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Vicodin tolerance question

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Posted 3/30/2012 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on vicodin 5mg (take 1 to 2 as needed) for a year and a half to control the symptoms of fibromyalgia as well as chronic muscle spasms and cerviocogenic headaches. I normally average about 2.5mg to 10mgs a day. I have noticed my tolerance has been increasing and 5mgs does not work as well as it used to (I am allowed up to 10mg at a time but if I take more than 5 I get very lightheaded/spacey and I don't like that feeling) I have been doing some research online about this but the only suggestion I have really read was to switch to percocet, which I am not interested in.

I was wondering if asking my doctor to switch me to tylonol 3 would be a possible option. Im not exactly a cheristry whiz but it looks like the amount of codiene is the same as I am taking now. Has anyone ever tried this and what was your experience.

Thank you
Posted 3/30/2012 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Morning jmw!

….have you tried other med's like Cymbalta, Lyrica…for the fibro? There are many med's out there for pain, and I would advise you to visit with your PCD and or PM about med's that may give you better relief with your symptoms.

I'm not sure I would actually pinpoint a med and ask your Dr for it, unless you have a good working relationship with him/her. I understand full well not wanting to be on Percocet's…as I have been on them for 8yrs or so. MScontin (Morphine Sulfate)..might be an option….but again there are several options out there for you.

Good luck,

SE
Posted 3/30/2012 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Savella for the fibro pain as well as several suppliments such as fish oil, vitamin d3, calcium, malic acid, vitamin b complex and melatonin in the evenings to help me sleep. I am also prescribed soma for muscle spasms to be taken 3x a day but due to drowsiness I can only take them at night.
Posted 3/30/2012 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Jill…have you tried the Fibro forum?….Sherrine is a moderator there…and has done a lot of research on med's and supplements for fibro. She is a swell lady…and I think the world of her!

…..give her a shout, and see what she has to share with you, and keep checking here as well. I myself do not suffer from Fibro, so Im not much use to those who suffer from it.

Take care,

SE
Posted 3/30/2012 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks SE. I am on the fibro forum a lot and you are 100% correct about Sherrine. I thought I should post this over here because it concerns narcotic medication but I will try over there, thank you.
Posted 3/30/2012 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Yep!….Sherrine is a good one..full of wisdom and compassion. wink

Do keep checking here though..as we have many members who suffer with Fibro. When a patient indicates they want to avoid the narcotics for pain relief, then that leaves a limited list to suggest.

…none of us like being on these med's…however, I think one has to weigh whether or not the suffering is worth avoiding the med's that may help give some sort of quality of life. We just need to be careful and make sure you have a compassionate and well qualified Dr and or PM scripting the correct med's for the health issues one may be suffering from.

…you may want to look at some of the homeopathic/OTC supplements as well….and I think Sherrine has a good list of them to try.

…and Jill…you are welcome here anytime!….it makes since to slip in over here on this forum….many of our members use both forums since we all suffer from pain of some sorts.

SE wink
Posted 3/30/2012 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Im not against narcotics. The vicodin was working well, I could take one and it would eliminate about 60% of the pain so I could actually be a functional person but I didn't get any of the side effects. I noticed now the amount of pain relief I get it significantly less but I can't stand the loopy feeling of even taking 10mgs. I use it more to get relief from the muscle spasms and headaches (many of the muscle spasms occur in my neck which is compressing the occitipal (sp?) Nerve.

Im one of those lucky people with no prescription coverage and even taking the Savella is a bit of a financial burden, so many medications my doctor wants to try are way more than I can afford right now (lidoderm patch, skelaxin, zanaflex as well as a few others)
Posted 3/30/2012 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried actual muscle relaxers? Opiates are not meant to target that type of pain....they are more for overall pain relief as it hits receptors that have you "care a bit less" about the pain you have...

Generic Flexeril is extremely cheap...I pay about $18 for 60 pills at Sam's Club.

Anything generic is really cheap....

Also...many Drs. have samples of the Skelaxin....I've gotten many months worth from my Dr.

For me...I got little relief with codeine...and it was too hard on my stomach....so Tylenol 3's just didn't work for me but you just never know it may be something that works for you...

I also don't have health insurance right now so I work with my Dr. and my Pharmacist at Sam's club on finding the best medicines for the cheapest price...

And you do NOT have to be a club member to use the Pharmacy at any of the big box stores....so it pays to call around your area to all the different pharmacies asking them prices on certain medication...

The Sam's club I use is actually less than the Walmart even though it's the same company!

I take 5 different prescription medications and pay about $130 a month for all of them!...

Hope you can find other medicine along with other modalities to help with your pain...
Posted 3/30/2012 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I did try flexoral, however even though I would take it at night I would still wake up groggy (which is not good when you have a 2 year old whose a morning person) I switched over to soma because of the shorter half life. It never occured to me to try Sams club. I live in the boonies and the closest one is an hour away but we still end up there once a month to stock up on the necessities. I will try to call them now to get some prices. Thank you for the suggestion.
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