Addicted to Norco

[kittery54]

I have been taking hydrocodone for 3 years. I have ruptured discs, sciatica, fibromyalgia so I am legitimately taking them for pain. Sort of. I take 12 -15 7.5 norco's a day. My prescription is for 12 a day. I am running out before the end of my prescription and I know that I'm an addict because I truly cannot function without these pills.

My doctor was out of the office this week and when I put in for my refill, it wasn't done. None of the other doctors in the practice will prescribe narcotics to another doctor's patient.

I have 21 pills left, which will not last me until Monday without some serious tapering. I had a heart attack last year and have high blood pressure. I'm afraid to go cold turkey because of that.

I guess my question is this: If I've maxed out on the norco, what's the next step in pain control? Morphine or something? If I am dependent on these drugs for pain management, am I an addict? I FEEL like an addict - ashamed and guilty, but I need these for pain. Thank you for your help. (I am also depressed and have contemplated suicide seriously during the past two months)

[kittery54]

Thank you all. I feel better knowing that there's a place to go where people get what you're talking about.  A friend who is also a chronic pain sufferer loaned me enough hydro to get through until Monday. I have a doctor's appt. on Wednesday. I'm afraid to tell him that I need something stronger or time-released or whatever. I guess I just need to figure out the words for that.

I guess I feel guilty and ashamed because other people (including the doc) make me feel that way. Thanks again!

[Dnpe]

Hi,
I am on day 5 of narc withdrawal. My best advice to you is to ween yourself until u talk to your doctor. Trust me! I just cut myself cold turkey and it was complete and utter HE**!!!! Contact your doctor. Good luck! :)

[Dav125]

You and I are in the same boat so to speak with the condition you have. I've already gone thru two surgerys but all they did was eleviate the severe pain. When mass starts to be removed from ones back or disc's ,things weaken, and then it doesn't take much to set off more of the same in regard to consequences and pain.

Vicki has shot you straight with some good thoughts. This will be tough, but the suggestion of "do the math" until you see your Dr is what I would do . If you run thru them, leave yourself 2 days short, you are going to trigger some very uncomfortable wd's. So uncomfortable that even getting to the Dr will be a task..Your going to feel a little irriated because of cutting back, but its better than the alternative of running out..It will feel like an onslaught of the flu coming at you within 24 hrs.  Just my thoughts...

Take care.

[vicki595]

I WAS going to go to bed and then that crazy suicide word caught my eye! No no no...
you know better than to hang out with those thoughts!

There are many different,longer acting,time release opiates you could try. No one would expect you to know what you need so that's why you ask the doctor.  :)   You are dependant on these pills for a more comfortable quality of life. Speak to the doctor who prescribes the meds to you. As soon as you tell him/her: I've had to take more pills than instructed because my pain isn't being covered, he'll know what to do.

Your tolerance to this drug has increased. It happens. Are you an addict? Who knows?
You are dependent and that's the way it is. You're not bad,you didn't do this to yourself,you are in pain. There's a distinction there. I believe you to be telling the truth
here...most people do and it's liberating for them to share.  I'm not sure why you feel guilty(unless you went to Catholic school like I did for 12 years!) or ashamed. I think if you had a nice chat with your doctor,this could get straightened out. Don't worry.

Now,you have 21 pills so I guess you'll need to take 5 each day. Or you could take 6 each day and save 3 for Monday. Take them on a schedule. You could take 7 each day and have 0 on Monday. I'm just trying to help you here...I know it's hard but you can taper for a few days. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids,Okay?

Write back and tell me you're okay and safe right now,please...