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Vicodin withdrawal symptoms...how long?
I am a 40 yr old male and I have been taking 2-4 Vicodin a day for the past three years. A medical doctor prescribed it for me after it was discovered I suffered bone degeneration in my lower 2 disk vertebrea. At the time I thought little of taking a prescription painkiller. Now after my first 6 days of no longer taking Vicodin I am realizing how powerful of a substance it actually is. I'm having withdrawal symptoms I didn't expect. Light headedness, the runs, blood pressure going up, and general fatigue. Lots of fatigue. And some irritability. I am hoping that these symptoms begin to decrease soon. Well, they have gotten better than it was in the first 2 days. I am still wondering how long I can expect to have these side effects of withdrawal?
Been taking Vicodin off an on for two years now at 1/ 2 a day and seems to be getting to be a problem. I'm getting bad mood swings , irritable, cramps, sweats, cant sleep. It seems the more I take the more irritable I get instead of mellowing me out. My sweet wife dose not know what to think of it and I"m afraid to tell her of the Vicodin I'm on. I thought the more you took the better you feel but with me the more I take the more irritable I get. Thinking about going some wear an drying out for a week away from my wife. Is this advisable???
Has anyone had sharp pains in there legs and chest.withdrawing from Vic or Norco i only been using this for 5 months but i just want to stop it. Ive been withdrawing for 3 days now..2 days ago i started having like theses slight pains in my like lower right middle of the chest muscle so it not like the center of my chest (kinda close though )...its just weird like it feels like a pinched nerve and its not constant. then yesterday i felt the exact sharpness in my right thigh. I do walk 3-5 miles a day. I'm 48, and well im thinking its just withdrawals, but im having all the symptoms everyone's describing-- chills, sneezing, tired but cant sleep, nervousness..and with me suffering from PSTD the anxiety-- at times is unbearable. SO i have 8 .25 Xanax and i was wondering if i should try weening myself off with those and mb some Motrin. Im poor so rehab and all that is out the question..and i don't/cant get anymore Vics are Norco's..well Friday supposedly but Im going to pass..i know i haven't been taking it long just 5 months @ 1 a day 750's but my body is very sensitive to any medications,,why i have been on .25 Xanax on and off since 1996 BAD P.T.S.D. and i never abused them ik its strange to say that. just 1 a day but really mb 1-3 a week is what i was taking.(they were prescribed 3 a day are as needed) BUT as of the last 2 years i really haven't taken allot of Xanax then i got my finger bit by a dog and started the Norco which led to Vic's/ I know the obvious thing is go to the ER and get the pain's mentioned above checked out..thing is im broke and the VA is just a joke to get into. I guess im curious if anyone else has had this symptoms i described. It would help with the anxiety level worrying about it. I just have to kick this though Norco and Vicodin scare the hell out of me. I got to the point i had to have one in the morning to finish out work and have some energy after i got off. That's Scary. I have to kick these Bastards. Thanks for any comments..Gods Speed.
Has anyone had sharp pains in there legs and chest.withdrawing from Vic or Norco i only been using this for 5 months but i just want to stop it. Ive been withdrawing for 3 days now..2 days ago i started having like theses slight pains in my like lower right middle of the chest muscle so it not like the center of my chest (kinda close though )...its just weird like it feels like a pinched nerve and its not constant. then yesterday i felt the exact sharpness in my right thigh. I do walk 3-5 miles a day. I'm 48, and well im thinking its just withdrawals, but im having all the symptoms everyone's describing-- chills, sneezing, tired but cant sleep, nervousness..and with me suffering from PSTD the anxiety-- at times is unbearable. SO i have 8 .25 Xanax and i was wondering if i should try weening myself off with those and mb some Motrin. Im poor so rehab and all that is out the question..and i don't/cant get anymore Vics are Norco's..well Friday supposedly but Im going to pass..i know i haven't been taking it long just 5 months @ 1 a day 750's but my body is very sensitive to any medications,,why i have been on .25 Xanax on and off since 1996 BAD P.T.S.D. and i never abused them ik its strange to say that. just 1 a day but really mb 1-3 a week is what i was taking.(they were prescribed 3 a day are as needed) BUT as of the last 2 years i really haven't taken allot of Xanax then i got my finger bit by a dog and started the Norco which led to Vic's/ I know the obvious thing is go to the ER and get the pain's mentioned above checked out..thing is im broke and the VA is just a joke to get into. I guess im curious if anyone else has had this symptoms i described. It would help with the anxiety level worrying about it. I just have to kick this though Norco and Vicodin scare the hell out of me. I got to the point i had to have one in the morning to finish out work and have some energy after i got off. That's Scary. I have to kick these Bastards. Thanks for any comments..Gods Speed.
The ONLY way I can get off Vicodin .. This works, but be ready to be determined and ready to do it and stick to it and it won't be that bad.
Three things you need to do simultaneously:
1) Taper
2) Diet
3) Exercise ~ or just keep moving
TAPERING:
Don't try to be a hero; this is more than being tough minded. You need a plan. Here is a good formula: Reduce by 10% daily; 20% every 3-5 days and then 25% every week. This should be done in about a four (4) week period.
