Vicodin

[Guest guest]

Marcy wrote:

> How about Vicodin? That's what I have. My Rx is 1 every 4-6

hours for pain or as needed, not to exceed 4 tabs in on 24 hr.

period.

Marcy,

What about Vicodin? It, too, is an effective pain medication, if

that's what you're asking. I haven't had any long personal

experience with Vicodin per se, which is hydrocodone mixed with

acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is a semisynthetic narcotic

analgesic with action similar to codeine. My doctor scripted me

two weeks worth of 5 mgs. of hydrocodone after my first attack,

and I thought it was very effective. Then when I met with my first

GI two weeks later, he switched me to Percocet, because

Percocet and Dilaudid were the only two narcotic analgesics that

he had ever prescribed. At that point I didn't know anything at all

about any of the medications, I was just happy to find something

that would help stop the horrible pain I was going through.

As my pain issues increased and the need for a higher dosage

became evident, he switched me to the Percocet 7.5's, but with

this increase came an increase up to 500 mgs. of

acetaminophen, which I wasn't happy about. I was, and still am,

concerned about potential damage to what is now a healthy

liver, as the dosages increased. And then when it was time to

go up to the 10's, the acetaminophen increased to 650 (I

believe). I personally felt this was just too much tylenol, so that's

why I was so pleased to learn from a pain management doctor

that the dosage of 10 mgs. of oxycodone in Percocet was

available with only 325 mgs. of acetaminophen. My doctor didn't

even know this was available. It took a meeting with a pain

management physician to discover this.

I'd still like my new doctor to consider prescribing just the

oxycodone alone, like Bert has spoken of, so I don't have to worry

about the acetaminophen at all. But I'm hesitant to ask, because

sometimes when you stir up the waters, you don't get the results

you're seeking.....and with my luck, because he's so

conservative, he'd want to switch me to something entirely

different that wouldn't work at all. He's already tried to switch my

enzymes to Viokase, which is what some of his other patients

use. I've tried them in the past, though, and didn't find that they

worked well with me at all.

Getting back to the Vicodin, I know it's available in 5 mgs.

hydrocodone/500 mgs acetaminophen and 7.5 mgs.

hydrocodone/650 mgs. acetaminohen dosages, with scedules

of 1 every 4-6 hours, no more than 8 per 24 hours for the 5's, and

no more than 5 per 24 hours for the 7.5's. These are the

recommended dosages per the rx.list.com website. Doctors

may vary from this depending upon a patient's individual

situation. I don't know if they offer a lower acetaminopen content,

the website doesn't mention it, but it doesn't mention the lower

content for Percocet, either. I think all this information would be

available if you were to discuss it with your pharmacist.

If that's what you're taking, and you're happy with the control it

provides, I personally see no reason to make any adjustments.

If you have any concerns, naturally you should speak to your

physician about it.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.