What does someone look like that's got a problem with the drug Vicodin? I am concerned about my sister-in-law


Question:
She has lost a lot of weight, can't seem to sit still and she looks like a deer caught in headlights. She seems to be a nervous wreck. Her doctor prescribed this painkiller for chronic muscle and joint pain supposedly due to fibromyalgia. Of course she denies any problem when asked about the vicodin but that would be par for the course I'm told. I was also diagnosed as having fibromyalgia and if I have too much muscle pain I take an Advil. Why is such an addictive medication given for what's probably glorified aches and pains?

Answers:
What are the possible side effects of Vicodin?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Vicodin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· slow, weak breathing;
· seizures;
· cold, clammy skin;
· severe weakness or dizziness;
· unconsciousness;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
· unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Vicodin and talk to your doctor if you experience
· constipation;
· dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
· dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;
· muscle twitches;
· sweating;
· itching;
· decreased urination; or
· decreased sex drive.
• Hydrocodone is habit forming. It is possible become physically and/or psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if Vicodin is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

The thing about pain is that the level of pain is what the patient says it is and everybody has a different perception of pain. Pain perception also seems to depend on the person's coping system. So what may an Advil pain for you might be a Vicodin pain for her.
In pain managment, we use a 1-10 scale and ask the patient to rate their pain along that scale. 0 is of course none and 10 is the worse possible pain the person can imagine. It is not compared to anyone or some national average. It an individual perception. So don't knock her down that she thinks her pain is bad. My girlfriend has fibromyalgia and can barely walk the pain is so bad. The weight loss might be due to a decreased appetite (side effect), but the nervous movement sounds like it could be related to something else.

Then the official definition of an addict is a person who will do anything to get their pain medication. This is different than tolerance. If a person is on a particular pain medication long enough they will develop a tolerance to the drug and the dosage will have to be increased or a different medication prescribed. That is not an addiction.

Hope this helps you to feel better about your sister-in-law. If you get really concerned, call the doctor who is prescribing her the vicodin and express your concern. Let him be the bad guy and not you.
medications all have affects on us.I understand you,saying why take them when it makes you worst but some have side affects.Ask you Dr about the symptoms now you have been diagnosed with the same thing,other wise talk to the Dr about some drug symptoms???but its hard to judge when she is on such medications

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