Vicodin Withdrawals

[ItstheSky]

My Vicodin addiction is fairly new and I've been highly aware of it since it has started, but it is getting progressively worse. It's been almost a year since I've been prescribed Vicodin for back pain and I've taken it on and off; however lately I've been taking 3-4 per day (which is a lot for me, considering I used to be fine only taking a half of one as needed). I want to stop and there's no way I want to let it get worse. I'm anxious and anticipating it though and wanted to know- How long do the withdrawal symptoms last? I have definitely felt them and they are so bad that I cave and just take one to make it go away. I get extremely fatigued and tired (no matter how much sleep I get)...and the hardest part is the terrible muscle aches and dizziness. All of this of course, leads to moodiness. How long does this madness go on for? Please help! I need a realistic picture and lots of encouragement because I'm at a complete stand still.

[ItstheSky]

Ok thanks =) I decided to ask you because it keeps popping up on the right side of the page that you are on the list of "top answerers" for the "addiction community". thanks again!

[toothfairie]

sorry, it actually says "post a question"

[toothfairie]

hi again...to answer your question you posted to me, you can hit the "ask a question at the top of the page and you can post how far along you are and other people will respond as well...it puts your question/statement at the top and other people can see it...it really doesn't have to be a question....you are doing great!  keep up the good work!  :)

[ItstheSky]

Thanks so much...It's good to know you were still able to function at work. That's a big problem for me. The times I've kicked Vicodin for a couple of days, I was a complete grump at work and with customers. Even with friends and family. It got so irritating that I just decided to take it again to stop the madness.
Unfortunately I'm almost out of my Vicodin so my taper has to be really fast and I'm done by Saturday. So I will officially be Vicodin-free on Sunday, and probably start posting on this site a million times a day!

[BlondeChick10]

I know the energy, euphoric, social feelings but those come to an end unless of course you increase as many people do; and then darkness sets in.. Please trust I have been there and I did not think I would function without it.. Good news I am and those past few years of a facade are soo gone.. I thought I was at the top of the world at work in a Vic and actually nothing changed at work I still produce at high levels only now during a business meeting or business luncheon imam not high on a Vic.. Or Perc.  Personally I found tapering effective and I reduced every 4-5 days over 3 weeks I did not want to prolong the inevitable but I needed to function at work with out a major attitude.. My 3rd day of being completely off I had a business luncheon and I was perfectly fine.  Evenings were a struggle for me.  They still are I am home alone a lot during the week as my husband is always on a business trip.. YOU can do it. Keep the faith in yourself and stay mentally strong.  

[ItstheSky]

I'm happy to hear you feel even better today than yesterday! Congrats- I bet it is so invigorating!  
tapering/weaning is definitely hard and I find myself constantly battling with my own mind to not take more than I had already planned (because i set out my tapering plan at the beginning of the week) I already cheated and had to readjust the tapering today for the rest of the week because, ready or not, i am COMPLETELY out of pills by saturday and have to begin facing the discomfort on Sunday.
That's when I will probably be posting really frequently.