Narcotic Withdrawl

Hi all.

I have been on Vicodin for about three or four months now, taking an average daily dose of 30-40 milligrams (or 6-8 5/500 tabs.). This was due to severe pain pre and post surgery (my surgery was on July third).

I have recently (within the last two days) cut down on my intake to about 7 milligrams a day (or 1 1/2 5/500 pills), and am afraid I am having physical withdrawl symptoms. Basically, I feel like I have the "flu"; headache, sore muscles, slight chills, etc.

My Doc prescribed me Darvocet to help with the remainder of my post-operative pain, and apperantly to help with any withdrawl I might suffer, but it seems to make my headaches and "flu" symptoms worse.

Is there anything I can do for this, and how long will it last? Is it withdrawl symptoms? Am I weaning myself wrong?

I'd like to state that I am not psychologically addicted to the medication, and don't crave it - I simply want to find out how to stop taking it without suffering.

Thank you beforehand for all and any input.

Hi Moonsilk,

Boy, talk about a kinship...

I've been being treated for chronic back pain for many months with Norco, which is the strongest form of Vicodin. I've been taking as many as 12-14 a day depending on my pain level. Last Friday I made the decision to stop taking them. I went cold turkey. What a bad move....sweats, shaking, vomiting, headaches, double vision, aches and pains, etc. But, I wanted to stop and stop now. I'm finally feeling like I'm almost over the WDs.

Vicodin is a very powerful and addictive drug. The best way according to my doctor to taper off the med is, if you're taking 8 a day, cut back to 7 for a few days, then 6, then 5, etc. This slowly allows the toxin to leave your body and minimizes any WDs you might have. Darvocet has none of the properties that Vicodin has, and I would think do nothing for your withdrawals. Of course, I'm not a doctor.

How ever you handle this I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you don't go thru what I did. It really sucked...a lot...big time.

bp

"A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart."

Hi, bptoo. ^^

Thanks for the reply. ^^

I am still having a considerable amount of pain from my surgery, so I visited my surgeon and he revealed to me that I still have an "open wound", on one side of the area that was operated on, which is causing all the pain. The type of surgery I had generally takes six weeks to heal - unfortunately mine may take up to another four weeks to heal.

I informed him, however, that I don't want to take Vicodin anymore to control the pain, or the Darvocet (which never worked on the pain anyway). He prescribed me Tylenol with Codeine. So far, it works wonderfully on the pain, with less nasty side-effects than the Darvocet.

Since it is in the same family as the Vicodin (just a lesser strength), I am wondering if it will help with the withdrawl? I still feel somewhat "fluey", but not nearly as bad as it was previously.

It's kind of depressing to have to take the pain meds anyway, even though they make me comfortable. I will take your advice about weaning, and when it comes time to wean from the Codeine, I will speak with my surgeon, and hopefully come up with a regimen that will keep the symptoms to a minimum.

I am sorry to hear that you had such a horrible time with the Vicodin - but am glad you are feeling better. ^^

Please, do take care.

(((((bptoo)))))

Hi Moon,

That is what I am taking now, Vicodin. They had given me Percaset, which did absolutely nothing for the pain. I take the Vicodin and I don't feel bad at all, almost like I am well. Course I can tell when I need one, that is for sure.

How addictive is this stuff?

Mary Alice

Well, I have been on Vicodin daily for the last three or four months, and since it's a narcotic, it can be very addictive - especially when taking it in higher doses, and for long periods of time.

I suggest you talk to your doctor about the risks of addiction, and let him know that if he plans to keep you on it for a long time that you want to be properly weaned from the drug so that you don't have to go through any of the nasty withdrawls when you are taken off of it.

Right now, I am on Tylenol with Codeine, which is working for my post-opperative pain, and my "flu" symptoms have mostly dissipated from having been on the Vicodin for so long. However, my doctor plans to keep me on the Codeine for a while, so when I see him in September, we will likely discuss my weaning off of it as well (since Codeine is also a narcotic).

Don't worry too much - a decent doctor will always wean his patients off of an addictive medication if weaning is neccesary - but bring it up to him when you speak to him - make sure you voice your concerns to ensure that proper measures are taken when it's time to quit usuing the drug.

((((Mary Alice))))

Please, take care. ^^

Thanks Moon

The bottle says 5mg/500mg tabs......supposed to take 1 or 2 every 4 hours. I'm only taking the one right now, esp since I am on 40mg of Prozac per day as well. I feel like a walking pharmacy lol.

If I miss my dose of Prozac I have major withdrawals, even if I am simply late taking it.........I know how awful it can be. It used to be 80mg a day - thank goodness I backed down, I was a walking zombie back then.

Thanks for the info.........{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Moon}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Mary Alice

You're very welcome, Mary Alice. ^^

I wish you much luck. ^^

(((((Mary Alice)))))