Vicodin withdrawal symptoms...how long?

[ALreins]

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?

[AnGie_CheRie]

Remember ONE DAY AT A TIME, I am in a 12 step program of recovery (I chose AA)! I have been sober from an opiate addiction for almost 13 months...If I could do it YOU can!! I was taking upwards of 15, 30 mg tabs, 90 mg at a time, and 40 mg tabs of oxycontin 4 times a day! I have been on an 8 mg tab of suboxone for 13 months and I am safely being tappered off 1mg at a time over 16 weeks. Usually after a year they do this 1mg a month, however I am on such a low dose to begin with, mine is 1mg every two weeks.
Good luck to you... and remember you are NOT alone!!!

[AnGie_CheRie]

ONE DAY AT A TIME......~Peace

[AnGie_CheRie]

I have been in AA for almost 13 months...and THIS is the ONLY thing that helped me, I also took suboxone, I have Only ever needed one 8mg tab, and I am tapering off of this now too! Keep up the great work...remember two things 1. Yougottawannit and 2. ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!! ; )

[AnGie_CheRie]

My name is Angela and YES I am an ADDICT. I was prescribed opiate/narcotic painkillers for over 12 years. They were prescribed for a back problem and eventual surgery in 2004, but this was my crutch! I could have survived without them. On Saturday, Feb 19, 2011, I flushed over 200 30 mg tabs of oxycodone (each 30 was = to 6 percocets w/o tylenol) I also flushed over 100 oxcontin (40 mg) and over 50 tramadol (ultram) my hand did try to save one or two....but it was too late....that was the start to the road of recovery....I am THRILLED to report that I have been sober since then, Monday March 19th I will have 13 months of sobriety! However it was ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!
If you need help, or someone to speak to, don't hesitate!!!
Your friend ~AnGie

[roll_n]

I been takeing paint meds for years after Bing sober for 8 years. Bad ankel two opperations still hurts at times. I Have been tryn to stop for a long time now. Im now takeing suboxone for withdrawal now they tell me that i Have to taper off of this to. I feel all of your pain i been figjting this for years. The only thing that ever helped me was going to 12 step meetings.  Like AA and others out there. I know that GOD can help with this. Aré a higher power. What ever Work for u. Good luck and GOD bless

[jicky77]

Congratulations to you!  A great boost to your self esteem as well.