HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

I need a new pain med

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/28/2010 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I've had too many episodes of serotonin syndrome with tramadol, and I don't tolerate codeine, fentanyl, darvocet or anything related, can't take Demerol because of sulfite, and OTCs just don't work, and I know I'll build up a tolerance in a few weeks to the Vicodin I'm taking temporarily - what's the alternative?

I can take percocet with Zofran, but is that a good alternative?

Nucynta sounds promising, but it's not a covered drug - Medicare formulary. 

Fibromyalgia, all sorts of spine problems.

Posted 10/28/2010 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Wow... how about morphine? Are you allergic? Also, are you allergic to all those drugs in the pill form, iv form or both? I know some people who have allergic reactions thru iv but can take them in the oral pill form. How about dilaudid?

What kind of pain do you have?
Posted 10/28/2010 7:11 PM (GMT 0)

    Hello Alice!

      Are you seeing a PM? That would be my first choice as far as any med changes that need to be made.

      I do see several of the Fibro members taking Lyrica. Is that an option that you have considered?

       I wish you the best, wink   

    SE wink

Posted 10/28/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
methadone maybe.

If you get SS from tramadol I would steer clear of Nucynta. It is a sister drug & has the same components that cause SS as tramadol.

Percocet is oxycodone. You might try Oxycontin. Same key ingredient but without the tylenol. Maybe it would be better on your tummy. Plus I'm pretty sure Oxycontin comes in lower doses than Percocet (not positive, it's been a while).
Posted 10/28/2010 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have tried Lyrica, don't tolerate that or Neurontin. Morphine didn't have any effect whatsoever when I had my heart attack 4 years ago, but I could try it.
I love dilaudid, maybe too much. I had that a couple of weeks ago for diverticulitis. I wonder what that's like for tolerance.
Oxycontin might be a possibility, but I'll bet that's another one that would cause vomiting if it's like percocet.

I do see a PM, appt Monday. I'm trying to get some ideas to look up because of the allergy problems.
Posted 10/28/2010 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie I would steer clear of Oxycontin because from what I have read here at HW it is hard to find it, along with finding a dr willing to rx it. I take Dilaudid 8mg for BT pain, it comes in 2mg, 4mg 8mg and up. But keep in mind its rx'd every 6 hours. I am thinking they have come out with an extended release in Dilaudid not sure but that may be something for you to check into. As far as tolerance issues you know all of them will have that happen over time as a rule.

I hope that the dr can come up with something for you. Have you tried Cymbalta? I know its used for Fibro pain. Take care.
Posted 10/28/2010 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I found out that Nucynta is in the Medicare formulary, but it's a tier 3 non-preferred drug, and would cost $90 a month. I think we're supposed to eat too, aren't we? There's no prescription help if you are on a gov't program.
Posted 10/28/2010 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie I hear you. We hit the donut hole fast on my husband because of his insulin, whopping $500 a month. Now they want us to spend another $4500 out of pocket before they will kick back in and pay a little. It just stinks they get us one way or the other.
Posted 10/28/2010 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Extended Release Dilaudid is called Exalgo.
Posted 10/28/2010 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you and your doctor can find something that'll help.
Keep us posted and Prayers and well wishes to you.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Alcie))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Healing Hugz
Posted 10/30/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Straydog

The $4500 includes the copays you've already paid for this year.  It'll be a long time though, for the doughnut hole to go away, and it won't happen all all if reform gets repealed.

A new problem that's going to hit me for injections, specialist visits, is that it looks like my copays will be going up to $25 a visit.  Considering that most weeks I have at least one visit, sometimes 4 for all my problems, I'm simply not going to be able to see a doctor every time I need to.

Cymbalta's an SNRI, and I seem to be awfully sensitive to getting serotonin syndrome.  I get it just from tramadol alone. Even mild things liIf fibromyalgia was all the pain I have I would try it, but I have spine bulges, radiculopathy and all the other pathies, scoliosis, arthritis in whole spine, syrinx.  Then there's 3 disconnected ribs from a wreck, knee pain from that too.  Hand pain is getting better after 3 trigger finger surgeries.  Bursitis in shoulders, hips. Stomach problems continuing after surgery to drag it down from chest after the wreck.  Diverticulitis not going away very fast, and pelvic pain from a couple of utirine fibroids, but docs don't want to do surgery for a few months.  I think it's time for another nerve ablation for the rib pain.  The last facet joint injection for sciatica didn't work, so I'm hoping for another idea there too.  I just hope my deductible won't increase and the car insurance will continue to pay.

Thanks for the hugs everyone.  2 more days before PM visit.  Vicodin's not doing much after only a week.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply