I have had several heart attacks and have 2 stents in my heart. i also have stents in both legs. this is due to vascular disease. i have chronic back pain and have been on lortab 10 for a couple of years - 2x a day. they don't seem to help anymore. i also take plavix,asprin,and a number of other meds. any ideas on what i should ask my Dr. for to help with the pain?
What is the strongest pain medication I can take for chronic back pain?
Question posted by fortunate on 7 Oct 2009
Last updated on 10 May 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
101 Answers Page 5
prism
3 March 2010
Wow, you sure are getting a lot of responses. I'll share a word of advice for what it's worth. I've just spent the last year getting OFF all the medications I was on- numerous ones were for pain. Methadone is extremely difficult to go on and off, can work well- but also can cause you big problems.
I didn't know about the heart aspect- which goes to show you how careful the doctors are about side-effects and interactions (noT- you will have to do this yourself!) Methadone can seriously ruin your teeth. A girlfriend of mine is on a higher dose than I was and she lost all her teeth from it.
All pain meds have high risk factors. One that my doctor told me was so benign I could take it "like water"! actually turned out to be the causitive factor in my daily, mulitiple Grand Mals- (and the Neurologists never caught thaT one either)
You'll hear plenty of horror stories from people on meds. The Best answer is to take only what you absolutely need- and use things like hot showers and massagers, movement- water therapy is excellent for those of us with several 'conditions'. You can even start supplementing your diet to help with your pain. (yes, you really can!) Omega 3's help to reduce inflammation, Vit D. and Vit. B, the litany is long- but it's best to get some guidance as to what your body may exactly be needing.
I am off 4-5 pain meds- two opiate based ones and only using 2 Fioricet and one 75mg. Fentanyl patch for my pain now- a little Flexeril- (a muscle relaxant here and there helps too) and I'm so much better off than I was on sOOOOoo much more meds. -Finding out my body needed a beta blocker surprisingly helped my pain in a round about way- as a heartbeat that is too fast apparently had all my muscles tensed all the time- so, keep in mind the overall picture- (that's something Else most doctors won't do for you!)
Best of luck in your search for help and many pain- free days~
prism
Sacosam
26 Aug 2010
Hi Prism... or "Howdy By God , Howdy"!(;->) I haven't heard from you for a long time... It's good to know you're ok ! ! Sacosam I AM... I AM !
Bobbydenirosgirl
5 Nov 2010
your comment ""as a heartbeat that is too fast apparently had all my muscles tensed all the time" reminds me that when I was on the Norco 10/325 4 times a day , taking 4-5 at a time for any relief, My blood pressure was thru the roof. everytime I would go in it would be like 190/99 sometimes over 200/100. Since I have been off of the Norco and on subs my blood pressure is back to normal. I was able to throw out the bp pills and everything. Made me very happy. But the subs are just helping me cope with withdrawl. I need my pain meds back. Every day is a horrible day, with pain in my feet , legs, back and neck I just want to cry all the time. Dr. just put me on amatriptelyne 1 pill everynight. gonna see how that pans out.
Inactive
3 March 2010
This is a tough question to answer because your heart condition will play a role in your treatment regimen. First of all, I sympathize with you so much. Chronic pain is horrible and no one knows just how much you hurt because people can't see that on the outside like a broken arm for example. I have been on every pain medication I think has ever been made. I was going to a pain clinic when they ask my to try this new pain medication called Avinza (Morphine). It is a time released for over 24 hours. The greatest medicine thats been made. I felt like my self with none of the "far out" feelings or the rebound pain. Now since I am unable to work I can't afford it any more and my doctor put me on time released Ms Contin which has worked fine also. Hope this might help. I truly feel your pain.
mykinzie
28 Feb 2010
Hello. Good question. For your dr tho. I just read you question and the answers to it sound kinda like everyone thinks they have the best idea. Ha. So here's mine: ha ha. Jk. I have chronic disc problems and spinal stenosis. I don't have heart problems at all so I am only sharing my own experience here. I'm taking the Fentanyl patch 50 mcg which is really keeping me able to daily function. This is just me but, I don't like it when people, that aren't doctors, tell you what you SHOULD do. What if it made you have a heartattack?? Most likely they'd just go on with their lives and never even find out either way. And really, that's none of my business, but it does bother me. So when I have a "good idea" I just feel safer saying "well MY experience is:". So I shared my own experience with you, and I hope you ask your doctor the same question you asked here. Marla.
