I have been on Exalgo (and Dialudid for breakthrough pain) now for the past 4 months after being on HydroCodone for the past 3 years.
My only reason for the change was growing nausea with the hydro, and the Dilaudid and Exalgo did not have the same side effect for me.
Right now I am on the lowest dose 8mg of Exalgo, and may need to tweak that up some while I wait on my SCS perm system.
I love the Exalgo, but it is definitely more costly. With their card at Sams I am paying more than twice what my meds used to cost. The good news is that is at least 1/2 off what CVS would charge for the same med. I was also the first in my area on it, like you two, and experienced some delay in my initial prescription fill. It was worth it though. I am very satisfied with the relief.
Note: beware to always take near the same time. I slept in over a weekend and took it later for two days, then come Monday I took it early before work and was green for hours until the overlap wore off.
Nice to know some others finding relief with this.