Backstory: I have a strange, undiagnosable disorder that doctors call "early spinal degeneration," which means I have 10 herniated discs throughout the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, and lots of associated neuropathic pain. I also currently have two torn rotator cuffs to add to the mix. So, I use opiates on a daily basis to manage the pain, and have been stable on norco or hydrocodone/acetaminophen (10/325) for the past five years. Five years of acetaminophen is not so good for the liver, so I'm switching to 2mg hydromorphone and could use a little direction. While I partied with my fair share of recreationals during/after college, I only use meds to manage pain now and am looking for help in achieving the most effective and health-conscious therapeutic benefit.
I'm prescribed 8 per day and generally took between 4 and 8 of the norcos per day to satisfactory effect. I usually dosed 1 pill orally per 2 hours, starting at 11am or noon. I'd only take 2 if the pain was abnormally high or 2.5 if it was really pissing me off and I needed a mental break. This method doesn't take the pain away, but it takes the edge off so I can function, and hasn't required me to increase dosage because of tolerance for years. I'd like to keep it that way.
So my first question is, can someone point me to info on different manufacturers of generics and user preferences on the differences? I preferred Qualitest for the norco, although Watson also worked well, and on the other side, Mallinckrodt being virtually ineffective.
Second question is regarding equivalency. It seems that 2mg dilaudid is roughly equivalent to 10mg norco, or slightly underequivalent--does anyone have firsthand experience that could lend comparative knowledge?
Third question is about efficacy and side effects, short and long term. I'm in my mid-30s and will likely need pain meds indefinitely. Luckily I've not experienced constipation with the norco, and have had almost no noticeable, negative side effects. I do like to drink a beer or two after work, and apart from the occasional muscle relaxer, and herbal anti-inflammatory supplements, that's the extent of my drug usage. I eat a raw vegan/paleo diet. I'd like to get as much benefit out of the meds with the smallest dosage as possible, so any advice on how to do so, or what to expect in terms of side-effects (and how to combat them) is much appreciated.
Lastly, I've browsed some of the forum posts regarding sublingual or anal administration, and am vaguely curious for the times when the pain is severe, but would like more info on risks and downsides before considering further.
Thanks in advance for any assistance provided.
I'm prescribed 8 per day and generally took between 4 and 8 of the norcos per day to satisfactory effect. I usually dosed 1 pill orally per 2 hours, starting at 11am or noon. I'd only take 2 if the pain was abnormally high or 2.5 if it was really pissing me off and I needed a mental break. This method doesn't take the pain away, but it takes the edge off so I can function, and hasn't required me to increase dosage because of tolerance for years. I'd like to keep it that way.
So my first question is, can someone point me to info on different manufacturers of generics and user preferences on the differences? I preferred Qualitest for the norco, although Watson also worked well, and on the other side, Mallinckrodt being virtually ineffective.
Second question is regarding equivalency. It seems that 2mg dilaudid is roughly equivalent to 10mg norco, or slightly underequivalent--does anyone have firsthand experience that could lend comparative knowledge?
Third question is about efficacy and side effects, short and long term. I'm in my mid-30s and will likely need pain meds indefinitely. Luckily I've not experienced constipation with the norco, and have had almost no noticeable, negative side effects. I do like to drink a beer or two after work, and apart from the occasional muscle relaxer, and herbal anti-inflammatory supplements, that's the extent of my drug usage. I eat a raw vegan/paleo diet. I'd like to get as much benefit out of the meds with the smallest dosage as possible, so any advice on how to do so, or what to expect in terms of side-effects (and how to combat them) is much appreciated.
Lastly, I've browsed some of the forum posts regarding sublingual or anal administration, and am vaguely curious for the times when the pain is severe, but would like more info on risks and downsides before considering further.
Thanks in advance for any assistance provided.
