twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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Hi all~
I came upon this site almost a week ago and I am so glad I found it. Some of the posts make me wonder about the whole process though.
I have SI Joint Dysfunction, Bulging Discs @ L-4/L5,
L-5/S-1, Siatica, and the wonderful migraines!! I have been taking Vicodin ES on and off for the last 3 years. I was on Avinza for about 8 months but had a very bad experience with it so I've stayed away from anything stronger.
I did a phone consult and received 120 count of the 10/325 (Able)I read that these are Lortabs, is that right? I have had Lortab once before but these don't feel the same at all. In fact, my hubby has joked that once I took my pain med I became a lot happier and more reasonable. I guess that is a bonus of the meds, but I gladly trade all of the meds for a pain free life!!
I've been taking the 10/325 for 2 days now and I've noticed a much different feeling. I feel very jittery and my mouth is very dry. I never felt that with the Vic ES.
Has anyone out there had an experience like this? I'm considering calling the doc and asking to switch back to the Vic ES for the remaining refills.
I have 3 children, two of which are boy/girl twins and it is almost impossible for me to get to Dr. appt's. I have had to cancel the last 3 because hubby works full time and it's just not practical to think I can make all of these appt's with little ones. (I did it once and boy was I sorry!)
The only down side here that I can see is that I pay out of pocket where with the other dr. it's covered by insurance and my scripts are $10, big difference!
Anyway, I am so glad I found this site. It is great to talk to people other than those from the "never been there" crowd. People look at you and if they can't see a hole in your chest, some huge gapping wound, well then you must be fine right?! Wrong!
Thanks for listening and I'd appreciate any info you can give this newcomer.
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Twincerely 
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind..... 
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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Hi there! Wow it sounds like we are twins!!I am also in northern Michigan in the UP,so very very northern!!! I am dealing with horrible sciatica right now and aldo have a l5s1 herniated disc ,2 other disc bulges,DDD,arthropathy?,and a fracture in tail bone.Not a nice thing to base a friendship on ,but wanted to say Hi and nice to meet ya! I don't know much but if I can help at all write me,you can PM me if you like....take care and get better....from one pain in the butt to another!!! WREN' PS if you have the sciatica you get the pain in the butt joke! 
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twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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HI Wren!
WOW I think we are twins. I had to laugh when I read that you're way up north. I'm the in U.P. too or I guess I should say Da U.P. hey!
I will for sure P.M. as I think we have a lot in common and misery does love company. Sisters in Sciatica hey?! Does the throbbing/burning ever stop???? My bum is throbbing and I'd really like to cut my right leg off!!
Gotta run since it's night night time and the twins have lost their sense of humor! Gotta say I just love the whining!
Thanks for the hello!
Twincerely!! 
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Twincerely
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind.....
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meowsie
Member
Reged: 12/16/03
Posts: 177
Loc: MA
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I hear you about getting to doc appts!! I'm a single mother of three..two of them are also boy/girl twins...not that it helps much, but at least you have a husband...I wish I had that sometimes...mine left me cause he was sick of my chronic pain!!! Oops, sorry, going on about myself again, I hate it when I do that..I think the problem might just be that you are not used to the stronger dose..try taking half of one or just give it a couple of days, you will get used to them pretty quickly, too quickly if you ask me!!!
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turcica
seeker
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 312
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Ladies, I'm glad you found each other. Welcome to the board twins. I also have sciatica right side. As I sit on the computer I have a heating pad on my back and a donut under me from my other pain in the butt I got after my first son was born. I have alot of other problems but it's late and it would take awhile. The older I get the more problems I have. Anyday I expect a limb to fall off. LOL. Back to the point, twins this is a great board. You will find many more CP sufferers with similar stories. So glad you found us. turcica
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turcica
The only failure is not knowing how to be happy
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1966
Loc: Texas
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Just to clear up a couple of things - the 10/325's you received are Norco - that's 10 mg. of hydrocodone and 325 mg. of APAP. Lortab is stronger, being 10/500. Many people don't think Norco is as strong as Lortab, and many more people do not like the Able brand at all! Vicodin ES is actually 7.5/750 (I know that's probably all confusing.) I just wanted to point out that if you were taking V ES before and switched to Norco 10/325 Able brand I'm not surprised you aren't liking them according to other people's accounts of that brand. Personally, I like Lortab better for my pain but Norco is better for your liver with less APAP (Tylenol.) Most people prefer Watson brand Norco. Hope this helps and didn't just confuse the heck out of ya.
