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Consumer Review: Lortab Hasn't Eliminated My Osteo Arthritis Pain, But It Does Take The Edge Off.
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I have taken Lortab fairly consistently since 1985, when I had a lung embolism and two thromboses at once! In 1991, I had open heart surgery. Since then, I've had osteo arthritis, which is not helped by glucosamine and chondroitin. I do not find that Lortab or other similar products remove the pain from osteo arthritis, though they take the edge off it. My experience has been similar in some ways with most of the other correspondents, with the addition that I have sometimes had what I call chemical paranoia -- I don't mean CIA fantasies, but over-reaction to letters from the IRS or whatever. Another unpleasant, intermittent side effect has been auditory over-sensitivity. At one time I was in pain only spasmodically, and I found that withdrawal involved three days of a rather odd symptomless lousy feeling. My experience is that Lortab needs managing -- if I detect a decreasing effectiveness, I'll detox a bit rather than taking more.
My main concern has always been the danger from Tylenol. I cannot take the various aspirin-plus products as I am on blood thinners. It is clear that my doctor's prescribing level has as much to do with this as with the hydrocodone. I have, therefore, switched from Lortab to a fairly new product called Norco, on the advice of my pharmacist and the agreement (natch!) of my doctor. Where Lortab gave me 500 mg of Tylenol with 7 1/2 of hydrocodone, Norco gives me 325 mg of Tylenol for 10 mg of hyrdrocodone. There is a 100% hydrocodone tablet which is available with an ordinary (not triplicate) prescription, which allows one to dodge Tylenol altogether. But this, I find, tends to give me the jitters.
I will say that I have been taking Tylenol-plus products for 15 years now, with no damage to my liver, perhaps in part because I don't drink alcohol in any form. But I make sure to keep a careful eye out for side effects. In summary, my experience is that there are unpleasant, but harmless side effects to hydrocodone. It may be physically addictive, but detoxing is short, even if not very sweet.
Interestingly, I have been prescribed Elavil for clinical depression, and (as predicted by my doctor) it has also reduced my arthritis pain.
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