Lalamama05

I am very confused! I am a 38 year-old mom. I have had 3 c-sections and an appendectomy as well as 5 miscarriages (with D & C's) so over the last five years I've had lots of exposure to narcotics. I have never taken them past the time I needed to recover from whatever surgery. This last baby, however, in March, I have been on and off of Vicodin for all kinds of stuff, mainly migraines and severe aching in my joints. So I did an MRI and other stuff to rule out anything real to be causing my headaches and everything looks fine. But now I find if I go off Vicodin for a few days, usually it takes about 24 hours, I get a SEVERE headache. I mean falling down, can't see migraine. I don't get any other "withdrawal symptoms" that I've read people dread except maybe muscle pain and aches. When I have used Vicodin, I've almost never taken over 1 or 2 a day (500 mg). But two weeks ago I had another surgery and was on higher doses of percocet, then Vicodin, and tapered down until I was on one V. a day for a few days, then threw the rest away. So this morning the headache began and it hasn't stopped, its awful. I've tried everything. Is this withdrawal? Am I an addict? I do think about taking V. when things suck etc.. but when I'm out of it, I am initially relieved and fine. Then when I get my next headache I try and try to go without but then eventually need it.

I'm going to call and make an appt. with an addiction specialist on Monday anyway, but would love to hear what people think.

As for other info., I have never gotten V. or any other drug except from docs. I do take Klonopin from time to time for anxiety, as well as Zoloft. I've never done illicit drugs nor like alcohol.

I would LOVE to know if I'm addicted and just need to sweat it out and stay away from the stuff, or whether I have a real migraine problem that is serious.

Please help!

CarolD

Welcome and Hello!

I am so pleased you are seeing an addiction specialist.
It's always a wise move.

A medical opinion is needed to assess your situation.

One does not have to use illegal drugs to get hooked.

You might want to check out our forums on Drug Addiction for more info.

Keep in touch...Blessings

Dawn10

Welcome to SR. Good for you in being do proactive. I don't know if you are addicted in the true sense, but it sounds as if your body is sending you signals that at least there are problems. You may be having what is called "rebound pain". Not uncommon when someone has been on pain meds so long, even for legitimate pain. I think it so wonderful that you are seeing an addictions specialist. Please also ask for a referral to a therapist who can help you sort through all this.
Keep posting and we are here for you.
Dawn

Max Oblivia

Yes you are addicted. Thats the bad news the good news is after 5 days you will not be addicted any longer. Yes severe headaches are a symptom. Along with lack of sleep. The really good news is and speeking for myself I had no mental addiction after about 7 days. I was glad to be rid of them they depressed me messed up my motivation. The body aches starting every morning after sleepless nights were horrible. When you need a pill to make you feel better in the morning you are addicted. After 5 days you will notice yourself coming back. I took 4 Vicodin 750 es a day for 2 years straight. I tapered to on half then just got disgusted with them and quit. I found a message board with very nice people who talked me thru. Merry Christmas to you and fight it out for 5 days and you will no longer be addicted.

earlybird

No,..you are NOT addicted. With addiction, comes addictive thinking. If she is telling the truth about not thinking about it, not taking it past her prescription doses, and is actually glad when she doesnt need to take it anymore, then she isnt addicted. People who arent alcoholics can over-indulge on a given night, and wake up with the shakes. It may be mild withdrawal, but, its withdrawal from a night of over-indulgence, not addiction. Are you saying that anyone who has the mild shakes from too much drinking the night before is an alcoholic?? She isnt obsessed with V. She takes it for he headaches. She may be in the dangerzone for becoming addicted, but, she isnt yet. In my opinion, you need to have a doctor look alot harder at your migraine situation. But I do not think you are addicted.

Dan

Good for you for consulting a specialist.
I can say you sound like an addict to me, or that you don't.
My opinion matters not one iota in your relationship with the substance that's causing you to wonder.
What does matter, however, is that you're taking action and seeking some kind of help in assessing your situation; in other words, getting ready to make your own call on whether you're an addict or not.
That's the only call that's going to matter.

Welcome to SoberRecovery

Bigchz

If addiction was a simple 5-day process of recovery, I don't think so many of us would have problems. Max you're thinking that because the physical symptoms of withdrawal have mostly dissipated over those 5 days, you are no longer addicted. The problem is, once we've done a drug to the point of addiction, it flips a switch in our brain which makes us a lot more prone to drug abuse than other people ("normies"). Even if you've been clean for a month, and you happen to stumple across a stray pill that may have dropped on the ground awhile back, our brains will still trigger us to look at that pill and see pleasure, whereas other people would see it as trash and simply throw it away. This.. my friend, is where addiction is more than a 5 day self help treatment plan. If you can go through 5 days of withdrawal and stay clean for the rest of your life, more power to you. Most can't. It takes things such as meetings, therapy, and spirituality to suppress this stuff enough to where our lives can become manageable without the use of drugs. I suppose some people haven't fallen far enough into the drug pit to have it as bad as others.. but all I can say is I've been there. I cleaned up for 5 days on my own, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, even 3 months at one point. The point is, if you are an addict you are always an addict. It's a lifelong disease, but it does get better over time. Hope this helps.

-Nick

angelgirl

Yes,, I agree with you earlybird.. You are definately correct.. If EVERYTHING that she said, is just how it is,, then, I do not believe she has an adiction problem either.. Just so she is not "drug seeking".. There are people who actually have "things" wrong with them, so they can get prescription drugs.. I have. I'm sure others here have as well..

I do feel it is right to go see a doctor about it though, we are not doctors..
But I don't feel she has a problem, if everything she says, is correct. I just don't know where the headaches are coming from..?

