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Posted 4/10/2010 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
I saw my doctor today and he had no problem changing me off of my patches but he did tell me that I had better not forget to take the pill because if I thought the withdrawl from the Duragesic patch was bad then I'd better not  EVER forget the Oxycotin 10mg. that he put me on. He put me on it twice a day so I think that should be fine. I've been so upbeat today! I have a good friend that has horrible diabetic neuropathy. She has taken Oxycotin twice daily for years and has been  well controlled pain wise. I pray that it will work the same for me.

The doctor said to just take one of the pills and then about 3 hours later remove my patch and that way I should be covered. We will pray and we shall  see!

Nurse2yeah

Posted 4/10/2010 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
I wasn't able to understand your post completely. Are you going from the F patch to Oxycontin 10 mg.?

Flower
Posted 4/10/2010 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Nurse, one thing I did notice with the oxycontin was that it did not seem to be lasting the whole 12 hrs. I'd take it in the morning and by afternoon my pain levels were increasing even with bt meds. I called my docs office and was switched to every 8 hrs and this seems to work better. Just a heads up!
Posted 4/10/2010 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
Nurse,

I'm glad you had a good appt w/ your doctor... and a hope your transition from the patch to the oxy is an easy one...

I also pray the oxy works well for you...keep us updated.

Take care,
Tina
Posted 4/10/2010 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning Nurse2! I was taking 60mg a day of the Oxycontin and 30mg a day of Percocet's, and after my surgery I took myself off the Oxycontin completely cold turkey. I never once had any withdrawals with it, and I can tell you that I was very scared about it. I guess I was one of the lucky ones. I am kinda of surprised that your Dr would warn you of withdrawals on such a low low dose of Oxycontin though. What you are taking is the equivalent of a #10 325mg Percocet spread out over 12hrs instead of the normal 4 to 6 hrs.

Maybe it has something to do with you being on the patch, but I would like to know more about it if you can help me understand.

I'm still recovering from back surgery, and it is getting better. I sneezed this morning, and it did not kill me like it did a few weeks ago.

Good luck to you! Lets hope you get to feeling better.

SE
Posted 4/10/2010 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Good Luck. I was on percocets 10/325 for a year for my chronic back pain and I quit cold turkey without any withdrawl symptoms.
Posted 4/10/2010 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
nurse2


When I originally started out on Oxycontin, I was started on 10mg every 12 hours, it wasn't to long after that. that my Doctor had to increase it to 20 mg every 12 hours. I was on that for quite a while and that done a pretty good job of controlling my pain, over time it was increased to 40mg every 12hours and I was on that for quite a few years, they tried me on 40 mg every 8 hours a couple of years ago and it was just to much, then last year ( August I believe) they tried again switching me over to every 8 hours and it has been allot better this time. I do have Percocet 5/325 for break through but I do not like to take them unless I am hurting really bad. I find they do not help all that much for the nerve root iritation anyway! That last epidural injection in my neck gave me around a week and a half to two weeks relief but the percocet does not help much, I have severe nerve root irritation at C2/3 and it just kills me on the back of my head and upper neck!



I will tell you nurse2 that Oxycontin was a real Godsend for me it helped my pain emmensely, and it did not make me feel dopey! However I did have some problems with nausea when I first started it! You probably know this but do not crush or bite into the tablet as that can have disastrous results! And as you know you can not compare this 10 mg oxcontin to 10/325 mg Percocet, as the Oxycontin has much much much more than that in it, you are getting the equivalent of 10 mg oxycodone all the time over a 12 hour period, with the Oxcontin! Anyway I do hope that it works for you, just remember after a week or so if you are not getting enough pain relief talk to your Doctor since you have already been on the Patch and all, this might not be strong enough, so just don't get discouraged or anything you just might need a stronger doseage!



I do wish you all the best Nurse2 and I sure hope this works for you!



Good Luck!



White Neard
Posted 4/10/2010 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Nurse2,
I hope the transition goes smoothly for you, and that you get good pain relief from the oxycontin. Sounds like White Beard has given you some good advice, as usual, so I will just wish you all the best with the switch!

Take care,

PaLady
Posted 4/10/2010 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
White Beard, I learned something today about the oxycontin from you. My error. Good stuff you wrote!

