• Effectiveness

  Major (for breakthrough pain)
• Effectiveness

  Major (for pain)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (head pain)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  A little hard to take

Dosage: 2 tablet(s) Monthly

Advice & Tips: I had to learn about controlling breakthrough pain as the doc didn't advise me. It was my best friend who helped me put the pain med to the best use. Wow. It changed my life until I got my hip replaced and after surgery. For daily life I definitely did not consider driving my car even if I felt quite "normal." It's a powerful drug and I didn't want to take chances and I was very tired all the time from the meds, from fighting pain, etc.

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for breakthrough pain)
• Effectiveness

  Major (for pain)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (head pain)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 2 tablet(s) Monthly

Advice & Tips: I am not taking this medication under the prescription of my doctor. I have the tablets leftover from another procedure where I didn't use it at all. I only use this medication when really needed. I used to maybe take one about once a month for breakout pain. When my pain levels increased significantly over the summer but I did not reduce my activity or take any other actions such as icing I starting resorting to Percoset more like twice a month for breakout pain. If I try and take it more than once a week I get terrible headaches so it's not worth it. I had to learn how to strike a better balance. I just hope my one bottle, carefully used, will last me until I get my hip replaced and this whole mess is over. Also, another side effect from taking Percoset is sleepiness so I am careful not to take it before I have to drive so that takes planning which pain management in general requires.

Cost: < $25 monthly