Re: about hydrocodone.... To Marti

January 15, 2008

Marti - I would think your oncologist would give you higher pain relief than

your PCP. Have you checked with him/her?

Jeanne in WI

> The tylenol in Vicodin was 500 in mine (5/500) and I have switched to just

> generic hydrocodone 5mg so that I can decide how much tylenol, ecotri, or

> excedrin migrain I need. I can only take 3 in a day, but I do add the

> otc's to it and it helps some. Advil doesn't help me at all.

> It's not a large dose and I wish I could get more, but my doctor says

> that's it. It would be nice to be able to take it 4 or 5 times a day or

> have 10mg. I like everything else about my doctor so I'm warry about

> changing. I changed doctors in Dec. 06 and it was really difficult

> finding someone that would work with me.

> Take care,

> Marti

January 16, 2008

Hi Jeanne,

As always thanks for writing.

My oncologist, who I see again in February, and I have discussed pain meds. I

tried a few that I had reactions to that are stronger than hydrocodone. Since

the hydrocodone gives me no side effects and I'm not at a pain stage in the

lymphoma that is sure to come, we decided together that I would take the

smallest dose possible that would alleviate some of my pain. Thankfully this

amount (5mg) taken 3 X day, that I do increase when I need to because he will

give me another script when I need it, is keeping major pain at bay. I'm in

pain all the time, but this takes the edge off. And having talked with more

than one Oncologist and researched it myself, bone lymphoma can become

indescribably painful. I can't take morphine or demoral because I'm allergic to

them. We're just trying to pace things as best we can. He will up it if I need

him to or try something else, whenever I ask. He is a wonderful doctor.

Thank you so much for being such a caring friend,

Marti

Dave and Jeanne wrote:

Marti - I would think your oncologist would give you higher pain

relief than