hydrocodone

I have been taking hydrocodone for nerve damage relating to a
cancer operation three years ago.  I took the last of my medication today and fear the withdrawls that I feel coming on.
What can I do to help ease the pain, dizzyness, and other symptoms that accompany the withdrawls? Thank You.

[brian]

You should speak with an addiction doctor who can provide medication to ease the withdrawal.  The best available is buprenorphine which is used briefly for a detox.  Other meds which aren't as helpful but will assist are clonidine (for the hot/cold) perhaps xanax or valium (for anxiety and sleep) or Klonipin (klonopin).  You also need to tell your doctor so you will not keep getting addicted.  If you have chronic pain, hydrocodone is not the best thing for you.  Perhaps you should go to a pain clinic.

[brian]

Your situation is somewhat unusual if your symptoms did not develop until 2 weeks after stopping the Ultram.  Were you taking any narcotic during those 2 weeks?  If not, your symptoms should have started within 24-36 hrs after stopping.  Most withdrawal symptoms (the acute ones) are over after 7-10 days, with some lingering symptoms lasting as long as a month in some people.  Sometimes the post-acute withdrawal depression can last for several months.  If you are not feeling better soon it is likely that you are not experiencing withdrawal but some other problem.

[connie]

I have only recently found this wonderful site.  About 8 months ago I had surgery on my wrist.  I had broken it and the Dr. mis read the exrays and had to have it re-broken and a plate put in.  I was given hydrocodone and neurontin.  Two months ago I broke my foot.  The Emergency room Dr. asked me if I needed pain pills.  I told him what I was taking, he said to double up on the hydrocone. Two days later I went in for gallbladder removal.  Everything went well.  I was still taking the hydorocone and neurontin. On my next appt. with the Bone Specialist I asked if I should still be taking the two.  He stopped the hydrocone, but gave me Ultram.  But I stopped taking them both about 3 weeks after my gallbladder surgery.  Two weeks later I awoke with severe stomach pains.  I couldn't sit, stand, or lay down.  I ended up in the emergency room. They gave me Demerol.  The next day went to my Dr.  He sent me out of town to a Gastro Specialist.  He ordered a Cat Scan, Blood tests, and stool specimen.  A week later I was told the Cat Scan and tests all showed nothing.  Well, that made me feel like a hypochondriac!  Now I am reading here about others that have the same symptoms:  stomach pains, hot and cold, unable to sleep, shakey (shaky) hands, etc..  So now I am wondering if all these symptoms are actually from stopping the Ultram and neurontin?  And if they are, how long can I expect them to last?  The sleepless nights and tingling, burning feet are the worst symptoms.  About 3 hours is the max I have been able to sleep, usually from about 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.  I have read almost all the posts on this, but can't find where anyone says how long these symptoms will last.  Would appreciate hearing from anyone.
I am really exasperated from going to the Dr.  Anymore it seems a person has to find out for themselves what they think they have, then tell the Dr.
Sorry for the long read, and thanks in advance.  Connie

[Kelly Govenstein]

Hi, I am researching this drug for A&P class and need to know the neurotransmitters affected by this drug. Also how one becomes dependant such as: Whether it's physiological or psychological? And the symptoms of withdrawels and treatment for the abuse of this drug. Also I need statistics on how often the drug is abused and who uses the drug. thank you

[nigel]

Several months ago I had a friend go to a Addictive Rocovery Center.  She had to do this to get on a liver transplant list.  I attended some meetings with her.  After her release from the Cente, we talked about the fact that she was "told" that she had to quit drinking or, esentially, die.  Hers, then, was a decision.  She has stopped drinking and, indeed, is no longer on a liver transplant list.  That's the up-side.  Within the last month my adult son told me he had become addicted to hydrocodone.  He was very forthrgiht about it and asked my assistance in finding a place for "de-tox".  I took him to the same Addictive Rocovery Center where my friend had gone.  My son tells me that, he too, has simply made a decision not to use prescription drugs (like hydroconone) because he knows what it can do to him.  My wife believes that "addicts" need some kind of help like NA or AA.  I certainly have no problem with those organizations, but isn't it true, that, in the end, you still have to make a decision.  I'd like to hear your responses as I worry a great deal about my son....who by the way still holds down a full time job, etc. etc..   Thanks

[Brian to Nigel]

