HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Update on Med switch.....Not good

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/20/2012 5:26 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone, I’m sorry I’ve not been on to update you all sooner on pain med switch, I’ve had horrendous time TBH it’s been a nightmare.......Here’s a update

As some of you know from last update post. I switch from Oxycontin & Oxynorm (BT) to MST Continus (MSContin) & Oramorph (BT), The new meds wasn't working, it didn’t take the edge of my pain, I was taking 60mg MST Continus every 12hrs & 20mg Oramorph every 4hrs even during the night & still wasn’t taking the edge off, during weekend I got worst & worst, I was in so much pain, screaming & crying in agony, I couldn’t take much more, I did however manage to get thru the weekend & Monday somehow, don’t how I manage it mind you but I did! Every minute pain was getting worst. The side effects hit me so hard too, (I spoke to soon that anti-sickness meds worked cause it came back & hit me hard at weekend too).........I had massive headaches, I felt/sounded drunk, I couldn’t talk properly, forgetting words/memory loss, I had trouble passing water, was having major anxiety & panic attacks, It felt like I was having a nervous breakdown, crying all the time with pain & feeling so low/depressed TBH couldn’t cope, but I muddled thru somehow, I’ve no idea how I managed tho, some things are a blur

Come Tuesday Morning, I had to see the nursing sister for my routine 4 weekly injection, before speaking to my Dr later for update on new meds.......Going back to the morning, With me seeing the same nurse every 4wks who also my Epilepsy support nurse too, when I went in to see her she knew something was really wrong with me, she asked me what was wrong, I couldn't speak, no words came out, I burst into tears, I cried & cried so much, I couldn’t stop..... Eventually I did manage to tell her (I think), I was slurring my words, forgot what I was saying in mid sentence because I couldn't remember words I was saying. No sooner as I told her as much as I could remember or she got gist of it, she ran out of the door for my Dr. Cutting along story short, he told me to stop taking the Morphine immediately! He’s put me back on Oxycodone.

After speaking to my Dr, had the Injection/treatment, I had a chat with the nursing sister she explained things to me, if I would have taken another dose of morphine it would have tip me over the edge & sent me crazy. I was that close of losing my memory altogether! She did say other things but can't remember.

I got myself all worked up again because I couldn't get my words out! Again breakdown in tears! After I stopped crying, she said it would have done me good to let all the emotions out I've been bottled up inside for so long. She also told me, I can call her anytime if I’m worried about something, feeling low, if can't cope or just want a chat. she here for me, to help me through this, never ever feel or suffer alone, because bottling it all up is not good.

I have now been back on Oxycontin & Oxynorm three & half days, but because I still have Morphine in my system I’m still feeling effects (not as server) it’s going to take aweek for the Morphine to get out of my system completely.......Once the Morphine gone & Oxycodone takes over, My Dr said I’ll start to feel myself again.

I have appointment to see him in two weeks time, to see if I’m on the correct dosage because my body had a complete wash out it’s like starting on Oxycodone again, hopefully Oxycodone will take the edge of the pain. As yet it’s not happening but its early days & still got morphine in my system.

I'm so glad I didn't take my next dose of Morphine which was due btw, goodness knows what would have happen! I'm gradually making progress, got some of my memory back, I still having trouble remembering words & I still stop in mid sentence but I’m not as bad as I was. I’m not slurring my words like I was so that’s one good thing. I still feel nauseas but the meds Dr gave me are helping.

I'm truly blessed & so grateful that I have such a caring Dr & nurse who help, support & understand me........I'm also blessed that I came across this forum, met such lovely caring, supportive people who know/understand chronic pain, because without you all including my Dr & nurse, I wouldn't how I would have coped. You all are angels.

Much Love to all

Claire 

 

Posted 7/20/2012 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Claire..

Sorry to hear you had such a rough time....It sounds like even though the Morphine wasn't giving you appropriate pain relief...you were on such high enough dosages that you were having such side effects...(feeling drugged...extreme fatigue..not being able to talk properly).....

