Aa
Question about a pain Med for MS pain.
I am currently on Percocet for pain relief (I take 6 a day) but I have been switched recently to MS Contin .
I am doubtful. I should take one every 12 hours . I'm afraid that if I take one and it doesn't help that I can't take anything else for another 12 hours.
I would like to know if anyone else is taking this. Does it work ?
I am doubtful. I should take one every 12 hours . I'm afraid that if I take one and it doesn't help that I can't take anything else for another 12 hours.
I would like to know if anyone else is taking this. Does it work ?
I see I made a few mistakes in spelling and wrong wording.
I had a unique attack in Jan . Where I honestly thought that was it . I was going to die.
During this episode. My back started to hurt .. then around my right shoulder. Then it went down my right arm and across my chest . I got very hot and started to sweat . Then the only way I can describe what happened next was a menthol wave went through my entire body . I then went down on my knees ... slowly got back up and made my way to the bathroom were I forced myself to vomit again like every time the other episodes happen. The menthol wave and the feeling of doom was something new.
I have these attacks every couple of months. my normal pain is spine and ribs ... pressure and stabbing aching spine ...around the area I received a lumber puncture in 2005.
I never had any of the spine pain until I had the LP done. I started noticing the pain no more than 2 weeks after .
Right now it's hard to breathe and my spine pain feels like fire.
I am also afraid to ask for relief.I can't take pills every time I need them because I need something around the clock.
I am afraid I might not be getting my words through to my doctors. As far as paying for a prescription I don't have any problem paying for something that might help.
My Copaxone is over 2,700.00 a month which my insurance pays for after my catastrophic coverage kicks in. We had to pay out of pocket for my boyfriends Cyclosporine which was 240.00 a month. On top of the rest of his prescriptions for membranous nephropathy.
My goal is to find someone with similar symptoms and compare meds but as I mentioned I have been on almost everything and have tried a lot of different things.
The neurontin and lyrica made symptoms I already had worse. Tramadol , baclofen , cymbalta , effexor , darvocet , vicodin , flexeril etc. Didn't seem to work at all. Right now I can't remember what the rest of the meds were.
I appreciate your comments and any suggestions are welcome.
None of the doctors called back today so maybe tomorrow. I don't like to bother my doctors . I seem to have problems with the staff of my doctors and my bfs doctors staff as well.
I hope this post made more sense than my last . :O)
I had a unique attack in Jan . Where I honestly thought that was it . I was going to die.
During this episode. My back started to hurt .. then around my right shoulder. Then it went down my right arm and across my chest . I got very hot and started to sweat . Then the only way I can describe what happened next was a menthol wave went through my entire body . I then went down on my knees ... slowly got back up and made my way to the bathroom were I forced myself to vomit again like every time the other episodes happen. The menthol wave and the feeling of doom was something new.
I have these attacks every couple of months. my normal pain is spine and ribs ... pressure and stabbing aching spine ...around the area I received a lumber puncture in 2005.
I never had any of the spine pain until I had the LP done. I started noticing the pain no more than 2 weeks after .
Right now it's hard to breathe and my spine pain feels like fire.
I am also afraid to ask for relief.I can't take pills every time I need them because I need something around the clock.
I am afraid I might not be getting my words through to my doctors. As far as paying for a prescription I don't have any problem paying for something that might help.
My Copaxone is over 2,700.00 a month which my insurance pays for after my catastrophic coverage kicks in. We had to pay out of pocket for my boyfriends Cyclosporine which was 240.00 a month. On top of the rest of his prescriptions for membranous nephropathy.
My goal is to find someone with similar symptoms and compare meds but as I mentioned I have been on almost everything and have tried a lot of different things.
The neurontin and lyrica made symptoms I already had worse. Tramadol , baclofen , cymbalta , effexor , darvocet , vicodin , flexeril etc. Didn't seem to work at all. Right now I can't remember what the rest of the meds were.
I appreciate your comments and any suggestions are welcome.
None of the doctors called back today so maybe tomorrow. I don't like to bother my doctors . I seem to have problems with the staff of my doctors and my bfs doctors staff as well.
I hope this post made more sense than my last . :O)
The main pain is the middle of my spine. I do have a lesion on my spine as well as my brain (picture is my tag and on my page) . I have Rib pain. An episodes which I guess is the MS hug. My first attack was in 2000 . Nothing until 2007 after my daughter was born.
Now it happens ever 3 months or so.
The best description I can give is ....
pressure starts to build up around my ribs. Then chest . I get hot . Start to sweat . Then I make myself vomit .. as much as I can until it goes away . This lasts about 1 hour.
On one occasion this happened twice right after another.
I have tried every medication. I've been to therapy twice . The last time I went for 2 months.
Pain will just not go away . I always have really bad spine and rib pain that doesn't go away . Then I have the episodes as mentioned above.
