe a wile and then I began to have pain again. Leg went numb etc. I tried everything out there to ease the pain and nothing worked. I went years of taking small amounts of Vicodin. In 2013 after increasing the dosage several times I had more test run and surgeon told me me I had a bone spur impinging on a nerve on my right side. I had sugery to have it removed and after two weeks of being home I kept experiencing excessive pain in my arm. I called Dr. And they gave me steroids. That did nothin. They did an MRI in my cervical and discovered I had a herniation in my C6. Lucky me, I went in 6 weeks after the first surgery and had the c6 fixed.  My cervical has been okay but my right side lumbar never has.

In 2015 I went to a very prominent surgeon and took all of my records. He said there were several issues with the L5 S1 and felt very confident he could help me.  I had surgery in March of 2015.  Unfortunately I have the same pain and I recently found out the fusion did not take on the right side. The surgery was aggressive; I had  plate, 2 rods and 2 acres put in my lumbar spine. I wonder that the hardware is holding onto if there is no bone there.

When the doctor did the surgery he removed a large amount of scar tissue off my nerves on the right side, unfortunately I had leg pain within 2 weeks. This could mean permanent nerve damage.  

I a am currently prescribes Vicodin 7.5 2 tablets four times a day. I do nor tKe that much. I try to only take what I need. I recently got married and my husband is very upset about me taking this medicine because I am tired all the time. I have had to step down from my job and I feel like my life is falling apart. Dr. Says I will have to have another surgery and they are rally booked.  I want to go off the Vicodin altogether and just take the pain.i am tired of people telling me about pain meds and I'm tired of being tired. I don't want to lose my husband and I don't know where to start. I'm almost ready to just give up!
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Avatar universal
I was on violin close to two years but went off violin cold turkey nine weeks ago.  I only used it for migraine headaches until I started getting sick from violin. My body couldn't handle the drug any more so I stopped using it 9 weeks ago the only problem I am having right n ow is anxiety and not sleeping at night does anyone know how long this will last  I also get light headed from the lack of sleep. Other wise I think I'm doing ok being off . Please send me your comments to my email address.  ***@****  Thanks for your help
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Avatar universal
Your definitely not alone. I to have been on these damn things for 4 years for pain from being so obese and then I had gastric bypass surgery have lost a ton of weight and have had plastics surgeries for skin removal. Still in pain from having been so heavy....buttt!
I wish I could find something to help with the withdrawals. I'm going to quit, try again!
They are crazy addictive! I had no idea that it could be so bad. I didn't believe people when they told me it'd be this awful to quit.  When I take them I can function. When I don't I can't. I have nearly quit several times, then my refill comes up and I just want to feel normal again. I hate the diahrea! The flu like symptoms the lack of energy and motivation. Its all such a nightmare.
Just day two for me....I have to find work too! How am I going to do that when I can't even stop going to the bathroom or shaking!!!! My head hurts and it feels lie I have a fever....Lord help us!
I have a family I need to help support.
Your not alone, not by any means.
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Avatar universal
I'm a drug counselor and 10years clean.That is the best analogy I have heard yet. I plan to quote you a lot. (The juice isn't worth the squeeze). That was real good thanks. I love hearing success stories, and I am really partial to hearing how recent abusers look back at active use. This is for newbies to clean and sober. "It truly helps to clean by helping others to make that commitment. You have a recent memory of the real "HELL' it is. and speak in a way that active users understand. Thank you
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Avatar universal
This may help you there is a miracle drug to get off them called suboxin not sure of spelling my cousin was taking up to 6 Norco 10/ at a time soboxin saved his life try it it takes away the cravings and keeps you drug free.
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Avatar universal
I have been on vicodin for 5 years or more..hmm cant remeber..I sudden started getting nerve pain shooting through my body a stiff neck and body started getting very stiff especially fingers painful!!!!!!!needless to say at this point im not sure if i am sick or its the vicodin the sick part is I cant stopwithout help i get up and say int the morning i am not taking them and 1 hour if that later there I go popping 1 then 2 so is the vics causing this brain nervous system pain is my mylin sheathe gone i feel like i am not going to be able to move any part of my body soon i went to er and the shot me with dilaudid and right before i left I stared feeling weird .. half way home i starte with bad tremors lasted 20 mins i was o scared thought i was having a seizure I think time is up my body cant handle thesse drugs any more im scared i will die can anyone give me any advice on how to stop ? im scared i will have seizure or something i need help but every detox center does not have medical people in it and the ones that do dont take my ins.. im screwed!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Of all the remedies here, I am encouraged by your post. I am a professional person with an awesome life. I have always enjoyed the high from an occasional vicodin. All the energy to do the mundane things with gusto. Since July I have been taking 3-6 10 mgs a day. I am scared and need to stop.
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9880688 tn?1414115647
This is a very old thread.  Please go to top of page and click on "ask a question".  You will get a lot more responses that way :-)
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Avatar universal
moist warm heat will help your back and if you follow these steps I promise you will feel better. Nothing can cure it but this will help I promise. step 1 turn heating pad to med to high. step 2. have your have  your husband get a small hand towel wet, wring it out and put in in the microwave for about a minute and half. step 3. Then lay on the bed on your stomach (get as comfortable as you can) then WITH a t shirt on have him lay the hot (as you can stand it towel on your back, Then cover it with a dry towel then cover that with a plastic bag, IE:  a trash bag (this will keep the heat in then cover that with a bigger towel and lay there for about 20 min. If you do this twice a day for a week I PROMISE !!! YOU WILL FEEL 100% BETTER  This will not cure you but it DOES work. Somebody told me this along time ago and I tried it and to this day I thank him every chance I get. He said his wife would just put the towel in the microwave about every 5 min or so when it got cold so I came up with the heating pad Idea. Because of the pain in the but of re heating and applying. you can buy a moist heating pad IT IS NOT AS GOOD AS AN OLD FASHIONED HEATING PAD. they don't get as hot. Please Please try this I promise it will help and you will notice a difference in the way your back feels in the first day I probably wont be looking at this site again but let mw know if this helps   ***@****

