vicodin/hydrocodone addiction

[taz]

For the past several months, my mother has been "in recovery" from neck surgery.  The pain medication her doctor prescribed was vicodin & soma.  Since the surgery, her pain has not subsided, despite increased doses of her medication.  Five months afer her surgery, soma was cut out of her medication as she began experiencing nausea and vomiting.  At present, she takes 350 mg of vicodin three to four times per day, yet continues to complain of excruciating pain in her neck, (worse than the initial pain following her surgery).  She is listless, defensive and agitated, but occasionally shows bursts of energy.  I have read articles that say you cannot become addicted to pain medication if you using them for pain, and I have read articles that say otherwise.  Clearly this is a very delicate subject, and the nagging question is how to address the addiction (if there is an addiction) without minimizing the pain (if there is pain which requires medication).

[tom]

taz, 350 mg 3-4 times a day must be wrong. One Vic is 5 mg.

[teri]

I tend to agree that even when used with real pain, you can become chemicaly dependent.  I should know it happend to me.  What is even harder is that when you relize that you are addicted to this medication you become so scared of the withdrawals.  Your mother needs to speak with her doctor about other pain control medication, although the best if the bunch are opiates.  God bless.

Teri

[brian]

First, there is no way she is taking 350mg 3-4 times a day.  That would be approximately 210-280 Vicodin per day.  I dare say she would be dead, if not from the hydrocodone, certainly from liver failure.  Second, almost all people who take painkillers will, over time, become physically tolerant, requiring increasing amounts to have the same effect.  Although studies seem to indicate that addiction is rare when there is true chronic pain, go to www.prescriptionabuse.org and see what many others say.  Finally, if pain is truly severe and chronic, painkillers may be the only option and addiction may be an unhappy but necessary result.  It seems to me however that your mother needs to have the cause of the pain properly addressed.

[Kristen]

I can not get off vicodin and i need to know if my shrink can presribe something to wean me off of them?

[Brian to Kristen]

If by "shrink" you mean psychiatrist, the answer is yes.  Read the postings below which will tell you what meds help.  If your shrink is not well versed in addictions, you may need to find an addiction medicine specialist.

[jennifer]

I am addicted to Vicodin. I ran out two days ago and do not have access to more. I feel like I have the flu. I started taking them last summer off and on. I suffer from anxiety and depression and they made me feel better. Unfortunatly they were my husbands. A couple of months ago he had all 4 wisdom teeth removed and got some more.Then after that he had another tooth pulled and got some more. I took most of all his persriptions. I feel like a basketcase. I'm sitting hrer trying to think of someone who might have some.I've been on paxil for 6 weeks and I hate it. I feel like going back to drinking again. What a dreadful thought that is! I have my first appontment to see a phychiatrist tomarrow but I found out today that the evaluation alone is going to cost me over $200.00 Well I don't have 200.00. So now I'm really upset.I feel hopeless. Like dying. Nothing ever works out for me. Anyway I'll shutup.Knowone really gives a **** anyways. J

[Brian to Jennifer]

Hang in there, it WILL get better.  If you are now on day 3 without the Vicodin, you are going to start feeling much better very soon.  Whatever you do, don't get any more Vicodin (unless you want to go through this all over again in about a week or two).  If the Paxil is causing you bad side effects, there are many other antidepressants that can be tried.  Most side effects should be gone after a week or two of the medication.  If not, it may not be the right med for you.  Some good medications for depression with anxiety are Serzone or Remeron.  Each has very limited side effects (especially Remeron) mostly making you a bit tired (which is why they help the anxiety).  With respect to the cost of the evaluation, see if they will accept a payment plan or a credit card.  Many psychiatrists are willing to work with you to get paid.  Also, do you have insurance that will pay?  Finally, try to stay positive.  Things WILL get better.  Keep posting so we know how you're doing.  Brian

[Sandi To Jennifer]

Jennifer, we are here, and we are listening. I agree with Brian that the Paxil might not be right for you, I have tried everything on the market & can only take zoloft, and that has been causing heart palpitations so I have been hesitant to take it too. Keep your chin up & I wish you the best.

[jacob]

I have been taking Lorcet 10mg for about 2 years now.  Sometimes I take up to 20/day.  I am in a management position in the medical industry and really can't let anyone at my job find out about this problem.  What is your best suggestion for me to get off these pills?  I have thought about consulting an addiction medicine specialist, but don't know how successful that will be.  Any advice?  Should I try tapering off?
Thanks!

