I have been given Hydrocodone 10mg/500mg for my disability pain since August. My dr set me up with a pain management specialist, who I saw on Monday.
He prescribed me more Hydrocodone 10mg/500mg along with Contin MS 15mg. He says the Contin MS lasts 12 hours, is time-released, so I won't need to take as many Hydrocodone during the day (can probably go down from 4-6/day to 2/day). That's what we're aiming for, at least.
Because of a recent 'scrip, my Hydrocodone can not be filled until Sunday, but I will run out a day or two before that, depending how well the Contin MS works. My worry is that when I ran out a couple days before awhile back, I suffered from withdrawal symptoms (felt sick, clammy, depression, shakes, panic attacks, etc.) I am very sensitive to medicines, so this did not surprise me - though I'm not at all happy to realize my body has probably become addicted to the Hydrocodone.
In light of this, I'm very happy the Contin MS will allow me to take less Hydrocodone on a daily basis (though not thrilled, again, that I might also become addicted to the morphine of the Contin MS). I'm scared.
My question, however, is this...if I run out of Hydrocodone before my 'scrip is filled on Sunday, will I still have withdrawal symptoms if I am taking the Contin MS? I know they are both considered "opioid analgesics", but are they "same thing" to my body? I'm just worried because I don't want to experience that awful feeling again, even if it's just a couple of days!
Thanks in advance!