ask: What are the long-term effects of Vicodin Use?
I was at a friend’s house recently and noticed that she was taking Vicodin twice a day for several months to help with arm pain. I know that any narcotic used over a prolonged period of time is bad. What are the long-term effects of Vicodin usage besides the obvious: addiction?
Are there alternatives?
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I have used these pain medications many times in the last four or so years, after the many surgeries I have had. Three c-sections, mouth surgery and an appendectomy. (wow, I've been through the surgical ringer in the past few years, when I think about it!).
If you friend is taking just a couple of Vicodin a day and sticking to that amount, she is taking it as ordered and should be ok.
But it contains acetaminophen which can damage the liver when used long-term or with alcohol.
When using Vicodin, a person has to be careful of other medications they take, as well as their alcohol use. Vicodin is addictive, both physically and psychologically. It blocks pain but also triggers increased dopamine levels, which means we get a high from it, and that high makes us want to take more, in order to continue the good feeling.
An overdose of Vicodin can slow breathing and induce unconsciousness. Taken with other drugs, and/or large amounts of alcohol can be fatal.
Several months is a long time to be taking a narcotic pain pill. Did your friend have surgery? Would she instead take an over the counter pain medication or try an alternative method like acupuncture, do you think?
December 26, 2008 - 6:14amThis Comment
I would like to thank Susan for her comments and posts. I have been struggling with an autoimmune disease for many years. During my 4mths of every years I am on norco (vicodin with lower tylenol) twice a day.
November 25, 2010 - 7:50amOver the last 2 years I have had 4 surgeries too. So, of course I have had to take pain meds to function.
At times I know my body is dependant on the medication, even psychologically. However, it comes down to this. If I am not in pain, I do not use the prescription. With that said, I do have withdrawls in doing so. But, evening knowing I will have withdrawls I WILL NOT USE IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY.
So, I do not consider myself a true addict of any kind. Others on the other hand feel strongly that Vicodin should be a last resort and that pain should be tolerated naturally. My thought on this is: If I do not have a quality life than what is this point. If I didnt have pain meds i would be in bed all the time, unemployed and living off the state.
Please people, keep in mind that prolonged vicodin use doesnt mean that one is a 'drug addict'. No one knows the full extent of someones health, body and mind.
On the other hand, if someone is using any drug with no real illness attached, then be concerned.
Thank you Anonymous Guest. i too have been taking vicodin for several years, 6 to be exact, multiple surgeries, and a great deal of pain. I have extreme nerve damage to my upper body.
December 6, 2010 - 11:39pmYes Vicodin is very addictive but like you, i will not take it unless i truly need it. i may go a few days with moderate pain that taking over the counter pain revelers will help some. but when i have bad days, then i take the strong stuff. i may have to take it for several days, but when the pain tames down i go back to over the counter drugs.
I am in full agreement, Just because you take vicodin everyday does not mean you are an addicted. in fact, My doctor stated, if you are NOT exceeding the recommended dose and are not taking with alcohol, you are not an addict.
I have suffered back pain and have been on the receivimg end of procedures like discograms, IDET procedure , steroid shots all to diagnose and treat my back ailment I have a dessicated disk and a bulging disk ,I work in the healthcare industry and routinely pickup patients ,boxes and other stuff , I have never felt impaired while taking Vicodin IT ONLY TAKES THE PAIN AWAY , well most of it anyway , and I can carry on without wincing at sitting walking and lifting ( wich IM not supposed to be doing ) but who is gonna hire you when you tell them you have chronic back issues , lets be honest a Doctor wont hire you because he will feel like your gonna sue him and all he thinks is of protecting his practice , never mind you need the job , most doctors will smile BUT will not hire you , oh I almost forgot Ive been on vicodin for over seven years Am a resposible father of trhee kids and go to church , I dont rob banks or hang out in dark alleys or put vicodin in my cereal , thats just a over exagerated perception of the bad side , but most adult with pain issues are long term pain medication users . NOT CRACK HEADS !!
May 19, 2011 - 12:11pmHi Anon
Thanks for your post and I agree that many people legitimately need pain medication to get through the day.
However, what was mentioned was the fact that of the million+ drug over doses every year, most are for prescription pills and most of those pills are painkillers or mood altering meds.
I understand it's hard to be on a medication that so many others abuse and it's frustrating when some people assume that because you take something like Vicodin for pain, then somehow you're shady.
For more on the abuse of these drugs, click here: http://www.empowher.com/addictions/content/pill-mills-new-drug-dealers-b...
These drug peddlers and users are giving legitimate use a very bad name.
I wish you the best with your back. I have had back problems for 4 years and just got the spinal injections after 30 physical therapy session didn't work for me. Unfortunately, the injections haven't been the 'miracle' I was after, either.
~Susan
May 20, 2011 - 11:44amAnonymous, your story is my story. I have a prescription of Norco (Vicodin) from last year and still have 10 in the bottle of 30. I totally agree with your point about quality of life. I have osteoarthritis in my spine and can't take nsaids. When I have a flair-up lesser drugs like Tylenol can only take the edge off briefly so to have a bottle of Norco or Vicodin on hand gives me piece of mind knowing I have them if I need them. Usually I only take 2 or 3 over the same number of days and then I'm good until the next flair-up. If anything, I'm guilty of hoarding them not abusing them.
June 30, 2011 - 9:40amYou are right. If you or a friend are taking meds and have no pain, then there is a reason for concern. I take it to get up and go to work. I have tried other meds and have even been given anti depresants by medical Drs. They along with other non pain people want to assume that every person is addicted to everything. I like coffee, cold water, and even soda in spurts. I don't need these but pain relief needs to happen or I can't get up to go to work.
January 21, 2012 - 1:56pmThank you Anonymous from November 25, 2010. I have been taking Vicodin for approximately 7 months for severe back pain that I have not been able to treat for yet as I have no health insurance (will be getting soon though). It really upsets me when in casual conversation, when my back problems are brought up and I mention what I take for it and the first thing out of their mouth is a comment on it being addictive--implying that I am or could be addicted to it. Then they go on to say "well I have back pain too but I just deal with it". Well, anyone with common sense would know there are certainly several different kinds of back pain/problems. They have no idea the pain that I feel from it and what it affects in my daily life and the things I'm not able to comfortably do because of it. I feel better knowing that other people feel the same as me when it comes to people making snide comments about your personal health and what you're doing about it (which, by the way, is ordered by a DOCTOR)! --Amy
January 27, 2012 - 11:31amShe did not have surgery but has severe arm/shoulder pain for the past couple months. Her physicians are NOW starting her on physical therapy. This is a hard subject to talk about with a friend but I think I will try and talk to her about alternative methods of pain management instead of narcotics. Thanks for the suggestion of acupuncture.
December 27, 2008 - 12:40pmTaking Vicodin for several months for arm pain is wrong, if the pain doesn't go away then Vicodin is not the solution. As you already said, addiction is one of the main side effects of Vicodin and I think your friend is already addicted. Unless she realizes this she will only go down from now on and I think her doctor should be aware about what's she's doing. Good luck to your friend!
May 8, 2009 - 10:36am