Percocet or Vicodin???

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but which one is stronger? I am 1 1/2 wks post op and I just finished my prescription of Percocet that the doctor gave me when I came home on 8/31 (25 tablets). This is the first time I EVER used an entire prescription of pain pills!!!!! At any rate, I called my doctor today for a refill and he said he is going to call in Vicodin for me. My question is whether or not it is as strong as the Percocet. I'm still in a good bit of pain (just one very nagging spot in my pelvic area directly to the left of my incision). I just hope it will do the trick...I know; I'm probably worrying for nothing. Hubby still has to go pick up the Rx. Why would the doctor change the pain meds he had me on originally????

Any nurses or anyone with med. backgrounds, or just anyone with a wealth of knowledge concerning pain meds, please respond. Thanks!!!

A fellow hystersister...

I don't know what's stronger....but I used both after my hysterectomy and Percocet seemed to help the pain better.

Hello-Percocet is stronger. That is what I started with too. WHen I ran out, the nurse at my DR said-Percocet has to be filled by written prescription only, so I would have had to gone to my DR's office. Vicodin however could be called in over the phone. So I went with the Vicodin, the Percocet was a bit much for me anyway, knocked me out, I was asleep in 45min. I REALLY liked the Vicodin!! It worked just as well to control the pain, and it was like a nice calming wave........

i am 3 weeks post-op today. i am still on percocet and i am ready to call the doctor to get another refill. i did have complications from the surgery which left me with two rather large hematomas. i also take 600mg of motrin that is suppose to help with the inflamation.

is 3 weeks too long to be on such a strong rx? i do feel somewhat better but still have pain in the incision site. i am trying to do a few things and find out that the pain gets worse-stupid i know but i am going crazy. it is still hard to sleep at night and the pain in the bathroom is BAD!!

so, how long were all of you on RX'S for pain? i am unsure if i should call the doctor. i have tried to go w/o the pills but the pain gets too severe. will she just tell me to tough it out? have i been on these too long or is normal?

thanks for any advice
kathy

Hi,
Like Kathy, I' m also 3 weeks post today. The day after I was released from the castle I ended back in there for several days due to severe infection and beginnings of pneaumonia(sp?). Anyays, was on percocet too. After running out about 2 weeks post op I was having some bad pain and called drs office, but of course it was one of his manydays off, so his associate called in darvocet. (Mind you before surgery I had been on Vicodin constantly for about 2 months) well I tried taking 2 darvocet and it did nothing for me. Went back to taking the vicodin I had left and it made me sick to my stomach. Now at 3 weeks, I have gone back to taking darvocet at east once a day(When i can stand it no longer) plus 600mg ibuprofen. Pain tolerable? Somewhat..bginning to get disouraged though..had heard how wonderful I would be feeling after etc..Im still waiting for that..

Anyways, yes percocet is stronger than vicodin but you should do fine on that.
Truth be told, I think I get nervous thinking about calling my doc to say Im still hurting..so I havent.

Hang in there..

I started out on percocet myself, and then they called in vicoden for me. (Its that whole phone vs paper prescription thing). In any case, the vicoden worked just as well for me.

I, too, was worried about being on pain meds after 2 1/2 weeks, but my mom told me that "you just had major surgery, you can't expect to feel 100% better right away and the pain meds are there to help you get back on your feet, so take them". I took her advice and 1 week later (about 4 weeks post-op) I didn't really need them anymore except maybe 1 at night.

If you have any other concerns though about them, talk to your doctor.

Phoebeflower

I tried Percoset in the castle, blech....it was the only time I threw up during the whole experience! They put me on Darvocette which isn't nearly as strong and boy, I have been just fine. My nurse told me that Percoset can really be constipating too, sure didn't want that!! I am doing great, take a Darvocette and a 800 mg. Ibuprofen about 3 times a day. Mainly night time. God Bless!! Betsy TAH/BSO

Hi:
I am still pre-op scheduled for 9/24, but I know a lot about pain meds as I have been on them for a very long time. You might want to talk to your doctor about Norco. It is Vicodin, only in a stronger dose. A regular Vicodin tab has 5 mg of hydrocodone and 500 mgs of acetaminophen. Norco has 10 mg of hydrocodone and 325 mgs of acetaminophen. My doc became concerned about the amount of acetaminophen in my body since too much can effect the liver, but I was having to take two regular vicodins to have any relief at all. Norco has worked well for me and I will probably request it post op.
Good luck to you on a speedy and full recovery!
Donna

I go for my 2week check up tomorrow and will ask about refilling the Vicodin. Still having lots of internal pain behind and above the bikini incision. I've just been taking extra strength tylenol since I ran out of the Vicodin last Saturday, but it hasn't really helped with the pain. Keeping the tylenol down to six a day. Would ibuprofen work better? I'm also having lots of pain during any BM's. Can Vicodin cause constipation? Also, have been "very" moody since I've been off the pain meds. Is this a sign of withdrawals or just that my ovaries are kicking back in and pms is going to be worse than ever??

	Quote:
Originally posted by diane45 Can Vicodin cause constipation? Also, have been "very" moody since I've been off the pain meds. Is this a sign of withdrawals or just that my ovaries are kicking back in and pms is going to be worse than ever??

I've had problems before with Vicodin causing constipation so when we found out that was the pain med of choice, we armed ourselves with dried figs, fig newtons (low fat), yogurt, & metamucil. BMs were the hot topic of conversation the first week until I put my foot down and said I'm too young to focus on them and everything was coming out just fine thanks to our preparations. (LOL)

I find that Vicodins do tend to take the emotional edge off when there's stress (healing is stressful) so it could be associated with the lack of Vicodin, but it shouldn't after a day or so IMO.