Vicodin CAUSING my flares?????

**donnadb40** · 11-08-2007, 04:38 PM

I have just about narrowed one of the MAJOR causes of my flares down to hydrocodone! The very med that I take to relieve my pain is now CAUSING me pain... I've put this theory to the test numerous times and it is now 100% that every time I take the hydro (for whatever ache or illness it is at the time other than my IC- fibromyalgia, migraines, etc. etc.) it gives me a MAJOR IC flare! Dumb me, it took me a while to figure this out so every time I would start to hurt, what would I do???? Take MORE hydrocodone! Now, I'm in a real fix! I am in such a flare now that all I can do is stay glued to the heating pad and cry

. Anyone else feel like hydrocodone (vicodin) increases their pain and spasms?

***ICNDonna*** · 11-08-2007, 05:19 PM

Vicodin is a very effective pain med for me.

Donna

**BBB** · 11-08-2007, 08:52 PM

For me it is the type of generic that you are using. Different generics have different binders. Therefore, I use only brand name. My doctor writes the scrips that way so the insurance pays for them.

If you find your insurance will not pay for brand name, then try a different generic. Most pharamcies can order in another brand.

I thought the same thing and I did a lot of research to figure this out. I don't know if it will work for you, but it is worth a try.

**mimimama** · 11-08-2007, 10:17 PM

Let me first say that i've experienced similar thoughts and feelings about Noroc which is a different brand of Vicodin (less tylenol, more of the Hydrocodone in each pill-10/325) I, of course, take it pretty much around the clock since I hurt so much. There was a time I was convinced it was the Vicodin/Norco that was causing my pain. However, since I've been put on a longer acting opioid (Oxycontin) I now know this isn't true for me personally. I just wasn't getting enough pain management from the Norco alone. And I know what you mean..i'd take it and 30 minutes later I'd feel *some* relief and then my pain would come back TENFOLD! So, naturally I thought.."It's the Norco causing my flairs!"

Try discussing with your doctor what you've shared with us..when I told this to both my URO and Pain management DR they said it was unlikely and if it were the case, i'd be getting terrible flair EVERY time I thook it and that wasn't the case for me. Now that I am having my pain managed, I don't think it's the Norco at all..but I did before!

I think, sometimes are bladders are in such terrible shape that it takes very little to irritate and hurt them. I know i (ignorantly) was also taking Advil with my Norco to boost my pain relief (dr said this was fine)..I didn't relaize that Advil can reallly irritate the bladder!

Hope all this rambling helps..I'm no doctor, just sharing my experiences, which are similar to what you're sharing. Take care and PM me if you have any other thoughts or wanna chat!

**BBB** · 11-08-2007, 10:33 PM

Mimi,

It is nice to see another "night owl" on the site. What time is it where you are at? It is 3:30 here in Colorado. I hope you are up by choice and not having sleep problems. Mine is a little of both, I guess. Couldn't sleep after getting up to go pee so I thought I would get a little work done.

Before I get back to topic, I have been meaning to tell you how adorable your son is. Bet you haven't heard that before? (lol). I have a 3 year old that is soo cute but he is blond with blue eyes! Aren't they fun? Well...maybe not all the time...hee hee.

Anyway, back to topic. I really like your explanation. That makes since to me as does the fillers in the pain meds. I too actually use Norco which is 10/325 of hydro/tylenol mix.

I was wondering how the Oxycontin was working for you? I had decided to go on MS Contin which I like but I think it makes me a little sleepy instead of Oxy because short acting Oxy makes me grumpy and on edge. However, I was thinking if it was long acting with no highs or lows maybe it wouldn't do that. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Betsy

**mimimama** · 11-08-2007, 10:53 PM

Hey Betsy!

Yup, I went potty at 330 am it's now 430am here in IL and couldn't sleep anymore. It's my time to veg since my son is stillThankfully sleeping!

I go to bed at 8:30 every night and wake early cuz I need to go to the bathroom and after i go it hurts like

! So i just stay up, take my pain meds and drink my low acid Puroast coffee.

Oxycontin is great for me. I still take my Norco regularly but the Oxy doesn't make me tired. In fact, since my DR upped my does to 20mg 3x daily, i have more energy, recently cleaned my house from top to bottom to get it ready for appraisal since we are doing a refi and yesterday I even had the energy after cleaning all morning to go shopping for a new car!:woohoo: Found one too! i am so excited since my current vehicle is 11 years old. I am gettinga VW Passat 2.0t loaded and the heated seats do wonders for my bladder and back pain!

Sorry to hijack this thread..but my pain is much better w/Oxy. Also, I take the Watson generic and since watson is the maker of the brand name Norco, it works well for me. I do take brand name Oxy, it works muxh better than the generic

Originally Posted by BBB

Mimi,

It is nice to see another "night owl" on the site. What time is it where you are at? It is 3:30 here in Colorado. I hope you are up by choice and not having sleep problems. Mine is a little of both, I guess. Couldn't sleep after getting up to go pee so I thought I would get a little work done.

Before I get back to topic, I have been meaning to tell you how adorable your son is. Bet you haven't heard that before? (lol). I have a 3 year old that is soo cute but he is blond with blue eyes! Aren't they fun? Well...maybe not all the time...hee hee.

Anyway, back to topic. I really like your explanation. That makes since to me as does the fillers in the pain meds. I too actually use Norco which is 10/325 of hydro/tylenol mix.

I was wondering how the Oxycontin was working for you? I had decided to go on MS Contin which I like but I think it makes me a little sleepy instead of Oxy because short acting Oxy makes me grumpy and on edge. However, I was thinking if it was long acting with no highs or lows maybe it wouldn't do that. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Betsy

**BBB** · 11-08-2007, 11:05 PM

Oh, that is exactly what I do and I am so very careful not to wake my son. It is my only alone time I get and I charish it. I get up and turn on the fireplace and drink low acid coffee and just chill! Love it! The house is so quite and dark. Man, I hate going to the potty that first time!!

Wow, that is so great to hear on the Oxy. I too take the Norco with my MS, everday too! I love the energy from the medicine. I think that is what is hard with the MS, I just sit around and go "duh".

Wow, you will have your house all cleaned for the weekend, yeah! Congrats on the car!!! Those are so nice. I have a BMW that has heated seats and some days I just take my son on a drive for the heat!!

Have fun and let us know what color you get, maybe even a pic?

I too apologize for hijacking the thread!!!

I take Watson too for the Norco. Thank you again for the input on brand name for the Oxy. I will call today as I like to try new meds on the weekend.

Thanks again,
Betsy

**donnadb40** · 11-09-2007, 03:53 PM

Hmmm... I never even thought about the brand name and fillers! That just might be the answer! I am going to ask the pharmacy to fill the next Rx with a different brand! Mine are PINK and made by danbury. It could actually be that pink dye!

Mimi, you are so gorgeous! Thanks for your reply! I have to BEG, BORROW and STEAL (not literally) just to get the hydro so I know that my doc wouldn't even consider oxy or MS Contin but I can definitely relate to the highs and lows with the hydro!!! When that stuff starts wearing off, I am so grouchy that I can't even stand myself!!! It would be so nice to be on an even keel, especially one with ENERGY!?!?!?!?!?!?