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Need some help for meds

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 9/10/2007 12:08 AM (GMT 0)

He everyone, I am new to the forums, but not to chronic pain.  Four years ago I was hit by a pickup truck and it crushed both of my legs.  After numerous surgeries and therapy, I can walk but not without constant pain.  I am currently taking Oxycontin 60mg 3 times a day, and neurotin 300 mg twice a day.  I also wear a Fentanyl 50mcg patch.  I was getting good relief with that combination until about a month ago, and now I can't get any relief.  I am going to see my doctor this Thursday, and would like to know what other drugs I could ask him about, he is pretty good about letting me try something if I know about it and can tell him why.  Thanks for your help.

 

Cheryl

Posted 9/10/2007 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds perhaps like you most likely have developed a tolerance to those meds. After we've been on meds for a while, we develop a tolerance, needing more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

Just be honest with your doctor and tell him that what you're on is not helping anymore and ask if he can either switch drugs or increase something.

How long have you been on this combination of medication anyway?? A long time?
Posted 9/10/2007 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking these meds for 2 years now. I was on a stronger dose when I started, and I weaned myself down because I didn't want people to think I was a junkie! I know I shouldn't think that way, but it does bother me sometimes. There are days when I don't want to do anything thinking that maybe I can go back to being a normal person, but I know in the back of my mind that I will always have to take some kind of meds.

Cheryl
Posted 9/10/2007 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Well if you've been on this same dose for two years, the time is RIPE for a dose increase, unless you think this particular combo is not working for you. if you think that, i would ask the doc for a change in meds.

it's hard not to think of yourself as a "junkie" when others comment on the amount of meds we take. i know i've felt like that, and i am a nurse!!! so hang in there, and ask doc for an increase in meds...we all develop a tolerance, and there is no ceiling on the amount of meds you can take currently (meaning the dose can go up and up and never stop, as long as it's giving you pain relief).

i hope you feel better. how long till your next doc appointment??
Posted 9/10/2007 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi zek and welcome! You might ask about morphine based medications. Also actiq which is a lollipop style for b/t pain. Your doc still has tricks up his sleeve he can use. Sounds like you have a good one.

CHutz
Posted 9/23/2007 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I tried all the ER morphine meds, even the duragesic patch and nothing. I have recently been put on methadone and it is a wonderful medication. I am adjusting to the sleeping part- but considering I usually never sleep- bless it its a wonderful thing to sleep 8 hours with no interruptions. Anyhow, I had talked to several people on here and my regular physician after my dr recommended it- love it. it's not too addicitve, easy to come off of and no "fuzzy" or "tunnel" feelings. It's been working fantastically for me. Hardly needed anything for BT pain. I was on 100mg Fentanyl and switched to only 5mg of methadone.... fantastic! All I take is that now along with a soma at bedtime. Occasionaly a pill in the am as needed. Before I was taking the patch, percocets 4xs a day- the highest doage. 3 somas.. the whole 9 yards. Good luck!
Posted 9/24/2007 1:43 AM (GMT 0)

        Hello, there is a new med called opana (oxymorphone) which some people have had good success with. I believe dilaudid is a great med for activity related pain. Adding 3-4 doses of Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate) a day could boost the effects of your pain meds.

                                                        GOOD LUCK

                                                          NICHOLAS

Posted 9/24/2007 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I agree with you pharmtech-dilaudid is a good med. I have it in my pump with sufentanil and I get good relief. I use ACTIQ for BT med-I like it because it works so much faster than any pill I have tried. Been using pain meds for 12 years now and this is the best combination I have found.

I have failed disk fusion at C5-6, advanced adhesive arachnoiditis, arthritis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, several bulging lumbar disks, as well as pain in my hips and knees. Weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!! Aint life grand!!!!!

Whatever you do, dont let anyone talk you into epideral shots-they rarely help and can cause so many problems you wouldnt believe it. Please, please look into them before you let a doctor introduce something that has the same properties as antifreeze into your spine.
Posted 9/25/2007 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I agree, Dilaudid is a good pain reliever, A very old one with few side effects and very inexpensive. I have it in my pump, along with Sufentanil, Clonopine and one other drug. This combo has worked well for me. Susie
Posted 10/11/2007 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have Neurofibromatosis and have a lot of Neuropathic pain due to tumors in my spine and back. I'm on the Oxycontin 30mg 3x per day and Gabapentin (neurotin) 1200mg 3x per day. So a total of 90ms Oxycontin and 3600mg of Gabapentin Per day along with anti-inflamitories. This works fairly well. I'm just going through the process of asking my Fam Dr to raise the Gabapentin to 4800mg per day. There have been studies about Gabapentin and Morophine in relation to Neuropathic Pain. There were excelent results with this study. FMS is considered Neuropathic by some doctors. Maybe this combo at the right dose will help or your Dr can look up the study.

It was done through Queen's Unversity and Kingston General Hospital in Kingston Ontario, Canada

Hope this helps.

Here are some links:

http://qnc.queensu.ca/story_loader.php?id=424c115362248

http://www.pain-initiative.com/pain_services/news/archives/issues_2006/03_2006/neuropathic_pain_/index_eng.html

Take care

Little Fire
Posted 10/12/2007 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
little fire- what were your symptoms when you found you had tumors? i'm being tested now for a lot of things. i have been having major sweeling (fluid) in my feet along with finding lumps all over my body. not like a cancer lump, but hard knots everywhere. i'm waiting on some blood tests, and it was my understanding tumors on the spine are a possibilty.... -Shannon
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