jaycee13
01-24-2008, 10:43 PM
I have been on norco 10 for almost a year now and needless to say I've built up a tolerance. I want to switch to something else that works, but I can't afford to be knocked out by it. Any suggestions?
Sponsor
painaway
01-25-2008, 12:24 AM
Jaycee...Welcome!! Well, I'm thinking Percocet 5mg would be about the next step up. Maybe I'm wrong, but I take Lortab 10, and when I had surgery a while back, the Percocet 5 did well for me. Good luck, and I'll be praying for you! :angel:
jaycee13
01-25-2008, 12:45 AM
Thanks alot! My doctor had one of the nurses suggest something at the end of my visit that is time released and only taken twice a day, but unfortunately I can't remember what it is now to research it. Any ideas?
123dietdrpepper
01-25-2008, 01:25 AM
Thse are the timed release meds that I can think of. Of course I am sure they are not all the meds - I don't know all of them.
oxycontin ?
ms contn ?
ultram ER?
Fentanyl?
Duragaisic ?
I currently am on oxycontin and it took a couple of weeks before the tiredness went away. Good luck.
oxycontin ?
ms contn ?
ultram ER?
Fentanyl?
Duragaisic ?
I currently am on oxycontin and it took a couple of weeks before the tiredness went away. Good luck.
Fabrashamx
01-25-2008, 01:50 AM
Jaycee, it helps us give you better advice if we know a little bit about why you are in pain management, there are some medications that are just for nerve pain, that arent even a narcotic, that can be very effective, for example. But we arent sure what your situation is, a little more info goes a long way.
Welcome to our group, I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have.
Your Friend, Fabby
Welcome to our group, I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have.
Your Friend, Fabby
jaycee13
01-25-2008, 09:34 AM
I really appreciate the feedback so far. It's very comforting to know there are people out there that understand and don't just treat you like an addict because you want to be able to function on a day to day.
To tell you a bit about me, the main reason I'm in pain management is due to a car accident. I have bulging discs and several pinched nerves that my doctor has declared pretty much permanent due to the lack of improvement with different therapies. I recently started accupunture, hopefully I'll get some relief there. I also have another condition though. I have endometriosis. If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask. Since I was diagnosed with it I've done quite bit of research. It's unfortunate how little money is spent to study a disease that affects so many women world wide. The only time specialists want to get involved is when you become infertile. I already have a child and don't want any more, I just want the pain to go away. I've yet to find a doctor that has any decent suggestions. They put me on terrible medication with horrible side effects, tell me to try and get pregnant or treat me like an addict when I ask for a refill of the pain meds. It's ridiculous!
Well, that pretty much sums up my "pain". I know that compared to what some people go through, it's very insignificant. But for me, it's life altering, and that just plain ole sucks!
To tell you a bit about me, the main reason I'm in pain management is due to a car accident. I have bulging discs and several pinched nerves that my doctor has declared pretty much permanent due to the lack of improvement with different therapies. I recently started accupunture, hopefully I'll get some relief there. I also have another condition though. I have endometriosis. If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask. Since I was diagnosed with it I've done quite bit of research. It's unfortunate how little money is spent to study a disease that affects so many women world wide. The only time specialists want to get involved is when you become infertile. I already have a child and don't want any more, I just want the pain to go away. I've yet to find a doctor that has any decent suggestions. They put me on terrible medication with horrible side effects, tell me to try and get pregnant or treat me like an addict when I ask for a refill of the pain meds. It's ridiculous!
Well, that pretty much sums up my "pain". I know that compared to what some people go through, it's very insignificant. But for me, it's life altering, and that just plain ole sucks!
milwood353
01-25-2008, 12:55 PM
Jaycee, I sorry to hear of your condition and hope things work out.
I was on Norco 10/325 for about 14 months and just yesterday switched to Percocet 10/325 and it was the first time in several months that I was able to sleep all night without waking up with pain. I posted a very similar question earlier in the week and received some very sound advice as the med available. I would try and find the post and review it. There are some really good responses on it. Good Luck!
