Vicodin withdrawal symptoms...how long?

[ALreins]

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?

[mommy71708]

I had been on high dose vicoden for 7 months...took every four hrs every day....for severe back problems that need surgery to fix but I've done it once and the pain got worse so not really wanting to do again....trying PT and of course the meds....now I'm pregnant so my doctor stopped them for now....it was bad for two weeks I cold turkeyed it....and now almost 4 weeks later I'm still having trouble breathing...many tests run that show nothing....can this be a side affect? Still severe irritable leg symptoms which may have to do with pain in the back and or all the problems with my spine I'm assuming

[godsgift1]

I take vicodin everyday. been taking it since i was 16 and now im 28. I take it because i have sicklecell but i find myself taking 6 to 8 pills a day sometimes 10 to get me thru my day. im at the point where i feel like i need them to have a productive day. i take 2 in the morning i take about 4 within my eight hour work day. then i take 2 more when i get home and sometimes 2 before i go to bed.i have been trying to cleanse myself of violin. I've asked doctors for help but they just say with your sicklecell you have to take it. important taking to many and really need help. i never thought i was a addict out i am. i have been within vicodin for 2 days. the pain is terrible and all im thinking about is getting more pills. what should i do if anything to kick this addiction even with a blood disorder.

[Teresa1717]

Hi and welcome..First I want to say congratulations on wanting to take your life back! This disease is tough but beatable!! I just want to point out that this is a VERY old thread so you should post on a new thread of your own so you can get support and advice for you. Just scroll to the top of the page where it says "post a question" and there ya go!

COngrats again and welcome!

[Keke860]

I have been addicted to Vicodin for over 5 years. I am a 27 yr old female. It started due to three surgeries and knee injuries so close together that I was prescribed pain killers for over a year. Since then I have been buying them at street cost and finding any form of hookup I could. Being a bartender they are never too far away. But I'm about to graduate and be a nurse! I can't keep doing this to myself, the people I love or my body. I have quit twice cold turkey. I found ibuprofen, alcohol, NyQuil and hot bath soaks to help but will agree no matter what it is absolute hell. These pills have affected my relationships terribly and I want to go back to being me. I am stronger than letting a stupid blue pill control me and my life. I have 12 pills left and after that... Here we go! Round 3 and I'm gonna make this one my last!!!  Any support would be greatly appreciated as I will support all of you as well! We are stronger than this! God bless

[Crystvu31]

I've been taking vicodin n soma for the last 10yrs now...been getting scripts from Dr n anyway possible to feed my addiction ...I would take up to 10 of each everyday ....I've been wanting to quit so bad and told my self for the last cple years I want off of it but I guess I could always get my hands on some n I always had an excuse why I always need it in my life...but recently I got in trouble with the law concerning it...maybe it's a blessing in disguise cuz it gave me a reason now to have to quit ....been sober now going on 3 days...I have to say today was my worse i hope it gets better tomorrow ...pls if anyone have any advice I would love to hear it I just need to no I'm not alone....thanks

[Slacker1960]

Thank you so much for your breakdown of how cold turkey recovery goes. Ive been on vicodin for the last 6 years and its consuming my life. All I think about is getting the drug by any which means. I'm on day 3 and am having depression and mood swings and so tired I can hardly walk. Try to take long walks at night to feel better but toss and turn all night and the weirdest dreams of my life. sweats come and go and I ache all over due to arthritis which is what got me started. I'm going to kick this **** out of my life once and for all. The other night at the food market I nearly jumped the counter to grab a bottle of them! WTF! Jail isn't the answer for treatment I just have to tough it out. Thanks again for the advice its very reassuring.