Alternative Pain Meds

Hi All,

Wee, I went to see my Doctor yesterday, and se talked about alternatives to the Vicodin. (It was a rough bumpy road for me, but I got off of them, Yay!!!) Anyway, I don't know if you all recall that we had discussed Darvocet a while back, but he told me he wouldn't prescribe it because there are to many side effects.

He did give me more Vicodin - 25 a week. And along with that he gave me 2 other meds, Nortriptyline 10mg. and Relefan. I am hesitant to start the Vicodin again, I have been feeling so good without it (Mentally) but I do have intense pain. I fugure I will use the other 2, and he says it's not addictive.

If anyone has experience with these 2 new drugs, I would love to hear about them. They work very well, but I feel pretty darn loopy. He told me to stay home for the next 5 days until my body adjust to them.
Any help appreciated.
Shelly

[girlybuff]

Nortriptyline is an anti-depressant.  I was on it at one point.  It's an "old" drug in that over the years they have come out with so many new anti-depressants, it's rarely used anymore.  I'm not sure how it works in conjunction with pain relief or with Relefan which I have also been on and rather recently but not while I was taking the Nortriptyline.  
I found the Nortriptyline worked well for my anxiety and depression but it was years ago.  It does have an intial sedating effect though.  The Relefan didn't help me at all but neither did Neurontin, Celebrex, Ultram, Mobic etc. etc.
I don't know what you suffer from but I have/had a few herniated discs, sciatica, torn ligaments and nerve damage along with recurring migraines that could kill a horse.
Good luck.

[marcatj]

hey, i don't know about those drugs, but i can tell ya my doc just put me on an "older" drug (Tegradol) and it's working wonders... (it's a nerve drug like Cymbalta or Nuerontin, which didn't work on me..)

as well, some drugs are used for both anti-depressant properties and nerve/pain relief.  like Cymbalta for instance.  likely why he gave you the Nortiptyline... it probably works for both (and for you - hopefully the pain.)

just making sure you had this info...

good luck!

[buttercups]

This has nothing to do with the original thread, but HEY mj! Haven't seen you around in awhile.

Hope to catch up with you soon :)

[marcatj]

hi sweetheart!  nice to see you! :-)

[sleeplesss]

Just wondering if you are going to fill that vicodin, 25/week.  I've been off the viodin for 11 days now and woke up this morning with the worse back pain yet....so if I had 25 viodin this morning, I would surely take it.  Let us know how the other meds work.  I would be scared to death to have a new vic RX in my possesion right now!
And girlybuff...what do you take for your pain that could "kill a horse'?

[shelly405]

I did get the Vicodin script filled, and I have taken 3 a day since Friday. The other meds are working very well, but the Dr explained to me that the Nortripyline enhances the Vicodin effects. The Relefan also works in conjunction with the Vicodin. I am doing my best not to abuse to abuse and so far so good. I am pain free and not high in Vics. Right Now.

I was very honest with my Dr. and will let him know at the first sign that I am having a problem. As I up the Nortriptyline, the Vicodin will be decreased. Wish me luck, gang.
Shelly

[shelly405]

Last night I took 2 Nortriptylines and woke up pain free. I don't need the Vicodin today, but I admit it is compelling, just knowing it's in my medicine cabinet. I don't know how the N. works, but it's pretty effective. It makes me drowsy, though. I am bound and determined NOT to abuse the Vicodin, and am doing pretty well.

My DR. explained to me that the more Vicodin you take, your body will make blockers to keep it from working, which is why people start abusing it, and they tell us not to take it for more than 4 or 5 days straight. I am feeling pretty kooky because the Nortrip & Relefan make me really drowsy, and I don't like this feeling. Keep me in your thoughts, all. I am NOT going to screw this up. Being pain-free means more to me than being stoned on Vicodin.

Shell

[Terror1]

MY MOTHER WAS GIVEN TEGREDOL OR TEGRETOL HOWEVER YOU SPELL IT AND HAD AN ELLERGIC REACTION THAT WAS FATAL.  SHE DIED IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR FROM IT.