OTC vs. stronger pain meds

[empty1965]

While out of town I cracked some ribs several days ago ago and I am still in quite a bit of pain; especially at night while lying down. I went to a Dr. there and was prescribed hydrocodone which helped tremendously. He told me to see my Dr. as soon as returning home. I did just that and he acted like I was the scurge of the earth for asking for pain medication. He wanted to prescribe me a very high dosage of acementiphen and Ibuprofen of which I was already taking more than is (I just found out) considered safe in OTCs as I had depleted my first prescription (taking it as directed). I just want to know which is worse for your health; taking a prescribed pain med on a short term basis or continuously taking high doses of OTC meds that are not really doing the job to begin with.

Thank you,

[Robert_325]

......................... I just want to know which is worse for your health; taking a prescribed pain med on a short term basis or continuously taking high doses of OTC meds that are not really doing the job to begin with.

The most important part of your question is the word "continuously". Doing almost anything continuously presents a totally different set of potential circumstances.

The attending physician who treated you for your accident prescribed a pain medication that he/she felt was medically proper in consideration of the injuries. There is nothing wrong with helping a patient deal with pain from an injury on a short term basis. Unless there is something you haven't shared here it seems to me that your regular dr may have over-reacted a little about the hydrocodone unless you are a recovering addict or someone who just shouldn't be taking hydrocodone for some medical reason.

Taking high doses of ANY medication on a long term basis has potential for problems. Doesn't matter what it is. God bless.