Dynaone
13 March 2012
Marla , I agree with you at the very basic level in your argument. But this is a Q&A support site. People come here to ask each other about their experience and gain insight into the health & meds issues we all face. It sometimes scares the crap out of me the misinformation and even dangerous to the point of life threatining false hoods bantered around... But no one should take info here then put into practice without doing their own research and talking with their doctors first ! To do that... Is to be a fool ! My experience here about 10 months ago changed my life. For the better ! :). While reading through Q&A I discovered that some people suffering with fibromyalgia had been given Nurontin by their physisions and were experiencing the first true pain relief ever ! I am 39 and go back to the days when some doctors said this wasn't real but psycogical . For ten years no doc could diagnose or catagorize my extremely dibilitating pain.
When a rheumatologist finally did he informed me there was no known effective medication or treatment. The standard for the day was to give people like me and antidepressant. This went along with the " it's all in their heads" medical thought. But I refused to hear that ! Because I am a bi- polar and had lived with the pain no matter what phase I was in depressed or manic. When people like me get " manic" we feel like we can do anything ! The pain was still there but my mania allowed me to function at an extremely high level and ignore the pain. But things progressed and in the last five years medical professionals finally came To recognize fibromyalgia as a real condition. Pharmaceutical manufactures developed drugs for it ( bout time right ? ) . No . Their new drugs were just revamped antidepressants !!! But here among all these Q&A I found my answer !! I took that info and did my own research then armed with it I went to my primary care doc. I left with a script and within 72hrs found my first true relief in 20 years ! With 600mgs 3x daily for the fibro. and 1 10/325 Vicodin 6x's daily for my back I've broken TWICE !! I am a new woman ! ! The key here is to learn from each other what's being done by the docs and if anyone of ours has fallen behind reading his medical journals. We can be the informed self- advocating patient who partners with their docs and finds solutions to our unique individual needs . So keep posting !! Just remember to verify !!! Thank You , Dynared ;)
drugretard
21 Feb 2010
fentanol patch .
jus29
12 Feb 2010
i have chronic back problems and i am on 40mg of methadone 4 times a day and roxicodone 15mg 2 times a day.i am only 29 years old and been on this dose of methadone for 7 years
guitaryes
28 Jan 2010
My husband has chronic back pain and he takes oxycodone and morphine.He use to take hydrocodone but the oxy seems to help him better.
jdoggt
19 Jan 2010
the strongest medication you can take for chronic back pain has to be fentanyl.its 100 times stronger than morphine and it is very effective usuall the trandermal way works bes and i think its a 12 hour patch.they also have the fetanl lollipop im not to sure how that works though.i was on it for chronic back pain for 8 months and it was very effective.if this is your fam dr he may not want to go there but if you are in a chronic pain clinic then you have a chance.but they may want to start you on something not as strong,so oxycontin is very effective also..good luck
heckmuck
24 June 2010
@jdoggt... The fentanyl patches last 72 hours in some cases, but I have to change mine every 48hrs. Everyone absorbs meds differently! But that was a very good idea. I use 25mcg fentanyl patch with percocet 7.5mg for breakthrough pain. Great combination for chronic pain relief. May I also add, the fentanyl does not make you high, as long as you aren't taking to high of a dose. I only get very effective, even pain relief from my meds.
missy2
18 Jan 2010
i know there are stronger meds out there but dilaudid 8mg a day is working great for me, i've been in pain for over 15 years until this past tues. when i had a medication change.
