vicodin

[jbase]

I have read everyone that has written in about withdraws from vicodin, but most of them have not been on them for years.  My husband has been taking vicodin for about 4-5 years taking anywhere from 4-6 a day depending on his pain. He has terrible knee pain and without it he is unable to function with his job.  He is only 38 years old and just found out a couple of months ago that he has the knees of an 88 year old man!!!  so, we are waiting so he can get
2 total knee replacements. since he has been on it so long will the withdraws be twice as long and hard, or is it
just a basic time frame.

thanks

[D30]

That is what I took and for the same reason. The withdrawls will last for about 72 hours for the physical. The mental varies from person to person.  I quit on a Friday and was back to work on Tuesday, no problem. The physical withdrawls suck suck suck suck.

[Florida_Guy737]

Hi...your post is interesting to me since I also have knee issues that led to pain meds.  My physician started me with hydro and then elevated to percs and patches (50mg).  My left knee broke while I was running (exercising) almost 6 years ago.  Since that time, I checked orthos, had surgery, rehab, etc and medical pros wanted to do a complete knee replacement...I was in my late 30s and frankly said no way...way to young and the knee would have to be replaced again later.

Through the help of this forum, exercise and I really mean exercise, I was able to build my muscles supporting me knees and rid myself of the pain.  I became familiar with the Amino Protocols and read all the info on PAWS.  The forum is great and keep you on track (or your hub) during the recovery period.  

One last quick note...when I was on pain meds and not exercising, I took literally 30 minutes each morning to get the stiffness out of my knees and that was after taking pain meds.  Being off meds and having a strong body again has really brought the 'quality' of life back again.

PM me if you want 2 speak more...

Good Luck

G

[christos24]

the wd's are going to be abd but not going to be twice as bad, after taking it for mroe tahn two years its going to be as abd as its going tog et..itsmostly mental..the good thing is that hydrocodone(vicodin) is a medium potency opioid so it wont be as bad as some others out there. it is manageable especially if you guys come up with a taper plan will allow him to get completely off and have only minor discomfort...no matter what opiate was taken whether it be hydromorphone, hydorcodone, oxycodone, heroin, moprinh, oxymorphone, the wd's symptoms are different for everyone but basically consist of exactly a range os theses effects for around 5-7 days-:lacrimation, rhinorrhea, sneezing, yawning, excessive perspiration, goose-flesh, fever, chilliness
alternating with flushing, restlessness, irritability, weakness, anxiety, depression, dilated pupils, tremors, tachycardia, abdominal cramps, body aches, involuntary twitching and kicking movements(almost restless leg's syndrome), anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal spasms, and weight loss. diferent effects vary in severity from perosn to person. i got it worse in my legs below the knee where my girlfrinend had it worse in her upper body, everyone has a different chemsitry make-up so tis all different...after days 3-4 it will lighten up every day thereafter...so thats the time to really start looking up...i definitely am an advocate in tapering down the dose of opiate as low as you can possibly get before getting fully off, and then planning out a detox tog et off with some aids that are available, some OTC and some that are needed to be prescribed by a doctor, but easily obtainable, and then they are free from the demon that controls your entire life and destroys everything in its path, i ish you both the best, stay supportive ans strong, tis the best decision that they could have ever made..getting your life back andbeing able toa ctually live it is amazing...-christos

[bluespence]

why is he wanting to get off it right now? shouldn'the wait until he has the surgery?? just curious about the timing

[kksmama]

well i took about 20 or so a day for almost 2 years SOLID.  And yeah the withdrawals are not pretty.  this is my 7th day clean and though i feel much better, its still hard to function at my usual pace. Good luck