[Brian to Jacob]

I was taking as many as 25 Lorcet a day.  Read all the posts on this board, there is info. re tapering, etc.  You should try an addiction doc because it is the easiest and best route to go.  Especially if they use buprenorphine for detox.  Whatever you do, don't do ultra rapid detox.  Tapering is hard but can be done.  I have posted about tapering, etc. so read the posts.

[Trish]

i have a drug test in three days,but i used heroin
two days ago i had a relaps, how long does this drug stay in your system

[Brian to Trish]

Although it varies somewhat by individual, heroin is usually detectable for 1-3 days after last use.

[JAB]

After experiencing back pain for the past few years, I finally found a doctor who would order an M.R.I.  Through the MRI, a degenerating disk was found and also a syrinx.  
My doctor prescribed Soma and Percocet initially, then Vicodin.
I called in a refill for the Vicodin which was prescribed as 1 every six hours as needed--it may have been the 3rd or 4th refill and now the doctor wants me to go to pain management rather than risk Vicodin addiction.  
My doctor is hesitant about surgery and will only consider it when I am totally out of commission.  My question is what should I do in the mean time?  I was functioning fine with the Vicodin prescription or am I only fooling myself and was becoming addicted?  
Has anyone ever gone to pain management?  What will they do for me there?  I was under the impression from my doctor that there wasn't anything she could do until I was ready for surgery.  I'm exploring all possibilities here and any feedback would be great.

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

It is unlikely you are addicted to the Vicodin.  Most people treating real pain do not become addicted in a short period of time.  Your doctor however is concerned that the pain is chronic and therefore it should be managed in a pain clinic.  All pain clinics have different approaches.  Some really have a bias against narcotics and try every other approach.  Others will screen you and decide whether narcotics should be prescribed along with other therapies (steroid injection into the site; accupuncture and many others).  If your doctor wants you to go to a pain clinic, go and see if they can help.  If you are getting nowhere, ask them or your doctor to continue treating your pain with narcotics since they do seem to work well for you.  Good luck.

[Andrew t. smith hickory north carolina]

i have been on hydrocodone for more than 4 years .i am a junkie . i doctor hop everyday going to over 3 and 4 doctors a day searching for this drug.i take the cough syrup and the pills whatever i can get my hands on . the cough syrup makes me feel better since it has no anihistimenes in it .cough syrups like codi clear,tussionex,hycotuss,hycadan,vicutuss,its all a liquid form of hydrocodone,i often find my self going to emergency rooms around my area going for coughs and i seem to get it everytime.wether i am just good at it or what it is so easy to manipulate doctors into getting this drug,well that is all see ya later.

[shirley]

Help!! I am fallin apart and I am so scared of the fall!!I am addicted to Loritab's and Soma's--and have been for quite a few years. I have gone through withdrawel 4 times on my on and its horrible! I am on Highblood pressure med's,paxil'and harmones also. Some days I guess I take up to 25 of each--yes my tolerance level is greatly elavated; or I would be dead; chances are there is no telling what damage I've caused my self.It is definitely a mind addiction!!!I went to a seminar once on the addicted brain and it scared me so much--knowing that this will probably be with me the rest of my life!!Once and addict always one!! I can get as many of these as I want at any time--thats a big problem! When I am going through the withdrawel you couldn't give me a millon dollars to take them --its afterwards--could be a few days, weeks, or even months and something happens and I think I can take a few an be alright--Some joke--on me!!!Only one other person knows about my problem and I would die before I let my family suffer for this!!I am so ashamed and the guilt part is eating me up. I am a good Christian woman,married to a wonderful husband and I have 3 children--the youngest is 15. I seem like a hypocrit talking to my kids about not abusing drugs.They would die if they knew!!Please help me--I pray to God everyday to help me!!!Before I do something that I can't make right!

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Good people, bad people, rich people, poor people, it doesn't matter when it comes to addiction.  It doesn't make you a bad or weak person to admit you are addicted.  You must seek professional help.  If you are serious about getting clean, you must open up to your family and admit your addiction.  It is hard but it is necessary, otherwise you will simply go through this over and over.  Find an addiction medicine specialist to help you through detox.  Find an outpatient program or NA to help keep you from using.  Your life depends on you taking that first step.  You can do it.

[Deb]

If Vicodin is so bad, why is it prescibed so frequently?  It seems like that's all they give for pain anymore.  It couldn't be all that strong, since it seems so common.

[Deb]

If Vicodin is so bad, why is it prescibed so frequently?  It seems like that's all they give for pain anymore.  It couldn't be all that strong, since it seems so common.

