Difference between Oyxcodone § Hydrocodone

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I am currently tapering from Oxycodone and my "BIG Day" is Thursday, the 13th of Feb.  I have heard that Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are pretty much interchangeable, BUT... It sure doesn't feel that way to me.  I was trying to taper with some 5 mg Lortabs rather than the oxy, and it was as though I were taking nothing more than Tylenol.  Even a 5 mg. percodan helped the nausea more than 15 mg. of the hydros.  Will I have to find more OXy to take this hell away?  Hubby and I have a 4 day weekend to detox, Fri - Mon. and I'm not eager to be thrown into this before we get the time off work!!!!
P.S.  I wanted to respond to Madeline, but max comments were reached. :-(

Thanks,
Denise

[HarleyCat]

Hey, Hon, how are you?  That is a good question, because I have wanted to know that, too.  I'm sorry I don't have any answers.  You will be in my prayers this weekend.  Lots of love and positive energy coming your way!!  Connie

[Bink]

Connie,

You are so very, very sweet!  Thank you for your kind words.  You are a special person.  I've read your encouragement to VicQueen and others on this forum, and you really have your heart into us.  I can't tell you what a difference it makes to know that there are others like you out there to be able to talk to.  This morning I have to leave to go help my Mom take care of my Dad, who just had hip replacement surgery.  I have got to act "normal" and strong.  The last thing that I want them to worry about is catching the "flu" from ME.  I can't explain to them what is really going on.  Hopefully after this weekend, this nightmare will be over and I can get on with normal living.  

I'm hating this max thread thing!!!  I feel guilty about posting for fear that I'm taking away from all of the others the chance to post.  Anyways, I'm kinda new here -- well a month or so new anyway.  Maybe those who feel inclined could just email me in addition until they can get this forum expanded or whatever.  My email address is ***@****.  Those are ONE's NOT L's in kelly.  I am anxious to talk to someone, specially you, Connie.  I am getting soooo scared about this detox.  I didn't expect to start into withdrawals this soon.  Our old source has dried up until next week (too late).  I really wasn't expecting to get sick and all of that.  I didn't think that 30 to 40 mgs a day of Oxy would be that hard to get off of.  NOW I'M FREAKING OUT!!!  I have alot of anxiety over this, but can't afford ( in any sense of the word) to keep this habit!

Plus...I've recently quit smoking cigarettes!  Sorry, I'm just feeling sorry for myself and acting selfish.

Denise

[Erika_Ann]

Wow how profound. What a great comment you made. You seem to already have it together! From what you wrote you seem to know what path you need to go down. Just keep listening to your inner self. You seem to be strong to me. And this forum has and does help us all. We are all here for you. THis forum has truly been a blessing to me more than anything. You have really come a long way and you deserve to be happy. One thing I want to say to you is that I dont have children and Im 31. Im not going to have any due to my arthritis and how bad it gets I dont want to put a child through the pain I inderred my self when I was diagnosed at age 11. So what Im trying to say is that you have really done it all. Having a child and trying to take care of YOU really takes alot. I couldnt even imagine.! So congrats to you and how far you have made it. You deserve to know that.
We all care about you...... Luv ---Erika

[BLUE501]

Thank you for the post. You really made me feel great. I have and continue to try to be positive. I find that talking with others really helps. To be able to share my trials and tribulations with another person, and share what has worked and what has not worked for me, makes me feel real good. This has not been the easiest journey, but i have always said that I do not regret anything I have done in my life because wether it be good or bad, they have made me who I am today. I do look for the positive in a negative situation.

I feel good today. How are you doing? How is FINNISHED!!!!????

be safe
linda

[Nogods]

Denise good luck with this comming weekend I wish you strength. I have been reading this board for a while now, never posting though. This OxyContin...(DownUnder)I had never heard of it when I was put on it last Feb, we don't have a problem with it being used on the streets like you do in the US, so I was nieve in accepting it...believe me I asked to be put on something not addictive as the stuff I was taking (Codiene) was giving me rebound headaches. I was told this stuff was not as bad for your body as the Codiene\paracetamol combination...I think you call it Tylenol there. Well by the August last year I had a problem...this stuff is Toooo flamin good! Not only does it kill all my back pain, but it makes you feel good at first. But for every good there is an Evil! I found this out..This stuff takes your soul..hard to describe..but I don't want to feel this way anymore..just want to feel normal in comparision to abnormal: sick, withdrawals, high, lethargic etc. etc. If you know what I mean.

