Posted by ayuda on March 25, 2003, at 18:55:25
In reply to Re: benzos and painkillers -- advice needed, posted by djmmm on March 25, 2003, at 18:37:50
> There are often problems associated with combining benzos and pain killers, particularly with short acting, fast onset, potent benzos (like ativan) and pain killers like hydrocodone.
>
> Watch your dose carefully, or, if possible, switch to a pyrazolopyrimidine non-benzo like Sonata or the imidazopyridine, Ambien. You could even try the AD trazadone (Desyrel)
>
> On a personal note, the combo of hydrocodone and xanax killed my best friend, and one of my brother's friends father accidently overdosed on hydrocodone alone.
>
> However, both drugs (ativan and Hydrocodone) are typically very safe and effective medications. Combining both meds is not uncommon, and both are safe as long as the dosages are limited. I would liken it to combining a MAOI to a TCA.Thanks!!! I've already tried Trazodone and it doesn't help with the sleep, but thanks for the heads-up! I know that hydrocodone is not the safest drug in the world (my mom's a nurse and she does not like my being on it at all, but I am in a lot of pain), which is why I'm worried.
Sorry to hear about your best friend, and about your brother's friend's dad -- another reason why I asked for advice here, to learn if this is something I should be worried about.
I am taking .5 or 1 mg of the Ativan (depends on how much I need, but never more than 1 mg), and I was prescribed 10 mg of the hydrocodone 3x a day, but I can't tolerate 10 mg so I take 1/2 of one (approx 5 mg) 4 times a day. But I take one near bedtime, because I can't fall asleep if I'm in pain, which is why I don't want to take the Ativan at bedtime.
Perhaps I'll just not take the Ativan and bite the bullet where the sleep is concerned. I just don't want to not wake up. Defeats the purpose of trying to get my mind and body healthy again.
poster:ayuda
thread:212642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030325/msgs/212692.html