What does it mean when a Vicodin doesn't help at all?

[zanne]

I've developed bad sacroiliac joint pain. It gets so bad, I literally can't walk. Yesterday, my husband gave me one of his Vicodin tablets. I got goofy as hell, but it did absolutely nothing for the pain. I can't help but wonder what that means. Could it be nerve pain? Anybody out there with a similar problem or experience?

[WestHoustonDem]

1. That's how I am with tooth pain

Now I take Lorcet - which is twice the strength of Vicodin when I have a toothache. That does the trick. But if I'm in a lot of pain, I don't get loopy when I take it.

Definitely talk to your doctor if your pain is that bad.

Hope you feel better! :hug:

[mopinko]

2. paradoxical reaction to pain meds is a hallmark of fibro

fibromyalgia is very resistant to pain meds. gentle stretching, and muscle relaxants help. sacro pain is usually neurological in nature anyway, but muscle cramping is often at the root of it. sacro pain was one of my first really persistent, acute pain episodes, even though i have had fibro all my life. i had an injury further up my spine, but after a few weeks, and some chiropractic treatments, i ended up with sacro pain for several months.
good luck. it took me a couple dozen doctors before i got a dx and treatment that did me any good, at the age of 50.

[flamingyouth]

3. I have a herniated disc at L5/S1

Vicodin does very little for the pain.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

4. Could mean that you need something else

People react differently to different classes of drugs. Perhaps another narcotic or other formulation would work better for you.

Personally, I can't take vicodin- i break out into hives everywhere. Yet, I can take percocet...

[LynzM]

6. I second this.

But also agree with the suggestion below that you should have it evaluated. And, a :hug: for you, I'm sorry you're hurting so much.

[Warpy]

5. It means you need to have that pain evaluated

with a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.

When it's bad enough that Vicodin doesn't touch it, it's bad enough to consider surgery.

[Susang]

7. It means that it's probably nerve pain

Unfortunately, I've got a lot of hard won experience with this. Opiates rarely help with that type of pain, especially a weaker opiate like Vicodin. They can make it easier to deal with and will help with any peripheral muscular pain, but nerve pain operates differently and doesn't really respond to them. You probably need to see an orthopedic surgeon. You'll probably be sent to a pain doc who might use steroid injections, nerve blocks and alternate medications like tri-cyclic antidepressants, seizure meds like Neurontin or Lyrica, and physical therapy.

[ThomCat]

8. It could be that you have a different type of pain.

Vicodin won't do much for neurological or rheumatological pain. And if your pain is bad enough, Vicodin might as well be candy for all the good it would do.

Plus, some meds do go stale and become less effective over time. How old was that pill?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. Vicodin doesn't do much for me.

I took it for tooth pain. It helped but I certainly didn't get high on it.

Whereas regular industrial strength tylenol (with codeine) will get rid of most kinds of pain and improve my disposition as well, although I am still able to function.

[BlackVelvet04]

10. I had back surgery and

Vicodin never helped my pain. Anti-inflammatories work best for my back pain.

[MonkeyFunk]

11. I'm dealing with a bad disc now

(going to the doctor on Monday). Two months ago, it "popped" and a few days later, I was practically immobilized. Went to Urgent Care and they gave me a few days of vicodin which did absolutely nothing. I tried on again last week now that the pain isn't as severe, and still nothing. Not any relief at all.

I'm hoping the doc will be able to find something that gives me some relief. I can't sleep more than an hour or two at a time without waking up in bad pain.

[sandnsea]

12. My son went to an acupuncturist

He tried everything, for months. He finally went to an acupuncturist and left walking straight, and pretty much pain free, for the first time in a long time. Then he changed jobs so he wasn't stuck in a hunched over position all day, which created pressure somehow, I forget the details. He's been in good shape for almost a year now.

[MonkeyFunk]

13. I've heard other such stories

It's tempting to try.

I went to the doc today and got some new meds and a shot in the spine, so we'll see if it improves.