1. < Chronic Pain

Hydrocodone/Medical Marijuana

Posted by chilid @chilid, Sep 12, 2018

I'm 62 years old. After 15 years of taking 3200mg of Ibuprofen a day for achilles tendonitis (which damaged my kidneys...before the discovery of ibuprofen's affect on them; in about the year 2000 or so), my Dr switched me to Norco (10mg Hydrocodone, 325 Tylenol...sorry can't seem to spell the generic name). Another 15 years down the road, I started having lower back, hip & knee pain. The Norco has worked wonderfully at relieving the pain. The last couple of years, I've been having trouble sleeping. Can only seem to sleep an hour or two at a time, having to get up for bathroom runs numerous times a night. California in the meantime had legalized medical marijuana. In the sense of full disclosure, I have done pot recreationally since the early '70s, but decreasingly in the last 10 years or so. Now that it's "legal", I started taking edibles as a sleep aid; have not noticed that the marijuana has had any pain relief for me, but as a sleep aid, it's been wonderful. So, Norco for pain, pot for sleep has been my regimen for about the last 15 months, and I've been feeling 25 years younger; no pain, nearly full 8 hours straight a night of sleep. I'm waking fully rested & ready to take on my days. For the first time in the years I've been taking Norco, my Dr had me do a urinalysis, results, of course, showing both the hydrocodone AND the THC in the pot. He gave me an ultimatum: one or the other, but you can't do both (due to DEA laws, etc). At this point, being a somewhat stubborn person, I'm not willing to give up my newly regained increased quality of daily life. What are my options?

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carol1024 | @carol1024 | May 19, 2023
In reply to @ryan000000000bski "I use cvs care mark. They mail me my stuff. It's all controlled through an app...." + (show)
@ryan000000000bski

I use cvs care mark. They mail me my stuff. It's all controlled through an app. It works pretty well. There is also express script with walgreens.

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I would NOT trust the mail system to get my pain meds through the mail. I do use CVS for the $40 I'm allowed to order in OTC products monthly.

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ryan000000000bski | @ryan000000000bski | May 19, 2023
In reply to @carol1024 "Lol I know what as needed is. Some of my scripts say PRN, that's as needed...." + (show)
@carol1024

Lol I know what as needed is. Some of my scripts say PRN, that's as needed. My pain meds say every 6 hours although my doctor knows at times I need them every 4. Not overthinking, over explaining maybe 😂
I don't need to tell him I had a cold because he knows already why I take them like I do. I have never, in over 15 years had an "out of stock" issue. The script is for 120 pills. That's technically 4 a day since scripts are written for monthly use. I'd need 90 pills to take them based on 3 day that I do take BUT......then those days I needed 4 a day, I'd be short, so he leaves them 120 so I do have them. I've also moved to every 7 hours now for 2 months. I don't do the apps for pharmacy. My phone already has too much info about me. 🤣
It knows I drove only 39 miles the month of April. Lol
Have a great day. 🙂

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I took hydrocodone the same way you did before I got the oxy. Four pills a day is 1300 milligrams of tylenol, all which is the maximum per day. My doctor didn't like my blood pressure going up and down. So that's how I got moved 2 oxy. The old blue lortabs back in the day worked much better than norco. In my opinion. I'm glad you got it handled. Be well.

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ryan000000000bski | @ryan000000000bski | May 19, 2023
In reply to @carol1024 "I would NOT trust the mail system to get my pain meds through the mail. I..." + (show)
@carol1024

I would NOT trust the mail system to get my pain meds through the mail. I do use CVS for the $40 I'm allowed to order in OTC products monthly.

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I've had no problems with mail-order. They don't just get in your box like a bill.,, You have to sign for it like, certified mail. The post office has a program for it. I was having problems getting my fills. Out of stock, different brands. I'm definitely particular about my pain medication. I do not like rhoads pharmacy. RP. It works for me. They send me all my other stuff every 90 days. Again, All controller by the app.

