I've been taking Vicodin for about 3 years now, and I would like to stop it, or at least cut way down, but I can't seem to do it. Whenever I stop, I feel terrible, hurt, and my legs feel really wired & weird. I have major anxiety/agorophobia problems that it has helped with tremendously. (I've also taken Xanax for years.) But started the Vicodin due to a back/neck injury and then fibromyalgia. I hate to think I'm too weak to just kick it, but it's been a God save to me to be able to get in my car and leave my house and drive without having a major panic attack. I've seen several different doctors over the years for the anxiety probs, and they all just want to start new meds..and none have helped. But I'm at the point that I am taking waaay too much of the Vicodin to get the same effect. If anyone has had a similar experience and has found anything that could help me, I would sure appreciate it. It's embarrasing for me to talk to any of my friends about this. Thank You~
2007-01-07 06:19:05 · 0 answers · asked by kandl722 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
I have alot of patients who have this problem and also have family members that fell into it as well. What we do is to taper them down slowly, like vicodin 10 for a while then taper to 7.5 and then 5 milligrams. Also taper down how far apart you take them. If u takem every 4 hours now, slowly go to 6, then 8-12, etc. Its a long hard road, but it can be done. after you get to the lowest strength, go to darvocet, then keep going down the drug chain. If you dont, you are risking liver failure because of all the tylenol in the vicodin. Please have someone take blood test for liver damage if u havent already, its very serious.
Good luck and god bless u on your journey....u can do it
2007-01-07 06:24:38 · answer #1 · answered by RN 2 B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have not had a similar experience, but I have read that some of the antidepressants are helpful for this transition. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that might provide the mood boost of vicodin and it is also used to treat anxiety disorders. You might ask your doc if this is something he/she would recommend for you.
There's more info at this link :
2007-01-07 06:34:33 · answer #2 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i was going to say Xanax but you`re already taking it .I`ve been on Xanax for 6 yrs. the only other drug that mellows me out is reefer[i know it`s illegal but it works] takes away alot of the pain in my back.my friend has fibro and she takes valium
2007-01-07 06:24:50 · answer #3 · answered by lily 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best pill for this is Lorazipam it is mellow and totally knocks anxiety.
2007-01-07 06:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
willpower would be the safest way.
actually I agree with wellbutrin, it would be a safer option than what you are on now christ.
2007-01-07 07:22:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