Hydrocodone and Pain: What Users Say

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2016

Hydrocodone for Pain "Was forced to switch from 4 to 6 Norco every 24 hrs. to Hysingla ER 30. I've gotten massive headaches every day in the past 6 wks since starting it, far less pain relief, itching, and swollen abdomen. My Dr. insists I need to stick with it."

• Sug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2015

Hydrocodone for Pain "Changed from several pills a day to the new Hysingla ER. Was hoping it was something I would like better for just once a day. I do NOT like this medication. You cannot control the peaks due to it being time-released and it's unpredictable. Causes my eyes to feel heavy and hot. You cannot drink at all with this drug, it will cause the medication to be released too quickly, possible overdose. I don't like having no control and I was having breakthrough pain as well."

• Tom...
• September 28, 2017

Hydrocodone for Pain "My doc switched me to this due to some issues with morphine sulfate ER 15 mg three times a day. He put me on the Hysingla ER at 20 mg once a day with the oxy 15 mg x 2 for breakthrough pain. Been on it for two days and am in constant pain at a 6/7 level. With the other med, I was 4/5 on bad days. So disappointed, not to mention the cost is more than double for me. Don't know if the dose is just too low considering how long I've been on pain meds. Guess I could ask him to up it to 40 mg and see if that works. 20 mg isn't hacking it at all. So tired of the government sticking its nose into my health."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2017

Hydrocodone for Pain "I've been on this medication for about 4 months now, and I can honestly say it has helped in giving me my life back. I have stage IV endometriosis, a bulging disc that's pressing on nerves in my L4-L5, sciatica, and cervical pain. Before this medication, I was on Nucynta ER, which was crap. I now go to a great pain doctor who promised me that I will get my life back, and they have kept their promise. I take Zohydro 15 mg 2x per day, and Narco 750 for breakthrough, and Flexeril at night. I am now able to sleep at night and make it through the days mostly. I pay a $15 copay because of a prescription card and insurance. My insurance denied it at first, but my doctor advocated for me to them, and they now cover it. I hope this helps someone."

• Mon...
• March 7, 2019

Hydrocodone for Pain "I have tried Hysingla twice with the same results. Absolutely zero pain relief. If anything, it made me a little worse. Should be removed from the market for zero efficacy. Avoid at all costs and save yourself 30 days of miserable pain."

• Tin...
• April 8, 2019

Hydrocodone for Pain "I have 3 autoimmune conditions and a very messed up back. I was on Percocet 10/325 4x a day, which was helping, but neuro put me on Hysingla 20mg and stopped all my other meds, including headache shots. Said this was a miracle drug for all my needs. All this drug done for me is cause more pain and withdrawals. If it works for you, that's great, but some folks have a higher tolerance for meds, so if you're one of these people who does have a higher tolerance to meds, it's not for you. Save your money because the cost is high, and you figure for the price you pay, you'd get some kind of relief."

• Lon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2017

Hydrocodone for Pain "Everyone complaining about headaches and worse pain need to toughen up and wait two weeks before giving up on Hysingla. The headaches and increased pain I think are from Norco 'withdrawal.' Your brain just needs a week to adapt to the new dosing. Those complaining about it taking a long time to start working or not being consistent are, of course, correct. No XR meds are perfect, but they prevent turmoil caused by peaks and valleys of IR meds...and that is worth it long-term. Give Hysingla a chance. The worst thing about my experience is that during titration, the doctors are following guidelines to 'round down' from their Norco dose. That's backwards, the dose should be higher with any XR."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2017

Hydrocodone for Pain "My doctor just switched me from 30 mg of MS Contin to Hysingla 20 mg once a day. Mind you, I have been taking the same thing for over 4 years. This Hysingla is a joke! After 3 hours, I was in so much pain I thought I was dying! Felt like I was going to be sick, and not from the medicine, it was because I was in so much pain. Whoever said this lasts for 24 hours is completely ridiculous. Worst ever!"

• Suz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 20, 2024

For Back Pain "I've been taking Hydrocodone since 2005, but have had low back injuries since 2002! Chronic. I started out on 5 mg/daily, then gradually had it increased. I've got 5 bulging discs in my back. Very painful! I had a car accident in November of 2023 and have felt WORSE since the accident. My lumbar MRI is scheduled this Friday, May 24, so once I get the report, I'll know if I have a new injury or if something's been aggravated. I have 5 bulging discs in my low back, but have had MANY different diagnosis. Anyway, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm now at 5 mgs 3x a day. I take it ONLY AS DIRECTED and very responsibly/cautiously. I seriously believe the car accident aggravated something, but who knows? I'll know next week. Physical therapy only helps so much, and oc, when I'm at P/T, I feel much worse/sore. The heating pad at the very end is worth it! Usually my pain ranges anywhere from a 4 1/2 to a 6 1/2. At its worst, a 7- 7 1/2. Prolonged standing worsens it."

• KIM...
• August 3, 2017

Hydrocodone for Pain "I have been taking the Zohydro 50 for about 8 months now. I started off with the Hyslinga 80 mg, but it was not lasting the full 24 hours, so my Pain Dr. put me on the Zohydro 50 mg twice a day. For the most part, it has worked well... I loved the fact that I did not have to take 6 pills a day to try to manage my pain... And I will say the Zohydro worked a lot better than taking all those pills. My last appointment I got my prescriptions and took them to the pharmacy only to find out that my insurance company... Blue Cross/Blue Shield... Yes, I am blasting them... ended up having to go back on the Hydrocodone 10 mg 6 times a day, and it is NOT working... In CONSTANT pain... So upset about this!!!"

• Bub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2023

Hydrocodone for Pain "At first, this was marginally effective, but only at double the prescribed dosage (20 mg). It stopped most of the pain for about 16 hours but took several hours to take effect. After being on this for about a month, it's doing almost nothing for the areas that are having chronic pain, and now is causing pain and stiffness in my hands, neck, and back, areas where I wasn't having any pain prior to this. Strange thing is, regular hydrocodone works pretty well, with none of the same side effects. Likely whatever is different with the formulation to increase the length of effect is what is causing the increased pain and stiffness. Really disappointing as I was hoping this would work."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2025

Hydrocodone "Because I am fast metabolizing all opioids, my meds need to be periodically either adjusted or changed to something else. I was switched to Hysingla ER 60 with Tramadol for breakthrough three times a day. The H worked the very few days, then, at least after midnight, I am in complete pain and withdrawal. It doesn’t work for me for more than 12-14 hours a day. And Tramadol is not strong enough, nor can I ever wait for 8 hours for a pill for break pain. These rules should not be so, for not everyone is the same. We are each individually different, and our bodies completely act differently to medication and pain."