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Judyinjeans. | @judyingenes | May 19, 2023
In reply to @carol1024 "No, I get them monthly. It's just that I always or usually have enough for a..." + (show)
@carol1024

No, I get them monthly. It's just that I always or usually have enough for a couple weeks past a month. Sometimes I only have 5 days or so and that's because it was a bad month and I needed more which is why I don't want the doctor to issue less because if he does then when I need the extra, I won't have them. I can't see taking one every 4 hours when I don't need it. That's what leaves a surplus. If, like in the past, I have a week of terrible days where I need them every 4 hours for say 5 days, then I have them to take where as if he gave enough only for 2 a day and I need them every 4 hours on those bad days, I wouldn't have them. He can tell by the urine test how much of the meds are in my system. That's the purpose of the urine test if people want to know the truth. Yes, it shows other drugs you may have taken too but it's mainly to make sure you are taking meds like you should. If I had none left each month, the urine would show that level. I'd rather just move my appt out a week or so than be short when I need them.

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I just had my prescription changed ( no real clue why) from “ maximum 5 1/2 tablets per day. 30 day supply.” to “ take one tablet by mouth every five hours as needed for severe pain. Maximum five tablets per day. 28 day supply.”
That is 25 tablets less a month and I was given no reason for it. That is why as stated previously I am having a phone conversation with my doctor and I just don’t know what to make of this.

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lindallewis | @lindallewis | May 19, 2023
In reply to @bumblebee1 "My Husband had the same issue when the Medical Marijuana laws recently passed in Florida. He..." + (show)
@bumblebee1

My Husband had the same issue when the Medical Marijuana laws recently passed in Florida. He had to change Doctors. He and I had the same orthopedist and PM doc’s for years, but at their facility, they decided to opt out of allowing medical marijuana patients to be prescribed opiates. I know things change State by State, but basically here, he had to get his medical marijuana card, then find a PM Doctor that would treat them with Opiates. Not as hard as it sounds really. It can take a couple of months, but for some it is very much worth it ...
Good luck

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In Michigan, the law is one or the other--not both. In my case for Lyrica and weed. We don't have the option to simply change doctors, I wouldn't think, because Lyrica is a federally controlled substance.

Does anyone know about detox-type products for clearing weed from the system?

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lindallewis | @lindallewis | May 19, 2023

Apparently, there's no magic bullet for clearing it from the system in under 30 days, so start signing petitions, please!
https://www.change.org/search?q=marijuana%20reform&offset=0

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carol1024 | @carol1024 | May 20, 2023
In reply to @judyingenes "I just had my prescription changed ( no real clue why) from “ maximum 5 1/2..." + (show)
@judyingenes

I just had my prescription changed ( no real clue why) from “ maximum 5 1/2 tablets per day. 30 day supply.” to “ take one tablet by mouth every five hours as needed for severe pain. Maximum five tablets per day. 28 day supply.”
That is 25 tablets less a month and I was given no reason for it. That is why as stated previously I am having a phone conversation with my doctor and I just don’t know what to make of this.

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Hhmmm..that's a puzzler....yeah I'd want to know why too. See, I'd think it impossible to take 5 a day without having to get up after I've gone to bed to take one. My day starts anywhere from 2-5am (depending on when internal vibrations wake me, was 3:00 this morning) and even being up 15 hours that would be a pill every 3 hours, if taking max 5 a day. I took one at 3 then I'll do another at 10, depending on how back is after some major cleaning, if bad, I'll do at 9. Then the other will be at either 4 or 5 and that will be it because I'll be in bed by 7 or 8 and won't take another until I get up following morning. But yeah, it certainly seems like your doctor should have given you reason for change. Do you do urine test when you go? If so and you've taken them as you should, that level meds should show up in the test. If taking more than should, not saying YOU are, just using as example, it will also show a higher than normal level. Hope you get sufficient answers.