I was on Norco 10/325 for about 14 months and just yesterday switched to Percocet 10/325 and it was the first time in several months that I was able to sleep all night without waking up with pain. I posted a very similar question earlier in the week and received some very sound advice as the med available. I would try and find the post and review it. There are some really good responses on it. Good Luck!
jaycee13
01-25-2008, 06:30 PM
thanks again. I found the old posts and it was helpful. My doctor has been pretty understanding so far, so hopefully he will have a plan. i really wish I could remember what the medication was called that he had the nurse suggest. I do have another question though...does the percocet make you tired? Or does the the tolerance to opiates already established work in your advantage?
calibabe
01-28-2008, 08:50 PM
jaycee,
I have been on Norco for almost 4 years. However while it used to be my primary pain medication, it is now my bt medication. I got switched to Percocet which didn't do much, then I got switched to Dilaudid 4mg then Dilaudid 8mg. Both worked pretty good. However after about 4 mos on the Dilaudid and I was right back to square 1, so my doctor put me on Kadian 60mg. That was alright but I noticed that it made me very jumpy, almost like I wanted to jump out of my skin. He then switched me to Oxy which did absolutely nothing for me.
The past 16 mos have been trial and error but I am now on Fentanyl 75 mcg every 3 days with the Norco for bt and Soma for back spasms. I had my neurosurgeon advise me that the only thing that would be available to me due to the condition of my back (herniated L4-L5, 3mm bulge on L3, DDD T10-12, L1-L5, S1, mild spinal stenosis, broad based disc protrusion involving left neural foramen L4-L5, S1) is a spinal fusion and because of my age (47, 43 at diagnosis) he advised strongly against it then and continues to. I have also been in the medical field since I have been 18 years old (almost 30 yrs) and I have not seen significant improvement in both the quality and outcome of those who go through back surgery for me to jump in and say "Go Ahead". In fact I have seen too many people who are far worse off then me. I can at least get around and move and do the things I need to do. Some days are better than others but for the most part, I can function.
I would see what kind of plan you doctor has for you and then try it. If for some reason the medications don't agree with you or you feel "drugged out" then you can always ask that the dosage be cut or work out another way for your medication to be dispensed. Most doctors are pretty versed at achieving the right results for your particular situation.
Good luck :)
I have been on Norco for almost 4 years. However while it used to be my primary pain medication, it is now my bt medication. I got switched to Percocet which didn't do much, then I got switched to Dilaudid 4mg then Dilaudid 8mg. Both worked pretty good. However after about 4 mos on the Dilaudid and I was right back to square 1, so my doctor put me on Kadian 60mg. That was alright but I noticed that it made me very jumpy, almost like I wanted to jump out of my skin. He then switched me to Oxy which did absolutely nothing for me.
The past 16 mos have been trial and error but I am now on Fentanyl 75 mcg every 3 days with the Norco for bt and Soma for back spasms. I had my neurosurgeon advise me that the only thing that would be available to me due to the condition of my back (herniated L4-L5, 3mm bulge on L3, DDD T10-12, L1-L5, S1, mild spinal stenosis, broad based disc protrusion involving left neural foramen L4-L5, S1) is a spinal fusion and because of my age (47, 43 at diagnosis) he advised strongly against it then and continues to. I have also been in the medical field since I have been 18 years old (almost 30 yrs) and I have not seen significant improvement in both the quality and outcome of those who go through back surgery for me to jump in and say "Go Ahead". In fact I have seen too many people who are far worse off then me. I can at least get around and move and do the things I need to do. Some days are better than others but for the most part, I can function.
I would see what kind of plan you doctor has for you and then try it. If for some reason the medications don't agree with you or you feel "drugged out" then you can always ask that the dosage be cut or work out another way for your medication to be dispensed. Most doctors are pretty versed at achieving the right results for your particular situation.
Good luck :)
brianpain33
01-28-2008, 09:17 PM
Jacee:
I saw that some of your pain is nerve related so you may want to try the following medications if you haven't already tried them.