The tens unit was just not strong enough to help. I am already blind in my right eye so most of the drugs like Lyrica made my vision worse. I have been on numerous drugs and therapy and the pain will just not go away. the only thing that has been helping me is percocet. There were some days where I would take them and it was like I never took anything at all.
I am looking for any relief I can get at this point. my doctor called today and said I was going to get a call from a rheumatologist. I also told them I had to throw away a patch because of what happened on Saturday . They said both doctors would call me today but it is now 6pm and no calls.
I had another attack in Jan. ever since that I have been having trouble breathing .
Now it happens ever 3 months or so.
The best description I can give is ....
pressure starts to build up around my ribs. Then chest . I get hot . Start to sweat . Then I make myself vomit .. as much as I can until it goes away . This lasts about 1 hour.
On one occasion this happened twice right after another.
I have tried every medication. I've been to therapy twice . The last time I went for 2 months.
Pain will just not go away . I always have really bad spine and rib pain that doesn't go away . Then I have the episodes as mentioned above.
The tens unit was just not strong enough to help. I am already blind in my right eye so most of the drugs like Lyrica made my vision worse. I have been on numerous drugs and therapy and the pain will just not go away. the only thing that has been helping me is percocet. There were some days where I would take them and it was like I never took anything at all.
I am looking for any relief I can get at this point. my doctor called today and said I was going to get a call from a rheumatologist. I also told them I had to throw away a patch because of what happened on Saturday . They said both doctors would call me today but it is now 6pm and no calls.
I had another attack in Jan. ever since that I have been having trouble breathing .
Thank you so much for the explanation of the medications for pain. I have been afraid to ask any of the doctors for a stronger med and didn't know how or what to ask for. I appreciate the info!!!!
lois
lois
Hi heather8,
I am also sorry that u are in so much pain,I to live daily w/ cronic pain for the past 11 mths.I also take darvocet for pain.It only seems to help when my pain levels are far enough down.They give me alittle pic-me-up so i can run my day rather then my day run me.Im learning.I also know when i have to take more then id like meaning pain levels on the rise.. I will give myself a break for a day or so only because i feel like im tortureing myself if i dont take something.nothing really works only cuts down some of our edges.
Right now and 4 the past 5 days i have been in a struggle w/ my painlevels they are really bad right now,witch is about right 4 me.My flare restarted 8 days after the last one stopped and the last one i was in the hospital 4 6 days thats when the eye dr found the ( IIH ).currently im taking HYDROMORPHONE 4 MG THE BOTTLE SAYS I CAN TAKE IT EVERY 4 HRS. OF CORSE i never do i take them as my body needs them.i try keeping track of my day and how im feeling verses what i need to do or take .Again the pain meds only coat things 4 me they never take the pain away.I looked at my flare notes its 8weeks into this flair witch ive done good with but s**t is gonna hit the fan soon I notice my flares are dragging out. Any where from 8 to 12 weeks since the onset of all of this,this being my 3 rd flare.Im rambling.Anyways the morphone the hospital gave me when i got discharged I still have them never took them until bout 5 days ago. ! that tells me ive had more control this time.It's almost like a horrible game you get stuck in ,the only choice,, u have is to play ! mMy fingers will just keep going right now so i wish you the best and remember you like me have all of us..hang in there GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS you decide dont let this MoNsterrr have a choice..xx mommies4
I am also sorry that u are in so much pain,I to live daily w/ cronic pain for the past 11 mths.I also take darvocet for pain.It only seems to help when my pain levels are far enough down.They give me alittle pic-me-up so i can run my day rather then my day run me.Im learning.I also know when i have to take more then id like meaning pain levels on the rise.. I will give myself a break for a day or so only because i feel like im tortureing myself if i dont take something.nothing really works only cuts down some of our edges.
Right now and 4 the past 5 days i have been in a struggle w/ my painlevels they are really bad right now,witch is about right 4 me.My flare restarted 8 days after the last one stopped and the last one i was in the hospital 4 6 days thats when the eye dr found the ( IIH ).currently im taking HYDROMORPHONE 4 MG THE BOTTLE SAYS I CAN TAKE IT EVERY 4 HRS. OF CORSE i never do i take them as my body needs them.i try keeping track of my day and how im feeling verses what i need to do or take .Again the pain meds only coat things 4 me they never take the pain away.I looked at my flare notes its 8weeks into this flair witch ive done good with but s**t is gonna hit the fan soon I notice my flares are dragging out. Any where from 8 to 12 weeks since the onset of all of this,this being my 3 rd flare.Im rambling.Anyways the morphone the hospital gave me when i got discharged I still have them never took them until bout 5 days ago. ! that tells me ive had more control this time.It's almost like a horrible game you get stuck in ,the only choice,, u have is to play ! mMy fingers will just keep going right now so i wish you the best and remember you like me have all of us..hang in there GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS you decide dont let this MoNsterrr have a choice..xx mommies4
It occurred to me that it might be a good idea to post a general caution here about monitoring the daily dose of acetaminophen (the generic form of Tylemol) you take. Since this drug is used in so many combination products, it is very easy to double up on dosage without even realizing it.
Acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver. The maximum daily dose is usually 4000mg. One Percocet usually has 325mg of acetaminophen. One Vicodin (Lortab, Hydrocodone) usually has 325mg One Darvocet has 650mg. Two extra-strengh Tylenol tabs have 1000mg. It's in many cold remedies, migraine formulas, and OTC sleep aides.
If you take pain meds containing ADAP, Tylemol, or acetaminophen (all the same thing) don't take plain Tylenol to treat a fever or different ache that crops up at little later. If you already took Tylenol and it didn't relieve your pain, you may need to wait a few hours before you pop a prescription pain reliever.
Please be a diligent label reader and take care of yourselves.
Mary
Acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver. The maximum daily dose is usually 4000mg. One Percocet usually has 325mg of acetaminophen. One Vicodin (Lortab, Hydrocodone) usually has 325mg One Darvocet has 650mg. Two extra-strengh Tylenol tabs have 1000mg. It's in many cold remedies, migraine formulas, and OTC sleep aides.
If you take pain meds containing ADAP, Tylemol, or acetaminophen (all the same thing) don't take plain Tylenol to treat a fever or different ache that crops up at little later. If you already took Tylenol and it didn't relieve your pain, you may need to wait a few hours before you pop a prescription pain reliever.
Please be a diligent label reader and take care of yourselves.
Mary
MS Contin is sustained release (long acting) morphine sulfate. Morphine is the traditional standard by which all other narcotics are judged but don't make the mistake of thinking narcotics are the ultimate reliever for pain. I do think that some doctors are too slow to prescribe narcotics in some situations BUT the use of narcotics for long-term pain control is always a serious decision.
The determining factor for what drug a doctor chooses to give a patient should be which drug will best relieve the specific type of pain with the fewest side effects and potential for tolerance and/or addiction. Among other things, doctors must factor in the patient's general age and physical condition and if the pain is acute or chronic. It is because there are so many variables to consider that pain management has become a specialty (usually entered into by anesthesiologists).
As you have found out Lois, narcotics do little to relieve nerve pain. The initial mind numbing effects you have noticed will likely disappear by the time you take a few doses. You should also know that repeated use of pain medication can actually cause you to become MORE acutely aware of pain sensations.
If you don't think your pain is adequately controlled, that is exactly what you should tell your doctor. He may increase the dose. He may add another type of drug to boost the effect of the one you are taking. He may order something new to take occasionally when the pain reaches a certain level. He could order something to help you sleep at night so you are better able to cope with it during the day. There are also many non-chemical therapies that can be very helpful.
In any case, when dealing with chronic pain the end goal is usually to achieve a level of pain relief that is tolerable and allows the person to engage in at least some of her necessary and desired daily activities. Unfortunately, chronic pain conditions require their victims to look for ways to live with pain rather than eliminate it.
Lois, I hope you are able to find a better solution and some real relief in the near future. If this pain is from an undiagnosed source, I sure would be using that fact to push for explanations and/or diagnostic testing.
Mary
The determining factor for what drug a doctor chooses to give a patient should be which drug will best relieve the specific type of pain with the fewest side effects and potential for tolerance and/or addiction. Among other things, doctors must factor in the patient's general age and physical condition and if the pain is acute or chronic. It is because there are so many variables to consider that pain management has become a specialty (usually entered into by anesthesiologists).
As you have found out Lois, narcotics do little to relieve nerve pain. The initial mind numbing effects you have noticed will likely disappear by the time you take a few doses. You should also know that repeated use of pain medication can actually cause you to become MORE acutely aware of pain sensations.
If you don't think your pain is adequately controlled, that is exactly what you should tell your doctor. He may increase the dose. He may add another type of drug to boost the effect of the one you are taking. He may order something new to take occasionally when the pain reaches a certain level. He could order something to help you sleep at night so you are better able to cope with it during the day. There are also many non-chemical therapies that can be very helpful.
In any case, when dealing with chronic pain the end goal is usually to achieve a level of pain relief that is tolerable and allows the person to engage in at least some of her necessary and desired daily activities. Unfortunately, chronic pain conditions require their victims to look for ways to live with pain rather than eliminate it.
Lois, I hope you are able to find a better solution and some real relief in the near future. If this pain is from an undiagnosed source, I sure would be using that fact to push for explanations and/or diagnostic testing.