So I am so glad you were able to get switched back over to the Oxycontin....Is he putting you back on the same dosage as you were on previously or did he up the Oxycontin?

Having wonderful caring Drs. and nurses are a huge part of the puzzle.

And just so you know...but many people can develop depression from having to deal with chronic pain. After my separation...I started seeing a Pastoral counselor for my divorce...but also used him for help dealing with my chronic pain. I was even on Cymbalta for a few years which not only helps with nerve pain, but also helps with depression.

The morphine should be out of your system within a couple of days as it's half life is only about 12-24 hours..

I hope you can finally get some good rest this weekend and start to feel better back on your regular meds.

If I can ask one question that I'm puzzled on what you wrote...but what is your "nursing sister"?

Is the nurse you see your sister? LOL...I just have never heard that term if it's not in reference to your actual relative...But maybe I'm a dork and everyone knows but me...haha...

Sending you some gentle hugs (( ))
Posted 7/20/2012 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you are feeling better but sorry you had to go through all of that.

I'm on extended release morphine and happy to say I have none of those side effects. Why did the doc switch your meds in the first place?

If I were in that much pain, I'd go to the emergency room for a shot or something. It's terrible you had to suffer so much :(
Posted 7/20/2012 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, what a powerful story. Hard to believe you made it through that terrible weekend. So glad that you have a good doctor, and that you are through the worse of that ordeal.

Hope things go easier for you from this point, that was a very close call.

David in SC
Posted 7/20/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)

Thankyou everyone for your wishes! You all so kind! I wish I could have updated you all sooner.

 

Hi Snowybunny, Thankyou so much for your wishes.....My Dr put me back on the dose I was on before the switch (40mg Oxycontin every 12hrs & 20mgs Oxynorm IR for BT) even tho this dosage stopped taking the edged of my pain on good days (It never helped on bad days) He said with me being on Morphine for a week, Oxycodone would have washed out of my System. It’s like starting again on this dosage & wants to see if it will take edge of my pain.......plus he’s gone on his holiday (vacation) & didn’t want to change the dosage before he went.

 

As for the Morphine because I had such bad reaction it could take up a week before out of my system completely.

 

I’m so sorry you also have depression its horrible thing to go thru, I’m glad your meds helped. I’m on Citalopram which did help alittle before the switch, now I’m gone backwards again, My Nurse said it could be the Morphine whats done it or combination of Chronic Pain, Morphine & other major health issues I’m going thru.

 

Oh as for Nursing Sister, I’m not sure what you call them in the USA, it’s highest nurse you can get before going in for a Dr.......I can’t think of a words too describe what I mean. Maybe Jane (Fusiongirl) can explain better then me. Oh & you're not a dork! I forgot, USA members might not know what a Nursing Sister is!

 

Thanks again for you’re wishes & hugs I really appreciate it.

 

 

Hi Kaely, Thankyou also for your wishes........My Dr switched meds because The Oxycodone wasn’t taking the edge of my pain on my good days. We discussed either increasing the Oxycodone or switch meds & try Morphine, we decided to try a switch meds.

 

TBH hun, I never thought about going to A&E (Emergency Room) for pain relief, I’m not sure if they do that here in UK, we do have NHS Direct (a phone number I can ring for advice) but it never crossed my mind either.

Thanks again for your wishes.

 

Hi David, Thankyou too for your wishes. Yes it was a very close call, it really scared me!....Yes, I’m thru the worst for it now like you said! Thanks to my Dr & Nurse. They have been brilliant with me.

Thanks for your wishes for the future

 

Thanks again everyone for your wishes

Much Love & hugs to you all

Claire x

Post Edited (snorkels) : 7/20/2012 1:20:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/20/2012 8:33 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Kaely, I forgot to say above...........I'm so glad Morphine ER eases your pain hun & you didn't experience any side effects!