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

It is not "bad" since it works well for pain and most patients do not become addicted to the medication.  If it is used for more than short term pain relief it does have a propensity to become a problem for at least some percentage of the population.  This does not make it bad, it simply means people should be aware of the potential for dependence or addiction.

[John]

Vicodin addiction is the pits. i thought i was going to be Strong today and not call in my refill but i gave in. I think i am an anxious person anyway and adding just a few hours of no vicodin on board has kept me in bed all day, no desire to do anything, no energy to do it if wanted to do it. Have lots of things i need to be doing but no gumption to do them without the vicodin, and so i will go to the pharmacy this afternoon and get a refill and i will feel all better except for that little voice in the back of my mind that tells me i'm a weak little man for not overcoming this. I started taking vic es about 2 yrs ago, after a low back injury revealed degenerated lower 2 disc.The drug was miraculous to me it absolutely killed the pain and i could function at work(i have since quit my job and have no desire to look for work) i usually can keep it down to 6to8 per day only because thats all i can get, i'm sure i would take more if i had access. And this feeling sorry for myself attitude i've adopted everytime i go without for a few hours...sheeez..lack of any stainable concentration. good luck all

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

We've all been there and it is the pits.  Keep this in the back of your mind--one day when you decide to stop you can and will.  You will also get your energy, desires, motivation, etc. back.  I know it all looks like doom and gloom but there is hope.  Hang in there and when you're ready, try making some NA meetings.  Good luck.

[maryanne]

or if you can't get vicodin here, just go to mexico and get it.

[Marcus]

Hi all.  I came upon this site while searching for pages about addiction.  My situation in short:  I began taking percocet after major knee surgery for a football injury ten years ago.  Well, I have been in rehand three times, been "clean" for the most time at 1 year, and right now, am 3 hours into trying to kick again.  The last drugs I was taking were Percs, Vicodin, Roxicet and Endocets.  Anyway, this is just a tough battle. I love NA, I love the program, but everytime I get going, I get cocky and it sucks me back in.

I need to do it this time because it is destroying my life.  I know the next few days will be hard, but if anyone out there could "support me" through this site, I would really appreciate feeling like I am not alone.

Thanks to you all, and God Bless You!

Marcus S.

[_Jon_]

I have been abusing Endocet for approx 2 years now and something has go to give. I usually take somehwere between 5 and 10  10/325 pills per day.  The strange thing is that I actually feel better when I'm not taking them, but once I try to stop I get a lot of side effects including severe diarrhea which won't go away.

Would it be best to try tapering down over a few weeks? For example 4 per day for a week, 3 per day the next week, 2 per day the following week and finally down to 1. Has anyone had any success trying this?

[Sheralyn]

I was addicted to hydrocodone for about 8 or 9 years.  Was taking the 10/500's - and eventually was taking 15-20 of them a day.  I started out with legitimate pain, got to like the feel of the painkillers, and the rest is history.  I kicked the habit COLD TURKEY about a year ago and I can't tell you how happy I am to be OFF those pills!  I still have my chronic back pain, but would rather put up with that than continue being a slave to the painpill addiction.  I'll be honest with you all:  Withdrawal was HORRIBLE -- one of the worst things I've ever been through, but I knew I had to face it sooner or later.  I am a very anxious person to begin with, and my xanax helped me, but only so much.  I was honest with my doctor and he was wonderful to me.  Painpill withdrawal is not dangerous, even at the amount of pills I was taking.  It took me to Day 12 to begin to feel normal and happy again, but then fatigue set in, and that took about a month and a half to go away; however, by this time, my craving was over so the fatigue was the least of my worries, and you do the tiredness does eventually go completely away.   The withdrawal is rough, but in the end it's so worthwhile.  I have NO desire for the hydrocodone and literally NEVER miss it.  YOU CAN DO IT.  I know in my heart that I will never take another narcotic painkiller again, unless, God forbid I get cancer or something equally painful.  Please, you who are in the midst of withdrawal, HANG IN THERE AND  DO NOT GIVE IN.  Withdrawal doesn't last forever and once you're through with it you'll have the happiness of knowing that you'll never have to feel that way again.  I did it cold turkey, and at home, so if you really try, you can do it without having to go into a rehab.  I offer you my story because I know the hell some of you are going through.  If I can be of any assistance, feel free to email me at:  ***@****.  I wish you all the best, and want to tell you that I am happier than I've been in a long time because  I am free of that miserable addiction.  Success can be yours, too!  