Thank you for your post.  I too hold down a full time job as a professional.  Somehow I have maintained my job which is time consuming, stressful and high profile, despite my addiction.  You ask whether someone can simply say "no more" and be done with it.  Yes, I believe it is true, but I won't know until I meet that person.  Instead, the addicts I have met, hundreds of them, could not do that.  We all had to experience some sort of major life crisis, or simply get so sick of how we were living, to seek help.  Detoxing is easy, I've done it a million times.  I feel like ****, think my life is over, and then get through it.  The REALLY hard part is living life afterwards without drugs.  I spent years thinking I could do it all myself.  I'm smart, I knew I had a problem, so just don't take them I said to myself.  I would be fine for a few weeks or months and then a craving would hit me and I would start again.  Why, because this is a disease.  You can't fight it by simply realizing you have it.  It's like a cancer patient saying well now that I know I have it I don't need to treat it.  My advice is unless he is really ready to quit he will not.  If he has had no serious consequences from his addiction he WILL go back to the painkillers unless he is truly in recovery.  It sounds like from his statement he is in denial.  He sounds EXACTLY like me when I said the same thing to my girlfriend at the time of my first detox.  "I'm never going to go throught that again."  I should have videotaped myself saying it and played it to myself years later after numerous relapses, detoxes, etc.  Anyway, not much you can do except encourage him to try recovery activities (meetings, etc.).  If he isn't willing, he's going to have to learn the hard way like the rest of us.

[Brighty to Nigel]

I hope you or nobody else will be offended by my comments because I am not an addict. Like yourself, I am a parent of a young heroin  addict. I have spent the last 3 years of my daughter's addiction going to N/A meetings, her recovery programs, family counseling, Alanon, reading and participating on web sites, and being totally immersed in educating myself and trying to support my daughter. I agree with Brian who commented above on some of the items. Generally if an addict has not experienced some noteworthy consequence from using the drug they may not stop... because they are dealing with a substance so powerful that it alters normal judgement. If nothing bad were to happen to them then why would they quit? To answer your question, YES, a decision has to be made to quit but there is alot of follow up work after the decision. If I want to lose 20 pounds I have to do more than make a decision.. I have to make a diet and exercise plan to be successful. I need to leave certain things off my grocery list and have alot of conscious awareness when I go to lunch with the ladies from the office who are not dieting. If I have support like a weight watching program it helps too because I weigh in with others like my self and they share with me their ups and downs and I go home feeling more motivated. That's what N/A and A/A are about... support.. and keeping vigilance. For young single people these groups are good because they also offer fun activities free from the substances people are recovering from. If I were you I would seriously question any recovery program that does not recommend support and additional counseling as "aftercare". There is much more to recovery than just detoxing and being told how to stay drug free. For what it's worth, I personally DO know of a number of people who just quit and never went back to their chemical. A friend of my husband quit drinking about 15 years ago.. he never went to a meeting or a program. He just quit. His words were "I couldn't take the pain anymore." I have a relative who quit heroin 6 or 7 years ago. His family tossed him out... maybe that was it for him... no meetings, no rehab.. he was unstable for about a year after that. But he graduated college, got his masters and is a clean living, athletic professional now, with a family. So it can happen. Everyone is different. Some people say that addicts who don't go to meetings forever will likely relapse. It's hard to say since I don't think anyone is keeping data on persons who never went to meetings :-)) But the fact is.. help is there and it's got an admirable success rate. I personally think that some people are addicted because of medical reasons and are already established in life with a value system and lots of responsibilities, like being a parent and a bread winner. They have already developed judgement. Maybe they have a stable foundation and much to lose so they are already motivated to quit and pull things together. But for the younger people who are not yet used to a strong structure in their lives and are constantly bombarded by the drug culture that is ever present in their lives, a support system is essential. If your son falls into this category, offer to go with him and learn all you can. You don't know what you don't know. Good luck.

[Brian to Brighty]

Brighty I never tire of reading your words of wisdom.  For someone who is not an addict you really are in touch with this disease.  I wish all addicts had a parent as caring and informed as you.  I hope all is well with your daughter and thank you for caring about the rest of us!  Brian

[Brighty to Brian]

Brian, many nights I cry myself to sleep. I need all of you for support very very much. You are my teachers. Not being an addict does not guarantee anyone a pain free life. My daughter is in a very structured program now and the deep therapies such as trauma groups and role play situations where rage and shame are released have been very helpful to her. Unfortunately the insurance will run out sooner or later and she will face the world again. Your kindness comes to me at a time when I really needed it. Blessings to you. Brighty

[Brian to Brighty]

It sounds like your daughter is in a great program.  You are so right about life being painful even if you aren't an addict.  The key for us addicts to remember is that life is painful at times and that you don't need to block or suppress that pain with drugs.  Better to experience it, deal with it and let it help you grow as a person.  I've done more personal growth in the last few years than all the others combined.  I used to use my emotional pain as an excuse to use drugs.  Not having to do that any more is a huge relief.  I know your daughter will get there.  There may be ups and downs with her recovery (as with most things in life).  With her family support she has a great chance of success.  Best wishes, Brian

