16th March 2005
Hi. I usually post on the back board. I have a question re: oxycontin.
I currently take 20 mg at 6:00 am/6:00 pm and 10mg at noon (My surgeon is my perscribing doctor still, had a TLIF fusion 12/13/04, which is not fusing, and I have a "possible" lose screw which is pressing on a nerve...) I am still in pain around the 6-7 "pain level" even in the "middle" of the dose - I feel like this is making my pain tolerable, but in no way is it controlled. Is this the best I can expect from such a powerful med or can I ask for more relief? I don't want to be unconcious, but ??
Originally (pre-op) I was taking 10mg am/10mg pm and he bumped it to 20/20 post op, and then added the 1 mid-day about 6 weeks ago. I am not getting the same relief that I previously was.. although I very much notice that they DO help (ie if I miss a dose I am in absolute agony - unable to function). I don't know if my pain is getting worse or if I am building tolerance to the meds. Either way, although I like the way the LA meds work (I have Rheumatoid Arthritis & osteoporis = many broken bones in past, so have experience with narcotic pain meds) and DON'T want to return the short acting meds (pre-oxycontin I was on roxicet), I am concerned that I may need to increase my dose and do not want to get into a cycle of increasing the dose regularly. I am allergic to the adhesive on the patches (tried them... I am also allergic to bandaids- they cause raised burning welts within minutes) and demerol.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a long acting (preferably) med that will not require as frequent bumps in dose? I think my doctor thinks this stuff should work for everyone, and it just isn't... It appears my back is more screwed up then previously expected (the fusion appears to be failing), and I seem to be in this for the long road. Additionally, oxycontin is causing extreme constipation (I realize this is a side effect of most narcotics, but is there one w/ less of this effect??). My doctor seems willing to listen to suggestions, but is of the mindset that if a little oxycontin isn't working lets try some more... I read about all the other meds available on here and just wonder if there isn't a better choice for me. I did see a PM doctor pre-op (who did the ESI -which made things worse) and assume at sometime in the near future I will be returning to his care... but would like to have my "basic" med under control first. My relationship w/ my surgeon is good- he does listen to me, and I think if I ask him about a specific med he will let me try. But then how do I change from 1 to another? Luckily I do have pretty good insurance...
I really appreciate any advice...and thank you in advance :angel:
Michelle
I currently take 20 mg at 6:00 am/6:00 pm and 10mg at noon (My surgeon is my perscribing doctor still, had a TLIF fusion 12/13/04, which is not fusing, and I have a "possible" lose screw which is pressing on a nerve...) I am still in pain around the 6-7 "pain level" even in the "middle" of the dose - I feel like this is making my pain tolerable, but in no way is it controlled. Is this the best I can expect from such a powerful med or can I ask for more relief? I don't want to be unconcious, but ??
Originally (pre-op) I was taking 10mg am/10mg pm and he bumped it to 20/20 post op, and then added the 1 mid-day about 6 weeks ago. I am not getting the same relief that I previously was.. although I very much notice that they DO help (ie if I miss a dose I am in absolute agony - unable to function). I don't know if my pain is getting worse or if I am building tolerance to the meds. Either way, although I like the way the LA meds work (I have Rheumatoid Arthritis & osteoporis = many broken bones in past, so have experience with narcotic pain meds) and DON'T want to return the short acting meds (pre-oxycontin I was on roxicet), I am concerned that I may need to increase my dose and do not want to get into a cycle of increasing the dose regularly. I am allergic to the adhesive on the patches (tried them... I am also allergic to bandaids- they cause raised burning welts within minutes) and demerol.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a long acting (preferably) med that will not require as frequent bumps in dose? I think my doctor thinks this stuff should work for everyone, and it just isn't... It appears my back is more screwed up then previously expected (the fusion appears to be failing), and I seem to be in this for the long road. Additionally, oxycontin is causing extreme constipation (I realize this is a side effect of most narcotics, but is there one w/ less of this effect??). My doctor seems willing to listen to suggestions, but is of the mindset that if a little oxycontin isn't working lets try some more... I read about all the other meds available on here and just wonder if there isn't a better choice for me. I did see a PM doctor pre-op (who did the ESI -which made things worse) and assume at sometime in the near future I will be returning to his care... but would like to have my "basic" med under control first. My relationship w/ my surgeon is good- he does listen to me, and I think if I ask him about a specific med he will let me try. But then how do I change from 1 to another? Luckily I do have pretty good insurance...
I really appreciate any advice...and thank you in advance :angel:
Michelle