1. Lyrica - an antiseizure medication also been proven very effective for nerve pain
2. Neurontin - similar to Lyrica
3. Cymbalta - a medication designed specifically to treat nerve pain and doubles as an anti-depressant
4. Ultram (tramadol) or Ultracet (tramadol w/acetaminophen) - used for nerve pain as well
Just a few to try.
Brian
I saw that some of your pain is nerve related so you may want to try the following medications if you haven't already tried them.
1. Lyrica - an antiseizure medication also been proven very effective for nerve pain
2. Neurontin - similar to Lyrica
3. Cymbalta - a medication designed specifically to treat nerve pain and doubles as an anti-depressant
4. Ultram (tramadol) or Ultracet (tramadol w/acetaminophen) - used for nerve pain as well
Just a few to try.
Brian
Fabrashamx
01-28-2008, 10:22 PM
I think its a good sign that your doctor is talking about longer acting meds, it sounds as if he is recognizing and willing to treat your pain. You might want to ask them more about which long acting med they are talking about.
Dont ever belittle your pain, there are always people worse off, it doesnt mean my pain or yours isnt real, and constant pain is so demoralizing, it effects every part of your life. Your conditions are very painful ones, and we have a lot of members with the same problems.
Hang in there and let us know what happens with the meds.
Your Friend, Fabby
Dont ever belittle your pain, there are always people worse off, it doesnt mean my pain or yours isnt real, and constant pain is so demoralizing, it effects every part of your life. Your conditions are very painful ones, and we have a lot of members with the same problems.
Hang in there and let us know what happens with the meds.
Your Friend, Fabby
milwood353
01-29-2008, 10:06 AM
Jaycee, I’m glade that you have an understanding Doc. I have found it makes a huge difference.
Here is a little personal experience with oxycodone (spl) 10/325 and the name brand Percocet 10/325. On Dec 10 2007 I had a discogram and was proscribed oxycodone 10/325. The first day or two it did not make me tired whoever, the last 10 to 15 pills I noticed that I got very tired about 30-45 after taking. I only had two week supply and then was back to Norco. Moving forward to Jan 24th my doc changed my med from Norco 10/325 to the oxycodone 10/325 and because of the smart folks on this board I asked the doc (since I am blessed with very good insurance coverage) what he thought about the difference between generic and name brand and he told me that he would prefer that his patients take name brand if the can handle the cost and he went on to confirm what others have said about the fillers can reduce the time it takes to metabolize the active ingredient. I have taken 4 full days of the Percocet 10/325 and have had very good relief without being drowsy. I know it was a long way to go to tell you that the oxyco made me tired but the percocet has not, so far. (crossing fingers) But I thought it was interesting that the doc would confirm the pitfalls of the generics.
Here is a little personal experience with oxycodone (spl) 10/325 and the name brand Percocet 10/325. On Dec 10 2007 I had a discogram and was proscribed oxycodone 10/325. The first day or two it did not make me tired whoever, the last 10 to 15 pills I noticed that I got very tired about 30-45 after taking. I only had two week supply and then was back to Norco. Moving forward to Jan 24th my doc changed my med from Norco 10/325 to the oxycodone 10/325 and because of the smart folks on this board I asked the doc (since I am blessed with very good insurance coverage) what he thought about the difference between generic and name brand and he told me that he would prefer that his patients take name brand if the can handle the cost and he went on to confirm what others have said about the fillers can reduce the time it takes to metabolize the active ingredient. I have taken 4 full days of the Percocet 10/325 and have had very good relief without being drowsy. I know it was a long way to go to tell you that the oxyco made me tired but the percocet has not, so far. (crossing fingers) But I thought it was interesting that the doc would confirm the pitfalls of the generics.
georgi
01-29-2008, 10:40 AM
I have been on norco 10 for almost a year now and needless to say I've built up a tolerance. I want to switch to something else that works, but I can't afford to be knocked out by it. Any suggestions?
I too have been on Norco for about a year now and I was wondering why it no longer seems to work. So, is it normal to builld up a tolerance to these drugs???? I was thinking about calling my doctor and asking him if I could try the percocet. What happens if you build up a tolerance to that?? It just all seems a bit scary to me.
