September 15, 2009 - 12:01am
I have a chronic Bladder disease that is in a hemorraging stage...I been on Norco 10 and lortab 10 for 10 yrs, I have only been taking the brand name and was covered...My insurance cut me off brand, I am trying different generic brands, I have been sick from mallikraut and there is watson and Qualitest that they can get in for me....I really need some advice and will be taking these long term... If anyone has experience with these and can give me advice I would appreciate this.... I can take perkocette generic any kind no problem but they give me strange feelings that I dont like...Please if anyone knows anything I would appreciate it....
September 16, 2009 - 10:27pm
#2
Hi Thanks, I have heard that
Hi Thanks, I have heard that Qualitest is the best of all generics, that they last longer and dont have adverse effects with your stomach like the Watson and Mallikraut does... I am trying to find some help and advice with someone who has taken the qualitest...I really like the brand name, and they have been the best and I have had no issues with them at all, but my insurance has stopped paying for brandname.. They are way out of my price range.. I know the Watson makes the brand, but I have heard others say the generic watson makes them very sick, and I am trying to find some help and advice on this other Vintage qualitest generic brand.. And others experience with them...
September 16, 2009 - 10:43pm
#3
Watson works for me
I'm on Watson Oxycodone 7.5mg/325 now and they seem to work better than the other generic brands out there. I have had the Mallikrot (spelling?) brand too, but for some reason, I feel a stronger relief from my pain with the Watson's. Maybe it's just me, but you asked. Good luck!
September 16, 2009 - 11:06pm
#4
I can tell you I have taken
I can tell you I have taken Watson Hydrocodone tabs in the past for many years. They are by far the best! The most probable cause for them making you sick are plan and simple THEY ARE THE STRONGEST generic there is on the market. They are much better than the name brands out there by far.
September 16, 2009 - 11:37pm
#5
Hi Thanks guys for your
Hi Thanks guys for your help... I am not sure what do do here.. I am in a bad situation to where I may be put on time release, I dont want that and the pain management has wanted to try the oxycodone but it scares me from all the problems.. But I am hearing each generic works different and this is frusterating because how do you know what is gonna work... I hate them all and wish i did not have to take any of them, but to have any quality of life left my doctor says i gotta try them... I will give the waston another chance and see.. If they do the oxy is the watson the sebt as well, I have tried endo and its like taking a sleeping pill..I want something that is not gonna make you all groggy and tired and you can get out and do soemthing... You guys have been great, it really sucks having a life long chronic pain condition and feel bad for anyone who has to suffer with that... }i{ugs
September 17, 2009 - 12:08am
#6
I have had brand Norco,
I have had brand Norco, Malli, Watson, and Qualitest. For me Qualitest makes a very high quality generic product across the board for their hydrocodone, oxycodone, and various other products. They work well and have a good duration with minimal side effects. If a particular brand of the same medication is making you sick it is most likely the fillers/non active ingredients that are to blame and not the strength. To the best of my knowledge that information is not accurate. If it was the strength, then all medications that strength would make you sick as well. Im also pretty sure that Watson makes the brand name Norco so I dont see how the generic (same pill, different imprint) can be stronger. Many will rave about one maker or another, it all depends on the what works best for your body. However the general consensus is that Mallinckrodt makes the worst and weakest products out there. Their products make me sick and do not work, as many others have the same response. The more experience you gain, the more you will see what works for you, and that different products, sometimes even different strengths from different makers will afftect you differently. Watsons norco 10/325 works for me while I have always thought their vicodin 5/500 is a very inferior product. I would chose Qualitest if the choice was mine. Good Luck!
September 17, 2009 - 12:17am
#7
If they do a controlled
If they do a controlled release as of right now, if you are talking oxycodone, the choices are brand name OxyContin by Purdue Pharma or the generic by Mallinckrodt and that is all. If you are in a situation where you HAVE to get the generic, I would look at another product like a generic MSContin, because you will likely have the same bad experience with Malli's oxy product as you did with their hydro product.
If you are talking an immediate release oxycodone product there are several brands and generics available. Qualitest still makes an excellent choice in my mind.
September 17, 2009 - 2:43pm
#8
Thanks soo much... I been
Thanks soo much
... I been trying to get some info about this for sometime... I will go ahead a fill it with the Qualitest... I have tried the Watson and it did not work well for other then cause upset stomach, my pharmacist said there are so many watson manufactures, So your going to get different fillers in watson each time you fill a new script...It all depends what is available.. On the Qualitest they said its one manufacture so you get the same thing.. I am hoping this works and want to thank you for you advice... Thank and good luck to you too...
