maybe a silly question

[suzymae]

hey, everybody.....glad to hear all are well...

thank you for answering my question from a couple of days ago.  I have deicided that I am not addicted at the present but now, especially after reading all your posts, know that it is something that CAN happen.  Therefore, I pretty much decided that I will give them to my husband, that way I must ask before I take one.  Although it makes me feel like a baby...it means someone else can "decide" if I really neeed them.  I have an appt on the 17th and I am going to discuss all this.  I know I have an honest need them...I have taken 1/2 twice today (for a total of 10mg Lortab...my dosage is one every
4-6 hours as needed...I think Vicaddict asked me that info.).  We'll just have to see.

OK, the question???  What is the difference in "Vic", Lorcet, Lortab, "Hydro"...arent't they all the same drug?  Just with different amounts of Tylenol???  Also, what is MS contin?  Sorry if this seems superficial or dumb...but I keep on wondering when reading your posts...

Glad to hear you spoke to the nurse, Vicaddict, and hope all goes well on Thursday....how often do you usually call to get your refill and how many do yo get?  Also, I can't remember who, but kudos to the person who threw the pills down the potty!!!  That took some strength!!!  You guys are very brave...especially those of you who got hooked while taking the pills for pain.  It is not a fun thing to be in pain....

good Luck!

[suzymae]

YEOWCH!  Man, that sounds horrid.  Poor thing.  This is what is so dang frustrating!  People NEED these horrible drugs...just is not fair...and I know life isn't fair, but...oh well!

[vicaddict]

I searched the net and looked up RSD..this is what I found, man it sounds just horrible!!

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), also known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition that affects skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, many cases of RSD involve only a minor injury, such as a sprain. And in some cases, no precipitating event can be identified.

Pain may begin in one area or limb and then spread to other limbs. RSD/CRPS is characterized by various degrees of burning pain, excessive sweating, swelling, and sensitivity to touch. Symptoms of RSD/CRPS may recede for years and then reappear with a new injury.

Types
Two types of RSD/CRPS have been defined:

Type 1 - without nerve injury
Type 2 (formerly called causalgia) - with nerve injury
Both types share the same signs and symptoms.

[vicaddict]

Oh that doesn't bother me. But you are right..it is easier to keep track of. I am sure that is why the Dr does it. Because I know of many times when I wasn't sure if I had just took one or not!

All those meds..I am not sure really. But I am thinking you are right..the levels of tylenol and or no tylenol at all.
But I am not positive.

[vicaddict]

Yep..still same dosage. Well he wanted me to go to a pain management program. Which I did..but hated the Dr. OMg I saw him Twice and said enough. The guy all but said I was an addict and was weaning me off..after he had already told me I had arthritis, buldging discs, ( I had surgery once already in 2003) I told my Dr forget that, I am not going. I said I did not trust the guy. Plus..PLUS..this guy when I called in my refill he calls me back and says...you know I do not fill refills early..I said umm..I am not early. I am 10 days today. He said weren't you refilling them early all the time? I said umm do you even have my chart by you? Do you know who I even am? he says I must have you mixed with someoen else. I said yes you do. I never went back. So I think My doc got that idea from the pain management dr. Probably felt more secure monitoring my meds or something, not sure. I don't mind it...not at all. I would rather that..than have 90 at once. Specially the way I was taking them.

[suzymae]

So. you are not seeing a pain specialist??  Just a family doc?  What is the difference in all the medicined?  "vic", lortab, lorcet, norco, aren't they all the same with differnt levels of tylenol??

That really sucks...doctors really can be pricks...I don't like get big numbers at the same time, either.  It is embarrassing!!  She gave me a perscription for 60 last time and I am going to ask for just 30....it was shamefull picking up that much!  Plus, 30 is easier to keep up with!!

[suzymae]

What is RSD?  Sorry if that is another dumb question!!  Good Luck to you!

Vic....that is strange that your doctor went to every 14 days...still at the same dosage of three a day?

[vicaddict]

Hey hun!!! I am so glad you posted. My Dr used to fill mine monthly..90 pills for 30days. 3/day. But then he started doing every 10 days..then about a month ago he went 14 days..and only to be filled on the 14th day. No sooner. I am not sure why he changed to that as I never asked for early refills, or ever went in to him when I was out with stories or anything. Just all a sudden changed to every 14 days. I take the 5/500's. I would each time my refill was due, call like the day ahead to be sure they were ready. But they would always call and say my refill was ready and I would pick them up that day. But I call in ALL my meds a day or 2 in some cases ahead of time. So that I am not completely out and waiting on my refill. Just common sense. ALways have done it that way. I do know he has stated in the past he does not want me on these forever. I also know that he would like me to get off them although he has never come out and said that directly. Has mentioned the concern of addiction and that was why he said he did not want me on them long term. But my MRI's also show I am no doubt in pain. So I guess that is why he continued to prescribe them. And now I will be going on on Thursday confessing I have a problem, and all this time I convinced him otherwise. I feel like a total liar and idiot. But I really did not think until like the past 6 months that I actually could not be without them. Then of course I thought..I can;t tell him that! Well now I am going to. I just hope he understands and is compassionate that I came forward.
Glad to hear you are doing so well! And if you know you are not addicted sweety..then do not deprive yourself if you are truly in pain. Just be very careful is all. And I a also glad that you will discuss this with your doc, as i wish I had but I never did. I thought I knew better than him. (sigh)

[rsd_al]

That is my only worry. The PAIN! RSD is no fun at all, according to the docs some of the worst pain known to mankind.
My family thinks im crazy for doing this. They want me on the drugs, but I dont ever want to do this again EVER!

Just get this monkey off my back right now.

There is post a little ways down about ms contin. Check it out, should explain it.