So I have been hear reading while I have been weaning myself of this demon,(sick) and have been inspired by some people here and their almost superhuman strength battling OxyContin addiction of a much higher dose than mine..I have had none for 31 hours now (thats why I'm here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping)It's no fun and it dont get easier, every time you do detox, it gets worse..

Enough for now just here drawing some strength, and strength to you all
Peter

[BLUE501]

Hi Denise. I haven't talked with you in awhile. So, you're getting close to that BIG DAY. Be positive, I think you and your husband will do just fine. I am on day 20 or 21,(i don't remember) of a huge oxy and vic habit. I am feeling real good. I posted last night about how the hardest part for me now is changing my mentality. I can be my own worst enemy. I enjoy the "thrill" of the process. The getting, finding, lying, buying and using. Now I have to find a different, postive way to feed my need for that thrill. I am here if you have any questions or concerns. Good luck. And I would continue to taper with the hydros. What I did was lower my oc use, and then swith to only hydro's. It took about 3 days before my body adjusted to the lower level.

linda

[cleo101]

Hello everyone

I have indeed made it to day six going cold turkey off 15 to 20 + vikes or loris or percs a day.

I am over the sick feeling but still nervous and pretty much cant think about any thing but how badly my back  hurts.

Started clebrex yesterday Non narcotic and forced myself to go to physical therapy even though i could barely get off the couch and heating pad.  I made it through half my normal exercises.  My chiropractor / dr physical therapist is the only one i have been honest with about the extreme amount of pain pills i have been taking.  of course he is not the one prescribing them to me. He seems to think with the extreme pain that i am having that the neurologist is missing something and wants to read my reports himself.  I literally can barely walk without the pain meds let alone sit or clean or do dishes.  

I have 2 small children that i have to take care of and i just can not see how i will be able to manage it with the pain and not being able to get around.  I can only sit in a car for 15 minutes without feeling like i want to die so i never go any where or do any thing any way except the PTherapy. Then after spending all day with the little ones the bigger ones come home from school and just throw their stuff every where.  

I know that part of how i feel right now is from coming off the drugs.  but i just cant seperate my feelings and the extreme pain.  

I know my tolerance built up over a 2 year period but there has to be something some one can do for me so i can function without taking 20 pills a day. This is not even counting the muscle relaxers and anti-inflamatory meds..

The pain clinic wants to try faccett blocks and i am willing to try just about any thing .

this is so very hard.  

I am praying i can keep strong because i know the worst is over now all i have to deal with is the after effects .  I havent even taken a darvocet since sunday.

God Bless you all and i am sorry for not posting for the content of the original post but i dont have any where else to go to express how i feel because no one i know would understand.
I cant get out for meetings because of the pain.  

Praying for you all

cleo101

[lifer]

Hi everyone thanks blues I almost gave up last night my thoughts got pretty morbid I think the nights do that Im at day 4 with nothing coming off 160 to 240 oxycontin and the rest of the **** thst goes with it I feel pretty rough but I get periods where I can stand it a little better. Now Im craving more than I did when I was violently ill this thing is sneaky I dont trust myself. Dont even have the strength to hustle more drugs maybe thats ablessing good luck to you all I know what your goinmg through. been through this more than I care to think about. It just takes time kind of a drag isnt it.

[lifer]

Unfortunately You have to be alittle sick to detox Thats why I could never taper on my own the vics are probably helping alittle
just not coverinmg all the symptons I dont know which is worse the long slow way or the violent short way of just jumping off.good luck .

[BLUE501]

glad to hear you made it through the night! Another day down. I am at 20 or21 days. thank goodness. I hope you have a day of happiness!! How is everything today?

linda

[Erika_Ann]

Thanks for asking. Im okay. Its a fight everyday since I have this disease and have to control myself of how much I use for the pain and seperate the depression and wanting of using all day and not dealing with it. Its alot of mental **** to deal with. If that made sense. I wish I knew how FINISHED!!! was doing I havnt heard anything. Thanks again for the reply.
Erika

[Vicqueennomore]

Hi Everyone,
Heard from Finished's lady and he had a very rough night, stopped breathing again, bleeding ulcer believed to be the cause but with everyone's prays he has moved from ICU to TCU and was awake a little this morning. Docs say since he made it thru the night his chances of recovery are much improved. He knows everyone is praying for him and he thanks you.....
Erika - please email me.....
Love to you all!!
Tammy

[BLUE501]

What disease do you have? I apoligize, you have probably said what it is and i missed it. I have degenerative disc disease and I'll tell you what, not taking pain meds is extra difficult when you are in chronic pain. I wish you well with everything

be safe
linda

[minime]

I really miss the old forum and all the old members.  Has anyone found another place we could meet where there is not limit of comments?  I mentioned atwatchdog.org.  Is anyone else interested in going there?