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ossi69
Newbie
Reged: 12/04/03
Posts: 25
Loc: FL
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twinsane1051 and wren...... way off topic but just had to say that "yoopers" and the U.P. rocks! Spent some time in Copper Harbor a couple years ago. Great place, great friends.
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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I am VERY VERY close to Copper Harbor...itis very very pretty up here,I have only been up here for about 4 years butmy husband is from here.I am a southern girl ...but I love the change of seasons we get up here.I HOPE HOPE to get to have a big garden this year up here if I can bend over by then!!!!!!!!!!!Major pain in the butt this sciatica...I say as I turn my heating pad up!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!! WREN'
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twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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HI again~
Meowsie you have boy/girl twins too? I knew from the moment I found this site that I had a lot in common with those here but it's been a pleasant surprise to see how much personally I have in common. I also have to share with you that my hubby works 10 + hour days and goes to different training things for weeks at a time so I often feel like a single Mom. And how do docs expect us to get to them every month? Or do PT (3 times a week) for the 8 time even though it NEVER helps!!
Anyway, Sky Queen thank you for explaining the meds. I tell you, I thought I felt dumb after the twins were born but trying to disect this med stuff sometimes can leave a girl wishing she'd paid better attention in school. (I blame the boys, muscles and all!)
Turcia, ahhh a fellow Sciatica sufferer. Believe me when I say, I feel your pain. My computer is online ALL of the time but I make trips to it about once every hour or so and try not to sit here too long. But then again, the alternative is to lay on the floor and let the twins use me as their personal jungle gym!
Ossi69~
Yah DA UP is great hey! It's beautiful up here but very cold which only adds to my back pain. Is it just me or (to my fellow back sufferers) when you are out in the cold does your back almost lock up? Mine will become so stiff and painful that all winter I tend to nest in the comfortof my home.
There are some really beautiful spots up here; My hubby and I honeymooned in Paradise (near the falls) and the Bear Ranch in Newberry is a site to see. I guess I'm getting off the subject here huh?
Thank you one and all for saying Hi and making me feel welcome and feel "not alone."
Most of the people I know have never even had headache so they really don't understand this chronic pain thing.
OH and can I just say that if one more person says to me,
"Why don't you take some OTC Advil?!" Yeah ok!
I always reply, "That's like throwing bricks into the Grand Canyon!" It does Nothing!!
Thanks all~
Twincerely
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Twincerely
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind.....
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Winter
Member
Reged: 04/08/03
Posts: 105
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Quote:
HI again~
Yah DA UP is great hey! It's beautiful up here but very cold which only adds to my back pain. Is it just me or (to my fellow back sufferers) when you are out in the cold does your back almost lock up? Mine will become so stiff and painful that all winter I tend to nest in the comfortof my home.
There are some really beautiful spots up here; My hubby and I honeymooned in Paradise (near the falls) and the Bear Ranch in Newberry is a site to see. I guess I'm getting off the subject here huh?
Thank you one and all for saying Hi and making me feel welcome and feel "not alone."
Most of the people I know have never even had headache so they really don't understand this chronic pain thing.
OH and can I just say that if one more person says to me,
"Why don't you take some OTC Advil?!" Yeah ok!
I always reply, "That's like throwing bricks into the Grand Canyon!" It does Nothing!!
