Opioids Allergic reaction or anxiety to Hydrocodone?

[Nadnerb37]

Hello, brief background:

Perscribed clonazepam .5mg twice a day and 50mg vyvanse once per day. I recently had surgery and was prescribed Hydrocodone 10mgs. The first time I took about 3 throughout the day with minor impairment and threw up at the end of the night.

Took a break from the pain meds then came back about 3 nights ago. The past 3 nights I've been taking EXTREMELY small doses (5mg initial 5mg 3-4 hours later was the most) and have been having odd reactions. I find myself feeling a bit glued to my chair like I smoked some heavy weed, and breathing becomes uncomfortably difficult. Last night for instance, I took 5mg and all was well for about an hour. Then I spent the next 2 hours walking around my apartment trying to stay awake (wasn't tired, but couldn't take in a full breath). The lack of breathing caused some light headidness and dizziness as well.

What I'm wondering is: Could this be an allergic reaction? I don't notice any hives, reddening of the face, or swelling anywhere else BUT my throat. My pupils don't pinpoint either, so I'm questioning whether I'm even getting anything out of the dosage. Am I just ridiculously sensitive to the combination of .5mgs of a benzo followed by the vicodin a couple hours later? Or is it all in my head, because my panic attacks that I used to have never felt this debilitating.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I really suggest that you don't continue with your pain meds or at least lower your doses of your clonazepam. As you should know, it has a very long half life and when combined with hydrocodone it can lead to fatal respiratory depression which is the symptom you appear to be having (lack of breathing and can't take in full breaths).

I don't think that this a case of an allergic reaction, but simply a case of two potent CNS depressants in your system at the same time. I strongly advise you to lower your dose of clonazepam if you're in desperate need of the hydro, or just stay away from it. Does your doctor know that you're currently taking clonazepam?

If you have no opiate tolerance then no I don't think you're being OVERLY sensitive, but you may be sensitive to opiates if you have no experience with them. Perhaps you could talk to your doctor in prescribing you a less powerful painkiller to ease the pain if you're in trouble with it.

I believe the reason behind you not suffering the symptoms of respiratory depression during the day is most likely attributed to the fact that you're taking vynase, which will speed up your CNS and counteract the depression marked by the hydrocodone.

 

[Bomb319]

Those are very small doses of clonazepam and hydro, though. I'd be very surprised if he is experiencing synergistic respiratory depression from such small doses, even if totally naive. I suppose anything is possible though, so safety first of course and take the lowest possible dose of each until you find what works for you.

 

[Jabberwocky]

As he stated that he has been taking it at night (when the vyanase would have been wearing off) I think that respiratory depression is a very likely consequence of taking the medication combined with the clonazepam. There are many horror stories and overdoses with even TINY amounts of either substances, as benzos build up in the system and opiates add ontop of that.

 

[Nadnerb37]

Yeah, thanks for the quick responses! My doctor did know of my current medication when writing the script for the hydrocodone, so I assumed the dosages would be in a safe range. I've had 3 of these semi worrisome sessions with the vicodin and ironically, it seems to get worse each time, which led me to initially assume anxiety.

 

[Jktm]

You might want to call your doctor and ask to get switched to Tylenol #3 (about equal to 5mg of vicodin) with codeine to see how that works for you though, because you did say you feel some swelling in your throat (though that could be the muscles in your esophagus relaxing from CNS depression which is worrisome). If your throat swelling doesn't worsen, try cutting your clonazepam dosage in half (I know that's rough though), and see how that works for you.

 

[Choosing_Positive]

It actually could be the acetaminophen. Have you ever taken tylenol before?

Or it could be the vyvanse.... Here are the most common side effects from the website:


The most common side effects reported in studies of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) were:
anxiety
decreased appetite
diarrhea
dizziness
dry mouth
irritability
loss of appetite
nausea
trouble sleeping
upper stomach pain
vomiting
weight loss

The acetaminophen or the hydrocodone could have initiated the adverse effects of your other drug(s).

The clonazepam can cause anxiety in low doses, especially if you take it with the vicodin, IME. It is not best to take the benzo with the pain killer. IME, it is best to take the pain killers in the morning, then later in the day if needed for anxiety I would take the benzo in a full dose. But if I did take an afternoon/daytime dose of benzo's, then don't take any at night, unless you absolutely have to for sleep, then take a lesser or half (or half of half) and go to sleepytime.

This is just my experience. If you are experiencing adverse side effects from your medication, you need to see your doctor asap!

Also, use a drug checker for interactions online, and put in all Rx'd and OTC drugs you are taking and see what you get...it's free and easy, just have to allow cookies...

But good luck and be safe.