[Erika_Ann]

I have arthritis really bad. Ive been through 8 corrective surgeries and two fusions. Im 31 and have had this since age 11. And was diagnosed bi-polar and depression just 6 years ago... blah blah blah huh? Sorry I feel like Im complaining. Yes, chronic pain is horrible. IT really sucks.....
I miss you vicqueen where you been? l will email you.
Love to both of you!
Erika

[Nogods]

Don't give into the demon lifer, you can beat it's deception, I'm almost 2 days clean and I need a little encouragement and any advice is apprieciated. I feel so alone, here in Australia, I think I'm the only one down here with an OxyContin problem (read addiction)I feel worse today, tomorrow may be better. I am not giving in this time!
Icq 54789605 Invitation open to chat

[Wardman]

I have used (and abused) both Oxycodone and Hydrocodone.  I prefer Oxycodone, but it is much harder to get.  I however have used them interchangelably for years with just about the same effect.  I would have a problem if I interchanged oxy and hydro for codeine or demerol.

[Bink]

LIFER:  I wish so badly that I could help you.  I just don't know what to say.  You know the drill, you've been there before.  I know that you must feel tired of fighting this battle over and over again.  BUT . . . It is in your power to finally stop it now and FOREVER!  You know in your heart that you need to do this for YOU, or else you would not be putting yourself through this again, and reaching out for help as you are.  I admire you for doing this!  I will be cheering for you.  

It sounds like the physical withdrawals are not going to be the thing that challenges you the most.  It's what comes next.  How was your life when you made it for 5 years?  Man!  That's a long time!  Can you find inspiration in that memory?  Was that a good time in your life?  You know that you are already on the way there NOW!  I wish that I could do more, but for now, I'll just be sending my heart-felt comfort and good thoughts your way.  I'll be checking back for news of you.  Hang in there!

P.S.  You're probably damn near as old as me.  Another 60's child?  Too bad we didn't just stick with the pot! :-)
___________

NOGODS:  Thank you again Peter for your encouraging email and post.  You are a life saver.  Do keep me posted as to how the withdrawals are going.  You're going to be just about 3 days ahead of me, detoxing from the same thing (oxycontin) but you'll probably be sicker than me because you tapered really FAST!!!

___________

CLEO:  I'm sorry, I don't know more about your condition.  It sounds like your pain is so tough that you need help one way or another.  You should NOT have to endure that much pain.  My Dad recently had some kind of a block for a pinched Scyatic (sp?) nerve, and it has made a world of difference.  Has your doctor taken you off of the meds, or what is the reason for your decision to go cold turkey.  Not that I don't endorse getting off of the pills, but I'm worried about you.  It sounds like your quality of life is seriously in question.  I hope that you feel better soon.

Denise

[Nod]

Hi, did you injure your back that is causing the pain or is it something they can't figure out?  I've dealt with crippling back pain for about 14 years now.  They figured out what the problem is, unfortunately there's no cure.  Just curious, maybe I can shed some lite if I can.  
Nod

[HarleyCat]

Jerri, B'Belt and I have a new place to chat.  Email me ***@****

[lifer]

I just want to thank all of you Im still hanging in there.Yeah unfortunately I know the drill.The good thing is that each hour each day is aday in the bank that I dont have to go through again.This board Has helped fight the lonliness and panic that goes with withdrawal dont know exactly why but it does.The nights are the hardest every minute of sleep is chericed no matter how disturbed it is Thanks everyone and good luck

[cleo101]

Hi

just to shed some light on my home situation.  Original injury to neck in 92 blew out a disc in car accident.  rehab and Pt for over 3 years got me back to the gym and in the best shape i have ever been in my life.    i have 6 kids 23, 14, 13, 11, and the little ones are 19 months and 4.   23 yr lives on his own and the others live with me.  the 3 in the middle were so used to having super mom for so many years they are lazy and resentful if asked to do much of any thing.  

i remarried a few years ago and my husband and i have 2 children together.  

I fell at work when i was 7 1/2 months pregnant with the baby.
i was unable to walk with out a cane til after the baby was delivered a month early my OB induced labor because of my extreme back and neck pain.  

