Long term effects?

[candy74]

This is my first post.  Just wondering if anyone can tell me what the effects of taking narc painkillers say for 7 years has on your body?  (i.e. kidneys, liver, etc?)  I started out taking them for migraines & it escalated to a 5-12 per day habit.  Last monday I drastically cut back to only 2 a day & have had a hell of a week.  I found this site a few days ago & am amazed at how helpful it has been.  No one knows about my addiction...NO ONE (my husband, kids, friends).  It's been a lonely road & it's nice to see ppl going thru the same thing as me.  I'm hoping this forum will become my new DOC...at least it wont kill me=)  I'm typing this as fast as I can before anyone in my family comes in.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.  THX!

[Edy9]

I’ve been taking Vicodin for over 7 years for fibromyalgia pain & lower back pain .  I really think we have an “addict” gene.  Some of my siblings have it & others don’t.  For example my biological father was prone to alcohol addiction while my mother gets bad side effects when taking narcotic pain medication after a severe car accident.  So I’m like my mom after hysterectomy they gave me codine made me sick I asked for plain Tylenol and it was enough.   My point is I don’t feel that after seven years I can become addicted because that family gene helps.
  Also 1st pain doc had no problem giving me five 750 mg Vicodin  per day I thought he should be treating me with injections or something instead of increasing the pain med . I switch doctors, now my second doctor gave me injections and such,  which immediately helped … I have a feeling the first doc  just wanted to prescribe Vicodin instead of actually performing procedures correctly to reduce my pain.
I took myself down from five pills to2  a day.  I’m going to try long-term celebrex because my fibro pain could probably benefit from four Vicodin a day since that pain is still pretty bad.
However I’m not sure what is better on my health long-term Vicodin or long-term Celebrex?

[toxictome]

If you want to do a taper...PM avisg...she is good w/ taper schedules. Just let her know how many pills you have...how many are you taking a day now?
Feel free to PM w/ any questions.  YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

It can be done. Set your mind to it. There are many here that have made it too. You can be one of them. Stay connected here, especially the first couple of months.

[candy74]

On my way to the store now to pickup the items mentioned on The Thomas recipe (w/the exception of valium etc..anything that would require a prescription).  Looks like you've come a long way...gives me HOPE!

[GoingToMakeIt]

The Thomas recipe is in my journals. Lots of water, bananas, hot baths with Epsom salts. Immodium on hand. Tapering if you can do it is better on your body. You will be able to function and still have a life while lowering your dose.
     As far as long term effects. We really don't have all the data. Memory loss, energy loss, digestive disorders, etc... Most of these will eventually repair themselves over a long period of time (1+ years)
Good luck with things.

[candy74]

Thx guys.  toxic...I appreciate your advice & will try the bananas & baths as well as the slow taper.  Newmgmt.. your kind words go a long way.  For the first time, I don't feel alone in this battle.  As hard as it's been...the only thing keeping me going is the thought if one day being free from these things

[newmanagment]

this forum is my new addiction , and the people above can help with tapers, rls , and w/ds!! they are the best people ive never met, and ive grown to love em all real quick. you will to, sounds like you want this,and that is what it takes to get started. i wanted to just say we are here for you, welcome to the forum, and your in the right place. best of luck and keep posting, well get thru this 2gether....

[toxictome]

If you want you could do a slower taper(gradually decrease the pills) and that will let you be able to function better. You will still have wds, but they will be minimal., and  you will be able to work and care for your family.
What do you think about that? YOU could probably taper off the 20 you have. You are going to have the rls...theres no way around it. Try eating bananas and HOT baths help too...
Go to GoingToMakeIt's profile..in his journals you will find the Thomas Recipe...that will give you an idea of other things to help you thru wds.

[candy74]

The 2 pills I've been taking have been 1 around 7pm (when I'm @ my breaking point...rls...after having gone about 21 hrs since my last dose) & then another around 10 or 11 before I attempt to sleep.  The sleep thing is crucial for me with a demanding job & kids...can't afford to not function.  I've been taking 5-500 mg lortabs & have about 20 left (problem is I have 90 more available if I need them) from a previous order I made before I decided to quit...haven't gotten them yet, but they're due to arrive Mon.  Kind of wish I hadn't ordered them.

[toxictome]

What drug and what dose are you on?

[toxictome]

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place for help and support.
If i were you i would stop taking 2 pills at  a time and spread them out say ...take 1 every 12 hrs. The goal is to reduce the amount you take  and let it even out in your system. Do you have  a quit date planned? How many pills do you have left? WE'll try to figure something out for you to make it  a little more bearable.
Good luck and Keep posting>

[candy74]

Thanks for the support.  WOW!  I'm just blown away at how much you all seem to care...just goes to show that despite being or having been addicts that we all are still good pple with lots to offer!!!

[candy74]

Thanks guys!  Its nice to know there is someone out there I can talk to about this as I don't have a support system at home.  As of yet, everyone thinks I just have the flu, hopefully these symptoms wont last too long...may be hard to explain after a week.  w/d's would probably be more bearable if I didn't have to work everyday as well as take care of my kids.  Just wondering how I'll ever feel "happy" again w/o my pills.  The 2 I take per day have been limited to evenings cause I can't imagine trying to sleep w/o them.  The worst part has been the rls!  I wish I could get some meds to help w/ the w/d's.  Problem is I'm friends with many in the med community & would die if anyone found out.  Also...worried about being "blacklisted" as an addict if I ask for help, would make it tough to get meds down the road if I ever REALLY need them legitimately. Does the fact that I look so forward to the evenings when I can have my allotment mean I'm not mentally ready to give these up for good?  Cutting back from what I used to take down to 2 has been so TOUGH!  Any advice on when I need to take it to the next step?

[Missy31]

It is going to hell a  of a raod to go down but it can be done, you can do it we are all here for support and any kind of help possible you just hang in there you are no longer alone!

[laloca30]

i just posted my first time also.Your situation is like mine.I am in the closet with all this.I lost everything i had a 10 year marriage,my home,kids.Only cause i wouldnt admit to the problem.I am now admittting need help.Guess thats the first thing.Just be strong keep your mind occuipied.What i try to do.This is on of the hardest battles you will probaly ever try to conquer.But i believe it can be done.

[cathy5841]

hi and welcome to the forum...i promise it is definately addicting.  i really dont know the long term effects the drugs have on our bodies, but i do know it cant be good.  i am so glad you have decided to quit.  wow, only taking 2 a day is huge taper, but a great start.  you willl be free of this habit soon if you stick with it.  you can do this, and we will be here to help you.  keep us poted on your progress.
cathy