pain medication questions

[Hillsy69]

Hi there, I've been reading posts on medhelp for months but this is my first post. I have a question about pain medication. A little background, I have a some disc disorders (herniated, bulging, degenerative) as well as a lot of nerve damage in my back. (I also have fibromyalgia but I use different, non-narcotic medications and treatments for that.) Anyway, I see a neurologist/pain management doctor regularly and a chiropractor occasionally. I'm doing all the treatments I can including physical therapy, nerve burning, injections, exercise, and medications. I take a muscle relaxer for spasms as well as naprosyn and norco for pain.

Because I'm still in significant pain and have been on norco for a while, my doctor wants to change my prescription and have me try percocet. He thinks it may help more and that I have probably built a bit of a tolerance to the norco. So next week he'll switch me from 4-5 norco 10/325 daily to 4-5 percocet 10/325 daily.

My question is, has anyone ever switched between norco/vicodin and percocet before? Which worked better for you? Did you feel the switch helped with your pain? I know medications work different for everyone, I just would like to get some opinions. I'm nervous about the switch, I've never taken percocet before. I know it's suppose to be 1.5 times stronger than norco, but I know some people feel norco relieves their pain better. If  I feel that way, my doctor should switch me back right? I also am nervous about how percocet will make me feel, I'm a mom and I work, I can't be feeling "high" all day. We've discussed other stronger and longer lasting medications before but I turned them down, I'm afraid of how they'll make me feel, and I fear addiction potential of stronger meds. I have a cousin who's a recovering heroin addict and I never want to go through what he's been through, I've read some of these stronger meds are up to twice as addictive as heroin so I'm not willing to take that risk.

Anyway, if anyone has used both norco/vicodin and percocet I'd really appreciate your experiences and feedback. I also wouldn't mind hearing your experiences with other meds and treatments for back pain, I'm pretty sick of being in pain all the time, as I'm sure many of you are, so any info would help! Thank-you for reading, sorry it was so long. Thanks for any responses.

[Shrooms]

Thank you to all the people out there wishing me well.  My surgery went very well and I only spent one night in the hospital.  My nerve pain in my arm is almost gone.  The doc said I did better than most.  I was surprized that they prescribed me valium.  I asked about this and they said it is a very good muscle relaxer.  They said it was the best.  If you wish to know more about the MMJ I urge you all to go to NORML.ORG.  It has alot of facts and news.  I hope and pray for all of you to get better and find the relief you deserve.  Sry about the misspellings and stuff I am in recovery at home and these drugs do a number on my mind.  

[Hillsy69]

Rtj, in Michigan you get your mmj card from a dr and there are places you can go buy it (you can grow it too) but NO ONE without a card is even allowed in the door of these shops. Some dr's are for it and some aren't, my mom has M.S. she's eligible but doesn't want it, I don't think she realizes it's a lot different than the stuff the kids do on the street (from what I've heard from other pain patients anyway, I've never tried mmj). Hope that somewhat answers your question.

[Hillsy69]

I'm so glad I posted this, so much great info! I'm also on other meds to help, an antidepressant and klonopin for the anxiety, depression, and sleep problems that come with fibro and chronic pain. Hydrotherapy seems to help while I'm doing it,but not much after, kinda like how physical therapy has been lately. Thanks everyone who commented. I will update when I see my dr

[rtjrevie]

