Lortab?

[lisabar36]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone takes Lortab? I heard from several people that they can tolerate Lortab but cannot tolerate Vicodin. I researched this and it seems they have the same ingredients, but with lortab you can get less acetominophen. If anyone takes this with success, can you please let me know. They have so many different doses and it says its generic for vicodin, but a few poeple told me they can tolerate that over vicodin. That Vicodin makes them tired and nauseous and Lortab does not. I am wondering if anyone else experienced this. Thank you. :)

[hdb1982]

Lortab is name brand not generic. There are different doeses of tylenol available. Vicodin is name brand as well. I take lortab 10/650 4 x day. I can not take vicodin because it gives me horrible headaches. I am not sure why b/c it has the same main ingredients as Lortab. Maybe it is the fillers used, I dunno. Like I said though, I can not take vicodin b/c of the headaches but have taken Lortab for years without problem. Maybe it would work for you. I know you have been suffering and hope you find relief soon.

The generics for both is just hydrocodone and acetominophen

[mlzippy7]

hdb1982 is correct. I double checked my nursing drug guide and the Lortab and Vicoden are brand names for hydrocodone with acetaminophen. There are actually quite a few more brand names for the hydrocodone with acetaminophen available.

Any way to answer your question I can not tolerate either one. I have tried in the past and they both make me vomit and really sick.

I hope you can find something that helps you.

Take care

[snowgirl]

Lisaa

Only difference is one of them has less tylenol like 250mg less a pill. Vicky

[windchaser]

i take lortab 10 and have also taken vicoden, i didnt have a problem with eithermed but i guess everyone is different...

[hdb1982]

Lisaa

Only difference is one of them has less tylenol like 250mg less a pill. Vicky


Lortab and Vicodin both come in different strenths of tylenol. 500mg or 650mg. Another brand of hydrocodone called Norco has less tylenol, it comes in 325mg.
Loratb and Vicodin come in 2.5/500 5/500 7.5/500 10/650. Norco comes in 5/325 7.5/325 and 10/325.

[Claredale]

I take Lortab. When I took Vicodin, I didn't feel I had the same pain relief. I have been on Lortab either 7.5 or 10 mg for more than a decade. I tried other meds like Percoset and Ultram (definitely didn't work) and Demerol and morphine (after my surgeries) and always went back to Lortab. For me, it's predictable and I take it before I get past a certain point on the pain scale and it always takes away my pain. When I used to have flares, my doctor gave me enough to take every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours. He also said to take amitriptyline which would help the Lortab work better. I also take Soma, but now without the aspirin in it. I don't take it as often, but when I used to flare, it was a huge help.

I hope you find something that works. I fought hard to stay on Lortab since I can continue on with my life since I don't have any side effects from it, especially when my pain was so much to deal with, but with the understanding of my last 2 doctors and my fight to be as "normal" as I could, I am glad that I stuck to my treatment plan. I used to have my liver checked quite often due to the tylenol and ibuprofin in my meds, but since I have decreased my meds so much, my doctor said that he would only do a liver function test once a year now since they always came back that I was doing well on my meds.

hdb, I am glad that you add to your medications of your family's unconditional love. That is so nice to hear! I too tell my hubby as often as possible that he is my best medicine. Even when I don't wan't any "dosage" whatsoever when I am in one of my moods, he has a way of making me feel better.

T83

[hdb1982]

Tracey,
I don't know if I would have progressed as far as I have if it weren't for my family. Especially my hubby. Not only is he a great provider financially, he is awesome around the house doing housework and I don't have to ask he actually does more than I do. He is also very involved in our daughters life. He will get my medicines for me and run me a hot bath everynight. One thing he does that I think is very important for me to heal is making me slow down and take a break. He practically has to force me to. He will notice me limping and babying my stomach and make me stop what I am doing, I won't even realize I am doing it. It did take him a while to come around. He wasn't use to me having any limitations b/c I am very hard headed and stubborn and for me to say I can't do something totally threw him off. But since my dx 2 years ago he has come a long way, I even catch him browsing around here sometimes!

