Alternative to Vicodin and Xanax?

[Rivet Kitty]

Bonsoir tout le monde!

So after the 2 urologists left me in pain for monthes, I finally called my GP (who is over a half away away from me sans traffic and uhhhhh...I live in Los Angeles so traffic is practically a given.) and he took pity on me and gave me more Vicodin and Xanax because

a. sex hurts me TERRIBLY, like it almost wouldn't be worth it except for the fact that I love my hubby to bits and it breaks my heart to not have sex with him (by the way, he neeevverr makes me feel guilty about not wanting it, he's the most supportive hubby on the planet);

and b. because I have severe panic attacks during traffic/long exams/ basically anytime where I'm not sure when I'll be able to get to the bathroom. (I think it stems from a seriously traumatic experience I had during rush hour in down town LA)

Anyway, the Xanax does nothing. I see him on Monday and I want to see if he'll give me something else. I'm pretty sure I have PFD as well (btw, how does one diagnose that?) and he said the Xanax should help relax my muscles, but it doesn't work. I originally asked him for Valium, but he said try Xanax first. Does Valium really work better?n Is there an alternative to Xanax that gets rid of panicness + pressure?

Also, I haven't given up drinking because it's one of the few things on the "naughty" list that doesn't bug me. I've already given up coffee, but I'm worried about drinking (and my drinking I don't mean binge drinking, I mean a glass or two of wine with dinner). Has anyone here talked to their doctor about this before? It just seems so unfair that I couldn't even have a glass of wine with dinner and then have sex. Is there a version of Vicodin without the Tylanol in it? I just don't want to trash my liver.

Lol, I can see it all now....

I just want some semblance of a normal life back.

Anyway, thanks in advance for all your help guys!! (Well, gals. )

A Very Frustrated Kitty

[ICNDonna]

You might want to at least think about giving up the wine for a few weeks to see if that helps. I know I can only have a small glass occasionally and the only kind I can have is white dessert wine.

Donna

[SandyRN]

Norco is hydrocodone with either a small amount, or no tylenol at all. Also, you might want to ask for a low dose of valium. It seems to helps us PFD patients.

[blackcat25]

Hi,
In the UK I have been prescribed generic codeine phosphate tablets without the paracetamol. I was told to take paracetamol as well to make them more effective, but to stagger the doses in order to inprove coverage. I'm not sure if we're quite talking about the same drugs as brand names are different in the UK, but these may be worth a try.
HTH,
Blackcat

[Berkshire Road]

Et une bonne journée a vous aussi, Kitty.

My doctor recently switched me from percocet to plain oxycodone, which is just percocet without the tylenol. She did this because I have never found tylenol effective for anything, and she was concerned about my liver since I take it, pretty much, every day. I am finding the oxycodone as effective as the percocet -- no difference, really. I would imagine that plain hydrocodone (vicodin) is also available, but I don't know for sure.

I have also been switched from Valium to Klonapin. The Valium relaxed me very well; in fact it made me a bit more relaxed than you'd really want to be... Klonapin seems to be less of a knock-out drug for me, and so far I'm pleased with it both for the relaxation of muscles and for the relief of anxiety. It works fairly quickly. But each person's body chemistry is different, so we react differently to different meds. Sometimes you just have to experiment.

However, on these medications I am advised not to drink alcohol. On the one occasion where I had a little wine, I found that it interacted badly with either the painkiller or the tranquilizer, or both, and I became very woozy. So, although I would like to be able to enjoy wine with a meal, I no longer take it because it is not worth the trouble it causes me.

Good luck to you.

[nyyankees20251]

ULTRAM. That is what I would recomend. I take both oxycodone and ultram. Only the oxy during my period because of how horrific they are. The ultram although synthetic I find lasts longer in my system. Versicare also really helps me, even though so expensive I live on samples from my URO. My primary perscribes my pain meds because I have so many other problems. Although she sees me as a pain pill popping addict. I believe people who have moderate to severe IC pain should be given narcotics or ultram as a standard. It is absurd that we have to beg.

Goodluck.

[Steffy]

Soooooooooo Tired!!!!!

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site even though I was diagnosed over 4 years ago. Through trial and error I'm finding what foods....chocolate waaaaahhhh!! and spicy foods just kill me. Today I'm in MAJOR pain.....it's Easter and the stupid bunny left me 2 pieces of chocolate and a pizza!!!! and I'm on a diet!!!!

Anyhoo, is anyone else tired allllllllll the time???? I know the Elmiron just takes time to adjust but for some reason I'm totally wiped out alot lately.

I take vitamins but I'm out of energy by the end of the day and by Friday...I want to sleep the whole weekend. any suggestions on handling the pain and the exhaustion would be greatly appreciated.

Short story:
Single...by choice, 2 sons, 1 in college other self supporting, Christian, watch what I eat and drink....except last night! take Elmiron, no other pain meds, but major high blood pressure and take meds for that, estrogen to kill the hot flashes and to keep me from going insane, in sales and marketing so I drive all over the state, and....that's about it.

Thanks for letting me ask a questions and have a great weekend....and stay away from the chocolate.

Steffy