What it’s for:
Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic (painkiller) related to codeine. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone. Hydrocodone/APAP combines both of these analgesics to relieve moderate to severe pain.
What’s good about it:
When I broke my shoulder last week, the ER doctor gave me a prescription for Hydrocodone/APAP to take at home for pain. Without this medicine, the pain would have been almost unbearable, and sleep would have been impossible. I watched the clock for next dose during the first week in order to keep severe pain at bay. A week after the bike accident when I saw orthopedic specialists Dr. White and Mr. Anderson, they renewed my prescription, but as of today (Day #11) I no longer feel the need for it. I doubt I will even need a tablet at bedtime tonight.
What’s bad about it:
A list of possible side effects was included on the prescription information sheet from Walgreen’s and on Drugs.com‘s online drug information, including “nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, flushing, or vision changes.” I did feel a bit lightheaded and dizzy from the medication, but I was quite glad to trade my agony for a fuzzy brain! (I mean, I wasn’t going to be driving anywhere anyway, right?)
Friends who have taken Hydrocodone/APAP warned me that I might get constipated while taking it, unless I drank lots of water and maintained a high-fiber diet. Fortunately, since my OsteoDiet for combatting osteoporosis and improving bone health includes lots of water and natural, high-fiber foods, constipation never became a problem.
Finally, hydrocodone can be habit forming; that is, it’s possible to become physically or psychologically dependent on the narcotic if you’re on it for several weeks. I didn’t have any difficulty weaning myself off, though. As the pain from my broken shoulder decreased, I found myself skipping or postponing the next dose until a painful flair-up occurred, until I’m now at the point that I don’t need it anymore.
It’s better than:
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen. They’re great for headaches and muscle aches, but for relief of severe pain, I needed something stronger!
It’s not a good as:
Morphine. That’s what they gave me when I first arrived at the hospital screaming and crying, bent over and clutching my arm to my chest. Morphine = Powerful Pain Relief. After that, the technicians could take X-rays, but not before. Morphine is highly addictive, however, so it makes sense to me that a doctor would prescribe it for only immediate trauma relief.
Why I use this product:
I used Hydrocodone/APAP for comfort and sleep for 10 days after the bike wreck, and I was extremely grateful to have it when I needed it!
Best place to get it: From your local or on-line pharmacy by doctor’s prescription.
For more information about this product:
Visit http://www.drugs.com/hydrocodone.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone
Tags: broken bone, fractures, hydrocodone, Hydrocodone/APAP, osteoporosis, pain relief
Ciara, I’m so happy to hear that your recovery is almost complete! I wonder why the hydrocodone didn’t work for you? You are definitely a brave woman to be able to drive yourself 40 miles with a broken shoulder in a sling. And how smart you were to be so proactive about figuring out how to care for your injury yourself. I will pray that your miraculous recovery will continue as you build strength and flexibility through exercise.
God bless you, Kathy
I broke my shoulder in three places on April 15, 2010. At the ER, I was given nothing but a sling and then had to drive myself 40 miles to a hotel with no pain medication whatsoever. I got a prescription for hydrocodone the next day and started taking it immediately. I got no relief from the pain and felt horrible, so after taking it a few more times, I stopped. I had the same reaction to Aleve, which the doc also recommended.
Having been given no instructions on what to do by any doctor, I turned to the web and found this site plus a few more that were invaluable in helping me get through the first month of my injury. I loaded up on various supplements and have truly had a miracle recovery.
It was just three months ago today that the accident happened and already I have about 85%-90% mobility. I am now doing strength-building exercises and expect to be 100% functional in another few months.
Thanks, Kathy, for sharing your experience and success. Your website gave me hope when I was very doubtful about my future as an active person.
[…] 6-26-08 – Hydrocodone/APAP for Pain Relief: Product Review […]
[…] Take the prescribed pain reliever as prescribed until you no longer need it. The doctor prescribed Hydrocodone APAP to use at home for pain. I took it for 11 days, until I felt I could by okay without it. […]
From what I have read, you might become dependent on it, if it is taken over a long period of time. That means that, if you or your doctor decided to discontinue the medication for some reason, you wouldn’t want to stop all at once. Instead, you would wean yourself off gradually in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms, following your doctor’s instructions. If you have time check out http://www.home-remedies-for-y.....ritis.html
and scroll down to the section entitled “Arthritis Diet.” The recommendeddiet is an alkaline diet–the same type of diet that I follow to reverse osteoporosis and promote bone health. Feel free to explore my website for menus and recipes that will make this diet a delicious alternative to the typical highly acidic American diet. I will remember you in my prayers tonight that you will have relief from the pain in your hands and that you will discover the cause and cure for the condition. God bless you, Kathy
THIS IS MY PRESCRIPTION, WILL I BE DEPENDENT UPON THIS TAKING IT 3 TIMES A DAY AS PRESCRIBED? I HAVE TO TAKE SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN IN MY HANDS