Stretching the Effective Time of Vicodin / Norco / Opiates

OK, this might seem like a druggie/abuser question, but…

Are there supplements or herbs that can safely extend the effectiveness of opiates? I don’t mean the euphoric feeling, but the pain relief effect.

I’m asking because when I have a bad couple of day’s I use more than my “normal” allowance and end up shorting myself before my scheduled refill. My PCP (though generous and sympathetic), will not allow me more than a certain amount every month.

Now that I’m working again (in a wood shop with saws, routers, and planers screaming all day), I’m reaching for the meds as soon as I get home.

Currently I’m taking a multi-vitamin, fish oil, niacin, and milk thistle.

Any ideas?

I hear you. Pain meds don't work for me anymore. I wind up taking them later than sooner now. Also, now when I get home I have a joint waiting for me if it is bad enough. I guess marijuana is a herb.

Congrats on the new job.

Oh My! Yes, congrats on the job, but I am sure it is noisy in there!! I don't know of any herbs. The Marijuana I tried about twice, and really it made my head throb harder and I was paranoid when that started to happen, but that is just me. I am wondering what you take, I am wondering if there is any way to stagger, conserve, stagger, conserve. I used to take my dosage, and a bit later add in a half dose. It seemed to work, there were days when I didn't need to do that and days I Needed way more.

I take oxycodone. I can't do the percocet deal because I have a reaction with the acetmenophen in it. Don't know why just a crazy deal. This may sound dumb, but I have added Ibuprofen about a half hour after taking my pill, when My pill is not quashing it enough. Amazingly enough it has been working well. IN the past Ibuprofen has done absolutely nothing. I really didn't think it would do anything, but I had my gall bladder removed a while back and my surgeon let me take my oxycodone for pain and said to add Ibuprofen to it. I honestly was amazed how well it worked for the migraine! (I also have botos, so not sure there).

I think your question is a great one, and I will continue to watch and see if there are more posts, I am pretty curious. thanks.

My specialist (neuro & pain) says the Ketamine he prescribes me decreases my tolerance to pain medications. I use Ketamine nasal spray that I get through a compounding pharmacy.

Dan,

I fight this battle every month. I am fighting it now for I do not get my refill until Tuesday. Two things I have done in the past that has helped me...

If I already have the migraine/headache and the pill did not relieve my headache I may chase it down (about 20 minutes later) after I have reliezed that one pill was not doing it, with strong coffee. Sometimes this helps.

If I am low on meds I will take Ibuprofen before I even feel a headache coming on and it will keep it at bay and I normally do not get one. This helps me get through the day without taking any painkillers. I start this when I only have a few pills left for that month.

Hope this helped. I am also looking forward to other options. I think a lot of us have this very problem. I hate the problem because I know I am looking at a few days of headache in front of me before I get my refills.

kimsmom

Dan, my doctor told me to add a Tylenol to my oxycodone which will provide a booster effect. So instead of needing two, I will only take one Oxy with one or two Tylenol. My other doctor told me to take an Aleve with the Oxy, but I did not notice that help much. Sorry, I havent found any natural substances that helped with the pain.

I do hope you are wearing good earplugs all day in that noisy environment. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

My PCP recommended I add IBP to my Norco for the inflammatory benefits. But when the thumper's hit nothing works except the high power stuff. I actually have my own cocktail for bad ones: A Norco, two Ibuprofen and a Latte' or other form of strong coffee. It knocks the thumping down, but it's a one shot remedy.

Well if anyone stumbles across something please post it.

BTW - Funny isn't it? I guy with chronic daily headaches finds a job in one of the most loudest, noisy shops there is!
But I work inside an office (on the factory floor), and I have a pair of professional grade ear plugs. The little foam plugs they have at work don't do much for me.

Dan, I was having a similar problem, but more of having mini withdrawals during the day since I take opioids daily. An hour before it was time for the next dose I'd be hurting and watching the clock, and my tummy would start cramping.

My Dr. added extended release Oxycontin 20 mg three times a day. So, it boosted the effectiveness of the norco (obviously) and also kept my pain levels from fluctuating so much during the day.

I never feel buzzed from it, and in fact on good pain days forget to take it.

You say your Dr is sympathetic, perhaps he would consider that option. BUT, the Oxycontin alone does not cut it, I use it in addition to the Norco. A combination of slower acting long term pain control, with fast acting short term pain control.

Good luck!

I used to take the Oxycontin as well. It seemed to help things level out, but I still needed medication for "break through" pain. I didn't notice any sort of buzziness or anything from it, it was low dose, and extended release, so it didn't really 'hit' you. I didn't have any addiction issues, or dependency, but I tapered off of it when I stopped taking it, I am sure without the taper I would have had withdrawl effects, I took it a long time.

Steph,

So many epoeple don't understand the difference between addiction and physical dependency. I've been on these for so long that my body goes through withdrawal w/o it. But I've never had addiction issues either. In fact the studies I did before I took this route indicated that used properly for pain management, addiction rates are quite low. I don't have cravings for anything, I don't wake up in the morning reaching for my pills, and on low pain days I actually forget to take the pills.

Guess, I'm not a very good addict, no matter what ER staff thinks.

Oh I hope you didn't take that the wrong way. I totally understand the difference. I won't do mail order prescriptions anymore because three times in the past they were too slow. I was left without medication, that I took on a daily basis, and went through actual withdrawl. In my opinion, that can almost be as bad as a migraine. The first time I didn't know what was happening, and it was hours into it that I figured it out. I ended up slapping a fentanyl patch on my arm, it was a low dose, just to get out of the withdrawl. I was desperate.

The second and third times, I was just pissed. Never again will I do mail order for those 3 reasons. I just never noticed any dependence on the Oxycontin ER because I tapered off of it, and I am sure I would have if I had just stopped it, the previous withdrawls are exactly why I didn't just quit it.

I didn't mean to offend anyone. I really didn't think that I had. Sorry.

Oh Steph, no...I didn't take as a insult at all. I was agreeing with you. I was thrilled that you knew and understood the difference!! So many folks don't, even nurses and other healthcare professionals.

No, no, no, nothing to apologize for, I knew exactly what you were saying. I'm sorry I gave the impression that I was offended!

I had to go through a three day withdrawal because if a insurance mix up. I was miserable. I always refill early and make sure I have some stashed away in case it happens again.

I'm sorry if I made you worry...We're good

Now, time to Night, all.

OH GOOD, I was a little confused and in fact re-read your post after I posted and was like, well...hmmm. I wasn't sure!

I reread it too and can see why you were confused. If I would have added a simple "so glad you understand".... instead it comes off like I'm lecturing you. Sorry!!

So hard on line when you can't hear tone of voice or inflections.

Yeah! I know, it is like texting! I am always such a smartass and I TRY tone stuff down, but I can't so I always wonder if I come off snarky!!