Hydrocodone dosage question?

Question

I recently had shoulder surgery. My doctor has me taking 10/650 of vicodin every 4 hours...in additon to soma. This seems like a very high dosage to take so often...and I'm still in pain. Any comments?

Additional Details

A-P ...I have went to a doctor...I just had surgery...the doctor is the one who prescribed...please read the question

bella...no the doc didn't say as needed...he said to take it if I need it or not so the pain can be controlled.:(

I'm a middle aged woman

jenn...the dosage is one every four hours...and one tablet contains 10mg hydrocodone and 650mg tylenol

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I had surgery for a torn rotator cuff a couple of years ago. The pain was intense....even more painful then the pain I experienced when I broke my back. He put me on Percocet 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours. I wasn't prescribed SOMA or another relaxant.

I am not a health professional.....but Percocet in a stronger pain killer (Schedule ll) then is Vicodin (Schedule lll). Even taking the Percocet 2 tablets at 4-6 hours my shoulder was still in pain.....

My 2 cents? As long as you are taking the medication as directed then I wouldn't be concerned about the dosage and frequency...you won't be taking those meds for 6 months...addiction concern I imagine; that was my concern. Perhaps slack off on the SOMA....it's not really for pain. AND....if the pain continues to interfere with your daily routine, talk to your doctor and perhaps he/she will prescribe something stronger; although Vicodin 10mg is very strong...but not as strong as 2 Percocerts. Good luck...I know how painful the shoulder recovery can be.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Than you so much...it really helps to hear from someone who's been there!

Answer 2

no it's a reasonable dosage considering the surgery you had. and i'll bet the prescription reads "as needed" doesn't it? that means you don't take it every 4 hours per se....just when the pain is bad. also you weight factors into it. he gave you the 10mg/650 tabs of vicoden. this is up the amount of narcotic you can get while cutting down on the tylenol ( a smarter way of dosing) the soma of course is for muscle relaxation. you didn't give your age or weight but i'm guessing this is some sort of sports injury and your aren't a little boy who fell off the monkey bars. if you feel the medication is too strong, you can always break the vicoden in half and take it that way, and again....take it as needed....but don'[t let your recovery be hindered by being in pain either. good luck.

Answer 3

listen when i had to have surgery on my left lung i was in tremendous pain excruciating, i hurt so bad i could hardly move a couldn't hardly talk i hurt i told my surgeon i needed something better for pain because what they were giving me wasn't working, they were giving me the strongest pain killer on the market and it still hurt, but i will tell you what i was told it is that the pain is radiating in other parts of your body. i was in alot of pain trust me the pain will go away as you heel, but it hurts like hell till you get there.

Answer 4

Is that the quantity? "10"? - No thats wrong I can understand taking 10 in a day because they are only 650mg but not 10 every 4 hours that would be taking 40-50 pills a day, That will kill your liver. Talk to another doctor.

Answer 5

I had surgery and was taking the same thing. It helped my pain but didn't take it away completely. Be careful, vicodin made me kinda irritable.

Answer 6

omg if ur dealing with drugs that serious and hardcore, dont ask us....go to a doctor. get an expert opinon

Answer 7

Well, I hope you start feeling better soon. Some medications don't work as well for some people. I can take a Vicodin and it's like taking an aspirin. I've never taken Soma's before, but you should call your Dr. and tell them what's going on! Have you tried Percocet? That is about the only drug for me that relieves my pain. I feel bad for you.....so try calling the Dr. and see if there's some other medication that you could try and suggest Percocet. I feel for you and am having a hysterectomy on Monday and am worried about the pain as well.....I hope this helps. Good luck and get well soon!

Answer 8

I agree with the first response, please speak with your doctor.
Regarding the medications, vicoden prescribed 1 tablet every 4 hours is "normal or within reason". If you do not feel comfortable, please call your doctor. You can take Tylenol 3 or another alternative.
Soma (carisoprodol) is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant that does not directly relax tense skeletal muscles. The mode of action of carisoprodol in relieving acute muscle spasm of local origin has not been clearly identified, but may be related to its sedative properties.
The onset of action is rapid and lasts four to six hours. This is most likely the reason for the prescribing of the soma. Again there are alternatives as well, anti-inflammatory medications are needed due to a recent surgery. Celbrex is a good anti-inflammatory with little to no mind altering side effects.

Again it is best to speak with your doctor, DO NOT stop any medication without discussing it with them.
Best of luck!
Check out the link below:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/shoulder_and_neck_pain/article_em.htm

Source(s):

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/shoulder_and_neck_pain/article_em.htm

Answer 9

contact the doctor for better options. vicodin doesn't really help pain. ask about physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and massage.