vicodin addiction

[mschasser]

I have a family member who was diagnosed with chronic pain and fatigue over 10 years ago. I believe that she has an addiction to vicodin but I am curious of the signs and symptoms that I should be looking for. She sleeps probably 19 hours out of a 24 hour period and admits to using vicodin "occasionally" for the pain. I am getting ready to go to stay with her in the next few weeks because my sister who lives near her has been worried about the way that she has been acting. She has been spacey and has had chronic diarrhea along with the sleeping so much. I know with chronic fatigue the person does sleep alot, but it seems like something is just not right. If someone has some info they would like to share, I would really appreciate it. Also, what should I do if this is the case and she is addicted?

[mschasser]

Just wanted everyone to know that I bought a plane ticket to go down there to check out the situation with my family member. I will leave on Saturday and be there for four days- that is all I could manage for right now. I will post while I am down there, after I check her pill jars....Hopefully I am worried about nothing, we will see.  Thanks for all your help so far.

[msinsane]

i must agree with avisg you will see for yourself once you get there be patient with her and talk to her like you normally would dont go at her hard see if you can get her to open up maybe you are the person she has been waitng on maybe you will be the one to help her take a look at the situation and i wouldnt tell her what everyone is saying about he cuz that would only make me put a wall up  vics had me thinking i could do anything i felt like he-man   so really take some time with her i think it is a blessing that she has you on her side if i were you i would read several posts so you can learn more about addiction not just vic addiction i have heard of people getting addicted to other kinds of pills etc.... you are doing a great job....i wish someone would ve led me to this site 0sooner....take care msinsane

[avisg]

I think you will have a better idea of whats going on when you get there
avis

[mschasser]

Her husband has witnessed it. It almost seems to me that she is drugging her self to sleep so that she does not feel the pain from the chronic pain syndrome. I just assumed that it was the vicodin that she was drugging herself with. I did not realize that it would make her hyper instead of sleeping. Now I am really confused.

[msinsane]

personally the only time i did sleep alot was day 1 and to of withdrawals and i htink i slept for the first 2 day of going c/t because i was on so many pills i dont think i slept in a week so my body had to eventually crash but after the second day i could not sleep and still i can not sleep  i hope this is not her situation has anyone actually witnessed her sleeping this long .....msinsane

[road2recovery]

I think it is a mixture of meds....They have given you get adive here..Pupils are a dead give away..

Does she suffer from depression???  
The one thing you said that bothers be is the sleeping all the time, i am sorry but on vic, i don't know any one that would sleep that many hours...Then if she is detoxing she would be sleeping even less..
And not making it to family functions at all..

you are a very caring person
r2r

[msinsane]

when i was taking the pil;ls i wouldnt even go to fam or friend functions i had eventually let the pills over take me honestly she seems to have a few signs of addiction but this is just my opinion and you need to go and spend time with her maybe something else is really bothering her and she feels she cant talk to no one but i know as for my self i was  a maniac this is hard to admitt but i did some crazy things like when my car was broke i walked 2 hours to the pharmacy to get my pill cuz i was all out instead of waiting for my friend to get out of work to come take me watch her behavior and dont go at her hard please i use to get real offensive about any thing and the next minute i loved everyone it all depended where my high was i also got real depressed and if i couldnt get pills for 1 day i would be evil  try to get down there as soon as possible  you have to watch everything she does as an addict it might be easier for us to notice another addict i am always looking at people and watching what they do or how they act   keep posting on this forum and the people here are wonder ful they will help you out

[mschasser]

No, that was one of things that my sister said. She has no patience and has quite a temper, which is not normal for her. Also, like I said before she is acting goofy. My sister said that at xmas dinner she started an argument with one of the in-laws over something simple. She also said that she has gotten to the point the she apologizes for her before she has even arrived at functions, because she acts so off the wall most of the time anymore.  Thanks for your reply.

[msinsane]

when i didnt have pills for 1 day i would call some of my friends who had no clue i was an addict and tell them how much pain i am in and tell them the meds i got from my dr i gave away even though i knew i didnt i ate them up just to see if they had any from past surgeries and a few times it worked and i got a full bottle my point is that could be another sign but maybe it just me watch her pupils and behavior if she is real happy and talkative look at her pupils and if she has flu like systems  more than once in a great great while you will know watch her friends does she still associate like she use too i gave up all my friends   my friends were my dealers and pills  does she have patience like she once did all of these are give aways.....good luck msinsane

[avisg]

I think it would be good to look into many different possibilities , by the way it is so nice to see that you are looking out for your mom like this not all children do . PLZ let us know what happens

[mschasser]

Yes, it is a possibility that it is just the CFS, yet it has changed over the last few months. The way that she is acting is just not normal for her. I know that she has been to the doctor recently and had all of her tests rerun to see if anything new showed up. Nothing new. Maybe it is not vicodin but something else or maybe a combination of the wrong drugs together. I guess that I will get a list of her meds along with amounts and talk to a pharmacist. I suppose that there is not much to do untill I go there. Thanks.

[IBKleen]

That is what I meant by saying the diarrhea is not normal. That usually occurs during withdrawal. If she is in as much pain as she states, then she may well be abusing her meds. We tend to think that more is better, again--not the case.

I can't think off the top of my head what else to look for. But checking her supply will be a dead give-away.

[mschasser]

No, not in a long time. I hate to bring it up when I am so far away and over the phone. I am just trying to prepare for when I get there.

[mschasser]

Thank you for responding so quickly. The diarrhea has only been going on for a week or so, maybe it is possible that she is trying to kick it herself? Or what about overuse? Yet I talked to her last night and she told me that her pain has been so bad she has been taking vicodin. I guess that I will wait till I get there, but what other symptoms can I look for?

[avisg]

symptoms of cronic fatigue

Forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating.
Sore throat.
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
Muscle pain.
Joint pain without redness or swelling.
Headaches that are different from other headaches you have had in the past.
Unrefreshing sleep (waking up feeling tired or unrested


It may just be the CF maybe a good check up is in order . She may be being honest when she says she is only using it  occasionally
good luck
avis

[GoingToMakeIt]

Opiate will tend to constipate. Chronic fatigue is tough. Has she tried vitamins and supps? B vitamins sometimes help this. Addicts abuse their drug. Scriptsrun ou too soon mood swings especially energy .Opiates tend to give the addict energy. Have you talked with her about your concerns?

[IBKleen]

I can't say that sleeping is a sign of vicodin addiction. Actually, it is usually the opposite. Most people feel like they have super powers when they take them. It is a false sense, by the way. The diarrhea does not sound right either.

It may be that she has run out and is going thru withdrawal.

When you get there, check her pill bottles. Look for dates on them, and see how many, if any, are left in the bottle. You will know right away.

If you find that she is addicted, there is not much you can do except talk with her. Do NOT attack her. Tell her your concerns. She if she admits to a problem and see if she wants help.

Does she have internet access? If so, when you get there...post again. You will be able to give more information when you are right there. If not, maybe you can find a Starbuck's or a library to use the internet.

Good Luck.

[CinCee]

Well, chronic diarrhea is pretty much the opposite of opiate addiction.  It is actually a symptom of withdrawal.

Sleeping alot is more a symptom of tranquilizer abuse.