Thanks for responding,
georgi
I too have been on Norco for about a year now and I was wondering why it no longer seems to work. So, is it normal to builld up a tolerance to these drugs???? I was thinking about calling my doctor and asking him if I could try the percocet. What happens if you build up a tolerance to that?? It just all seems a bit scary to me.
Thanks for responding,
georgi
forginon
01-29-2008, 01:15 PM
georgi,
This isn't a trick question, but what makes you feel like the med is no longer working?
steve
This isn't a trick question, but what makes you feel like the med is no longer working?
steve
georgi
01-29-2008, 02:30 PM
Steve,
I am still in pain after taking the medication. I count the hours until the next dose, thinking that the next dose will work better, but never does. It worked pretty good up until a month ago. I started out with 500/500 hydrocodone and APAP, then up to 10/325 in August.I get so depressed at times. I wonder if I will ever feel better. Guess that I should be happy that I seem to have an understanding doctor.Some days are better than others.
Thanks for responding.
georgi
I am still in pain after taking the medication. I count the hours until the next dose, thinking that the next dose will work better, but never does. It worked pretty good up until a month ago. I started out with 500/500 hydrocodone and APAP, then up to 10/325 in August.I get so depressed at times. I wonder if I will ever feel better. Guess that I should be happy that I seem to have an understanding doctor.Some days are better than others.
Thanks for responding.
georgi
forginon
01-29-2008, 03:51 PM
I am so sorry for you georgi. This has to be really discouraging.
Having an understanding doc is the best foundation for good, aggressive pain care. I would make an appointment and tell him how the pain is affecting your quality of life. I've had to do this before and I found a way to communicate that really gets results, whether it's medications or other forms of relief.
I use the pain scale (0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst you can imagine). What I told my doc was that I was willing to accept a 5 out of 10. At a 5 I can work and do most of the things I need to. Any higher and I just cannot function. Much of pain management is about improving the quality of life and enhancing function. My doc was more then willing to agree to keep me at a 5 or better. I can't imagine any doc worth his/her salt that would consider 6-10 as a reasonable level to live with. You might think about determining at what level you could be more functional and communicate that with the doc. Then ask what he/she can do to get you there. Maybe it's a higher hydro dose, maybe Percocet (a bit stronger than hydrocodone) maybe it's going to an around the clock med like OxyContin.
I sure hope this helps, as I banged it out kinda quickly.:)
steve
Having an understanding doc is the best foundation for good, aggressive pain care. I would make an appointment and tell him how the pain is affecting your quality of life. I've had to do this before and I found a way to communicate that really gets results, whether it's medications or other forms of relief.
I use the pain scale (0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst you can imagine). What I told my doc was that I was willing to accept a 5 out of 10. At a 5 I can work and do most of the things I need to. Any higher and I just cannot function. Much of pain management is about improving the quality of life and enhancing function. My doc was more then willing to agree to keep me at a 5 or better. I can't imagine any doc worth his/her salt that would consider 6-10 as a reasonable level to live with. You might think about determining at what level you could be more functional and communicate that with the doc. Then ask what he/she can do to get you there. Maybe it's a higher hydro dose, maybe Percocet (a bit stronger than hydrocodone) maybe it's going to an around the clock med like OxyContin.
I sure hope this helps, as I banged it out kinda quickly.:)
steve
georgi
01-29-2008, 04:10 PM
Thank You Steve:)
brianpain33
01-29-2008, 04:55 PM
Georgi:
I don't know if anyone has asked you about what brand of hydro you are currently taking. It should say on the prescription label somewhere. If it is Malincrodt then that would be a good reason that you are not getting very good pain control. This manufacture has a really bad reputation at supplying poor quality meds. If you find this to be the case, then request a different generic brand or go with name brand but your doctor would have to specify brand only.
Brian
I don't know if anyone has asked you about what brand of hydro you are currently taking. It should say on the prescription label somewhere. If it is Malincrodt then that would be a good reason that you are not getting very good pain control. This manufacture has a really bad reputation at supplying poor quality meds. If you find this to be the case, then request a different generic brand or go with name brand but your doctor would have to specify brand only.