September 17, 2009 - 9:25pm
#9
Qualitest vs name brand?
Hi again, and thanks for your comment.. My doctor has wanted me to try the Norco10 at 4 aday for this last month, if its not working well and I need more pain control he is thinking of trying the Oxycodone 7.5, I guess they do it based on what dose of norco, then take it down one stength to try to match up the dosing... My question is on the oxycodone, what generics have you seemed to really like in this medication, I have only tried mallinkraut and endocette, as i am not familiar with other generics and if they are commonly available and whick of these seem to work better..The Malli and endo were ok and did not upset my stomach at all, but the endo seemed to make me want to go to sleep, which I am on these to get up and get out to have a better quality of life.. If you know anything about these and what has worked better or if the quilitest is still your main choice.. I agree with you on the experience thing and hope I can find a level ground somewhere.... Hvae you also found the Qualitest in the hydro to be even better then the brand name? Is there much of a difference in these two? My doctor agreed they are all so different and its a trying game to find what works, I love the name brand but cant afford them now.. Is the qualitest just as good and affective as the name brand and the same goes for the Oxy's? I really appreciate your help and knowledge, I am happy there is someone who knows what they are talking about based on there own experience.. Thanks again..
September 17, 2009 - 10:32pm
#10
It all depends on the
It all depends on the specific product for me. For straight oxycodone with no APAP(tylenol) I prefer Actavis/Amide, then Qualitest coming in a very close second. For a while Amide was hard to get a hold of so Qualitest took its spot in my regimen. My current pharmacy informed me today that my oxycodone 15mgs would be Mallinckrodt, as thats their new contract, and unlike other pharmacies, the pharmacist has no control over the generics they recieve. So I said bye bye and went to a WalGreens which I really dont care for, but they seem to stock decent quality, and Ill be getting Amide.
Watson makes really good oxycodone/APAP combos, I have had no complaints about those. Endocets I dont care for at all, really cheap product IMO. I havent tried any others than those two.
On the hydro, for me there wasnt much difference between the brand name and the qualitest. Others might have some different opinons.
When it comes to controlled release oxy, nothing beats the name brand OxyContin by Purdue Pharma, the only equivalent was Watson's generic which in reality was made by Purdue and imprinted with ABG instead of OC.
September 17, 2009 - 10:47pm
#11
Honestly ladyvirgo for the
Honestly ladyvirgo for the oxycodone as long as its not Mallinkrot it doesn't matter to me. I've never noticed any differences in side effects between brands...only in effectiveness
September 17, 2009 - 11:16pm
#12
Thanks again for your info...
Thanks again for your info... I am not going on time release just yet, I think they want to move me slow, which is ok with me... I am going to try the Qualitest as you suggested in the Norco10, I also heard of Xodol 10/300 but its pretty new i think.. I will see how these are and move to the oxy's next.. I know i tried the qualitest a few months back but it was a few and they were fine but did not seem as strong, but were nice to my stomach, its worth a try again.. I think the Watson had a strange affect on me and malli's are garbage... Quali's are my next choice beyond the brand name, Unless i want to fork out $200, shees I really hope the Quali's work in this case, I been on those brands so long and they are awesome!! But I have not a choice now.. Thanks again for your advice on this, again its nice to hear from one that has experience with knowledge... Take care...
September 18, 2009 - 3:56pm
#13
Hi, I wanted to let you know
Hi, I wanted to let you know i tried the Quali's and your soo right, they are great!! They really do have a good duration and dont wig you out or have stomach effects, They made me alittle tired at first but it went away and i just had no pain and they were even and stable with the effect, even the brand name I notice did not work as long and did not have a nice even effect.. they work very well!..Just a really good product.. I cant thank you enough for all your advice...Hugs
September 18, 2009 - 4:08pm
#14
Great news!! I am so glad you
Great news!! I am so glad you have received great results and that I could play a part in you being happy with your medication!! You are very welcome, and I look forward to more of your posts in the future. Dont be a stranger.