[Claredale]

Tracey,
I don't know if I would have progressed as far as I have if it weren't for my family. Especially my hubby. Not only is he a great provider financially, he is awesome around the house doing housework and I don't have to ask he actually does more than I do. He is also very involved in our daughters life. He will get my medicines for me and run me a hot bath everynight. One thing he does that I think is very important for me to heal is making me slow down and take a break. He practically has to force me to. He will notice me limping and babying my stomach and make me stop what I am doing, I won't even realize I am doing it. It did take him a while to come around. He wasn't use to me having any limitations b/c I am very hard headed and stubborn and for me to say I can't do something totally threw him off. But since my dx 2 years ago he has come a long way, I even catch him browsing around here sometimes!

I too am so grateful for my husband. My signature used to say that my husband definitely meant his wedding vow in sickness and in health. I have had IC the majority of our married life and two active young sons when this all started. He too does most of everything. He doesn't run my bath for me (maybe I will suggest that! LOL), but he always makes sure I have my meds, goes to as many appts as he can, especially if I am having problems since I tend to cry when I am afraid Like today, he washed all the clothes from the week, did the dishes from lunch and dinner. I actually cooked today. Chicken and dumplings...like that is a hard meal, but great for a snowy day like today. It's also one of my younger son's favs and he left to go back to college this afternoon, so I wanted to fix him something before he hit the road back to college.

When I was first diagnosed with severe IC. I had mild/moderate IC for a few years and still tried to live as normal as possible. When I was diagnosed with severe IC, I wanted to just sit and feel sorry for myself which I did for a short time...it just goes with the disease. We went to a counselor that my doctor suggested. I actually used to get mad at him because he was so helpful. I was watching his life continue on career wise and mine was falling apart. That was so hard for me to handle. I also had such an OCD type personality. My house was kept clean, I worked full time and was moving up in my career even without a degree, I had a job that most people had to have a degree to have as an insurance adjuster. Anyway, with the help of my husband, I learned to do what I could and be happy about it. Not to worry or stress about what I couldn't do, but be thankful for what I could do. That as it turned out to be a huge part of me feeling as great as I do now. I know meds helped me too, but it also takes so much more than meds. Without my husband, I know I wouldn't be able to be as happy as I am. He has also prayed for me "out loud" which is such an awesome thing. It's wonderful to know that people are praying for you and tell you so, but to actually hear someone pray for your health and well-being and for my faith to remain strong through this disease is such an honor.

Hugs,
Tracey

[mlzippy7]

Hi Lisa
When I took Lortab I took it in the 5/325 and 10/325 like you mentioned above. I am always looking for the least amount of tylenol as well.

[lisabar36]

Hi, 2 pharmacist told me 2 different things, one said Lortab does not come in 325 of tylenol, that is norco. Which has the same ingredients. The other said it did so I am confused now. :confused: I looked up Lortab and I could not find anywhere where it came with 325 mg of tylenol, it was all 500 mg.

[mlzippy7]

Lisa
I double checked both my nursing guides and actually it says the Lortab is only 500s. I was sure they came it 325s a long time ago when I took them but according to everything I have now it says 500s.

[hdb1982]

If a dr writes the rx for Lortab 10/325 they fill it with generic Norco b/c they are the same pill. Usually the call the dr for auth first though. My dr did it this was and it was 3 times as much. 90 dollars for 120. I asked the pharmacist why when 120 10/650 was only 28. He said b/c even though they are the exact same med generic norco cost a lot more.

[GriffsMommy]

That's what I always thought is that lortab and norco were just like vicoden. If vicoden makes you sick like most pain meds do Lisa then I would be careful about it. I know the vicoden come with a line down the middle so you can cut them in half. If you get either the lortab or the norco maybe you want to do that if you can, and you check with your prescribing dr first so that if you do have bad side effects they aren't as bad at the lower dose and wear off quicker for you if you don't like the effects.
I hope they find something that works for you sweetie. I still say you should not be 2 weeks post op w/o pain meds. I know I sure as heck am not going to be. :grouphug:

[lisabar36]

hdb1982, you are correct and thank you for the information. :) lol I was so confused. They say they have lortab when infact it is norco. Same ingredients with less tylenol. I had to email my gyn 3 times, she is going to think I am nuts. :loco: I would rather try something milder then long acting first. Just for evening time when my incision burns and swells. Christine, I took a half of a vicodin yesterday, half of the 5/500. It didn't make me sick, but it made me sleepy and dizzy. But I did sleep all night, 9 hours! This is the second night I slept 9 hours without waking up to urinate and in bladder pain. :woohoo: Now once the bladder pain during the day goes away, I will be even happier.

[Claredale]

I read that they were the same too, but the Vicoden didn't help with my pain as much. I will point blank ask my doctor the difference when I see him nex month. Vicoden also made me sick to my stomach unless I ate something as well as migraines. I can tke a Lortab and have never felt sick. Maybe it has something to do with the active ingredients...I don't know. There are many times that I break my Lortab in half especially when my pain was 24/7 before I had my implant. I seemed to handle it better taking a half of one every 2 hours.

I am so thankful that I dont have a doctor that says, so and so is addictive so I won't let you try that. My doctors knows that I only take meds when necessary and while they may be addicitive, I am more addicitive to not being in pain and living as close to my old life as possible. I know I haven't tried them all, but every time I even tried longer acting meds, I wasn't able to function, plus my retention would increase.

I have decreased my pain meds so much, that I thought that Ultram would be good to try since it's not as strong, but when I take it, it's still as if I hadn't taken anything. I could never understand how taking 2 ultram (Tramodols) were supposed to give relief but 4 to 6 Hydrocodones kept me pain free. I am down to 2 a day and definitely don't take any at all during the day. Afer my implant I could ge by with 3 to 4 as long as my bladder was stable. Now I am down to 2. One before bed and one around 3 to 4 am and that is all I need except for Prosed DS during the day. Dr. Ling did add Listeril to my med list this month, which as you know is similar to Xanax. As before he feels that the antianxiety meds help my pain meds be more effective and I don't have that worry about finally lying down and knowing that at any moment my bladder is going to need to be emptied, so why get too comfortable.

I am literally afraid of longer acting meds because 1, I hear people getting close to running out and they have to actually get a prescription to get the meds filled and 2, they have side effects. Some go away after time. But I just don't have time to get used to them. I have never had to get used to the effects of Hydrocodone. It takes away my pain especially when I follow my doctor's advice and take one as soon as I feel the pain getting to much to tolerate. Both Dr. Ling and before him Dr. Ragi Doggweiler made it very clear to me that the pain meds work better when they are not having to play "catch up" to the pain I am already experiencing. I tried Morphine for one month right after Dr. Ragi left and the doctor that took her place thought that all I needed was Morphine 1 time of day. I didn't know what people meant by breakthrough meds until that point and now I can't understand why any doctor that has pain mgmt certification can keep that mentality. That is when I emailed Dr. Ragi and she quickly gave me my current doctor's name. I also found out that Dr. Ragi's replacement wasn't even aware that I had an interstim. So much for going over my file!

Sorry for the long post. I just start ranting at time when I know doctors have the knowledge and just don't use it or cater it to their own patient's needs that is right i front of them!

Hugs, T83

[muxerr012]

You are all right, the only difference in the name is if it is brand name or generic and who makes the pill/ The most recent prescrition I got is the BEST pain med I have ever taken because it takes away the pain and does not make me feel dopey or nausous. It is:

NORCO WATSON 853 thats generic. HYDROCODONE/APAP TABLETS 10/325MGS 100s CIII
NDC: 00591-0853-01
*Compare to: Norco® Color/Shape: Yellow: Capsule-Shaped: Bisected
Inscription: Watson 853
Orange Book Rating: AA

[Claredale]

Thanks Gina, I will ask about that. My med already makes be feel "normal" for the most part, but I will be glad to give Norco a try. Thanks for the info!

