I guess this isn't a question, more of a request. I have decided to begin weaning myself off of vicodin. I have been taking it every day for almost a year. I developed an unidentified chronic pain issue last fall and it was prescribed. I was up to 65mg a day until this week. I take the 10/325 version of Norco. I spoke to my doctor about my desire to get off of it recently, but I talked to my mom about it and we made a plan. Part of the reason I would like to stop taking it is that I keep needing more. I still hurt all over, but I wonder if at this point the pain is actually related to the drug. It may be making my body want/ need more for pain relief, or just be craving more. I have not officially been diagnosed with Fibro. but I was given a lot of lyrica samples. I decided not to try them until I am off of the vicodin, it is difficult to know how I feel naturally at this point. I am a 33 year old woman and should not be on that many pain meds. I also have had a great deal of stress this past year in all aspects of my life, and I have an anxiety disorder and depression, so I believe these may have added to the pain. So far I am on day 5 and I have cut down to 50mg, which is 15mg less than I was taking 5 days ago. The 1st 3 days I felt awful, but I was feeling awful even with the vicodin. The last 2 days I have either taken a long walk or worked out and have felt very little pain. I felt that today I may have been able to take 5 more mg less, but decided not to push it yet. I would like to hear experiences of other people who have weaned off. I would not say that I am necessarily addicted to it, but I am physically dependent at this point. I would like to get to the point that I may still take it occasionally if I am in really bad shape, or just not need it at all, but definitely not take it on a regular basis. I am leery of the lyrica because of side effects I read. Mostly the weight gain, I am not incredibly vain or anything, but I took paxil a few years ago and gained 40lbs within a few months. I would prefer not to go through that again. It messed with my self image quite a bit to change so quickly. I also have been SUPER emotional lately, I just went through an awful breakup with someone I whole-heartedly trusted. Up until the last few days I was crying ALL the time. I am wondering if the vicodin was adding to my emotional state. I also have noticed that my thinking has gotten cloudy, I am not as sharp, and have trouble concentrating. Anyone who just has a little support to give would be great! I am taking it one day at a time. Yesterday and today were VERY good days. I am not sure what the rest of the time will hold for me. I hope it stays like today! I also have a friend that says she knows someone who will do acupuncture on me for withdrawals. If anyone has tried this please let me know if it helped! Thanks!
9/8/09
I had posted the above a few days ago. It was suggested in the pain management community that I post here as well. As of last night I had cut back 20mg, I didn't plan to cut the next 5mg for a few days, but I ended up taking my evening dose later than usual so I took less before bed so I didn't end up with too much in a short amount of time. I don't know if that had anything to do with today, but I felt really depressed all day and had a panic attack tonight. That hasn't happened to me in a long time. I have been very depressed lately, but not to the point of panic.
I have gotten those in the past, but it kinda came out of nowhere. I think I need a med. adjustment with my anti-depressants too. I wondered if anyone who has weaned off of vicodin has experienced anything like this? I teach and am in school as well and it scares me to not know how I am going to feel day to day. I can't wait to get this stuff outta my system. I think that cold turkey would be too much for me right now though. I think just getting other people's input and stories may help give me some reassurance at this point. I am very far away from my family and I don't have a lot of friends here so it's hard to deal sometimes. The person I just had a breakup with was my strongest support for years and so it's difficult to not have that to lean on right now.