HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Follow Up on "How Much Is Too Much?"

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/15/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!  I took your advice and went to see my general doctor about all the meds I'm still on for recovering from surgery...I told him all the issues I'm having and he decided to try some other types of medications that might be better for me so that I don't hurt my kidneys.  Instead of the 12, 200 mil Ibuprofen that I normally take a day, he's putting my on a 24 hr anti-inflammatory pill.  Then he's going to treat my achy leg problem caused from my back issues with "gabba" something (I haven't picked it up yet so I don't know the exact name) that will help with Neuropathy and the main reason I take the Perc.  Then because I've got myself down to 2 #10 percs a day now, and told him I sooooo wanted off them, he's going to try Tramadol (sp?)  So I'm excited that I have someone out there helping me reach my goals.  Goals of not hurting my organs any more than I need to and the goal of getting off narcotics.  We'll see...he did warn me that many many back surgery patients have to stay on narcotics the rest of their lives....I told him "NOT ME!"  Well, truthfully, we'll see..I'm trying anyway.  Thank you all. 
Posted 6/15/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
That's wonderful news that you are trying some new medicines...I just advise you...that by switching so many of them at one time....it's possible to have an issue or allergic reaction and not know which medicine is causing what...so just realize this and ask if he wants you to gradually exchange these or is this all in one day...just keep notes and open dialogue with your Dr.

The 'gabba'...lol...is the generic version of Neurontin...it's name is Gabapentin...and yes...it's a nerve pain medicine that a lot of people have great success...you are usually started off on a low dose...and then tirate up as needed since it can cause some 'wooziness' and fatigue when first started...so just be aware...do not drive while on it in the beginning....and realize that those type of issues will go away after a few weeks to a month...

It's also good they are using a 24 hour antiinflammatory medicine...as well as adding the Tramadol...(which is the generic version of Ultam)...and sometimes people actually get better pain relief than some narcotics as it hits a different pain receptor in the brain...same thing with this medcine...there can be a few 'nuisance' side effects that usually go away after a few weeks...

Just make sure when you get the Pharmacy instructions with the Tramadol that you are not taking any of the other medicine it lists as an interaction to possibly cause Serotonin Syndrome...

This is such good news to have a Dr. who listens and is working with you to try different things..

I wish you great luck..:)
Posted 6/15/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Snowbunny!  That helps me greatly! I'm really excited about this new plan. We'll see how it goes.  The doctor said we really can't tell the full effect until I get the Gabapentin into my system as well as the TraMADol. : )  I took my first traMADol just little while ago....not sure I can make it w/o my perc....we'll see.  yeah
Posted 6/15/2011 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
SE Sis...

I'm glad you had a good experience w/ your doctor. 

I wish you success in meeting your goals.... If the new meds work - that's great!  I just would encourage you not to feel like you've "failed" if you find that narcotics need to be part of your treatment for chronic pain. 

There was a time where I wanted off of everything..... I didn't want to be on all these meds, etc.  Well, it was great "in theory" - and then there was reality!  I WAS able to taper way down - which was great.  But found that, in order to have some quality of life, I couldn't get off my pain meds.  Over time, I'm completely comfortable w/ that - and have just accepted that this is part of living w/ the health issues I have.

Anyway, much luck to you.... let us know how you do.  Take good care --Tina

Posted 6/15/2011 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
well wishes indeed and I hope things go good with your transition from one med
to another, just make it slowly...I sure hope this works better for you and if you do
have problems make sure to get back into your doctor...will be thinking of you..
.many well wishes and Prayers...keep us posted as to how your doing...
Posted 6/15/2011 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much. I will keep you up-to-date. I have a follow up appt with my doctor in 2 weeks as he wants to know how I'm doing on the new meds...so I'll know more in a couple of weeks if the new meds are working well or even better than then percocet. I just want off the percocet if possible. But I do understand that if I need percocet, then that options is still there for me.
Posted 6/15/2011 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Good post and reminder to us Tina!...

SE Sis...I wanted to add that to be even safer...if you need to go back...yu can take OxyIR or Roxicodone...which are just straight oxcodone...without acetaminophen...I use the OxyIR as my 'break through' medicine...as I was having stomach issues and lots of nausea...even though I was way under the daily level for acetaminophen...it was just tearing up my stomach...

So I use the 5mg OxyIR and haven't had any nausea since I made the switch a few years ago...

As well as it allows me to add a Tylenol or Advil to it if needed...I like having the most flexibility...as well as I do as many things to help my pain in addition to my medicine to keep my tolerance low.

