I participated in a year long clinical study for the sustained release vicodin prior to having both hips resurfaced. This drug has the ability to give real pain suffers a real life. The highs and lows are eliminated while a sustained method of pain relief gives the patient the ability to focus and concentrate on work rather than on pain relief and suffering. In the study we were given 4 of the 1500 mg (500 mg released over 4 hours) per day. The down side was the difficulty of getting off this drug after surgery and recovery.
I've been in chronic pain since 1999 and a pain management patient for 11 years now. After a lot of trial and error I've found the fentanyl patch (every 48 hours instead of the 72hr) and the quick release Oxycodone work best for me. Several times over the years I've weaned off of all meds for a few months to clear out everything and see where I am, then gradually go back on the meds. Doing that helps the meds to be more effective again as I don't like the dose tolerance requiring an increase in meds. Also helps me feel like I'm in control of the meds instead of the meds being in control of me.
Thank you for your input. A short acting medication can serve a purpose in someone's life for what I call activity-related pain. For example, the fentanyl patch works good by itself on most days, but one day a person might decide to clean the house. That particular activity is likely to increase the intensity of pain and that would be a good time to use a short acting medication. If a short acting medication, allows you to do more on some days than that is great. I would not advise anyone to take a short acting medication everyday on a regular basis.
A drug "holiday" is also a good idea once and a while to help gauge how effectively the body's own natural pain relieving system can manage the pain once it has a chance to turn back on. I advocate for the use of Suboxone as an exit strategy.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
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I participated in a year long clinical study for the sustained release vicodin prior to having both hips resurfaced. This drug has the ability to give real pain suffers a real life. The highs and lows are eliminated while a sustained method of pain relief gives the patient the ability to focus and concentrate on work rather than on pain relief and suffering. In the study we were given 4 of the 1500 mg (500 mg released over 4 hours) per day. The down side was the difficulty of getting off this drug after surgery and recovery.