Opiods with APA: Just Missing the Limit Mark...

[EmmaAddie]

I currently take Hydro 10/325 about 10-12 pills a day (mostly because of tolerance, I would usually only have to take about 3 a day...)
Right now, it's just under the 4,000mg. limit for APAP a day.
Because of the pain I'm in I have to take these everyday. (*I DON'T DRINK.*)
Do you think that it'll be OK to take this on a regualar basis? I mean, with the APAP and everything...even if it's under 4,000mg a day or do you think it will really harm the liver? I try to keep under 4,000mg a day but sometimes I go over...although not that often.
I'm not experienced so don't post about how inexperienced I am in your posts (I'm only saying that because others have before). That's why I'm asking. Sorry if this is long but wanted to give as much info as possible. Hydro seems to work as does Codeine but both have excessive amounts of APAP.
Thanks for your input.

 

[Thurgood]

I'm don't really have an answer as to the amount of apap you are taking in, you might want to try to post the question in the health forum, you may get more responses...but if you are worried about it, have you considered doing a cold water extraction? You can find info on erowid.org, actually that's where I linked from, there are better ones, but I just don't wanna look right now...if you search this site, you'll find them...

 

[scepter]

Hydro 10/325 about 10-12 pills a day Because of the pain I'm in I have to take these everyday. Do you think that it'll be OK to take this on a regualar basis?
You are abusing your medication; you know that right? Yes, it could be harmful for you to take in this amount of APAP on a daily basis. This is one reason why oxycontin is so popular, no APAP. I think you need to tell your doctor what is going on. It seems like your pain exceeds your medication. This usually means it's time to change the pain management method you are currently on...

 

[EmmaAddie]

Originally posted by scepter:

You are abusing your medication; you know that right? Yes, it could be harmful for you to take in this amount of APAP on a daily basis. This is one reason why oxycontin is so popular, no APAP. I think you need to tell your doctor what is going on. It seems like your pain exceeds your medication. This usually means it's time to change the pain management method you are currently on...
I'm NOT ABUSING my medication; ufortunetly, my tolerance has built up so much that only that amount fixes my problem (unfortunlety). I would get Oxy but my Dr. will not get it for me, will only prescribe HYDRO. Is there any alternative? Thanks for your help.
PS: Trust me, I'd rather not take that much but it's what I have to take

 

[scepter]

I'm NOT ABUSING my medication; ufortunetly, my tolerance has built up so much that only that amount fixes my problem
I'm am not trying to be rude but if you look at the prescribed amount of the drug I guarantee you it does not say anything about taking ten or more daily. This is why I said the statement about the abuse. With that said I think you should be honest with your doctor and tell him the amount you are taking. If he says that is all and well you need to find a new doctor who will help you not hurt you. It is not a good idea to take this amount of APAP on an extended daily basis. Only a doctor can give you advice about dealing with your pain management in a legal manner, ask him or her.

 

[RJW]

I agree that if you NEED that much to help you function you need to be on a stronger opiate wether Oxcycontin or MS-contin or whatever. A regular GP will not, in most cases, perscribe long term opiate therapy. You need to see a pain specialist. Tell your GP your concerns and see if he can recommend one for you. Be sure to take all of your medical records.

 

[RJW]

Originally posted by scepter:

You are abusing your medication; you know that right? Yes, it could be harmful for you to take in this amount of APAP on a daily basis...
Pretty rediculous statement seeing as you don't even know this person.
Believe it or not some people actually take pain meds for PAIN!
[ 24 May 2002: Message edited by: RJW ]

 

[Grand Master of Somniferon]

Originally posted by RJW:

Pretty rediculous statement seeing as you don't even know this person.
Believe it or not some people actually take pain meds for PAIN!
[ 24 May 2002: Message edited by: RJW ]I think that the poster is defining abuse as taking much more then the dose stated on the bottle, which I imagine is something like 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours. This would be max. 12 tablets a day, but that is stretching it. Also, don't know what the directions are. I once saw a bottle for regular 5/325 percs that read "take 1 tablet every 12 hours"...So, Emma's directions may vary. Depending on the amount of pills she takes at once, it may or may not be considered abuse, b/c if she was taking 2 tabs every 4 hours for 24 hours, she is still taking 12 tabs, but using as directed.

 

[AbraMontague]

Really you shouldn't assume this person is abusing their meds. If she has been taking the hydro regularly for legitimate pain, tolerance is inevitable and it will take more to relieve her pain. Her doctor probably keeps giving her them instead of something stronger because its CIII instead of CII which means less attention and scrutiny from the DEA and other agencies.
And it is common for doctors to write script instructions which mean taking large amounts of APAP. I just had surgery to fix a hernia last week and my vicodin script was 1-2 tablets (5mg tabs) every 4 hours as needed for pain. You can bet your ass that you will need to take it every 4 hours around for the clock for at least a couple of days when you have that kind of unremitting pain. Still this wasn't even enough to stop the pain; I called the surgical office and the nurse said I shouldn't expect to be totally pain free so I didn't get anything better. Anyways, if you do the math, for a couple of days, I was taking 12 vicodin 5/500 which equals 6,000mg APAP for the mathematically impaired. And this was doctor prescribed.
Hepatotoxicity is rare with less than 10g in normal people and rare with less than 3.5g in alcoholics. And by rare I mean that the grand total of APAP induced hepatotoxicity cases recorded is only a few hundred over the past few years combined. In other words, you are fine, it would take years of 4g APAP daily to cause any real damage to a non-alcoholic. You could probably take n-acetylcystiene as a supplement (try GNC) to prevent any liver damage; this is the specific antidote to APAP poisoning. If you are really concerned, consider finding a more sympathetic doctor who will prescribe a pure opiate agonist (methadone, morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol-pretty rare) that doesn't have special long term risks (aside from dependence).

 

[PhreeX]

I would really agree that this person is more then likely abusing his medication to some degree - but thats OK, everyone should abuse their medication .. also, 4g APAP isn't enough to cause any concern, but over time you're certinly not doing yourself any good ..
Should you talk to your doctor? Sure, but you better not admit to taking more then the prescribed dose - you can say that as-is you're medication isn't enough but dont say that you take 12 pills a day unless you're prescribed 12 pills a day .. the exception to this is if you're in a situation where you're not going to lose your medication regardless - for example, if you're a victim of some obvious situation such as burns, cancer, etc..