 

Much Love

Claire x

Posted 7/20/2012 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Claire

I kind of thought something was very wrong when I hadn't heard from you after I asked how you were in an earlier post. You are always so punctual.

I am so so sorry you had to go through that, especially when you were unsure of the change in the first place. I am so glad that the doctor and nursing sister were so helpful, it's good to know now that they are there for you when ever you need them or want to speak. Promise me you will, never feel you are a bother to them. They will be happy to speak to you, especially if it prevents things getting any worse. Does that mean you are sensitive or even allergic to morphine. Some people are very sensitive and for some it just takes much longer to get used to it. I guess that's why he was loathe to change it last week. It's a pity he hadn't. I just hate to think you went through all that.

But you showed strength Claire, how you got through that I don't know. The main thing is you did though. I hope in the coming few days the morphine will be completely out of your system and you will feel much better.

Keep in touch honey, I did miss ou on here.

Hugs

Jane

PS. A nursing sister is at the top of their profession. They are also referred to as charge nurses. They are mostly in charge of a ward but in the community they will be in charge of a team of nurses.
Xx
Posted 7/20/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for explanation on the "nursing sister"...I've heard of charge nurses...but that one was a new term for me...I like it:)
Posted 7/20/2012 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I just assumed you were at a Catholic hospital. Learn something new every day :)

Glad that somebody caught onto what was going on. It's scary to think that a med can create no side effects in the majority of people, but awful side effects in an unlucky few. Unfortunately we have to take the med before we know what will happen.

So glad you are ok. Of course, it would be better if you were pain-free :)
Posted 7/21/2012 6:03 PM (GMT 0)

Thankyou Jane & Rockyd for you’re kind words & wishes, you both & everyone been so kind.

 

Hi Jane How are you feeling hun? Sorry I couldn't get on to asked you before, I haven’t looked at anyone threads/posts yet, when I feel up to it I will catch up to people posts & welcome know ones to the forum.

Thankyou for your kind words. I don’t how I manage to get thru last weekend either, but I did somehow. I never ever want to go thru this again. Yes I promise you I’ll ring the Dr or the nursing sister if I need them! What happened really scared me.

As for the sensitive or allergic to Morphine, I think I asked that question but honestly can’t remember if I did or not, or if I did ask, I can’t remember what reply was. When I next see my Dr I’ll find out properly. TBH it wouldn't be surprised me if I was allergic to Morphine because I’m allergic to alot of meds.

Thanks for explaining “Nursing Sister” Hunni, I couldn't think yesterday of a way to explain it, what you said was a great way to describe it. Thankyou so much my friend for your help.

 

Hi Snowbunny, I’m glad you know now what Nursing sister is, I am sorry for puzzling you & other USA members too. It’s funny how we all speak English but ours words & spelling are different.......Thanks again Jane for explaining.

 

Hi Rockyd, Thankyou for your kind words & wishes. I like you’re meaning of “Nursing Sister” I didn't know Catholic Hospitals existed with me having different religion.......I too have learnt something new :)

It’s so true what you say, nobody knows how we react to medication until they take them......I think I must be one of the unlucky people you mentioned, as I’m allergic to quit alot, to name afew.......Fentanyl, Cortisone/Steroids Penicillin, Erythromycin, & a number of others I can’t spell.........Now Morphine added to the list.

 

Thankyou again everyone for your kind words & wishes, I feeling alittle better today (mentally), I got more of my memory back then have yesterday, I can say more words then I did yesterday too but I still stopping in mid sentence.

 

Much Love & many hugs to you all

Claire x  

Posted 7/21/2012 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Claire

Great to hear from you again. It's a relief to hear you are feeling a bit better. It will just take time to get all the morphine out of your system. Just take each day as it comes, there will be good days and not so good days but you have shown determination and you will get on top of this.

Hear from you soon, keep in touch. It's good to know how you are doing.

Hugs

Jane x
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply