View Full Version : Question for Dr. young or sci nurse
rocko
08-29-2003, 07:35 AM
I am a C7 incomplete since 3/95, I also had another car accident 1/00. My pain in the lower back & legs got worse after 2nd accident(like it wasn't bad enough already). I am taking vicodine 325mg,tramadol 50mg, and bacoflen. I take 2 vicodine & 1 tramadol sometimes 4 times a day. I have had a few mri's, but one in Nov 02 showed a bulde at T12. My doctor said it wasn't on a nerve & not a ruptered disc???. I had surgery w/Kao 2/03(which kao said would help w/pain). Still in much pain & would like to know about different pain meds. What is the difference in vicodine & neurotin?? Any suggestions. Dr. Kao prescribed methadone, it did not kill pain only made me sleep. any info would be appreciated.
Wise Young
08-29-2003, 10:14 AM
Rocko,
Vicodin is a combination of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. The first is codeine (an opioid) and the second is better known by its tradename Tylenol. Like all narcotics, hydrocodone is addictive.
Tramadol is a synthetic analogue of codeine that weakly activates opiate receptors and also prevents serotonin uptake. One of the breakdown products of Tramadol (O-demethyl tramadone) is more effective in activating opiate receptors. The blockade of serotonin uptake is believed to be anti-depressive (like Prozac).
Neurontin is an anti-epileptic drug that probably suppresses the activity of pain neurons. It has been reported to be effective for neuropathic pain which arises from increased spontaneous activity of pain neurons. It is not a narcotic.
Wise.
rocko
08-31-2003, 08:04 PM
Dr. Young my dr prescrided lidocaine patches that didn't help. I'm going back next week & would like to try something else.It seems everyone here is on nuerotin, but my dr has never mentioned it to me, only the vicodine. Would it be a big change over or maybe the durgestic patches. Are they very different from what i take already
Wise Young
08-31-2003, 11:59 PM
Rocko,
Yes, neurontin is an anti-epileptic drug that acts through a totally different mechanism from opioids such as fentanyl (duragesic), morphine, and vicodin. There are many discussions of neurontin on these forums, as well as papers in the Neuropathic Pain Research forum. Can you take a look at these (search for neurontin) and ask specific questions and I will do my best to answer them.
Wise.