cathieredman
18 Jan 2010
You may suggest: fentanyl, morphine, or roxicodone. OxyContin in my opinion is very high risk and addictive. i have been prescribed 2 of the meds for chronic pain. I do not get "high" from them. I believe when a person truly is in chronic pain the meds work in that manner. Those who claim chronic falsely i suppose would feel the high affect... tell your dr. to double check all meds..over counter drugs, vitamins..or so called natural drugs. MOST OF THOSE ARE NOT GOV. REGULATED AND DO NOT HAVE TO LIST ALL INFO. aLSO BEWARE FOODS..DRINKS... can play havoc with meds... Good luck... cath
jasonH
6 Jan 2010
i use to get vicoden when i was under 18 ..i have a crushed disc in my lower back..but now they have moved me up to percocet.5mg..i have to take atleast 2 for the pain to fade away
MSt
1 Jan 2010
The strongest pain medications are obviously injectable (morphine, Demerol, Fentanyl, Diamorphine (only available overseas). Lortab's main ingrediant is Hydrocodone, which is 1 step weaker than oxycodone. 2 per day, even at 10mg+APAP is a very very small dose.
In pill form, Oxycontin 80mg with a "Roxicodone" immediate release 30mg script for breakthrough pain is a good combination, and there are several types of oral Morphine avaialable in time-release and immediate-release form (i.e. MS-Contin, OraMorph etc... ) These all come in oral liquids as well.
It sounds like you need to get with a PAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM/PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR who writes these scrips daily, because 2 Lortabs per day is not going to help long-term (or even short-term if the pain is severe).
LucyGoose
29 Dec 2009
Dear Fortunate: Yes certainly ask your Dr. for help , but listen carefully to those here and their experiences with whatever he recommends, not all work the same for everybody, and unfortunately not all Dr.s give you all the info about the side effects etc. Do your homework, it's your body.
My only advice is don't get on to OXYCONTIN !! I am an addict, it has ruined my life. I do respect and trust my Dr. very much, but her knowledge and experience with patients using the drug unfortunately was not complete. She allowed me to progress from 5mg percocet to 120mg Oxycontin. I should have questioned it. Good Luck
tarvesen
29 Dec 2009
I was taking OxyContin 10 mgs at night and 20 mg during day and 10/325 percocette for breakthrough. I have chronic headaches and degenerative spine. Have had severe pain in head, neck and back for years. I am 60. My Dr one day, 9 years ago, said he thought I had been on opiates for too long and would no longer prescribe them for pain. They did work. I started to go through withdrawal so went to treatment and was put on liq.methadone and 9 years later am taking 120 mgs daily of liquid. The methadone did help some for pain but I had terrible breakthrough pain. I went to another DR and he put me back on the oxycontin and percocette same mgs as before. My meth clinic did not have a problem w/me taking the codein as long as I had a RX. In October we moved to another state and the meth clinic will not let me take codein.
So I went off all of the opiates except the meth and I am in so much pain in my head, neck and back that I can hardly stand it. So don't rely on the meth for pain control, it doesn't help that much it is only for withdrawal from opiates. I would go on a slow release like oxycontin (and don't take more than prescribed) and percocette for breakthrough. Maybe something for the anxiety from all of the pain for short term or if long term, a low dose. I personally am going to find a Dr who will take me off the meth and go back on the pain pills for the pain. That is all that has ever worked. I hope this helps and I hope I can find a Dr that can help me too.
mauityme
30 Dec 2009
Hi tarvesen,
I just joined this website to hopefully ask some questions of my own and I saw your post and my heart goes out to you. I, too, have suffered from chronic back pain as well as inoperable knee joint pain and I have been on oxycontin for nearly 15 years now and am managing my pain quite well with the help of a pain specialist. I highly recommend that you find one that your insurance will cover and let him help you. Before I went to a pain clinic, I went round and around with doctors and especially their nurses who think I was over stating my symptoms and just wanting to be medicated with narcotics. It was so VERY frustrating and I was about to give up on ever having a full life again. The doctor I have now sees me on an every 3 month cycle where he gives me an exam and we talk about how I have been doing since I saw him last.