September 18, 2009 - 4:45pm
#15
Ha Ha Would love to keep in
Ha Ha Would love to keep in touch!! I have learned so much from you and your wanting to help others is great! You have really helped me too...I look forward to you keeping in touch as well..You have palyed a great part in my happiness!! }i{ugs
September 19, 2009 - 12:21am
#16
Hey Mrbrandman, I wanted
Hey Mrbrandman, I wanted again say thank so much sweetie!! I have been put on treatment 4 times a day and i think these are even better then the brandname norco, I am backing you up sweetie all the way on this one... They are the best, and if anyone is asking and you need me to help back ya I am here for ya darling, so you know where to contact me... I am so happy to of came in contact with you and hope we do stay in touch... Hugs Ladyvirgo
September 19, 2009 - 4:01am
#17
good deal...another satisfied
good deal...another satisfied customer
September 19, 2009 - 2:27pm
#18
Oneir, LOL Ladyvirgo, you
Oneir, LOL Well put.
Ladyvirgo, you are certainly welcome. Im glad you are happy, it makes all the difference in this madness we call pain management. Thank you for your support, and for your appreciation. Im glad you've decided to stick around and stay apart of the "pharmer family"!
September 19, 2009 - 5:06pm
#19
Sooo Happy to be
Sooo Happy to be here!!!}i{ugs
September 23, 2009 - 2:49pm
#20
Question about Oxycodone
Hey guys, its lilladyvirgo and I have another question if you can help me... The Hydro is still making me pretty sich and my Doctor wants me to try the Oxycodone... I have tried the Endo and brand is all, is there one in the oxy generics that seem to work better then others? I go on these and with my IC Bladder disease they want me on something that wont tear the stomach up because if that gets upset the whole digestive tract gets upset and so does the Bladder so it defeats the purpose the medication is used for... I am never been sick from Oxycodone like hydro.. I have tried Malli's from the ER, and they worked well, and the Endo.. But from any of your experience does Oxy work better on long term pain control and which of thier generics seem to be more effective.. Endo works but makes me sleep, I cant remember on the malli and was hoping you would have some answers for me.. Thanks }i{ugs
September 23, 2009 - 3:02pm
#21
endocets
work for me....i took Mallinckrodt 512s for a long time and they were fine with me.
September 23, 2009 - 3:38pm
#22
LadyVirgo,Sorry to hear the
LadyVirgo,
Sorry to hear the hydrocodone is making you sick......
When I used to take vicodin before I had bad back pain, it got to the point where the tylenol in it made me sick everytime I took it. I singled out the tylenol when I was given vicodin hp with the 750mg of APAP, and it gave me the same sick feeling, while a 10/325 wasnt as bad.
I find oxycodone to be very effective! Its a life saver for me (as well as fentanyl). I personally like the non APAP preperations. Works better for me to take an oxycodone 15mg and take a little motrin with it than percocet or endocet. I dont know how ibuprofen affects your stomach, but this works good for me. You can get the APAP free tabs in 5mg, 15mg, & 30mg. There are several maufacturers like Malli, Actavis/Amide, Qualitest...... Everything but the Malli does the job for me, with Amide being tops.
The only APAP combos Ive had are Endocets and Watsons. I dont know if it was a fluke but the Endocets seemed chalky, and as far as effectiveness the Watson seemed a little more potent from the get go while Endocets seemed to last a little longer.
September 23, 2009 - 3:54pm
#23
how to ween off norco 10/325...8/day
I posted to the wrong area...nice! Anyway thought you may be able to give me some advice...any would help. I would like to get down to 2 or 4 tabs/day...THX
September 23, 2009 - 4:20pm
#24
Thanks so much mrbrandman...
Thanks so much mrbrandman... I had another question, is it better to drop a dose down on the Oxy when you change from hyro? I heard they are much more effective and its best to go down one dose in your Oxy from the dose you was on from the hydro...
The Quali in the hydro are great! But they do upset my stomach, I been breaking them up and it seems to help better and to eat with them.. I have not givin up on them yet and funny thing is they almost seem time released and stable, also alittle stronger and they are a awesome Hydro, I thank you so much and really enjoy our forum chats...;) Hugs lillady
September 25, 2009 - 10:58am
#25
Concern with each pill from the same med is reacting different..
Hi guys, I have another question and concern... I been on the Qualitest Norco 10/325 for a few weeks at 4 a day, At first they worked great and I had no problems an really was doing great with them.. They seem to work different after getting into my system, I get a upset stomach and do besure to eat with them... I also notice that each pill effects me different.. Some to fine then its like I took a totally different medication.. My equal librim is off, I get itchy really bad and feel like I took 2 of them when I did not... Its kind of worrying me as I dont understand why each one would react differently.. If anyone has any advice on this or noticed this to happen please let me know... I was hoping I would get used to it and would adjust but it has me concerned as why each pill would react different if its the same medication and dose each time.. Thanks for you help and input on this concern..