Just stating that you have options if you need to go back...but we will certainly pray that this works for you...but as Tina mentioned...it's not failing to have to go back...it's all about finding the right combinations of medicine and modalities to have a good quality of life...
Posted 6/15/2011 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Snowbunny...everytime I hear the word straight oxcodone....I just get freaked out....I'm not sure why but in my mind I have drawn that line in the sand that I will not go over....I'm sure though, that someday if I need to do that, I will have to fix my fears about it.
Posted 6/15/2011 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am saying 'straight' in reference to 'only' ...as in ...without acetaminophen...didn't mean to be confusing...

So a 5mg OxyIR that I take...is the exact same oxycodone as a 5mg Percocet...the only difference is the Percocet contains acetaminophen..

I will use 'only' from here on out so you or others don't think something else..

Nothing to fear...it's the same thing:)

So to give other examples to help you and others learn about medicine...

So a 5/325 Percocet....has 5mg of oxycodone...and 325mg of acetaminophen...A 7.5/325 Percocet has 7.5 mg of oxycodone...etc....The first small mg. is the amount of the narcotic..in this case..oxycodone

A 5mg of OxyIR..is 'only' oxycodone....(oxycodone immediate release)
Percocet is also an immediate release medication...they only last for 4 to 6 hours )...

A 10mg Oxycontin (Oxy means oxycodone...the 'contin' means continuous...or extended release medication)...
So this has 10mg of oxycodone released over 8 to 12 hours...It would be the exact same amount as taking two Percocet's during the day..

So you and I were taking the exact same narcotic...the Percocet just has acetaminophen added into it..

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 6/15/2011 2:34:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/15/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Again thank you for taking the time to explain all this to me. It really helps me. I'll report more in a couple of weeks after my follow up appt with my doctor. Thanks again!!
Posted 6/16/2011 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hello! I'm new and I have posted this in another thread but I just was prescribed Wellbutrin due to the horrible depression caused by the pain meds....and after only one week of taking the Wellbutrin, my pain was lower than it has ever been WITH pain meds. I quit taking the prescription pain meds immediately! I have been on them for three or four years and have steadily been feeling worse and worse and more depressed! I have been off the pain meds for a week (other than Subutex, which my PM dr. gives most of his patients FOR pain...he has tons of research to explain how it helps to augment the effect of pain meds and to help people to build up a tolerance as much as you would without it). I have had pretty bad low back pain today...but the bilateral nerve pain is GONE! It is amazing! I am just waiting and praying for my brain to get somewhere back where it used to be!

I just have to tell people about Wellbutrin. I was afraid to take it because I have had some HORRIBLE reactions to medications, one being Cymbalta (HORRIBLE for me!) so I didn't take it for two weeks after I got it filled. Now I just can't believe it! And neither did my dr.! But I have found documented scientific evidence (controlled double-blind studies that prove that Wellbutrin works for neuropathic pain). And, I KNOW it's not in my head because I had NO CLUE it would work for my pain. I just finally took it one day because I was so depressed I figured "I guess it can't hurt." And it takes 4 to 6 weeks for the anti-depressant effect to completely start working, but only about a week for the pain relief! I still am in awe!! I finally have hope!!
Posted 6/16/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck SESis with your new meds. Sure hope it works wonders for you. Keep us up to date

on how you are doing.

Snowbunny, you have such great knowledge, are you in the medical field. It's great that you can help

so many members here with your knowledge.

--Suzane
Posted 6/16/2011 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Suzane...not exactly...I'm certainly not a Dr. or Nurse..but I was a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT for over 10 years awhile back so I had some medical training then but fairly basic...

And then going through all the surgeries and pain issues for the last 10 years...

But the biggest boost of knowledge...as I love to learn...is actually being friends with my PM outside of our appts...We go to lunch, coffee, hang out with his family...(wife and kids)...So since he is an Anesthesiologist...he specializes in pain medicine and all treatments for pain, and is a very smart cookie!..LOL..

So...without ever going against HIPAA law...he can talk in generalities of what his days are like...He truly wants to help those in pain...As well as we talk a lot of medical stuff about the medicine itself...what each one does...how it works in the brain...it's fascinating to me!...So I've tried to absorb as much as I can over the 4 years I have known him...I also read up on everything I can about cervical spine issues as that is what I've gone through...and learning about what is coming down the road hopefully in new treatments..

I don't ever want to portray something I am not...and hope I haven't...I encourage everyone to only have discussions, make changes or decisions with their Dr..

But yes...I truly enjoy learning everything I can about living with Chronic Pain..

Thanks for the compliment...Sending a big hug to you (( ))
Posted 6/16/2011 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Well you are welcome Snowbunny. We are lucky to have you here.

That a good dr. to have as a friend eh. Very lucky indeed.

Hope you're having a good evening.

Suzane
Posted 6/16/2011 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much "Wantolovelifeagain". I so appreciate your advice. Today is a very good day. Totally off of Percoset but taking Tramadol. We'll see if it keeps working for me. I'll report more in a couple of weeks.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply