Opioids Vicoprofen and Kava

[Addison_Taylor]

I'm definitely "green" posting here but I had a question. Forgive me if this question has already been answered but, as I said, I am a newbie at all of this.

Okay, I have Lupus. It's not aggressive or life threatening at this point and time. I'm very young, just barely 18. I was diagnosed at 16. I have pain that is being well managed, thank God. The pain is not that bad. I'm only on Vicoprofen right now as needed for pain. I'm on the 7.5/200 dose. I'm also on an immune support medication to keep my immune system somewhat strong because I'm very much susceptible to every little cold/flu that's out there. I get sick very easily, to put it lightly. I'm really into herbs. Not really into cannabis as of yet because the pain really isn't that bad. I could be put on medical cannabis. I'm a likely candidate for such. Anyway, along with my immune support medicine (I can't spell it or pronounce it so I simply leave it out ) I also take an immunity support herb. My doc tried to put me on a benzo for anxiety but with someone with Lupus, the side effects (which I am also very susceptible to) are just too great. So, instead, I take Kava for anxiety. My question is has anyone out there had any experience with hydrocodone, ibuprofen, and kava together? Just as a background, I usually take Melatonin, Dramamine (for nausea), Immodium (for obvious reasons), 2 Kava capsules, Ginger (to aide in the nausea), Valerian Root (to aide the Melatonin) at night to help me sleep. I'm wondering if I could combine my pain medication with all of that that I take at night. My pain seems to be getting worse at night, whereas usually it hits me during the day. I'm honestly not looking for a high (although I won't lie. Hydro usually is enough to put me in my happy place for quite some time) but I'm wondering if anyone else has maybe had some experience taking Kava and Vicoprofen together?

 

[bronson]

I think this is generally safe based on the reading I just did looking into it. Still, I would start with a small dose to test the waters.

Lupus can send stress levels soaring. If you’ve lost weight and are very slender, however, a very strong relaxant might be too much for you. Instead, try tea made with a moderately potent herb, like skullcap or hops. If neither of these herbs works, or if you have a larger frame, move on to valerian (Valeriana officinalis) or kava kava (Piper methysticum).(source)

If you are not having problems with your current regimen, then I would say start with a lower dose of Vicoprofen than usual, and have someone monitor you through the night if at all possible just to make sure all is well. If that goes okay, then adjust to the lowest effective dose.

Best of luck and welcome to bL.

 

[Addison_Taylor]

Thank you so much. I'm actually staying with my best friend and her mother because my family is less than able to deal with what's going on. My mom's a drug addict and tends to try and steal my medications (one of the reasons I stay away from a lot of controlled substances) which is why I moved out of her house and move two hours away to a town she's never heard of. My best friend's mother is super sweet and I'm almost positive she will have no trouble keeping a close eye on my at night. I find her at times checking on me throughout the night anyway. I told her about what I wanted to do by adding the Vicoprofen to my nightly regimen and she said she didn't mind it as an experiment but to do some research on it first. Since my Lupus isn't as bad as it could be, I think it will be safe to try. I'm going to try a half a Vic tonight and see what happens.

 

[bronson]

Sorry to hear, that's a shitty situation to be in, where you end up having to move over someone's greed. You'd like to wish there was more respect in the world, you're clearly in a situation where you need the medication you are prescribed. At the least, it sounds like you've gotten into a living arrangement where your well being can be put first, so that's great to hear.

Be sure, to check back in and let us know how everything went. All the best.

-bronson

 

[Addison_Taylor]

Well, I woke up. That's great in and of itself. I took a half of a Vicoprofen with my night time routine and according to Jennie, my best friend, Luca's, Mom, nothing bad happened. I actually slept more soundly. Here's my next problem. Because my mother did what she did, I found myself a lot of times calling my doctor for an early refill on medications. Since the only medication I get from him is my pain medication, it looks extremely suspicious that I would be calling in early repeatedly to get a refill. The Vicoprofen is a new medication they put me on. I was on Lorcet Plus which was good but it had a shit load of APAP in it and we all know how bad that is for your liver. Then, put on Percocet 5/325. Which, I'm sorry, was some weak shit. The Vicoprofen was/is fantastic at ridding me of pain and isn't half as bad on my liver. Here's my problem. I'm very close to just asking my doc if I can go to pain management that way I can get on something continuous and something for breakthrough pain. Here's my thing. How can I go about asking my doc if I could go to pain management? I mean, he's trying something new with me starting next week and honestly, I want to go somewhere where I can get pain medications without the fear of the DEA crawling up my ass. My thing is I'm still on my parents insurance. But I'm 18 and older. Therefore, under HIPAA regulations, my doctor can't tell them that I'm going to pain management. However, my fear and worry (which isn't good with my condition) is that if and when he says that I can be referred to a PM doc, will my parents find out because I'm still on their insurance? I can pay for everything myself but only if I have insurance. So, I can't go in and just say I don't have insurance. Unless you guys happen to know how much a PM doc is without insurance. But I don't wanna go there. So, can my parents find out because I'm under their insurance? Or am I safe to pursue that. Because my doc pretty much told me that the pain meds end because I call in early for refills. Doesn't matter my excuse. They don't believe me. And honestly, I wouldn't believe me either. From the outside, my mother looks very prim and proper. Like she hasn't used drugs a day in her life. She doesn't look like the type of person to steal her own daughter's pain meds for herself. My dad doesn't even believe me. He thinks I moved out because I got tired of their rules. Okay, if anyone can figure out wtf I just posted, I'd be most appreciative. 8)