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460948 tn?1232302122

Went To The Doctor Today~~Now I'm More Confused!!

Well as many of you knew I had a doctors appointment today with my rheumotologist. I see her every month due to Fibro, Hyper Joint Syndrome, and Lupus. I have many other conditions but this is the one who prescribes my opiates so I needed to come clean with her about my addiction and how to approach it. She's a wonderful doctor and proved that even further to me today with her compassion.
Here's what she wants me to do although I'm a basket of nerves about it. I told her no more opiates and she smiled and ask if I would consider a compramise(sp?). She said she would stop prescribing me Oxy's completely but she needs to keep me on some type of painkiller otherwise I won't be able to function like a normal person. Her suggestion was that she keep me on Percocet's and add in a muscle relaxer called Amrix. She knows I have an excellent family support system so I agreed. Here's my thing with all of this. I just spent the last 24 days clean from opiates and it was hard work. I know I have serious pain issues and I know I need something to help me maintain somewhat of a normal lifestyle BUT I really wanted to find another option.
So now I have the RX for Percocet and for the muscle relaxer and I can't make myself go to the pharmacy. I obviously need some serious HELP from you guys!! I'm crying my eyes out as I type this!!
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Avatar universal
While I feel for you and understand your fears I think the best thing for so many of us is to realize our lives will not be worth living without a good pain medication.  Come to terms with what works and yes get family involved in the process do not fight this alone.  The negativity of Opioids must end they give so many of us our lives back.  Accept this is your path and choose to live pain free and most importantly to you and all stop the guilt trip it’s your worst enemy.
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1 Comments
This may be true for some that are still in the category of needing pain management rather than needing the pills for the addictive reasons.  They've ruined a lot of people's lives.  But I agree it is hard and the negative rep that opioids have and the 'end the epidemic' strategies have really put a strain on proper pain management.  The unfortunate thing is addiction is such an ugly thing to deal with and ruins lives.  How to balance that?  It's a fine line but agree that for those needing adequate care for their pain, that's it. That's what they need.
Avatar universal
Hi there! I am not a member of this group, never posted, and I see this is an old topic, but I might have a helpful suggestion. I found this page doing a Yahoo search for Amrix side effects.

I, too, have several conditions that require heavy duty pain manaement. I'm 33 now and I had both of my hips replaced by the time I turned 19. I have two herniated discs in my lower back, the stem of both hips are coming loose in my femur, and my left knee and right shoulder appear to be develping the same degenerative disease (Avascular Neucrosis). I also have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis in severl of my other joints. I have taken narcotics off and on since I was 16 or 17, but somewhere in the middle of my first pregnancy (2003) things worsened enough that the pain has not eased enough to allow me to get around and do what I have to do unless I take some heavy stuff. It is imperative that I be as mobile as possible because I have five kids under the age of five. All boys. My oldest will be five this month, triplets are two and a half, and the baby is eight months old.( Fortunately for my falling-apart-body I did not have to carry them all. I gave birth to our oldest and youngest and dh and I were blessed to abe able to adopt our trio, We have had them from the moment of their birth. I was in the room for the C-section and when they were released from the hospital the ycame straight home with us.)

Anyway, one thing that has been a life saver for me in the last few years is the time-released, long-acting forms of Morphine. Right now I take Kadian, but there are a few others. I believe one is called Avinza, and there is one more I tried a couple of years ago. I find that with the Kadian I remain alert and coherent because since it is long-acting it does not havwe the same "narcoticky" side effects-- dizzziness, fatigue, itching, dislowed reactions, etc.  And yet, it does ease the pain enough to allow me to care for my children. I do take Oxycodone (not Contin) for breakthrough pain, and, of course, I need to be quite careful doing that. I ususally only take it if dh is home. Though I have never made an eror as a result of meds, I feel it imperative that I be even overly cautious.

Anyhow, since the KAdian delivers a steady amount of the narcotic it also doesn't produce any feeling of being "high." You may want to discuss the possibility of switching to one of these with your doc. I hae found myself able to return almost to a completely normal life.

