tolerance

[notgoingdown]

I know you guys must get sick of me coming on here every so often to ask questions about my husbands vicodin use. Believe me, I get sick of asking them too.
For those who dont know my story H is only supposed to be taking vic's every once in a while, when the pain is really bad. He says he doesnt even go to dr anymore, not since Feb. He has admitted that they might have been changing his personality. He has never admitted to taking (by my count of pills) 6 of the 7.5 vic's a day. He insists it was never more than 3 a day nor more than 1 at a time.
This past weekend we were discussing (not arguing) and the topic of tolerance came up. I said that these pills should never have been given for long term pain management because there is no way to help with the tolerance and the constant need to have more to achieve the same level of pain management. He says that is NOT true.
He believes that if it is truly only being used for pain and not for ANY kind of high then you dont build up a tolerance. Of course, just the fact that he was so emphatic about this when everything I have heard and read says different sent a red flag up for me but I need to ask... is it possible to be able to take 2-3 a day for 5-10-20 years and never need more than that?

[Babs1469]

Just a remark from the other side of the conversation, If your husband, is in fact in denial about his use I urge you to not give up on him but to understand that his defiant behavior may become worse before it gets better. Even if you think you are not attacking him, if he is using more pills then he is telling you about he will get very defensive and unfortunatley what started out as a simple question from you, " Hey honey how are you feeling, were you able to not take any pills today" or whatever might to him sound like an attack and if he is trying to hide something from you he might lash out. I just don't want you to expect him to be 100% honest without a fight. Drugs change people even when those drugs are prescribed for valid reasons. I hope you are able to stay positive with him and not take his outbursts or denials personally. I wish you the best and applaud your love and commitment to him. He should know how lucky he is to have you concerned about him. Best of luck.

[steven1959]

I have a buddy that got hit by a train and is prescribed vicodan by his dr in 90 day refills! the only times he runs short of his refill date is if I've been hanging around. I am an alcholic & drug addict. but that don't mean everybody is. by the way does that back stimulater work? thanks steven1959

[Gpison]

He has a spinal stimulator to help deal with his back issues. Not everyday is a bad day form him, but I have really seen him in alot of pain even with the stimulator as he is dead set on living a normal life, doing all of the things that a person without a bad back would do.

I look back to when I was at my worst with norco, 250mg a day easy, and at the time, I kept telling myself that "anyone taking these things would end up here in this this same situation. Well, most of us know that isnt the case. We are addicts and always will be.

notgoingdown:

You will know if he is telling you the truth. Just the mere fact that you were compeled to find this site and ask the questions that you did lets me know that. I thought I was slick and my wife didnt know what I was doing, lol what a joke that was. Not only did she know, but by the time I sat her down and told her, she had already prepared everything for my "withrdrawal week" as we called it. Just watch for the sudden changes in his behavior, the euphoria is a dead giveaway. Pay close attention to his pupils, another dea giveaway if they are pinpoint looking.

I never lied to my wife once we spoke the first time about it, but I have seen soooo many others that have and continue to do so.

I guess what I am saying is that I pray for the best for you and your husband, but, maybe be a little sceptical for a period of time. Your life, happiness and marriage are worth the fight and the same goes for your husband.

[TakingAction]

It's always a slippery slope but sounds like he is using them as prescribed.  I think a lot of us tend to forget that a lot of people actually do use this stuff as intented.  But then again, I could not think of a single person in my life who would ever guess that I am an addict.  The lengths we go through to conceal and manipulate are stunning.  

In this case, it seems ok though.  Good luck!

[avisg]

gpison just a question you said he was on it for breakthrough pain is he on somthing else as well?

[notgoingdown]

Thank you. It is very heartening to finally know that there are some out there that can do this.
Hubby was only taking them daily for (I think) only about 6-10 months. Before that it was more like what your friend does. During the time he was taking them daily I became concerned with how he had changed and I suspected the pills. He agreed to stop going to his pain dr for them. I am pretty sure he was taking more than he admits to but I have never known a person with more willpower. If anyone could dance around the edge of abuse and then DECIDE to only use them for pain when needed then it would be him. I think I can allow myself some hope that this doesnt have to end badly.

[Gpison]

I have a friend that has been taking two 5/500 vics a day for 7 years. He has never abused them once and even to this day, if he takes more than one he gets all kinda loopy! His tolerence has never increase due to the fact that he only uses for breakthrough pain at the end of the day. Now there are many days that he will go without, sometimes two to three days in between, again a sign that he does not abuse.

[avisg]

All I can tell you is in my experience I had to contue to up my dose .I was using pills for pain too and I got high .Then the high and pain control would not be so good .So I would have to take more and then more ect ect

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

Good question.. but, in all reality I doubt it.  5-10-20 years of opiate use WILL build up your tolerance...