Hydrocodone 5MG/500MG Pain Reliever Review

A couple of months ago, I was playing baseball with my two boys in the backyard. At some point during the game, I must have either swung the bat too hard or threw the ball wrong because the next day and everyday since, I have had terrible pain in my neck and shoulder. I went to the doctor and although we don't yet know what is wrong, he recommended Ibuprofen for inflammation and Hydrocodone 5MG/500MG Pain Reliever for the pain. The Ibuprofen did its job but I wasn't very impressed with the Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen.

According to Drugs.com, Hydrocodone (also known as Lortab) is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers and Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of Hydrocodone. The combination of Hydrocodone and acetaminophen is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Some side effects of Hydrocodone and acetaminophen may include feeling anxious, dizzy, or drowsy; mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation; headache, mood changes; blurred vision; ringing in your ears; or dry mouth.

I had an x-ray that didn't show anything other than the Degenerative Disc Disease that I already knew I had. An MRI was scheduled but in the interim, I was to take the medication Hydrocodone. The doctor told me to be sure to take the medicine at night either before bed or when I was staying home because it was common to get dizzy or drowsy after taking it. I was nervous at first to take this because I have read about how addictive it could be. The pain was getting so bad that the Ibuprofen alone wasn't cutting it anymore. One night, I decided to put my fears aside and take one of the 5 mg pills. I waited and I waited but I didn't feel a single thing. The pain wasn't relieved nor did I have any side effects. Hmm. I figured that the dosage might have been a little low and the directions on the bottle said to take 1-2 pills as needed for pain. The next night I took two pills and within about twenty minutes, I started to feel lightheaded whenever I stood up and within about forty-five minutes, my mouth was very dry. I even felt a bit anxious and couldn't sleep. A little of the pain was relieved but not enough to outweigh the side effects that I had. Honestly, I am very surprised that this medication didn't work for me because I have heard and read so many things about how good of a pain reliever it was supposed to be. I recently had my MRI and I am awaiting the results. I hope that once I actually know what is wrong, the doctor will be able to prescribe a more appropriate pain medication for me.

My Final Viewpoint

Hydrocodone 5MG/500MG Pain Reliever didn't relieve enough pain for me to continue to take it on a regular basis. The side effects outweighed the pain relief. For now, I will continue to take Ibuprofen and use the heating pad until the doctor can come up with a diagnosis and a way to properly relieve the pain. Due the side effects that I experienced and the pain relief that I didn't, I am going with a 2 star rating.