Psycho-Babble Health Thread 370547

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Use of Percocet

Posted by Pandabear on July 25, 2004, at 23:03:53

Just a few weeks ago, I had surgery and was perscribed percocet before I left home. I had been on Morphine while in the hospital but they wanted me off the IV and on a pill before I could go home which made sense. At home, I ended up having to take 3 percocets from a bottle of 40...(which i think is great) But, my question is..When do I take it again? On the bottle it says take 1 every six hours as needed for pain...I had surgery because of a medical condition that I have but it all started from headaches..so really the medicine was for my headaches..i guess..for if they return...but is it ok for me to take a percocet for a headache if I get one in the evenings?

I know how addicting percocet is and I dont want to get addicted to it..but he perscribed 40 pills ...is this something I can take whenever Im really sick or should I discard of it? Obviously if my headaches return and get really bad Im going to call my doctor and be reevaluated...but I just am confused as to when you are supposed to use the medicine...it is here for me to take if needed but i dont know when it will be bad enough for me to use it...Has anyone out here taken or is taking percocet??? I like it because it can make me relax and sleep but IM NOT abusing it..I have only taken 3 and it was during the first 3 days that I was back from the hospital...the last one i took was july10 and I havent had to take any...Im just confused.

 

Re: Use of Percocet » Pandabear

Posted by chemist on July 26, 2004, at 0:07:51

In reply to Use of Percocet, posted by Pandabear on July 25, 2004, at 23:03:53

hello there, chemist here....percocet contains oxycodone (a synthetic opiod) and acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol). more than likely, your pills contain 7.5 mg oxycodone and 325 mg acetaminophen. the percocet is prescribed for pain, and you should use it as needed. if you have a headache, use aspirin or your favorite anti-headache med. the only reason you have percocet is in the likely event that during your recovery, there will be some physical pain (e.g., from cut tissue or whatever they did in the OR) for a while. all that said, 40 tablets is not going to lead to a habit and you should use them for pain when a less potent solution (aspirin, etc.) is not working. a final word: keep the pills out of the bathroom (hot and humid) and away from where any children (if applicable) can get hold of them. percocet is a widely abused drug and you have a small quantity, but best to be safe. all the best, chemist


> Just a few weeks ago, I had surgery and was perscribed percocet before I left home. I had been on Morphine while in the hospital but they wanted me off the IV and on a pill before I could go home which made sense. At home, I ended up having to take 3 percocets from a bottle of 40...(which i think is great) But, my question is..When do I take it again? On the bottle it says take 1 every six hours as needed for pain...I had surgery because of a medical condition that I have but it all started from headaches..so really the medicine was for my headaches..i guess..for if they return...but is it ok for me to take a percocet for a headache if I get one in the evenings?
>
> I know how addicting percocet is and I dont want to get addicted to it..but he perscribed 40 pills ...is this something I can take whenever Im really sick or should I discard of it? Obviously if my headaches return and get really bad Im going to call my doctor and be reevaluated...but I just am confused as to when you are supposed to use the medicine...it is here for me to take if needed but i dont know when it will be bad enough for me to use it...Has anyone out here taken or is taking percocet??? I like it because it can make me relax and sleep but IM NOT abusing it..I have only taken 3 and it was during the first 3 days that I was back from the hospital...the last one i took was july10 and I havent had to take any...Im just confused.

 

Re: Use of Percocet

Posted by JenStar on July 29, 2004, at 0:01:03

In reply to Use of Percocet, posted by Pandabear on July 25, 2004, at 23:03:53

hi Panda Bear,
hopefully you're feeling a bit better! I always save any percocets that are left over (sprained ankle, ear infection, etc.) "just in case." I used one once when I had really severe cramps, but usually I'm sort of paranoid about taking them. Like you, I don't want to get addicted to anything.

They have a base drug of tylenol (aceteminophen) and I've never really liked tylenol; I prefer ibuprofen b/c I think that the tylenol sometimes gives me heart palpitations when I take high doses of it. So even though percocets help with pain I'm kind of paranoid to take them....

But I guess it's sort of nice to have them around in case of severe pain. I agree with the other poster, though -- keep them locked away from inquisitive kids or guests, and toss them out if they hit the expiration date.

Hopefully your doctor will be sympathetic and prescribe something appropriate if your headache pains come back. There may be meds that are better suited for headaches than Percocet (I know there are specialty migraine meds, although I'm not sure if you have migraines.)

Good luck!
JenStar

 

Re: Use of Percocet

Posted by starlight on July 29, 2004, at 11:33:58

In reply to Re: Use of Percocet ? Pandabear, posted by chemist on July 26, 2004, at 0:07:51

I had a D&C not that long ago and my doc prescribed me 15 Tylenol 3 (codeine). I love them. I can't take vicoden at all, makes me sick as a dog, but I like codeine for sure. I only used a few, and like to pop them here and there for fun and I only have about 6 left, but once I run out, they're done....40 would be way too much for me, not sure I would get addicted, but I would enjoy them for sure. Is percocet like codeine - chemist?
starlight

 

Re: Use of Percocet » starlight

Posted by chemist on July 29, 2004, at 13:25:34

In reply to Re: Use of Percocet, posted by starlight on July 29, 2004, at 11:33:58

> I had a D&C not that long ago and my doc prescribed me 15 Tylenol 3 (codeine). I love them. I can't take vicoden at all, makes me sick as a dog, but I like codeine for sure. I only used a few, and like to pop them here and there for fun and I only have about 6 left, but once I run out, they're done....40 would be way too much for me, not sure I would get addicted, but I would enjoy them for sure. Is percocet like codeine - chemist?
> starlight


hello there, chemist here....oxycodone is a more potent and addictive synthetic opiate than codeine (natural opiate).....percocet has higher abuse/addiction potential than codeine...in my opinion, be careful, maybe a few beers just for fun instead? my two-cents......all the best, chemist

 

Re: Use of Percocet

Posted by starlight on July 30, 2004, at 14:36:44

In reply to Re: Use of Percocet ? starlight, posted by chemist on July 29, 2004, at 13:25:34

Come on now! I've only got 6 left ;>). Maybe I'll have some wine instead.... What about imitrex? What's in that and is it addictive? My friend at work gets them for her migraines and I've been waking up with headaches ever since I got pregnant so on occasion she has spit one with me. I've also wondered if it's the Effexor that's given me headaches, but the timing seemed to coincide with the pregnancy.
Starlight.

 

Re: Use of Percocet » starlight

Posted by chemist on July 30, 2004, at 19:08:34

In reply to Re: Use of Percocet, posted by starlight on July 30, 2004, at 14:36:44

> Come on now! I've only got 6 left ;>). Maybe I'll have some wine instead.... What about imitrex? What's in that and is it addictive? My friend at work gets them for her migraines and I've been waking up with headaches ever since I got pregnant so on occasion she has spit one with me. I've also wondered if it's the Effexor that's given me headaches, but the timing seemed to coincide with the pregnancy.
> Starlight.

hello there, chemist here....as for codeine, i leave the judgement of use to you....moving along to imitrex, it is not addictive, but use only if your headaches are really migranes, and some drugs interact unfavorably with it. i can't say i know a whole lot more than that: i suggest a post on the meds board, as you'll get more info on the drug as well as the possibility that the effexor/pregnancy business is involved with the headaches.....all the best, chemist


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