T83

[hdb1982]

I don't think Norco works as well as Lortab. The extra tylenol helps me. I take Lortab 10/650 generic. I have had liver function testing an my liver is perfect. The only way that I would change to Norco would be if my liver started suffering b/c of tylenol consumption. I will say this though, Lortab does not work as well for me now as it did when I started taking it. I believ, as well as my pharmacist, that my body has built a tolerence to the active narcotic hydrocodone, not the amount of the drug. I have been taking Lortab for almost 3 years. The pharmacist says he sees a lot of chronic pain patients switch thier pain meds about every 6 months and it prevents them from needing stronger/more frequent doses. Like take Lortab for 6 months then Percocet for 6 months and switch back and forth.I will be seeing a pelvic pain/endo specialist on the 18th and will speak with him about switching to oxycodone/Percocet. I have taken it before with great results.

[Claredale]

Thanks hdb...I was wondering if I was just odd if I had meds that did the same thing but worked differently on me. I was actually going to call my doctor tomorrow, so your post makes me feel so much better. Having the liver function test always made me feel better even though my doctor said that they really weren't necessary to have them as often as I asked him to, but both he and my former doctor "humored" me especially since my dad died of liver failure. I don't take the huge amount of meds I used to, but there for a while, I just couldn't get it through my head that I was really doing okay on my meds, no matter how many times I verified it with my doctor, my pharmacist and read all the patient material, I wanted the LFT to prove that I wasn't causing further damage. I even kept a journal...still do, so I could watch for any signs, no matter how insignificant. My husband was also a great resourse because I knew he would notice if I was acting strange (which some meds made me a very aggitated nut) especially the nerve meds. I could share some scary stories about some of the side effects, but I won't since there are many people that those same meds have made their symptoms so much better. I had myself convinced I was doing well and it would just take time to get over the side effects and the pain would get better with the increase of dosages since the material said so, but my husband knew when I wasn't at all myself especially when I would pick fights with him or even wonderful friends for no reason and would get my feelings hurt so easily over the slightest change that occurred in my life. One time I even got upset over a simple misunderstanding at a restaurant. I am sure I looked like a raving lunitic. There were a few times that I called my doctor just to "spite" my husband because I felt he was making a big deal out of nothing, and my doctor would either fit me in for the next day for an appointment or tell me to stop taking the new med until he saw me. I definitely learned then (even though I knew in my heart from the beginning of my IC) my husband was trying his best to take care of me no matter how mad I felt he was making me.

I think I am the only person I know that has been able to use Lortab for so long. I took 7.5 Lortab for about 8 years and switched to 10 mgs in the last couple of years. Last year when I was having alot of problems with nerve pain. I was waking up feeling like my bladder was on fire and peeing shards of glass which of course made it so difficult to empty my bladder, my doctor tried to get me to take stronger and longer acting pain meds. Especially when the nerve meds like Neurontin, Lyrica and Topamax's side effects were worse than the treatment (that was really when my journal was a great value to me. Reading some of the things I wrote sometimes still terrifyies me, but I hung in there with the Lortab. Another poster gave me some great info on the med she takes for long acting pain control and I was one sentence away from agreeing to take it, but I was just so afraid to try it until I knew there was nothing else to help me. I was also using B&O supp during this time, which didn't necessarily help me with the "bladder on fire" symptom, but it did help calms things down. We went back over my history to check things out that appeared to be new and we realized that I had not been sleeping for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time, so I was getting up and emptying my bladder, therefore emptying my bladder before it got to the point of causing so much pain. I had recently started taking Rozerom which was allowing my body to finally sleep for extended periods of time. We figured that the retained urine was causing my new symptom. I read about Prosed DS on this site and the usages seem to fit me perfectly. My doctor prescribed that to me and of course made it clear that I needed to drink at least 8 ounces of water even before bed! It took about 2 weeks to finally see a difference. I was ready to throw in the towel on yet another med, but then I started seeing the difference in my symptoms...finally! I think he was even pleased that I stood my ground and was able to stay on the shorter acting pain meds. He is even more pleased that I am decreasing those. I know we are all different when it comes to how meds effect us and for how long. My body is quite the opposite with most meds. I can only take them for a while then they lose their effectiveness. I go back and forth on others that I take. The meds I do take, I have little if any side effects with. I read about people taking a 1/4th of a valium or amitrytyline and can't get up the next morning still. I take the recommended dosage and can function the next day.