Brian
jaycee13
01-29-2008, 07:20 PM
Thank you all so much for all the advice. I feel like I will be much better prepared for my next visit. I'm actually going to call tomorrow and see if they will call me in something because I've run out of the Norco because I've had to take them closer together because they just don't work as well or as long.
To Georgi, yes, you do build up a tolerance to the Norco and I assume any drug eventually. Although, the fact that we are at the lower levels of pain meds bids well for us because we have time before we plateau. Please read through all the responses I got, I'm sure they will be very helpful to you.
To all of you who have responded, I trully thank you for taking the time to help me. It means so much!
:angel:
To Georgi, yes, you do build up a tolerance to the Norco and I assume any drug eventually. Although, the fact that we are at the lower levels of pain meds bids well for us because we have time before we plateau. Please read through all the responses I got, I'm sure they will be very helpful to you.
To all of you who have responded, I trully thank you for taking the time to help me. It means so much!
:angel:
georgi
01-29-2008, 08:57 PM
Sorry Jaycee that I hijacked your thread LOL. Got some good info:D
jaycee13
02-01-2008, 02:35 PM
no problem georgi! glad you found some answers...that's what this is all about. well, i finally talked to the doc and he's putting me on tramadol (not sure of the dosage yet) anybody have any experience with the side affects? i just want to know if i should avoid driving or anything. and i read the official side affects and there's alot of seizure talk...how likely are they?
naklang
02-01-2008, 04:49 PM
no problem georgi! glad you found some answers...that's what this is all about. well, i finally talked to the doc and he's putting me on tramadol (not sure of the dosage yet) anybody have any experience with the side affects? i just want to know if i should avoid driving or anything. and i read the official side affects and there's alot of seizure talk...how likely are they?
The seizure risk is low if you stay under 200mg/day and don't combine it with ANYTHING else. Tramadol is a weird one. I took it for a few weeks and it did seem to help, but I'll tell you what. DO NOT take this stuff for very long as coming off of it is supposed to be one of the worst withdrawals you can imagine. Some people are never the same afterwards and actually become suicidal because they can't get over the damage it has done to their mental state. In my opinion, this med should be banned.
I would stay with the age old opiate meds, preferably the extended release Oxycontin. If you need to go up to the 20 or 40mg to function, then so be it.
Better than having Tramadol mess with your Serotonin and Noradrenaline receptors and risk unbalancing your mental state. Be careful!
The seizure risk is low if you stay under 200mg/day and don't combine it with ANYTHING else. Tramadol is a weird one. I took it for a few weeks and it did seem to help, but I'll tell you what. DO NOT take this stuff for very long as coming off of it is supposed to be one of the worst withdrawals you can imagine. Some people are never the same afterwards and actually become suicidal because they can't get over the damage it has done to their mental state. In my opinion, this med should be banned.
I would stay with the age old opiate meds, preferably the extended release Oxycontin. If you need to go up to the 20 or 40mg to function, then so be it.
Better than having Tramadol mess with your Serotonin and Noradrenaline receptors and risk unbalancing your mental state. Be careful!
brianpain33
02-01-2008, 05:19 PM
You should slowly increase the dosage of the tramadol. I was taking pretty much the max of 400mg/day at one point. I am down to 100mg/day but it has definitely been a struggle even with the other things that I am on. You really only need to be careful about the seizure risk if increasing the dose to rapidly or going over 400mg/day. I believe you can increase by 50mg/day every 3or4 days. The only meds you really really need to be careful with is if you are taking ANY ANTIDEPRESSANT medication(including cymbalta, nortriplyline, amitryptiline, trazadone and any SSRI) due to the increased risk of seizures or serotonin syndrome which can be VERY, VERY SERIOUS. When you get it filled ask you pharmacist if their are any serious interactions with the other meds you are taking.
Brian
Brian
lizzybrog80
02-01-2008, 06:22 PM
Thse are the timed release meds that I can think of. Of course I am sure they are not all the meds - I don't know all of them.
oxycontin ?
ms contn ?
ultram ER?
