• BASIC DRUG
    DISCUSSION
    Welcome to Bluelight!
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Benzo Chart Opioids Chart
    Drug Terms Need Help??
    Drugs 101 Brain & Addiction
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums
  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Low, daily hydrocodone use

D

ddmobs

Greenlighter
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Messages
4
Hello All-
I have been worried about my long-term use of 7.5 hydro. I have a running rx of 30 per month and I typically run out by day 20. I feel as if I expereince withdrawal during the time it takes to get refilled, but I also have a chronic pain problems associated with a head injury (post concussion syndrome). I believe that I will have my headaches for the rest of my life and I am made to feel as if I am a bad person for running out of meds too early. After four years of continuous use, I am absolutely aware of the need to challenge myself to use as little as possible, but is it worth the ten days per month of pain?

If you don't mind sharing your experiences regarding how one determines which pain you feel when out of meds, withdrawal or the original pain? How can I supplement for that typical ten-day period?

Thanks all...
 
If you are running out because you need to take extra every day for pain, you really should talk to your doctor about it. The same dose for 4 years, daily? Your body has adjusted to having the hydrocodone, and over time you're going to need a higher dose for it to remain effective. Doctors understand this, and especially on a dose that low, for a chronic problem, over a period of time should adjust accordingly.

If you are only getting enough to take one per day, are you sure they aren't being prescribed for "as needed" use? If that's the case, your doctor probably assumes you aren't taking them daily. My hydrocodone bottles have always said "take 4x daily as needed" so that seems a bit weird to only let you take one per day if they are meant daily for pain. I've never had an ongoing refillable prescription, but I end up with one every few months because of back pain/other random things, and never take them for more than a few days in a row if it's some sort of injury/back pain episode.

People with plenty more opiate experience will chime in, I'm sure.
 
^ I agree to a certain point, but I find it odd that you can cope with 10 days of pain. Are you sure you aren't addicted to maybe a placebo effect? If I were in your position, I would be trying out new drugs, legal ones as well, rather than just suffer and let the pain take over.
 
Thank you. They are not meant to be perscribed for as needed, but that seems like technical communication between doctor and pharmacy... My doctor and I have come to an agreement for one pill per day and suggesstions of increasing aren't taken lightly. He would rather I not take any. I actually take 1/2 of a 7.5 every 3-4 hours between the hours of 1:00 PM to 7:30ish PM. Would my scenario present withdrawals?
 
Issac, my nuerologist just started me on a small does of amitripyline (10mg at night). I've never taken this mediction before my first time this evening. They're trying some different stuff and I've tried different meathods over the years. Hydrocodone really works and I am really close to making a strong push to go with what works? Will I be okay with that approach for years worth of treatment, or am I going to end up totally relying on hydro for quality of life? Can that be good for me to have two pills per day?
 
It might help. You could talk about trying another painkiller, but if you would rather stick to hydros, go with Norco 325/10s. Predisone helps headaches I hear, psychedelic mushrooms help cluster headaches. If you are not using Watson branded Vicodin, switch to those, it might be enough to help you. I wouldn't play with amitripyline, if hydro works for you stay with that, don't take antidepressants for something something else already works for.
 
Really surprised that after 4 years, you are still taking 1 vicodin a day. I would defintely ask your doctor if he could switch you to 10/325's & like the poster said above, get the Watson brand. Ask if you can take 2 a day which means he would prescribe you 60 a month.

I know a guy that has severe headaches & his doctor prescribes him oxycontin 10mg pills.
 
I don't know about you but if your pain is legitimate and your doctor is writing the script I don't think you should have to suffer for ten days a month, besides Vicodin has such a short half life, I'd talk to your doctor and come up with a better plan. I know in some cases they do use anti depressants for pain and it works, I guess it's worth a try.

On the other hand if Opiates work and you can keep yourself from abusing them be adamant about what you need, find a new doctor if appropriate. I just think ten days a month is too much to be hurting from a genuine medical condition if it can be taken care of. Opiates will always be a slippery slope but when used properly they are very safe. I'd have another discussion with your doctor.

If you can afford to see some different doctors I'd think it would be worth it, sometimes when a doctor has seen you for so long they may be blinded to something obvious someone else would spot right away. Even if it's only a matter of medications your doctor should make sure you're comfortable within reason, if he's not doing this and you can afford to seek other opinions I'd do so.
 
Last edited:
unsettled said:
I don't know about you but if your pain is legitimate and your doctor is writing the script I don't think you should have to suffer for ten days a month, besides Vicodin has such a short half life, I'd talk to your doctor and come up with a better plan. I know in some cases they do use anti depressants for pain and it works, I guess it's worth a try.

On the other hand if Opiates work and you can keep yourself from abusing them be adamant about what you need, find a new doctor if appropriate. I just think ten days a month is too much to be hurting from a genuine medical condition if it can be taken care of. Opiates will always be a slippery slope but when used properly they are very safe. I'd have another discussion with your doctor.

If you can afford to see some different doctors I'd think it would be worth it, sometimes when a doctor has seen you for so long they may be blinded to something obvious someone else would spot right away. Even if it's only a matter of medications your doctor should make sure you're comfortable within reason, if he's not doing this and you can afford to seek other opinions I'd do so.
Click to expand...

Good advice here. Might try a drug that lasts longer than Hydrocodone. Careful with the opiates...they can be the "devil's hug," - they make you feel so good but cost you your soul in the end.
 
Thank you everyone. Extremely helpful. I hope there is data/feedback I can provide someone in the future that will be as helpful as you all have been to me. Take care.
 
Since you have been on the same, incredibly low dose of hydrocodone for four years, it is no wonder you would run out early. Don't beat yourself up for needing a little more on certain days. Pain is a tough thing to get under control, and there is no reason you should be made to suffer, or made to feel like a bad person for taking medication. I would certainly discuss with your doctor about a small dosage increase. If he is not willing to up your dose, after FOUR YEARS, I would suggest trying to find another doctor..

Since hydrocodone is not very long acting, it isn't a big surprise that one pill a day doesn't cut it every day. I would suggest 7.5mg twice per day, which should definitely help you, based on your tolerance. You have no doubt become tolerant to your current dosage, four years is a very long time to be on tha small a dose.

An increase is certainly a reasonable request, or perhaps even exploring other pain meds that are longer acting. Such as an XR morphine, or perhaps even methadone.

Pain is no fun, i know exactly how you feel. how much is sucks not being able to get the proper care/medication that we require.

Best of luck :-)
 
ddmobs said:
I believe that I will have my headaches for the rest of my life
Click to expand...

Come on man. Don't think like that. Keep your spirit strong and never ever give up, no matter how hard it is...

and to answer your original question, you can try uei kratom. it is a better, more stimulating and euphoric alternative to vicodin anyway imo. AND IT'S LEGAL !!!
 
^True, due to his low tolerance, Kratom may be beneficial to him. There are just so many different kinds and brands, it is hard to find a formulation that is actually strong and that works. Kratom can be pretty hit or miss. I have never had any success with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top