I use the Dilaudid for B/T pain. Before that I was on Percocet like you for two years. I find that the Dilaudid actually works faster, better, and has a relatively short half-life, so I don't feel so hung-over later on. It can make me a bit drowsy at times, though. And the first couple of times I took it, it made my skin burn a little. Not much, and it disappeared in just a minute or two. Dilaudid is supposed to be roughly seven times as potent as morphine, and from what I've read, the "usual" dosage is 1,2,4 or 8mg every four to six hours as needed. I quit taking the Percocet because I was concerned about ingesting so much acetaminophen every day for so long.