Hi Nicki-- I became very good friends with Hydrocodone, the liquid form... I first had it after my initial surgery, then came back to it during the first radiation and then again after my second (neck dissection) surgery...

During radiation, I was consuming a pretty good amount of it, which you need to be careful of (because too much of the tylenol in it can be dangerous). My roughest time during radiation was actually the week or two after I finished. At that point, I went to the Duragesic pain patch (for several weeks) and used some liquid morphine for breakthrough pain...

I'll admit the Hydrocodone had the intended effect of a narcotic. I usually got pretty warm and fuzzy about a half hour after I took it (and pretty mad when I ran out!!). My wife would always ask me if I had just taken medicine if I suddenly got a little "romantic" on her...

I worried about addiction stuff but I found that when I didn't need it anymore, I could step down pretty easily... My body went through some minor withdrawals and I was blue for a day or two (no longer warm and fuzzy for sure).

I think the threat of constipation helped wean me off the stuff... Right now I'm proud to say I'm not taking nothing but Zofran (for my queasy stomach)... And I should be done with that (Lord willing) in a day or two...

Keep up the good fight!!