[Brighty to Brian]

Brian.. your words are so positive and encouraging. You are living proof that people can turn their lives around and put the agony and suffering where it belongs.. behind them. Your role here is very important. Here's a cyber hug for you !!!{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}Love, Brighty

[Brian to Brighty]

Thanks, I needed that!!  Brian

[jennifer]

Here one for you,I need help!!! I  have been taking Vicodin for approx. 6 years,I want to get off of them but I cant!!! I have tried several times. My symptoms keep me coming back for more. I want to get off of them by myself because I do not want anybody to know. I work at a hospital,and this would be very bad. I have a doctor in another town I know would order me a prescription to get off of them,but I dont know what medication to ask for. Here are my symptoms.I take about 10 - 15 per day (7.5 mg),usually every 3 hours. When I wake up or in the middle of the night,I'm woke up with a anxiety feeling,and body aches, headaches. I've tried to do it on my own with ativan or xanax,it curbs the feeling for a while but then I go into a anxiety attack. I really want off of these so could you please help with suggestions...................

[Phyllis - reply to Jennifer]

Jennifer - I took 10-14 Lortab (Lortab = 10mg of Hydrocodone) daily for over 10 years.  I too, work in a Hospital.  I also wanted no one to know, not family, and especially not my employer or co-workers.  It took me hitting rock bottom to get help.  I asked a dear physician friend of mine who is a Pain Management specialist to help me get over this terrible addiction.  (I took vacation time off and detoxed at home).  He prescriped Klonipin (klonopin) for me in tapering dosages over a 7-10 day period.  I took Immodium AD for my upset stomach.  (The stomach problems lingered for about 2-3 weeks after I had detoxed, but I did NOT have pain, and the Immodium AD helped until that period passed).  The Klonipin (klonopin) took away ALL of the muscle aches during the detox period. (I was really dreading the muscle aches since I had experienced them many, many times before when I would try to go "cold turkey" off the drug).  I suffered NO anxiety with the Klonipin (klonopin).  

I had always resisted going into a "Rehab" facility - not that I was different, or God forbid "better" in some way than the people there, but for some reason I just couldn't do it.  Maybe because I'm in the medical field, and no matter how big the town, people ALWAYS find out about where and what you've been doing - despite the "patient confidentiality" stuff.

This worked for me, (detox at home) but then everyone is different Jennifer, and this may not be the right way for you.  Everyone has different medical problems in addition to their addiction, such as high blood pressure, etc.  

I pray you can find a really GOOD doctor, who is knowledgable in addiction, pain meds, etc.  Once I got clean, I felt so much better that the mental aspect of my addiction (for some reason) was easier to deal with than I ever expected.  If I have a weak moment, I think back to how miserable I was before I got off the drug and that helps me.

Good luck to you, I pray you find the best way to overcome this situation.  Don't give up!  You can do it!

[Pamela]

What is the long term effect of codeine?

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Physical dependence, potential psychological dependence, possible liver toxicity (because it is usually combined with acetaminophen, which at high levels is toxic).  There are also potential side effects which are mainly gastrointestinal.

[Pamela]

What is the long term effect of codeine?

[B.O.A.]

I guess I am addicted to a few things but I try to keep my self buisy but I always find my self suporting my bad habitts.  Whenever I am on something I am on top of the world. When I come  down I feel the opposite and can only do more to ease the pain.  I go to drug counseling but I still find my self wanting to get mestup on something no matter what the consequences. Somehow I would like to control all my bad habitts so I can spend my money on other more important things. It doesnt bother me too much to stay solber for a week or two but eventually I find my self doing it again. I feel like I am digging my self into a deep hole. Everyday I look to help myself out and hopefully stay out.

[colleen jarvis]

i abused prescription opiates for 11 years, i hit many bottoms and lost more in that 11 year period then the typical "wino" on a new york city street corner.

[Colleen]

Hi, I am also very addicted to lorcets i take them every day and i am only 19 years old. I know what you are going threw. I have to have them the minute i wake i have to have at least 3 pills just to get the day started. When i do not have any pills i go through very bad withdrawals muscle spasms, stomach cramps, pain throughout my entire body, diaharrea and many others. I do have a few tips that helped. For muscle spasms take a bath and make the water as hot as you can take it, for insomnia i usually take a sleeping pill beleive me nothing helps and i'm still trying to fiqure out how to get away from hydrocodone myself. If you have any tips please let me know you can e-mail me at ***@**** Thank You