For any newbies that are reading this, I know this is a long post, but I feel it's so important to know how to learn to read your own body and keep a journal as well as have someone that you trust, whether it be a husband, a boyfriend, a family member or a friend that you can count on especially when you are adding new meds to your routine.

At one time, I felt I was absolutely in control, read everything I could about each and every med, but our bodies are so different. We need that extra "net" to help us stay on track.

Sorry so long. Just something I am so passionate about!

Hugs, T83

[hdb1982]

I am very passionate about proper pain relief as well, it is something so many IC'ers go without

[muxerr012]

I think the exrtra tyleno and the diff type of codeine that is used in vicodin is what was making my stomach so nausous and just didn't take the pain away. It made me very irrritable too and I was constantly itching my noce. NO WAY could I have drove a car on the vicodin!!

Norco 10/325mg has twice the amount of bitartrate (narcotic) and much less Tylenol. It took my pain away instantly and I DO think I could actually drive on it!! I only got this because of my recent thyroid surgery. No one has even offered pain meds for my IC!!! I plan to ask my URO for some, then my family doc and if that doesn't work, I'll go to a pain specialist which I found on this website. Lastly, Norco makes me feel normal and happy-no irritability! :)

[lisabar36]

I hear you Gina, I took a half of vic 5/500. I was so sleepy and drowsy and I felt like crap the rest of the day. I felt so drained and I took such a small dose. I didn't like the way it made me feel. When it wore off I had a headache. Thank you all for your replies and info, I really appreciate it. :)

[hdb1982]

Norco 10/325mg has twice the amount of bitartrate (narcotic) and much less Tylenol. )

I'm sorry that statement confused me. What do you mean twice the narcotic? 10/325 means 10mg hydrcodone 325mg tylenol. It is the same amount of hydrocodone as 10/650 Lortab

[lisabar36]

I tried Norco today. I got the 5/325 and the doctor gave me the 7.5/325 also. I asked him if I could start at the lowest dose possible and he said yes but the 7.5/325 would probably work better for me. Well I took it and I did not get tired, or dizzy, I actually felt normal and had some pain relief. My IC doc said it is better to take because it has less tylenol. He rather see me with less tylenol and I can take one every 4 to 6 hours. So this is by far the best one I have taken yet. I only worry about generic because I can't take generic tylenol because it bothers my bladder, I can only take brand name. The extended release tylenol is the best for me as far as my bladder. So when name brand is available in pain pills, I always ask for it if it has tylenol in it. :) Lisa

[GriffsMommy]

Lisa,
I'm so glad it doesn't seem to be bothering you sweetie! :woohoo: I know how hard it is for you to find a pain med that you can take. I will keep all my fingers and toes crossed for you that you don't have any after effects or anything and you can finally get some pain relief. I can't imagine going post op without pain meds. I know I have said this a million times but it's so true since I can't make it through the day now without pain meds I can't imagine doing it post-op from a hysto. :grouphug:

[hdb1982]

I am sooo glad you found something that works for you. It just goes to show how each one of us is so different

[lisabar36]

I know we are. LOL, hey the lortab may have even worked, the vicodin did not thats for sure. Thank you all for your help and suggestions, I really appreciate it. :)

[IC SARAH-CPP]

Whoo hoo- doing the happy dance around the room. Or actually I am not but I would if I felt better, lol :)

I did very well on Norco also. They wouldn't give me the brand name b/c I have stupid Kaiser and they are psychos about brand/generic. But I did well on the generic and I was happy as a clam. I took the 10 mgs one but my hubby has used the 5 mg ones and did great on those too.

I hope they continue to work. So happy to hear you found something you could tolerate. I guess I am lucky I have a system like a horse b/c I can take just about anything, lol!