Fentanyl?
Duragaisic ?
I currently am on oxycontin and it took a couple of weeks before the tiredness went away. Good luck.
Avinza
Kadian
Those are sustained-release morphine,
-Beth
oxycontin ?
ms contn ?
ultram ER?
Fentanyl?
Duragaisic ?
I currently am on oxycontin and it took a couple of weeks before the tiredness went away. Good luck.
Avinza
Kadian
Those are sustained-release morphine,
-Beth
naklang
02-01-2008, 07:02 PM
You should slowly increase the dosage of the tramadol. I was taking pretty much the max of 400mg/day at one point. I am down to 100mg/day but it has definitely been a struggle even with the other things that I am on. You really only need to be careful about the seizure risk if increasing the dose to rapidly or going over 400mg/day. I believe you can increase by 50mg/day every 3or4 days. The only meds you really really need to be careful with is if you are taking ANY ANTIDEPRESSANT medication(including cymbalta, nortriplyline, amitryptiline, trazadone and any SSRI) due to the increased risk of seizures or serotonin syndrome which can be VERY, VERY SERIOUS. When you get it filled ask you pharmacist if their are any serious interactions with the other meds you are taking.
Brian
All true. I also found that even on the sub 200mg/day dose that I would grind my teeth and have twitches/ticks while on it. Not seizure grade events, but not good either. Nasty stuff. Avoid.
Brian
All true. I also found that even on the sub 200mg/day dose that I would grind my teeth and have twitches/ticks while on it. Not seizure grade events, but not good either. Nasty stuff. Avoid.
dovvoid
02-02-2008, 01:28 PM
I had a terrible experience with tramadol. I was taking 600mg ****as prescribed*** two 300mg extended release a day. I decided to stop taking it because I was still not getting the relief I needed and I lost two days work and thought I was going to die....very sickly.
jaycee13
02-02-2008, 08:47 PM
ok...so i'm in the second day at 150mg. a day(50mg 3x a day) and i have had a headache for like 16 hours now. i get migraines from the neck injury, but i'm not suppose to take anything else with this stuff so i'm just suffering through rather than taking imitrex which i usually take or even asprin for that matter, i can't sleep for more than like two hours. from the last couple of posts, this medication sounds really horrible. anyone have this side effect and if so did it go away? this sucks!! i'm not gonna be able to function like this.
naklang
02-02-2008, 08:59 PM
An extended release oxycodone (Oxycontin or a generic) combined with 200-400mg/day of Aleve worked pretty good for me. Gabapentin also is an option since it sounds like you have some nerve involvement.
naklang
02-02-2008, 09:00 PM
I had a terrible experience with tramadol. I was taking 600mg ****as prescribed*** two 300mg extended release a day. I decided to stop taking it because I was still not getting the relief I needed and I lost two days work and thought I was going to die....very sickly.
Whoa. I don't know what doc prescribed that much, but not good. Must have been a mistake. 300mg extended once/day but not twice. Yikes.
Whoa. I don't know what doc prescribed that much, but not good. Must have been a mistake. 300mg extended once/day but not twice. Yikes.
ToBeFreeToRoam
02-03-2008, 12:57 AM
Hi,
I take 2 - 300 mg per day. My pain management dr prescribed them. Plus put me on 3 Lyrica per day.
My dr. thinks that tramadol is not as bad as opiods and other such strong meds. He said that the only these meds for now. The pain pump (intrathecal) is what he wants for me to be on. I could go on and on about that, but I think that I have hogged this thread enough.
One more thing, the Tramadol still does not help much.
Wannabe
I take 2 - 300 mg per day. My pain management dr prescribed them. Plus put me on 3 Lyrica per day.
My dr. thinks that tramadol is not as bad as opiods and other such strong meds. He said that the only these meds for now. The pain pump (intrathecal) is what he wants for me to be on. I could go on and on about that, but I think that I have hogged this thread enough.
One more thing, the Tramadol still does not help much.
Wannabe