vicodin withdrawl

[sandy2323]

I have been taking vicodin 10/325 once a day for about a year for lower back pain.  I was prescribed this medication and the prescription even indicated I could take it up to 4 times a day, but I never took more than one a day because of the strong dose.   My back has been getting better, so I decided just to quit the vicodin completely.  It is 5 days later and I'm still feeling the effects of stopping it.   I assumed one a day, even if its for a year would not result in any withdrawl symtoms.  The symptoms are not severe, but I am uncomfortable all the time, my spine feels like a rubberband that someone is pulling and I'm barely getting any sleep.   How long is this supposed to last?  

[ashleyd123]

Vicodin withdrawl is different for everyone but in my case I felt like i had the flu, you are making the right choice on not taking them anymore. These symptoms that your experiencing will pass, I would say after about a week you should start to notice a huge difference...Are you taking any kind of vitamins? b-12 b-6 and any kind of energy drink worked for me. Also, you may feel a little depression as well. All of these things will pass and when I was going thru it /i always went with the power of prayer. You are doing great !! Keep up the good work!! God BLess

[bmdad]

Since you are on day 5 of no vicodin you are very close to the downhill side of this. I'm guessing tomorrow or the next day you gradually start feeling better. The Kimbo said above, the worst of the withdrawals usually last about 5 days with days 3 and 4 being the worst. But, everyone is different. Some of the symptoms may linger for a couple weeks but you shouldn't feel near as bad as you have so far. Usually the insomnia and lack of energy are the last symptoms to go.
There are some things that can help. One is the amino acid protocol which can be found in the health pages in the upper right hand corner of the page. It lists some supplements that help our mind and body get back on track a bit faster. Another thing that will help is exercise. I feel exercise makes the biggest difference. While using our brain stops producing endorphins, or the feel good chemical because the vicodin is making up for it. Once we stop taking vicodin our brain doesn't start producing the feel good chemical right away and this is why we go through withdrawals. Exercise will help speed up the process. I'm sure you've heard of "runner's high". The actually do feel like they are high while running because their brain produces a surge of feel good chemicals. You won't get the runner's high right away but it will help your brain to produce them sooner than if you don't exercise.
Just hang in there and know that you are so close to feeling better. You very well could wake up tomorrow and feel wonderful. Whatever you do don't take another pill just to feel good for the day. One today may lead you to one tomorrow and so on and then you will have to start the process all over again. You don't want the last 5 days to go to waste. Come here and post as much as you need. Support during withdrawals helps so much.
Best of luck!

Brian

[kimbo546]

WD is different for everyone most of the worst symptoms last between 1-5 days.. If it has been 5 days since you took any and you only took one a day and are still not feeling well, maybe just ask your Dr. Hope you feel much better soon. Good luck and take it easy.