Perscription usage question

[jctz]

Hello, First off I'd like to thank you for your time and help. I have been diagnosed withg a disk disease and I aslo think there is something else wrong but they dont know what it is. I am perscribed several meds to help me cope with the extreme amnount of discomfort and pain 24 hours around the clock. My question is that my perscription for percocet(5 milligrams) allows me to take 2 tablets every 4 hours, max. of 8 per day but I get 180 pills per month so an average of 6 per day. So when I take 2 pills 3 times a day, thats only 3 hours of relief in a 16 hr period because I have been on these meds for years and I have a high tolerence so they dont last too long. So 13 hours im in pain and not able to accomplish any of my daily tasks or do any activities because im laying down to rest my back. I was wondering if its bad for me to take 1 pill at a time like ever other hour that way I am not layin around suffering all day and my paid will be more controlled most the day. Thanks again.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for clarifying it. I understand now. I take Valium for the nights, it does help. And like you I hurt the worse in the morning.

And Jctz how are things going for you?

Tuck

[HawktheSlayer]

No I only take the 3 that I am allowed to take. When I said the 4 it was when I thought of taking 1 every 2 hrs. I take 12 / day and with the post above I was just doing the math out. 8 durning the normal work/awake part of the day then 4 to cover the 8 hrs at nite. I wish I could do that but my PM would prob get mad at me. I do take Ambient(Cr) and Tramazapan ( think thats the right spelling) to try and help me goto sleep tho they dont work all that well. But if I wake up after 4hrs I do take the other 3. I hate how they give you a time area like mine 3 pills 4 times a day. Cause I wake up at 6am and drive to work so I take my 1st set at about 730am then 6hrs later 130pm then 730pm then the last set would be at 130am and even tho I might be awake at that time I dont think about it. I wish he would say for me to take 4 3 times a day that way im not messing with the pain management that the pills are giving me. Cause I hurt in the mornings the worst. And thats due to not having any of my meds for 8-10hrs. Im also sorry that you have bad nites I do to and want to talk to my Dr about mabey giving me valum for the nites.

R/
Adam

[Tuckamore]

Good post but do you mean you take 4 before bedtime and it covers you or you don't take them at bedtime and that means you can divide them during your waking hours. I was a little unclear when I read that part of your post.

I am asking cause my nights are terrible sometimes though the muscle relaxant helps.

Thanks for clarifying,
Tuck

[HawktheSlayer]

I had a few typing errors above. Srry about that with the Tylenol too much can kill you and it is a major concern for the Dr's. I know that you are going through the same type of pain that I have. When I take my meds I feel kinda good for about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs then the pain starts to come back and when it does I often think that my Dr needs to change how I take my pills. I did talk to him about it an he said that I needed to have not only pain free time but also time when I do feel some pain so that we can see if what I am doing is helping or hurting me. Again sorry about the typos hope that you can make it out ok.

R/
Adam

[HawktheSlayer]

Hi sorry to hear that you are in pain. I also have back problems and have been taking Perk and Vic, for over 5 years now. My pain Dr knows that I have to be switched between my meds about every other month.  I take my meds as directed becuse I have a contract with my Dr that I will only take the pain pills that he has given me so that he can see what is going on with me, I also might have random drug test for my Dr and if I have too much or not enough pain meds in my system he can drop me. I know that I have looked at doing what you though of that I can take 12 /day so mabey I can take 1 every other hour, but then again my med levels will be off and also what about when I can sleep I will not be taking my meds while im sleeping so then you look at ok at bed time ill take 4 if I sleep for 8 hrs that will cover me. Well now I am atc ODing on my meds and with any pain meds there is a chance that not only you might get addicted to the level you just put in but also that there is a chance that if you take too much of the Tylenol that is in the pain med and for get that you took some thing else with Tylenol that is can kill you. So that is why the Dr's try and make sure that you are safe.

R/
Adam

[Tuckamore]

Hi Jctz,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum of Medhelp. I am glad you found us. I am sorry you are having so much pain. Our members all suffer from pain and we can relate.

I would never suggest that you take your medications any other way than how your physician prescribed them. I am prescribed the same amount of my pain medications as you are prescribed. What I do is take them during waking hours so I am functional. I take a muscle relaxant at night with some OTC, NSAID that do not contain Tylenol as Tylenol is in my pain medication. If that does not get me through the night I do have a "Big Dog" medication I take in the night.

Considering you have been on Percocet for sometime your system has most likely built a tolerance. I would discuss this with your prescribing physician. It may be time for a change of pain medications or an increase.

Pain is disruptive to our lives. I, as well as many other MH members have made major lifestyle changes to accommodate the limitations chronic pain has forced upon us. I wish you the very best and will look forward to hearing how you are doing. Please keep in touch and take care, Tuck