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2 replies
Judyinjeans. | @judyingenes | May 20, 2023
In reply to @carol1024 "Hhmmm..that's a puzzler....yeah I'd want to know why too. See, I'd think it impossible to take..." + (show)
@carol1024

Hhmmm..that's a puzzler....yeah I'd want to know why too. See, I'd think it impossible to take 5 a day without having to get up after I've gone to bed to take one. My day starts anywhere from 2-5am (depending on when internal vibrations wake me, was 3:00 this morning) and even being up 15 hours that would be a pill every 3 hours, if taking max 5 a day. I took one at 3 then I'll do another at 10, depending on how back is after some major cleaning, if bad, I'll do at 9. Then the other will be at either 4 or 5 and that will be it because I'll be in bed by 7 or 8 and won't take another until I get up following morning. But yeah, it certainly seems like your doctor should have given you reason for change. Do you do urine test when you go? If so and you've taken them as you should, that level meds should show up in the test. If taking more than should, not saying YOU are, just using as example, it will also show a higher than normal level. Hope you get sufficient answers.

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Yes, I usually get a urine test as well as a blood test. A few months ago my Doctor wasn’t available to refill the Hydrocodone so an associate of hers did and refilled it at this lower amount. I happened to be having an in office appointment with my doctor and told her I wanted back at the higher amount because I do need every pill for pain and so she did at that time… And now I’m having to deal with the same thing again.

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mikeswims | @mikeswims | May 20, 2023

I suggest you find a new pain doctor. I have been taking Tramadol 4 times a day and THC edibles every evening for 3 years. I also have a prescriptions for Percocet and Belbuca for days when the pain is particularly intense. All of my doctors know I use marijuana edibles and they all say it’s a good idea as long as I don’t smoke it. The law requires me to have to have a urinalysis every 3 months in order to keep renewing my opioids prescriptions. It shows I use THC and it’s not a problem. To renew my prescriptions I have to call my pain doctor and they call in the prescription. I get 150 Tramadol in each bottle. I use CVS and they are quick and easy to work with. Previously I had gotten prescriptions at Walmart, but they refused to fill my Tramadol prescription because I also have Percocet. I hope this information is helpful.

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1 reply
copeterson | @copeterson | May 20, 2023
In reply to @edda "I am there also, so to speak. Because of chronic pain in my neck, caused by..." + (show)
@edda

I am there also, so to speak. Because of chronic pain in my neck, caused by arthritis and also a car accident, I am also taking Hydrocodone10/325 for the last 8 years. I also have trouble sleeping, and wake up every 2 hours, either having to go to the bathroom or with a severe stomach pain, caused by constipation, which also is caused by the pain meds. Now my children are after me to take some marijuana, since it is legal in our state of California.
But I also found out, that my doc can not prescribe the hydrocodone, if I am also taking marijuana, since it is prohibited by federal law. So I did not take it.
And sure enough a few weeks ago, my pain doctor had me take a urine test, and could tell, what was in the blood. Even a sleeping pill showed up.
So I am not going there with the pot. But I decided to wean myself off the hydrocodone, and I can tell you, it is not easy. But with all the news about hydrocodone, I really hope, I can do it. Never thought, it was that dangerous, otherwise I would never started it. And I did start with two pills and then was
slowly put up to 6 a day. The problem is, they do help me. My doc says, I am dependent on the hydrocodone, not addicted. But my life is not the same anymore, and I really hope, I can be successful with the weaning off. It has been already 8 months. Wish me luck! I want my life back, and not be tired or in pain all the times. It put me in a very lonely, depressed state and nobody talks about it. Has anybody weaned off the hydro successful, after about 8 years?
One always reads about overdosing about it, but what to do and where to get help, nobody says. My other doctors do not want anything to do with it. I think, they want my pain doctor approach this with me, but he also just says, wean yourself off!!!!

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Yes, I found hydrocodone was effective dealing with my PMR symptoms for about 7 years. ( combined with prednisone) I too stopped taking for other reasons. Congratulations to you for that accomplishment - very difficult. Prevailing wisdom is we’ve done the right thing. Fact is, with me, I have to deal with the morning and afternoon pain…
Easy to say “ just get off” but until I find a treatment that works I would go back to hydrocodone immediately. Tough place for us to be.

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