Bill  
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Avatar universal
I NEED HELP TO HELP MY MOTHER.  She has had two total hip replacements in the last ten month and was put on Hydrocodone 7.5/325 after her first surgery in October.  She had some stomach issues in between caused by stress and anxiety that delayed her last hip replacement until May.  She got up to taking 12  7.5/325 pills a day because her body kept getting more tolerant to the medication.  On July 22 she checked herself into a Detox Clinic to get off the hydrocodone after not being able to tapper off her medication by 1 pill every two weeks (she just ended up buy some off of a friend to keep her dose at 12 pill a day).  She has now been off the Hydrocodone for almost a month but she still says she's in withdrawal.  Anyway, the point is she still wakes up shaking in the morning (not her norm), prickling burning skin, high heart rate (though blood pressure is norm), stomach problems (not sure if it's the same thing as before because of stress or part of withdrawals) and sits in her bed all day.  The doctors have her on Clonidine, Buspar, Atarax, and Cymbalta to help.  She's always had HIGH ANXIETY.  I'm just wondering if there is anything else that might help.  I can't get her out of bed... believe me, I've tried.  She'd very depressed, and keeps talking about how this is going to be the end of her and that it'll never get better.  PLEASE HELP!   I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I CAN DO!!!  I stayed with my parents for 5 months (March 10 - Aug 10) but I finally had to go back home to my husband because that long of an absence was starting to cause problems in our marriage not to mention that my mother was driving me nuts (that's normal for us).  I just want to help her in some way.  ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
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Avatar universal
yes
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Avatar universal
Can someoneplease help me- I just found out my son has been stealing my vicodin-----I am a chronic pain patient and am prescribed 7.5 s.   3xday......but I only take one a day at most.......6das ago he stole between 70-100 of mine and after a series of discussions finally admitted it......here is the next problem.....I told him I wanted them back.....and he tells me that he as taken them all......I mean seriously  is that even possible ?   I know he is not selling them.....but could he take that many in 6 days and not overdose?   Thanx,
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Avatar universal
Can someoneplease help me- I just found out my son has been stealing my vicodin-----I am a chronic pain patient and am prescribed 7.5 s.   3xday......but I only take one a day at most.......6das ago he stole between 70-100 of mine and after a series of discussions finally admitted it......here is the next problem.....I told him I wanted them back.....and he tells me that he as taken them all......I mean seriously  is that even possible ?   I know he is not selling them.....but could he take that many in 6 days and not overdose?   Thanx,
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Due to back pain and a partial torn tendon in an ankle from a fall on ice in March, I have been taking Vicodin for almost 3 months.  Unlike many people reporting on this site, the most I had ever taken was 4 a day and that was in early March.  After I got a steroid injection in my back, that pain went away and around the middle of March I started taking 2 a day from then on.