That's my opinion..
Love
Becky

angelgirl

Hey Nick,

I also agree with you.. I have been through countless treatments, and detoxes.. Rehabs.. All for painkiller addiction.. I am on Suboxone now..
Addiction to pain killers is NOT a 5 day process.. Done..
Wish it were that simple, so happy it was that simple for Max, but not that simple for most people.. But most people do not stop at 4 pills in a day either.. I know I would have been very ill, and in constant withdrawl, at 4 pills a day.. Everyone is different..

But,, addiction to painkillers is NOT a 5 day process..

Hang in there Nick,, you seem to be doing very well..

Sorry I got off track from the thread here..
I feel it is irresponsible though, to tell people that if you are addicted to pain killers, you will be free from them in 5 days.. Physically and MENTALLY!!
Love
Becky

Max Oblivia

Wow, What a great discussion! Please let me clarify. If I understood Lalamama's post she was feeling the physical symptoms of Vicodin addiction and wanted to know if she was addicted. Yes- she is physically addicted if she has the symptoms she described. I was simply describing that after 5 days most of the hardest physical stuff is over. Its been a month for me and Im still have some physical stuff going on so its not totally over. My experiance with vicodin is only gained from scouring message boards. I quit with a group of people we shared similar stories and experiances. For the most part we were all so sick of Vicodin that out of 8 of us there were 2 relapses. So yes I am fully aware of the mental end of addiction. I am an alcoholic. Quitting alcohol will be the hardest thing I will ever do. I know it will be a lifelong battle. I have quit addictions to cocaine, cigarettes, pot, vicodin and probably a few I dont rember, nothing for me will be as hard as alcohol. The others just wore their time out for me. This alcohol has a romantic allure that will destroy me if I keep at it. I never said I would smoke, pop, snort myself to OBLIVIA. There are times I convince myself I would just as soon forsake everything to drink myself to OBLIVA. Yes I know a little bit about addiction. One of the things I agree with and disagree with at the same time is the box some of you put addicts into. We all have our minds and the chemicals we induce effect each of us different and the same. One persons heroin is another persons take it or leave it. One persons AA is another persons dont need it. I myself do not want to box any of you. Any attempt at betterment should be encouraged in whatever form.
Merry Christmas


I attempt to make the people around me shine so that I may bask in their Glow.
Max Oblivia......

Sugah

I think what everyone is trying to say is that there is a difference between addiction and physical dependence. Anyone taking opiates over time can and probably will suffer a physical dependence that is accompanied by physical withdawal when the drug is removed. As to addiction, to thine own self be true -- you'll know if you suffer addiction if you continue to crave/seek the drug after the physical withdrawals are over.

Good luck. It sounds like you've been through the mill in the last five years. As someone who's suffered numerous miscarriages, I suggest you be wary of lingering emotions. They've come back to haunt me many, many years later -- long after I thought I was "okay" with them.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

Chy

No one can say for sure except you and your doctor. I will say that those that don't have problems with dependency on medication don't usually have an inner concern. The physical symptoms could be caused by many things and it's best to consult with your doctor.

earlybird

It sounds like she was wondering if she was PHYSICALLY addicted. Doesnt sound like it. She would be dealing with much more than just migraines if she were physically addicted.

And for the comment on after 5 days you wont be addicted,..........I had to laugh at that. Once you are addicted,...you are FOREVER addicted. Recovery is addiction in remission. Using is ACTIVE addiction. Either way,...you are always going to be addicted. If we were all considered no longer addicted after, say, 5 days, then we could just go on a bender once every couple weeks, take 5 days off, and hit it again. It aint that easy.

Max Oblivia

Sheesh, For those of you trying to relate an opium addiction to alcohol quit. They do relate they are addictions as much as I like to argue. Heres what Lalalama said. "But now I find if I go off Vicodin for a few days, usually it takes about 24 hours, I get a SEVERE headache". Is that a symptom of Vicodin addiction yes! Is that the reason she is having headaches I do not know. There are many other symptoms if you want to know them I will list them for you. If you want to know the symptoms of withdrawl I will list them for you. Yes I am a Vicodin addict. Do I have any physical symptoms of Vicodin withdrawl? Yes but Ive only been off them for a month. They are decreasing and I suspect they will gone within 1 year. Will I still be a Vicodin addict after 1 year well ok maybe. Im simply saying after 5 days the hard work is over. Most of the PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS are over. Sweats, shakes, tingling arms, legs, *****, barfing, irritibility, sleeplessness. Yes! severre headaches. On and on. Time stands still sneezing, watery eyes, prostitiis, nervous tics, PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS. Did I mention a tendancy to kick the dog and yell at your wife.
Do I think I can take one Vicodin and find out if I start popping 4 a day again. I dont want to find out. The main part of my point is that once you have went thru 5 days of hell withdrawing from opiates you may not want to risk taking them again.
Lalamama describes a pattern of getting on and off them. She says shes fine then trys to go without them. She then gets a headache and the Vicodin takes it away. Hmmmm. She says she thinks about taking them when things suck. Hmmmmm Whoever thinks these are not symptoms of addiction. Well there is a long river called De-nile. Thanks for allowing my rant. If it looks like poop and smells like poop it probably is.
P.S. Is a hangover a reaction to a physical addiction or just a result of alcohol poisoning?

Dan

A hangover is the result of drinking too much alcohol, for most people.
Dehydration often plays a role too. Blood sugar levels too, I imagine.
People who aren't alcoholics get hangovers.
Alcohol poisoning manifests far more interesting results than a hangover.
Neither state can serve to determine whether one is an alcoholic or not, I'm afraid.
They are outward potential symptoms of a condition within.

Some alcoholics never get hangovers...
Etc, etc, etc...