Vicodin = Weight Gain???

Last month I seriously injured my right rib cage resulting in torn ligaments.  Well, the doc said the only thing that could be done to treat this ailment was to manage the pain and allow myself time to heal.  So I have been taking Vicodin for the pain.  And this morning I got the biggest shock of my life! I stepped on the scale to do my once monthly weigh-in and I have gained 20 pounds!  Now, I feveriously went over my food journal and I am staying within my dietician's limits and I have been a very good girl and not strayed off program.  Granted, with the rib injury, my exercise level is a little bit down but not by much.  I have been utilizing the swimming pool and getting my daily workouts in there so tell me where this weight came from. I am in such a state of despair right now and totally freaking out!  Someone help me please! Tracy

Hi Tracy! I checked www.webmd.com and here is the URL on Vicoden side effects: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3459-Vicodin+Oral.aspx?drugid=3459&drugname=Vicodin+Oral Might want to contact the doctor or pharmacist and see if that is definately a side effect of the drug. Don't freak out, call the doctor or pharmacist and ask them first! Hope this helps! Stacey

Tracy, I had major gall bladder pain a few months ago and took Vicoden for pain until surgery. I gained 8 pounds in a week.  I think it has something to do with the constipating factor of the drug.  It seems to make you retain water.  At least it did for me.  Once I stopped taking it, the weight dropped back off. I'm not sure if it's a side effect, but it did seem to affect me, also. Jenn

Jenn, I did get thru to my pcp today and she told me to take stool softeners because of the constipation side effect.  Since I cannot take nsaids for the torn ligaments in the ribs and there really isn't any other pain relievers that I can take, she said the stool softeners may help.  I also received a pm from another member that suggested that my anti-depressants may be the culprit so I talked with the doc about that and she said that my ads are also known for weight gain so she is going to consider changing those.  At my last visit she also retested my thyroid and she said I came in the lowest possible for normal so she can't increase my dose but suggested that I cut my pills in 1/2 so that I can get more benefit from them as far as having better absorption if I take 1/2 the dose twice a day.  I'm going to try all of these and hopfully I will see positive results!