How close are you to a teaching hospital? Have you asked any pharmaists? Many of us who do have pain meds are relunant to advice someone due to side effects. I would suggests talking to the clinic and asking about getting help from some of the drug companies. Many have reduced costs. Your clinic should also be able to advise you. Even a hospital should have a social service nurse. Are you over 50? contact AARP.
Good luck

No one should advise you on pain without knowing the source, and the treatment for it.
You really need to see a doctor.

I apologize.
I do realize that it was a question better asked of health professionals.

There's usually so much info shared, or used to be, I just thought if I had some general ideas of what helps others for me to discuss w/ my Dr. That's all.
I realize there are factors involved such as type of pain, and my current reaction I am experiencing. I have checked out WebMD.

You can try taking an antihistamine like benedryl with the Vicodin. This is what I have to do with coding products. Vicodin I have to get prescription antihistamine as I itch so bad. BUT check with the clinic d
First incase it's an allergic reaction not sensitivity.

I don't like to take narcotics either,but i do have vicodin among my arsenal of meds.During the day i just take 2 aleve,they last me all day,and really minimalize my pain.I don't take them everyday,just on as needed basis.
Kathi

I'm sorry you're still having pain--maybe the doctors need to look further into a cure for it rather than a drug. And I understand your reluctance to taking them. I don't take an aspirin unless I really hurt.

The reason your question is so hard to answer is because we don't know what other meds you may be on. Some pain meds counteract meds you need to be taking (for heart, cholesterol, etc.). Harry can't take any kind of pain meds--but then he's on like 17 meds! So the poor guy just suffers!

I hope you get feeling better and hope you come back and play with us more often!! We'll make you feel better ;-)

I sure hate to bring this up, but even the OTC meds (Aleeve, in my case)can and DO cause kidney damage when taken over a long period of time. I am like Harry now.... just have to go to bed until the pain gets better....is that called 'grin and bear it'? Five to 10 min cleaning up the kitchen and I am DONE for awhile, or most of the evening.

No advice, Diane but I am glad to see you posting.
I miss you.
Sorry to hear your pain in not being properly managed.
Keep in touch.

I had a dental implant done a couple of weeks ago and they gave me Vicodin....(I'm 65) I took it 2 days, and while I felt no pain, (even my sciatica didn't bother me), I couldn't rest at night. After the second night I went back to the Ibuprofen I also was given. I have also tried Ultram before but don't think it does much. I still have Vicodin left over...fortunately the implant healed well.
I'm sorry you are having trouble and hope you find a good alternative...

After my kidney surgery, I was on a morphine drip machine, where I had a button to push to reLease medication for the pain. The doctors got mad at me because I pushed the button too often, so after a day it was taken away. I was given Oxycodone pills instead, as needed. I went home with a bottle of Oxycodone pills 60 mg. I was having terrible dreams, which I discussed with my doctor. He suggested I go cold turkey and throw out the meds. Within three days I was feeling much better, and found the pain was tolerable. I don't take OTC pain pills, not even aspirins, because they are bad for my new transplanted kidney. I don't want to jeopardize it in any way. My daughter told me Oxycodone pills sell for $50 each "on the street". But I'm glad I chucked them. If you are itchy, take some Benadryl. They make me sleepy and relieve itching.

I'm concerned why you are still having so much pain for a fracture that was 2 years ago. Any bones I have broken hurt only occasionally and certainly not enough to bother taking even an aspirin. A word with a pharmacist might be the answer for you.

I have fibromyalgia and have to have pain meds just to go about a normal life. I have used Narco and the Hydrocodone's and they certainly do handle the pain but they left me feeling useless and groggy. My doctor game me tramadol and it works so good for me. So far I have managed to get by on just two per day. It takes away most of the pain but what I love is that I don't feel all doped up ..I go about my day like I normally would before all the issues.

if you shattered your ankle/leg, do you suppose you might have residual bone chips causing your discomfort?

as for pain meds it's a love/hate relationship...prehaps a little theraphy might be helpful...warm water, heat, and elevation, when you're tired...

I have fibromyalgia also.
My ankle has arthritis in it. It was predicted to become pretty severe. Im not able to go back to orthopedic surgeoun at this time. Sometimes there's pain in the actual joint, other times the pain is on the inside of my ankle, in the tendons, I guess. Like they're being stetched. I do not have much range of motion in my ankle.
Thanks for all the input.

Oh and by the way...I do take benedryl. I've even taken two, without helping any. However, for the first time in 20 years I can take Ibuprophen with having asthma like symptoms. Go figure.

I don't think grinning and bearing it is the right answer and while I understand Monica's comment, it also doesn't hurt to talk to others regarding what is helping them....that's actually how I managed to find out about Trammadol.

Just check with your doctor and make sure whatever you take is going to be a good combo with your other meds or supplements...You can get that information from the druggist.

You can also take part of a pill instead of the whole pill in most cases....you can ask your prescribing pharmacist about that...The only time I have had that itch, was when I was in real pain and took them too close together...Most of the time now I only take about 4 or 5 grams which amounts to about half a pill.

Sorry you are still having pain. I don't have any suggestions for medication, but you might want to read what the FDA panel came up with today on Vicodin (and Percocet). I can't do links, but a search of the drug and FDA should pull it up. Basically they want to outlaw the two drugs because they contain acetaminophen and makes it easier for people to unknowingly go over the daily maximum and end up with liver damage.