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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: vcarmody on July 09, 2011, 10:56:41 PM

Title: Safe pain medication
Post by: vcarmody on July 09, 2011, 10:56:41 PM
Does anyone know of a safe pain medication that will not affect kidneys?  My husband hurt his back and Tylenol is not helping, his doctor prescribed Vicodin and that is not helping much either.  I would like to ask for something stronger but want to make sure what ever they give him will not affect the little bit of kidney function he has left.   Any suggestion would be great.  Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: billybags on July 10, 2011, 03:08:11 AM
I think your Tylenol is the equivalent to the UK's paracetamol which are safe but not that strong. Hubby is taking 1 Tramadol at night and that allows him to be pain free. They can be addictive. Things like Ibrufine and any codeine painkillers are a no no.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: Rerun on July 10, 2011, 09:57:57 AM
He has seen a back specialist??  If Vicodin does not work he needs to be seen for pain management.  Vicodin is strong!

          :puke;
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: jbeany on July 10, 2011, 12:41:33 PM
I think oxy is probably the next step up.  I was sent home from surgery with oxy and vicoden to step down to when the pain lessened.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: bette1 on July 13, 2011, 05:06:32 PM
Maybe his dose of vicodin is too low.  A 5mg may not work but a 10 may.  Talk to your doc.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: Cordelia on July 13, 2011, 06:00:13 PM
I was on Percocet with severe shoulder pain, but that can be very addictive if on it longer than 6 weeks. Thank God I was only on it for that time period and not longer.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: Ang on July 13, 2011, 09:13:34 PM
As JB says oxy is the next step if nothing else is working,caution it causes constipation big time
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: pagandialysis on July 14, 2011, 09:42:36 AM
This thread made me think about the pain meds they sent me home with. Now I'm a little worried. I just found out that the Hydrocodone they gave me can sometimes damage the kidneys.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: Annig83 on July 18, 2011, 03:12:43 PM
@Pagan- It can damage if your on high doses of Vicodin., for a long time.  I've been on Vicodin 5/350's when I had my Rheumatoid Arthritis flare up, but it didn't affect my kidney function during that time.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: The Lady on July 18, 2011, 04:19:17 PM
Does anyone know of a safe pain medication that will not affect kidneys?  My husband hurt his back and Tylenol is not helping, his doctor prescribed Vicodin and that is not helping much either.  I would like to ask for something stronger but want to make sure what ever they give him will not affect the little bit of kidney function he has left.   Any suggestion would be great.  Thanks!!!

Just tell your Doctor exactly that. Also, ask your Nephrologist what they recommend. They know his particular case better than we can.

I also wouldn't worry excessively about addiction...I used to until home health explained to me that extensive studies have been done fairly recently into painkillers and addiction and they have found that people who take them while they have pain are extremely unlikely to develop addiction...it's taking them when you are not suffering from any pain that your body reacts differently and you are much more likely to become addicted.

I find that fascinating...and reassuring.

From my experience, usually when you are on Vicodin (hydrocodone) the next one up they try is Percocet (oxycodone).  I've never had trouble with either.
Title: Re: Safe pain medication
Post by: billybags on July 19, 2011, 04:50:43 AM
I have just managed to ween my husband off Tramadol, he was only taking one at night but having researched this drug I found it wanting. It is highly addictive and has lots of side effects which my husband was having. It took 5 days to ween him off one tablet but do you know what, his appetite has come back, he is not as tired, he does not feel the need to go to bed in the afternoon. The only thing he has found is his restless leg syndrome has returned but he will not be going back on it. I think doctors prescribe too many tablets.