Aa
Vicodin trouble
I am 40 year old writer and word processor. I have used opiates for about two decades, but I stopped using any "street" ones after having a child 3 years ago. The problem is that my dependency on vicodin is very severe. I actually have back pain so I can obtain the es vicodin from my doctor occasionally. But I can also purchase them black market easily, which I have been doing constantly for the last year and a half. I started taking Vicodins to stop doing Percocets and Dilaudid. I have used Percocet on and off since 1983. When I had dental trouble early this year, I had access to about 200 Lorcet and Vicodin in one month. Legitimately. Otherwise I can purchase anything on the black market very easily.
The problem is that my dependency builds and I become very difficult and horrible to be around when I try to space the doses. When I take the drug at first I function fine and am able to I usually build up to about 7 vicodin es a day and then have to stop cold turkey (2 in the daytime, about 4-5 at night). The stop/start happens a lot, even with so-called occasional recreational "weekend use". It is shattering me the cold turkey. There are periods where I use narcotics about a 4-6 weeks (vicodin and lately oxycontin) then I have to stop and it is so shattering.
Many years ago I tried NA and it doesn't work for me. I also do not want to be put on shrink meds by a psychiatrist. What am I doing to myself medically? Because of life circumstances I don't see myself being able to stop soon. What is happening and what can I do?
The problem is that my dependency builds and I become very difficult and horrible to be around when I try to space the doses. When I take the drug at first I function fine and am able to I usually build up to about 7 vicodin es a day and then have to stop cold turkey (2 in the daytime, about 4-5 at night). The stop/start happens a lot, even with so-called occasional recreational "weekend use". It is shattering me the cold turkey. There are periods where I use narcotics about a 4-6 weeks (vicodin and lately oxycontin) then I have to stop and it is so shattering.
Many years ago I tried NA and it doesn't work for me. I also do not want to be put on shrink meds by a psychiatrist. What am I doing to myself medically? Because of life circumstances I don't see myself being able to stop soon. What is happening and what can I do?
hello, everyone. I have been in Seattle for the past week and couldn't get online. It's nice to be appreciated. Thanks for the kind words.
I do understand Tom-2's frustration with this site. I have posted many times about same.
However, I come to this site to talk to fellow addicts, not sermonizing MDs who, for the most part, just parrot the same party line homilies I've been hearing for 20 years. I have learned more from my many friends on this site than from any doctor or addiction pro. The greatest benefit is just knowing I'm not alone. I have been an opiate addict for all my adult life, which would put my use at about 27 years. I was a drugstore cowboy for ten years, forging an average of one script every day for ten years. They were all to feed my own habit (you do the math). I have never sold or even given any away. For all that time, I have used alone, kicked alone and gone to jail alone. So, this site is quite important to me.
It is a bit dodgy to dispense advice on pills, I must admit, given we have no license to practice. But I think all, or most of us, know this and don't just run out and do what some poster told us to.
In my experience, most doctors almost never give you the straight story on drugs. Most of them try to manipulate you with some finely crafted half-truth. Hence, the posts on this site really do have informational value.
I'm in a curious position right now. I just returned from my 10-year old nephew's funeral in Seattle. He died of neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. His mother, my sister, who knows me well, gave me all of his 60mg MS-Contins (morphine). I'm glad to have them, and more than just a little excited to be able to experience the big M again, but, of course, I think about where they came from every time I use one.
It's funny, I've been using for so long that even chewing up a 60mg morphine pill doesn't really send me anywhere. I can, however, now rate all the majors in terms of euphoric power. Oxycodone is definitely king of the oral narcs. A fresh shot of Demerol would probably out-do an Oxy, but then, injected anything is usually pretty good. Next I'd rate hydrocodone, and only after that morphine. Between the two "Contins," I'd think MS would be "safer" long term, because the euphoria is not as intense. Also, morphine, like codeine, seems to have a self-limiting character in that overuse brings on unpleasant side effects more readily than overuse of oxy or hydrocodone. Oxy and hydro are like candy or potato chips. You want to just eat more and more.
