pain

[deb969]

I am currently on vicodin for fibromyalgia my doctor wants to switch to percocets..dont they have the same ingridents other than more tylenol or ibufrofen?

[ADSF]

Percocet has oxycodone in it rather than the hydrocodone in Vicodin.   Oxycodone is stronger than hydrocodone.   In my experience, the oxy worked better and I had less side effects (upset stomach and "dumb" feeling).  

[Ghilly]

I would go with the oxycodone (percocet) over the hydrocodone (vicodin), because it's possible to get the oxycodone in it's pure form in a pill without the tylenol in it.  The -cet suffix on the percocet is what denotes the acetominophen or Tylenol.  In the generic form, it would give the mg strength of the pill (ie, 5/500) and then say APAP on the label.  The 5 is the mg strength of the narcotic, the 500 denotes how many mg of tylenol are in it, and APAP is the generic denotation of the Tylenol.  

Since fibromyalgia is incurable, chances are you are going to be on these for a very long time.  That being the case, it's best to take something that doesn't have any tylenol in it, since over time, tylenol can do a lot of damage to your liver, even in moderate doses.  Again, if it were me, I would definitely agree with the switch to Percocet, however I would ask the doctor if it would be possible to prescribe simply generic oxycodone without the Tylenol in it.  Long term, it will be a lot safer for you.  

Just FYI, the reason they put the Tylenol in the pill in the first place is because it acts as a catalyst to boost the efficacy of the narcotic.  As long as the mg strength of the narcotic is strong enough to affect your pain, you can do without the tylenol.  If you having a rough day and need more, rather than taking more of the narcotic, just take two ibuprofen with your oxycodone.  That will boost the strength of the oxycodone only when you need it, and not cause you to be taking an overabundance of unnecessary Tylenol.  Hope this helps.

Ghilly

[deb969]

ty so much for the info

[deb969]

ty you explained it better than any doctor ever has...again ty so much

[ADSF]

Deb,   Have you tried Lyrica yet?   Recently approved for Fibromyalgia.  Fortunately, I do not have that condition, but I do have nerve pain and it worked wonders.  Probably reduced my pain level from about an 8 to about a 3.   Thus far I have not had any side effects from it.    Ever since my doctor put me on it, I want to shout the the world!   Just a thought you can take to your doctor....