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I AM ON VICODIN 10 THE MOST YOU CAN GET I GET 120 PILLS A MONTH FOR  THE PAIN IN MY NECK DUE TO  A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I BROKE MY NECK IN FOUR PLACES. I GET TIRED OF TAKING PILLS ALL THE TIME I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN TAKE THE PAIN WITHOUT THEM BUT ITS BEEN A YEAR. BUT SOMETIMES 1 OR 2 OR 3 JUST DON'T GET IT AND I'M TAKING MORE THAN I SHOULD THEN I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING ENOUGH TO LAST ME AND ITS JUST TOO MUCH STRESS I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING SICK AND I KNOW I NEED A PILL I DON'T WANT THAT ANYMORE. WHAT CAN I DO I WANT TO GO OFF THEM BUT SCARED BECAUSE THEY SAY ITS DAGEROUS TO GO COLD TURKEY.
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1713742 tn?1363954822
I'm not going to put this lightly for you, but if you run out of pills and go into withdrawals, it will add to your original pain (the reason you're taking them to begin with) and also add many other undesirable symptoms. I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR ANY OTHER KIND OF PROFESSIONAL, everything I tell you is from personal experience. My little brother died from an opiate addiction, and I've experienced withdrawals too. I could tell more about all that, but for now, I'm just going to make a suggestion. Of course, I'm very familiar with the nature of these opiates, but now I'm older, I have a medically legitimate reason for taking them. I'm much more mature and in control now, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen to me either. For one thing, you know you have a problem to deal with. I take my pills and for sure I break them in half (whether they're 7.5 or 10). If I feel I really have to have more, I might allow myself the whole other half, but I will also cut the half into half with my pill cutter. You can find these things at any discount or grocery store. My doctor only writes for one month at a time, and I can't afford to see him every month, sometimes it's up to 3 months before I can, so I have been known to cut the pills down to 8 pieces, as I'm tapering down. This is one lady that does NOT want to go into withdrawals. So far, it has worked. I've come off them slowly and have not suffered withdrawals either. I know you may not be able to do that in your situation. Your pain may be worse, and you probably don't have the experience with this medicine that I do at this point. There were times I felt just like you. But I do think that it would be a good idea to try the pill cutter idea. You may not need as much medicine at one time as you think, and it might be a nice surprise for you, and put you more in control of your meds. Unless you have other addictive processes going on, then you should seek outside help. It's normal for people who have to take this medicine to become physically dependent on it, due to it's nature, but if you're not abusing the meds,it doesn't mean you're an "addict" If you fall into that category, I believe that you'll know. Good luck and hope you work this out for yourself! ~ ayla
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hi Scared,

I am confused by your post and maybe you are too. It sounds like you have pain but you are concerned about your Vicodin usage. If you have true CP than 120 tablets of Vicodin per month may not be enough or it may not be the right medication for you.

I think Mollyrae has given you some great advice. You should begin by discussing this with your PCP. In my opinion you need to determine if you have pain with dependency (which we all have) or are looking at an abuse situation. I broke my neck (in one place) when I was about 30 and though I had pain I was able to do without narcotics after several weeks. I know that two situations are never the same nor was my injury the same as yours.

Only you and your PCP can determine your need and level of pain. If you want to try to function without pain meds than yes your PCP can make your withdrawal more tolerable. If your pain is simply not controlled than maybe you will need more tablets per month or a different opiate.

Either way I wish you the very best. Please let us know how you are doing. We are here for you. If you decide to stop the Vicodin than the Substance Abuse Community will be an invaluable resource for you. Take Care, Tuck
Helpful - 0
535089 tn?1400673519
Hi Scared.

Please talk with your Doctor about stopping the meds. They will make the transition more comfortable and your Doctor should know what your plans are.

If for some reason you don't talk with your Doc then please visit the Substance Abuse Forum. There are members in the Forum who can help you much better than the Pain Forum can.

Take care,
Molly
Helpful - 0
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