Pain pill question

[vickiweis]

I have a 78 year old father in-law, who is suffering from chronic pain due to 3 bulging discs.  He has been taking Norco 10's 4 times a day.  Today due to increasing pain his Dr. also gave him Morphine sul tabs 30 MG to be taken in between the Norco's.  Does this sound right?  

I did not think you could take both at same time.... Can anyone answer this question for me?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Vicki,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post. How fortunate it is for your father-in-law to have concerned children.

As TracyCee and RunningMom said it is perfectly normal to be prescribed a long acting and short acting pain medication. The only concern would be his age and how well his body will metabolize the medication.  

If you have not noted major mental status changes or physical changes he should do fine. My 81 your old father is on more potent opiates both the immediate and time released opiates. The only major side effect has been a problem with constipation. I would just be aware of that possibility.

My best to you and your father-in-law.

Peace,
Tuck

[vickiweis]

Thank you,  That relieves a lot of stress we have all been going thru....

[RunningMom]

Yes.  Most people who have the long acting pain medicine also have the short acting pain medicine as well.  I take oxycontin along with percocet.  I take them both everyday.

[TrayCee]

yes, its fine to take the 2 together.
It sounds kinda backwards...
I would think he would take the morphine as his main pain med and the Hydrocodone for break thru pain
This should REALLY help his pain