Pool players who take Vicodin or Hydrocodone

Cdryden

Cdryden

Pool Addict
Silver Member
For those of us who are taking pain medicine particularly Vicodin or hydrocodone I was wondering if you were dealing with any side effects. I have been taking this for a long time and I have noticed that if I take 2 one day and 2 the next day (I dont take them daily, usually only 2-4 a week) The following day when I haven't taken any I sometimes get unreasonably angry. Maybe withdraws but I doubt it from the low amounts I take.

I know it sounds funny or stupid but I'm serious. Sometimes I find my anger is almost out of control.

I don't lash out at anyone or hit people or anything like that, but I do feel that way. I don't act on it although I did get into a big argument with my boss on Monday, he was wrong and I called him out on it. Maybe not the smartest thing but oh well.

I have been thinking about having my doctor switch me to another medication but I have no idea what I should take. Has anyone had these issues? Have you had more success with a different medicine?

I almost posted this on the NPR section but I took one look at the titles of the posts there and decided that wouldn't be a good place to discuss anger issues! Sorry if I offended anyone by putting this here.
 
I use over-the-counter medication to control my anger issues. A friend recommended I use an all-natural herbal supplement containing beneficial vitamins and nutrients. I've had great success with it, and glad to be avoiding some of the harsher prescription stuff. Because everyone's metabolism is very different, dosage is hard to pin down. If you take 1 or 2 you'll notice no difference, but conversely somewhere around 9 or 10 you'll notice your aggressiveness and anger issues are even worse than before. 4 or 5 will help you remain calm, focused, and laid back. At least from my experience. Pricing is not dirt cheap, but still fair. Kind of surprising considering there is no generic version like with most meds (It's brand-name only :( ). Good luck with sorting out your own method of treatment.

Edit: forgot the product pic: http://i43.tinypic.com/f2u2rk.jpg

I know the name sounds kind of weird, but I swear by this stuff.
 
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Have you talked to your doctor about it? I take 2 Hydrocodones a day because of a lower back problem. Some days I'll skip them but I don't experience any sign of unreasonable anger issues. I googled side effects of hydrocondone and got this information:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydrocodone/Ibuprofen:
Anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; gas; headache; heartburn; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain or upset; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.

I hope this information may be of some use to you. Good luck in solving your problem.
 
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I have been taking up to 4 x 20 mg of Oxy for years now due to a brain op.

Mood swings. Yes it is possible no matter how many you take per day. Your body is used to the narcotic and it wants some whether you feel need it or not.
If you were getting withdrawal symptoms, believe me, you'd know it.

Sometimes the cure can be the problem. I couldn't begin to describe the pain involved in withdrawals.
The best I could tell you is that you would feel like you have the onset of flu like symptoms. Your skin crawls.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
I have been taking up to 4 x 20 mg of Oxy for years now due to a brain op.

Mood swings. Yes it is possible no matter how many you take per day. Your body is used to the narcotic and it wants some whether you feel need it or not.
If you were getting withdrawal symptoms, believe me, you'd know it.

Sometimes the cure can be the problem. I couldn't begin to describe the pain involved in withdrawals.
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Yeah, I think its more of a side effect then a withdraw. If it was up to my doc he would have me on constant morphine! I have found ways to limit my use of the pain killers to an extent, but unfortunately, for now, they are a necessity.
 
I use hydrocodone on a regular basis. Two things happen to me.
1. Unable to maintain focus in pool.
2. Unable to sleep at night.

randyg
 
Cdryden said:
Yeah, I think its more of a side effect then a withdraw. If it was up to my doc he would have me on constant morphine! I have found ways to limit my use of the pain killers to an extent, but unfortunately, for now, they are a necessity.
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I know a couple of players who can *not* play without Vicodin or Hydrocodone. I also have noticed their personalities are grumpy from time to time.

In one case, the usage of prescription pills broke up a long-time relationship between two friends who used to travel the pro tournament trail together, sad to say. Acquiring the prescription pills, e.g., their addiction, trumped their friendship.

My dentist gave me 30 Vicodins one time and 30 Tylenol 3's another time for some work he did on me. I couldn't stand them. I still have them, though I have hidden them from anybody in my household who might be tempted to pop a pill for non-medical reasons. ;)

When I was younger, I enjoyed altering my state of consciousness at will. Today, I hate anything that does that, except my coffee. I ain't giving up my coffee -- yet.

I have a friend, who reads this forum from time to time, that is hooked on Ambien. He uses so many of them to sleep that he orders extra ones online and pays top dollar for them after he extinguishes the ones he gets from his doctor.
 
randyg said:
I use hydrocodone on a regular basis. Two things happen to me.
1. Unable to maintain focus in pool.
2. Unable to sleep at night.

randyg
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I know what you mean Randy, I have had some of the same issues. I usually opt to deal with the pain rather than take the pills to keep my mind clear when playing pool. But the pain in my back gets so bad at times that it effects my focus more than the pills. Have you considered trying a different type of pain killer? I wonder if the side effects are equally bad with all the pain meds.
 
Becoming agitated is a very classic sign of opiate WD. I think the amount you use per week is what saves you from going into full blown opiate WD. Sounds like mild WD to me. In the above post it was stated that if u were having WD you would know it and I agree with that for a daily user but you dont take it often enough to get the full feeling of WD
 
JAM said:
I know a couple of players who can *not* play without Vicodin or Hydrocodone. I also have noticed their personalities are grumpy from time to time.

