thaiboxa
Stranger
Reged: 04/03/03
Posts: 6
Loc: Jersey
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I have had bad lower back pain for over 4 months now and have confirmed I have a degenerative disc, and am showing signs of arthritis which is a result of martial arts and bodybuilding. When I take Vicodin it helps with the pain, but the next couple of days the pain and fatigue gets much worse. I have noticed this on several occassions. Even if I take Vicodin for other pain I am having and my back doesn't hurt, it will for the next couple of days. Could it be possible that Vicodin can aggrevate my condition?
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"Satisfaction is the death of desire"
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Sweetz
Diamond Mind
Reged: 05/11/02
Posts: 765
Loc: Texas!
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I have a question for you. Do you do more physically during the time that you take the pain meds that could aggrevate your condition? That would make it hurt worse days after you took the meds.
I don't have much experience with hydro, but I remember vividly, the time I had it prescribed due to a car wreck and a sprained neck. I would feel better when I took it (duh, no pain) and then turn it and such and make it worse for days to come.
I have no idea if this is what's happening, it's just something for you to "chew on".
Hope you get to feeling better! I know that my Bextra has helped my husband with his back. It's an anti-inflammatory.
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"If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice."
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voyager
Old Hand
Reged: 04/17/03
Posts: 413
Loc: United States Virgin Islands
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Excellent comments SWEETZ. The only thing i could add is that the anti inflammatories such as bextra, celebrex and vioxx actually work to control pain much better than does vicodin. Hydro etc. only work my altering your perception to pain. The fatigue associated with post vicodin usage is very common.
Good luck.
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thaiboxa
Stranger
Reged: 04/03/03
Posts: 6
Loc: Jersey
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I make sure I don't do anything while on them. If anything, I take greater care for my back. I figured the fatigue would be worse, but it really does increase my pain on the days after. The more I took them, the worse the pain got. I have been taking Relafen (NSAID) and it works, I just take the Vicodin when pain gets out of control.
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"Satisfaction is the death of desire"
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zeuzjuz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/16/01
Posts: 1155
Loc: the milky way
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Since you are not taking the hydrocodone regularly - just every few days or so - your body is most likely experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which are causing the additional back pain and yucky feelings. It is unlikely for a person that has never been on opioids chronically, to suffer withdrawal from just occasional use of small doses of hydrocodone - but if you have ever had an opioid tolerance/dependence in the past, that would make a big difference.
Have you ever had a time in your life in the past that you took opioids daily? If so - then when you are taking them in the manner you are speaking of (not on a regular basis) - then you are probably sending your body into 'mini-withdrawals' each time the medication wears off.
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//zeuzjuz
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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I would guess that it is more likely that when a person experiences pain relief from hydro they may actually do more things (i.e. a person with back pain who gets relief may get up more, do some housework, etc. that couldn't be achieved while in pain) and then pays for it when the hydro wears off.
Withdrawal would be unlikely unless the original poster is physically dependent to at least a moderate degree (regular daily use over a period of 2 or more weeks.) The withdrawal associated bone pain didn't become a problem for me until I acheived severe dependence, and it usually takes a couple days for it to start hurting. The malaise and general "flu" like symptoms of withdrawal can start within a few hours after the last dose.
Anyway, just my idea thrown into the mix. Hopefully we don't have too many cooks in this kitchen! 
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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rosieposie5
Stranger
Reged: 11/07/03
Posts: 11
Loc: ct
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take as directed. when i was in the hospital and had to have shot's of demoral. the nurse told me to ask for it every 3-4 hrs don't wait for the pain to start. like antibiotic's some people feel better so they go off them then the pain come back. i don't think it has anything to do with withdrawl but it does have something to do with not taking it as directed. read the label honey and try it for a week. 
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happy go lucky
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TwG
Journeyman
Reged: 06/17/02
Posts: 68
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If you use opiates consistently, it can stop endorphins from being created, thus making the pain worse unless you use opiates. This is why people on methadone sometimes experience body pains when they are on a dose that is too low.
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