Sarah

[muxerr012]

hdb1982,

I'm sorry that statement confused me. What do you mean twice the narcotic? 10/325 means 10mg hydrcodone 325mg tylenol. It is the same amount of hydrocodone as 10/650 Lortab

Sorry for the confusion but I was comparing Norco to Vicodin Vicodin 5/500 has only 5 mgs of hydrocodone and 500 mgs of tylentol. Hope that makes more sense and sorry if I confused anyone. I just can't tolerate so much tylenol, it makes me throw up just after having throat surgery-not fun!

The Norco 10/325 took care of my pain and stopped the nausea instantly. Now if I can just get my URO to agree to prescribe me pain meds for flares I will be so happy! Also the lower dose of Norco 5/325 is working well too. My surgeon lowered my dose for me and it is working great :)

[lisabar36]

Hi, I been taking the norco 7.5/325. I have to say, this is the best pain med I have taken with no side effects, I can even take it on an empty stomach which is very rare for me, I been only taking one a day, but it also helps with bladder pain and when I take it I don't feel like I have to pee every 15 minutes. It does wear off fairly quickly, maybe 4 hours, my bottle says I can take it every 6 to 8 hours but so far I have only taken one a day. I am amazed at how it really helps my badder pain. I do have brand name. I also like the fact that I can take a nap on it also and I dont wake up to pee. The only thing it does is make my mouth a little dry. I think it works better for my IC pain then it does my incision pain. lol :smile tee

[GriffsMommy]

Lisa,
I'm so happy that you finally found a pain med that you can take. I can't imagine being in so much pain for so long and not being able to take pain meds. I hope they continue to work great for you. I would talk to Dr. E about him giving you more though per script because I'm sure you're in pain for more than 4 hours a day.

[lisabar36]

Hi, I can't believe I took tylenol and motrin when I came home from the hospital, I had to sit in one spot and not move, although I have to say it did help a little, and it was much better then a pounding headache and the room spinning from the other meds they gave me. I normally can't take motrin because it hurts my bladder, but my bladder was already hurting so bad, I didnt even notice the difference.

[lisabar36]

Swelling issues. Ok I was battling issues with major swelling that started a month after my surgery. I thought it was the hormone patch but it seemed to get much worse after taking the norco. So I stopped the norco for a few days and the swelling started to go down, I then took one and my abdomen blew up about 30 minutes after, I think it was filling me up with gas, my abdomen would blow up so bad it hurt to breath. It could of been affecting my irritable bowel if it was making me so gassy, and that was causing the swelling. So I asked for them to change it to Lortab and she did and I have been fine since. I do not have any nausea from it, no abdominal swelling, and it really helps the pain alot!!!!!!! I only take it when I have alot of pain. But it is working really well for me with no side effects. The dilaudid used to make me feel like I wasn't breathing right especially when I would try and fall asleep, and the lortab does not do that to me. Just wanted to share. :)

[GriffsMommy]

Lisa,
I'm so happy that you found something that works for your pain without causing you all of the side effects that you normally have. I'm also thrilled that you figured out what was causing all of the swelling and that's no longer a problem. Sounds like you're doing better and better everyday.

[chuchideb]

I had been taking lortab for 3 months until i had bloodwork done for liver functions which turned out to be very high. My pain dr, just this month, prescribed me vicoprofen which has worked so well for me. I know that ibuprofen can be irritating to the stomach for some people but for me i have just experienced the best (pain free) month since my whole ordeal began last april last may.

[Claredale]

I couldn't handle the ibuprofin due to my bladder, I am certainly glad that you are doing well on it. I have a friend whose husband can't take many meds at all. He has some form of hepatitis which everytime he even takes a Tylonel, his liver enzymes go up. He hurt his back on vacation in which they had to ride on a Tender (like a ferry) to a bigger island to fly home. He couldn't take any pain meds at all, plus being over 6 1/2 feet tall, just riding in a plane has to be miserable all in itself, so I couldn't imagine how much pain he was in. He ended up having a hernated disk and had 2 different surgeries.

I am due for my liver test next month. I have had them every 6 months or so ever since I started on my meds for IC. I have never had any issues. I don't even give it a thought now since I didn't have problems taking 6 hydrocodones (lortab 10mg) for quite a while until I had my implant plus all the other meds to get me through each day and my liver handled it very well.

Tracey