Two days ago my foot doctor said I can “resume normal activities”, like walking.  And I stupidly stopped taking the Vicodin cold turkey.  

I am having some withdrawal symptoms, mostly insomnia, runny nose, and total exhaustion...although the later could be from not being able to do any physical activity for 3 months.
  
Would it make any sense to take 1 or perhaps 1/2 a Vicodin a day for a few days, to help minimize the withdrawal effects?
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Avatar universal
Been taking Vicodin off an on for two years now at 1/ 2 a day and seems to be getting to be a problem. I'm getting bad mood swings , irritable, cramps, sweats, cant sleep. It seems the more I take the more irritable I get instead of mellowing me out. My sweet wife dose not know what to think of it and I"m afraid to tell her of the Vicodin I'm on. I thought the more you took the better you feel but with me the more I take the more irritable I get. Thinking about going some wear an drying out for a week away from my wife. Is this advisable???
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Avatar universal
Has anyone had sharp pains in there legs and chest.withdrawing from Vic or Norco i only been using this for 5 months but i just want to stop it. Ive been withdrawing for 3 days now..2 days ago i started having like theses slight pains in my like lower right middle of the chest muscle so it not like the center of my chest (kinda close though )...its just weird like it feels like a pinched nerve and its not constant. then yesterday i felt the exact sharpness in my right thigh. I do walk 3-5 miles a day. I'm 48, and well im thinking its just withdrawals, but im having all the symptoms everyone's describing-- chills, sneezing, tired but cant sleep, nervousness..and with me suffering from PSTD the anxiety-- at times is unbearable. SO i have 8 .25 Xanax and i was wondering if i should try weening myself off with those and mb some Motrin. Im poor so rehab and all that is out the question..and i don't/cant get anymore Vics are Norco's..well Friday supposedly but Im going to pass..i know i haven't been taking it long just 5 months @ 1 a day 750's but my body is very sensitive to any medications,,why i have been on .25 Xanax on and off since 1996 BAD P.T.S.D. and i never abused them ik its strange to say that. just 1 a day but really mb 1-3 a week is what i was taking.(they were prescribed 3 a day are as needed) BUT as of the last 2 years i really haven't taken allot of Xanax then i got my finger bit by a dog and started the Norco which led to Vic's/ I know the obvious thing is go to the ER and get the pain's mentioned above checked out..thing is im broke and the VA is just a joke to get into. I guess im curious if anyone else has had this symptoms i described. It would help with the anxiety level worrying about it. I just have to kick this though Norco and Vicodin scare the hell out of me. I got to the point i had to have one in the morning to finish out work and have some energy after i got off. That's Scary. I have to kick these Bastards. Thanks for any comments..Gods Speed.
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Avatar universal
Has anyone had sharp pains in there legs and chest.withdrawing from Vic or Norco i only been using this for 5 months but i just want to stop it. Ive been withdrawing for 3 days now..2 days ago i started having like theses slight pains in my like lower right middle of the chest muscle so it not like the center of my chest (kinda close though )...its just weird like it feels like a pinched nerve and its not constant. then yesterday i felt the exact sharpness in my right thigh. I do walk 3-5 miles a day. I'm 48, and well im thinking its just withdrawals, but im having all the symptoms everyone's describing-- chills, sneezing, tired but cant sleep, nervousness..and with me suffering from PSTD the anxiety-- at times is unbearable. SO i have 8 .25 Xanax and i was wondering if i should try weening myself off with those and mb some Motrin. Im poor so rehab and all that is out the question..and i don't/cant get anymore Vics are Norco's..well Friday supposedly but Im going to pass..i know i haven't been taking it long just 5 months @ 1 a day 750's but my body is very sensitive to any medications,,why i have been on .25 Xanax on and off since 1996 BAD P.T.S.D. and i never abused them ik its strange to say that. just 1 a day but really mb 1-3 a week is what i was taking.(they were prescribed 3 a day are as needed) BUT as of the last 2 years i really haven't taken allot of Xanax then i got my finger bit by a dog and started the Norco which led to Vic's/ I know the obvious thing is go to the ER and get the pain's mentioned above checked out..thing is im broke and the VA is just a joke to get into. I guess im curious if anyone else has had this symptoms i described. It would help with the anxiety level worrying about it. I just have to kick this though Norco and Vicodin scare the hell out of me. I got to the point i had to have one in the morning to finish out work and have some energy after i got off. That's Scary. I have to kick these Bastards. Thanks for any comments..Gods Speed.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The ONLY way I can get off Vicodin .. This works, but be ready to be determined and ready to do it and stick to it and it won't be that bad.
Three things you need to do simultaneously:
1) Taper
2) Diet
3) Exercise ~ or just keep moving