Personal experience: You can't keep the bottle handy to grab one or bite a chip off of anytime you get an urge. Decide what you are going to allow yourself for the day, take that many out of the bottle and bring with you and put the bottle up! far away in a drawer somewhere. Now manage your dose for the day. You can do this. You are in control now over them, not vice versa ;)
When you get comfortable for a day at that dose, you need to give a little push and reduce down the next day. Try to stay feeling just a little low but still ok to function. You'll be happy to be getting some of your senses back already.
DIET:
What you eat is HUGE!! Did I say HUGE???! Doing a No-Four No-Sugar diet is going to make you feel great by itself, if possible. Suggestions: I have whey protein 1st thing in the morning with water. Mix in small amount of water and then drink water for the next hour. I then try to have eggs. Skip the cheese, it will make you feel lousy! Skip bread or have 1 slice of whole wheat + fruit. Strawberries, blueberries, oranges. Also, Plain Greek yogurt or vanilla ~ in the big containers with 20 grams of protein ~ is great to mix frozen blueberries or strawberries with. I find raw broccoli in ranch dip for a snack to the be the best. I think the folic acid really helps because I can tell when I don't have it. Lean meat and veggies for dinner. Skip the junk. It is so counterproductive! Eating junk will just make you feel sluggish and you will think you need a Vicodin to feel better. The good thing about being a little low for me is that I can control what I eat more and plan meals better.
EXERCISE:
This is just a big as the first 2 on the list if not the most important! You have to keep moving. Clean your house, clean your yard, ride your bike, go for a walk. Make yourself get up and just move and you will feel so much better.
Actually, there is a 4th that is super important to me and the first thing I started with ...
PRAY:
God gave me the strength, knowledge, & peace to do what I need to do.
He will do it for you too ;)
Three things you need to do simultaneously:
1) Taper
2) Diet
3) Exercise ~ or just keep moving
TAPERING:
Don't try to be a hero; this is more than being tough minded. You need a plan. Here is a good formula: Reduce by 10% daily; 20% every 3-5 days and then 25% every week. This should be done in about a four (4) week period.
Personal experience: You can't keep the bottle handy to grab one or bite a chip off of anytime you get an urge. Decide what you are going to allow yourself for the day, take that many out of the bottle and bring with you and put the bottle up! far away in a drawer somewhere. Now manage your dose for the day. You can do this. You are in control now over them, not vice versa ;)
When you get comfortable for a day at that dose, you need to give a little push and reduce down the next day. Try to stay feeling just a little low but still ok to function. You'll be happy to be getting some of your senses back already.
DIET:
What you eat is HUGE!! Did I say HUGE???! Doing a No-Four No-Sugar diet is going to make you feel great by itself, if possible. Suggestions: I have whey protein 1st thing in the morning with water. Mix in small amount of water and then drink water for the next hour. I then try to have eggs. Skip the cheese, it will make you feel lousy! Skip bread or have 1 slice of whole wheat + fruit. Strawberries, blueberries, oranges. Also, Plain Greek yogurt or vanilla ~ in the big containers with 20 grams of protein ~ is great to mix frozen blueberries or strawberries with. I find raw broccoli in ranch dip for a snack to the be the best. I think the folic acid really helps because I can tell when I don't have it. Lean meat and veggies for dinner. Skip the junk. It is so counterproductive! Eating junk will just make you feel sluggish and you will think you need a Vicodin to feel better. The good thing about being a little low for me is that I can control what I eat more and plan meals better.
EXERCISE:
This is just a big as the first 2 on the list if not the most important! You have to keep moving. Clean your house, clean your yard, ride your bike, go for a walk. Make yourself get up and just move and you will feel so much better.
Actually, there is a 4th that is super important to me and the first thing I started with ...
PRAY:
God gave me the strength, knowledge, & peace to do what I need to do.
He will do it for you too ;)
What about all the mental effects? My sweet , kind boyfriend has turned into some kind of angry monster. He is very snappy. I can't say anything right. He wants to argue about stupid things. And worst of all, has threatened to help my ex husbands attorney with a case against me. Then he turns around and says "you know I would never do that". Who is this person I am dealing with???? Is that the true him or is it the pills talking.??!!
I have a person I know who, I think, is addicted to vicodin. She's a very smart women too.
I am very educated and have been to rehab but not for pills. I was court ordered by a Judge for an OWI probation charge that was dismissed because I did my rehab requirements.
It's very expensive to go to rehab but they have AA (alcohol anonymous) and NA (narcotics anonymous) meetings at rehab clinics for free. I would suggest going to these meetings that are run by professional medical people and can give you the best advice.
Good Luck.
I am very educated and have been to rehab but not for pills. I was court ordered by a Judge for an OWI probation charge that was dismissed because I did my rehab requirements.
It's very expensive to go to rehab but they have AA (alcohol anonymous) and NA (narcotics anonymous) meetings at rehab clinics for free. I would suggest going to these meetings that are run by professional medical people and can give you the best advice.
Good Luck.
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