[Sheralyn]

Sorry, I didn't know they wouldn't let me post my email addy.  However, I'll check in here from time to time to see if I can help any of you.  

[FLaddict]

This post was started in 2000... it will get overlooked due to the age of the original post.. It would be helpful if you would like to be a part of the forum to repost this in a new question or in a post that was started today..
Welcome

[mandakay084]

BEST DRUG FOR ANXIETY--KLONOPIN (OR CLONAZEPAM) I USED TO DRINK TO SUPRESS MY ANXIETY AND BECAME AN ADDICT AT A YOUNG AGE.  THE ONE THING THAT GOT ME OVER THIS ADDICTION WAS THIS MEDICATION.  I HOPE YOU GET THIS MSG AND I HOPE YOU BRING UP THIS MEDICATION UP IN YOUR VISIT...IT WILL BE WELL WORTH A 200 DOLLAR DOCTOR BILL.

[mandakay084]

i know i'm commenting in probably the wrong forum, but why is it that i can't get pain meds when i need them!?  i am a runner and have sprained the same ankle about three times this year.  this time was the WORST.  I'm not running anymore!  But I can't sleep.  I know there's no breaks (blessed with great bones) just a very bad tendon.  I had x-rays, however the pain keeps getting worse, the doctor didn't want to give me a prescription when i went.  Is it bad to see another doc to see that i can get some meds, or does that look bad on my record...maybe make me look like an addict....???  I'm honestly not but i need something for this pain, i'm dying.  (can you tell i have a low tolerance?)

[erbs]

I am in the same boat as you.  Just starting the withdrawl process.  Let me know if you want to talk, im sure Ill be here and going through the same thing as you at the same time!  

[taunya]

I am 30 years old and have been addicted to VIC/APA 10/325 for almost 18 months.  I started using to calm myself down with the euphoric feeling it provides.  I only take 2 a day, 1 in Am, 1 in Pm.  Not a "huge" addiction, but one still the less.  If I try, which I guess is a good thing, to take a 3rd, i always get very strong heart palpitations, like my heart is skipping beats really hard for a few minutes.  Anyone else have this while taking hydrocodone or oxycodone?

[FLaddict]

welcome, this thread jumps from 2000 to 2007 these old posts get overlooked alot . i would post your question on the main page. scroll down and click on back to forum and then when it goes to the main page click on post a question.

[jayem]

i'm 25 years old and started taking a few then gradually got to 15-20 10/325's just out of boredom..a guy had a couple i took them and three years later i was fully gone! i did the methadone treatment, it's almost as bad as the vic's the only upside is it's in a controlled place...well to get to the point, i just got busted by the D.E.A for attempted purchase of a schedule IV substance...these things aren't something to play with,  i dont know whats going to happen but let me warn you out there getting these w/o a script the feds will pin your *** too the wall...i am detoxing right now and i work in a full commission job, i lost my last one because of the arrest...now i have no insurance, the govt. seized my truck and bank account on the charge of using the vehicle and account to facilitate a drug purchase, no money exchanged hands i just walked in and bang! plz b careful and if anyone has any legal advice i'm open and also some light at the end of the tunnel on how to get passed day 5 of the symptons

[VSad]

I've been taking lortabs for about 3 yrs now. I take aprx 15 (sometimes more a day) the 10mg tabs. I need to quit before anyone finds out. Can anyone help and explain how i can taper off on my own?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[Dave439]

Hello, the posting where Sheralyn mentioned that success of quitting painpills is very inspiring. I am in the midst of a four year addiction. I had surgery in 2004 and was prescribed Percocet. I LOVED that feeling. I can even recall telling my father how great the feeling was and I remember him telling me "you are NOT supposed to LIKE the feeling!" I quessthat being in my late 20's at the time, him telling me that may have sparked my curiosity even more. Shortly after, I ran into an old friend that has been getting me Vicodin ever since. I am the CEO of a national company, so unfortunetly money is no barrier to stop me from the addiction. I have "wasted" tens of thousands in the last four years. Now, just as you said, I never feel go. In fact the "great feeling" or the "buzz" stopped years ago. It is a mental addiction. WHen my CPA noticed so many withdrawls it made me start feeling guilty, so about a year ago I quit cold turkey and felt great. I guess I didn't go through withdrawls because I really was determined to get off of them.

Well, this only lasted a little over one week and a stressful day had me calling him for more. Now I am feeling worse than ever and I even get a lot of head aches from the Vicodin. Possibly overdosing? I'm not sure. I take them like they are candy. I am 33 and feel my health deteriorating. I am ready to quit, I am just procrastinating!