DrugBuyers.Com: Norco or Hydro?

My comments don't relate *directly* to your question but are along the same line. [Disclaimer: I'm going to admit to triple dipping, so if will be offended by this then I suggest you stop reading right now, for nothing you will say will convince me that I'm doing anything to harm myself or anyone else. I know my body, you do not.]

I require 90mgs of hydro per day to keep my pain at an acceptable level. I have a growing tolerance to opiates coupled with an injury that only gets worse. My PCP prescribes #90 hydrocodone each month, usually 10/325 and I supplement that with two OPs which also prescribe the same amount. This month when my PCP's office called in the refill I got Vicodin HP instead, which is 10/660. Yes, it's a huge amount of APAP but I figured I could live with it for ten days. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the Vicodin HP was actually *stronger* than the hydro 10/325 (Norco)! I found that I needed LESS to put my pain in its place and I even received the added benefit of feeling some Happy Warmies (tm) from the opiates, a side effect that hasn't happened since way back in my early days of needing hydro! I wasn't looking for the Happy Warmies (tm) but it was indeed a pleasant surprise.

Why did this happen? I was taking a whopping 1980mgs of APAP instead of my usual 975 per dose which might account for the added pain relief, but that certainly would not induce the Happy Warmies (tm). The only thing I can think of is that I got the name-brand Vicodin HP instead of a generic, whereas the 10/325s were Watson generics. But I've never had a gripe with the Watsons, I always thought they were very effective. Could it be that in this case the Brand med really *is* better?

Just a curious observation on my part. And to defend myself ahead of time, my hometown doctor has stated that he "doesn't believe" in narcotic medication and he's stepping out of his main path by prescribing 30mgs a day for me on a regular basis. My family is of a belief that chronic pain is a myth for weak people. So, two major forces in my life are stumbling blocks which I must work around, and in my opinion this is one of the reasons that online pharmacies are a great help to people like me who must face the ignorance of the very people who should be my biggest supporters.

Okay, ready...set...FLAME!