Wanting to go off Hydrocodone!

[teachermommy690]

hi everyone,
So glad I found this site.  I've been lurking for a few months and I must say, there are some very strong, compassionate, and caring people on this forum!  I have had chronic migraine headaches since I was 8 years old and been on various medications for pain for the past 20 years.  I have been prescribed Hydrocodone for the past 10 years and I honestly wish the neurologist NEVER started me on it.  I hate it and am dependent on it at the same time.  I currently feel that I'm using it more as a 'preventative' than an abortive medication.  I take a pill every 3-4 hours throughout the day just to ward off my migraines.  I have tried not taking it and feel much worse - chills, diarrhea, etc.  My neuro just called me in a refill when I told her my symptoms of trying to stop taking it!  I'm so confused!  Should I try to taper off?  Since I have such chronic pain, are 30-40 pills per week 'normal' or should I be worried?  I am at the initial stages of exploring what is happening with my body.  I think there is a HUGE difference in being addicted to a medication and being physically dependent on it.  I am not being judgmental AT ALL - I hope it didn't sound that way.  I know that no one would choose to be in the situation we are in with these meds.  It literally feels like a double-edged sword.  Can't handle the pain w/o the med, but HATE feeling like I HAVE to take it just feel 'normal.'  Does that make sense?  Other meds don't work well for my migraines or cause bad side effects, so I feel really stuck.  What do you all think?  I trust this forum based on previous posts I've read and it's taken me so long to get up the courage to finally make my first post.  Thanks in advance.  I'm so confused.  Hugs to all....

[gnarly_1]

there is a fine line between dependency and addiction you sound more on the dependent side it s u c k s ether way you need to get off and there will be withdrawals to go threw it always a good idea evey few years to take your delf off everything and get a base line of where you pain is I was up to 150mg of methadone about 20 times what your taking and it quit working for pain it was horable stuff to get off off it took months of tapering then 90 days to recover your withdrawal shoulds last about 4 days then better on the 5 day you may find like me that you do a lot better without the narcotics many of our member do you can ween yourself off but it just spreads the withdrawals over a month im more for the get it oveder as fast as you can I did methadone in 1/2 the time they told me it would take it came with some added withdrawals but overall im glad I did it that way you got to decide what to do but I highly recamend getting off the pills if only for a month good luck and God bless.........Gnarly

[LostNoMore]

It is addictive!! Opiates rewire our brains. They prevent the natural production of chemicals our bodies make that affect pain, pleasure, mood, etc. I would look into Gnarly's suggestion. But yes they are safe when taken as prescribed. My mother has been on hydrocodone for 15 years following a botched disc fusion surgery. She doesn't like taking it, but she couldn't function without it.

[teachermommy690]

Yes, I am just wondering if this medication is safe.  I've been taking it for so long, but others talk about it being addictive.  I don't feel 'high' when I take it, but definitely feel dependency because my pain returns if I don't take more.  I feel in limbo, but am taking it as prescribed.  just don't want to run into trouble with it.  Thanks so much for your response. God Bless.....

[gnarly_1]

HI you may want to ask your doctor about some other meds I get 2 to3 migrains a week sometimes more im on a b/p med verapersil that I take 3 times a day as a preventive measure then imitrex when they hit if I stay on my meds I can cut it down to 1 a week the problem for me is trying to remember to take something 3 times a day but if I follow doctors orders 1 a week is realistic and nethere is narcotic the neurologist I see is from barros neurological one of the best in the country ask your doctor about the varapisil it suppose to be state of the art stuff good luck and God bless.........Gnarly    

[LostNoMore]

Hi - are you wondering if you're an addict? I'm not exactly sure what your question is. If you are taking the hydro as prescribed and have been for 10 years, you are more than likely not an addict. Yes, you are physically and psychologically dependent. You experienced withdrawals when you stopped.
It sounds like you've explored other treatment options. For some, opiates are the only thing that works for their pain. I hope this helps.