Freaking over Guaifenesin - Page 2

sobs · 11-13-2007, 01:02 AM

Jam...... thanks so much. First, I use to always go to a "compounding pharmacist", but now that I am mostly house bound, I have to use a mail order pharmacy. BUT, I will definitely keep that though in my head!!!!!

I was freaking over the hydrocodone/guaifenesin combo being discontinued. My initial research last night seemed to show that guai was being stopped, along with all of the other cold meds that have recently been in the news. I know many FM folks take guai. This combination of guai and hydrocodone has been such a life saver for me. It is almost immediate pain relief - thank God, and then it gives me a little burst of energy for a while. I have excruciating pain, but thankfully, I have days when I do not have to take this, using meditation and music instead. I have never had any problems with withdrawal type symptoms, on days that I do not take any, so that is NOT why I am freaking.

I emailed the manufacturer last night, and got this reply. I found it VERY interesting. With all of the grief that so many people get from their docs re pain meds, I could not believe that any form of hydrocodone would have been out there without absolute FDA approval.

On behalf of the ............, a subsidiary of ...... Pharmaceutical, thank you for your inquiry regarding Hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin. To address your question, per an action taken by the FDA in early October 2007, Hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin in addition to all other unapproved* hydrocodone-containing oral syrups have been or will be discontinued in the near future because of the availability of FDA-approved alternatives. While remaining stocks of Hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin may still be dispensed by pharmacies, in the long-term, I would urge you to discuss suitable alternatives with your physician.

*Many unapproved drugs on the market today, including Hydrocodone bitartrate and guaifenesin, are medicines that were developed and marketed before successive changes to the drug approval process took place in 1962.

I definitely have to find those "FDA approved alternatives". NUTZ. First my bellergal, and now this. Just when I have found a perfect "cocktail", that helps me to at least get out of the bed everyday............ aaarrrggghhhh

Maybe my stress seems silly to some of you, but I think most of you realize how very precious our meds are.... even those that help only a tiny bit. EGAD.......... will shut up now. I pray that none of you are having this problem.

Any info, advice, will be greatly appreciated.
sobbing sobs

neurowreck · 11-13-2007, 01:03 AM

Guaifenisin was a big chapter in one of the early fibro books, and the dosage was much higher than the cough syrup amount (like 6-12 times the amount in the cough syrup dose, to be effective in unclogging the lymph system, or whatever it's supposed to do)....that's where the mucus pills come in...I thought you were missing the guaifenisin (which, as previously said, you can get anywhere).

As for the hyrdrocodone, if you just let your doc know you need something comperable without the stuff you can't have (since I've never heard of anyone getting plain hydrocodone without acetaminophen or ibuprofen), maybe they can use something else- codeine is available without additives, as are tramadol, propoxyphene, and probably several others, depending on how strong you want to go (I always stick with the lowest I can, assuming I'll need stronger stuff later in life, and want somewhere stronger to go then...). Hope you find something that works

It could be the alcohol in the prepared syrup that is helping the hydrocodone, and not the guiafenisin????? It's not a lot, to be "boozey", but enough to jumpstart the pain meds.....

sobs · 11-13-2007, 01:46 AM

Hiya neuro!
Ain't it the truth...... re the lowest, mildest pain medicine. My doc has offered me the patch a couple of times, but I said absolutely no thanks. First, I do not need or want a continuous dose of pain meds, and then.... the reason you stated.

I had not considered that alcohol might be a factor in the guai w/hydrocodone "jump start". Darn, not only do I have to go to the pharmacy, but now I have to make a stop at the liquor store.

hehe

Thank God I have the best doctor in the world

, so I am sure he will find me something. I just pray there will be something that can do the magic of g with h.

sobs

jam338 · 11-14-2007, 01:01 PM

Hi Sobs, not silly at all. Once we find something that works it is a blessing and losing it as an option is horrifying. Glad you found something that works so well for you, and I am sure a compounding pharmacy can help you. They are authorized to customize blends that typical pharmacies are not allowed to do.

It is a crazy thing about this FM, no 2 people share the exact same pattern of symptoms (but do share most common ones) and treatment that may help one person may not help someone else. Some become bedridden and in wheelchair and others don't. All of our bodies are different and respond uniquely different with symptoms and treatment. Plus, many people participating on Boards have other co-occuring disease/disorders . That can present substantive distinctions with symptoms and treatments---something we all need to be aware of when comparing our situation to others. As far as I know from all my testing etc. I have FM and hypoglycemia. Approximately 40% of those with FM have hypoglycemia though many may not even know it. It substantially complicates success with any treatment. Dr. St. Amand says that FM symptoms can not be resolved with any treatment without first stabilizing blood sugar.

neurowreck · 11-14-2007, 03:41 PM

So true....and a lot of us don't have the same symptoms from morning to night- hard to find that combo of meds/treatments, or one thing that helps the most.

I'm on Tegretol, Klonopin, and Neurontin for seizures, but they also help with pain and the autonomic disorder I have. To also help the pain, I've been put on doxepin (an antidepressant that alters how pain is perceived- and it does help me). For sleep, I've got trazadone- I sleep 8 hours, and don't wake up feeling dopey. It took a long time to get a combo of meds that helped each disorder, didn't fight with each other, and made life somewhat easier. I'm on disability because I have seizures and the autonomic disorder- the seizures happen at night about 2/3 of the time; the autonomic disorder, whenever it decides to. Pain in the butt, all of them !!