Hydromorphone for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• kesol...
• May 22, 2013

"I had a botched intestinal surgery in 2000 which has given me severe pain since, sometimes 10 on the pain scale which made life very unpleasant at times. I finally found a doctor who spent the time and effort to find a medication which ended up being hydromorphone and my life has changed completely. I have absolutely no side effects and my life has totally changed. Sometimes it takes a good Doctor who will work with you and really understands how devastating pain can be!"

• Bekka
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2018

"Very effective time release for chronic pain. It is NOT as effective as Opana was but it works much better than Oxycontin ER did. I have not had any problems with it being addictive. I take it once a day. One pill lasts 24 hours. I have not had any side effects from it. It does not make me feel "doped up" or high."

• BG2
• March 17, 2016

"I was first given hydromorphone while in the hospital with Pancreatitis and an acute gall bladder. This is a wonder drug! I was in more pain than any person should ever have, the first IV medication I was given was demerol, I didn't know it but I was hallucinating on the demerol Well once they found out I was hallucinating they then put me on hydromorphone..OMG what a wonderful pain medication! I ended up with a PIC line since I was there so long and have terrible veins! So at this point the hydromorphone was given IV push. Literally once they started giving it to me I could count.. 1, 2, relief!! Today, 8 years later I take 12 mg of hydromorphone every 3-4 hours for chronic pancreatitis and it is still the BEST pain medication."

• Don
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2021

"DO NOT let your pharmacist fill your Rx with any Rhodes pharmaceuticals products! They simply don't work, or at best work only about 10 to 25% of what they should. I have dealt with this issue with their generic Percocets for years. Now they have broaden their perspective to include inferior Hydromorphone, aka Dilaudid. I'm disgusted because now I am stuck with a months worth of this pseudo drug that doesn't ease my pain! Beware! Read the reviews on their website and you will see I am correct. I guess they are the cheapest generic and thats why pharmacies are switching to them. Try to get Mallinckrodt or Actavis....these Rx companies have been around for decades and make more trustworthy products. Good Luck... and tell your Doctor if you have similar problems with Rhodes Rx. There is no excuse for this, and their negligence for $ should be addressed by authorities."

• Ghost...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2019

"I was put on Hydromorphone 2mg four times a day and one extra for break through pain, my problem is L5 is bulging and compressing the nerve root, not much worse than nerve pain, however this drug did not touch the pain, just gave me brain fog :(("

• jj4u
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2013

"Totally took away all my pain after surgery, and all my other pain such as back pain. Also have fibromyalgia. On a scale of 1 - 10 I was almost at a 10, after taking medication, my pain level went down to a 2!"

• tough...
• July 25, 2016

"I have an intraethical Morphine Pump Implant now since 2002. Hydromorphone was recommended as the 'break through pain' treatment. I take, typically, a 2mg pill roughly every two to six hours and that appears adequate. Unfortunately, in times of higher pain, when the pump appears inadequate, I have had to take more of the pills. The more I use, the more I felt I needed to use them. When I 'sucked it up' and endured a little higher than usual pain for a day or two, taking less Hydromorphone, I was then able to restart the pills and they had a better effect. I guess to sum it up, taking a break from the pills once in a while ensured that they were still effective."

• Dilauid
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2024

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "Tumor base Cancer post & pre radiation had severe facial nerve pain, including head, ear, jaw. I was told after biopsy cancer can invade the nerves. Severe pain & facial sensitivity on one side. Dilaudid 4 mg controls it for about 4 hrs. Only 4mg twice a day gives me some relief. Works great, only side effect constipation. No other side effect noted except drowsiness in the beginning that has disappeared."

• Truth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2018

Dilaudid-HP (hydromorphone) "I had surgery that was out patient but was put under general anesthesia which to me means it is serious. Vicodin does not work 4 me. I am allergic to Percocet. I specifically asked for DEMEROL. My doctor gave me Dilaudid. THE WORST!!! Nausea, Lightheaded, no pain relief or positive effects but he claimed it was stronger therefore should be better. I'm not a Dr. BUT I know what works on MY BODY. He could have just given me a smaller Dosage of Demerol. Instead of 30 that don't work, I would have taken 12 that do."

• Young...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2014

"I was given Hydromorphone through an IV for Chronic Pancreatitis after being hospitalized numerous times a month nothing worked for pain. Then one day while hospitalized they decided to give me Dilaudid in IV with Phenergan. It stopped the pain completely but it slammed my heart rate down to 30 bpm and my blood pressure down to deadly levels. They then had to pump fluids raise all my limbs above my heart for about an hr. After I got normal again I didn't feel any pain whatsoever for hours. Works great for pain. "

• Suzis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2023

"I’ve been on hydromorphone for multiple conditions for a few months now, just switched to extended release because the pills were wearing off in just a couple hours. This is the best med so far as it doesn’t make me feel high. I can’t even tell when it wears off except for the pain returning. I get no side effects, really, except it makes me feel more awake, which I appreciate because I have CFS and the last thing I need is to be more sleepy. It can keep me awake. To all the people saying that the medication works better through an IV, it’s because it’s 2 1/2 times stronger given directly into the bloodstream. It’s not a different medication. You just might need a higher dose. I can’t say whether the extended release is going to do the trick, but I got tired of worrying about my pills wearing off right in the middle of something. I am now looking for work! I have gone from mostly bedridden, to able to take short walks, and do some house cleaning. Great!"