SE
Posted 4/11/2010 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Nurse2,

When I was on oxycontin, I also noticed that it didn't last the full 12 hrs for me. It only lasted about 8 hrs, so my doctor ended up changing my med schedule to three times a day instead of twice. From what I understand it is not uncommon to experience only 8 hrs of relief & not 12, so if your meds don't seem to last the full 12 hrs, I'd urge you to ask your doctor about bumping up your meds to three times a day or adding a break-through med. I sure hope the oxycontin helps you! You've been through a lot!

hugs,
Skeye
Posted 4/11/2010 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I also take oxycontin 3 times a day. I take 60mg in the am, 40mg in the afternoon and then another 60mg at night. I was only get 8 hrs pain relief too. Oxycontin has been a lifesaver to me, and I also didn't experience any bad side effects from it. I hope it works well for you too.
Posted 4/11/2010 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse2,

I too am on oxycontin and like many others here, started at 10mg every 12 hours. I was having severe break-through pain after 4 hours, so added Tramacet to the mix. Over the course of 2 months, my oxycontin was changed so that currently, I am on 40mg every 12 hours, and I rarely have to take the Tramacet now.

As others have said, you may have some trial and error with dosage until you find what works for you. You may be lucky and find it works great from the start. Just don't get discouraged...it can take a bit of time to get things right.

Oxycontin has been a Godsend for me...I couldn't function without it (and I know that from when I had to stop taking all my drugs before my Botox injection for 24 hours...I was in complete and utter agony). I hope you find this works really well for you. Just try to take it consistently at the same time morning and night...set an alarm for the first few days if you have to...you do NOT want to miss a dose!!

Good luck and I'll be thinking of you!!!

hugs,
Pam
Posted 4/11/2010 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Pam
You really got that right about Oxycontin being a Godsend! Before I was put on Oxycontin I was taking Vicoprofen and I was having to take it all the time and it made me dopey! I hated it and it was also very hard on the stomach! The Oxycontin really took away the pain with no "dopey" feeling or anything like that! What you said about taking it at the same time every day, I found extremely important! And heaven help you if you miss adose, about 6 hours or so after I missed a dose, talk about PAIN!!! WOW the rebound pain is unreal plus the other unpleasant feelings, it is TERRIBLE. I know when I have done it, I take the percocet for break through ( I take 8 pills total at 6AM, Oxycontin, Baclofen and Metoprolol, Sulfasalazine, to mention a few of them, well around 10 or 11 AM I was starting to hurt and feel bad and by noon I was really hurting and I thought that was weird, as I knew I took all my morning meds together! well in the bedroom next to my morning pill box on my night stand is an Oxycontin tablet! apparently I had dropped it ) Now I do not take them all together! I take the Oxycontin separate! and I count them to make sure I do not drop one! Anyway Pam your advice is right on! And a good reminder for all of us that take Oxycontin!

White Beard
Posted 4/12/2010 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys,
I'm happy to say that so far, so good. I started the Oxycotin at 8:30a.m. yesterday and I'm doing O.K. I was sure to take a Baclofen with it as I continue to have a rough time with the fibro. I've been in been in bed for 4 days now with it and this is the first time in a long time that I have allowed it to have kicked my butt like this. Usually I just keep on going but not this time. I have no reserve left. I do have a question though. Do you carry an extra pill in your purse ladies or in your car guys , in case you're out past "pill time"? I always carry extra pills with me but I've never been on contolled substance like this that I will be depending on for a while. I sure don't want to lose one and then be in a mess. I need your suggestions, please.
Nurse2
Posted 4/12/2010 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse2. I'm sorry that you've been in bed for four days, but I'm happy that the new medication is working!
I always carry my pills in the bottle that they came in from the pharmacy.

I believe that we are supposed to carry them only in the pharmacy bottle. I only carry my dose for the day with me. Your pharmacy can give you an extra (smaller) bottle with the label on it for this purpose. If you're in the car with someone, and get pulled over, you need to have the proper prescription label on the bottle. I think that you can get into trouble with the law if you don't.

Also, I wouldn't leave the medication in the car because temperature changes are not good for certain medications. What if (God forbid) the car got stolen? Even losing a couple of pills would not be good for me...because of urine tests, etc. Plus, I'm responsible for my medication I think so if someone took one and overdosed, I would be responsible...just my opinion.

Maybe I am overly cautious, but it works for me. Also, I keep my medicine in a fireproof safe which is hidden.

