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Posted 11/13/2009 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
    I have gotten much relief from most of my pain, but I feel that I am paying a price in exchange for it. Ever since I have been on the Oxycontin, my head sure has been in a fog, much more so than the Percocet I was taking. I make way too many mental errors now. and it buggs me to death....and I know this must sound funny, but I'm aware of it! :) I don't think there is anything I can do about it, and I'm glad that my pain is much more manageable now. I sure many of you have noticed this about yourselves too.
Posted 11/13/2009 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
Im on sevredol; and i get that too. sometimes i have to re-read things, or i forget saying things.
such a pain !
Posted 11/13/2009 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
Back when I worked I had a problem w/ "the head fog" some days. I always tried to cut back on my dosage to get the best ballance between pain relief and mental sharpness. One thing that helped tremendously was huge amounts of fresh ground Colombian beans w/ some esspresso in the mix! I used to brew my own special blend!

I figured if it's good enough for the Troops, (caffine) it's good enough for me!! I know they use caffine to stay sharp! I know also that lots of people can't handle a lot of caffine, luckily I'm not one of them!!! I love coffie> black coffie flavord coffie w/o any silly flavorings in it, not even sugar or milk>> Thank You very much!!!

Sorry thats my only suggestion. I still don't take all the pain meds the prescribe for me or I'd always be in a fog!!! I'm not saying to go against your Dr's orders just that it works for me!!!


Your Buddy,
Pete
Posted 11/13/2009 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Screaming, how long have you been on the oxycontin? I had the same problems when I first started taking it, actually kinda a high feeling but this passed once my body became used to it. My neurontin is another thing though. I don't get a buzz or anything on it but my mind hasn't worked quite right since I started it and it's been almost a yr now but it helps my neck & shoulder muscle spasms too much to stop it.
Posted 11/13/2009 2:12 PM (GMT 0)

   Pete, the coffie thing sounds like a good idea to try, and I do like it, but never take the time to make it. I will have to compete with the wife for it now, as she drinks several cup's a day (A pot or two)

Jag, I have been on the Oxy for a couple weeks now I think. I can't keep track of time very well now. I used to think I was sharp as a tack, but not anymore. I dont feel like I'm in a fog like being drunk, but Im just not right. I know this sounds funny, and I always crack myself up.....and this sounds soooo...vain,......but I miss myself! :)

Posted 11/13/2009 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Screaming,
I think your body will adjust to it in time. I've been on it long enough that I dont think it does much for pain. I don't take a bunch of it just twice a day 15mg usually am and pm. I'm always goofy so maybe I don't notice hummmmmmmmmm. Cathy
Posted 11/13/2009 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
  Good morning Privey! I just now noticed your profile listed at the bottom, of your reply....and WOW!....you have been through a lot in the last few years. I also had a massive heart attack , and happened in 2002, but I only had the ballon thing done. and a stint put in to get me back on my feet. I'm afraid to ask you about your lumbar surgery, and I'm supposed to have a fusion sometime in Feb, but no hard date has been set yet. If I had my way, I would move it up by 30 days. I'm tired of the pain and the Med's. Hope you get to feeling better.
Posted 11/13/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Screaming, get yourself a "Grabber" before your surgery. It is a sweet little device for picking things up cause you won't be able to bend over for some time after your surgery.

I also had everything beside my bed I could possibly need before I left for the hospital. Some candy, tv remote, magazines and any comfort items you like. You will be spending alot of time lying down for the first week.

Also, make sure you clip your toenails before hand. It will be awhile before you'll be able to do it again.
Posted 11/13/2009 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Screaming,
I don't take oxycontin either, but do still take percocet. But I also find the edge is gone from what used to be mental sharpness (for me). And I think it's more the neurontin, like Jag said. But I know I need it because if I'm late for a dose the numbness and tingling in my feet kicks way up. Sometimes the loss of mental sharpness is one of the things I grieve the most.

But your body may get used to it. Give it some time, as others here who take it have suggested.

You know when I went in for my endoscopy in June and had to be off my pain meds that morning, I noticed lying in the bed (before they gave me any medication) for a few moments I felt like "me" again - and it was the mental sharpness that I felt for those few moments. My procedure wasn't schedule until the afternoon, so I had been off my meds for quite a few hours. As I was lying there I nearly started crying as I realized how I USED to feel.

It's sad but there's always some trade off. No medication is without side effects, but only you can decide over time (and of course with your doctor) what works best for you. Sometimes people opt to feel more pain and less medication effects, but it's a heck of a trade off, isn't it?