Good luck! (if you still need it, given how old the op is!) :)
Helpful - 0
460948 tn?1232302122
I think maybe some of my posts were too emotional and therefore confusing to read. I have not filled the RX and at this point I don't intend on doing so. I just need support as I do have chronic pain and am in need of the forums support to stay away from the opiates. I realize that Percocets are basically the same thing as Oxy only at a lower dosage. My doctor really was understanding but concerned about my pain as it's causing my blood pressure to be higher than normal and obviously I don't have the quality of life that I would if I could use them as prescribed. I think my doctor gave me the RX so that I would have something if I really needed it. I ask her about other options with meds, but I'm so limited on what I can take due to my stomach ulcers and my bladder. There are so many things that I can't eat or drink because of the bleeding ulcers on the inside of my bladder wall.
I thank you all for the continued support but I have made the decision to not fill the RX and to just try to make it with the pain. With God's continued blessing I'm hopeful that all of this can be worked out so I can remain clean and live as close to a normal life as possible. Only time will tell but I feel strong willed to stay off of the drugs, for now.
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438868 tn?1207700684
Hi- I did not have time to read all of the reponses.

I want you to know that I have been where you are right now- before.

I see a pain management specialist. You have to have a primary or other doctor forward you to chronic pain specialists...b/c that is what they do- attempt to control pain. Mine is located in a hospital. I actually have to go sign in at the procedure center, get an id bracelet and basically they make sure that I am me. Then I take an elevator to the pain management clinic. I have to call on the phone to notify of my arrival. Then a nurse comes out to get me...

In the past I have tried and suceeded at getting off of opiates. My doctor usually offers me all of these drugs. Some narcotic- some non. I have not seen him since I stopped using about 3 months ago. He is a very sweet compassionate man. He is very good at treating pain. However he is not an addiction doctor. He may recognize the fact that I am or have been both dependent and now an addict. But he is only focused on treating my pain. I have a follow-up with him this month. I am a little worried b/c if i tell the truth (that I am still in pain- he will offer drugs). I am going to refuse this time.

I discovered by accident that clondine helps a little (not alot) for pain as well as wd. I take it for pain now.

Only you know if you can or cannot live the way that you are living now. How is your pain level? What is your quality of life? There are other options if you would like to go with non-narcitic pills. I have heard of neurotin and have been offered it but I am sorry to say that I do not know much about this drug.

Please keep us posted. I know how hard it it to battle pain and addiction at the same time.  
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Avatar universal
Specialty you have taken the words right out of my mouth.  I couldn't have agreed more myself.  Good instinct and glad to have you here.
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230262 tn?1316645934
everything else aside from this post, i just wanted to add that if you think you will need those percs, you should fill the Rx soon as there is a time limit on how long the script is good for. SOme pharmacists wont fill it if it has been written some time ago. A girlfriend of mine a couple years ago broke her leg while pregnant...she didnt want to take the vicodin Rx they gave her so she didnt fill it and just used the Tyl 3 instead they gave her as a first choice. Well it didnt work for her too well and her pain got worse so she tried to fill the other Rx and they wouldnt let her, said too much time had passed (it was only about 10 days or less i think). Just something to keep in mind. If you think you might need them for real pain, you may want to fill it and let hubby hang on to them for you.  
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Avatar universal
If what you are saying is correct, when you refused Oxy's she wanted to put you on Percocet, that is very scary. They are the same thing, and she SHOULD have told you!
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1 Comments
Difference being probably lower dose Percocet with Tylenol to help it work better rather than straight Oxy
Avatar universal
are the SAME drug, the delivery vehicle is different. Some think Percocet are more addictive, as they are fast acting. So when you told your Dr. "No Oxy, just Percocet, didnt they say anything?' Oxycontin and percocet are bot oxycodone same drug, (Percocet is fast acting, Oxycontin is a time released med) Oxycodone is percocet without the aceteminophen or less of it)  you can  check Wikipedia, just look up oxycontin, and there will be Percocet. So if you take Percocet, you are not stopping oxycodone. Good Luck!  