Hi femmy,
Yes, the butt massages are wonderful...hahaha....pathetic that I am paying so much for PT to rub my rear, but hey it helps!! lol.
I am on 60mg of Cymbalta, it is not clinically proven to help with a higher dose for pain (I believe I read that??) When I first started it, I thought "wow" this is going to really help, I was told the affect would only get better...nope. I go to my pain management doctor today, just can't stand it anymore. I am not really sure what is going on. I ache all over, my gluts/low back/si joints and ishial tuberosities (sp?) are very sore again, but my wrist and hands (bilaterally) are terribly achy, and burn it is all day with no relief.  For me, it is hard to admit that I am in pain. I was taught that you should "be tough." It is funny how I would tell my patients a completly different thing than what I would tell myself? It has just affected every aspect of my life. ANyhow, my question to you is as an engineer how do you feel the percocet affects you compared to the tramadol or Vicodin? I have taken it in the past, but I did not work on it??? I believe I can work as long as I have a "clear head" which I wonder if that is even possible? I hide the pain quite well, but I need to sit down with my superviser and talk about this. I will not jepordize my job.
So this MMJ? I don't know much about how this works, but find it interesting. (not legal here) So you saying you have a "license" is that to take it? Is it pretty regulated? How do you get it? I was just watching the news and it showed that in California they have it dispensed in a machine that is similar to a soda machine/ATM. Lol. Working in home health and hospice I really wish they would legalize it here. It is amazing how many hospice patients take it within their home and how much it helps. I honestly think the affects are so much better than a lot of the other meds. Anyhow....have a great day everyone
]
Tammie

[femmy29]

Hi rtjrevie,

The gluts can actually be the location that has many active triggerpoints that cause pain in our legs, back, and hips.  Those butt massages are the best LOL!!  :)

I take a muscle relaxer called Flexeril.  I have been on it for 7 years.  It has kept my back from "locking up", it can become so tight and inflammed the even the smallest movement send me moaning in pain.  I think it has lost some of effectiveness but not all because if I don't take it, I feel my back locking up again.  I just don't think it is very effective against the muscle spasms anymore but it still serves a purpose.  Muscle relaxers work by telling the brain to relax the muscles versus directly penetrating the knots in your back.  I have found a muscle relaxer helpful for stretching and using the theracane.  The flexeril has relaxed the muscles in the back enough to reduce some of the pain felt from deep massage and stretching so it may be something to look into and perhaps try.

As for the cymbalta, you could ask your doctor if an increase in dose may help with you pain.  

@Shrooms:  LOVE your post!!! :) I live in CO and have a MMJ license.  I know what you are talking about when you say the MMJ helps augment the pain relief from the opioid medication.  MMJ is definitely a potent pain killer.  I haven't smoked or eaten a brownie in awhile cause I started a brand new strong opioid medication and I have been dealing with a basketful of side effects from that which seem to be subsiding now.  I know there are no dangerous interactions between MMJ and opioids as a board certified physician that recommended MMJ therapy for me stated that is was safe to mix the two.  A little goes a long way!  MMJ is a great muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory and relieves pain by binding to our cannabinoid receptors similar to how opioids bind to our opioid receptors to relieve pain.  I wish you the very best in surgery, please update us when you are able.  

femmy

[Shrooms]

I have c5/6 and c6/7 disc problems.  The first is buldging 3.5 mm into my cord and 6/7 is herniated.  I have ALOT of pain in the left side.  Starting at thumb and going all the way to my spine.  The doc said this is due to compression of the nerve.  I started on hydrocodon 5-325 and flexiril.  The hydro gave me some relief and the flexiril did little.  After 3 days of pain I went back to doc's office.  He switched me to Oxycodone-Acetaminophen 5-325 which is a little stronger than the hydrocodon.  He also took me off of the flexiril.  It works GREAT.  After I take the Oxy I can feel the pain melt away in about 25min after I take it.  I am having surgery tomarrow.  Disc replacement.  Both of them.  Both my parents have had this done with great success.  I dont know which state you guys are from but if you live in one that it is legal I suggest getting some marijuana.  It does help with the pain.  Coupled with the pain meds it helps like you wouldn't beleive.  It not only helps the Oxy work it also lets me sleep and gives me my appitite back.  When I take the Oxys and dont smoke I really dont eat.  Which is bad for my energy and healing.  Pot is not for everyone but I function better and have to take less narcotics.  To tell you the truth I get more messed up, light headed, dizzy, foggy, when I just take the Oxy.  Because I have to take more Oxys for the pain if I dont smoke. Since pot is non-addictive and the Oxys are I feel better smoking than taking pills.  If you want to know more about your state and the laws pertaining to pot visit NORML.ORG.  It has alot of information. Good luck to all.   I will repost to tell you guys how the surgery tomarrow goes.