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)

[Brian to Jason]

The worst part of the withdrawal is over after 3-4 days.  Then you have another 4-6 days of feeling fatigued and generally like you're mildly sick while getting a bit better each day.  After that you feel better but still have some trouble sleeping and often have some mild depression and strong cravings for as much as 6 months (although usually less).  Remember, although it doesn't seem like it now anyone who has relapsed a few times will tell you WITHDRAWAL IS THE EASY PART, STAYING CLEAN IS THE HARD PART.  I kid you not.  You will soon forget how bad you felt and will start thinking how much you miss the drug.  Without some sort of program or structure to assist staying clean, your chances of relapsing are very high.  Good luck.

[nancy]

Do the aches and pains that you originally start taking the hydrocodone for ever get better??  I feel like when I don't take the tablet(s) that I feel more pains in more places and they are more amplified than ever before.  That is to say, my original pain was concentrated in the low back...now, my ankles hurt sometimes, my hands, fingers, wrists hurt (for 2 mos. straight), then my neck and shoulder area feel the pain.  It seems that either I'm more sensitive to any anomaly than I would be if I'd never taken the medicine in the first place.  I'm trying not to take more than one a day, but I guess we all know how that goes. We've just remodeled our entire 1600 sq. ft. office building and I did all the wallpaper, painting, decorating, etc.  Since Feb 9th of this year, I have taken almost 130 tablets.  You do the math...today is May 16th.  I want help from all these pains, but am fearful of what I'm doing to my body (liver, kidneys, brain). I don't mind taking the medicine.  In fact, I feel I look forward to that point in the day when I decide, "I can't take (this or that) pain anymore.", and, in essence, give myself permission to take a pill.  Does taking this hydrocodone chemical have any long-term documented studies?  What do other people do who feel like this day in and day out?

[dude man]

dont panic, stop drinking, that will kill tour liver, as for the vicodin, all you have to wory about about is the acetemeniphen, the hydrocodone wil not hurt your liver, i have ben taking 10 to 12 pills a day for about five years and my liver blood tests are tottaly fine, dont  believe everthing your dodctors panicks about

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

The real problem starts slowly as it did for all of us who got addicted to painkillers.  There was a time we ALL got off on 1 or 2 a day.  The problem is it NEVER stays at that level.  You will gradually increase until you get to a level you never imagined was possible.  When I heard people took 30 or more Vicodin a day I thought "they're crazy!"  Eventually I was taking almost twice that amount per day!  And, you can't look at me and say I'm some drug addict idiot or loser.  I have a post-graduate degree and am a highly paid professional.  This disease does not discriminate.  Please stop now while you can easily.

[DENISE]

i want to wean myself off of vicodin es i take from 6 to 8 a day, what withdrawls will i have please help i have been doing this for 2 and a half years

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Having done this more times than I wish to remember, I can advise you of the following.  You are taking a relatively low level per day, so you can taper.  The best way is to start by going from 8 per day to 7.5 per day for a few days, then down to 7 for a few days, etc.  Divide the dosage as you normally do, although best is to evenly divide during day (if taking 8, take 2 every 6 hrs.)  At the end of this detox you will likely feel like you have a mild flu, some agitation and depression for 3 days.  It will then get better around day 4 and most symptoms will be gone in 7-10 days.  Many people have a mild or moderate depression following the detox.  This can last for a few months.  You may want to try to get clonidine and a benzodiazepine for the end of the detox.  Finally, if you want the true pain free and easy way to get of painkillers, find a doctor or outpatient program using buprenorphine.  A taper using buprenorphine will, at your level, get you off the narcotics with little or no withdrawal.  Good luck.  Brian