My stomach doesn't tolerate ibuprofen and I have chronic pain, currently taking vicodin.
I suffer from fibromyalgia, a herniated disk, arthritis, and just chronic body pain. I have been taking vicodin for a number of years, even less than what is prescribed. I also take Maxalt for migraine headaches. At the onset, my doctor warned me about the dangers of taking any other products containing acetamenophin, including OTC products. I always ask the pharmacist before purchasing cough medicines and have even asked my doctor for a prescription to make sure I'm not getting any extra Tylenol.
I have an allergic reaction to ibuprofen, causing severe stomach upset, nausea and vomiting. Although I do not tolerate aspirin very well, I do take 81 mg. daily for my heart.
What choices are available to me as an alternative to vicodin. I am also allergic to tape adhesive and cannot use pain patches. I'd appreciate any suggestions you might offer.
Thank you.
One of the best medications for pain is often overlooked--Tramadol (Ultram). This medication is special because it is a weaker opioid, it causes less severe side effects. Plus, tramadol works really well for nerve pain (fibromyalgia, headaches, neuropathy, etc). The medication comes in both short and long acting forms.
In fact, a brand new medication is on the market now that is a good option for those with medication sensitivities. This one is called tapentadol (Nucynta) which also has dual action like tramadol. So, it should work well for nerve pain as well with minimal side effects.
Both of these medications are worth a try for sensitive people who need a different hammer against chronic pain.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
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Joan
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 02:15 AM
Christina Lasich, MD
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 04:23 PM
A doctor should always inform a patient if a medication is being changed. Perhaps, the doctor (or staff) made a mistake and was unaware of the switch.
On to the brain... the brain always influences pain. In fact, without a brain you would have no pain, literally. Brain damage, disease, or imbalances can absolutely be contributing to your pain experience. You might want to consider finding a neurologist (nerve specialist) who specializes in pain also.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
If I am not mistaken, there is no ibuprofen in vicodin, they do make it, but its tylenol in vicodin. As an alternative,if the ultram suggested above do not work(did nothing for me), but it varies from person to person, I am currently on the generic form of Roxicodone, which is Percocet without the tylenol. So that would take care of your worries, and even though hard to find sometimes, cheaper, and more effective for me.
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Joan
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 02:23 AM
Thank you, Hurting!
I have taken Percocet in the past, to no avail. Perhaps my doctor didn't prescribe a strong enough dose, however. Where I am from, it seems the doctors have a phobia about pain medications and only give the bare minimum. I was taking 7.5/700 Vicodin and thought I had built up a tolerance to it because for the past couple months I have been in constant pain.
Last night while filling out the profile for this site, I discovered that my doctor had reduced the Vicodin to 5/500 without telling me. I have been in constant pain and feeling like a dope addict, and afraid to say anything to anyone for fear they would think the same thing. I AM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW!!!!
My question regarding an alternative medication arises from the FDA's proposal to pull all prescription pain killers with Tylenol from the market. I'm just thinking ahead. I really do appreciate any and all suggestions.
Take care everyone and GB!
Safe Medication Use
Learn the safest practices for medication use and what to ask your doctor.
Thank you, Dr. Lasich, for your suggestions. For the past several months I have been thinking that I had built up a tolerance for the Vicodin that I'm taking. I thought I was taking 7.5/700. Last night as I was completing the profile for this site I discovered that my prescription had been changed to 5/500. For the past few months I have been in constant pain, only able to sleep for a couple hours at a time, and only able to sit up or stand for very short periods without excruiating pain.
My doctor says I am not addicted to Vicodin nor am I abusing my medications. However, he has prescribed only 4 tabs per day. For the past couple months I have found myself taking 5 and sometimes 6 tabs per day and feeling like a dope addict because I am not getting any relief.
Should my doctor have told me he was decreasing the dosage? Don't I have the right to know what is going on with my medications? I am so angry right now. I am severely hearing-impaired, but I am not stupid and I have told my doctor that I am in charge of my body.
I have undiagnosed full body tremors (non-epileptic), but he believes that I may have muscular dystrophy and I am currently undergoing testing to determine the cause. I do have lesions on my brain. Could that also be a contributing factor to the pain?