long term affects of using lortab

[roro7676]

I have been on lortab 10 for about 3 years now. My dose has not increased in all that time. I take 1 and half on a good day and I take 2 and half to 3 on a bad day. My doctor seems fine with this and is happy that my dose has not gone up in 3 years. My question is what are the long term affects that this is going to have on my body? How much of a addiction do I have at that dose do I have any addiction? Is there a safer drug I could be taking? I have fibromyalgia and I am in pain everyday. I have been told over time the pills will stop working. Why do they still work for me? My doctor gets paid by the minute so I cant afford to sit and ask him these questions he seems happy with my use of this drug and I trust him,but, these questions are on my mind. I welcome any and all information on this. Thank you. R.O.

[FLaddict]

Lyrica is FDA approved for Fibromyalgia its no longer off label

[notmenow!]

If you want to test if your dependant on lortab, I say dependant due to the small dose you are on and have been able to maintain at that dose. FLaddict is right about lyrica, but it is expensive. My insurance co. wanted me to try neurotin first they claim it has the same effect of Lyrica which was originally developed for diabetic nerve pain. But MD's are allowed to subscribe any drug off label if they want. The makers of Lyrica are being sued for encouraging MD to rx it off label. The insurance companies call this (ST) step therapy. If you think you may be dependant on lortab try skipping a day. Believe you will know.   Good Luck***Noah

[NautyOne]

you know you have a problem when your start using them for reasons other than your pain like stress, boredom, or any excuse other than for pain.  Your dose is fairly low for the amount of time, but be careful........this stuff can bite you in the butt before you even feel it..........

Nauty...........

[FLaddict]

Well use of this drug can damage the liver.since it contains tylenol.. so you want to take precaution with that..have doc do a liver test every so often. or switch to a med not containing tylenol.
You more than likely after the length of time you have been using them have a dependence on them.. which is different than addiction. dependence is when your body becomes used to taking the medicine. addiction is more about the behaviors associtated with use of the medicine.

I understand very well the pain of Fibro.. I have it myself.. I was diagnosed after getting off a 2 yr addiction to vicodin. so no pain killers for me.. You may wanna look into Lyrica if you haven't already.. Its for pain in Fibro. and its non narcotic.