Hydrocodone Addiction and alcohol, etc!!!

[Mark]

I am very scared of the possibility of having done serious damage to my liver or kidneys!  If anyone could please help with some advice or info I would greatly appreciate it!
I had some serious back problems about 2 1/2 years ago and was given Norco (10/500) for the pain.  I was taking 3 per day for pain even after the pain was gone for 1 year.  When that source ended I got a hold of Oxy IR (Oxycodone 5mg) and was taking 6 a day for 6 months.  Then I started the Norco again- at least 2 a day for another year.  Now, last month my doctor was shocked when he realized that "I was taking 2 Norco's a day and that was WAY TOO MUCH!"  (He didn't know about my supplemental supplies) Now I  am panicked about my past dosages and what to do.  My doctor has prescribed 2 Vicodin per day to reduce the amount of Hydrocodone intake.  On top of all this - I a have been on Prozac and Wellbutrin for 5 years and have a drinking problem (2-4 beers per day).  I know I need to just STOP and I am trying.  Reading the posts here have really helped!  I am down to 1 Vicodin per day and 2 Wellbutrin and I try to not drink at all - IT IS HARD!!!!!!!  I really want info on the possibility of permanent damage and should I try to get a blood test for it? and is there anything I can do to help the situation? (ie.  drinking excessive water, certain foods, vitamins, etc)

[luz49]

what your advise to everyone is very dangerous i mean no offense to you but everyones liver is different and liver damage is dificult to diagnose sometimes even withj blood tests especially long term permanent liver damage.4,5,6 pills a day can truly permanantely damage your liver or kidneys especially if your liver has been previously damaged many people dont even know.i fight this every day cause i know these pills are poison but im not strong enough to deal with the pain. i feel like such a ***** someimes.but im still trying

[luz49]

i had a back injury in 2004 but have had nagging injury and pain for years now . Ive been on hydrocodone 10/500 for 4 years now and i wish i could get off them.I cant.i have many health problems now iin addition to previous back injury . im convinced it is my liver but my blood tests are within normal range. I hav tried many times to get off of these pain pillsbut have failed.these pills r poisining our bodies and i cant do anything about it

[ohisleguy]

Unfortunately, thats my downfall.....have to have the alcohol with the pills.....GOTTA have both....I could have 5000 pills sitting in front of me but with out beer to wash them down, they're no good. I have liver function tests done now and again mark...u may want to ask your doctor...

[Nyteviolet]

It's been months since i first wrote, having developed toxic hepatitis and a swollen spleen due to using hydrocodone with moderate alcohol consumption.  As of 11/15/07, my liver enzymes were back to normal, but there is probably some scarring or damage from my ordeal which will hopefully heal over time.  The jaundice is now gone, but I still suffer from fatigue and a few other problems that are constant reminders of how dangerous these drugs can be.  PLEASE... if you are addicted to hydros, take no more than 4 grams per day, and DO NOT TOUCH ALCOHOL (not even a couple light beers on the weekends).   If you are trying to quit cold turkey, remember this: no matter how bad detox feels, IT WILL PASS!  Take a few weeks of sick leave from work or school, do whatever it takes, you will be glad you did.

[Sheralyn]

Wanted to add some more which might help you -- if you are on day 10, you're near the end of the rotten feelings, I promise you.   That "want to jump out of your skin" feeling is about the worst one, and believe me, it will go fast now.  It is normal right now, but it won't last much longer.  You'll look back on this some day and be so happy you got off the pills.  I have NO fond memories of them!  

Please bear in mind that once these uncomfortable feelings have passed, you will NEVER have to feel this way again as long as you stay off those pills.  I wish you the very best and I'll check back with you.  Keep up the good work; you're nearing the end of the bad feelings, I promise you!

[Sheralyn]

I was addicted to hydrocodone for about 6-7 years, and at the end was taking 15-20 pills per day.  I am so glad to be off them!  Withdrawal was so awful that I will NEVER take another addictive substance again.  It  started out innocently (I have chronic back pain) but I'd rather live with the pain than be a slave to those little pills.  I know very well the feeling that you're going to "jump out of your skin".  Take heart -- it WILL go away; it took me a good two weeks (maybe a little longer) to get rid of the major miserable feelings.  I then went through a period of great fatigue, which lasted about a month.  After that, it was clear sailing.  Please, don't give up!  You've come this far and eventually you'd have to face withdrawal anyway.  It is so worthwhile to get OFF those pills.  I feel wonderful now and am literally never, ever tempted to go back on them.  I want nothing to do with narcotic painkillers...addiction is not worth it!