Headache
Newbie
Reged: 11/29/02
Posts: 48
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Hello,
I've been taking hydrocodone for years, so I'm pretty sure I'm not allergic to it. Its been a few months and I ordered 60 10/325, I took them and I felt alot better. I was over at a friends house the next day and I left my meds at the house, so he gave me a few 10/500's. (I wouldnt think mixing them would cause a rash, but I figured I should tell that anyway, both brands were watson)
So anyway Saturday is when I started taking the meds and Sunday night is when I noticed redness on my face. Monday it was alot redder and becoming defined as a dreaded rash. Today it seems worse and is on my chin, cheeks and forehead. It's not that bad, but its very noticeable, It almost looks like a sunburn. I've also noticed that I've been itchy lately...all over.
If these side effects are cause by the hydrocodone, they are side effects that I have never experienced before. I am allergic to nothing and never have reacted adversely to any med.
Does anybody have any idea what this is? If its cause by the hydrocodone is there a way to make it go away that doesnt require me to stop taking the pills. What about the itching?
Thank You
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Voo
Stranger
Reged: 10/04/04
Posts: 24
Loc: beach boy country
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try benadryl. hydro always makes me itch,thus i always take hydro and benadryl together. codeine is much worse in terms of itching and rashes for me and since i have to treat my pain some way, i'm resigned to always taking the two together.
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edward73
Journeyman
Reged: 04/30/04
Posts: 63
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Id kill for a bottle full of 'Rashes' right about now! 
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MetsFan
Member
Reged: 09/21/03
Posts: 152
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rashes and itching are common for new users. At least from what I have seen.
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Headache
Newbie
Reged: 11/29/02
Posts: 48
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I've been using it for years and never had itching or rashes, thats why its kinda shocking me. I am taking more than I used to though due to my tolerance.
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MetsFan
Member
Reged: 09/21/03
Posts: 152
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Kill, What would you pay? $4, $5 a pill. It's a shame. Its everyone's fault we pay such high prices..
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beepertgirl
Newbie
Reged: 01/27/04
Posts: 30
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Body does react differently. I use to take it for back pain, dental pains. But this past year, I started to have reactions to it also, so I stop taking it. I think its because I'm getting older and maybe my body is changing.
I do know most opiates do make you itch.
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edward73
Journeyman
Reged: 04/30/04
Posts: 63
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Yup, its all my fault.
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letitride
Journeyman
Reged: 04/15/03
Posts: 64
Loc: San Diego county in sunny Cali...
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I also get itching at times. I'm not sure why, but I get the itching on my nose and forearms. Go figure. It's definitely time to taper off to zero. Any ideas or formulas on how to get off this stuff (hydro) other than cold turkey?
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mph47
Newbie
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 49
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I know one thing cause it happens to me sometimes, but its the hydro for sure!- I even took a back scratcher to the hospital for my back surgery AND aslo to bed! If you are used to taking too many, lets say more than 6- 10/325 you may start itching. If its more than 6 you might need a RAKE, LOL to stop the itching!!!! LOL The only thing I can think of to get rid of the 'itchies' is to 'scratch' or stop the meds.
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"Is the pain ever gonna stop?"
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mph47
Newbie
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 49
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Hey its midnight where I am & the DB ccccclosk says 9 hrs. later/ Explain anyone ? I know I cant sleep but are my eyes going nowW LOL!
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"Is the pain ever gonna stop?"
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mph47
Newbie
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 49
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Hey its midnight where I am & the DB clock says 9 hrs. later/ Explain anyone ? I know I cant sleep but are my eyes going now LOL!
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"Is the pain ever gonna stop?"
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cherokeereb
Member
Reged: 05/08/03
Posts: 123
Loc: Southeast
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Might be an outside shot but could the meds have been in a bottle with something else? Maybe just the extra APAP? Change in the weather? It is getting cold and the air drier. That can cause some of that. Just a thought.
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purppoptart
Journeyman
Reged: 04/28/04
Posts: 83
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If the hydro makes you itch, take an antihistimine with it (such as benadryl).
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......and his hair was.....PERFECT!!
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Pyotr
Stranger
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 3
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I had the same thing. I had been taking methadone for 10 years. I had to quit cause my doc retired. Went 8 months before getting back into pain management. Surprisingly they put me back on methadone. It made me scratch myself raw in a couple places.It wasn't the same pill as I was taking before,so they figured I was allergic to one of the other ingredients.
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Headache
Newbie
Reged: 11/29/02
Posts: 48
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Is there anything I can take prevent or treat the rash? Also, if I go my doctor, will he know by looking at it what is causing it?
