Reason for energy

[Squaw36]

I have both rheumatoid and osteo arthritis for years.  All of my joints are involved.  I have been taking Loratabs for pain/discomfort.  strangely enough, it doesn't help the pain but gives me energy for a few hrs.  My various other problems keeps me drained.  A half tablet will get me through  a few hours.  What is the "magic" ingredient doing this and is it ok for this boost each day?

[dominosarah]

Hi Squaw, I am from the substance abuse forum.  How many lortabs do you take a day?  How long have you been taking them?  My concern is in what you said about them not controlling your pain but giving you energy.  Narcotics give us a false sense of security and you are already feeling that.  Please talk with your doctor and discuss with him/her that these pills are not controlling your pain.  If you have been on these for some time your tolerance will go up and pain wont be controlled.  I just dont want to see you crossing the line into addiction as that is a very dark, scary world.

[Red_Star]

Lortab contains non opioid acetaminophen (brand names panadol/tylenol) and the opioid hydrocodone. You can build up a tolerance to opioid pain medication which mean you need more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect. You can also develop an addiction to opioid pain medications.

The conclusion from the British Journal of Anaesthesia 1998; 81: 20-28 -  Stimulatory effects of opioids...

"In summary, it can be seen that opioids exert a variety of stimulatory effects on signal transduction. These include stimulation of the cyclic AMP formation, phosphinoside hydrolysis, and elevation of intracellular calcium, by mobilization from intracellular stores and by stimulating influx. At a cellular level these changes may underlie an opioid stimulation of neuronal activity. In addition, the stimulatory effects of opioids may play a part in the development of tolerance to opioid drugs."

[Barb135]

We're a thyroid disorders forum, so I have to ask, if this is a thyroid related question?  It doesn't appear to be, though RA is an autoimmune disease, as are some thyroid issues.  Have you been tested for any thyroid abnormalities?  My suggestion would be hyperthyroidism, but if that were absent, I'd talk to the doctor about the pain med.  

I did some checking on the Loratab and can't find it; are you sure it's "Loratab" and not "Lortab"?  "Lortab is a combination pain reliever containing an opiate (narcotic) pain reliever, hydrocodone and the non-narcotic pain reliever acetaminophen..."  

Because opiates are narcotics and are addictive, if they aren't helping your pain, you really shouldn't be on them...  You need to discuss this with your doctor...

You might want to post your question on the Addictions:Substance Abuse Forum which can be accessed via this link:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/show/77