Suggest Treatment For Severe Back And Leg Pain While On Hydrocodone

Posted on Wed, 22 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 Answered on

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Is longterm use of Acetaminophen-cod#3 for RA patients wise?Hydrocodone works the best for relieving pain, but my Dr. will not prescribe it. With all the other meds I take for my RA and Fibromyalgia,I have to watch my liver numbers. I'm suffering with back pain, numbness in my rt. leg, leg pain and hip pain. I am not an addictive person. I just need better pain relief. If I can't sleep, I risk a flair up of the Fibro, which really sets me back.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone can damage liver

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Hydrocodone is good for pain but if your liver enzymes are not normal then it is not advisable to take this. You can take other medications such as Brufen or Etoricoxib or NSAID group medications.
Also there is Lyrica which can be taken. So you can choose any of these medications in case your doctor suggest to avoid Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar