My 92 yr. old mother has been taking 5/500 hydrocodone-acetaminophen for nerve pain for several years now. She takes one pill 2x day. She has terrible constipation and now I am thinking she is experiencing confusion and mood changes because it has built up in her body. (she took Wellbutrin for 8 yrs and then it caused hallucinations and confusion which went away when she was taken off of it). The doctor said that it would be ok to wean her off the hydrocodone/acetamin. but didnt say how. I am going to cut her pm. pill in 1/2 and add 1 arthritis strenght Tylenol in the p.m. for a week, then do the same in the a.m. Is one week between the reduced dosages enough time? What withdrawal symptoms will she experience? Then, do I go to 1/2 pill w/ the Tylenol in the a.m. and l/4 pill w/ Tylenol in the p.m. or what?
Is it possible for Plavix to cause these mental changes after several years of use, too?