PaLady
Posted 11/13/2009 6:21 PM (GMT 0)

  Good afternoon Lady!....I did take myself off of the med's for 24hrs here a while back, and yes it was nice to have somewhat, my old self back for a few hrs. That being said, I'm greatful for the relief from the pain now that my med's have been adjusted. I have had to make a few other adjustments along with the increase, .....way more intake of Metamucil now. And I have noticed a lack of desire in extra activity in the bedroom, and I'm not about to ask for more med's to offset that. I'm hoping after surgery, and if it goes well, I can get off the pain med's. I know it may be asking alot in hope, but I'm trying to stay positive about it. My wife has been a wonderful support for me, especially after she had some back troubles herself.

Jag, I have to laugh about the toenail comment, I hate to admit this, but I'm afraid I let them go way to long before I get to them, and my wife refers to them as Troll Toes! I'm sure that several women here can relate to crawling into bed with thier husbands and playing footzys, only to feel what appears as Badger Claws to greet them. ROFLOL! :) I used to keep myself trimed up with a good shave and the like, but ever since I have been suffering from CP, I have let myself go. I don't really like to see that side of me either. Thanks for the replys! :)

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 11/13/2009 9:31:44 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/14/2009 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
 

   Dear Michael,

 

     I am ever so relieved to see you again! *Big Huggs* as for the memory loss... I have a very unique memory aswell. My husband set up MSN application. I get tones and email reminders. On the right hand side of all my web pages is a list of whats going on fro two week ahead. Have "House schedual" where everyone writs in what is going on. Have printed out weeklys that are put up on the fridge. And of course, everything have specific "Bins" / shelving units where stuff getts put. I had a lady tell me I was #2 about clenliness, I just smiled and said "No, Ive just got a horrible memory". hehe anyway, I wont chatt your eyes off

 

*HUGGS!*

  dani

Posted 11/14/2009 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Screaming,
My HA was before they did stints. My LAD was 100% occluded as was my mother's at age 55 and mine was at age 34. They told me it was family HX so both my daughters have baselines on file just in case. My older brother has had problems and stints also. Fortunately, my mom and I formed excellent collateral and lived normally for quite a long time. Mom has never had bypass and has had angina but the only angina I had was when I was severely anemic. We the preoperatively did my knee work up the angiogram showed signs of the colateral arties showing signs of wear and tear and advised me to have open heart before I got into trouble. I wish all of my surgeries had gone that smoothly, my cardia surgeon said my heart started beating immediately after being taken off of bypass.

I am the exception to the norm on my lumbar surgery....please don't be alarmed by my outcome. It rarely ends up the way mine did and I don't want you to base your surgery on mine...believe me mine just went screwy and it could have been because I had so many surgeries so close together that my body just wasn't healed enough. You'll be fine. One thing though start building your upper body strength and legs and thighs that will help.

Thanks and I really haven't been through anymore or hurt anymore than the rest of you'll just looks like it.

Cathy
Posted 11/14/2009 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
      Good evening Cathy! Thank you so much for the reply. I also have bouts of Angina, and keep the nitro close incase it;s the real thing. That was the worst pain I have ever had in my life. I almost did not make it. But here I am, alive and well! :) All of my Dad's side of the family are dead from HA's before the age of 55. All of them! In a way, I'm looking forward to my surgery, as I don't want to live this way all the time. If there is a chance they can help my condition, and give me a better quality of life I will try it. If not, I will continue as is. I just took a med about 40min ago, and my head needs a break from trying to stay on track here, so I will catch up with you later. The best to you, and take care now!

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 11/13/2009 7:31:59 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/14/2009 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Screaming,
You will have good lunck with your lumbar surgery and if they hadn't had to pull my hardware out and I hadn't fallen flat on my butt at the hospital I think I wouldn't hurt today because the result of the surgery was good except for the wound. I had angina for awhile after my HA, and kept nitro close too but haven't needed it for years.

I also take Oxy elixir usually 15 mg am and bedtime (hs) and if I have high activity and I do most of the time because that's just me I might take a dose in the afternoon but never plan on it. I've been on oxy pills and elixir since Feb 2008 and hopefully your back surgery will take away your pain because after this long it takes the edge off but it never goes away. Because of my ileostomy I have to use the elixir because the oxy CR just passes whole from my stoma. S

Sleep well my friend. I care.
Posted 11/14/2009 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Please keep in touch with me, and I have a few questions to ask about your health and the meds your on, after I get a good nights rest! Night! :)....NOW Scram!
Posted 11/14/2009 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
Screaming,
when I was on the oxycodone, it made my head and fuzzy and hard to concentrate..I hated that feeling and asked to be taken off the oxycodone...so I'm on norco for now with an extra one or two 325 tylenols a day..I make sure not to get over 1000 a day of tylenol (sp?) so that I don't have any problems...wish I knew what to say, but try what Pete said maybe the coffee can help and vitamin D also helps with the pain...
Lots of soft hugz and keep on posting...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Michael)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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