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Oxycontin levels?

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Posted 5/5/2010 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I was at my doctors today and she took blood because she wanted to check my oxy levels?? She said this is standard for the amount of oxycontin I take (160 mgs a day) to see where my levels are at. Something about making sure I am not in danger for respitory distress. I have never had this done before...have any of you? Just curious if this is something that is normally done or is she checking up on me? I take my meds exactly how they are prescribed so I have nothing to worry about, just wondering...
Posted 5/5/2010 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Damouthy1! WOW! 160mgs a day? The most I ever took of Oxycontin was 80mg #40 X2

I would be happy to know that your Dr. is keeping a close eye on your medication intake. It sounds like you have a good one there.
She may indeed, be checking to see that your not abusing your meds, but be glad that you have that kind of Dr. There are all kinds of tricks that a patient can do to get more meds,
and these Dr's know that. I think more importantly, is she testing your liver as well?

I would never question my Dr. for running this kind of test, but I can see where it may bother you if she was going it, because of a trust issue.
Even if there is not a trust issue, I would still be pleased to know that my Dr. was just making sure.

You may be amazed at what a patient will do when the pain get so bad, even a trust worthy patient.

I personally don't know if there is a standard test for a patient taking this much Oxycontin, but maybe another member here with more experience will know.
You can never build up enough trust with a Dr. I personally tell my Dr everything, and I mean everything! It can make life easier when dealing with your Dr.

SE
Posted 5/5/2010 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your response SE, yeah I know I am taking a high dose (I take 60mg in am 40mg in afternoon and 60mg at night) I am one of those who only gets 7 to 8 hours relief from oxycontin. But it's the only thing that keeps my pain (especially my head pain) down to where I can at least have some pain relief. I am a single Mom of 5 children, well one is 19 the others are 17, 11, 8 and 6 so I have to be able to function. No staying in bed all day for me, well I wouldn't want to do that with fibro anyway. I have a great relationship with my doc and yes I tell her everything too. We discussed upping my afternoon dose to 60mg and that was when she said she wanted to check my levels. So I'm thinking that she is just making sure my body is handling the oxy ok. We just hear so many horror stories about people getting taken off of their meds for no reason and I know all about how careful Doc's need to be because of all the addicts that I let it freak me out a little, my mind started racing thinking did I do something to make her think I am not taking my meds as prescribed? I know that I didn't, and she didn't act any differently today so I am sure it must be something that is for my own good. I will let you know the outcome, she said she would have the results next week. Now I am kind of curious to see what my levels are so I will know how my body metabolizes (sp?) pain meds. Have a wonderful day my friend and again thanks for the response!
Posted 5/5/2010 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
That's great! I'm so glad to see that you're on top of it. I now tend to think that your right, in that she is looking out for your best interest.

Sounds like your on the ball as well!

We look forward to hearing from you again soon. Good stuff! :)

SE
Posted 5/5/2010 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon
You are on a pretty high dose of oxycontin, and it is good that your Doctor is checking your serum levels of it. By doing the blood test she can actually tell if your getting the proper therapeutic level of the medication. You know everyone is different, people have different levels of pain, they absorb pain meds differently, and process and eliminate them differently. Different, rates and times. And with the higher levels that your on, she most certainly is concerned about keeping you safe! But I can definitely see why your concerned. I think all of us that are suffering with chronic pain, worry about what would happen , if we nolonger had our meds available to us! It is a frightening thought, because for good or for bad, we are dependent on those meds to keep our pain at bay, and give us more quality to our lives! And nobody wants to be in pain!