October 5, 2009 - 11:05pm
#26
Medication Costs
I have the problem with my current pharmacy. I have been taking pain medication for many years. Currently I am on the same dosage that I have been on for at least 8 maybe 10 years. Some days they do not work as well and I have just resigned myself to adjust my life around pain. But that took a long time.
I have noticed that brand name medications work at least 50% better than generic. I have had to change pharmacies to a pharmacy that "specialized" in filling pain medication prescriptions. You would think after all this time I would have it all down and recorded on how to do this but I get caught with this issue many times.
Recently my pharmacy moved. Last month I ran out of my medications 5 days in advance. This concerned me greatly because for a long time I would have a few extra at the end of the month. For a lot of reasons I want my records to show I take what is prescribed, how and when.
I had noticed that my Lortab was white but did not give it a second thought because the pharmacy had been so good at getting me the "good stuff" as I call it and just thought oh well to the different color. Also I take 40 mg of oxy and 20 mg of oxy 3 times a day. I also noticed that these looked different.
I went in today and came home to take my morning dose which I had missed being again 5 days early. I noticed the different colors and the shades of the oxy were a little off.
After researching on the internet I have to say to myself KISS. Keep it simple sweetie. It is just the nature of the "madness" I call it because I do would do anything to be off of the dams stuff but I just cannot live life without them. They allow me to live a normal life. I can mow the small bit of grass I have but no climing in trees.
I had called the pharmacy yesterday and advised them that I needed brand instead of any generic. I picked up my bag and left the pharmacy. I got home and son of a gunn they are the generic.
I will not have a terrible month as they do not work. I will have to supplement with more Tylenol or other analgesics and motrin which is ???$* on my liver.
As to the affordability I just cannot afford not too. I get myself in a circle of depression that is difficult to come out of and if living with 24-7 pain is the way my life is going to be I just flat out do not want to live it. My personal choice.
Also there is a website entitled "needy meds" in which they have some programs for indigent or very poor. Try it out it may work for you. I used this service in the first 24 months of my SSDI (which is crazy when you think about it. Government is determining you are disabled but you have to wait 24 months to be eligible for health coverage).
Send me an email if you think I can help you with anything else. My diseases are fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, hepititas c, candida and 3 blown out disc in my lower back.
October 9, 2009 - 12:31pm
#27
Thanks Joanne!!
Hi Joanne, thanks for your responce... I have also been on Brandname for 10yrs of Norco10 and never had a problem with it, but now my insurance wont touch it and us dissabled people they do treat us as if we dont deserve any thing better than generic.. I have to take generic its all my insurance pays its what is on thier formulary.. I have tried about 4 generics and the only one that works well is qualitest.. That is in hydro formulary.. But what you said is so right and each pill is different.. One will be way strong and work well to where another seems like it does not work at all, Brand name works everytime!! And it has to from paying 200$ for it which no way can i afford so I just take the Qualitest and hope I get one that works each time.. I have noticed when we get sick and like you I have yeast albicans and when we get that in our body and its out of control your medications will not work and will make you sick.. I been through this many times and thought it was my meds then once i got that aweful yeast out and my body was balanced the medication worked well again and i was not getting sick form it.. So pay attention to your yeast levels as it will affects anything you eat dronk or take as a medication or supplement.. I have MS, Cervical Spodylosis, and hemmoragic IC bladder disease, so I do understand about trying to live with out your meds hating to take the #%^*! things and then living in pain.. I feel for ya and know like my doctor says we are at a nessecity stage and yes we are dependant on the medication but we have no choice if we want to have a somewhat normal life.. I was gonna say they have tried me on oxycodone and I just dont do well with them as they make me want to sleep.. But they are great after surgery and better then the Norco... I keep going back to Norco as it seems to wake me up as of making me so tired.. And the Oxy made me more sick but these were 5mg and dont come in 10mg so i had to take 2 and they just made me sick and funny I got those in qualitest.. So its a hit and miss, but I went off so many others saying Qualitest is the best when it comes to Hydro to where most say Watson on the Oxy, I have had endo with Oxy apap 7.5mg and they work as well as the brand to me..I dont get sick and each one works great!! And is the same everytime.. But I stay on the Hydro for daily pain management and they are comeing out with a EX/R soon and I would like to try that as of taking 4 pills a day.. Thanks for your responce we share alot of the same pain and I would like to stay in touch...Send me a PM sometime, }i{uggs LadyVirgo
October 9, 2009 - 3:38pm
#28
itchy
i use that itchy feeling and i found bendryl helped, i small pink pill when i took my meds worked well,i also would tale them on crackers and ginger ale for my stomach,
October 12, 2009 - 10:28pm
#29
I HAVE PERSONALLY LIKED THE
I HAVE PERSONALLY LIKED THE YELLOW WATSON 853 MYSELF BUT MY TOLLERANCE IS SO HIGH ITS HARD FOR ANYTHING TO REALLY WORK NOW I EASILY TAKE TEN OF THOSE AT ONE TIME AND I KNOW THATS JUST STUPID TO DO BUT I GOT A PROBLEM, SO I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE THE BEST THE WHITE M367 SUCK AND THE OTHER YELLOW ONES WITH THE V ON THEM ARE GOOD TOO.
