What's the diff b/w oxycodone & hydrocodone?

[PfizerFighter]

I am wondering about the difference between the two (if any). Also, from reading the posts, it almost seems as though doctors in the US are prescribing them more so than doctors in Canada. This is just an observation from me, and it could be completely wrong and inaccurate.

For example, I have read a post where an individual went to the dentist and was prescribed lortabs (what are those, also?), whereas I have never gotten anything stronger than tylenol 3 when I have visited the dentist, and I had a whole wack of work done IN ONE SHOT.

[troubleinohio]

yes that is your addiction talking when you find yourself wishing for a large, ongoing supply of narcotics. I used to wish that too back years ago when i was only taking a cuople of darvocets or T3's a day. and for awhile, that "wish" did come true as my back went bad on me.  but before i knew it, that 90 count supply of vicodin wasnt nearly enough and i would run out 3 weeks before refill was due. I would do almost anything it took to get some elsewhere to hold me over until i could refill which often times i could not get enough supply to do that and suffered horrible w/d's several times every month. then id find a few more-- enough for a day or two, take them, have the WD symptoms ease briefly, then run out...suffer WD again and so on. It is not something i would wish on anyone and i hope you dont seek out that "continuous supply" because trust me, it wont last long and you will sink deeper and deeper into the hell of addiction!!!

[TrayCee]

percocet is oxycodone
lortabs are hydrocodone

[PfizerFighter]

Ah, okay. Yes I totally agree with you about the dentist. Since I've been a member of medhelp, I have read so many posts where people are wanting to quit various pain pills, and this in most cases it is a personal choice (i.e., not because they are "cut off" from receiving anymore of the meds). 100% of the time I am extremely jealous that they have the ability of getting them at all, since I can only ever get 8 maximum. Of course, in retrospect, I am actually thankful that I can't get them, because that would just open up a whole can of worms. I am half and half about my opinion on pain pills, because I often talk myself into believing that I can "manage" my addiction if I were to find myself in the position of being able to get them in large amounts and perpetually. Sometimes I wish I could, other times I tell myself that that kind of thinking is completely nuts, and that is just the addiction speaking. I'm probably not the only person who thinks/feels this way. My parent has been addicted to codeine for 17-18+ years, and he seems to be okay liver/kidney(s)-wise, although he could be keeping any information to himself that he has internal problems.

Another question (maybe a silly one), what is percocet? Is it oxycodone or hydrocodone? These are the pain meds I had trouble with in the past.

[bmdad]

Oxycodone is stronger than hydrocodone. As for the dentist, it really just depends on the specific dentist. I had a root canal go bad awhile back and was first prescribed hydrocodone and it didn't help much. He then prescribed oxycodone. My sister had a root canal done from a different dentist and all she got was codiene. I guess it's all just personal preference of the dentist.
Lortab is just a brand name for hydrocodone.