• anano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2023

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "I fell 10 years ago when I was 32 and compressed my C-0 to C-6. I was in so much pain, I was bedridden for 3 years and in a wheelchair for 6 years. They could not find out why I was in so much pain. I finally found the right doctor and had a neck fusion of the C-3 C-4, and that helped some but didn't get rid of the pain. I was still living with a pain of an 8. I still couldn't have any light in my room; no one could talk above a whisper, and I couldn't be upright for more than 2 minutes before my pain shot up to a ten. Once we found the right pain doctor, he put me on Dilaudid, and it has changed my quality of life. I have been able to regain some of my life because of it, but I can't regain all of it due to a 5mm knot on my C-0 that is pressing on my occipital nerve and spinal column. I would recommend Dilaudid to anyone dealing with a 10/10 pain level."

• Bella...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

Hydromorph Contin (hydromorphone) "I was on 6 Percocet a day for chronic pain and the doctor at the chronic pain clinic said I would do better on something that provides longer term pain. He started me out on two 4.5mg hydromorph contin a day with 4 percs for breakthrough pain but the hydromorph contin wasn't giving me near enough relief so the doctor raised it to 3 hydromorph contin a day and cut back the percs to 2 a day. I’m in more pain than ever. I don’t think the hydromorph contin are helping me at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 1, 2017

"Hydromorphone has been the best out of 3-5 other medications tried over a twenty year span. I do not tolerate extended release meds well. They give me horrid insomnia, worse than it is generally. After about 3 days on extended release I can sleep no longer than 3 hours. With 8mg hydromorphone I have some insomnia but this is far lesser when compared to being on ER meds. Over five years time I have become dose tolerant. I started at 4 mg doses, then to 8 mg doses, and currently taking 16 mg doses...that is two 8mg tabs every 3-4 hours, as long as 5 hours between doses on a good day. I have chronic pain caused by RSD/CRPS. ANY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL OUGHT TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS MOST DREADED OF CONDITIONS."

• Middle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 8, 2022

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "I have around 4 years experience with dilaudid 8mg tablets inside of 15 years on the other various opioids (all prescribed) from a slew of issues stemming from degenerative diseases. It works ok, I function and never crave. The MEU system changed so I only 90 instead of 120 per mo. I'm grateful for it for sure. I have a legit compassionate Doc. When I feel like I need more, I remember the majority of suffering people in 3rd world. Ever experience difficulties filling a script in the last 5 months from "shortages"? Dilaudid/hydromorphone facts: 1mg hydromorphone is equivalent to 5 mg of both morphine. Hydromorphone is the metabolite of hydrocodone. Oral route is approx 30% bioavailabile. Nasal route is approx 70% bioavailable. IV/IM is 100% bioavailabile. Dilaudid, as a CNS depressant, can be taken with CNS stimulants(I successfully do this having adult adhd) to counteract its down/drowsiness effect. More research is going back into this. Practical Pain Management has a good article to read up on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2017

Exalgo (hydromorphone) "I was on 30mgs Opana ER dailu and it was discontinued. My doc moved me to 8mg Exalgo/day. It's not working well, doesn't last 24 hours and every 2-4 hours I start getting chills and runny nose. I think I just might be on too low of a dose. Too bad I can't get in to my doc sooner."

• unitid
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 11, 2020

"A question...I know how good dilaudid helps me with pain...or use too. If given in an IV it works/worked immediately, but for me, it only last about 20 minutes. But I've noticed (for me anyway) that it seems like its been changed. A 1mg of dilaudid doest work as good as it use to. I don't get it very often at all, so it is not that my body is getting use to it. It has been a few years since I had it..and it worked way better then. Im a very hard person to get pain relief for. Morphine does nothing. Oxycodone pill, works better than anything...I don't get it. Dilaudid doesn't seem to do anything any more???"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 1, 2020

"Used hydromorphone for breakthrough pain. In my case, methadone is the regularly-scheduled pain med. For 12 years, I was taking 16 mg every two hours as needed for breath through pain. For approximately the last year, the dose was reduced to 8 mg every 8 hours as needed for breakthrough pain. The 89.5% reduction made the use of this pain medicine superfluous. About two weeks ago, it was changed to 8 mg every six hours as needed. The reason for the decrease in intervals between doses was because of a fall that I had had."

