Pain Management/Medication Equivilencies

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know of a site that has charts or whatever to let someone

knoe the dosaging differences and similarities of different pain

medications.

My doc is trying to tell me that Duragesic at 25 micrograms over 72

hours is stronger than 4 10/325 Norco tabs a day. I beg to differ.

TY,

Dick

& Alan

Anyone know of a medication to control triglicerides? Preferably a

band name one?

P.S.

Good to see you posting Mark!

[Guest guest]

Dick wrote:

> Does anyone know of a site that has charts or whatever to let

someone knoe the dosaging differences and similarities of different

pain medications.

My doc is trying to tell me that Duragesic at 25 micrograms over 72

hours is stronger than 4 10/325 Norco tabs a day. I beg to differ.<

Dick,

Your doctor is correct. I'll list the comparisons taken from the

Duragesic literature. These are all based on a 25 mcg. Duragesic dose.

Morphine - 60

Hydromorphine (Dilaudid) - 7.5

Methadone (Dolophine) - 20

Oxycodone - 30

Levorphanol - 4

Oxymorphone - 10(PR)

Codeine - 200

Since Norco is a combination of codeine and acetimophen, you would

need considerably more each day to equal the same amount of Duragesic.

You can get this information online at the Duragesic.com website.

Sorry, I can't help you with the high triglyceride medication. I'm

sure someone else can.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi;

Thank you. But your list doesn't specify hydrocodone. I think your

list's mention of " Hydromorphine (Dilaudid) " should actually read

actually hydromorphone (Dilaudid).

I am not making the judgment/observation that the Duragesic patch

isn't working because it doesn't give one that euphoric feeling

associated with hydrocodone, but only because the pain is still there

even with the patches applied. Get this, I told him yesterday the

pain was still present at 25 mcg, that I doubled and then tripled the

patches, and he wrote the prescription for the 25 mcg patches again.

They should have at least been doubled to the 50 mcg patches. I

guess that would make too much sense and he is probably used to

druggies up here seeking pain meds. Any smart druggie would realize

that there are easier and more effective ways to quench one's drug

habit than through use of the patches.

My whole reason for trying to switch from Norco/Lortab to Duragesic

was to get away from continuously popping Norco's and to avoid the

fluctuations in the euphoric feelings and because they are free. I

think I forgot to mention that this is all for lower back pain, not

pancreatitis.

Luckily, since I have been eating only vegetables and seafood my

pancreas has been a happy camper. Now that he is behaving I am eager

for a nice steak, mashed potatoes w/butter, and a mushroom sauté.

Hence the quest for a triglyceride controlling medication. Being a

part of this group and reading everyone's posting has probably saved

my pancreas and ultimately my life.

The doctor still thinks it's from consuming alcohol, and I keep

telling him he is wrong as I don't consume the stuff anymore (after

my first bout with pancreatitis) because it shoots your triglycerides

higher than the foods that cause increased triglyceride levels do (or

so it has been explained to me).

I am beginning to think it is time to find a doctor in Sacramento or

San Francisco again and leave the hillbilly doctors in El Dorado

County, California alone to experiment on the druggie losers here

before they really harm me through pure negligence or omission.

Dick

P.S.

I'll check out the Duragesic website, that's a good idea.

> > Does anyone know of a site that has charts or whatever to let

> someone knoe the dosaging differences and similarities of different

> pain medications.

>

> My doc is trying to tell me that Duragesic at 25 micrograms over 72

> hours is stronger than 4 10/325 Norco tabs a day. I beg to differ.<

>

>

>

> Dick,

>

> Your doctor is correct. I'll list the comparisons taken from the

> Duragesic literature. These are all based on a 25 mcg. Duragesic

dose.

>

> Morphine - 60

> Hydromorphine (Dilaudid) - 7.5

> Methadone (Dolophine) - 20

> Oxycodone - 30

> Levorphanol - 4

> Oxymorphone - 10(PR)

> Codeine - 200

>

> Since Norco is a combination of codeine and acetimophen, you would

> need considerably more each day to equal the same amount of

Duragesic.

> You can get this information online at the Duragesic.com website.

>

> Sorry, I can't help you with the high triglyceride medication. I'm

> sure someone else can.

>

> With love, hope and prayers,

> Heidi

>

> Heidi H. Griffeth

> www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

> SC State & SE Regional Representative

> Pancreatitis Association, International

>

>

> Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

> opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

> consultation.

[Guest guest]

Dick wrote:

But your list doesn't specify hydrocodone. I think your list's

mention of " Hydromorphine (Dilaudid) " should actually read actually

hydromorphone (Dilaudid).

Dick,

You're right, that was a typo with the hydromorphone (Dilaudid).

