Bizarre question: can Vicodin give you hives like poison oak?

[Taverner]

I've been taking Vicodin, perhaps too much and for too long. I stopped taking it today. No problem stopping, and I've noticed my constipation is gone. Long gone. But I digress....

While taking it I developed a rash - much like that of when you get poison oak or ivy. This started to spread, which led me to think I had contact with poison oak - so I washed with Technu (I swear by this stuff - it's worth the $$$$) but it didn't go away.

I started to take less and less vicodin, which led me to itch less. Now it's almost gone.

[skygazer]

1. I'm not sure but would guess yes

An allergy to anything can cause hives and allergies can go from minor to serious. If you've got a sensitivity to it, it seems it could cause hives - I have a friend who breaks out in them when she takes aspirin.

I'd ask your doctor to be sure, though.

(I swear by the Technu, too - never got poison oak until the last few years but that stuff WORKS)

[Taverner]

5. Thing is I've taken Vicodin before

without this side effect...but I wasn't taking over the reccomended dosage. It might be the overdosing of Tylenol too...

[skygazer]

8. Well, I'm not a doctor

Though I play one on TV... no, wait, I don't even play one on TV. But I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. No, wait, I didn't.

Crap, must be the Vicodin. :P

From what I understand, allergies can develop overnight. So it may or may not be one.

What's wrong with your knee? I have a torn meniscus in my left knee that's been getting steadily worse over the last 2 years (I'm having arthroscopic on it next Thursday) so I can sympathise. It's a real drag trying to walk when you can't use one leg!

(I've considered having it amputated, getting a peg leg and becoming a pirate - it's kind of a cool look but it's tough to find a surgeon who'll do an elective amputation. Go figure)

[Taverner]

9. Funny - same thing with my knee

Back when I was 21 or so, I ripped apart my ACL. They reconstructed it and all was good.

Years later, I started mashing up my maniscus, and last week I really crunched it. I can literally feel the torn maniscus pop sometimes when bending my knee.

So tomorrow I see and orthopedic surgeon and I'm hoping he reccomends surgery.

[skygazer]

10. Right or left?

Maybe we could do a three-legged race. :rofl:

(Yeah, it's definitely the Vicodin talking)

[no name no slogan]

2. Sounds like withdrawal

did you stop taking it suddenly, or did you taper off?

You should NEVER discontinue taking a drug without the advice and guidance of a physician. Many drugs have nasty withdrawal symptoms.

I myself am gradually kicking Ambien, and it's been slow going. It has messed up my sleep for a couple weeks but it will be good to be off of it.

[Taverner]

4. I got the hives while taking it

The reaction started going away when I went off it.

And I don't think I was addicted, just liking the fact my knee didn't kill every minute of the day.

I'm hyperdosing Naproxen now, which works much better...

[no name no slogan]

6. It could be a combination of both

for example, I took the herb St. Johns Wort while also taking Paxil. I got a rash on my entire body because the two of them did not play well together.

I'd call your doctor or pharmacist about this, either way.

[Taverner]

7. Well I'm not really getting the hives anyway

And I'm not sure it was hives to begin with. Hives for me are usually an all over body experience. This was in specific places, much like poison oak.

[IsIt1984Yet]

3. I got hives from allergic reaction to codiene.

:shrug:

[Ediacara]

11. Locking

Taverner, please seek the advice of a medical professional. From the DU rules, Do not post messages asking for medical advice.