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Chronic Pain and everyday life.....

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 10/11/2012 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
It's an amazing life, this past month it has been all about my medications. 24hr's a day 7 days week I had to worry about what pain medication I would have or if I would have enough to cover my pain so I could do my tasks. For some reason I can't explain why my whole pain regiment was changed. Politics? maybe. I just think being on the 2 same medication's for a long time (methadone-oxycodone) 4+yr's or longer they had to show the pain GODS they were doing there job by trying a new medications. but when that didn't work to put me on 60%less medication then before just didn't make sense. Then after complaining I was given back the same dose of methadone but had to agree with only 5mg's of oxycodone 3x's a day instead of 15mg's 4x's a day. And cut out the Nucynta what could I do..
But everyday is all about medications. What time did I take this one when is the other one is due it's just crazy. And I always worry if I am going to run out. They don't take into consideration that on certain days I will take more then prescribed for the number 8 and 9 pain days. At this time I have a fully collapsed shoulder that when moved I can hear it crunch and my thumb and forefinger are numb but I can still use it to a certain degree. I need to get a pulmonary clearance to have surgery then since I am in a University healthcare system you have many people ahead of you so I have to wait for surgery... I am just venting. But for some reason I am always worried about being out of pain meds and going into withdrawals. It's my number 1 fear.. Thanks for reading if you did..I'm not crazy-yet
Posted 10/11/2012 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
I too am in a university system, and still trying to just get the pain meds. Unfortunately, there's no real surgery for my issues. Not that are worth the risks anyway.

From what I've read elsewhere on the boards, docs are now using some kind of morphine equivalent formula for prescribing meds, which I personally think is horse hockey. People in pain are not using this stuff to get stoned. They are using it to drop the pain level to get to a more normal life, range of motion, and independence. Hopefully, it's a fad, and it will pass, like some of the other processes that were put in place for a little while until they discovered they were doing more harm than good.

But I never took more than my prescribed amount in a day, even though it still hurt. Fear of running out before my next refill/appointment was the primary reason.
Posted 10/11/2012 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
 

      morning rj!

         Sorry you're going through this, and I know first hand what it is like, as I have been going through the same thing. The nucynta...is it the IR or ER form? I'm on the IR nucynta and have not gotten much relief from it. Also all ocycodone products have been stopped for me...and were now looking at the methadone..something I would rather not do.

   I just hate to see Dr's doing this to their patients, and I'm not sure it's going to get any better anytime soon. Something's got to give,...you would think.

  SE

Posted 10/12/2012 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
I know exactly what you mean running out of meds and dealing with a 8 or 9. Thats my dilemma today and of course because I am being under medicated and treated in my home state, on my worse days, I have to consume 1 more pill than Im prescribed and that stinks because you do not want to be with nothing left to take an extra strength tylenol for the pain of someone with an failed back surgery 3x.

So I do understand that we are in the same boat sailing through hurricane waves. Im trying so desperately to change my Pm doctors. So please, lets hold hands together on this one. Thats what their doing, using formulas to prescribe our morphine, which explains why mines is not working. By the time they are done with their fad, we may not be around to see the end results. Im so sick of being under medicated because of this DEA stuff, come on, real people are suffering here, and I just want some quality of life instead of being confided to my darn bed all day.

Post Edited (Lynnzack) : 10/11/2012 9:29:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/12/2012 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
I both understand and appreciate your fear of running out of your pain meds. I have a feeling its an issue each of here at HW CP deal with, one way or the other.

Because of that, I never, ever take more than prescribed, no matter how much I am hurting, or if I am dealing with additional pain as I have been the past 2 months.

I have a great relationship with my oncologist/PM, and I have to act responsible to him with my meds. If I need an increase, all I would have to do is talk to him or e-mail and explain the circumstances. If he agreed, he would up the meds without question.

Sometimes, on the meds that I have to take 4 hours apart, I've been tempted to cut short the 4 hours to 3 or 3 1/2 hours, but I think twice, and won't do it. That's the first step to running out too soon. So generally, I get a bit anxious in pain, and watch the clock closely. I know that might sound a bit overboard, but I work best when I take things literally, so I follow the dosing to the minute when possible.

There are times that I get mixed up, and not sure, let's say at 2 PM, I was suppose to take 2 pills, sometimes within 5 minutes, I can't remember if I took them, or was going to take them, or if I forgot. In such cases, I always err on the side of safety, and if I am not 100% sure if I took them, I will pass that drug dose, and wait for the next 4 hours.
I can always tell if I was wrong, because if I did miss out, my body will let me know within the hour.

I feel as a responsible patient, its up to me to keep my medications straight. I am on some potent stuff, and one wrong mistake one time, could cause me serious damage or even my death. That is something I think about, especially with the Fentanyl patches.

Just my take. Hope things go better for you in the future,

David in SC
Posted 10/12/2012 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi S.Eagle I was on the I.R. Nucynta for about 6-months and the only thing it did for me was make me tired I was on 100mg TID or 3x a day as needed i would take 1 nucynta and fall asleep or sometimes nothing no matter what I tried it didn't work..

I see you mentioned methadone. This medication has been a life saver for me. I was put back on my 90mg's and I take 50 @ 4am and 40 @ 5pm and I feel great. during the times I take the methadone I am able to get a lot done.I use to be skeptical about it. methadone had a very bad reputation. But I put that aside and it was the best decision I've made. I even recommended it to the doctor of my 70 yr old mother who has had a bad time with spinal stenosis and some other vertebrae problems, He put her on 30mg's and it like she's a new women shes able to cook,clean and go out for dinner or the mall. It's made a big difference in her life... Take care Randy
Posted 10/12/2012 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
 

        ..Thank you for the information on the moethadone! I'm still waiting on a call from my Dr and still not sure what is going on....but my health has taken a dramitic turn for the better in the last three days. However, I waiting for the ball to drop, and let me know it's all a dream. LOL

        I have had some luck with the nucynta, and at first I did not think it was working....but the longer I'm on it...I now see some of the benifits of it.

    I'm on 100mg IR x6...however I do not get the 6th one down as I'm asleep and some days I only get in 4 of them. I am happy to be off the oxycodone though...as I hated that med...been on it way too long.

    Maybe once you get the surgery done, and I know its a long wait....you may be in a better place.

     So, are you feeling any better today?...and your back on the same dose of Methadone as before?

        Take care, and I will try to follow this post with you. My head does not work right at times and I miss so many post here.

   SE wink

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