Pain Pill Absorption/Chronic Pain

[Imagine 1 63]

I would like to hear from those who have to take pain meds for chronic pain issues after RNY. I am 62 years old.

I started to take pain pills for arthritis, bone spurs, compressed discs in my back and other problems several years before my surgery, which was one year ago. I never could take NSAIDS so they were never an option for me even before surgery. Now that I have lost 138 lbs. I do feel the difference on my joints but I still have chronic pain from all the years of obesity and genetic reasons.

I have noticed a difference in the the effectiveness of the Norco's that I take. They wear off more quickly and I find myself taking another pill before the 8 hours goes by. I am prescribed 3, (7.5) a day as needed. I asked the surgeon's office about it and they told me that because my intestine is shorter, I may not be absorbing them fully. The nurse said I may want to talk to my family Doc. about trying liquid. But wouldn't that be absorbed in intestine too?

I would like to hear from RNY'ers who have to take pain meds for chronic conditions. Have you noticed a difference in effectiveness?? Would it help to take them at lower dose more frequently?? Get a stronger dose? liquids? patch? Without any medication I have a hard time walking and moving around. There has to be others out there who have to take pain medication long term. I really would like your help. I plan on talking to my GP soon. ????.

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[8petals 57]

I'm having the vsg done next Monday, and I'm on Butrans 15 mcg for chronic pain after a car accident. My PCP said pain Patches won't change the effectiveness after surgery, but short acting pain pills can. I would ask your PCP about a patch.

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[DeletedMember 715]

I noticed post surgery that norcos had much less effect than prior. Interestingly, the liquid version seemed much stronger at the same dosage. I can't explain the biology/pharmacology, but that was definitely my anecdotal experience.

[Imagine 1 63]

Thanks for your insights! My Family Physician is a new one. With all the issues people are having with pain pills I don't want to be misunderstood. I am not drug seeking. I have always taken them responsibly. I just want to explain that they are not lasting as long as they used to and this I'm not making it up. I'm trying to get informed before my appointment. Thnx again and I welcome any other comment!

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[meyouus 415]

Thanks for your insights! My Family Physician is a new one. With all the issues people are having with pain pills I don't want to be misunderstood. I am not drug seeking. I have always taken them responsibly. I just want to explain that they are not lasting as long as they used to and this I'm not making it up. I'm trying to get informed before my appointment. Thnx again and I welcome any other comment!

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Hello Imagine 1....I take Lortabs for chronic pain, I'm at about a year into them. PCP stated that I will most likely be on them for the rest of my life. I'm 50. Due to the Opioid Crisis in this country, it is always on the news. Though I take my pills precisely as prescribed, never doubling up, the press makes me feel like I'm an addict. A criminal addict! It feels awful. But just to be able to walk or stand for five minutes, I have to have the Lortabs. I'm almost ashamed.

I am still in pain despite the pills, but I am afraid to ask for a higher dose or use another pain pill because I believe that one gets "used" to them and they feel like they don't work as well. I don't want to ask for, say, Oxycodone, because I feel I'll just get used to them too over time and then where do I go? My PCP says she may send me to a pain clinic, because she does not dispense anything over my current dose or a stronger pill. That's ok with me, but I don't know what a pain clinic does. I'm not addicted to pain pills, I never misuse, sell or share them. I am dependent on them. But as far as how well it controls or eases my pain, I think they work less now. The only thing I can think of is that my body is used to them and I don't get the benefits from them like I used to. But they still help, a little.

I could only assume that I am becoming resistant to them. Does that help? I can only offer my experience and tell you you are not alone. Good luck with your new PCP, I hope they can help you.

[Imagine 1 63]

Thanks for your insights! My Family Physician is a new one. With all the issues people are having with pain pills I don't want to be misunderstood. I am not drug seeking. I have always taken them responsibly. I just want to explain that they are not lasting as long as they used to and this I'm not making it up. I'm trying to get informed before my appointment. Thnx again and I welcome any other comment!

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Hello Imagine 1....I take Lortabs for chronic pain, I'm at about a year into them. PCP stated that I will most likely be on them for the rest of my life. I'm 50. Due to the Opioid Crisis in this country, it is always on the news. Though I take my pills precisely as prescribed, never doubling up, the press makes me feel like I'm an addict. A criminal addict! It feels awful. But just to be able to walk or stand for five minutes, I have to have the Lortabs. I'm almost ashamed.

I am still in pain despite the pills, but I am afraid to ask for a higher dose or use another pain pill because I believe that one gets "used" to them and they feel like they don't work as well. I don't want to ask for, say, Oxycodone, because I feel I'll just get used to them too over time and then where do I go? My PCP says she may send me to a pain clinic, because she does not dispense anything over my current dose or a stronger pill. That's ok with me, but I don't know what a pain clinic does. I'm not addicted to pain pills, I never misuse, sell or share them. I am dependent on them. But as far as how well it controls or eases my pain, I think they work less now. The only thing I can think of is that my body is used to them and I don't get the benefits from them like I used to. But they still help, a little.

I could only assume that I am becoming resistant to them. Does that help? I can only offer my experience and tell you you are not alone. Good luck with your new PCP, I hope they can help you.

