Hydromorphone and Addiction: What Users Say

• cow...
• June 19, 2016

Hydromorphone for Pain "I have had chronic kidney stones for 10 years. Over 200 stones, over 35 stone-related surgeries. Can't take Toradol, Morphine, or Zofran. 2 mg of Dilaudid IV and Phenergan eases the pain in about 30 to 45 seconds flat. Just close your eyes and sleep-immediately. It doesn't last a long time, 3 to 4 hours. However, the relief is almost instant and complete. No drug I have ever taken compares. Can make you loopy, and NO DRIVING!!! I only take it when the pain is unbearable-it is very addictive if overused."

• SUP...
• June 22, 2016

Hydromorphone for Chronic Pain "I have severe fibromyalgia and possibly still undiagnosed endometriosis. I'm currently in the hospital (admitted), and they have been giving me 1 mg of Dilaudid every 4-5 hours for pain. It helps so much, but eventually it wears off within the 3rd hour. This is through the IV. I have been sitting up and getting back to myself. The 2 cons: super drowsiness and it is addictive. I worry about becoming dependent on it, but at the same time, it relieves my pain better than Norco."

• CDG...
• July 9, 2017

Hydromorphone for Pain "Dilaudid is an amazing pain reliever, but I do not recommend it if you have no self-control. It is very easy to get addicted to. I have had Dilaudid several times after operations. I also suffer horrible migraines, and sometimes Dilaudid is the only thing that will knock them out. There are also times that Dilaudid makes it worse, such as rebound migraines. It doesn't always help. The bad thing about Dilaudid is that it does cause me to have bad acid reflux and also makes me extremely nauseous. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are in a tremendous amount of pain. It is very strong. Whenever they give it to you in an IV, your whole body tingles and heats up. It's a very strange feeling. Like I said, stay away from it unless you're in terrible pain."

• fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2017

Hydromorphone for Chronic Pain "Had a motorcycle accident in 2013 and broke 3 vertebrae, 6 ribs, and my pelvis. I was given morphine in the ER, but it wasn't putting even a dent in my pain. I asked if there was anything else they could give me, and Dilaudid was the answer. IV administration quickly relieved my pain. I describe the feeling as melting into the bed in a feeling of euphoria. I was told by hospital staff it was 8 times stronger than morphine. Easy to see how people get addicted. I was disappointed when the nurse told me they were going to start weaning me off after 3-4 days."

• V55...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2017

Hydromorphone for Pain "Had my gallbladder removed, and they gave me morphine, which didn't really help much. But then I ended up with a bile leak due to complications, and they put me on Dilaudid, and every ounce of pain vanished seconds after it was put into my IV. It made me really sleepy but not nauseous at all. Very addictive, but works amazingly to relieve extreme pain."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2014

For Pain "After a radical hysterectomy associated with ovarian cancer, I was in severe pain, and no other pain med was helping, so I ended up with hydromorphone. As a pain med, it works very well, but there are very many severe side effects. The worst one is that it is very addictive, and there is no real help. My journey became serious in that I tried to go cold turkey when my dose was down to 16 mg a day, and I became so ill I could barely walk. The doctor ordered me to take a dose, and it took another 2 months to wean off it for a total of 4 months. Now, I have been off it for 3 weeks, and I still have sweat attacks 4 to 6 times in 24 hours. My mind is slowly starting to feel more normal, and my body is a little less painful and 'heavy'."

• Sma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2020

For Chronic Pain "This hydromorphone is hands down the most effective pain medicine I have ever received! It’s truly a miracle and wonder drug! I suffer from many chronic pain diagnoses and end up in the hospital too much. IV Dilaudid is something really special! It takes away 100% of all my pain. 2 mg hydromorphone tablets work quite well-an 8/10. But hear me... *This medicine is very addicting! If not careful, it can run your whole life! Used for pain is alright, but be so careful and take severe caution! The way it makes you feel is like heaven! No pain, all warm inside, relaxed, energized-I’ve gotten my life back... It is truly the most amazing pain medicine I have ever tried! Just be careful!"

• Rac...
• December 23, 2016

Hydromorphone for Pain "Don't if you can help it. Yes, a shot of this IV will STOP your pain, and possibly the rest of you, pretty much immediately. If you have a low BP or sensitivity, or have never taken a strong (Norco doesn't count) narcotic before, try something else first. SEVERELY addictive. One shot and you will want another one, no joke. ONE SHOT. The pill version, by comparison, is slow acting and hits for a long time. Most people will find better relief with Percocet. Unless you have just had surgery, been shot, or have a broken bone, try Fentanyl first, at least that won't kill you in one dose."

• Eh ...
• December 16, 2009

Hydromorphone for Pain "This is wonderful for pain management. This is a drug that actually KILLS pain! But be warned, it does have a high potential for addiction. It truly took all my pain away."

• Sar...
• August 24, 2017

Hydromorphone for Pain "Worked very well for me and also removed agitation. I have to believe this drug is very addictive. Had two doses at the hospital."