He tells me about new pain control measures that I might try if and when the narcotics are no longer an option, but honestly, they are giving me very good relief with very few side effects. Please don't confuse addiction with dependence, because with all narcotics, your body will become tolerant to any dose if given for a very long time. I have had my dose adjusted 5 times in 15 years, which my doc states is a steady and manageable increase overall. If you look in your hospital MD directory or have your primary care doctor refer you to a pain specialist who can sit down with you and go over a treatment plan specifically set up for you and your own unique circumstances and degree of pain you are having to live with. No one should have to give up on enjoying a good quality of life because of chronic pain and at 60, we still have our "golden years" ahead, right! Finding the right doctor for the right problem is all you need to get back to life. Good Luck!
sasher
20 Oct 2010
I love the "You've been on them too long"... as though you were somehow going to be fine without them. I was on Oxycontin until the local newspaper reported over 300 deaths from it. (State medical examiner found 1 - and it was a maybe). In the face of this publicity, I was taken off not just Oxycontin, but ALL pain meds. "You're too young to take pain meds" my doctor said. As though there were some magic age when pain becomes real.
Bottom line - when you hear something that makes no sense, get a better doctor.
Wickedwahine5
21 April 2011
Big problem - You cant get a doctor to prescribe Methadone! You have to go to a drug clinic where you have to earn steps in order to take home the medication. It takes almost 1 year before you can take home 1 week of medication. I have never heard of getting a 1 month prescription for methadone and certainly not one for 400 mg as osmeone earlier stated. The highest take home dose of Methadone by law that you can take home must be under 100 MG and that is only 1 weeks worth and you have to report to a clinic once a week and be drug tested monthly! Methadone is not a prescribed medicine for pain it is used to get people off of heroine! Get it right people dont mis-represent the facts to others who are very hopeful of finding help. In this day and age it is almost impossible to find a doctor to control severe and chronic pain they just dont believe you! I have suffered for over 10 years now and still cant find the right medication or a doctor to help.
If you can help me find someone Id appreciate it. I live in Fresno CA if you have any ideas. Thanks and good luck to the rest of you.
donsc03
20 Dec 2009
While as a firm beliver or use to be in opioid based medicines being the best thing for pain until I realized after being treated for the same thing "chronic back pain" for over 10 yrs of being treated by a pain management center and first being prescribed an opioid based medicine thinking I was atop the world when I could walk and function again well after a while the lortab 5 mg quits then they raise it to 7.5 then 10s the percocet they got you where they want you instead of being your doctor who cares for you they become your personal drug dealer I have just now found out recently and I mean very recently about methadone and I am currently on 20 mg per day yea 1 time a day and I have found it very much easier to function you dont get high like on pills and feel zero pain pain medication had ruined me made me lose trust in loved ones and of all tyhings it was more important for me to take pills than to live because all those pills kill ...
your liver so in my opinion methadone is the way to go and good luck I have been there and done that ...
brenda fain
19 Oct 2010
methadone didn't help my pain and i have liver problems .now i am on narco and it helps some of the time .my pain doctors says narco wont hurt the liver as much as lortab although they are about the same medicine .i am scared of meds because i had kiddney failure due to meds !but i am tired of pain too!
mitjason
19 Dec 2009
It depends on the dosing. Fentanyl has the lowest dosing of any other opiate/opioid available to date that makes the most effect. Example. 2.5mg of Fentanyl equals approx. 25mg Oxymorphone, 32.5mg of Hydromorphone, 32.5mg Oxycodone. Fentanyl is 80 to 100x more potent than Morphine.Hope this helps.
Related topics
lortab, heart attack, heart disease, pain, back pain
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- Side effects of Lortab (detailed)
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