While the list didn't specifically show hydrocodone, it did show

codeine, which is the supporting analgesic of hydrocodone. The

remainder of the medication hydrocodone is acetimophen.

Dick, one thing to consider is our individual reaction to different

meds. What one person can take with no side effects may send someone

else into lala land. This may be what's happening with you and the

Duragesic. It may not effect you as strongly as the hydrocodone,

even though the dosages aren't comparable. You may need to have a

higher dose of the duragesic just to get the same effect that the

Norco gives you.

In regard to your doctor - at least you have one who is willing to

write a script for analgesics (narcotics), and seems willing to try

more than one thing to find something that works for you. That's a

lot more than some people have, many of our members are struggling

to just find a doctor, and to find one that works with pain managment

is a bonus that many people never get! But, you have to do what

works best for you. Good luck with it.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.

>

> I am not making the judgment/observation that the Duragesic patch

> isn't working because it doesn't give one that euphoric feeling

> associated with hydrocodone, but only because the pain is still there

> even with the patches applied. Get this, I told him yesterday the

> pain was still present at 25 mcg, that I doubled and then tripled the

> patches, and he wrote the prescription for the 25 mcg patches again.

> They should have at least been doubled to the 50 mcg patches. I

> guess that would make too much sense and he is probably used to

> druggies up here seeking pain meds. Any smart druggie would realize

> that there are easier and more effective ways to quench one's drug

> habit than through use of the patches.

>

> My whole reason for trying to switch from Norco/Lortab to Duragesic

> was to get away from continuously popping Norco's and to avoid the

> fluctuations in the euphoric feelings and because they are free. I

> think I forgot to mention that this is all for lower back pain, not

> pancreatitis.

>

> Luckily, since I have been eating only vegetables and seafood my

> pancreas has been a happy camper. Now that he is behaving I am eager

> for a nice steak, mashed potatoes w/butter, and a mushroom sauté.

> Hence the quest for a triglyceride controlling medication. Being a

> part of this group and reading everyone's posting has probably saved

> my pancreas and ultimately my life.

>

> The doctor still thinks it's from consuming alcohol, and I keep

> telling him he is wrong as I don't consume the stuff anymore (after

> my first bout with pancreatitis) because it shoots your triglycerides

> higher than the foods that cause increased triglyceride levels do (or

> so it has been explained to me).

>

> I am beginning to think it is time to find a doctor in Sacramento or

> San Francisco again and leave the hillbilly doctors in El Dorado

> County, California alone to experiment on the druggie losers here

> before they really harm me through pure negligence or omission.

>

> Dick

>

>

> P.S.

> I'll check out the Duragesic website, that's a good idea.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > Does anyone know of a site that has charts or whatever to let

> > someone knoe the dosaging differences and similarities of different

> > pain medications.

> >

> > My doc is trying to tell me that Duragesic at 25 micrograms over 72

> > hours is stronger than 4 10/325 Norco tabs a day. I beg to differ.<

> >

> >

> >

> > Dick,

> >

> > Your doctor is correct. I'll list the comparisons taken from the

> > Duragesic literature. These are all based on a 25 mcg. Duragesic

> dose.

> >

> > Morphine - 60

> > Hydromorphine (Dilaudid) - 7.5

> > Methadone (Dolophine) - 20

> > Oxycodone - 30

> > Levorphanol - 4

> > Oxymorphone - 10(PR)

> > Codeine - 200

> >

> > Since Norco is a combination of codeine and acetimophen, you would

> > need considerably more each day to equal the same amount of

> Duragesic.

> > You can get this information online at the Duragesic.com website.

> >

> > Sorry, I can't help you with the high triglyceride medication. I'm

> > sure someone else can.

> >

> > With love, hope and prayers,

> > Heidi

> >

> > Heidi H. Griffeth

> > www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

> > SC State & SE Regional Representative

> > Pancreatitis Association, International

> >

> >

> > Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

> > opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

> > consultation.

[Guest guest]

>> My whole reason for trying to switch from Norco/Lortab to Duragesic

> was to get away from continuously popping Norco's and to avoid the

> fluctuations in the euphoric feelings

_______________________________________________________________

Hi; I am sorry to interrupt your message but I am curious about this

euphoria you said you felt. The docs warned me about that when I first

started taking narcotics a few years ago. I have been on all the

hydrocodone combos, was one demerol and dilaudid for well over a year,

then was on the oxy's (hated those most of all) and am now back on the

dilaudid and I have never once felt any euphoria. I remember joking

with the doc saying " I could use a little euphoria...LOL " . Shoot sug

I was lucky to just get enough pain relief to sleep or pick wild

flowers with my little girl.

