I Saw My RD. Today | Arthritis Information

 

I went to see my RA today. He is  going to cut down my Presnisone, starting tomorrow. I'll be taking 1 1/2 of a 5mg. I'm sooooooo happy. I want to be off this stuff so bad. He said he will call me with the blood results, and if it is OK, he is increasing my MTX to 6 tab. instead of 4 tab.  He said the pain, and not hardly  being able to turn my my head , is OA. He drained my knee AGAIN. For this time, it hurt terribly

Trisha 

My RD. gave me Hydrocodone 5/500 and something else written on r/x that I can't understand. Have you ever taken it?

Trisha

It's vicoden...  it doesn't phase me as far as sleepiness, I can take it while I'm work and it does help with the pain. It makes me chatty and wired! I don't think it will make you sleepy. You can't drive on the stuff for at least a couple of hours. You literally can get a DUI. But it does take the sting off the pain.Just be careful with the Vicodin, take it with a little bit of food. If you dont normally take narcotic pain meds it could make you very sleepy and a bit nauseated. It can be habit forming so if you feel that it is not working and you are needing to take it more often than perscribed, make sure you talk with your doctor. It can be a wonderful pain reliever, but I have known many, many people who have become very addicted to it also. I am not trying to scare you, just make you aware of complictions that can go along with it.

Glad your appointment went so well! Hopefully the pain meds will help. Things are looking up.

 

 

 

So happy for you that you can decrease your prednisone!!  I hope you find that the pain meds work and you find some relief :)I have had vicodin and percocet and vicodin makes me a little weird sleepy and paroniod. So make sure someone can keep a look out for you. Percocet makes me sleepy thats about it.

Is Hydrocodone  Vicodin?  I told him NOTHING strong!! I haven't picked it up from the pharmacy yet.

Trisha 

Yes, it is.  It's a rather mild pain killer for most people.  I take it when I am really hurting and the ibuprofen isn't working enough and when I have bad menstrual cramps.   That is a low dose.  The 500 is the acetominophen, which is just Tylenol.  You are basically on a 5mg dose of the narcotic agent.  I have a prescription for it and I am not addicted.  Just take it within reason and you may be very happy with the results.  I am really glad I have it.  I am allowed to take up to 6 a day at the same dose, but I usually only take 2-3 a week total, if that; depending on my pain.

I was really freaked out too until I did some research.  I think it sounds like a reasonable dose.  Don't worry yourself too hard, see how your body responds.
hydrocodone/apap 5/500 is probably what you saw on the perscription. It is a generic of the standard dose Vicodin. 5mg hydrocodone and 500mg actominophen (Tylenol). It also comes in 7.5 and 10 mg doses. So the doc may have written that you can take 1-2 of your 5/500 mg tabs. If you are nervouse about how it will affect you take half a tab with a snack. It is safe to take with naproxen, ibuprofen or Celebrex. Also safe with the muscle relaxers, just remember the sleepy factor.Trish- your rd sounds like he is really good and
caring. I have also taken hydrocodine, and it is to
me, a pretty mild pain reliever. Lots of times it
doesn't do much for my pain.

But Cruncy is right, it can be habit forming, but I think
as long as you are aware of that you should be ok. I
hope your pain is reduced soon.Just dont take more than the doctor recommends and you should be okay.

I picked up my R/X for the Hydrocodone today & took a dose. About 3/4 hr. after, I was sleeping like a baby for about 2 hrs. I will say it did help with the pain in my hands, neck & knee. The weather has been so darn nasty here for the past 2 days, and that always makes the pain worse.

Trisha

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