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bmurphr1
Newbie
Reged: 04/07/04
Posts: 28
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Ask your doc if he'll give you a script for some Periactin. It's a powerful, yet somewhat sedating, antihistamine. You can take half of a 4mg pill (2mg) and you'll be amazed...My itchies from hydrocodone completely disappeared, but of course YMMV.
Edited by bmurphr1 (11/18/04 12:52 AM)
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purppoptart
Journeyman
Reged: 04/28/04
Posts: 83
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A little caution on the Periactin (from personal experience and from working at a pharmacy years ago). It MAKES YOU HUNGRY!!! Drs used to prescribe it to kids who had poor appetites, when I took it for a short time I gained weight, all I wanted to do was eat!!! You might want to try a different antihistimine - I use Zyrtec, it lasts 24 hours.
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......and his hair was.....PERFECT!!
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bmurphr1
Newbie
Reged: 04/07/04
Posts: 28
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lol I remember that, everyone was like "WTF? Give a kid an antihistamine and it makes them hungry?" I tried Zyrtec and Allegra both for the itchies with hydro unsuccessfully, but I'm sure everyone would have a better chance of them working than I would.
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tweak1972
Stranger
Reged: 10/16/04
Posts: 2
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I have been researching liver damage for a bit (I am not a nurse, but I have friends who are who call me for info so I am not totally talking out of my @$$). Itching and rash are a sign of cirrhosis or liver damage/toxicity. I don't want to make you panic or anything, but you probably need to have a liver panel (they draw blood to check liver function) which you can get done at a clinic or a general practioner or pretty much anywhere except probably the Health Department.
It sounds like you take your medication correctly, except that you have had to take it on a long term basis.
Here's one of the best links that I've found to help you in the last 30 minutes: http://www.liverfoundation.org/db/articles/1021
Do a Ctrl-f and search for "TROUBLE SIGNS..." and it will take you to the symptoms.
I don't mean to sound like some kinda expert, it is just that I have been concerned about my own health in this area and I can empathize with your worries.
Tweak1972
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bmurphr1
Newbie
Reged: 04/07/04
Posts: 28
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Quote:
I have been researching liver damage for a bit (I am not a nurse, but I have friends who are who call me for info so I am not totally talking out of my @$$). Itching and rash are a sign of cirrhosis or liver damage/toxicity. I don't want to make you panic or anything, but you probably need to have a liver panel (they draw blood to check liver function) which you can get done at a clinic or a general practioner or pretty much anywhere except probably the Health Department.
It sounds like you take your medication correctly, except that you have had to take it on a long term basis.
Here's one of the best links that I've found to help you in the last 30 minutes: http://www.liverfoundation.org/db/articles/1021
Do a Ctrl-f and search for "TROUBLE SIGNS..." and it will take you to the symptoms.
I don't mean to sound like some kinda expert, it is just that I have been concerned about my own health in this area and I can empathize with your worries.
Tweak1972
That is true, but there are a lot of people who get the "itchies" from codeine/hydro even when using the first time. It's not necessarily a sign of liver problems, but someone who's been taking hydro for more than 6 months and ingests more than 4 grams of APAP daily...then you're probably having problems with your liver.
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agnet
Stranger
Reged: 07/15/04
Posts: 15
Loc: DesPlaines,ILL
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Itching is a side affect they say minor for hydro.
I go to webmd do a search on Hydrocodone, all side effects minor and major.
The side effects are about 6 minor, itching,sweating, less frequent urination.
I get itching , half as much urinating as usual.
Tony
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line6ampman
Stranger
Reged: 10/22/04
Posts: 6
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The itchies and rashing are present to let you know the hydro is doing its job. Try an antihistamine of some kind about 30 minutes before you take your medication.
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timwethers
Journeyman
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 57
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it could also mean you have taken too much if you have taken over the prescribed dose. Itching is not a desired or effect that is linked to "working" it means there is a negative or allergic reaction, most of the time mild but not a desired or wanted effect
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FORMRLAGAL
Stranger
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 9
Loc: The Big Apple
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My experience has been lots of itching from any amount of hydro/analgesic combos. Used to have the same reaction from codiene meds. Another suggestion: A non-ingestible I use effectively is Gold Bond cream. It's available whereever body creams are (drugstores, large stores like WalMart, Target, Kmart, etc). They make a powder too but didn't work as well for me. Best wishes and keep us posted on what you've found works.
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Zilla
Newbie
Reged: 11/12/03
Posts: 48
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I've used hydrocortisone cream before, it works quite well. Especially when the itching is concentrated in spots or areas of your body.
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