[Mara13]

I have been taking 4 Hydrocodone/APAP 10-500 MG. tabs 4 times a day. It got to the point where I began taking a half more so my doctor suggested I might give sustained released (or is it time released?) pills a try. This seemed very logical because you then don't have the peaks@valleys but an even dosage. I began the sustained release 1's last week. They are called Morphine Sul. 15 MG CR tabs. He said to take 2 twice daily. I thought it best to only start with 1 in a.m.@ 1 at bedtime and then just take 1 or 2 of the hydrocodone throughout the day if needed. I still have not taken 2@ a time of the morphine 1's bcause they make me kind of tired. Today I went to the store@ while walking to the bus stop, I actually felt SO wobbly legged@kinda lightheaded that I thought I was going to pass out. (it is hot@humid but I'm used to it@that has NEVER happened to me before!) My real question now is how strong are the morphine pills when compared to the 10-500 hydrocodone? Maybe I should just go back to non sustained release tabs! My doctor said the morphine 1's weren't as strong as the hydrocodone but I'm not sure that is true for me. Thanks@sorry this is so long~ Mara.K.

[Cats Meow]

Hydrocodone is .6 times as strong as Morphine, so morphine is almost twice as strong, but it's hard to compare a CR to an IR which hydro is. If you graphed out a comparison of the two with MG/time, I think you would see hydro's line above MS's half the time due to its peaks, and MS's the other half the time due to its valleys. A steady titration is better over time, which you should receive with a CR.

[Mara13]

Thanks Cats. I wld just like 2 say I really appreciate your knowledge on these message board forums. You are very knowledgeable@ we are all lucky you're here! I thought you may have left at the time of these postings of mine. So glad you didn't! @ now I have another Q which I will start a new thread for. :~) Thanks again Cats. ~~~Mara.

[Cats Meow]

You are very welcome Mara, I appreciate the kudos.