Thank god for morphine and drugs like it! My nephew fought his cancer for more than 3 years and without morphine would have died in agony. Luckily, he had a smart, compassionate doctor that made sure he didn't suffer. I say, regardless of the consequences, anyone in pain should get what they need for relief. From reading the posts on this site and from my own experience as a chronic pain patient, I think the problem always boils down to control. It's not that we all want to be junkies (although in my own case, I'm not sure I can say that), we are using a type of drugs that is inherently hard to self-administer. It might solve a lot of problems if doctors, patients, drug companies and even health insurance organizations could engineer some kind of universally available facility that could ensure that patients got what they truly needed for pain relief each day but also exert the control that so many of us lack. I imagine this is what pain clinics do, but they don't seem to be available to enough people.
Anyway, glad to be back. This is a very interesting thread. I, too, miss Brian because he is a doctor who truly knows of what he speaks. I hope he hasn't relapsed bigtime in any event.
I do understand Tom-2's frustration with this site. I have posted many times about same.
However, I come to this site to talk to fellow addicts, not sermonizing MDs who, for the most part, just parrot the same party line homilies I've been hearing for 20 years. I have learned more from my many friends on this site than from any doctor or addiction pro. The greatest benefit is just knowing I'm not alone. I have been an opiate addict for all my adult life, which would put my use at about 27 years. I was a drugstore cowboy for ten years, forging an average of one script every day for ten years. They were all to feed my own habit (you do the math). I have never sold or even given any away. For all that time, I have used alone, kicked alone and gone to jail alone. So, this site is quite important to me.
It is a bit dodgy to dispense advice on pills, I must admit, given we have no license to practice. But I think all, or most of us, know this and don't just run out and do what some poster told us to.
In my experience, most doctors almost never give you the straight story on drugs. Most of them try to manipulate you with some finely crafted half-truth. Hence, the posts on this site really do have informational value.
I'm in a curious position right now. I just returned from my 10-year old nephew's funeral in Seattle. He died of neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. His mother, my sister, who knows me well, gave me all of his 60mg MS-Contins (morphine). I'm glad to have them, and more than just a little excited to be able to experience the big M again, but, of course, I think about where they came from every time I use one.
It's funny, I've been using for so long that even chewing up a 60mg morphine pill doesn't really send me anywhere. I can, however, now rate all the majors in terms of euphoric power. Oxycodone is definitely king of the oral narcs. A fresh shot of Demerol would probably out-do an Oxy, but then, injected anything is usually pretty good. Next I'd rate hydrocodone, and only after that morphine. Between the two "Contins," I'd think MS would be "safer" long term, because the euphoria is not as intense. Also, morphine, like codeine, seems to have a self-limiting character in that overuse brings on unpleasant side effects more readily than overuse of oxy or hydrocodone. Oxy and hydro are like candy or potato chips. You want to just eat more and more.
Thank god for morphine and drugs like it! My nephew fought his cancer for more than 3 years and without morphine would have died in agony. Luckily, he had a smart, compassionate doctor that made sure he didn't suffer. I say, regardless of the consequences, anyone in pain should get what they need for relief. From reading the posts on this site and from my own experience as a chronic pain patient, I think the problem always boils down to control. It's not that we all want to be junkies (although in my own case, I'm not sure I can say that), we are using a type of drugs that is inherently hard to self-administer. It might solve a lot of problems if doctors, patients, drug companies and even health insurance organizations could engineer some kind of universally available facility that could ensure that patients got what they truly needed for pain relief each day but also exert the control that so many of us lack. I imagine this is what pain clinics do, but they don't seem to be available to enough people.
Anyway, glad to be back. This is a very interesting thread. I, too, miss Brian because he is a doctor who truly knows of what he speaks. I hope he hasn't relapsed bigtime in any event.
While I don't have a medical degree to compare with your husband's, I'm surprised at his comment re: Vicodin.
(a suggestion to everyone, don't rely solely on professionals for drug info. They frequently "dumb it down" for bottom-feeding non-MDs like ourselves. Go to www.rxlist.com, and learn to use it. It gives you the same manufacturer's lit on virtually every drug in the Physician's Desk Reference)
If you go there and look up Vicodin, Carole, you'll discover that Vicodin is composed of the narcotic hydrocodone and the relatively useless but very dangerous OTC drug called Tylenol.
Percs are based on the narc oxycodone. Generally speaking, oxycodone is a bit more euphoric than hydrocodone. I think most posters on this site using oxycontin (same drug as percs) would agree. They usually only use Vics when they can't get Oxy's or percs.