Also, I don't tell people what medication I take, or even that I take anything...it's just too risky.

Hope the suggestions were helpful.

:)

Flower
Posted 4/12/2010 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse2,

Just wondering how you're feeling this morning after a full day of your new medication yesterday? I was thinking of you...I hope it went well and offered you some relief!

hugs,
Pam
Posted 4/12/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse2,

You asked about carrying an extra pill just in case; yes, I have done that. When I work in the office we have to wear our badges, and I clip mine onto a ribbon around my neck which also carries my office key and a tiny pill case in which I put one "extra" pill.

Hoping the transition to the new pain medication is going well for you! You're in my thoughts and prayers!
(((((hugs)))))
JoAnn
Posted 4/12/2010 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad the transition from the patch to Oxycontin is going good.  I'm sorry you've been in bed because of the Fibro.  I hope you feel better.  I used to take Oxycontin with break thru meds a few years ago until i messed up and missed too many appointments and they dropped me.  That's when the problems started.  Anyway I am glad it's working good.

 

hugs

Loretta

Posted 4/12/2010 8:29 PM (GMT 0)

Nures2,  I have been taking some form of pain medication for years now...and even though I have been taking Methadone along with Oxycodone IR 30mg. for a couple of years I have to say that Oxycontin scares the begeebies out of me.  I know that it's Oxy in Extended Release form but it still scares me.  Let us know how it works for you...I'm so glad that your Dr. gave you something else....hopefully it will help you alot.

 

Me/.

Posted 4/17/2010 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
Well, my transition went straight into the toilet on day two. I have paced the floor for 4 days, crying and having muscle spasms. I had to ride 2 1/2 hours each way to get my shoulder injected with steriods on Wed. and boy was that a trip. I couldn't sit still. I think I pushed every button inthe car, adjusted the air conditioner in car. I had to stop at a McDonalds and run into the restroom and throw water on myself to try to calm me down a bit. .Then I was a calmer. By the time I got to the doc's office I looked like a drug addict looking for a big score!!! Hair sticking out all over, face blotchy from crying. What a site to behold. They called my name and away I went. I didn't feel a thing and then we were on our 2 hr. ride back home. I had to stop about half way home and walk a little so we stopped at a Walmart so we sould actually pick up a couple of things but I has slept for about 45 min. on the way back so I could have cared less how I looked! My husband and I never fight but we had a doosey yesterday. All about these "drugs" i'm on and how they are changing my personality. I honestly don't think it's the drug's that's changing my personality, it's the monumental lack of sleep. He gets his 8hours or more EVERY NIGHT and if HE get's a headache, HE goes to BED! I'm 54yrs old and I've been sick since birth and this last week , well, this ol' girl has just been ready to go out to pasture! Even prisioners get executed after a sentence. I'm just so tired. That's all. And this fight with my husband yesterday was just the last straw. We made up later. I know that he's just afraid for me because he's a doctor and that he's not been able to do one thing to really help me but we just needed to clear some air. I think the upcoming vacation will do us good. I just can't stand him looking at me like his "druggie wife" as that is not me. I will have to have some sort of form meds always but I want to get away from this hard stuff. Have a g weekend glr
Posted 4/17/2010 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
nurse2

I have a question for you, why do you think that your husband would think of you as a "druggie" You said he is a Doctor? Then he should know that these meds are made to relieve pain, and as long as you do not take them for pleasure or to get "high" or what ever, and you don't abuse them and take them only as prescribed, then why would this ever be an issue? I don't understand???? You are a nurse have you ever given a patient a medication to relieve high Blood Pressure?, or a Medication to treat diabetes?, is taking Oxycontin ( or any other medication) to relieve or treat pain any different??? I don't think so!!!!! Maybe it is my back ground in working with Onco Patients, ( where I have been around allot of patients in severe pain and have treated them for it) but with that knowledge and experience, I have come to believe that pain is a serious condition, and it can be debilitating, it is what ever the patient says it is ,and it should be adequately treated! I believe opoid medications are no more dangerous or make you anymore dependent on them, than allot of other medications that people use everyday! I do believe allot of the problems that pleople have with using or taking these medications is based on the stigma that society has placed on these medications , and the people that use them! The treatment of severe chronic pain in most instances requires the use of, as you call it the "hard stuff". May I ask you nurse2 how do you view and think of these medications that you call "hard stuff"? I am just wondering,???? You know nuse2 I only want the very best for you! I would really like to see you find actual pain relief!!! I just hope you are not over looking it???????