The euphoria you felt was that like being high or was it just joy of

being relieved of pain. I dont think I ever felt 'high' off of any of

those drugs and have often wondered why on earth do so many people go

through such great lengths to get this stuff to take 'recreationally'

(a term I really dont care for, it gives a positive connotation to

taking drugs). I am just curious as to what you consider euphoria. I

am was/ am quite happy to not be in such pain, but I dont think I would

consider that euphoria by defination. I guess its a grey area and very

personal. What do you think?

Hope you having a good weekend.

Warmly,

christine (SC)

[Guest guest]

Hi ;

The euphoria I was referring to was just a general sense of happiness

and calmness when taking hydrocodone at any dosage and under any name

(vicodin, vicoidin ES, Norco, Lortab, et al.). The whole

vicodin/hydrocodone thing boils down to how much hydrocodone and

acetomiphin the pills have. Hence the differing names.

Check out physiological addiction vs. psychological addiction via an

internet search.

I am a strange one though, when I have ran out of Norco/Lortab in the

past I never went through a withdrawal. Never felt awful, except for

the back pain, after having ABRUBPTLY stopped taking the

hydrocodone. On a few occassions I abrubptly stopped and went

without hydrocodone and alprazolam (Xanax) for a few months on one

occassion. I DO NOT recommend that someone do this to their body

though.

Same experiene with Xanax, if I ran out and didn't have any for a

week or two weeks, month or two months, no big pronblem, just had to

find other ways to deal with the panic attacks. I watched movies,

hugged my service dog, and forced myself to go for walks with the dog

in the park.

Dick

& Alan

Some people become psychologically addicted, while others become

physiologically addicted, and then there are people like me who can

stop cold turkey and not go through withdrawls when abrubptly

stopping things like hydrocodone or benzos.

I hope this helps some. Feel free to e-mail me and I will share my

experiences. Mark is a custodian of a great wealth of information

about this stuff as well. Actually, Mark has been a great help as I

have begun to deal with this pancretitis issue.

SIDE BAR -- Mark, thank you again for helping me through this

pancreatitis issue. I know I have expressed my appreciation many

times, but I really appreciate your effores and help.

If you are taking benzodiazepines PLEASE check out:

http://www.benzo.org.uk/

Dick

& Alan (Service Dog)

> >> My whole reason for trying to switch from Norco/Lortab to

Duragesic

> > was to get away from continuously popping Norco's and to avoid

the

> > fluctuations in the euphoric feelings

>

> _______________________________________________________________

>

> Hi; I am sorry to interrupt your message but I am curious about

this

> euphoria you said you felt. The docs warned me about that when I

first

> started taking narcotics a few years ago. I have been on all the

> hydrocodone combos, was one demerol and dilaudid for well over a

year,

> then was on the oxy's (hated those most of all) and am now back on

the

> dilaudid and I have never once felt any euphoria. I remember

joking

> with the doc saying " I could use a little euphoria...LOL " . Shoot

sug

> I was lucky to just get enough pain relief to sleep or pick wild

> flowers with my little girl.

>

> The euphoria you felt was that like being high or was it just joy

of

> being relieved of pain. I dont think I ever felt 'high' off of any

of

> those drugs and have often wondered why on earth do so many people

go

> through such great lengths to get this stuff to

take 'recreationally'

> (a term I really dont care for, it gives a positive connotation to

> taking drugs). I am just curious as to what you consider

euphoria. I

> am was/ am quite happy to not be in such pain, but I dont think I

would

> consider that euphoria by defination. I guess its a grey area and

very

> personal. What do you think?

>

> Hope you having a good weekend.

> Warmly,

> christine (SC)

[Guest guest]

Hi Dick, thanks for the response. I am very well aware of the

difference between physiological and phycological addiction. I am a

RN as well as having had to take bookoo drugs myself. I did have

withdrawel after stopping the demerol. I was taking 600-800mgs daily

for over a year. As well as dilaudid 8-12mg daily. I never had

withdrawels when stopping the dialudid. It was a very weird and

uncomfortable feeling and purely a physiological reaction.

I went on oxy for a spell, both of them and had the worse withdrawels

I have ever had. Was literally sick for 3 days, I will never ever

take that drug again. I was only on them for about 10 weeks, it was

awful. I am still recovering from surgery last spring and take

dilaudid from time to time and still have never felt any of this

euphoria. Kind of feel like I am missing out on something here...LOL.

Side bar, I had a total pancreatectomy with auto islet transplant

last November and have been doing wonderfully until I needed to have

some nasty incisional hernias repaired last spring... worse surgery I

have ever had and I have had a ton.

Hope your doing well. What kind of dog do you have. I have 2 border

collies and we have a blast. funny dogs.

Warmly,