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main meds do not work anymore i smetimes take more to function

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Chronic Pain
Do chronic pain patients over ake meds
yes - 12.5% - 1 votes
no - 87.5% - 7 votes
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Posted 9/29/2012 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I feel like there isno help for me. 2006 i had 2 fusionsin one month on c345 then 2011 had my back fused at l4 my serere pain i at l5 and s1. i take 10ml oxycodone but can take 2 at once total 8 in a day. i have been on his medication for a year. to function  have found myself taking an extra one here and there, then i am out 5 days early. mentally i can handle this anymore. i m trying the caudle injections seems not to help. what do i do?
Posted 9/29/2012 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't click on the poll...but to answer your question...no, I do not and have never taken more medication than prescribed.

I've been in pain management for 11 years now and just like any type of medication for the heart, kidneys, etc....I would never just self medicate and take more pills than what the Dr. has prescribed.

Believe me...I understand pain...we all do on here. But with chronic pain...we have to learn how to use all the other modalities to help our pain and if we are having a really rough time...then it's important to call the Dr. first and ask them what to do.

If they say you can take more medication than that is fine....but doing it on your own it's only going to cause you more trouble down the road as you are finding..You are running out early and going from all that medication to nothing in your system which then casues withdrawals and even more pain.

Are you seeing a Pain Management Dr? Usually those of us with spine issues also use a nerve pain medication like Neurontin, Lyrica, or Cymbalta.

As well as a muscle relaxer to use as needed for spasms. These are Flexeril, Robaxin, Skelaxin, Baclofen or Zanaflex.

This is where an opiate does not really help specifically for that type of pain.

And then there is daily exercise, yoga/stretching, TENS unit, ice, heat, massage, acupuncture, ultrasound massage, injections, steroids, etc.

Counseling is actually a very helpful tool for those with chronic pain. Along with possibly needing medication for depression as many of us have suffered this at one time or another when learning how to deal with living with pain.

It's like thinking of tools in a toolbox to pull out and use when we have a "flare".

Those of us with chronic pain can expect about a 5 on the pain scale with using every single modality. I live with a 5-7 each day and when I have a really rough spell...I rest a bit more, use ice or heat...do a Medrol dose pack (steroids) to help with inflammation. And use a muscle relaxer (I use Flexeril) to help as well.

This way, I never just rely on my opiates to bring down the pain and don't end up taking extra.

The other issue with taking more than prescribed is that if you are called in for a random pill count or urine test...if they find you have run out, you can be dismissed from their practice and then many other Drs. won't prescribe opiates anymore for your pain.

And as I mentioned earlier....it really defeats the purpose as it may take your pain down a little in the present...but then it's a thousand times worse in withdrawal and zero meds when you are out of them.

So...it's so important to have a plan in place with your Dr. for those bad days and what else you can do rather than reach for an extra Oxy to help lessen your pain.

I really think that seeing someone about possible depression might be a good choice...with your post as well as your chosen screen name of (Need to b happy)....making sure you take care of yourself emotionally is crucial to our pain levels.

I hope you consider sticking around here and getting to know others as we get to know you.

Keep us posted on how the injections go.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 9/29/2012 6:43:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/29/2012 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Snowbunny is right......I don't know how often you are taking both doses of oxycodone at the same time, but if you are taking the alloted 8 doses per day, and still taking more , then it is a problem. Running out of meds 5 days or more early means that you have to be taking more than you are alloted for 40 doses of meds.....that's a lot of additonal meds on top of your regular doses.
If you are supposed to take 10 ml at a time, but are taking 20 ml for each dose, then supplementing a dose on top of that, you are endangering your life for one thing. As Snow mentioned, you are also putting your pain management at risk....whether it is from your GP or a PM doctor, taking more than you are prescribed , for any reason, without the permission of your doctor is a huge no no, that can not only get you dismissed from the practice but will follow you for the rest of your medical history, from doctor to doctor and make it so much harder for you to get any pain management care in the future.
What is causing the pain at L5-S1? The opiates are not meant to ease neuropathic pain as Snow also said, so I would be talking to my PM doctor and asking them for a muscle relaxer and possibly a med like lyrica, topamax, neurontin or better yet Cymbalta or another tricyclic anti depressant and a referral to a therapist to help you learn to cope better with your chronic pain.
Physical therapy might help you alot in getting you moving and doing things again.....and use the other modalities that Snow mentioned, instead of taking both doses of oxycodone at one time, take the 10 ml dose first , wait an hour or two and see if you get some pain relief. If you do, then don't take the 2nd dose for as long as you can....if you don't truly need it for pain then don't take it....
Posted 9/29/2012 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW. I am sorry to hear that you are in so much pain and that the surgeries you have had are not exactly helping you. You will find many people here in the same position that you are facing.

