Vicodin Withdrawal

November 2, 2009

Question: How Can I Withdraw from Vicodin?

A interrogatory from a reader: Because of the pain from uterine fibroids, I own been taking Vicodin on and along with respect to well-nigh sum of two units years. Recently, because of increased incommode, I had been taking 4 to 6 pills each day. I tried stopping the medication but had bad symptoms, including a severe headache, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. As soon as I started the Vicodin another time, my symptoms went away.

After a hysterectomy nearest month, my throe should be over and accomplished with but I need to secure distant from the Vicodin on my own. I can’familiarily afford to fare to a detox facility. What can I do to assist my body get off the Vicodin posterior my surgery?

Answer:

Thanks in quest of book. I’medley sorry to regard that you have been having so abundant difficulty with uterine fibroids, especially being in pain. It looks partiality you have a plan in acceptance and I hope your surgery goes sound and that you have the desired outcome.

Vicodin (hydrocodone, acetaminophen) is prescribed to treat mild to moderate pain. You be able to experience withdrawal symptoms at the time that you come to a dead lock using Vicodin in the pattern of having used it for a long period of time.

Symptoms of going away be able to wince not above 6 to 12 hours of stopping Vicodin. In some people, the symptoms may grow stronger over the next various days, and on that account gradually become lower too a period of several weeks. The energy and duration of Vicodin withdrawal symptoms be at variance from person to part.

Symptoms of Vicodin withdrawal may include the following:

  • material substance aches and pains
  • intestinal problems so as loathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps
  • loss of appetite
  • strength, restlessness, or irritability
  • chills, shivering, or tremor
  • trouble sleeping
  • banyan day heartbeat
  • fevers
  • runny nose or eyes, and sneezing
  • gooseflesh
  • increased sweating
  • increased yawning
  • dilated (unusually large) pupils
  • vitiation

The headache, repugnance, diarrhea, and vomiting that you thoroughbred certainly could have been owed to abruptly stopping your Vicodin. Although these removal symptoms may have being unpleasant and disagreeable, they are unpromising to be life-threatening.

I would recommend that you do the following subsequent to you gain healed from your surgery and you no longer penury uneasiness medication:

  • To limit withdrawal symptoms, you should not intercept taking your Vicodin "cold turkey."
  • Talk to your doctor and bear her withstand you slowly wean yourself not on the medication. The length of time this takes depends forward the amount of Vicodin you were using and in what way all along you used it.
  • Let your doctor discern if you are experiencing any difficulties while decreasing the medication. Your doctor may want to small candle you off the medication at a slower hasten.

Also, do not exist embarrassed to put the question to your doctor to help you; most healthcare providers are not averse and pleased to help someone stop taking Vicodin.