Next step up from Norco

[atonicat]

Hello all. I've been on Norco 10/325 for a little over 2 years now. It's almost not working at all now and at my last pain management appointment, the doctor asked if I wanted to go to something different. I was scared of switching because what if the new meds don't work at all? So I stayed with the same meds. I have an appointment on the 29th and I'm going to ask for something else. What is the next step up? I've been doing some research and it seems to be Percocet. Is that right?

[namnam46]

Hi Atonicat,

I notice that you are new here on the Pain Management Forum and I want to welcome you to the Forum!!

I was on Lortab and Norco - they are basically the same - for 7 years and like you they quit working for me too.  My Doctor switched me to Percocet and that was EXACTLY what  I needed.  I feel that is probably the NEXT step up although there ae others that might be close to it.  After all, when you've been on something fo a long time you will become immune to it ant that's the way it is with Medications also - as you, too, have found out.

I hop you will let us know what you are switched to AND how it is working for you. I'll b looking for you update........Sherry

[atonicat]

Yeah that's true. When the doctor said it was up to me if I wanted to switch, I didn't know what to do. I sort of clammed up. But at my next appointment I'm going to ask her if there is something I can take once or twice a day that lasts longer. I'm also worried about my liver. I don't drink and have a  history of pancreatic cancer in my family, so my liver probably looks like one of a binge drinker which is really scary to me!

[SunWorshiper_26]

I've switched between norco vicodein, codein, tramadol and percocet when the meds aren't working. All are short acting but after a while on one med it wouldn't work as well so I'd switch. But you could always go to something like Opana ER which lasts much longer. Can't hurt to try something new. If it doesn't work you can always switch back. Right?

[peekawho]

I don't feel much from it.  Just less pain.

[atonicat]

Isn't Opana super strong? I've been on about 3-4 Norco's a day. I would like a longer acting med though. I'm only in my late 20's so I don't want to move up too fast with the narcotics since I'll probably be on them for the rest of my life.

[peekawho]

I went up to Opana ER after Norco.  They told me that if you are medicating more than 5 times a day with a short acting agent, you could be on something long acting.  Percocet is another short acting agent.

Its helped a lot for me, but I still have my Norco for breakthrough.