Are prescription pain killers (Lortabs) harmful over a long time? (not icluding O.D.)?
552276
Yes, in fact, they can be deadly.  Taking a precribed pain killer over a long period of time puts you at risk for a prescription dependency if you aren't already now and the pain meds themselves become tolerated by your own system until you will no longer be able to rid the pain without increasing the dosage or changing the medication to a stronger rx.  If you take the medication to treat pain as it comes then you may also find yourself masking a totally different medical condition that requires attention by a professional and not a "do it yourself prescribed treatment".  The effects on your body itself from the daily use of almost any medication can have negative reactions to your organs and even the make-up of your immune system.  And, that "everything is perfect" and the "pain is all gone" feeling that comes with the relief of chronic pain...when a pain medication becomes tolerant in your system there is no relief in the end.  I took some of the strongest pain medications for years, all prescribed legitimately and the day I treated a pain I shouldn't have it almost killed me.
38840
NO! they arent good. plus motrin has been known for causing fatal illnesses in small children. be careful about over the counter meds, and always consult your doctor no matter how silly the question might seem. we care on here.
861469
If your doctor won't give you more by prescription you need to rethink your need for it.  It is addictive and people routinely abuse it.  Are you doing that?  Getting vicodin by any means other than legit prescription is illegal and dangerous.\n\nThere are many other, effective, non narcotic medications for pain that you should consider instead.  Speak to your doctor about those.  In the mean time use ibuprofen or acetaminophen (according to the directions on the bottle).\n\nGood luck.
597685
Narcotic pain meds are extremely addictive.  For those with chronic pain, it's better to explore other means of pain relief.. like TENS units, surgically implanted pain relief devices, or even visualization.  I work with too many people that became addicted to their pain meds. Anti-inflammatory meds like Aleve, Motrin, etc. may work better for you if you add Tylenol.  They work in different ways but work well together.
615258
That is a difficult question, what with all the recalls and warning about arthritis meds. I was on two that were pulled from the market and it was scary. I use over the counter naproxen. It is the ingredient in Advil but you can buy the store brand much cheaper. I take 2 of them and they work better then the prescription I was on. Some people have stomach upset with it so if you have ulcers don't use it.
654450
I'm in the UK and I don't take any prescription drugs.  I do take otc pain killers occasionally though.
502270
Yes!\nIt is contraindicated during breast feeding and should not be used.  Studies have not been done on any pain killers because they are viewed as being so risky.
464867
All pain meds are bad, but they feel good. Be careful its easy to get hooked, and easy to convince yourself that your not. So the answer is yes pain meds are bad, but in a very good way.
215193
you should speak to your doctor about this maybe he can change them I've never heard of that i have heard of doctors giving pills made up of sugar  to people that are hooked on drugs and they fool them by saying its pain meds when its not my husband has the same thing you do his was caused from long years of drinking they give him lortab 10 had him on Oxycontin once and morphine ,Demerol but none of those where sweet i think i would have a long talk with old doc
1174945
Yes it's a very powerful and addcitive painkiller for more info go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicodin
887592
In your own words: "I would gladly be addicted to opiates for the rest of my life if it means I can be out of this pain."  The doctors are right to protect you from yourself.  Have you tried therapeudic massage, thermal water treatments, etc?  I wish you luck.  Living in pain is certainly very depressing.  You have my sympathy.
444501
Yes prolonged use of it will cause problems at work. You won't be able to perform your duties properly after awhile of being on that stuff it will start to show,you will be paranoid all the time and always think someone is out to get you,especially when you see a police officer. It can wreck your home life, your friends won't want to hang out with you anymore. Don't try it!! 1 time and your hooked, if you have already tried it seek help asap. It leaves sores on your body and people will be able to tell have used it.
1116360
Usually they are valid for one year from the date of issue. The only exception to this rule is for pain meds...they expire sooner. Not sure if it is 3 months or 6 months for pain meds. \n\nCall your pharmacy and ask them specifics. You don't have to give your name. Just ask about the expiration dates. \n\nGood luck! Hope you feel better.
699497
Yeah, go ahead and listen to all these morons who think if you take opiates your automatically addicted...BS you will become dependent and have to taper them down rather than cold turkey but that is no different than any antidepressant or really any other meds you take for a long period. 30 a month that's 1 day I don't think it would be problem to up your dose but at a certain point as you already know you will develop a tolerance so continually upping your dose is dumb. But again at this point it shouldn't be a problem you’re at least trying to reach a level that will allow you to cope (counteract pleasure with pain without excessive pleasure) and when you reach that level you have to accept the fact that no more increases are an option and you will always have to bear some pain. Opiates are not intended to make you 100% pain free they are there to help you cope. Where would up your dose every month or even year put you in 20 years. Taking 1000 mg of opiates. You just have to be realistic. Since tolerance is inevitable you can get the same pain relief from lets say 40 mg rather than 120 mg in the long run. But again at this point depending on you pain you should be able to at least up the dose to a reasonable level that will allow SOME long term relief.  Follow your prescription to the T and you will not have to worry about addiction. So to the people that think opiates = addiction then why don’t people that get hurt (car accident, burn etc.) get addicted to accidents or hurting themselves LOL. When you hurt your self. Maybe a burn your brain activates its own opiate receptors (endorphins) to naturally curb that pain. Normally you’re fine until the next morning right or a few hours later when those chemical come down. Now let me ask you did you get high or buzzed after you hurt yourself. NO the same principle is true for opiates if your in pain. You’re counteracting that pain with chemicals that induce pleasure. You won’t feel the pleasure unless you’re taking to many opiates or you’re not in pain. That’s why you follow the script right. "WHEN NEEDED".  This is my own theory which I think should be directed to those doctors who fear addictions and lawsuits. For me this is just a common sense approach to effectively treating pain because hey it’s your life and while you have a right to meds that help you cope you do not want to add to your problems. Oh yeah I would change Doctors if you are in such pain where your current regimen is not helping you cope at all.
505898
I am going to a chriopractor and love him.  Check around and find one highly recommended.  I also have had two back surgeries. I take neurotin for the jumpy nerves in my legs and percocet for pain.  The pharmacist told me there is nothing formulated for fibro. pain, but this helps a little. I am a firm believer that your spine must be aligned.  It may not give you total relief ((nothing will) but it sure has helped me a lot and it is relatively cheap in the medical field.   Remember ask around and get one highly recommended, don't just pick one out of the phone book.  Good Luck two year sufferer
356528
i had dry socket when they had to impact my wisdom teeth... the reason i knew i had it was b/c the drugs they gave me stopped working... i was still in so much pain even though i was taking vicodin... then i ran out of that and was literally having to take 800mg of ibuprofen every 4 hours... it's best to go back and have them thoroughly clean your sockets... for me they put oil of clove strips in the sockets so i wouldn't feel the pain while they healed...
1121300
I understand what you are talking about. I have suffered with severe pain most of my life. Probably because I was 'allowed' to feel tired, but not pain, I now feel pain as exhaustion. Extreme exhaustion. \nFollowing some back surgery I was given vicodin. One pill and I suddenly felt OK! After I had healed from the surgery they stopped my prescription and suddenly I couldn't find the energy to move. A very thoughtful doctor who understood what was happening has renewed my prescription and I use it VERY sparingly, aware that any misuse will result in my losing this key to some kind of normalcy. I have been on it for several years. When I begin to feel like I am dragging and can't move anymore I take a pain pill and suddenly I can think and work.\n\nTry discussing this with your doctor. If he doesn't understand, look for one who does. Don't give up becuase you know by now that there is a problem and it is up to you to make others see and understand it.\nGood luck.\n\nBTW, I have tried most depression meds. They have had no effect. And unfortunately, most pain pills don't have much effect either. But the pain and the depression are connected.