vicodin help

[nomorepills727]

I am currently taking 6/ 5-500 vicodin 2/ 150mg lyrica and a  5% lidocaine 12 hr patch a day.I want to stop taking the vicodin but I have severe sleep and restless leg problems when doing this!? I  have 20 left will the patch and lyrica help with these problems and if so how should I do this? I am under a docs care and have an apt to see a pain management doc. I have very bad proven back problem. I  just don't like the side affects of the vicodin and have been taking them off and on for about 4+ years. Thanks to anyone who responds!!

[BlueKnight007]

      Thanks Tuck As I stand corrected.

I looked and looked for the document and web page that made that statement of 2000mg max per day of acetaminophen, I couldn't find it. I'm not sure if it was a study or a suggestion that the FDA was going to make, I just don’t know anymore. But, it was about 10 months ago and it did help my Pain Management Dr. to write a prescription that didn’t have acetaminophen in it.  About 3 month later the pharmacy was out of my normal prescriptions and changed it to Oxycontin/325 acetaminophen. One week later I was having the sane abdominal pain.. Needless to say I was gnashing my teeth. I took the pills back and they traded me pill for pill.

nomorepills727:
You might want to ask your Doctor about the nsaid family of medication. They are not Narcotics.They start off like Ibuprofen, Advil, Aeve and the list goes on to like Gabapentin and Etodolac They didn't work on me, but I have friends that swear by them. It kept them off the narcotics.. I couldn't have said it better than tuck's experience of the withdraws.

          And again thanks Tuckamore  for setting me straight

[Tuckamore]

Yes you will experience withdrawal. The length and intensity of those withdrawals will vary from person to person. Much of it depends on how long you were on the opiate, how much was prescribed and of course which opiate plus your particular systems reaction. So remember any opiate (narcotic) will produce withdrawal when you cease taking them. If you've only been on them a few months your withdrawal should be moderate and only last several days. A few muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety meds may help you through that time but talk to your PMP. Don't trade one for the other.... I'm talking about something for just several days.  

Weight all the pros and cons. If you can tolerate your pain and function in a fairly normal fashion without an opiate it's always best not to take a opiate. However if your pain is extreme, prevents you from sleeping, eating or having any quality of life then there are much worse things then taking an opiate for pain management.

It's an individual choice that only you can make. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you. Please let us know how your appt goes.

[nomorepills727]

I have an apt with a pain management doc on 5/25. I tried to just not take them  but I went through withdrawal! I do not take them wrong  and I called a nurse helpline and was told that if I took them for even a few weeks as was my case that this was normal !? So needless to say the first thing I want to do is to tell the doc that these are not for me! Thanks for all your helpful info.

[Tuckamore]

Hydrocodone (Vicodin) does come in a 5/325 dose. You may want to request a lower dose of acetaminophen.

On January 13th of this year the FDA "is asking" that all medications containing acetaminophen (apap) reduce the amount of that drug to 325mg per table...over the next three years. The recommendation is still not to exceed 4,000mg in a 24 hour period. The real problem comes from ppl who take other medications that contain apap dosage. At 3,000 mg per day one must be aware that they should not be cautious of taking another medication containing apap as that could put one over the 4,000mg recommendation.


The following is from the FDA Website: Begin Quote: " There is no immediate danger to patients who take these combination pain medications and they should continue to take them as directed by their health care provider,” said Kweder. "The risk of liver injury primarily occurs when patients take multiple products containing acetaminophen at one time and exceed the current maximum dose of 4,000 milligrams within a 24-hour period.” End Quote.

So for now continue to follow your physician's orders and discuss any concerns on your next appointment.

My Best,
~Tuck

[nomorepills727]

Thank's for the feedback and I agree I don't want anything stronger.

[BlueKnight007]

          Hello,
I can only tell you my experience with vicodin. First  is that 3000 mg a day is not safe for the kidneys. Only 2000 is recommended by the FDA  . I was taking 4000 mg for over 2 yrs till it stared giving  me unbearable abdominal Pain. They Change my medication and it's been a while since then I have experience that sort of pain. What they changed me to, I also recommend not taking this sort avenue. And that is Oxycodone 5mg and Morphine 15mg. I'm 61 yr old Male who has tried every thing for pain relief.I made the decision to move to opiate I did lot of research and recommend you also do the same.

Good Luck,

BlueKnight