I need painkiller advice (drugs)

[Lindsey]

Are vicodan and percodan EXACTLY the same? If not, what's the difference in terms of the way they make you feel? Thanks! :-)

[mw]

1. Ask Rush. He'll know. nt

nt

[Frodo]

4. I was going to say "you beat me to it"

But you probably beat half the board to it.

[Bozola]

2. Have you tried calling in to Rush's show and asking him?

I'm sure he's an expert.

Sorry, I don't know.

[Heddi]

3. Your best bet

would be to call a local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist. :)

[short bus president]

5. ask a doctor or pharmacist, for chrissakes,

not the DU Lounge. It is unwise to seek medical advice from strangers online.

[Padraig18]

6. They're different, but both synthetic narcotics.

Both will knock you out, somewhat.

[flamingyouth]

7. Percodan is stronger, I think

I had kidney stones and surgery a few years ago. I got percodan with that and it worked pretty well. Vicodin is given more often, I think. I find that it makes me a bit sick to my stomach, but other people like it.

I don't know what kind of pain you're dealing with, but for my fibromyalgia I've been prescribed Bextra, which is a relative of ibuprofen. It's pricey. Sometimes your insurance will cover it, sometimes not. For my muscular pain, I really love it because I can drive and work on it without any narcotic effects.

At any rate, I'm sorry to read that you are in such pain. I do hope you feel better soon. My thoughts are with you. :hi:

[BlueEyedSon]

8. http://www.rxlist.com/ is pretty good. nt

http://www.rxlist.com/

added clickable link

[Heddi]

9. Vicodin and Percodan

Vicodin is made from Hydrocodone and is for moderate pain

Percodan is made from Oxycodone and is for moderate to severe pain.

You get a Vicodin if you get a tooth pulled

You get a Percodan if you have surgery, or torn muscles, or are in major pain.

Again, ask a pharmacist.

Both are addictive---A year ago I had back surgery b/c of a herniated disc which caused severe sciatiaca. I was on both percodan and vicodin, as well as about 5 other pain meds. Happily, I only took the meds for about a month before I had surgery---but even then, you do become addicted to them, and if you take them for any extended period of time, you may experience the need to take more and more than you did previously because they don't 'cut the pain like they used to' (in reality, your body is building up a tolerance to them).

If you take them for any length of time, wean yourself off of them--don't just STOP or else you may find yourself like I found myself---unable to sleep for 3 weeks or so for more than 15 mins at a time.

Also, I can't remember which one....but one of them causes massive constipation. If you're on them, take metamucil 2x's a day to keep yourself regular.

But again, ask a pharmacist. They'll know

[drdon326]

10. A L L Narcotics cause constipation.

:)

[Lindsey]

11. You guys are great!

I actually have no faith, or trust in doctor's or pharmacists. I actually do trust "regualar folks", like those of you here on DU, regarding their experiences - but you did crack me up (school bus poster) about "why the hell are ya asking us instead of a professional!" You have a good point. Btw, I tried calling Rush but his lines are just too busy. Ha!

[geniph]

12. I don't much trust doctors

but I do trust pharmacists. I think doctors are basically mechanics; they're good at fixing broken pieces, but most are pretty poor diagnosticians. Most nurses are better diagnosticians, because they spend more time with patients, in my experience, and many patients aren't particularly good at articulating what doesn't feel right.

Pharmacists, because they specialize, generally have a pretty good idea of what chemical compounds do what, however, a big caveat to that - every one of us is a unique mixing vessel and will have completely unique reactions to whatever is added to the existing broth. That being said, percodan is quite a bit stronger than vicoden, and is generally only prescribed post-surgery or for other occasions when severe pain needs to be controlled. That's one drug I could develop a problem with; luckily, it's not easy to come by. I'm much too fond of it.

[rasputin1952]

17. Excellent point...

Pharmacists are chemists, tehy actually have tougher schooling than MD's. That is why they are such a wonderful adjunct to MD's. Many a life has been saved because a Phamacist has caught an MD mistake.

Your take on nurses is correct as well. People are generally afraid of MD's, but nurses are trained to CARE for their patients. I have worked in the medical field, and have the utmost respect for PA's, RN's and LPN's. I have seen nurses come to near breaking points, but they always persevere. Then, they are treated like crap by many MD's because of the 'caste' system we have in medicine.

I could tell you funny stuff, and some stuff that would scare you so you couldn't poop for a week! but I'll spare you for the moment.

:hi:

[rasputin1952]

15. As stated by Heddi above...

with a couple of additions:

Vicodin is a Schedule III narcotic, Hydrocodone 5mg and Acetominephine
(Tylenol) 500mg.

Percodan is a Schedukle II narcotic, Oxycodone 5mg, alsalycilic acid (aspirin) 325mg, and phenatcitin 5mg.

Percocet is a Schedule II narcotic, Oxycodone 5mg, Acetominephine 325 mg

Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are both semi-synthetic narcotic analgesics based on codeine.

They are extremely habit forming, but, if taken for pain, work quite well at supressing the pain. A step up is morphine sulfate, then Dilaudid, Oxycontin (a semi-synthetic morphine based narcotic). At this point the last option is Fentanyl, which is so powerful it is dosed in micrograms, not milligrams. Fentanyl patches are used on terminal cancer patients to ease their suffering. (It is transdermal in the patches). It is also used in anesthesia before surgery, IV.

OK.....now after all of that; be SURE to check with a Pharmacist before taking ANY medication you may be unsure of. Also, and this is VERY important, make sure the MD and the Pharmacist know ANY other medications you are taking! Most won't interact, but a few may, and the results could be disastrous.

Finally...whatever you may be taking these meds for, I hope the procedure goes well for you, and you are going to be OK!

O8)

[Westegg]

13. painkillers

Yeah, Percodan is slightly stronger and yeah, like the other guy said, you can build up a minor addiction in as little time as a week. And it's no fun getting off them. Be careful! I recommend always having the most recent PDR (Physican's Desk Reference) on hand, as it will give you details most doctors don't have the time to go into with their patients (though they should). You can read up on the meds and then ask your doc specific questions.

As recreational drugs, Percodan and Vicodin aren't worth the trouble they cause---unless you like being mumble-mouthed and dull in public. But when it comes to post-op pain, yep, they sure do work.

[MissMillie]

14. take on a full tummy

to keep from feeling nauseous

[rasputin1952]

16. I had to chuckle when I saw your...

poppies after this thread on narcotics.

You are correct though, something to eat is a good idea. Nausea is common, and with the aspirin in Percodan, it helps to keep the acid from burning a hole in your stomach.

O8)