I don't like vicodin.

RachNRich

I've been given vicodin to help with the pain from my surgery---except I really don't like it. Granted, it dulls the pain---but it makes me awful in all other areas. I become sick to my stomach, and a rather large cranky pants.

The pain itself has gotten better overall, but I have a feeling that I'm making my own neck pain worse by being so tense. I turn my whole body to look left or right, rather than just turning my neck to avoid it hurting.  I've placed a homemade heating pad on my neck to help with the pain---any suggestions on what else can be done to help with the pain without going the vicodin/medication route?

sucrets4

When I had surgery on my knee, the vicodin only made me sleepy.  Motrin actually helped with the pain.

sucrets4

Oh, and vicodin also stops you up.  Make sure you're drinking lots of water and eating some fiber.  (TMI) I went for a few days without pooping and it was NOT fun.

RachNRich

Good thing you didn't say Neti Pot for the pain.

I've been using Tylenol PM for sleeping---but I'm not sure I actually have any none-PM type regular drugs.

RachNRich

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dont-like-vicodin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:904149c8-9547-4b6c-8cfd-95f35081b849Post:1c21fd97-be7c-4811-88b7-f9d6ac84d234">Re: I don't like vicodin.</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh, and vicodin also stops you up.  Make sure you're drinking lots of water and eating some fiber.  (TMI) I went for a few days without pooping and it was NOT fun.
Posted by sucrets4[/QUOTE]

Oh...yea. I found this out the hard way!  My sister said that the drugs from knocking me out would stop me up too--but I'm okay with that. Ever since the colonoscopy, things haven't been the same. Oy.

~mRm~

Ditto Sucrets on everything. Motrin always did well for me in place of Vicodin which made me tired and a bit woozy feeling. I would take 4 Motrin every 4 hours when pain was really severe. I am not sure how tough your stomach is so you may have to take a little to eat with a dose that high.

sucrets4

Oh god, girl, you're a mess!    I hope you get better soon.

I've always taken motrin, so I know that it works for me.  And you can take it in larger doses - they actually prescribed the vicodin and I think 800mg tabs of motrin after the surgery. 

Have you asked your doctor? 

RachNRich

Not yet on asking the doctors---I just figured I'd tough it out till the week started (as I have at least one doctors appointment, if not more, every.single.day.this.week).

With all the meds I've been on/off/on again/ off again, I was hoing to stay away from them---hence the heating pad. OTC meds might be my anwer though...

GBCK

I will second that it is NOT loopy fun for me.
ANd often makes me want to puke.

Which is still an improvement over not having it, when I need it :-P

beatlesgirl25

GBCK, your sn and sig are very amusing.

Rach, I hope you are able to transition to a non-narcotic pain relief method soon. Hopefully the icky side effects will clear up soon as well. I will ditto Motrin, it's my OTC DOC, but I've never had to experience what you have just gone through.

SarahPLiz

FI found for his wisdom teeth surgery that the Vicodin didn't help as much as the mega-ibuprofen. I think you can take quite a bit and still be safe.

RachNRich

I have some Naproxren (prescription Aleve)---left over from my leg. I take it for migraines every now and then, so I'll try it to avoid the vicodin side-effects.

And, I'll up my fiber intake too

sucrets4

Just check with your dr before you take it.  Maybe they have a 24 hour line that you can call?  If he didn't prescribe the 2 together, then you just want to be sure it's okay.

~mRm~

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dont-like-vicodin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:904149c8-9547-4b6c-8cfd-95f35081b849Post:79a9bce5-72da-4e63-966c-009093a79c6a">Re: I don't like vicodin.</a>:
[QUOTE]I have some Naproxren (prescription Aleve)---left over from my leg. I take it for migraines every now and then, so I'll try it to avoid the vicodin side-effects. And, I'll up my fiber intake too
Posted by RachNRich[/QUOTE]
Naproxen does nothing for me. I honestly don't get a bit of relief when I take that for pain. Strange.

becandjim10

If vicodin makes you sick see if you can try tylenol 3 (codeine) Sometimes because people can handle that better. Also, eating a greasy meal before taking vicodin helps a lot of people as well. HTH

RachNRich

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_dont-like-vicodin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:904149c8-9547-4b6c-8cfd-95f35081b849Post:04fd2cfe-7b36-4f40-b2d7-a873c81d321d">Re: I don't like vicodin.</a>:
[QUOTE]If vicodin makes you sick see if you can try tylenol 3 (codeine) Sometimes because people can handle that better. <strong>Also, eating a greasy meal before taking vicodin helps a lot of people as well. HTH</strong>
Posted by becandjim10[/QUOTE]

As in McD's french fries? I'm half tempted to try this, just to have an excuse to have Rich go grab me french fries.

becandjim10

yes just like mcdonalds fries. It coats the stomach. Kind of like a hangover lol

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Vicodin didn't actually get rid of pain for me. It just made me so loopy that I didn't care about the pain.

sarabellam

Never had Vicodin, but I've taken Vicoprofin on many an occasion It is the same narcotic painkiller, but combined with ibuprofin rather than acetominiphen (sp?). First prescribed it when I broke my tailbone during childbirth, and my rheumatologist renewed it for me. I can only take it at night, and only 1 per day or it makes me queasy. I'll second the motion on the greasy meal.