Has anyone taken Hyrdrocodone/Vicodin with their j-pouch? I was having some pretty good stomach cramps the other day so I tried one. It didn't seem to do anything to the cramps, but I was sure miserable later that night. I was really gassy, and crampy later. I'm not sure if it was the meds or something I ate.

I ate a nice place of spaghetti, but I don't think it would have made me that miserable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: scottbaker,

Did you have output while you were gassy/crampy? If not, you might have been experiencing a blockage.

I have taken percocet (oxycodone) with bad pain and it is a plus/minus kind of thing. On the plus side, it can help with the pain and relax your bowels which may alleviate the blockage. On the minus side, it will slow peristalsis - potentially prolonging the blockage.

I think it's a plus to take it, personally. It has done more to help than hurt.

Scott...Unfortunately I use it almost everyday. I get tremendous gas pains. I wish it helped better for that, but it's better then nothing when you are suffering.

I take vicodin when I am having problems with frequency. It slows my system down so I can try to get a good nights rest. Sometimes I take it at work so I am not running to the toilet all day. It helps me, but I wish I did not have to take it. I do not have the cramps, but I would think it would help for any type of pain.

Vicodin is definitely NOT appropriate for cramps and can actually make it worse. This is because while it slows peristalsis, it does not necessarily prevent the cramping, spasmotic type pain caused by irritation and/or obstruction. So, it can worsen obstructive symptoms. Antispasmotics, such as Levsin or Bentyl are better for that sort of pain. Narcotics should be used for other types of pain (incisional, bone, dental, etc.) or for slowing the gut in treating chronic diarrhea. I use occasional Vicodin for my arthritis pain and I notice a reduction in output, but that's about it.

Jan

It's interesting you say that Jan because I've been taking a single 2mg dilaudid for about 4 months now for stomach cramps.

I've tried lomotil and levsin and while they do lessen the symptoms it's still not 100%. If I'm having a bad day, or I ate something I shouldn't and my stomach kick in to high gear some times the only thing that works is a dilaudid and a tylenol. I know my surgeon is trying to get me to take different medication, but I've been telling her (for me) dilaudid is like a wonder drug for my stomach cramps.

I know there are worries about addiction to narcotics, so I'm real careful to limit it to one 2mg tab a day, or on a *real* bad day two.