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Do I still need this much pain medication?

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Posted 8/8/2007 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Last month I saw a new MD--surprisingly sympathetic and listened--and he said I was under-treated for my CP. I was previously given Endocet 5/325 as needed, I usually took four a day and supplemented w/Tylenol. He didn't like how much Tylenol I way taking, anyway, he prescribed me Oxycontin 10 mg SR, take one in the a.m. and one in p.m., as well as, continuing the Endocet as needed in between. Good news is that I haven't had to take any OTC Tylenol to supplement, but still having to take the Endocet in between, although most days I can get away with only taking two. Question is I thought I would need less of the Endocet since being Oxy. I have an appointment this Friday w/him and I'm afraid of telling him that I still need to take as much of the Endocet as I have to; afraid he may see me as drug seeking (which I'm not, just needed to say that) OR worse he may decrease my pain meds. Has anyone ever had this experience, doctor gives more meds, but you still need to take the new and the old? Sometimes I feel as if noone understands how I can experience as much pain as I do, you know?
Posted 8/8/2007 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lucy,

I'm reading back over what you read and here's what I get from it. Your doc said you were 'under treated' and gave you Oxy plus the endocet you already have been taking. That seem reasonable to me. If you were under treated you obviously needed more and he's trying to find out how much. Tell him the truth. If he thought you were a drug seeker he wouldn't have offered you Oxy in the first place. Relax, you're doing fine.

Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 8/8/2007 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, you have to tell him exactly what is going on - he can't read your mind! And he seems to be trying to help you - giving you something stronger and getting you off all that tylenol.

He may take you off it all and try a while different drug, but it will be based on you explaining what is working and what is not. When the pain is the highest, what helps, what doesn't etc. Once he has all the facts, he can hopefully get you on a plan that works for you!

Good luck at your appointment.

Posted 8/8/2007 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I felt myself when I read your post. about 2 years ago I lived in GA (and I am 30 now). I kept having major back pain and my dr did accuse me of pill seeking. I would be in so much pain (I was a bartender). Finally he gave me robaxin and darvocet. (even after a MRI confirmed back problems) I live in FL now, and I was so scared to get a new dr after everything I had already been through. My age is the number one thing that was playing against me. (like pain discriminates against age) Right off the bat, he said the RX's were not strong enough and changed my pills, along with a referall to a Pain Mgmt center. To make a long story short... I was told that everyone is different and it may take some time to find the right combo of pain meds. I have been through a lot of different meds. I was switched from Norco to Percocet (or generic is endocet). I really did like Norco- it worked great for me for a very long time. My dr's in GA made me feel like I was crazy- sometimes I would wonder if it was in my head. No one should have to feel that way, or suffer.My PM drs will sit with me and really discuss what it is I need and will listen to me until all my questions are answered. That is what you should be getting. Good luck, and I will be wishing you the best on your appt. Shannon.
Posted 8/8/2007 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Lucy, while the amount of meds you are on seems like a lot to you, in the grand scheme of treating CP, it's a drop in the hat. Your Doc wouldn't have prescribed these meds if he didn't believe that you needed them, so as Chutz said, relax. Most people get shuffled around playing with short acting meds that contain lots of tylenol. What he did for you was exactly the right thing. Don't worry about him thinking that you're a drug seeker. It'snotlike you are looking for more than what he has already prescribed. You are only taking your meds the way you should be taking them.
Posted 8/9/2007 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all for your support. Keah said something that made me stop and think--what I'm taking for CP is a "drop in a hat." So, Keah I noticed you have Crohn's, but you don't list your meds; I'm assuming you take pain meds? See, I came to this forum b/c I experience CP w/my UC/IBS (I guess I should put that on my profile, the IBS that is) and not many people on the UC forum list that they take pain meds. Although if pain comes up, people will admit to have pain rx given to them. So, I guess what I'm looking for is some empathy when it comes to UC and CP and what's "normal" pain managment for people who experiance CP and UC. The other "specific" question I'm looking for is I thought when Oxy was added I would be able to decrease the Endocet, but it seems I still need the BT meds; has anyone ever experienced this? Don't have anyone around me that takes pain meds or has any idea what I'm going through and when I discuss this subject w/the doctor's their common responses are, "everyone experiences things differently." Buuuut, I believe there has to be another person who experiences what I do. What is "normal" for someone in my situation?
Posted 8/9/2007 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
My diagnosis is for lower chronic back pain, and I have been through it with the meds. I have a very high tolerance for pain meds. I felt the same way when I began to take all the different meds. I had a dr explain it to me like this (and I hope it helps): (for me) pain is 24 hours. there is no break. sometimes the pain hurts more, and somedays less. It is like a roller-coaster. consider the ups and downs. when you take an endocet- it helps for (well, for me) a few hours, i get the relief and up the coaster goes again. So I am waiting for that next pill to help it go down. With and ER (extended release) med, like morphine, oxy, etc it is constantly releasing meds all day to try and keep those "roller coaster" feelings from being so intense. Does it take away the pain completely, of course not. It helps level it down so I am not in crippling pain. I have 3 different BT meds, one in particular I like is soma, it does make me a little drowsy but helps with the spasms in my back. The endocet (percocet) and norco. I have learned which ones I need for what pain level. And, I am honest with my PM dr if I needed to take more than prescribed. (I'm not talking about 10 a day or anything) So, yes, to answer your question, I do take a lot of different meds. I ask a lot of questions and research each new medication they recommend. And, you have to also consider- PM is managemnt, not a cure. There isn't even a cure for the common cold. I had a really bad time with prednisone. Made me crazy for about 3 days. Couldn't sleep, had the shakes, gained a lot of weight, just be careful with that stuff. I am sure there is a reason you have it, but I had to go off of it asap. (though I had it once about 10 years ago for pneumonia with no problems). I hope this helps you some. You are not alone with the meds, trust me. Do what you feel is right for you. Best Wishes, Shan.
Posted 8/9/2007 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Once again, thanks all for the info/support. Wow, I just read the Oxycodone withdrawl thread and I was taken aback by a lot of posts--words like "evil" and some using pain meds for pure pleasure/coping, etc. It can make a person think, but I noticed something, most posts did not contain info on their condition/disease, what other meds their on, how long, what have they tried, etc. I guess for me, someone who's been dealing w/a disease for over ten years and has gotten progressively worse, pain meds have been the difference between working and not working. Just looking for honest dialogue.
Posted 7/29/2014 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
My advice is to be honest.If you're still in pain tell your Doctor.Honesty goes a long way.

The oxycontin and the endocet contain the same thing,oxycodone.The oxy is time released and the endocet is immediate.

Most people that take oxycontin are given something for BT pain.

I'm starting at a new Pain Management Thurs. at 9:30.I can't wait to get back on an extended release med.My PCP is doing what he can for me in the mean time but I'm in a lot of pain.

And what was said about youth being a factor for Doctors is true.I'm treated a lot differently at 53 than at 40 when I first sought help.I'm glad that you found a Doctor that didn't age-discriminate.

Wishing low-pain levels for all of you,

Rick
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