Thanks all~
Twincerely
Hi Twinsane, I am an up norther too im in MN. I do notice i hurt more when its cold like it has been here & also the summers here are so hot & muggy & that makes me hurt more too. I once asked a weather person where could I live where the climate would be nicer for my pain & he said San Diego, well thats a DREAM wish I could.
I have no friends that understand pain, so I know just where your coming from there, its very hard & the stress you add to yourself trying to act fine ugh! I gave up making excuses of why I cant go here or there they just dont understand. Everyone here knows just what each other is going through & its much easier to talk.
Now onto the medication I too received able brand 10/325, I dont notice being edgy, but on the name brand norco I did so I quit taking those. Maybe if you can cut back a little like taking 3/4 of a pill wouldnt that be like 7.5 I think thats what ES vicodin are? Maybe someone else will know. I notice being more tired on the able but im so happy not to be in so much pain I can take being tired.
Oh I was also going to tell you duh almost forgot, after my car accident in 1993 my daughter was only 6 or 7 years old, i dont know how old your twins are, I had DR's appt's all week long & like you had no one to take her so I found an hourly daycare center & took her there she had so much fun playing with the other kids & I got to go to my appts. At the time it was like $4 an hour & for an extra $2 or something she got to have lunch. I dont know if thats an option for you or not, it was a life saver for me. The center I took her to was called "Club Kid" Maybe they have the same ones out your way. just wanted to add that in because i know alot of us are parents stuck without anyway to make appt's because of the childcare issue.
Just wanted to say hi & see if I could add something to what everyone else posted. Hope your having a better day on the meds today? Maybe your body just needs to adjust & that edgyness will go away I know for me on the Norco mine didnt yuck.
Tammy
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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HI twinsane,how ya doin??? Is it cold enoughfor ya today????OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! Ithink yesterday was a BIG TEASE for spring,Its almost cruel to have day almost 30 and now its like 4 degrees again!!!!!!!ICK!!!!!! Well I am sitting here on my heating padgoing thru gardening catalogs and trying to think positive!!!! Stay in touch and hope your pain is bearable today! HUG THE KIDS!!!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!! WREN'
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turcica
seeker
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 312
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I don't envy ya all being up there in the snow. I'm in the deep south. We have had a few days last week where it was in the 80's and then yesterday and today back in the high 40's low 50's with rain. I used to live up north with all the cold, snow, ice and sleet. Keep warm. Happy Valentines Day. I baked the boys a heart shaped cake with pink icing for the day. turcica
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turcica
The only failure is not knowing how to be happy
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Edited by turcica (02/14/04 10:29 AM)
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twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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Hi All, again~
Wren, yes this weather is for the birds. I guess it's good that the sun is out but I have to go the store and I am not looking forward to getting out in it. You know, I could ask my hubby to go for me but I am a bad one at asking for help. I feel bad enough like he got a "lemon" when he married me so I just try to smile and pretend I'm not crying inside.
I'm lucky enough to have a huge bathtub with jets so I usually go soak and cry, but by the time I get out no one knows that I've been crying. Sound familiar to anyone?
This may sound dumb too but do any of you gals have a hard time sitting like a "lady?" When I try to sit with my right leg crossed, "OH MY GOSH!!" It just shoots down and I can't stand it.
Tammy~ Hi to you in MN. Cold there too hey! My twins are 17 months old and I have an 11 year old too. I am completely paranoid about daycares because of a bad experience with my 11 year old, long story but now that isn't an option for me, just the thought of it brings on severe anxiety ya know. But thank you for all of the kind words! Have I said that all of you are great?! I am thrilled beyond belief that I found this site. I only wish I would have found it years back.
Turcica~ That cake sounds yummy, good for you. I'm sure the boys will love it. Happy Valentines Day to you and to all.
I'd love to type more but to be honest, it's burning right now. I just took a half of the Norco 10/325 so we'll see what that does. Which OP do you guys use?
I went through NWW and PM Chris who was really nice at walking me through the process.
Thanks again to everybody. You've brightened my day; Just knowing I'm not alone!!
Twincerely
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Twincerely
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind.....
