Motor vehicle accident 2009 and have been treating pain with 10/325 Lortab + periodic Epi nerve blocks ever since. I'd say the Lortab lost its efficacy about
16 months ago more or less and the nerve blocks have been largely ineffective.
I've also taken 10mg Oxycodone, Dilaudid 2mg, Fentanyl 25mcg patch and OxyContin 10mg here and there over the past 2 years. I am now taking Morphine IR 15mg qid.
Here is the dilemma; the hydrocodone has really only "just barely" covered my pain beginning in the early days, but when taking Oxycodone 10mg for breakthrough I found even less satisfaction in overall analgesia and they really make me sluggish.
I tolerate the hydrocodone quite well, no lethargy or lack of focus - just that after so long it was clear that a tolerance was coming 'round the mountain. The seemingly natural direction would be Oxycodone from an equianalgesic standpoint, keeping in mind a prevalent tendency to avoid prescribing OxyContin (acknowledging a likely need for an extended release mechanism). I kept having to go back to the reliable, yet lacking in efficacy, Lortab 10/325 - eventually arriving at a "every 4hrs" direction with a single 10mg Oxycodone at bedtime.
Naturally this regimen is simply a worn out inner tube covered with band-aid patchwork to cover the holes.
Ok, so the instances where I tried other drugs such as Dilaudid, Fentanyl etc. Basically the Dilaudid and Fentanyl caused my depression and anxiety to go way out of control. I'm very sensitive to any chemical I put in my body so I am highly in-tune with how these medications impact my overall mood, energy, focus or even euphoria if relevant (typically only if the dose is too high, or during ER crisis intervention.
It seems that the hydrocodone provides the most tolerable combination of side effects, however I've grown overly tolerant and cannot take the pain any longer. Hence the switch to Morphine tablets. I find these essentially provide similar analgesia as Oxycodone (eg: meh), however come with a hefty somnolence and somewhat unfocused and low energy cost.
The Fentanyl and Dilaudid caused horrible recurring nightmares - intolerable - such that I immediately requested to go back to Lortab.
Is anyone familiar with the characteristics I've outlined re: Lortab and the fact that there are no energy depletion, lack of focus or similsrly intolerable side effects versus the stronger opiates? I realize this is all subjective.
How about
Exalgo? Or Opana? Hydrocodone no doubt is a unique analog of morphine which causes the beneficial lack of bad side effects (for me), so does anyone have any thoughts on other variations that might also be without the heavy, dopey feelings that come with Oxycodone or Morphine for example.
I would just prefer something with adequate analgesia and not wrestle with functioning normally.
Thanks in advance :)
Post Edited (Bottomfeeder) : 11/1/2013 11:48:24 PM (GMT-6)