TAPERING:
Don't try to be a hero; this is more than being tough minded.  You need a plan.  Here is a good formula:  Reduce by 10% daily; 20% every 3-5 days and then 25% every week. This should be done in about a four (4) week period.

Personal experience:  You can't keep the bottle handy to grab one or bite a chip off of anytime you get an urge.  Decide what you are going to allow yourself for the day, take that many out of the bottle and bring with you and put the bottle up!  far away in a drawer somewhere.   Now manage your dose for the day.  You can do this.  You are in control now over them, not vice versa ;)
When you get comfortable for a day at that dose, you need to give a little push and reduce down the next day.  Try to stay feeling just a little low but still ok to function.  You'll be happy to be getting some of your senses back already.  

DIET:
What you eat is HUGE!!  Did I say HUGE???!    Doing a No-Four No-Sugar diet is going to make you feel great by itself, if possible.  Suggestions: I have whey protein 1st thing in the morning with water.  Mix in small amount of water and then drink water for the next hour.  I then try to have eggs.  Skip the cheese, it will make you feel lousy!  Skip bread or have 1 slice of whole wheat + fruit.  Strawberries, blueberries, oranges.  Also, Plain Greek yogurt or vanilla ~ in the big containers with 20 grams of protein ~ is great to mix frozen blueberries or strawberries with.  I find raw broccoli in ranch dip for a snack to the be the best.  I think the folic acid really helps because I can tell when I don't have it.  Lean meat and veggies for dinner.  Skip the junk. It is so counterproductive!  Eating junk will just make you feel sluggish and you will think you need a Vicodin to feel better. The good thing about being a little low for me is that I can control what I eat more and plan meals better.

EXERCISE:
This is just a big as the first 2 on the list if not the most important!  You have to keep moving.  Clean your house, clean your yard, ride your bike, go for a walk.  Make yourself get up and just move and you will feel so much better.  

Actually, there is a 4th that is super important to me and the first thing I started with ...

PRAY:
God gave me the strength, knowledge, & peace to do what I need to do.
He will do it for you too ;)
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Avatar universal
What about all the mental effects? My sweet , kind boyfriend has turned into some kind of angry monster. He is very snappy. I can't say anything right. He wants to argue about stupid things. And worst of all, has threatened to help my ex husbands attorney with a case against me. Then he turns around and says "you know I would never do that". Who is this person I am dealing with???? Is that the true him or is it the pills talking.??!!
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Avatar universal
I have a person I know who, I think, is addicted to vicodin.  She's a very smart women too.  

I am very educated and have been to rehab but not for pills.   I was court ordered by a Judge for an OWI probation charge that was dismissed because I did my rehab requirements.

It's very expensive to go to rehab but they have AA (alcohol anonymous) and NA (narcotics anonymous) meetings at rehab clinics for free.  I would suggest going to these meetings that are run by professional medical people and can give you the best advice.

Good Luck.  
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