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Posted 5/11/2013 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
  I have been on Lortab 10-325 4x a day now for over a year now. They used to help me pretty well thru the day. I had asked the doctor if it was possible fore to take OTC for a while to help out while backing off the lortabs to get my tolerance straightened out. He like the idea but instead he Rx me tramadol's. Anyway now Im also in more pains since Ive had a MAJOR foot surgery and have stopped taking my meds for MCTD. I have an appointment this Mon. and I'd like your input!

  What kind of meds offer relief the same way as lortabs? I think something different but in the same strength category would help. Thanks for your input!!!

Post Edited (Worthit) : 5/14/2013 12:25:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/11/2013 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Jimmy!

Many Dr's script Lortab's as a first for treating pain, and if that does not work, then Percocet generally is the next med tried. It is a IR med and may be an option for you. Please discuss this with your Dr, and I'm sure he will provide you with something to relieve your pain. I'm a bit surprised that your foot surgeon is not taking care of your pain med needs.

SE
Posted 5/11/2013 7:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Jimmy and SE is correct. I am a bit stunned they had you on lortab with your already compromised liver but the oxy ir would be a better option for you as it contains no tylenol.

Sorry to see your not getting relief. Is the tramadol helping at all?
Posted 5/11/2013 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
What was/is your issue with staying on Lortabs? Trying to understand that part first. I have been on the 10-500's for nearly 3 years. I take 6 per day. I am also on the Fentanyl patch, 100 mgm/48 hours. I was on the Lortabs alone for the first year. They are very predictable to me, always work the same way, and I am fortunate not to have any negative side effects from them. I haven't needed to increase the dosage during this time. If they weren't strong enough, you could move up from the 10-325 version to the 10-500. But if you have liver issues, this would have to be cleared by your doctor, of course.

Good luck,

David
Posted 5/11/2013 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply David. I have a number of ailments. Neuropathy, osteoarthritis, MCTD which cause joint and muscle pains including chronic muscle spasms and I was born with abnormal feet ( ridged flat feet with severe hammer toe, over pronation etc.) I am in my 9th week in cast after major foot surgery. I like 1 more week on crutches before gradually putting on pressure until I can feel like I can start walking on it. I'm used to the crutches ''of course they don't help" but I was barely functioning before the surgery. I was on 10/500's for a while but I broke them in 1/2 so the sides wouldn't be so bad then doc put me on more of the 10/325 per day. I just have bad luck with pain meds "always sides".

Anyway I'm glad they're still working good for you David!
Posted 5/11/2013 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Jimmy,

You certainly have a lot on your medical plate, so it is important that all your meds are properly balanced by your doctor(s) to make sure there are no conflicts.

My doctor is amazed that I have never even had constipation issues ever on the steady dose of Lortabs. And I honestly haven't, constipation has never been an issue with me in my life, meds or no meds, just lucky there.

I get little if any sedation effect from any of my meds, none on the Lortabs, my doctor (oncologist) feels that I am very opiate tolerant, and feels safe keeping me on them long term. He said other patients of his would not be able to be on them long term. Different meds work different ways for people.

My wife had major corrective foot surgery years ago, and she had a long and difficult recovery from it, this was going on while I was recovering from major plastic surgery on my scalp after a previous cancer surgery. Boy, we were a mess together. She was hobbling around, and my head was bandaged up with 2 drains coming from it. We can almost look back now and laugh, but at the time it was an ordeal.

Hope you recovery well.

david
Posted 5/12/2013 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a tough time for the both of you!!! I haven't had any constipation issues either but have the itching associated with the meds. I'm just going to tell him that they're not working as well. We had the conversation before but it was my idea. I had asked hi if my liver was healthy enough to take OTC meds to get me off the lortabs enough time to get my tolerance back. He told me not to quit the lortabs completely and prescribed me Tramadol 50mg to help. He liked that idea and agreed that the only alternative would be to go up on my pain meds.
I'm thinking that maybe its not me building a tolerance to the lortabs as much as its possibly that my pains have increased. I will be talking to him about it Mon. He's the best PCP I've ever had and so easy to talk to. I just hope I can find a good way to approach the conversation without him thinking that I'm out to use him.
Posted 5/12/2013 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Jimmy,

I am agreeing again. Very well the scope of your pain increased, and it wasn't sufficient to cover the increase in pain. Same thing with me and Fentanyl. I started at 12.5 and over 1 1/2 years approx., have increased recently to 100. Not because I had gotten use to it, but because the area of my pain had increased over my body and in intensity. I suffer from major nerve damage caused by faulty radiation treatments for my prostate cancer, did a lot of serious and perm. damage to my body, and its not through yet.

david
Posted 5/12/2013 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
David I really hate for you and anybody that's gone and going through the mess that you have!!! Cancers a *****! I got a clean bill on my kidney Wed. I had a tumor removed 4/12 and will be checked every 6mth from now on as well as my liver. Its ALWAYS on my mind! I haven't gone through your hardships with it but my GI told me I'm 5x's the risk on my liver. I know how lucky I am and I appreciate that part of my health as long as I can! I'll be turning 38yr. next month and I'm trying to make this life worth/count for something.
I hope you can whoop that bad dog off soon brother!!! Oh and hope your wifes foots better too!
Posted 5/13/2013 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Jimmy, have you tried taking an antihistamine with the lot tab? My wife says it helps her. I get no SEs from my pain meds just from the cancer therapy . . . Q
Posted 5/14/2013 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Quincy thanks for the reply! No I haven't tried that. My Dr. visit went well. We went over my neuropathy problems and I have an appt. with a different Neurologist. I was also prescribed Oxycodone 10mg for the pain. I was worried about bringing that conversation up because I feel awkward about it. I respect him and didn't want him to think negative of me. He's such a good Dr. I don't want to jeopardise our relationship. I've had Dr.s that rather you suffer than to help you.
Thanks for reading!!!
Posted 5/14/2013 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Jimmy,
Glad to here that all went well and that you Dr. Rxed you the correct strength of oxycodone. Now that is without the APAP, right. I have Hep-C as well as cancer, PCa, and sure don't want anything messing with my liver. Best of luck and Least of pain . . . Q

PS: The Oxy will give you 25% more pain relief than the equal amount of Hydrocodone, i.e. 5mg Oxy is equivalent to 7.5 Hydrocodone. I'm pretty sure on this but let's let the experts sound in.
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