how much pain medicine is appropriate?

[punkewe]

I know it depends on the severity of pain and pain tolerance level. But do you think that 60 vicodin in a little over a month is excessive? I have an appointment with my Uro soon and I am out of pain meds. I guess maybe because I am young I'm afraid the Dr. will think I'm taking them too often. Very few days go by that I don't have pain that requires it. Please, I'd like your honest opinions.

~Punk~

[jen74]

Unfortuately most doctors do not condone taking pain meds regularly at all. It all depends on the doctor you have also. If your doctor is very understanding about IC and what it does to people, then he likely wont have an issue with you taking your meds because you need them.
The only bad thing is that the more you take the pain meds, the more your body will become accustome to them and eventually you will need to have higher doses in order to get adequate pain relief. I have a friend who has severe gastroparesis and has alot of pain and has to be on pain meds all the time in order just to live. Well, after being on the oxycontin for a month it stopped working as good and she had to add another pain med and so fourth. That is the only bad thing about the pain meds. But again, if your doctor is inderstanding and knows about IC, he should not have any issues with you taking the pain meds. Good Luck.
Jen

[humpieumpumkin]

Its only about 2 a day. I dont find that to be excessive. I am not a doctor though. I hope it brings you releif!

Erika

[stac7_8]

My honest reply to that question would be this.....Do you have pain when you take the medication? If your answer to this question is yes....then please don't second guess yourself. If the pain is increasing or worse on some days then others. I would suggest you keep a pain dairy and let your doc know what is going on and when.

I'm not a doc in anyway....stay @ HM mom!!!! The other thing I would say is try to find a Pain Doc. Alot of us on here have them, they can be a blessing to have.

I understand your concern about not wanting to seem like you are a seeker. (that is what we called it when I worked in Mental Health) You just have to be honest with your doctor, if you keep some sort of dairy then he can tell what is kinda going on. Because we can't remember everything. We are human!!!

I take at least 2 a day, if not more. Just depends on the day. My pain doc just started me on Noroco (sp) wich is vicoden but the dosage is higher on the cod part and the tyl is lower. Spossed to be better for your liver. I have to talk to him, only because it doesn't seem to last but only 4 hours and then the pain starts up again but it is really to soon to take....so I wait the extra couple of hours and then take my other pill. But if I'm having a really bad day...I will half my pill. That is only if the pain is BAD. Remember, that I'm not a doc or RN ok

I agree with the other person who said that being on pain meds you build up a tolerance. And at some point you might, that is why it is important to be as honest as possible.

I hope this helped you......take care of urself

[ICNDonna]

If you are needing pain medications on a daily basis, you might want to talk with your doctor about this --- it may be a referral to a pain management specialist is needed here.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[GriffsMommy]

My dr only gives me my vicoden when I'm flaring but the most recent rx that he gave me said that I could take 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours. If you're having pain everyday just about all day then you're going to be taking at least 2 a day if not more. I don't think that's excessive. You just have to tell the dr that you're in pain all the time and need it. You shouldn't have to suffer. Maybe Donna is right, maybe you should ask for a referral to a pain dr.

[humpieumpumkin]

I agree with everyone else! I think a pain specialist could treat your apin better! Maybe the vicoden isn't even the right med for you!? Well anyways, if you hurt, which you do, you have a right to get releif!

Erika