Hi everyone- About 1mon. ago I had my first experience w/vicodin. I'm in alcohol recovery (13 monso I should have known it would be a bad idea. I also had just started a Klonopin taper because I was abusing them. I have major depression & other issues. The Vic. was prescribed for a shoulder injury.
I soon found I really enjoyed the way Vic. made me feel. No pain, depression, & a good buzz. I enjoyed it so much I went the 90 vics. in 6 days. Of course I went through some horrible wds. The good people on this board helped me through it. I took my last dose of Klonopin last Friday. I soon fell into a terrible depression. I felt like I was losing my mind. Desperate for relief, I got weak & called in a Vic. re-fill Tues. night. I took four initially & three later. I sure didn't get a good feeling. Extreme dizziness, nausea, & skin itch. Yesterday I took a total of 8 vics. & was miserable. Had my last yesterday @ 3pm. I still feel miserable & have scratches all over my body from the itching. What have I done to myself ? Has anyone ever experienced this ? This is a horrible drug. I hope this helps anyone fighting this addiction. I would appreciate any input. Mike

Hi Mike - I remember your first post re the Vics. The itching should not be bad. Usually when you take an opieate you have a 'pleasent itch'. Not something that would leave scratch marks. If there is a patchy rash and/or difficulty breathing that is the sign of a severe allergic reaction. If that is the case you should see your DR. ASAP and don't take anymore of the vics. I do not know anything about klonopin, so I can't even guess about the interaction. Now as far as the refill and beating yourself up about it, read some of the posts about relapse. It seems that it is almost expected once we decided to quit the hydro's. I have had some slip ups also but the main thing we need to do is remember that no matter how we get there, we will get there. We will be free from the hydro monster and there are plenty of people on this board that are living proof. I think one of the importent pieces to recovery is a strategy and a program. We are weak people who need support. I know i need support. The time I used to spend cruising the net chasing hydro's I now spend reading about other peoples success and failures. Pray if you gottem, TJ

Mike, sorry to hear about agony you are going through. I have heard that after certain levels of opiates the body tolerance level is passed and paradoxical effects can be experienced. I hope you can taper off the V and let the klonipin build in your system. It will not be easy and I hope you have a proffessional that can evaluate the reactions you described. Please get real help if it doesn't get better.

Hello Mike

I understand the feeling of shame, but also understand that you alone are feeling it because no one here is ashamed of you at all. I understand the feeling of desperation and wanting so badly for that feeling to go away. Perhaps a better decision could have been made, but sometimes it is nearly impossible to make a rational decision when we are full of angst and distress. We are but human and this is part of our humaness. (is that a word???)

Mike, we can not change yesterday, we can only work from where we are today. And look where you are today! Back posting and tackling the issues again! THAT is good, rational, to-be-congratulated decision making.

We are all constantly works in progress. Constantly.

I have experienced that intense itching. I can directly relate it to when I used oxycontin for a while. It was strong and my body's reaction was intense itching and tremendous skin sensitivity. I had been prescibed both oxycontin and oxycodne. The skin problems made me stop taking the oxycontin altogether. I think your skin's reaction is a result of pumping all that vicodin into your system after not having any in your system for a while.

The Klonopin taper... did you do it under a doctor's direction? It surely is a tough drug to come off of. And I have no doubt that coming off will start spasms of anxiety. I will be coming off Xanax... tapering... and have every intention of it being a very slow, long taper. If it takes months and months, I don't care. I am not in a dangerous situation medically or mentally with it, so I can afford to take the time. (Being retired is also somewhat a help).

Mike, have you ever been treated for depression? I am just curious, because what you have posted over time is suggestive of depression of some sort. Just my thoughts.

Keep posting, Buddy. You are a work in progress!

reach

Hi Reach- Yes I've treated for depression for many years. I've been on various meds. for this since '92. Thanks to all for responding. Mike