i will be taking more vics yhan usual...

[VicodinHelp]

for the next 3 to 5 days.  i had surgery on my hand this morning to correct duputryns contracture.

i am a low dose user -1/2 to 2   5/500s per day for a constellation of problems that is most closely associated with Ankalosing Spondylitis.  (back pain, stiff neck & shoulders, costochondritis, iritis, HLA-B27 positive )  

for now, the low dose of vics seem to be all i need.  if things get really bad i would have to consider stepping up to biologics - like Enbrel - that cost something lik 5k per 6 weeks of treatment.

i am prescribed the vics along with nsaids, but have discontinued the nsaids (500 mg naprosyn 2x daily) cuz i dont want to blow out my liver and the ld vic along with diet & exercise seems to be working.  

i detoxd from my 2 per day use during the hot summer months (with help from this forum).  but when the weather changed and the rains came so returned the aches and stiffness.

even at low doses a certain amount o dependency develops so i keep my wife in the loop and visit here often to kkep myself in check.

kudos to all the folks here who selflessly  offer their time and counsel to others who come here for help.

now im going to make som french onion soup for dinner - with help from my son(s)

[VicodinHelp]

so far i have taken only 2 - halves all day.  doc called me today and said pain should be worse tmorrow.  plan  to take no more than 1/2 more today - or nonemore depending on how i feel.

[VicodinHelp]

its almost 10:00 a.m. hand pain is not all that bad.  i am keeping it elevated.  i will take 1/2 vic for now

[VicodinHelp]

i actually post here because im  a little afraid of taking more  than 2 per day.

i'm  using the forum as a sounding board &confessional.

hand starting to hurt - time for another

[VicodinHelp]

my rheumy is second generation rheumy.  imo a very good dr.  i came to this forum fearing i was addicted from my 2 per day use.  i WAS dependent.  i detoxed and stopped everything, nap, flexeril, vic.  then i evaluated how i felt and began back on ld of vic.  it doesnt tke away the pain - nothing did - it just takes the edge off.  

if i have to take biologics i hope it isnt fo at least 15 years.

btw i told my surgeon i didnt want too much narcs and why so his scrip i for only 1 every 4 hours.  and he only gave me 30.

thanks for your response.  much appreciated, and i will heed your warning.

soup was xcellent!

[anotherfinemess]

good luck on recovery from your hand surgery.  I am a foot and ankle surgeon and see many people with the "sero-negs", ie. AS, Psoriatic Arthritis, Reiters Disease, etc, because there is often involvement in the feet also (heel pain, achilles insertional pain, etc).  I hope you have a good rheumatologist.  I am recovering from opiate addiction (80 days clean!) and wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, so please be careful.  bon appetit !

[VicodinHelp]

been on low dose for aound a year.  i think 2 vics r easier on liver than 2 naps

i spent 8 buks 4 sweet onions and 9 buks 4 gruyere cheese.

typing w/1 hand

[anotherfinemess]

much better chance of "blowing out your liver" with Vicodin than NSAIDS.  I hope you can stay on a low dose.  Just remember, we all started out on a low dose.....
Do you make your french onion soup with the crouton thingy and the melty cheese???mmmmm...