Vicodin addiction

[Robtvla]

I have been on Vicodin ex for about 3 years for a piched nerve resulting in hand and arm pain. I have come to the conculsion that the pain can be tolerated, but not the addiction to the vicodin. It controls my life and when I dont take it I cant sleep or hardy function. I have taken as many as 6 to7 Ex a day. I am down to no more than 2 a day now but the withdrawal is at its worst. No sleep, headaches, twicthing. Is there anything a doctor can do? Or should I stay on the path of cutting down little by little. Reading the others that post here have really helped me. I hope you all the best, and God bless you all. thanks

[tee1972]

hi i have read in here for a month now and almost everyone that goes thru vic withdrawls takes tylenol pm to help them sleep . Great job cutting down keep it up



Tee

[niteman74]

Please see your Doctor. I am a recovering alcoholic that couldn't sleep without drinking. Tylenol itself can be bad if taken in large amounts. It can hurt your liver. (especially with alcohol). Benadryl/Diphenhydramine (generic name)  is the main ingredient in any PM product so just buy it instead. It is not physically addicting (could be mentally addicting just like everything else).

I had my Doctor prescribe me Lunesta... it usually lets me sleep from anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, enough for me to actually work. When I get headaches like that I take aspirin (not bad for the liver, but thins the blood) and place an Ice pack on my forehead.

Just trying to help

Steve

[Robtvla]

Thanks uphill, I will talk to my doctor, I have no problem letting them know about my addiction. Yesterday was my worst day. the day before I went without any, that night no sleep, then yesterday when I got out of bed my head felt like it was going to come off, that lasted all day. I took one vicodin but it didnt help. at about 8 pm last night I tried a pack of Ice wrapped in a towel behind my neck close to my head, that eased the headache and I did get some sleep with the help of two tylenol Pm's. Is that a bad thing to use? I hope not. Thanks again

[uphill7584]

Keep cutting down. If you are legally prescribed the drugs, and are under a doctors care, you could definitley use them as support. There are other drugs that can help ease withdrawl symptoms. If you have the strenght and willpower to taper without giving in then continue doing so. If you are already down to only two pills a day you are doing great. Talk to your doctor for further support. He prescribed you the drugs, he will be there for you as you want to get off them. Good luck.