In the United States, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance both as a single agent and in combination with products containing paracetamol (aka acetaminophen), ibuprofen or aspirin. It was first introduced to the US market in May 1939 and is the active ingredient in a number of pain medications commonly prescribed for the relief of moderate to heavy pain, either with inert binders (Oxycodone, Oxycontin) or supplemental analgesics such as acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox) and aspirin (Percodan).

In the United States, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance both as a single agent and in combination with products containing paracetamol (aka acetaminophen), ibuprofen or aspirin. It was first introduced to the US market in May 1939 and is the active ingredient in a number of pain medications commonly prescribed for the relief of moderate to heavy pain, either with inert binders (Oxycodone, Oxycontin) or supplemental analgesics such as acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox) and aspirin (Percodan).

In the United States, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance both as a single agent and in combination with products containing paracetamol (aka acetaminophen), ibuprofen or aspirin. It was first introduced to the US market in May 1939 and is the active ingredient in a number of pain medications commonly prescribed for the relief of moderate to heavy pain, either with inert binders (Oxycodone, Oxycontin) or supplemental analgesics such as acetaminophen (Percocet, Tylox) and aspirin (Percodan).
The chemical structure of oxycodone is the methylether of oxymorphone: 3-methyl-oxymorphone. It could also be described as 14-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-codeinone. It is principally supplied as its hydrochloride salt: oxycodone hydrochloride. The terephtalate salt of oxycodone is present in some formulations such as Percodan as 7.6 per cent of the weight of the oxycodone salts content of the product, viz. 5 mg of oxycodone in Percodan is 4.62 mg hydrochloride and 0.38 mg terephtlalate. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the action of the salts. The hydrochloride-terephtalate mixture appears to be part of the original formulation of Percodan by its German manufacturers from more than 75 years ago.[citation needed]

Other oxycodone salts used around the world include the phosphate, sulfate, pectinate, tartrate, bitartrate, citrate and iodide.

Oxycodone can be administered orally, intranasally, via intravenous/intramuscular/subcutaneous injection, or rectally. The bioavailability of oral administration averages 60-87%, with rectal administration yielding the same results. Injecting oxycodone will result in a stronger effect and quicker onset.[3]


Oxycontin tablets of varying dosePercocet tablets (oxycodone with acetaminophen) are routinely prescribed for post-operative pain control. Oxycodone is also used in treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. Both immediate-release and sustained-release oxycodone are now available (OxyNorm and OxyContin in the UK). There are no

comparative trials showing that oxycodone is more effective than any other opioid.[4] In palliative care, morphine remains the gold standard.[5] However, it can be useful as an alternative opioid if a patient has troublesome adverse effects with morphine.

It is effective orally and is marketed in combination with aspirin (Percodan, Endodan, Roxiprin) or paracetamol/acetaminophen (Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet, Tylox) for the relief of pain. More recently, ibuprofen has been added to oxycodone (Combunox). It is also sold in a sustained-release form by Mundipharma, and in the US by Purdue Pharma under the trade name OxyContin (the name is actually short for Oxycodone Continuous release) as well as generic equivalents, and instant-release forms Endone, OxyIR, OxyNorm, Percolone, OxyFAST, Supeudol, and Roxicodone. OxyNorm is available in 5, 10 and 20mg gelcapsules, and favoured among IV injecting opioid users because they contain only 2 inert binders, both insoluble, making it easy to prepare them for injection.[citation needed] OxyNorm is also available as 10mg/ml concentrated liquid in 100ml bottles in some countries, and OxyNorm 1ml injection ampoules of 10mg/ml are currently in their trial stage by the CFK. Roxicodone is a generically made oxycodone product designed to have an immediate release effect for rapid pain relief. Roxicodone is available in 5 (white), 15 (green), and 30 (light blue) mg tablets. Generic versions of Roxicodone may differ in color from the brand name tablets. OxyContin was briefly available in: 5 (white), 10 (white), 15 (pink), 20 (pink), 30 (yellow), 40 (yellow), 45 (yellow), 60 (beige), 80 (green) and 160 (blue) mg tablets.[6] (although note that not all of these dosages are marketed in the USA) and, due to its sustained-release mechanism, is effective for eight to twelve hours. The 160 mg tablets were removed from sale due to problems with overdose, but have been re-introduced for limited use under strict medical supervision. On October 18, 2006, the FDA gave approval for three new dosage strengths, 15mg, 30mg, and 45mg. Oxycontin is made of pure oxycodone hydrochloride. Nevertheless, an 80 mg oxycontin has a mass of approximately 260 mg (not including the navy colored coating) due to other compounds. OxyNorm is available in 5, 10, and 20 mg capsules and tablets; also as a 1 mg/1 ml liquid in 250 ml bottles and as a 10 mg/1 ml concentrated liquid in 100 ml bottles. Available in Europe and other areas outside the United States, Proladone® suppositories contain 15 mg of oxycodone pectinate and other suppository strengths under this and other trade names are less frequently encountered. Injectable oxycodone hydrochloride or tartrate is available in ampoules and multi-dose phials in many European countries and to a lesser extent various places in the Pacific Rim. For this purpose, the most common trade names are Eukodol and Eucodol.