October 13, 2009 - 1:01am
#30
Tolerance to Norco, etc. to Lady Virgo
Try MS Contin, as a substitute for stronger effective pain management than the ones you have been trying and using and not as strong as Oxycontin, or possibly a Duragesic patch that works round the clock. These you might discuss with your Doctor if you have not before, or if you have not heard of them before. Sometimes the docs want people to believe the end of the road is Norco10, etc., when they have others that will do a much better job, and they generics are not so bad either. Just an opinion from someone who follows this pain management program. Had tried all the others including Oxycontin, and Duragesic. MS Contin, seems to conquer the pain without making my mind soupy. Hope that helps. Take care.
October 16, 2009 - 12:02am
#31
worried about being moved to a EX/RL medication....
Thanks Guys, I have talked to my Pain clinic Docotr, I want to do what is right, I dont want them to think I have an addicition, they did say dependancy and addicition are at two ends od the spectrum, and we who have chronic pain syndrome and a life long illness, its really hard to cope with.. They have me on 4 norco10 a day and I like the qualitest, the pharmacist had pulled ingredients and we compared what was in what and found since the brand name worked best for me we broke it down and found that qualitest has the closest ingredients to the brand name and ads more starch which makes the pill much harder to break but it also makes it last longer in the body and had a nice even pain killing level in it... I love them and they work great, but i am at a stage where i have IC bladder hemmoragic stage, its detriorated down to a 150cc where your healthy norm is 500to 700cc so my kidneys get backed up due to the capacidy of the bladder being so timy and the protective lining is gone... Sad but IC is like have a pirahana in your body, and the bladder is a piece of chicken and once its gone the pirahana will attack something else...Its devistating and organ pain is the worst next to terminal cancer, so I am at a point where i am not sure or the Doc if the time release is the best, and they really scare me.... I dont want to be addicted to norco10 taking 2 to 4 for 12 years now just being moved to the 4 a day, and them talking about a time release, then keepimg me on the norco for break thru pain whsich i dont understand how that could happen and if they mixed the medications how that could not be dangerous... He mentions oxymorphone or the patch, and my insurance only pays for generic in everthing, so I am here to get some help and advice on what to try as i am scared to mix anything and being moved onto a new med is always a scary thing, you all been so great and I appreciate your help, I hope i am not coming out as an addict, that is the last thing i want in my life.... Bless you all for you help, LV
October 23, 2009 - 3:33am
#32
Oxymorphone
Have you even heard of, or considered, Opana? They have IR & ER versions (although I am not sure about the brand, I think there is a generic).
Opana ER is a really good time-released medication. Talk it over w/ your Dr. if you do have to switch medication. It might upset your stomach, I don't know - just a suggestion. It works better than the name brand OxyContin 80's I.M.H.O. for pain relief.
That's a step up, though. If you're trying to veer towards the lower-end medications, you wouldn't want to jump to Opana. I, myself, enjoy the stronger medication. :)
But yeah, don't let them put you on those generic OxyContin's. Uggh. You'd be better off w/ generic Opana ER.
Hope this helps. ;)
Regards,
J.D.
(edited to remove email address)
they are very good there little oval and yellow one side says watson 853s, they help me wit my chronic back and knee pain.