Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen to Fentanyl, accurate perception?
I have 2 herniated disks in my spine which contributes to 24/7 affliction and I am hesitant about have surgery on my spine at the moment. I am a bariatric patient so when I take a pills it does not stay in my system as long as a non-bariatric patient, it cuts bad about 2 hours sooner. At first I was put on Vicodin 5/500 (1-2 tab every 4-6 hours) for the first month and I had to take more of the 5/500 tab for it alleviate the pain and have a theraputic effect on me. I be then moved up to Vicodin 7.5/750 (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours) and it didn't do much for me so my doctor put me on Norco 10/325 tabs (1-2 tab every 4 hours) it helped but then eventually it stopped working and immediately I am taking 8+ Norcos in a 24 hour period. My doctor have prescribed Fentanyl 25 MCG/HR and I hear that it is about as strong as morphine and it leaves you feeling drowsy, etc. My quiz is will I be able to do things like run to school, etc. once I start taking Fentanyl? Since I take 80+mgs of hydrocodone a afternoon should I wait until the vicodin is out of my system before I start using the patch or will I be okay to start it immeadiately? I am really a bundle of nerves about taking it but it's been almost a month since I hold been able to sleep surrounded by my own bed. Thanks for the help ahead of time.
Answer: I have fibromyalgia and have a very bad flare up beside it about three weeks ago. I was taking tramadol next to hydrocodone for the break through pain but there be never a time that I was not without cramp. I always hurt but just not as much. I never realize how much I did hurt until my doctor decided to try me on the duragesic (fentanyl)patch. I use to have to rouse up thirty minutes prior to even trying to walk in the morning and steal my medication. I don't have to do that now. I enjoy a steady stream of medication going through my body and I don't have any adverse reactions. Tramadol made me hyper and in attendance was no way I could cart them after 6pm at night if I wanted to sleep. If the headache got bad during the darkness then I would take a hydrocodone. But next one night my legs hurt so bad it truly feel like my stomach muscles did when i was have contractions during childbirth. I was crying they hurt so bad. The awfully next day I saw my physician and she started me on the fentanyl patch. I can not believe how much better I be aware of and no I do not feel drugged out. I can actually function resembling a normal human being, I can dry-clean the clothes and clean the house and walk around the block. Things that some associates take for granted but if you suffer from a severe case of fibromyalgia these are some of the things that you can't do if you hold an advanced case. I would recommend you try them at least. What do you enjoy to lose. And no I did not wait until my other medication was out of my system. That make no difference. Alot of doctors that I have worked with sometimes endow with patients hydrocodone or morphine for breakthrough pain when the patient is using the patch. (mostly cancer patients). I yearning you luck. Trust me, life is far too short to live it hurting the way I did. I thin so many years thinking I was tough and I could batter this disease. I couldn't beat it but I can sure knock those symptoms out..
I'm so sorry that you've had this injury. I hold had two back surgeries and one nouns surgery because of herniated discs. These were done only after exhausting every type of non-surgical treatment/therapy and taking meds for years. If you enjoy nerve inpingement that can be corrected by disc fusion by a neurosurgeon then I would strongly recommend going that route. It's much better than getting hooked on drugs and have them turn you in to a zombie and running your life. Those are both enormously strong pain medications. However, you seem to be to be thinking with a very plane head about this drug. If it were me, I would cut back on the Hydro, continue about 4 hours after putting anything in your system, consequently use the patch. Use any of the hydro you have left as a breakthrough medication, BUT, one and only take 1 or possibly 2 of the Norco while on the patch- 1 will probably do it. You do have to take care of addiction on both. If you are really concerned and none of these answers help you then ask your pharmacist or your doctor. Hope you bring to feeling better and enjoy a apposite night's sleep in your bed. Good luck.