There is a hydrocodone/ibuprofen combo available. Brand name is Vicoprofen. It has 200mg ibuprofen (same as 1 regular OTC tab) and 7.5mg of hydrocodone (the fun stuff in Vicodin). It has no acetaminophen, unlike Vicodin, Tylenol 3, darvocet, percocet, etc. Vicoprofen might be just what you need - a low dose of ibuprofen (which you said helps), and an effective pain reliever. Perhaps you could take some pepcid when you have to take
the vicoprofen if it bothers your stomach.
Propoxyphene (the narcotic in darvocet) is a pretty lame painkiller, and most docs don't prescribe it any more.
Some people get itchy from opiates due to a histamine release - it's not a true allergic reaction. It is, however, truly annoying. This happens to my father when they give him IV narcotics in the hospital. I always have to remind the doc to give him a PRN script for benadryl. If you get itchy from the opiates, talk to your doctor about taking benadryl, zyrtec, etc a few minutes before you take the pain pills.
Maybe you need a sleeping pill to use occasionally so you can sleep through the pain?
I also have a crazy time with pain killers as well. They make me hyper. Crazy hyper...can't sleep at all. I get tons of crazy energy and shake. We have tried all classes...no luck.
Sorry to hear about your problem with painkillers SnowOwl ...I (an I am not an ulitmate authority here by far) have found in my case with pain meds..sometimes when they get to bothering me I will cease them a day or two (if possible) then they see "less bothersome" (for ladk of a better definition) ..I know with each of us pain levels and needs are different however..but that has worked for me in the past ..also changing pain meds will help at times....
Hope you find a solution Owl
Best Wishes
Russ
Snow - hugs, and good luck.
I'm sorry, Snow Owl, and hope once the bronchitis passes everything else will feel better. I know some things that can help your cough maybe. Are you comfortable sleeping propped up a bit? That is what they told me to do with bronchitis - two pillows. Also, I swear by this home remedy - Vick's on the bottom of your feet at bedtime. Try it and see if it controls your nighttime coughing. Take care. [QUOTE=SnowOwl]Thanks, Jas. I'll ask about the Vicoprofen if this keeps up. Mostly this time around I think the coughing has my pain levels ratcheted up. I don't know if pepcid would help with the nausea, it seems to stem from getting dizzy and spacey from the drug, not direct stomach irritation, but I'll try it. I had asked about taking an antihistamine to control the Tramadol itchies, because darnit Tramadol did really help with the pain, and the RD's nurse said they didn't want to risk a severe allergic response if I kept taking it. Maybe I'll ask too if that could be reconsidered. The Darvocet did nothing except make me throw up, which is pretty counterproductive for pain. I have a script for something to help me sleep but when I hurt this bad I wake up in the wee hours anyway, like now, it's 3:00 in the a.m., and I'm up and in pain and cranky about that.Hope you feel better soon!
Kelly
I don't know if the meclizine will work- the prescription drug I used was specifically to curtail vomiting...darn I wish I could remember what it was called.
[QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]I don't know if the meclizine will work- the prescription drug I used was specifically to curtail vomiting...darn I wish I could remember what it was called.
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