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Winter
Member
Reged: 04/08/03
Posts: 105
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Quote:
Hi All, again~
Wren, yes this weather is for the birds. I guess it's good that the sun is out but I have to go the store and I am not looking forward to getting out in it. You know, I could ask my hubby to go for me but I am a bad one at asking for help. I feel bad enough like he got a "lemon" when he married me so I just try to smile and pretend I'm not crying inside.
I know just how you feel this is how I feel since i got married after my accident, he never knew me any other way but in pain. I hate to feel like a burden & have spent alot of time crying & wondering one day if he will get sick of it, I try so hard not to act like im in pain even though the past 10 years he has been so understanding, but still those feelings dont go away.
I know im happy I found this board too so many nice people here who know just what your going through!!
I used NWW also & im happy I did the DR was very nice I got the same med as you got the 10/325.
I hope your having a good day over there. Its sunny but freezing here.
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
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twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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Yeah I try to hide my pain a lot because I am scared too that he'll want to trade me in for a newer, healthier wife.
I'm actually having a really bad day. I don't know why either. Last night my SI Joint pain was unreal and the sciatica was turned up about 10 notches. I laid in bed from 10pm until 2am, with pain meds, and just cried. It hurt so badly that I couldn't sleep.
This morning there was no hiding my pain as I have the 80 year old gimp walk (as my hubby calls it)I've taken meds and laid flat on the floor with the heating pad which I'm headed back to now.
Hope your doing better than me today.
Yucko!!
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Twincerely
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind.....
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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Hey twinsane! I was actually going to PM you and see if you knew of anything I could do to lessen my pain.I just told my husband I feel like my pain is getting worse instead of better ,I have doubled my pain meds today and still no relief.Is it OK if I PM you to ask you a couple questions I know you have had this longer than me.You know since we are basically living in the same area,do you think it is weather related??????????????? IM IN FREAKIN AGONY TODAY!! Wren'
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twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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Yes PM me. I am in agony today too!! It started last night for me!! WOW maybe it is something in the air.
Dawn :^)
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Twincerely
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind.....
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JOJOM
Banned for off topic discussions, confronting mods in public, and being unpolite to members and mods
Reged: 08/16/03
Posts: 358
Loc: Yankee
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Hey everyone,
I am down Today too, its everything all at once. Aunt flo visiting me from red bank NJ, (the girls understand this one) My back feels like someone is stabbing me, not to sound to graphic. I have a terrible migraine and I just want to lay in bed all day and do nothing!
I need a long hot bath, followed by a full body massage by my fiance, then a foot massage and top it off with a big kiss and hug! I need to really kiss up to get all of these tonight, wish me luck ladies!
I hope you all feel better, and just take it easy for the next few days, I know we have lives that can prevent this but don;t be afraid to ask for help, I learned along time ago that there is no shame in asking for help when you really need it.
I picked wonder woman as my avatar to remind myself that I am NOT wonder woman and to slow down and enjoy life.....
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twinsane1051
Newbie
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Da' U.P.
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Yes JOJOM you do really need to kiss up to get those things, ESPECIALLY if Aunt Flo is in town.
Aunt Flo and I had a very dysfunctional relationship so she had to go, along with her egg producing daughters. I had that surgery in December so now I batter with HRT.
Do the docs every find the right dosage? I have learned that Estrogen is my friend!
I am taking a break from the heating pad to visit the board. I guess I wanted to stop feeling sorry for myself. It's so tough when you have a really "bad" pain day. I'm hoping that I wake up tomorrow and have more functional pain. Boy I never thought a type of pain would be something I'd ever hope for!
Here's to a better tomorrow all!
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Twincerely
If I could walk on my hands, I'd have a big breasts and a small behind.....
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TexasT
Stranger
Reged: 01/01/04
Posts: 15
Loc: Texas, USA
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JOJOM-Sent you a pm. To all the other girls out there I'm always glad when Aunt flo comes to visit but extremely glad when she's gone!
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