I do wish you well! good Luck to YOU!

White Beard
Posted 4/17/2010 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Nurse2,
I'm sorry to hear you're not doing so well, and about the issues with your husband. You know, even though he's a doctor if he hasn't had training with chronic pain he may not understand the big picture and your needs. Just like many other doctors we see don't "get it." Even some PM specialists!

There's a great link in the CP101 thread in the area of Addiction, Dependence & Tolerance to an article written by groups of doctors - chronic pain and addiction medicine specialists. Perhaps printing this out and reading it together with your husband may help? The last thing you need is the stress of fighting with him, but I think you're right part of it is that he likely feels even more helpless as a doctor and that he can't even help his own wife.

I hope I didn't offend you with anything here. Just a few thoughts I wanted to pass on.

Take care,

PaLady
Posted 4/17/2010 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse2,

 

I am sorry you are doing so badly and I do have to wonder if you are having some light withdrawals going from the patch to just 10mg of Oxycotin. That is a low dose. Have you called your drs office and talked with the nurse at least about what is going on? It may be well worth your time to put a call in if you are doing the same way.

 

I can tell you first hand that some medications can cause personality changes. Vicodin and the patches gave me the very worst disposition you can imagine. They also tended to hype me up a little. I could not stand myself when I took these meds so I know what it was like for anyone around me.

 

I have to agree with what WhiteBeard says about medication. Lets face it none of us want to be on this stuff, but if it means some quality life then so be it. Because you have CP that is not a life sentence of living in severe pain the rest of your life. That is why there is pain medication available to us. I am sorry your husband has an attitude about pain medication and I really hope you will let him read the article at CP101 about the difference of addiction and tolerance issues. I had many problems with Oxycotin and ended up not being able to tolerate it. My husband hit the roof as they say, it was awful. But the bottom line is he was uneducated about medication and only knew what he saw on the tv shows which did not work in my favor at all, lol. Bottom line I have a pain pump and most likely will always have one, but that does not make me an addict. It gives me some quality life so I can do things like keeo my grandson a few hours and play with him.I take him places, with out it, I could not do these simple things.

 

I know before you were not taking your meds as prescribed and after some encouragement from the forum you decided to use the patch and take your meds and it gave you some relief. You mention that always before you fought the pain and would not give in to it. Sometimes by doing that Nurse2 we do ourselves more harm. By that I mean if you are in constant severe pain and you are fighting it and trying to stay up and be active and do a lot of things you are not only working against your medication but your body as well. Pain takes a toll on our body, by pushing it like you do, the body is never able to to relax, the medication is not going to be as effective either. But slowing down and allowing your body to rest somewhat so many bad signals do not get sent to the brain. When you are fighting it your body is as tenese as it can be, meaning increased spasms and more pain.

 

Please let us know how you are doing.

 

Posted 4/18/2010 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nurse2,

I just wanted to send you a quick message of support before you start your new med in the morning. I hope everything goes well for you and that you adjust to any side effects quickly and with limited discomfort.

hugs,
Pam
Posted 4/19/2010 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry Nurse2. I have followed thsi from your 1st post and was thinking when reading about your changes in meds that this might just happen,going from Fent to Oxy at that conversion rate just didnt look good. As for your S.O. I imagine even though he is educated in these meds it is certainly different when your looking at the pic and it is someone you love and care about, I am sure as a Nurse you can relate here. Also you didnt say what kind of Doc he is and that could cover a whole entire world out there with no idea regarding pain meds.

I hope by this time you have spoke with your prescribing Doc and things are looking better for you today. Switching meds can almost always does cause us some anxiety as well as physical symptoms. I think any of us can agree that falling into a pain rut is foremost on our minds at all times and one of the things that helps to relate so easily to other CPers and why non CPers cant fathom this fear.

There are however some things you can do to help make yourself more comfortable waiting for the new med to takeover and the old one to get out of your system and I am sure many folks here have some ideas should you need them.

I think the most important thing is to take care of yourself and WB had some really good advice. Please let us know when you can how your doing and if you find yourself in need of anything at all it looks as though plenty of folks here have years under their belts of sage advice and caring remedies.
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