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Ran out of pain meds / can I use butrans patch?

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Posted 3/2/2014 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I hope I'm posting this in the right place..
Long story short I ran out of my oxycodone a little early (in the process of trying to change my pain management plan, waiting to see doc) and have to go a few days without now. I'm having severe rebound/wd pain. Here's my question - I have an old prescription of 10mcg butrans patches, could I put one on for two days to take the edge off? I usually take 15mg oxycodone 3 times a day... Thanks to anyone who can answer or help with this. I'm so tired of these medications.
Posted 3/2/2014 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Can you call the old doctor and ask what they suggest you do? How did you get the Butrans patch... Is it an old prescription or someone else's? When I was between doctor's and couldn't pick up my percocet script (I was in a different state), my old doctor had me go to the ER and have the doctors there call him to authorize a script to get me through to the next appointment. Can you do that? I just don't want you to have a reaction to the Butrans... I had a really bad one and I was under medical supervision. Be careful!
Posted 3/2/2014 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
The thing is, it's all from the same doc. I tried the butrans for about a week and didn't notice pain relief from it so he took me off it. So no reaction. I'm scared to tell him about me running out early in fear of being fired.. So I'm trying to avoid the ER.
Posted 3/2/2014 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Umm, daily 45 mg oxy vrs 10ug/hr Butrans IMO is no contest.... I don't think it would provide much, if any help with the w/d. Then there is the issue of the day or two it would take before the serum level gets up to where might help, if it has a chance at all. But then, I'm not a doctor shocked

Personally, I'd be calling the docs office for help. Hoping you can get some relief soon!

Oops, posted while you were replying. Sorry to repeat what you didn't need to hear...
Posted 3/2/2014 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I'm so sorry... I thought I read that you were changing pain doctors... You are sticking with the same one and trying to change the plan. Totally disregard my previous post because it doesn't apply. I thought you were between doctors and that was why you ran out, I didn't realize you ran out early from raking more than prescribed.

The problem with using the Butrans is that if you get drug tested, not only will you test negative for your current medications, you will also test positive for a drug you aren't supposed to be on and that can be an issue. I would try to deal with the withdrawal symptoms and increase in pain until you can see your doctor. You should also let him/her know that you need some serious help because your current treatment plan isn't cutting it.

Also, as Litespeed mentioned, I don't think that Butrans will effectively take away the withdrawal and pain much in the absence of your meds. I would honestly call your doctor and tell him the truth. How many days will you be without your meds? Do you have anything left so you can space them out until your next appointment? If 45 MG's of oxycodone isn't taking care of your pain... I'm really worried about you not being on anything. :-(
Posted 3/3/2014 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
I don't see my doc for another 1 1/2 - 2 months so I would be drug tested until then (if I am). I'll be out for two days, Tuesday is my refill. So if I only use the patch for two days isn't it unlikely that it will be detected 2 months from now? Although, it is unlikely that it will give me much pain relief I feel like it could be worth a shot and better than nothing? What do you guys think?
Posted 3/3/2014 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
We cant tell you to break your contract and you already know that running out can cause the loss of your entire pain management and thus the reason its better to bite the bullet and find other things that help when you have extra pain,a few days is better then the months it could take to find another Dr to treat you especially since you would have been flagged at your previous one.

Now I will say I used butrans to help with the worst of the w/d symptoms weaning off methadone after 13 yrs. It took days for me to feel well but it helped some although it caused rebound headaches the first few days. I also had a clonidine patch too and that alone adds relief.

This is a choice you will have to weigh the pro and cons to and decide.

Good luck and next time try another way of dealing with the pain because withdrawls plus pain is really no fun.
Posted 3/3/2014 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Jbiden - I am very sorry to read that you ran out and in need of some relief. I can relate as my girl has had this happen just last week. I'm not sure of your relationship with your DR but this could be a decision that may break that up very quickly.

On a blood workup done at the hospital, Amanda showed up to have VIC in her blood. The PM doctor brought this up on each visit as to why she has this in her system when she wasn't prescribed it. I mean tried his absolute hardest along with his nurse "giving us the drug abuse look" to find some reason to accuse her of it. After several visits we found the documentation to show him when she was prescribed this from a visit in SEP(results were in NOV). I had to in GREAT detail explain she was prescribed this to help with her POSTOP. She didn't take them all and saved it in case she would need down the road. BTW they only gave her 10. He asked "why wouldn't she finish them, and this doesn't make sense." I mean I almost lost it, and told him why would she have to finish it if she felt it wasn't necessary. It's a losing battle for us since he's a prick.... but just some background info for you on making your decision.

She took SEVERAL baths to help cope with her pain levels. She suffered for those few days but made it through. Very glad she was strong, because I had a feeling she would be urine tested on that next visit. She was. She also has patches leftover and contemplated it but she didn't. Had she used them that were given to her from previous doctor, I know 100% this newer PM doctor would've ended it then.

I know it must be very hard but stay strong. It may not be worth it in the end to jeopardize your future care.
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