Hydrocodone for EC

My husband had IL surgery in March 2008.   At that time I think he was taking about 12 hydrocodones a day.  It is now 18 months and he is down to 2-3 hydrocodones a day.   When he overeats, he sometimes takes a pill to "calm his stomach down."   When he's working really hard physically, he usually takes a pill.     I'm just curious if anyone has continued on this drug post surgery for a extended period of time?  Maybe this is a drug he will have to be on the rest of his life?  I worry because I know this drug has a lot of side effects.  So far, his scans have all been clear and he is scheduled for another scan in Nov.

Thanks.

Maria

I was on hydrocodone for approximately three weeks due to pain from my feeding tube. I took it twice a day and at no time more then three times a day. This medication is very habit forming and the dose needs to be reduced slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. I would talk with his Doctor if he is still taking it, but it must be ok or the Doctor would not keep writing scripts. Take Care.  Phil A.

I was on hydracodone plus other pain meds (morphine, fentanyl patch) for 6-8 weeks after surgery.  At that time, because of the side effects, the doctors told me to go off all pain killers.  I went through a difficult withdrawal.  I now use only Tylenol for any discomforts.  Check with the doctor to see how long a person should be on hydracodone.

Joe went to the Oncologist for his routine bloodwork yesterday.  He started taking Lyrica instead of the hydrocodone (he tried Lyrica before but didn't like the side effects).  The Lyrica really makes him sleepy and it seems like he had less side effects from the hydrocodone but that may be because he built up a tolerance to the hydrocodone.   I'm hoping that his system will get used to the Lyrica and he won't feel so lethargic.  Anyone have any good/bad experience with this drug? 

Maria