[Travelinglady]

I was prescribed Vicodin back in August when I "decided" to fall down some stairs and did a number on my leg. Since then I have taken only about 30 mg a day. But lately I have been trying to cut down and discovered that I am having some of the withdrawal effects. I sure didn't expect that.

At any rate, I called the doc's nurse about it, and she said the doc would tell me when to cut down and would probably prescribe another pain med, a non-opiate, when he decided I needed to get off. I told her I hoped it wasn't Tramadol because I have already been taking that everyday for years, underneath anything else I take.

Well, when I tried to renew my Vicodin last week, I got a call back and was told the doc wasn't going to give me any more Vicodin, but instead was going to give me a scrip for Tramadol. Needless to say, I was not happy. Don't these people listen? I explained again about my situation, including that I would like some guidelines on weaning off and I needed more Tramadol to do it right I thought, and the nurse said she would tell the doc and get back to me. I didn't hear anything back. Well, when my hubby went to get some meds the pharmacy called and said they had for me, I discovered I had been given prescriptions for Vicodin and for Tramadol. No messages from the doc......

Gee, well, I'm now down to 20 mg a day. I tried to wean down to 15 yesterday and today, but am having a lingering bad headache, knee pain, and some depression, I think, as a result.

I know some people are prescribed these drugs long-term and I have no problem with that. But I sure didn't expect withdrawal effects from 30 mg! I wasn't even taking as many of the pills as the instructions said I could--and now I'm glad I didn't.

I am still in PT, so I think I will slow down on the weaning, now that I have more pills. I am annoyed, though, that I didn't hear back from the doc. Maybe it was because he had prescribed Oxycodon to me after knee surgery the first week in February and didn't know I was still on Tramadol? I never did finish the full bottle of Oxycodon, knowing its adddictive potential. Gee.

What do you folks think about this situation?

[layla11]

Hi Payne, I think I would call the doctors office tomorrow and let them know about all the confusion on their part. What are you suppose to be taking and advise them again about your concerns. I know when I had neck surgery, I was surprised how addicted I was in about 6 week, wasn't fun getting off, I had side effects and stomach aches and so forth. I'm glad your feeling better and trying to cut back, but Payne be careful, because the side effects can get ahold of you before you know it. Such as diarrhea, headaches, depression and others. Just take it slow, you'll get their.

[Travelinglady]

I made an appointment for next week with the doc who did surgery on me. The nurse was trying to tell me the PA said I'd have to go to my primary care doc to deal with how to get off Vicodin, and I told her I didn't think that was right. She wasn't the one who put me on it, and as far as I am concerned, the prescriber should give me guidelines for getting off.

The nurse said since I was still having so much pain, I could make an appointment with the orthopedist, so I quickly took her up on it. I did hurt my knee a bit last night when I was walking without my cane, so I think that's why my pain was worse today. I told my PT, but she put me through a tough workout anyway, just saying to let her know if I just couldn't work despite the pain.

Then I called my pharmacist and at least she told me to stay on the dose I wanted for a week, then cut down and stay on that a week. She said she didn't know what the orthopedist had in mind with the Tramadol either, like should I start taking more as I get off of Vicodin, take more after I get off Vicodon or what.

I am so fed up with doctors.

[layla11]

Good greif, can they get themselves together! I would call my primary and ask if this is true that she should help you cut back. And possible make a appointment if you feel you need it.

Madd too!

[Leed]

I really shouldn't but I COULD give you a weaning schedule if you had enough. But like I said, I really shouldn't.

The doctor certainly doesn't listen to you, does he! So many people have the same problem when asking how to get off these meds. Personally, I don't think the doctors are 'SCHOOLED' in how to get off them. I really don't think they know anything about weaning. And that's unfortunate because an awful lot of people NEED weaning schedules!! Getting off Vicodin isn't any picnic if you don't have a GOOD weaning schedule. Believe me, I know.
I got off ALL my meds several years ago to prove to myself that I wasn't addicted to my meds - and i wasn't. Once I got off, I couldn't have cared any less if I had them or not. I did that because I'm a recovering alcoholic and didn't need any more problems. LOL

But I have had trouble getting off some meds. And the withdrawals are awful. So make sure you get a fairly long weaning schedule -- if it's too short, you're going to have nasty withdrawals. Best of luck and God bless! Hugs, Lee