I was still going to the gym til the day before i fell and being a bartender handled 10 to 12 hours shifts 4 days a week no problem.  
My bosses were not very pleased with my getting pregnant i guess and they made me carry 15 to 20 beer cases on a shift sometimes more than 100 yards.  i had a doctors note with a weight limit but they did not care.

Between the fall on concrete and carrying the cases i totally destroyed my back.  i had c 4 and c 5 removed last6 february but have still not been able to rehab either even close to how i was before the fall. actually my lower back is toast 90% of the time.  milegram only found slight bulge at L5 s1 and some abnormalities including degenerative narrowing or something like that.

i cant even get comfortable and exist on 2 to 4 hours a nite


some how some way i will get back to how i was before or even close would be nice.

i could not taper because of the length of time using the meds they did not even come close to relieving the pain if i did not take 4 at a time.

i tried to taper 5 or 6 times since finding this site i quit cold turkey one other time and the only time i left the house in 5 days i was in a car accident.

i am not sure how i am going to manage unless i have some one else distribute my meds or something like that but i am going to have 10 days clean before i see my doctor and i will not buy any .

God Bless you all

and thank you for your caring and concern.

cleo

[4mygirls]

Hello everyone,  Today has been pure hell on me.  All I want to do is cry.  Day 1 and it feels like an eternity.  I wish there was something i could take or could do something to make the craveings go away.  It feels like it is never going to end.  I guess the hardest part is trying to keep up with my kids when in reality I can't even keep up with me.  School, homework, laundry, dinner dishes the list goes on and on.  I do have a supportive boyfriend who understands what I am going through and tries to help all that he can.  He works all day,  so I am home with my two younger girls for most of the day.  And all day it's mommy this mommy that.  How did I get to where I am now.  I use to be a great mom and clean house all with no drugs.   I still am a good mom,  but the kids don't understand why mommy is sick all the time. (when I am going through W/D's).  I want me back,  I want my kids to have their mom back.  Sorry for babbleing on and on. I have just had a real bad day.  Reading your post's have helped,  just wish y'all were here with to tell me its gonna be okay.  Everyone take care,  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  
       4mygirls
            Gina

[Vicqueennomore]

Gina,
Wow, 34 days ago that was me....I have 3 kids and an unsupportive boyfriend. As Finished had said before to ya, the house, laundry, the small stuff can wait. When I w/d the first 3-4 days, I had the flu and the kids loved to "help". 11,7 & 5. Kids are amazing when they can please you. Let your Boyfriend do whatever he can to help you out, come here to the forum whenever you get the crave and use the Thoams Receipe, I swear by it!! It involves valium or equiv but Kava kava or meletonin or tylenol pm helps...or benedryl.
You remember when you could do all this without drugs well right now it's just w/d it's not that you can't do it ever again without pills. Your body has to undo what was done and it take about 3-4 days and you will start to feel better each and every day. By 3 weeks instead of having bad hours it will be having a bad day here or there....you can do it....you really can and you will be happy you did because then you will not have to worry about w/d's again. I don't know your whole story, if pain is still an issue but if not or if very little and it's just an addiction then consider what I have said about being glad you will not w/d anymore once you get past the 3-4 days....
My heart and prays go out to you as one mother to another and having the responsibilities as we do...it can be done, don't let the demons look for an excuse for you....you are better than that!!!
We(I) are here!!!
Tammy

[newannamarie]

How terrible!  I have been reading all your posts about the pain you are in and how much of a nightmare it has been trying to live or even think of living without pain pills.  I initially got on this board due to lung pain and was on pain meds the entire time I was in the hospital for 10 days ranging from morphine and Demerol to Lortab and Percocet.  Listen, I wanted to tell you all about a pain reliever that worked for a couple of days for me.  It is called Toradol.  From what I have researched it is non narcotic, usually given up to 5 days, and I had it by injection.  I don't know if this kind of interruption in your pain management might help overcome the reliance on percs and hydros, but I sure hope it helps.

[Jacqui805]

For those of you who've read this before, feel free to skip, but I read the title of this post and had to answer.  

The drugs are quite similar, don't think I need to get chemical, but all opiates are interchangeable provided that their dosages have been calculated with an equi-analgesic chart.  So, if you'd have run out of one of a particular strength, you could take another one, with the dose calculated to be equal to that of the one you were taking.

Hydrocodone= Norco=Lortab=Vicodin
Oxycodone= Percocet=Roxicet=Percodan=Oxycontin, etc.  (Oxycontin is just a concentrated form that's designed for more steady release for better pain control without peaks and troughs in the amount in your blood stream; people who crush, chew, or shoot it are getting lots of it).

Hope this answers your question..