[FallenAce]

I have a health issue that has had my doctor prescribing me Lortab for about 7 years or so. Of course, in this time the medication has become less effective and my dosage has been increased. I really don't want to keep this going, but I know that I have to have a prescription of some sort to keep out of the hospital with the result of not being able to stop the chronic pain.

What I'm trying to figure out is if there is a comparable medication that I could have prescribed instead of Lortab, just so I can lessen the impending liver damage.

I know the damage comes from acetometaphin, but I'm already at the near-max dose of Hydrocodone.

I've previously been on darvocet and tramadol, neither one was strong enough. I've also tried Naproxen, a series of muscle relaxers and anything OTC you can think of.

Can anyone tell me about Oxycodone? Is that chemically far enough from Hydrocodone to suit my needs? I know Oxycotton is like morphine, so I'd like to pass on that one.

ANY suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

[melsano]

fallenace, I'm very sorry to hear about your chronic condition. i had short term disability that led me to a place with painkillers that I don't want to be, but it seems that you are very cautious with your intake...i hope you can find what works for you...i just wanted to let you know that oxycontin IS oxycodone - it is just time released. many people make a big deal about oxycontin because they think it is entirely different drug. I think that, if taken correctly, it is safer than regular oxycodone that is in drugs like percocet. it does not contain any acetaminophin. i think you should talk to your doc about getting those prescribe. the danger only come when people chew or snort them because they are releasing all mgs at once. If you take an oxycontin 20 you will receive a five mg dose of oxycodone every four hours, with oxy 40, ten mg every four hours and so fourth...i've never heard of hydrocodone extended relief but i could be wrong. oxycodone is much more powerful than hydro, so be careful. for me it also seemed to wear off a bit faster so that is why time released is also preferred. i'm no expert, but i hope that helps a little. good luck!

[mpvt]

You need to get off the short acting painkillers as they all contain tylenol which will wreck your liver over time.Ask about sustained release opiates.....Dave

[ConstantPain]

i also have horrible pain (hip replaced and both knees)...other than oxycontin, is there any other time-released oxycodone or anything else that will help? i just moved and need to find a new doctor in los angeles. i am so scared to run out. does anyone have any idea of a doctor who will prescribe it for me? i have a few days left and after that...i don't even want to think about that...

[zippysgoddess]

Oxycontin IS Oxycodone, so if you want to stay away from it, you will not want the other. Oxycontin is just a time released version of it, not a different med.

MS Contin is a time released Morphine, taken every 12 hours, some people take it every 8 to 10 hours.

verwon@gmail.com

My information is not guaranteed correct. I do not get them right all the time, but I do enjoy the hunt~

[martyd]

Out of all the pain killers, oxycontin is one of the safe drug to take. Tynlenol is the killer. The only problem with oxycontin is it's very strong. If you have a chart from 1 to 10 --10 beening the high dose. When you take oxy. it gives you a 10 then as the day goes on it drops. So what happens is that you start feeling pain or more like you feel like ****. [Kind of --like taken cocain] You want more. The only other drug that is not harmfull is Kadian. Kadian is pure morfeen and it is time release. One pill will last 24 hours. When you take it, you will feel beter as the day goes on. How to see what dose you need??? One 80 mil. of oxy.= one 50 mil. of kadain. I spoke to Dr.s about this pill and did some checking. You could stay on this pill for long term. Bad side is $$$$
120 pills -100 mil. each --$1,800 that was a mail order. Ride-aid $1400.00. This is the highest dose.. They make 20 mil-40 mil. 50 mil.--60 mil.-80 mil.- 100 mil. If you always have pain, Call your Dr. and ask them about this drug. The ? my Mom or dad would ask me, Is it addictive? Yes I would say. And they would say ooooooo that's no good. Unless that person has pain every day of their life. They would never know what we are going through. The way I see it, I smoke--That's going to kill me before the pills do. One more thing.. The dr.s can put a drug in side of you and it releases every 4 or 8 hours. Kadain is the same drug.. That is what I can't unstand. People or my family would say why don't you go for that surgey that stops the pain. It releases pain meds in you body. Now tell me----do they under stand ???? Good luck Marty