i just got out of the er and i have a broken collar bone, bruised ribs, broken ankle, and relocated and sprained left hip (it was dislocated but was put back into place.) i tried one, even two of these pills and they aren't making the slightest difference. should i ask the doc. that prescribed them for a higher dosage? or should i just take 3 (not above the 1k mg of acetaminophen at 3)
How much hydrocodon acetaminophen 5-325 would it be safe to take at once?
Question posted by mikey545 on 24 April 2014
Last updated on 24 October 2016 by joannewal
Added 25 April 2014:
i appreciate all the help guys ^.^ got some oxy from doc,still sore every now and then but much better than the 5-325's
4 Answers
joannewal
24 Oct 2016
How many pills are safe
Kawasakizx14
24 April 2014
Your going to hurt for a while so you need to get to a Doctor that is going to treat you for some time. I recommend your primary care Doctor or an Orthopedic Surgeon if you have not already seen one. Because of new changes int he law the ER's are restricted to what they can prescribe, very restricted.
You should be on the 10-325 to begin with, not the 5-325. Don't wait either, the longer you wait the longer you will suffer. You do have another option if the pain is just unbearable and that is to go to the ER for pain control and they can admit you with IV meds until the pain level decreases enough where you can tolerate it.
kaismama
24 April 2014
There really isn't a law on what can be prescribed for acute pain. Its just this darn attitude we're all drug seekers and the fear of the government.
Kawasakizx14
24 April 2014
Yes it has become incredibly unfortunate for people whom needs the medications that are readily available but physicians just wont prescribe them, that is if their license will allow it.
When I broke my neck in 2006 I broke many other bones with it in a motorcycle crash, and I was hours away from home. They kept me in the hospital overnight for pain control and then the next morning released me on Vicodin and nothing else. My wife literally drove me from the Hospital I just left to the Hospital nearest my home so I could be treated correctly and by my Primary Care Physician whom had privileges there.
What makes me so angry these days is that these people do not know what it is like to be in so much pain your out of your mind, can't function, and can't even hold a conversation. There are a great deal of new drugs on the market that can be prescribed to help people but they are limited to only the Physicians that specialize in treating Chronic Pain.
I myself now have a Primary Care Doctor whom herself walks with a walker from a back that is similar to my own, she can relate to what I have suffered through and has a little understanding and compassion.
DzooBaby
24 April 2014
There are NO new laws about giving meds in the ER or anywhere else! That is BS! Any Dr who tells you that there is a new law keeping him from prescribing adequate meds is LYING to you! There is no LAW, there may be physician's guidelines but those are merely SUGGESTIONS to physicians and the newer guidelines discourage opioid use. Doctors will tell you that they are flat out terrified of being targeted by the DEA so they refuse to write for adequate pain meds to stay off the DEA radar but there are no LAWS anywhere that prohibit any doctor from writing for prescription meds or any LAW that prevents pharmacists from dispensing them. It is completely up to the doctor or pharmacists discretion and most of them choose not to write for what they KNOW are not adequate pain medications!
DzooBaby
24 April 2014
At least not here in the United States. I cant speak for other countries but there is no law that prohibits use or limits prescribing of pain meds in any way other than the Controlled Substance Act that has been the same since the 1970's!
Kawasakizx14
25 April 2014
I don't know what State you live in but I would like to let you know the laws very per state.
Here is the Texas State Opioid Policy making it law.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 21, Part 9, Chapter 170
DzooBaby
25 April 2014
OK, I just googled that and there is NOTHING in there that LIMITS how much they can prescribe. All it states is that they have to do a history and physical, they have to have a written treatment agreement telling what the medication is for and how it relates to the chief complaint, any diagnostic testing planned or considered, other treatments planned or considered, plan for periodic review, treatment objectives and goals. They must have a written and signed informed consent telling you these drugs can be addictive and all the side effects, potential for addiction, potential for withdrawals, and they impair your judgement and motor skills, and telling you to stick to your dose. They have to write out an agreement as far as your responsibilities like urine drug screens when requested, using one pharmacy and getting these drugs from only one physician, and the frequency and amount of refills and reasons that drug therapy can be discontinued.
They have to periodically review your case to be sure the drugs are still needed and the best course of treatment (which can include changing the dose higher or lower as decided by the physician). To continue or modify treatment as necessary based on the patients progress or lack there of. To consider talking to family if HIPAA allows (they have to get your permission to talk to your family). They are required to refer to substance abuse counselling for those who require it. There is still NOTHING in there that LIMITS how much drug or which drugs a doctor can prescribe!!! Almost ALL states do the above. This is pretty much consistent with the guidelines. So Texas just made it law but I read the whole damn thing and there is NOTHING in there that prohibits them from giving you any certain drug in any certain amount.
DzooBaby
25 April 2014
As long as they follow these guidelines or laws they can prescribe anything they want! Everyone seems to misinterpret this. Just because it says it is an "opiate prescribing law" doesnt mean they cant give adequate pain meds. The perception is "If I give too strong a pain med or prescribe too often, it may put me on the radar" but there is no law that prevents them from prescribing stronger drugs. They have to jump through some hoops to do so, and many Drs prefer not to have to do the extensive paperwork described in your Texas law, but there is absolutely NOTHING in that law that says a Drs cannot prescribe strong drugs in an adequate amount to treat pain.
DzooBaby
25 April 2014
Also I am licensed in AZ, MO, CA and OR. I am well aware that some laws very from state to state but there is no LAW in this country that tells a Dr he cannot prescribe strong drugs in adequate amounts to treat pain! Yes, there are certain requirements to justify his prescribing. You show me exactly where it states in that Texas law that he is limited to prescribing only certain medication or limits on amounts!
DzooBaby
24 April 2014
Dont take more than prescribed. If it is not working, you need to let your Dr know. You may need something stronger.
kaismama
24 April 2014
With all those injuries particularly the hip, it was a stupid thing to order in the first place.
kaw06
24 April 2014
I absolutely agree! What kind of doc would do that? probably a nurse practitioner.
kaismama
24 April 2014
No an er doc, they think everyone in pain is drug seeking. Don't cut done nurse practioners, I'd trust mine more then a dr.
DzooBaby
24 April 2014
Yes, hydrocodone is probably not going to "cut it" with these injuries. I stand with KM that it was probably an ER doc. They figure to give the least amount of drug they can. My mother fractured her humerus and they gave her freaking tramadol at the ER. When she finally got to the orthopedic they gave her Percocet. This poster should have been given, at the very least, Percocet as well. I also stand with her on NP's. NP's and PA's are often a LOT more attentive and informative than a doctor any day! The first pain clinic I went to used PA's and NP's and they were always more generous and compassionate than the MD I saw there! Never id the NP's and PA's because 9 times out of 10, you will get better care from them than your MD.
DzooBaby
24 April 2014
Never dis the PA's and NP's (that should read above!)
kaw06
24 April 2014
Yes, I can only speak for the ones where I live.
kaismama
24 April 2014
Don't go over what is prescribed, you'll run out too soon. Contact the dr and let him know.
Related topics
pain, fracture, bone, muscle pain, acetaminophen, hydrocodone, bones, bone
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