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Posted 4/26/2008 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
i read that term a lot, 'breakthrough pain" and how people are on 1 type of med and take another when they get "breakthrough pain" -- what exactly does that mean?  my new pain med doctor did explain it to me, but to be honest, i kinda forgot since he was giving me so much information on so many other things.

also, in one of my other posts i was asking the difference between oxycodone vs. percocet..and i know the main difference is the tylenol being in the percocet...but can each make affect you differently pain-wise? i mean, is one stronger than the other?  I am asking again because my pharmacist said that the oxycodone is in the "C2" class of drug and considered a narcotic/opiod while the percocet isnt.  Anyways, that just confused me.  Plus my new pain doc prescribed me only the oxycodone for pain as a new drug to try ( i currently am taking the percocet ) and people have said its the same exact thing.  ITS REALLY NOT!!  but I'm just not seeing really how though and the effects/feelings.

anyways, thanks again everyone!  this is such an awesome forum!!

Jennifer

Posted 4/26/2008 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I think there's a lot of detail on the other thread re: the oxycodone/percocet issue. Percocet is also a C2 narcotic, at least in the US, so I don't know what your pharmacist was referring to. It's the oxycodone (which is the narcotic in the percocet, combined with tylenol) that's the narcotic, regardless of whether it's on its own or combined.

I take percocet so I don't know if the oxycodone is any different. Medications are so invididual, anything's possible. Plus, if you're on it long term you probably need to reduce the amount of tylenol you take (like I'm probably going to be doing soon).

Breaththrough pain is just that - pain that breaks through your main pain management medication(s), for example if you take something designed to last 8 hours, but it doesn't quite last that long, or you have some pain that breaks through despite that drug, your doctor may order another medication - perhaps a different type, a shorter acting drug, or even an over the counter med - to help with the pain that breaks through. Because the stronger the pain gets, the more difficult it is to manage, and the more medication you need to manage it. So controlling breakthrough pain helps avoid high levels of pain - at least, in theory. Problem is it's all a delicate balance, and very individualized.

Hope this helps.
Posted 4/26/2008 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Kinda complicating question-
But I'm suppose to be taking 1 pill 5 mgs percocet every 4 hours, but instead
( because I am MAJORLY sensitive to all medications ) I take 1/4 dose every 2 hours. I need to start increasing this med because I noticed my pain isn't getting much better, so is it so wrong or bad to take 1/4 dose every hour? I'm just afraid to take half a pill all at once. ( because I have Crohns disease as well, my weight is very low so I really have no food in my system to absorb these drugs and i'm at low weight to even metabolize them correctly )
So would that be OK you think?
thank you again everyone in advance!
Posted 4/26/2008 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
I"m not a doctor and I think you need to make medication decisions with the help of your doctor and pharmacist. I'd really suggest asking them; be honest and tell them your pain isn't getting better, and also how your respond to the percocet. Finding the right medication(s) and doses is what most all of us struggle with.

PaLady
Posted 4/27/2008 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Just curious as to how many times per day or pills per month do you get on the BREAKTHROUGH PAIN meds. I know some people are currently on regular meds to where you are taking them every 4 hours or so, making that 6 pills per day- 180 per month, but how much and how many per month do your BREAKTHROUGH pain meds consist of?

just curious..thank you so much in advance!
Posted 4/28/2008 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
underthebus--
thank you for your reply.. but i'm a little confused. did you say that you do like taking the pure oxycodone? have you tried percocet?

i don't plan on trying the oxycontin anytime just yet and i do know that you can't break those tablets.

please let me know how you like/dislike the oxycodone and if you have tried the percocet or not.

i also have severe IBS / colitis issues as well.
thank you!
Posted 4/29/2008 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
Most people that get meds for breakthrough pain are already on an extended realease narcotic that is supposed to last twelve hours.If the pain breaksthrough before the twelve hours is up then one has to take a fast-realease narcotic formula, usually but not always of the same drug as the extended realease that ones taking.I hope your pain is properly controlled while you need it and that the time comes when you no longer need narcotics for pain. God Bless...............Rod
Posted 4/29/2008 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
can you take both in the same day? meaning oxycodone for all day pain relief and then percocets when needed for breakthrough pain?
Posted 4/29/2008 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Jennca,
What have your doctors told you? I think you may be looking for more individualized information than a forum is designed to provide. Since it seems you have more than one medical condition, you really need to work out a plan with your doctor(s).

PaLady
Posted 4/30/2008 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Jennca,

I agree with PaLady...you really need to get these specific answers from your doctor. Just because I may take 80mg of oxy and 4 percocets per day doesn't mean anyone else should have that same dose or combination. There are too many conditions and combinations with other medications for us to suggest to you what would be a proper dose.

Please ask your doctor,
CHutz
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