Vicodin trouble

[bill]

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?

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I just found a drug listed on the internet that has hydrocodone mixed with Ibuprophen, which I find to be a good pain killer in itself. It also reduces inflamtion of swolen joints and tissues that cause pain whereas Tylenol does not.

The name of the drug is Vicoprophen. I am going to ask my Doc on Thursday if I can get this in place of the codiene. I don't know if he'll prescribe it but it's worth a try.

I don't really like the codiene much as it does not kill the pain even mixing it with Ibuprophen.

I see my Neurologist today, I'll ask his advice and see what he thinks about this whole mess. He agrees with me taking the Klonopin but I don't know how he will feel about long term useage of strong pain killers for chronic pain. I guess I'll guess I'll find out soon. Hang in there Vicoden Gurrl. Nice to have you join in the forum.

[about oxy's]

To who ever was asking about oxycontin. It's so bad because it is SO good. It is a great pain medication, but if you have addictive tendencies, watch out for this one.I got put on them for a serious back problem. In no time I became tolerant to the dosage and up it went.If you become physically dependent on oxy look out.You may go through your script to soon and man do you feel bad wihout them.They are very bad to withdrawl from. Never break one or chew one because the amount of meds in them are intended to be releasede over a peroid of 8 to 12 hours.Breaking them you get it all at once.Addicts love it likethat for the rush of getting it all at once.Can be very dangerous.If you are not doing them don't start. If a doctor puts you on them take ONLY as directed.They are very expensive.If you don't have a prescripton card you are screwed. If you take to the streets a 40 mg. pill can cost $25 and an 80mg. $40 or $50 dollars.Trust me...don't get on this for kicks. They are next to impossible to kick. Go to archive section under Oxycontin and read some descriptions of what hell is like.By the way, I'm on them and am weeks away fom my refill.Hope I don't bump into you down there.Good luck everyone.By the way, that guy a few psts back is not "our "Tom I'm pretty sure. I know he was tired of one post a day but I doubthe would have written that.And whoever it was, cut him some slack. God only knows what he was on or going through.We are supposed to be compassionate here!

[A mother]

I WAS JUST BROUSING, TRYING TO FIND FACTS CONCERING
CODINE ABUSE WHEN THIS SITE CAME UP.
MY SON IS A STRUGLING ADDICT. HE IS TRYING TO STAY CLEAN.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HELP.
I'M SURE IT CAN'T BE EASY.
READING YOUR COMMITS BROKE MY HEART BUT AT THE SAME TIME
GAVE ME AN INSIGHT.
I REALIZE I CAN'T HELP HIM, HE HAS TO BE THE ONE TO HELP HIMSELF, WITH
GODSHELP OF COURSE.
SO FOR YOU GUYS IN THE SAME SITUATION AS MY SON--
PLEASE WORK HARD TO STAY CLEAN AND REMEMBER
GOD CAN TAKE AWAY THE PROBLEM
I KNOW GOD WILL WORK IN MY SON'S LIFE

[Shiny]

Bill, where do you live, in what state.  How do you get them so easily off the street.  I live in Maryland and don't have a clue as to how to get them off the street.  And of course I'm afraid of getting caught.  I am just an ordinary housewife who always runs out of pain meds early.  I have always gotten my drugs from my doctor but who knows when he will cut me off.

[Vicodin Gurrl to Dan]

Wowee, someone needs to take a CHILL PILL (or maybe some hydrocodone, who knows?)  :)This Tom guy has gone a wee bit psycho on this site, hasn't he folks?  Oh well, we all get a bit worked up at times.  We should all be careful when mixing medications unless advised by a DOCTOR, but I think people giving advice here are simply stating what has worked for them. I believe the readers here are smart enough to make choices not simply based on the input of INTERNET advice, but will determine what is best for them using a mutiltude of resources.  Bye for now!

[I'm not the TOM you all know]

Wow, for such a group of supportful people you sure are quick to flame someone.I am not the TOM you all know and love,don't rip him, i have never posted. My point is: I too have gotten much suport and comfort from people in similar situations. But you are not Qualified to dispense some of the advice that has been psted here. I've seen times when people said it was okay to mix certain meds and was told by an MD that the particular mix can cause seizures even death.It's a great site for support, I just wondered where the DR.s have gone.For supposingly being such caring people you are quick to draw conclusions.
Calm down BARBARA...you are quite judgemental my friend. I will find a new site and you can go on crying to your friends. Hypocrite !!!!!