I had surgery earlier today, and my doctor wrote me a prescription for hydrocodone and told me to take it if I needed it (I think it's 15mg hydrocodone, 700mg acetiminophen every six hours).
How addictive is this stuff? Is it "take it for a couple days while recovering and you'll be fine", or is this "scarily addictive and only take it if you absolutely have to"?
I've never been given prescription painkillers before, so I have no idea how leery I should be. At least I was able to convince them to skip the valium pre-surgery.
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[–] ninjajunkie 0 points 15 points 15 points (+15|-0) ago
Using them as they are prescribed, they are safe to use cautiously to relieve pain. Start with a half-dose if you are extra worried. Pain more than a 4 on a 1-10 scale warrants medicating. Once you're at a 2 or so for a day, you being what we'd call 'opiate-naive', I'd switch you to regular Tylenol. Addiction is in the mind for the most part, they didn't give you near enough to get physically addicted. That takes time and exposure. Bonus tip: take them with a glass of milk or a small sandwich to help prevent nausea. It's likely you'll just want to nap. Hope this helps some. -src: my ass and having been a RN for 8 years.
[–] daskapitalist [S] 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
Thanks, that's what I needed. I really wasn't sure how to translate "as needed" since to me that translates as somewhere around a +7 on a 1-10 pain scale, when the pain was closer to a 4-5 like you mentioned.
[–] Sellyoulight 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I don’t know if this is an individual--or rare or nearly unheard-of thing--with hydrocodone, but IMO..... beware the Constipation Demon when you’re eating hydrocodone. Hydrocodone sets the constipation demon loose on me and the results are a real drag.
[–] ninjajunkie ago
That is definitely a side-effect. I haven't seen it much with someone taking them as needed, but anyone on scheduled dosing will likely experience it somewhat. An OTC stool softener usually works as a preventative. If that doesn't help, a mild laxative will.
[–] Javik2186 ago
Yeah, I had him invade my house a few days ago and the Doomguy wasn't there to save me. The only weapons I was armed with was prune juice, water, and magnesium citrate. IMO, drink a lot of water and eat fiber rich foods to help digestion when taking hydrocodone.
[–] revfelix 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I always want to nap after my sandwich (or any other time, really). Does that mean I'm being secretly injected with hydrocodone by the CIA?
[–] Likeitirish 1 point 8 points 9 points (+9|-1) ago
Its more like "how addictive is my personality". I've taken norcos, and vikodin for fun many many times. I'm not addicted at all. I have friends (had) that took norcos after surgery and just went full blown addict within 6 months. Moved onto oxy, then heroin. Its insane how fast it happens. Thats not an exaggeration either. I've had more than a handful die from overdose less than two years after their first painkiller. Just know how you tend to react to 'addictive' things and act accordingly.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 6 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago (edited ago)
[–] FuckYourSafespace ago
Good to know. As for medicating, there are certain pains that you have to stay ahead of. Example time: I had laser eye surgery back in 2010, PRK not lasik. They gave me enough Vicodin for 5 days, I said I'd rather skip it if I can and take it if it is really needed. Dr. said that once I feel like I need it, I'm never going to catch back up with it, the pain would keep me up all night and be hell for 5 days. Something about scrubbing off the surface of your eyeball makes your body mad I guess. So I took his advice, set alarms for all the different eyedrops and the meds, and otherwise slept for 5 days straight.
[–] swolejusticewarrior 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
If you stick to taking it when you can't bear the pain then you'll be fine. Just don't start taking it when the pain is bearable. Don't drink on it cause acetometaphin stresses the liver. If you feel really good on them then maybe split them in half or just take a Tylenol instead.
When I got prescribed them I just used them to help me stay asleep at night cause I didn't want to wake up in pain. I took a Tylenol during the day.
[–] damnonions 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
I think you should have more faith in yourself. Almost all addictions arise out of misery. Addicts literally self-medicate their misery. You're cognizant, you're aware of the pitfalls, so just complete the course and then be done with it. If you've never dealt with drugs before I can understand your concern. There's a lot of choice in substance addiction, a lot more than we're lead to believe through romanticized movies about decent people having their reason overpowered and being seduced by euphoric bliss. Happy people don't have much trouble turning down drugs. Watch out for constipation.
[–] MinorLeakage 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
It makes you horrifically constipated, so drink lots of water. And really they aren't so addictive that you can't stop at the end of your prescription. Just don't find a reason to "need" another one.
[–] IBreakCellPhones 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Fun fact: Immodium is an opiate. It acts on the nerves in your gut to slow things down, but it doesn't get into your central nervous system to make you high, painless, or addicted.
[–] RoryIan ago
The acetaminophen is more dangerous than the codeine , so says a lot of current research. As for addiction , some people are made that way , they develop a desire for something and cannot stop. Others never do. I am like that , fortunately , not addicted to anything. There is , among some behavioral researchers , a thought that 'addiction,' is nothing more than an excuse . The people who become addicted are those who have little self control. Then physiology takes over and the substance itself changes the user in subtle ways which display as 'addiction.' Thus a physiological change displays itself as ' addictive ' behavior.
Most people do not need to worry . Take the pain med , be glad if it works, enjoy the recovery and then get on with life.
[–] Javik2186 ago
I'm on 10mg of Hydrocodone/Tylenol for pain after snapping my tibia in my right leg. Just becareful with it, from what I've learned in my Substance use & Abuse college course, it is addictive. Take it when only if the pain is severe. Drink a lot of water and prune juice with it too, I've learned the hard way a few days ago end up getting opioid-induced constipation. If the pain is marginal with a 3 on a 1-10 scale take Ibuprofen to help with the pain and swelling. Also, keep it elevated.