merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
I have a RX for Vicodin that reads 1-2 tablets 4 times a day. I usually take 2 tablets once a day at night or evening.
I am concerned that my body depends on the vicodin and that I am now a drug addict,
This is my worse fear!
I didn't take any pain meds for 2 days and I felt so sore I mean a lot of pain and I couldn't sleep it was like my body was reved up and couldnt relax, shaky for 2 days. I took the pain meds and I was back to "normal".
Does this mean I am a drug addict?
I don't feel like I need to take the pain meds and mentally can stop whenever. But it seems my body needs the pain meds.
The pain meds do not make me loopy or high it just makes a lot of my pain go way.
I need pain meds sometimes because pain is my #2 symptom. I refuse to suffer in pain, but this makes me nervous.
posted
It depends on your definition of "addiction".
You are taking the medicine because you are in pain, if the pain stopped, you would be able to stop the pills, so it is not a PSYCHOLOGICAL addiction, like many pain-pill addicts have.
On the other hand, the nature of narcotics and the way the opioids build up in your brain has caused a PHYSICAL dependency/addiction. I don't really view that as an "addiction"-- more as a "side effect"...
If the meds. help you function, take them. Worry about physical dependency later, for now, worry about getting well. Once the pain is reduced by proper treatment of Lyme/Co's, you probably won't need them or want them.--At least, this is my LLMDs theory.
That's my $.02, anyway...
Feel better.
Posts: 43 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
i am having lots of trouble with pain and meds
myself, but i do know that there is a difference
in addiction and tolerence. if you are in pain
than that sends signal to your brain, the trick
is knowing what kind of pain it is and diff. types of meds work on different receptors.
even understanding this (am in medical profession
myself) does not mean i dont have fears about it;
hate to be in pain, wears you down in every
which way. do use other things as well, prayer
meditation, distraction, biofeedback, whatever
helps. dont overdo vicoden too much- has tylenol look on your rx- will say something like
5/500 that means 5 mg of hydrocodone and 500 of tylenol-- watch to much.. the liver gets upset..
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
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