[tootsie1960]

I have been on Vicodan for 5 years with back surg-neck problems...It is no longer working-what is the next strongest drug that continues without euphoria effect????

[musicman48]

Originally Posted by tootsie1960

I have been on Vicodan for 5 years with back surg-neck problems...It is no longer working-what is the next strongest drug that continues without euphoria effect????

The problem is that all opiate based pain management stops working eventually.You could switch to lortab or lorcet which is 10mg of hydrocodone but it will stop working too.Have you looked in to nerve blocks.That is what is currently working for me and my back is really messed up...Pills just stop working its that simple...You should try detoxing and see if that helps...It is often the case that people experience less pain after they have quit taking pain meds.The nerve block injections are worth checking in to.I guess you realize that you are addicted to these vicodin now.The stronger the pain meds you take ...the harder the detox is...be careful you are heading down a bad road...I am not judging you.....The simple answer to your question is 10mg pills instead of 5mg pills.If you are now taking 10mg pills then you would need an increase in dosage. Oxycontin and mscontin are stronger than vicodin but oxycodone and hydrocodone are both nightmares for long term pain management..Good luck!

[Cats Meow]

The next bump up is usually Percocet.

[tootsie1960]

Thanks for you thought-I know the addiction is there- i don't want to continue this well traveled road. I need to detox and recover-I have to schedule a neck surgery then the pain will be gone but the drugs will still be there in my system-I am going to talk to my Doctors-Internist and Ortho guys and let them know of my dirty secret so they can get me throughtthe surgery then the detox.
Do you really think that percocet is stronger than the 10/325 Vics?
I am really not wanting to up my useage.
But the vics are not the same pain relief anymore.
Thanks again for your time.

[Cats Meow]

Don't confuse addiction with dependency, there's a big difference. Percocet is stronger, compared to morphine hydro is .6 times as strong, oxycodone (Percocet) is roughly 1.75 times stronger. If you're going to be on pain meds for the next year plus ask about something controlled release, perhaps a MS Contin (MS is morphine sulfate, Contin stands for continuous).

[musicman48]

Originally Posted by tootsie1960

Thanks for you thought-I know the addiction is there- i don't want to continue this well traveled road. I need to detox and recover-I have to schedule a neck surgery then the pain will be gone but the drugs will still be there in my system-I am going to talk to my Doctors-Internist and Ortho guys and let them know of my dirty secret so they can get me throughtthe surgery then the detox.
Do you really think that percocet is stronger than the 10/325 Vics?
I am really not wanting to up my useage.
But the vics are not the same pain relief anymore.
Thanks again for your time.

It is obvious that you are not happy being addicted or dependent on pain meds from your posts.Even MS contin stops working after a short while .I know I was prescribed it for 6 months.Ask your Dr about a nerve block.It my be an option for you.

[mpvt]

Vic's are a weak and poor pain killer for chronic pain. A useless drug for pain lasting more than a couple weeks. It's designed to be used short term and not chronically and this is why you have so many people addicted to it.
What you should have been on was a sustained release pain killer and not a weak short acting one like hydrocodone. The tylenol alone is brutal on your guts.
I'm not a fan of oxcodone (percocet) as it tends to give speedy type buzz's which can lead to abuse. MS Contin is the safest sustained release opiate that I'm aware of. Good luck on your operation......Dave

[klopper22]

Originally Posted by musicman48

Oxycontin and mscontin are stronger than vicodin but oxycodone and hydrocodone are both nightmares for long term pain management..Good luck!

Just curious...why do you say they are nightmares?

[musicman48]

Originally Posted by klopper22

Just curious...why do you say they are nightmares?

I say that based on my experience.Hydro and oxy eventually will stop providing pain relief when used long term..Some people "like me" end up taking more and more.It leads to physical and mental addiction.It just stops working.It works for short term but it is not good long term.I guess I should qualify my statement by saying it has been a nightmare for me and several others.The bottom line is they stop working and your tolerance gets built up rather quickly.Good luck!

[klopper22]

Thanks for explaining. I know what you are saying. I am trying to wake up from that myself.