• Alan
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 25, 2021

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "I have 15 + years of chronic lower back L3 - L5, S.I. Joint & groin pain. I've tried epidurals, nerve blocks interlaminar & caudal. Some were close but never the right spot. I found oxycodone worked well until my tolerance because too high. I found Dilaudid contin only numbed my brain but did little for pain. The opposite of what I need. Dilaudid affected my memory and left me feeling lethargic most of the time. I know everyone reacts different to each medication. I found oxycodone worked better, faster & with little side effects for back pain. I also could quit oxycodone quickly & easily. After 2 years on Dilaudid I am weaning myself off it as it did little for sharp lumbar & groin pain. The side effects just compounded the existing problems of living with chronic pain with little to no pain relief."

• sarge
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2019

"I had total knee replacement surgery July 4 2018. Before surgery I could function normally, but after surgery it got worse. Bbefore surgery had no pain no drugs and could function now I have brace , on drugs and problem walking with pressure ."

• Gabby...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2021

"I've taken hydromorphone 4 mg for years in pain management. 5x a day It works 95% , now it's dropped down to 90% so my pain Dr decided to put me on Bupreonpine alone for one week then he added Naxolone! Big Mistake! Even the pharmacy questioned why, when I called him about bad side effects! I can't believe after 7 years of going to this pain management Dr did this to me? I have 2 & a half bulging disc, in my lower back with degenerative disc disease, sciatica nerve damage on the left side. Since I told this med went from 95% to 90% effective. He took me off then & instead of trying different pain medications (after I had this bad reaction) When I called his office & complained he told me to come back in on Monday (this was on a Thursday) But stay on this stuff that caused me more increased back and leg pain, nausea, diarrhea, shallow breathing & muscle spasms ! The Dr was told to tell me " it was in the best interest of all that I stay on this horrible medicine"! Are you kidding me? CANCELLED/request"

• multi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2022

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "Hello! I currently am on Diluadid 4mg twice a day and morphine er 30mg twice a day. I was on extended release oxycodone for some time and due to insurance and supply issues, I was forced to switch to something else. I have good insurance with my state job but still couldn't pay almost $800 a month for 60 pills. Oxycodone gets a bad rap but it worked the best for the bone pain that I have had for a number of years now. I am only 38 years old but have had 3 spinal fusions and a cardiac ablation. I also have irreversible and progressive lung damage that has resulted in the use of supplemental oxygen. The 3 spinal fusions have left with me 16 levels fused and two sets of rods, one of which had to be removed due to pulling out of bone. I am in constant pain but since adding the diluadid, I am much more comfortable than before. I cry in my sleep and have nightmares because of the immense pain and this medicine has worked wonders for my daytime ability to function overall. Only problem is quick tolerance"

• Sunny...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 11, 2022

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "I have a rare neurodegenerative disease called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Because it's neurodegenerative, there's a lot of pain, as the nerves die, the surrounding nerves get overloaded. I have an implanted drug infusion pump that puts muscle relaxant directly into my spinal column. It helps greatly, but I still have to be on a painkiller just to be comfortable. I've been on several painkillers, the most effective by far has been dilaudid. I have to be on oxygen when I sleep, but that's a small price to pay for my comfort."

• Cool...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2022

"I am a 43 year old college educated woman who is on permanent disability since 2018. I have been rear ended twice. As a result, I have had 5 back surgeries in L5-S1 including 3 fusions and a multi level fusion in C4-C6 which may require more surgery. I have a herniated disc in C3-C4, bone spur bottom of C6, inflammation and arthritis in C7-T1, stenosis, sciatica, failed back syndrome, Fibromyalgia, permanent nerve damage, and the list goes on and on. I have been in pain management for 7 years. One day I was so flared up that the ER gave me IV hydromorphone. The metal rods, screws and cages in my back, neck and the metal forced 2mm below my belly button was screaming at me. The pain was controlled almost immediately. My 10 mg Percocet and OxyContin was not working. Told my dr and we switched. Now I am on 40 mg OxyContin every 8 hours (does not work for 12 for me) and 4 mg hydromorphone every 6 hours. It really is a miracle drug! Finally my pain is controlled!!"

• Taylor
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 1, 2021

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) "I have had a Medtronic pain pump implanted in my abdomen with Dilaudid ran into my spinal cord (implanted 12-Nov-2019). This is my 3rd one. My question is, my doctor has it set so high know other pain pump specialist will touch me! I believe it is somewhere around a 15 level. In the last year I have suffered from Congested Heart Failure, and just in July I suffered Cardiac Arrest and if not for my friend knowing CPR I survived. But now I am down to 95 lbs and having a hard time getting fighting back. Is it possible that this Dilaudid Pump is slowly killing me? Please other reviewsers respond to me and give me some feedback, thank you!!"