I have been taking Hydrocodone for 2 1/2 years on and off. My doctor gives it

[Matt T 3]

to me for all my joint pain.? My doctor gives it to me because of all my surgries to my left shoulder and knees. I've had 8 surgries in 26mo. I take 4 to 5 pills a day. The pills are 5/500 mg. Should I be worried about anything? And can it cause breathing problems and shap pain in my lungs? Thank you.

[IplayadoconTV]

Why so many surgeries? Juvenile arthritis? Trauma from ice hockey? Sounds like you need the meds. If you can wean yourself slowly from the pain meds, you'll be better off in the long run. Lung pain? Not from the meds if think. Constipation, sure, but not breathing problems.

[Kimmie]

you can become addicted to hydrocodone(vicodin) it tends to mask your pain... if you can, try taking extra strength tyelenol 2 tablets every 4-6 hours. the 500mg portion of the vicodin is tylenol(generic)

[wonderer]

i been on them for 10yrs due to an auto accident and yes if you take them that many times a day they can cause breathing problems i was also told if you stay on them to long they can cause dead brain cells but this is for a very long period of time , they are addicting ...the sharp pains in the lungs i have never heard of. hope this helps if you want to learn more on the effects do a search on hydrocodone / lortabs

[Cody B]

Hydrocodone or AKA Loritab, is a potent narcotic and can be very addictive. I have never heard of it causing respiratory problems but that dosen't mean that it cannot. I would consult your doctor, or even a different doctor on its possible side effects. There are several other pain killers out there that are just as effective as Loritab. Unfortunately most painkillers are addictive but perhaps there is one that is less harmfull.

[US_DR_JD]

There is always a potential for physiological dependence and psychological addiction when taking opiates. However, if you are in pain, these are considered to be acceptable risks, as you can be withdrawn from the medications. It is the inappropriate prescribing of the pain medications by multiple physicians which leads to the addiction problems you often hear about. It would be better if you could be managed on the 5/325 version of the hydrocodone/apap as there is an uneccessary amont of acetaminophen, for most patients, in the 5/500. Otherwise this is fine, as long as the plan is for temporary coverage, and you are not exceeding your prescription.

The medication if taken in excess, can lead to slowed breathing due to the opiate, decreased mental function due to the opiate and liver damage due to the acetaminophen, But taken as prescribed, there has been no evidence of problems in patients with normally functioning respiratory and hepatic systems.

At this point I would not worry about the medications. I would put forth every effort to optimize the function and decrease the pain, so you can decrease and then stop the medications in the future. With 8 surgical procedures, the use of the hydrocodone is not unexpected, however, the longer you are on the opiates, the greater the risk of physiologic dependence, and subsequent psychological addiction occuring.

As an additional note, for Terry L. Tramadol, or Ultram is a synthetic opiate and has the potential for addiction and physiological dependence. Recently, I have helped several patients with withdrawal from this medication, after they had been told they could take it freely, as it was not habit forming.

[Terry L]

I live in constant pain and for a long time took Hydrocodone. Actually, I wish I could get it now the opiate based pain relievers work better than what I am taking Tramadol.

I would not worry too much except for, and your doctor may disagree but I have been at this side of the hill for awhile, the high doses of Acetaminophen.

If you take 2 tablets at a time I would seriously recommend requesting your doctor give you prescription for generic Watson brand 10/325. The harmony of the Acetaminophen is still present but in a much lower dose.

Opiate based pain relievers can become addictive but the amount you're taking does not speak to that.

If you are worried about it you could always try Ultram or the generic Tramadol which is not addictive and works of pain in much the same way.