Hydrocodone and Its Side Effects

Hydrocodone and I are friendly enemies. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but once you've read my tale of its side effects, I think you'll understand.

The first time I remember taking hydrocodone was August, 1999. I had an Evan's Reconstruction of the ligaments on my left ankle. It was day surgery, and I was sent home on crutches in the care of my almost-adult children. I was so stoned on this drug, I forgot where my daughter was. She had told me ten minutes before that she was going in the bedroom to make some phone calls. But, I had fallen asleep. When I awoke, all I knew was that I was thirsty and alone. Poor me!

I was shuffling around the kitchen, on my crutches, stoned and crying, feeling ever so sorry for myself. In the process of trying to make myself a soft drink I had made enough noise that my daughter came out of the bedroom and stood at the edge of the kitchen. With her hands on her hips, in an exasperated tone of voice, she asked, "Mother, just WHAT do you think you're doing?" I gave a startled "EEK!!!" since I had thought I was alone in the house. After wiping the self-pitying tears from my face, I told her, with a great deal of chagrin, what I had thought.

She just shook her head and got me settled back on the couch. All the time she was muttering something about "old women" not being able to "handle the heavy drugs." But at least I didn't feel any pain then and we get a good laugh out of it these days.

The next time I had an orthopedic surgery, I knew what to expect from this mind-altering pain killer. Being stoned, or loopy as I refer to it now, is just one of the side effects of hydrocodone, though. It can also cause constipation and you should drink plenty of water [6-8 glasses] every day. I also chew fiber tablet to help with this side effect of hydrocodone.

Hydrocodone, because it is related to codeine, may cause some of the same side effects as codeine, such as nausea, vomiting and headache. I never had the nausea or vomiting, so I can't address them. I did experience the side effects of lightheadness and dizziness. Whenever I take hydrocodone, these side effects are some of the most prevalent. I always pause between lying down and sitting to allow my head to clear. Then when I stand after sitting for a long time, I wait a second or two. This allows me the time to gain my balance and for the dizziness to pass.

All the official literature mentions, in print the same size as all other side effects, that hydrocodone can be "habit forming." Based on my personal knowledge and experience this particular possible side effect of hydrocodone should have a skull and crossbones in front of it, should be in red, capital, bold, typeface, twice as big as the rest of the letters in the warnings. Hydrocodone's most dangerous side effect is that, for some users, it can be physically and/or psychologically addictive.

I had the unfortunate experience of slipping and falling on a patch of ice Christmas Eve, 2004. This was the beginning of my hydrocodone addiction. The D.O.[Doctor of Osteopathy] who was my primary care physician at that time had no problem refilling my prescriptions for muscle relaxers and hydrocodone every month as long as I continued to keep my monthly appointments. The way he wrote those prescriptions without any x-rays after the initial one, any other diagnostic exams, any physical therapy, or any other treatment modality...it was as if he WANTED me to be addicted to hydrocodone. When the initial dose became ineffective for the pain level I had, he increased the dosage. He kept increasing it as the months passed.

After 18 months of walking around in a hydrocodone fog of disorientation, sleepiness, muscle twitches, irritability and an inability to think straight; I had a moment of clarity. I decided to wait before I took my morning dose of hydrocodone. I wanted to have a relatively clear head so I could think like I did before I took hydrocodone. I realized my body was hooked!

Since it was my doctor who had gotten me hooked I couldn't depend on him to help me get off the things. I was also too ashamed to tell anyone around me, so rehab was out, too. I started to lower the dosage myself. I cut the pills in half. One dose time I'd take a half dose, the next time, I'd take a full dose. I did that for two days. On the third day I went to all half doses. I did that for a week. Then I started to skip the first and last dose of the day. It took a month, and I had a few slips, but I got completely free of my hydrocodone dependency.

I had knee surgery in December and needed something stronger than the Ultram I usually take for pain. For the first four days, I took hydrocodone. But my husband was in charge of the pill bottle and would dole them out one at a time and only at the proper intervals. Being addictive is the worst side effect of hydrocodone and I never want to experience that horror again.