I cant say much more that the others have said, they are absolutely correct and have said everything so well. It is very important to not take more than your prescription says. If you are not covered by what you are given its up to you to discuss that with your dr, maybe a long acting is in order if you arent allready taking one.

I have a BT prescription that is widely open to interpretation. I get 60 ml of oxyfast per month (liquid oxycodone 20mg/ml), my dosage is written 10-20mg every 4 hours as needed. If I took it at the highest allotment that would be 180ml per month. However, my dr does expect the 60ml to last me the month though. He feels I shouldnt always need that much BT med. If I do, that means my LA should be increased.

If you feel that your meds are not cutting it and you need more or something different, I urge you to start keeping a pain journal of some sorts. Keep track of pain levels, types of pain, activities, what makes yiur pain better or worse, how your sleep is, when you take meds and ALL methods you try for pain relief. Include things like, rest, ice, heat, elevation, massage, creams, meds, meditation, guided imagery, tens, etc..... Also keeping track of things you cant do and activities you modify is a good idea. Such as using a step stool to elevate one leg while standing, limiting lifting groceries, help you get from others for cleaning, cushions and pillows while sitting, those sorts of things. Dealing with chronic pain takes a very comprehensive approach, it takes alot of creativity and adaptation to make things work.

My feeling is that a dr will respect the fact that a person is being mindfull, trying everything they can and are not just interested in being "snowed" by meds.

Feel free to vent and ask questions here at HW, there are so many wonderfull people willing to give advice and suggestions.

Hugs,
Shell
Posted 9/29/2012 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Need2 and welcome to the chronic pain forum. I am sorry to read that you are feeling so rough, but uncontrolled pain has a away of making us feel exactly like this.

You did not say what type of a dr you are seeing. Are you by chance seeing a PM dr? If not, you may want to consider asking the dr that is taking care of you to refer you to a pain mgt dr. Most of us here see this type of dr because their specialty is taking care of pain. I am guessing you are on a instant release pain medication rather than a extended release. Most of us do better on a extended release then something else for instant release for BT pain. But you do not take the instant release on a schedule like the extended release unless the dr specifies that.

However, PM drs are very strict with their rules and guidelines, and if a patient does not comply they kick you out. Once you get kicked out it can be difficult finding another dr to take over your care. You have to do urine testing, pill counts, not accept pain medication from another dr to just name a few. However, if your pain is under decent control then you should do fine and not be tempted to take more meds than you are suppose to. Most of the time when a person takes more than what is prescribed they still don't get the relief they are looking for and the you have wasted a pill.

Have you told the dr that is taking care of you that your medication is not as effective as it use to be and that you are really suffering? If so, what is the drs response to this. If the dr is ignoring you, then its time to find a new dr because your pain is under treated and so are you as a patient.

Anyway, I wanted to pop on and tell you hello and welcome aboard. Take care....Susie
Posted 9/29/2012 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
NO

I agree with Snowbunny's post entirely. You are setting yourself up for some serious harm and addiction problems, it not so already. Not being judgemental. Plus, you will find yourself getting the prescription meds you do need eliminated by your doctor for abusing them, then where will you be?

Something to think about

david
Posted 9/30/2012 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I'm gonna answer your question with a little bit of history: In World War II, at the battle of Stalingrad, the Soviet forces were at an enormous shortage of fire arms, and ammunition. A clever comander, came up with an idea that made his regiment one of the most effective. Any man that came back to base with one bullet only, was supplied more ammunition, any man with more, was thought a coward, and was supplied with nothing, any man who came back with none, was thought a fool who would carelessly fire their rifle at nothing, or using multiple rounds for one target. Only the men who had used their ammunition in what was thought a wise manner, were supplied with more.

I know it's not the best example of pain management, but that's how my PM explained it. They wont keep supplying people with meds who don't take the responsibility to use them wisely. I am not casting judgment on you, as it may be that your pain is severely under treated, but you must discuss this with your doctor. Call them every time you think you might benefit from another pill. And when you go into the office, you need to lay it all out there, and let them know how your pain is effecting your life.
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