#34667 08-02-2006 08:11 AM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Jenny,
I had a tough time coming off the vicodin at the end of treatment, caused me a couple days of discomfort. Talk to his doctor about helping him wean off it so it's not so difficult for him.
Minnie
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#34668 08-02-2006 11:09 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Jenny,
Actually Hydrodone is generic for Vicodin which is a synthetic, medium strength, opiate (narcotic). It has about 5 mg's of Acetomeniphen (AKA Tylenol in each tablet). Codiene is the only medium strength narcotic you can get that has nothing else in it. It is not prescribed much anymore as doctors prefer Hydrocodone or Oxycodone (AKA Percoden), which is more powerful (and all are synthetic - even Duragesic). I took six or seven a day until they adjusted my long term meds - Duragesic, to the proper level then I was switched to Morphine which is faster acting, for breakthrough pain. I only needed to take them when trying to eat or swallow something, but certainly not with any kind of regular frequency.
According to the PDR, the maximum adult dose is 1-2 tablets taken every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 8 tablets per day. This is for the 5/500 dose NOT ES.
There are also many other drug interactions to consider so have a talk with the pharmacist as well.
It's been 4 months - they should start weaning him off of the pain meds. We all heal at different rates but you might want to mention this to the MO in private - let him be the heavy if that's what's needed.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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