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401095 tn?1351391770
Specialty has a point with her observations...no one here is going to give you the the recommendation  that I think you want to hear...but we are not physicians...and we are not you...most have had their fair share of problems from narcotic use and are going to  recommend u to use any other route available...I guess that is what happens when you come to an addiction abuse forum ....we try and find any other way possible to solve the issue...if u r looking for validation to begin narcotic use again and u had a true addiction problem...I am afraid you will not find it here...there are pain forums available that may benefit you...you need support and you need to feel good about whatever decision that you make..I do not mean to sound harsh or uncaring and I hope that I do not sound that way...I think everyone should feel able to be honest here and get the support they need
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Avatar universal
Description: Intention tremor results from a lesion affecting the superior cerebellar peduncle, as a manifestation of toxicity of certain sedatives or anticonvulsant drugs or alcohol

  I wonder why they would want you on pain meds? Strange
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1 Comments
It blocks the message from the brain to the nerve allowing your body to rest and save energy as well as have the immune system focus else where.  Block pain and your body can function normal
Avatar universal
My Dr, Told me that Internal cystitis (which he tHINKS Ihave, it has no diagnostic test to prove if someone has it, and basically is a catch all for pain that mimics a urinary tract infection but isnt one) is treated  with drugs that stiop the spasms, not narcotics. Also, Opiates are hard on the immune system, so I dont know why they would be prescribibg those. Seems a bit strange, anyway, be careful..becasue a Dr. gives you pills, does not make them harmless. Sounds like you have decided though, so hope youfeel better.
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401095 tn?1351391770
42 is young and you have the rest of your life ahead of you...I am 48 and decided it was not the road for me...I am a pain patient as well...since i was 26 years old...but i never used narcotics to manage it until I was in my 40s...it is a very personal decision and the tolerence is what made it not a choice for me...and the fact that i became prone to abusing it...if i could have stayed at a reasonable dose that was not damaging to my body, my decision would have been different
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460948 tn?1232302122
I'm 42 years old and all of this started about 8 years ago. I live in Florida so I'm in the south too.
I know that no one other than me can make this decision, but it helps to just get it all out and just have friendly ears to listen. Thanks so much for being there. This forum has been such a blessing to me and I know God put me hear for a reason.
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
I am not sure how old you are...and lots comes into play with these types of decisions...and it will have to be your decision..I am not sure how much of a problem or addiction that you had with the narcotics...only you know truly if you abused them or not..if your tolerence was climbing, it will continue to do so and it will get to the point that no amount of narcotics will control your pain...not everyone has a tolerence issue but many do...your doctors trying seem to enticing you to stay on narcotics ... usually steroids and now there are new drugs out without the side effects of steroids...that helps with auto-immune issues...liver and kidney disease are risks with narcotic use..my mom takes one of the new drugs for her rhuematoid arthritis and it has helped her tremendously...I live in the south and doctors in this area are anti-narcotics in most cases so I am just not familiar with doctors recommending them for things long term
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460948 tn?1232302122
Well I didn't fill the RX. Hubby and I talked about it and he's more than willing to hold onto them if I decide to fill them. I've tried Lyrica and Neurontin and both had ill affects on me.
Now to add insult to injury. I had another appointment with my urologist this morning and now I'm even more upset. Well I got more disheartning information from him about my bladder and kidneys. After doing his normal workup on me he said I have what's called an intention tremor, which is coming from my central nervous system due to my auto immune disease attacking me neurologically now. First thing he wanted to make sure of was that I was taking my pain meds. I told him no and why. He came right back at me and said that my body is constantly fighting itself, in other words my own body is attacking me. My auto immune system is shot and he told me that pain in general is only making my body fight itself that much harder. Here's a full list of what I have and it continues to grow as now I have an appointment on May 13th with a well known neurologist. Interstitial Cystitis, Mellody Sponge Kidney Disease, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, IBS, Fibro, Lupus, Hyper Joint Syndrome, and finally newly DX with Intention Tremor.
