RHW, first of all calm down. While I was coming off the hydrocodone (which is in vicodin and vicoprofen) I did a lot of internet research. DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY!!! It is NOT worth the misery you will feel-- DO NOT DO IT. You must taper off.
And don't paint yourself as a bad evil drug addict. I read that you can become physically addicted to hydrocodone in as little as FIVE DAYS. It would be impossible IMHO to be on it as long as you have been without becoming dependent. Do you really see that? This is not some character defect on your part. This is a perfectly predictable physical reaction that millions of people have had to this drug to greater or lesser degrees.
And no, your doctor is not likely to warn you about this in advance. When I got the hydrocodone prescription at the ER after I broke my ankle, I was taking one at bedtime. After the surgery, the doc said to take TWO EVERY FOUR HOURS. What did I know; I did it. He didn't say, "BTW, you're likely to become dependent on this rather fast, so when you're ready to come off of it, talk to me." And when I was in the process of coming off of it and I saw him for a regular ankle checkup, I said, "That hydrocodone is a b!tch to come off of," he just nodded gravely.
Yeah, tell your H, but don't blow this thing out of proportion. You have been on some meds and now you want to get off. The getting off period might take some time and might be unpleasant, but you will do it.
Yes, you can do this, but BE SMART ABOUT IT. Taper off. Research this drug. Get on that message board and talk to people who know what you're going through. DON'T GO COLD TURKEY!! It may take a long time to come off... maybe months, maybe just weeks. Be patient and be easy on yourself.