Thank you so much for your reply. That is exactly how I feel. I too, take them responsibly. I took them before my surgery and then I also had shoulder surgery a couple of months ago. I think that if my doctor would just prescribe One more per day I would be ok. I know I might have built up a tolerance but I would still not be taking that many and it is true that I am not absorbing the full amount since my bypass.

I saw my doc this week and she started me on a non narcotic pill, Gabapentin. The generic form of neurontin. I read on internet that people are given it for epilepsy and seizures and for nerve pain from herpes. Yikes.. But I also read that Dr's prescribe for arthritis pain and back pain. The thing is, my pain is in joints and bone spurs are not really nerve related. So far it just makes me sleepy. She is still continuing the 3 Vicodin a day so at least I have something that works. Even if it is still not being absorbed efficiently.

Is Lortab the liquid form of Vicodin? What dosage works for you? I too am going to be on pain meds forever. It honestly helps me function and enables me to live life in a more normal fashion. I am wondering if I need to see a pain specialist.

Like you, I have taken them at the same amount for years and have only increased once and that's because of the shoulder surgery. If I was going to be an addict I would not have stayed at the same strength for so long and they would not be lasting me for the full month! Sorry, just venting. I'd appreciate staying in touch because it sounds like we have a similar problem. Thanks for lending an ear! I look forward to seeing how things work out for you.

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[zaaky11 2]

I have diclofenic suppositories seem to work reall well.

[meyouus 415]

Thanks for your insights! My Family Physician is a new one. With all the issues people are having with pain pills I don't want to be misunderstood. I am not drug seeking. I have always taken them responsibly. I just want to explain that they are not lasting as long as they used to and this I'm not making it up. I'm trying to get informed before my appointment. Thnx again and I welcome any other comment!

Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

Hello Imagine 1....I take Lortabs for chronic pain, I'm at about a year into them. PCP stated that I will most likely be on them for the rest of my life. I'm 50. Due to the Opioid Crisis in this country, it is always on the news. Though I take my pills precisely as prescribed, never doubling up, the press makes me feel like I'm an addict. A criminal addict! It feels awful. But just to be able to walk or stand for five minutes, I have to have the Lortabs. I'm almost ashamed.

I am still in pain despite the pills, but I am afraid to ask for a higher dose or use another pain pill because I believe that one gets "used" to them and they feel like they don't work as well. I don't want to ask for, say, Oxycodone, because I feel I'll just get used to them too over time and then where do I go? My PCP says she may send me to a pain clinic, because she does not dispense anything over my current dose or a stronger pill. That's ok with me, but I don't know what a pain clinic does. I'm not addicted to pain pills, I never misuse, sell or share them. I am dependent on them. But as far as how well it controls or eases my pain, I think they work less now. The only thing I can think of is that my body is used to them and I don't get the benefits from them like I used to. But they still help, a little.

I could only assume that I am becoming resistant to them. Does that help? I can only offer my experience and tell you you are not alone. Good luck with your new PCP, I hope they can help you.

Thank you so much for your reply. That is exactly how I feel. I too, take them responsibly. I took them before my surgery and then I also had shoulder surgery a couple of months ago. I think that if my doctor would just prescribe One more per day I would be ok. I know I might have built up a tolerance but I would still not be taking that many and it is true that I am not absorbing the full amount since my bypass.

I saw my doc this week and she started me on a non narcotic pill, Gabapentin. The generic form of neurontin. I read on internet that people are given it for epilepsy and seizures and for nerve pain from herpes. Yikes.. But I also read that Dr's prescribe for arthritis pain and back pain. The thing is, my pain is in joints and bone spurs are not really nerve related. So far it just makes me sleepy. She is still continuing the 3 Vicodin a day so at least I have something that works. Even if it is still not being absorbed efficiently.

Is Lortab the liquid form of Vicodin? What dosage works for you? I too am going to be on pain meds forever. It honestly helps me function and enables me to live life in a more normal fashion. I am wondering if I need to see a pain specialist.

Like you, I have taken them at the same amount for years and have only increased once and that's because of the shoulder surgery. If I was going to be an addict I would not have stayed at the same strength for so long and they would not be lasting me for the full month! Sorry, just venting. I'd appreciate staying in touch because it sounds like we have a similar problem. Thanks for lending an ear! I look forward to seeing how things work out for you.

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Right now I am on my bariatricpal app on my phone, usually I am on my computer so I'm not sure how to use the app yet. I'd love to be your friend but don't know how on this.

Did anybody mention if this med was not absorbed after RNY?

I take 2 10mg Lortab a day, pill form. I have chronic pain in my abdomen (4yrs now) and in my 4 year old replaced knees and in my legs and back. Therapist wants me to look into fibromyalgia due to this and many other "pop up" pains and other things.

I "think" vicodan is stronger than Lortab? If you take 3 a day, stay with that till you find a different/better? option for you. I don't know what pain clinics do but I may have to look into it sometime as sometimes the pills don't seem to work. They say try exercise (yeah, right. It hurts just to BE, exercise sucks the life out of me and leaves me in more pain) and meditation. Meditation is used in my Faith and I never was really good at it, though in bed while trying to go to sleep, I pray for a long time. Maybe that's a form of meditation? Could these things help you?

I take Gabapentin too. It helps a myriad of things. My psychiatrist uses it for my incurable insomnia.

Hope to hear from you soon. ????

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