Anyway, to each his own
(a suggestion to everyone, don't rely solely on professionals for drug info. They frequently "dumb it down" for bottom-feeding non-MDs like ourselves. Go to www.rxlist.com, and learn to use it. It gives you the same manufacturer's lit on virtually every drug in the Physician's Desk Reference)
If you go there and look up Vicodin, Carole, you'll discover that Vicodin is composed of the narcotic hydrocodone and the relatively useless but very dangerous OTC drug called Tylenol.
Percs are based on the narc oxycodone. Generally speaking, oxycodone is a bit more euphoric than hydrocodone. I think most posters on this site using oxycontin (same drug as percs) would agree. They usually only use Vics when they can't get Oxy's or percs.
Anyway, to each his own
I've struggled with Vicodin for the past six years. I have a chronic blood disorder, which routinely produces painful ulcerations in my mouth. Back in 1994, my hematologist at the time prescribed Vicodin for the pain and provided multiple refills. It's been a love-hate relationship ever since.
As soon as I realized I was abusing them, I told my husband. He would hide them from me, and I would become obsessed with finding them. Of course, eventually I'd find them, take too many, and have to confess to him. We've been on this rollercoaster for six years now. I wish I'd never gotten on. Problem is, I still have access. Whenever I start to feel sick with my blood condition, I panic and want to feel better. That's when I pick up the phone and call my hematologist. His nurse automatically calls in 50 pills with 3 additional refills. I've asked for fewer pills, with no refills, but sometimes she forgets. I'm not blaming her -- I just don't want access to them. My willpower stinks.
Over the past several months, I've developed intense headaches, and I suspect it's from years of abusing Vicodin. My neurologist is completely stumped by my headaches, and all of the treatments she's tried have been unsuccessful. Has anyone else had bad, chronic headaches from drug abuse?
My husband (who is now a doctor) says that Vicodin has more "euphoric-producing" chemicals than other pain relievers (ie., percocet). Has anyone else heard this?
As soon as I realized I was abusing them, I told my husband. He would hide them from me, and I would become obsessed with finding them. Of course, eventually I'd find them, take too many, and have to confess to him. We've been on this rollercoaster for six years now. I wish I'd never gotten on. Problem is, I still have access. Whenever I start to feel sick with my blood condition, I panic and want to feel better. That's when I pick up the phone and call my hematologist. His nurse automatically calls in 50 pills with 3 additional refills. I've asked for fewer pills, with no refills, but sometimes she forgets. I'm not blaming her -- I just don't want access to them. My willpower stinks.
Over the past several months, I've developed intense headaches, and I suspect it's from years of abusing Vicodin. My neurologist is completely stumped by my headaches, and all of the treatments she's tried have been unsuccessful. Has anyone else had bad, chronic headaches from drug abuse?
My husband (who is now a doctor) says that Vicodin has more "euphoric-producing" chemicals than other pain relievers (ie., percocet). Has anyone else heard this?
No wonder Tom 2 freaked on you. Look at how many times your name appears on this list. It used to be that you could get advice from qualified medical pfofessionals.Now due to possible budget problems there is only one thread allowed a day.
I'm glad you find solace in sharing your woes with everyone, but I agre with Tom 2.Change the site name to support for those with addictions. Then people wouldn't be misled into thinking they wee getting sound advice.Or better yet change the name to "Talk addiction with Barb and friends"
I'm glad you find solace in sharing your woes with everyone, but I agre with Tom 2.Change the site name to support for those with addictions. Then people wouldn't be misled into thinking they wee getting sound advice.Or better yet change the name to "Talk addiction with Barb and friends"
Thanks for the information!
Yes, I pay 20.00 for Ultrum right now because it's considered a formulary drug by the insurance company. I am not sure how they would list Vicoprofen but it may be the same way. If it comes down to paying for it, I'll buy it, I need it! Thanks again!
I've taken many of those...My health didn't cover them though when I did have a RX for them...so check into that. Most HMO's think that Vicodin is a reliable source of pain relief and won't cover Vicoprofen...There is only one company on the market making VP right now...Knoll Pharm...So it's a proprietary drug right now and runs a little over a dollar apiece without insurance. 30 tablets used to cost me $44+. Terrible. If your plan covers it - go for it. It's better and easier on the body. It has the strength of Hydrocodone equivalent to and Extra Strength Vicodin. Good drug - but very overpriced - good luck. - Mike P.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