While I continue to hold strong against using opiates I must say that I feel defeated with all of these medical issues and they only continue to grow.
I'm torn with the fact that I know how badly I hurt and am unable to function normally BUT I also have embraced the fact that I'm an addict. It's wonderful that my family is willing to hold my Percocets (should I decide to fill them) but I'm still fighting the thought of taking another opiate.
Sorry this post is so long, but I guess I need some friends right now and you guys are so wonderful and caring.
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
My pain doc does prescribe lyrica but I am on neurontin..he did not switch me when this new drug came out...it is kinda like the new neurontin...he said the neurontin is safer and the lyrica can have some side effects...my friend takes it and she gets loopy from it as well...I have some samples but have never tried it...be safe in whatever drugs you take from now on if you have had an addiction problem...it is a fine line and we all have to be careful
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182493 tn?1348052915
To piggy-back on what Jacqui just wrote, yes Lyrica can be addicting if you have already had issues with being addicted to other drugs. And patients did report feeling a high and euphoric feeling from taking it. So if you are someone with addiction issues, I wouldn't risk it.  i took it for a week and a half when it first got FDA approved for Fibro and I hated it. Made me dizzy and I had cloudy vision. Also made my heart rate funky...
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401786 tn?1309152034
also, some folks report a euphoric feeling from taking it and docs are supposed to be careful about prescribing this and question one about any substance abuse history...
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401786 tn?1309152034
Just wanna add something about Lyrica...While I really don't know tons about this drug, I do know that there is a chance for dependence and abuse, and it absolutely cannot be stopped abruptly.  W/d will occur..
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401095 tn?1351391770
And narcotics do not take the place of anti-inflamatories anyway like aspirin and ibuprofen....ask for another option like lyrica, zanafles or nuerontin...something that helps with pain.....I just find this doctor hard to believe...if you do this...just be real careful as it is almost a solid fact that an addict can not take narcotics long term
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
Agree with naughty...remaining on narcotics is your choice...most doctors would give u that choice...most would not even flash a script for narcotics at you after you just said you had an addiction problem and that u quit.....mine sure wouldnt and he tries any alternative verses long term narcotic use...I am sure she is a great doctor but i i am not sure of her education about addiction if she is insisting you stay on meds like oxycodone...now if u tell her u can not function without them and you will simply vegetate and not have alife...that is different...but u r clean and your doctor offers and insists you begin narcotics again...something smells fishy here and I think u may need to get another opinion...did she even offer alternatives like nuerontin or lyrica?  
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401786 tn?1309152034
Just wanted to clarify something for you that you may not know...if you do, pardon the lesson.  Oxycontin and Percocet is the same medicine..it is oxycodone.  The only difference is that with the Oxycontin, it is in a tablet that is designed for sustained release to prevent breakthrough pain, last up to 12 hours, and decrease the amount of pills to take.  

I understand your concerns about these meds., but not everyone who takes them is an addict, and they are necessary for some folks.  My advice to you would be to get a second opinion to hear some other options and get another point of view on the matter.  

I wish you the best of luck.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I also suffer from fibromyalgia and my dr. recently prescribed me Neurontin.  Have you tried that?  It is not an opiod.  
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Avatar universal
else that opiates are not needed for a particular condition such as Insulin, or HBP meds. This is why even after surgery they ASK if youwant drugs for pain relief.
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