With great disgust I have been taking vicodin for appx five years. I only take the amount that is prescribed and I do not go to other doctors for refills or try to get them from outside sources. My boyfriend called me a drug addict the other day and it really got to me. I am quite sure that I am addicted but I am not sure to what degree. I have stopped, but when I had my son, I had a c-section I started again. The doctors gave them to me for my surgery. I did say that I "take them for back pain" because that is why they were prescribed. Every time I go back to the doctor he keeps giving them to me no questions asked. I would like someone who has been or is in my position to tell me how bad off I am. I take appx 4 per day. That is what is on the bottle. I did read somewhere that some vicodin addicts take between 30-100 per day. Am I as bad off as I think? Also is it a cop out to wean myself off or should I just go cold turkey, I have a child, withdrawal may affect me caring for him
2007-01-29 05:56:09 · 5 answers · asked by gingerspot 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
1. If you are taking a drug you do not legitimately have a need for, that's abuse.
2. 4 a day of something you do not need for bad pain, abuse.
3. Don't think that just because you don't take 30 that you are not abusing.
4. I would seek a doctor's advice to get off them. Don't go cold turkey unless the doc says to.There is nothing to be ashamed of if you are trying to stop, This is the safe way and you are smart to have a concern about your mothering.
From now on, if you ever need something significant for pain, you need to tell a doc that you abused Vicodin so that they can give you a pain med that does not have addictive potential (like Ultram).
2007-01-29 06:06:24 · answer #1 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you take vicodin weither you need it or not? That would give you an idea if your addicted.
But people are NOT addicts for taking a medication that helps improve the quality of our lives. People that don't have to live with chronic pain, do not understand, and see any on going med use as an addiction.
So judge for yourself. If you still take it when you don't need it, there may be a problem and I would speak with your doctor about it.
As for withdrawls, yes, stopping any long term pain med use suddenly, could be detrimental to your ability to care for others. Gradual withdrawl from the med is always recommended.
2007-01-29 06:08:43 · answer #2 · answered by NanaCat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really should be seen by a pain management specialist. There are other solutions out there that don't mean taking vicodin daily. BE HONEST WITH THE DOCTOR ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU ARE TAKING AND WHY YOU REALLY TAKE IT!!!
Don't take yourself off cold-turkey. The doctor can help you go off it properly.
Sounds to me like you are emotionally dependant on them, not really addicted. But get off them if you can.
2007-01-29 06:05:57 · answer #3 · answered by diannegoodwin@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, don't go cold turkey. That could be dangerous. However, I think your doctor has been irresponsible prescribing them to you for so long. There could be danger to your liver with prolonged use. Yes, you probably are addicted but you don't have to be. Go to your doctor and tell them that you would like to be slowly taken off Vicodin. You don't want to be stuck with having to take it forever.
A relative was stuck on that for a long time and she eventually had seizures and almost died.
2007-01-29 06:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best person to address your concerns is your doctor. I personally don't think taking 4 per day is a lot, and I sure don't want you to go cold turkey (that's a horrible, unnecessary experience).
2007-01-29 13:14:47 · answer #5 · answered by Terry Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can only guess that your not taking them for the reason you started to take them for..
Do not go cold turkey.. but if you continue using them your liver is going to be damaged.. It is sad a doctor just hands them out like candy..
Oh and get a doctor who has more interest in you.. And your health..
2007-01-29 06:14:08 · answer #6 · answered by tiny b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have an addiction to vicodin/hydr/oxycodone. I take 12 10mg tabs a day per dr's orders. I know I'm addicted because if I forget a dose I start to feel withdrawl symptoms. If you really want to get off them you've got to tell your doctor. He will wean you off of them and give you some other meds to help with the withdrawl symptoms. I really do feel for you. I take 300mg's of morphine, 30mgs of valium, 4mg's of xanax,.25 mgs of halcion and 10mgs of ambien. So I do know what your going through. If you want to talk, email me, you can get it through my bio. Good Luck and God Bless.
2007-01-29 06:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Tell him you are afraid of what will happen if you try to come off of them. You can work together with your doctor to get off of it.
Good for you for realizing you need help now.
2007-01-29 06:04:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't go cold turkey. Not a good idea. Sounds like you are aware of the problem, so try weening yourself off over a period of a month. 4,3,2,1.
2007-01-29 06:02:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