Good Luck to YOU



White Beard
Posted 5/6/2010 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Shannon, My new pain doc cut me back from 6 x 15mgs = 90mg oxicodone a day to 3 x 15mgs = 45mgs because she said I was taking toooo much! She didn't cut the 4 x 10mgs of methadone though, I don't understand the logig but I think she knows what she's doing???? She said my old doc who gradually brought me up to those levels over 8 years was "old school" and now the new thinking is that more isn't better??? I know I hurt more now then when I was taking larger doses but I'm hoping that will change in time! I don't know how low she will want to take me yet, I should have asked her but forgot. I would love to pull a "Mikey aka> Screaming Eagle" and get off the narc's all together if I thought I could handle it and still be able to get out of bed in thhe a.m.??? She also started me on neuontin 3 x 100mgs a day and I'm gaining weight> not a good thing!! I'm back up over 280lbs and growing!!! I don't want to get over 300 again but if I keep on the neuontin I'll be there soon! I haven't noticed much relief from it yet but who knows w/ the drop in narcs?? It's hard to say!
I'm sorry! I didn't mean for this to be all about Pete! I think your Doc is doing the right thing testing your levels!!! If I took as much as you, I know my breathing would stop when I'm sleeping> Adios> Pete! Thats what scares me the most about narcotics! But then again, I'm a long time smoker so that plays into it big time. Be sure to let us know what transpirer (one of my biggest words!) with the testing??? It will surely educate the rest of us as I never heard of that blood test before either! Good luck & Big Hugs>>
>> Your buddy,
Pete
Posted 5/6/2010 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Shannon , I'm prescribed 6 oxicontin per day 80 mg tablets and I never , ever heard of such a thing in my time using this pain med .Two in the am , two in the afternoon an two at night is my prescription and that is a new one unless they want to be sure your taking it is the only thing I can think of . Well good luck !
Posted 5/6/2010 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the responses! Pete I am a long time smoker too and my doctor knows this so maybe that factor's in. Mikel, wow you have a high tolerence to meds, I think I do too. Can I ask how long you have been on oxy? I'm just curious how quick you had to move to such a high dose. I started on the 20mg and quickly moved to where I am at but it seems I have kind of leveled out now. What a world we live in now to think that our docs have to check to see if we are taking our pain meds rather than selling them! Back in the day I would think the worry would have been if we were taking too much. I live in a very small town in Nebraska (less then 1,000 people) we don't have the worries of the big city (I am from Denver, just moved last year) I can't even imagine selling my pills! I need those to function and take care of my family. I know that is not what she is checking for, we have alot of trust in each other, I do believe she is looking out for my best interest before upping my dosage again.
Posted 5/6/2010 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
We're on the same dosage and I've been taking this amount for over 8 years now without any problem at all.  While I have read of the dosage being a bit higher, I can tell you that we're at about the top as far as amount we should take per day.  If you keep having pain come and go throughout the day, look into taking "kickers."  These are those wonderful little OxyIR 5 mg work right away morphine pills that I also take throughout the day for breakthrough pain and it really does help, so you're not at the limit of pain medication options.

Don't be scared one bit of the dosage but be forewarned, the additional consitapation will now hit epic levels.  Sort of like having a small import expelled when you finally do go potty.  You might also notice dry mouth like you've never experienced before and I can set a clock to when mine will set in.  2 hours after I take the OcyContin, the extra super super dry mouth sets in so keep something handy to drink with you at all times.

You'll keep breathing, but I'm proud of your attitude for caing enough to do what the doctor says and nothing else.  That's what the doctor and you build your trust upon and that's what will assure you proper pain care forever more.  Why so many don't understand that pain doctors have to trust their patients first is beyond my scope of understanding, but when we're talking about these amounts and the effects that can go with it, trust is everything.  You've earned it, and I like you for it.  Bob.

Posted 5/6/2010 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bob, I needed that! I do feel comfortable with any test my doctor want's to do, I don't know why I even questioned this one. Maybe it has to do with the fact that for the last 2 weeks I have been reading old posts in CP and have read some horror stories when it comes to meds (losing them, having them stolen, dos takes you off for no reason, withdrawls etc) so I had my mind going wild for a bit. But that is exactly what she said that the dosage I am on is usually the highest for non cancer paitients, but since I am just needing to go up 20mg (my 40mg dose doesn't last as long, so we may go to 3 60mg's a day) she want's to make sure everything is going ok with me and want's to see my levels so she knows where I am at. I just want to thank everyone for responding and reminding me that as long as me and my doc have trust in each other, it's ok. Here's to a LP day all!
Posted 5/6/2010 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon,
I just thought I'd add that usually when doctors want to check because they suspect a patient may not be using their meds as prescribed, or even if a pain contract and doc's office policies are to check patients regardless of suspicious behavior, they tend to do urine screens. I think your doctor is trying to look out for your health. Remember your other medications can also be mixing with the oxycontin and how each body processes (metabolizes) the meds is different. And like someone mentioned, checking to see how your liver is handling all the medication is important. My neurologist does blood work twice/year because of being on long term meds for CP as well as other conditions, and he's been doing this since before I was on narcotic meds. He always checks my liver enzymes. And I always request copies of the lab report so I can see how I'm doing overall!

PaLady
Posted 5/6/2010 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Shannon , yeah it is a high dose but I've worked my way through the different pain meds to oxi because my hip replacement surgery has had to be delayed for over a year now and the pain is excruciating .But i abused heroin most of my adult life so I did have a high tolerance .This is NYC but they don't check me because they see the agony I'm dealing with in the MRI'S and x-rays . But I can understand in your location them bein careful , its a small town and I think its wise of them , meaning no insult to you at all , I think they just want to be sure so they can write it down for the record . Hope you have a great low pain week ! Mikel
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