Vicodin Addiction And Heart Surgery… Beware!

By Adam Pick on September 22, 2007

I’m just getting back from dinner at my mother-in-law’s house. Bonnie really is such a great cook! She made this cheese, blintz souflee that was yummm-eeeeee.

Anyways… During dinner, I started speaking with Robert, a retired pharmacist. We started talking about heart valve surgery and the problems I had during my recovery from double heart valve surgery (specifically cardiac depression). I mentioned my post-operative issue with Vicodin and Robert became very intrigued by the discussion.

 

Vicodin Addiction After Heart Surgery

 

Robert used to work as an I.C.U. pharmacist. He went on to tell some really interesting statistics about Vicodin and heart surgery patients.

Specifically, Robert told me that Vicodin is the preferred pain medication administered following cardiac surgery. Are you ready for the statistic that blew my mind?

For every ten patients who use Vicodin regularly following heart surgery, one of those ten patients become addicted. One in ten! Or, 10% of heart patients have an addiction to Vicodin!

I guess I was part of that ten percent group. Looking back on it, there was nothing fun about my Vicodin issue.

Keep on tickin!
Adam


Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick, Heart Valve Patient Advocate

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.


Greg Giles says on March 9th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

I became addicted to Vicodin after my second and third open-heart surgeries. (I’m age 34) The Vicodin addiction was kind of a pain in the ass, but was nothing compared to the Fentanyl addiction that consumed me and almost killed me a number of times/ways. Both addictions have been kicked by now, but what I agree that anyone with an even slight predisposition for addiction or anyone with an addictive personality better be careful…I guess after going through three open-heart surgeries…I can confidentally say that I’m even addicted to heart surgery.
–Greg Giles



Ray says on December 14th, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Can you tell me how you got off the vicodin – thanks



Ray says on February 3rd, 2012 at 10:58 am

It has been 8 months since surgery and I am still on the vicdon – all over body pain I still have if I don’t take one. How do I get off this


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