In one case, the usage of prescription pills broke up a long-time relationship between two friends who used to travel the pro tournament trail together, sad to say. Acquiring the prescription pills, e.g., their addiction, trumped their friendship.

My dentist gave me 30 Vicodins one time and 30 Tylenol 3's another time for some work he did on me. I couldn't stand them. I still have them, though I have hidden them from anybody in my household who might be tempted to pop a pill for non-medical reasons. ;)

When I was younger, I enjoyed altering my state of consciousness at will. Today, I hate anything that does that, except my coffee. I ain't giving up my coffee -- yet.

I have a friend, who reads this forum from time to time, that is hooked on Ambien. He uses so many of them to sleep that he orders extra ones online and pays top dollar for them after he extinguishes the ones he gets from his doctor.
Click to expand...

Thankfully I don't think I am addicted to them, I even asked my doctor about it since I have been on them for so long. He said, "well I give you a prescription for 60 pills that you can renew every month, I see here that you only renew your prescription once every 3 months. I think you're safe!" Personally I think he is a little too free with the prescription pad but oh well, he's the Doc right?!

Sorry to hear about your friend and his Ambien issue, I also have a friend that I'm worried may be getting addicted to those.
 
blucollar said:
Becoming agitated is a very classic sign of opiate WD. I think the amount you use per week is what saves you from going into full blown opiate WD. Sounds like mild WD to me. In the above post it was stated that if u were having WD you would know it and I agree with that for a daily user but you dont take it often enough to get the full feeling of WD
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Thanks for the reply, do you know of a suitable substitute for hydrocodone without the side effects or am I just going to have to deal with it?

I am going to be meeting with my doctor and I'm not looking for forum members to take the place of my doctors advice but i am looking for peoples opinions that have had the same experience and may have found a alternative medicine.
 
Cdryden said:
For those of us who are taking pain medicine particularly Vicodin or hydrocodone I was wondering if you were dealing with any side effects. I have been taking this for a long time and I have noticed that if I take 2 one day and 2 the next day (I dont take them daily, usually only 2-4 a week) The following day when I haven't taken any I sometimes get unreasonably angry. Maybe withdraws but I doubt it from the low amounts I take.

I know it sounds funny or stupid but I'm serious. Sometimes I find my anger is almost out of control.

I don't lash out at anyone or hit people or anything like that, but I do feel that way. I don't act on it although I did get into a big argument with my boss on Monday, he was wrong and I called him out on it. Maybe not the smartest thing but oh well.

I have been thinking about having my doctor switch me to another medication but I have no idea what I should take. Has anyone had these issues? Have you had more success with a different medicine?

I almost posted this on the NPR section but I took one look at the titles of the posts there and decided that wouldn't be a good place to discuss anger issues! Sorry if I offended anyone by putting this here.
Click to expand...




I think you are on to something, I took Oxycodone for a number years. There were times when I was taking the medication that I would also get angry over nothing important. I think it could have been a side effect, because these drugs are certainly mood altering.

As far as a step up form the medication your taking that would be Oxycodone or Percoet. But this will also incease your chances of becoming addicted to the medication. When I stopped taking the medication I became pretty sick for a number of weeks, and even when I past most of the withdrawel I still stoamack problems along with sleep problems for around six months.

Today I just deal with the pain because the medication is not worth the problems that come along with it.

I wish you well.
 
The old Oxy is not being prescribed any longer. The new name is Oxy Neo.

It is like a hard rubber. It can't be crushed or if it is mixed with water for an injection, it turns to a gel form.
 
Only oxycontin is a gel pill...generic oxycodone is still crushable...opiates actually lose effectivness after a while and make matters worse. As for a substitute nothing will work as well while on the hydro except a stronger opiate..medicinal marijuana is really great for pain...look into it..there is much information for u to ponder and draw your own conclusions
 
there is something new

There is a new pill that isn't classified as a narcotic. It works for some people. Unfortunately I can't remember the name at the moment. Several people recommended it for pain and I discussed it with my doctor. Ultimately I didn't see any gain to rocking the boat. While it isn't a narcotic it seemed to have all the same risks.

Hu
 
Pain meds are a useful tool for managing pain. I get pissy after 2 or 3 days of unrelenting shoulder pain. If I take an ultram and 2 tylenol it usually takes the edge off enough for me to make it. If you can't find a balance betweeen the pain and the meds life can be a *****. I do know it is easier to stay ahead of the pain than to try and catch up. Maybe you could try ultam and just use the stronger stuff when the pain increases?
 
I own a medical marijuana center in colorado, and many patients have found long term relief where opiates have failed. I think cannabis can be used for chronic pain successfully. There are many products now besides the traditional stuff you smoke. Many contain specific compounds that can offer relief without necessarily getting you "high". If you want to know more, please ask.
 
Above poster may be thinking of Tramadol which mimics an opiate but also has SSRI qualities...also hard to come off of
 
I tried smoking a bit to ease the migraines. I wish it worked because I'd get away from the Oxy in a flash.
I will send you a PM tho Bud, maybe there is a homeopathic remedy.
 
Thanks to everyone for your great reply's. I dont know if we can have medical marijuana in Missouri or not but I will look into it.
 
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