Expert: Crystal - 8/29/2007

Question
I have been taking 1 vicodin(7.5) a day for a couple of months now. I know that may not seem like alot but I am afraid I will become addicted. I look forward to coming home from work and taking one. If I stop will I have withdrawel symptoms be it severe or mild? Thank you in advance for answering my question.

Answer
What are you taking it for? If you stop taking it you should be fine, just be aware that if you are looking forward to taking it then you have a higher possibility of addiction and high doses later. It is good that you recognize this now so that it doesn't become a pattern later that you can't stop. You may feel some aching and have a headache at the time when you would take it but the body needs to adjust to the absence of the narcotic in the system. You also have to take into consideration whether or not you have ever had this pattern before, have you ever taken pain meds before that were long term and if so  what was the affect?
Some of the mild side effects that you could experience are,  irritability and moodiness,headache, diarrhea, nausea & mild body aches. A lot of physicians who deal with this encourage you to take one to two Tylenol for any aching but you have to remember, I am not a doctor.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and take care.