Has anyone gone Cold Turkey off of Vicodin after 5+ years of use?

[The_Me_I_Want_To_Be]

Hello everyone...wishing you all the best...certainly better than I'm feeling lately. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since I stopped taking 5mg-500mg Hydrocodone/APAP (Vicodin) 4-8 tablets per day for the past 6 years. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Low Back Pain and a bunch of other medical issues that I've been dealing with for several years. Because of allergies and sensitivities to many medications, I pretty much ended up on Vicodin as a last resort. Due to insurance purposes, I ended up with a doctor who wouldn't prescribe anymore medicine and after a recent ER visit for a seizure, I told my fiance' that I didn't want to go there ever again if I had the choice. Fortunately, at the beginning of June my old doctor who I really liked but had to leave because of insurance, is starting her own practice. So, I'm holding out for that. Unfortunately, she has to wait 30 days from when she left the old practice to consult with any patients. So, I've been detoxing cold turkey at home. Fortunately, I still have my psych meds...one which is an anti-anxiety med called alprazolam...which my neurologist said was okay to take for the shakes. I'm starting to zone out...feeling like I'm going into pre-seizure mode...gotta go...just want to know if anyone has any advice...thnaks1..andrrea

[wannabefree330]

It would be a shame to go back to the meds if you don't need to.  Your physical w/d from the opiates should be over with.  I agree w/worried.  Sounds like it's another medication that is causing some of these symptoms.  Although you could be experiencing PAWS (read about this by clicking the link in the lower r corner of this page). The seizure was NOT caused by lortab.  opiate w/d doesn't cause sz activity.  If you can manage your pain without using the narcotic, I would strongly encourage you to not go back to it.  It may take several months for you to feel back to 'normal' again but it's worth the wait to have your life back.

[jimi1822]

my name is jimi I was on vicodin from 1989 to 1999. I started with 1-2 pills Q4-6H  means every 4-6 hours prn=as needed 10 years later 15 pills Q4-6H= 80plus a day I thank GOD every day that I'm still alive and WELL. Detox was long I did not sleep for over 100 days  was in the hospital for 2 long months I pray everyday that no one should suffer like I did. @ this time 9 years ago I was in the hospital now I am a health and wellness director for a big company were I met my wife she is a vice president for the firm. So I tell you please BELIEVE in miracles NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP !!! There is a rainbow @ the end of the tunnel I PROMISE YOU!!! My prayers and blessings are with you GOD BLESS YOU peace,love and harmony through your travels

[worried878]

20-40 mg of hydro a day is not a very high dose....wd from narcotics does not usually involve seizures...the xanax u have at home can cause that if quitting cold turkey....if it has been 2 weeks since your last narcotic dose i would not think that would be the cause of any seizures at this time.....physical part should be over from that daily dose but everyone is different...what is it that u want to know?