Talked to the Doc and I think we've worked out a plan

Ok.... a little history.  I've been taking (5mg) and / or (10mg) Percocet for a couple of months now.  My prescription is to take (1) 10mg tablet every 8 hours.  Well, that didn't work so well so  I've been at right around 40mg - 50mg a day.  Sometimes 60mg but not very often.  

My problem is when I have a whole bottle of pills and I'm having pain it's so easy to just grab another one.  My doctor is the only one I can get a prescription from so when I'm out.... I gotta wait.  I'm on day 4 today without and I feel absolutley great!  

I've discussed this little problem with the Doctor so he decided to try something else for me.  He gave me a script for 30mg MS Contin (1) tablet every 12 hours.  A (2) weeks supply is 28 tablets and my wife is going to hold on to them for me and give them to me as needed.  I have no other choice but to have her do this for me.  I can't have them in my sight.  Here's my question....

Are any of you familiar with MS Contin?  I've never taken a long acting pain med.  Also, I understand that it is different than Oxycontin and that it is less potent.  Is this why my doctor may have beefed it up to 60mg every 24 hours instead of the usual 30mg of Percocet every 12 hours?  Any info you can share regarding this medication would be great.

I also talked to the Doctor and told him that when my back gets better I will be prepared to get off the stuff for good.  He told me he already had a plan in place when that time comes so that was reassuring.  I hope all of you have a great day and thanks in advance for any replies!!  :)

Trout

[Lotsatrout]

In the 4th paragraph I meant to say 30mg of Percocet every 24 hours, not 12.... Sorry about the typo...  

[IBKleen]

Going from perc's to oxy's is a bump up at any dosage. I won't go into a rant about doctors, there is not enough room here.

My concern is that you said you went 4 days and feel great. Do you think you could go without any meds??

[Lotsatrout]

That's the problem IBK...  I have significant back pain left over from a recent discectomy.  It's kind of a Catch22 really.  I can get off the drugs and experience pain that keeps me from doing anything during the day.  Or I can take a regular prescribed dosage and feel ok until my back fully heals.  I certainly don't want to go on a 1 or 2 year drug binge.  I want my back to heal to the point that I don't need anything to help with the pain.  

He changed my prescription from Oxycodone to MS Contin.  I was just wondering what the difference was between say..... Oxycontin and MS Contin.  I heard that it was different somehow.

Thanks for the post IBK

[IBKleen]

To be honest, I don't know that much about the difference. Perhaps someone here can help you. I believe one is long acting..but don't hold me to that. I took them, but believe me, I wasn't looking for long acting or anything associated with that.

I am sorry about your back problems. I have chronic back myself. I had the surgery..didn't work for me. It sounds like you have had some success with it. Has your doc told you about how long you will need to stay on the meds?

BTW..very good having your wife hold them. That says a lot about your conviction.

[Lotsatrout]

Thanks...  We are all hoping that the back issues will only be a problem for a couple more months.  He explained in detail how everything in there has to heal and that it can take months to be back to "normal".  

There's nothing worse then when something is wrong with your center of gravity.  Makes it very difficult some days.  My sucess in my surgery was relieving the sciatica in my right leg.  0 pain in the leg but it left me with 80% more back pain.  It was explained to me that the procedure was to relieve the pinched nerve in the leg and was not intended to "fix my back".  Makes a lot of sense right?  Thanks again....

Trout

[zoezsweet]

Here's the difference between the 2. Oxycontin is a time release oxycodone(perc) and MS Contin is a time release Morphine.

Today is Day 1 ct for me. I hope I can continue my life without pills. I sick of having day 1's. Anyways good luck with your back. I have chronic back pain and I'm hoping to feel better without the meds. We'll see.

-zoe

[FLaddict]

Some people experience less euphoria from morphine than they do oxy.. that may be why he picked that one less likely to be abused

[Lotsatrout]

Good point FLaddict....  I'd never though about that one.  That's a 2-edged sword.  I like the euphoria but I don't like it... kinow what I mean?  I'm more interested in having my pain managed than I am in getting high so I guess we'll see how it goes.  I'm a little reluctant since I already know that the Percocet's worked very well for the pain.  

[eliminnopee]

ms contin is continuous release morphine sulfate.

[troubleinohio]

I was on MS Contin for awhile and still have some in the house here but havent touched them even during this horrible W/D and pain Im in right now.  They are time realeased Morphine.  THey give me bad breathing problems. They used to only effect it slightly but aafter I got very sick with a month long bout of bronchitis, I havent been able to use them since, they tighten up my chest, make me wheeze and just have great difficulty breathing.  anyhow, they did make me feel funny in the head when I first was on them but adjusted to it quickly, so they sure didnt give a high like oxy or hydro. It may work out good for you in your pain control without getting you back to square 1.  good luck  

[notmenow!]

what ever you do not chew them as many do with Oxycontin, They will not Give you that blast of energy who may like so much, they work good on pain but you dont want to do much while on them and yes they do cause shallow breathing, I would not take one before bed for fear if respiratory failure.

When you go back tell your doc you cant deal with the breathing difficulty, Ask him for Roxycodone 30 mg   twice a day. Its straight oxycodone that work great on pain, add your own tylenol as it will enhance the roxy. you must have good ins as they usually want prior authorization