Mary
I take hydrocodone and xanax and it seems to curb so much of the pain. I hate taking narcotics but since it is much better than having to deal with the full affects of the pain I gladly keep it on hand. I have noticed recently that I need to take 2 pills instead of one but I think it is because the hydrocodone is the lowest mg you can get. When I asked my Dr to raise the mg he said he would rather me take the extra pill each time (makes no sense to me).
I completely understand how your feeling because sometimes the pain is just unreal.
Robin
I completely understand how your feeling because sometimes the pain is just unreal.
Robin
Can someone please tell me what MS Contin is? thanks
I am actually puzzled as to why some patients are given narcotics and some are not. I take Gaba, lots of NSAIDS and Tramadol. The Gaba is what helps the most but nothing takes the pain away. There are many times that I wish I had a narcotic to 'get on top of the pain' so to speak. I am afraid to ask becuase I don't want to appear to be a drug seeker.
How do you ask for a stronger medication?
I am on Vicodin right now because I had an LP Friday. It doesn't help the nerve pain but it does relax me and makes me care less about the pain lol
lois
I am actually puzzled as to why some patients are given narcotics and some are not. I take Gaba, lots of NSAIDS and Tramadol. The Gaba is what helps the most but nothing takes the pain away. There are many times that I wish I had a narcotic to 'get on top of the pain' so to speak. I am afraid to ask becuase I don't want to appear to be a drug seeker.
How do you ask for a stronger medication?
I am on Vicodin right now because I had an LP Friday. It doesn't help the nerve pain but it does relax me and makes me care less about the pain lol
lois
Heather, you can always pay for meds privately but they are costly. Even a low dose of generic oxycontin will likely cost $45 or more for a 30 day supply.
Just my personal opinion but maybe you need to think about finding a better pain management doctor instead of a better narcotic. You never mentioned what type of pain you are trying to relieve. If it's nerve pain from MS, I don't think the narcotics are ever going to do it.
Like you, I also have MS and bone loss and osteoarthritis in my spine. I took oxycontin (and Vicodin) for about a year and got some relief - for a while. I couldn't distinguish what diagnosis caused which pain. I could tell my tolerance was building and I was going to need a higher dose for the same relief. Then I met a pain specialist who treated me with a series of three epidural injections (one about every two weeks). Yes, I was terrified but my desire to stop the pain was greater. As the steroids he injected under fluoroscope took effect, my back pain disappeared. Some people get instant relief. It took me about two months to realize complete relief. He also ordered a TENS unit but I never had to use it.
I get by now with the occasional Darvocet (work days) only. It's good to know my brain isn't being fogged by pain meds in addition to disease. I certainly don't miss the monitoring physician appointments and pharmacy hassles involved with taking narcotics either. I am still weak and limited from MS. I'm beginning to see that spasticity plays a role I had never recognized before. Still, I've eliminated some heavy duty systemic drugs and the pain remains very tolerable when it comes.
Nerve pain from MS (or anything else for that matter) is best treated by a different class of drugs. Gabapentin is a frequent first choice. Some people get additional relief from antidepressants. They truly help pain and can also help the depression that is likely to develop after a long period of unrelieved pain. Your spasms are best treated by a drug like Baclofen if they are constant or perhaps a muscle relaxant if they appear irregularly.
Have you returned to your diagnosing neuro to ask him/her about pain control? A MS specialist should understand the different causes of pain that people experience with this disease. I would think they would prefer to treat you with something that helps you function better as you feel better instead of focusing on the sole objective of pain relief with narcotics.
I am in no way trying to minimize your pain or suffering. What you are describing is a horrible way to live. It seems your present path isn't being very productive. If you are indeed stuck in a place that seems to have no solutions, I hope to offer a hopeful new path to pursue.
It doesn't happen overnight but I do think you can find relief, peace and even happiness. Perhaps then you will be able to share yourself with us as a total person rather than only through your pain. We would love to know you better. Until then, keep coming with the questions of the moment.
I'll be keeping good thoughts in my head and heart for you.
Mary
Just my personal opinion but maybe you need to think about finding a better pain management doctor instead of a better narcotic. You never mentioned what type of pain you are trying to relieve. If it's nerve pain from MS, I don't think the narcotics are ever going to do it.
Like you, I also have MS and bone loss and osteoarthritis in my spine. I took oxycontin (and Vicodin) for about a year and got some relief - for a while. I couldn't distinguish what diagnosis caused which pain. I could tell my tolerance was building and I was going to need a higher dose for the same relief. Then I met a pain specialist who treated me with a series of three epidural injections (one about every two weeks). Yes, I was terrified but my desire to stop the pain was greater. As the steroids he injected under fluoroscope took effect, my back pain disappeared. Some people get instant relief. It took me about two months to realize complete relief. He also ordered a TENS unit but I never had to use it.
I get by now with the occasional Darvocet (work days) only. It's good to know my brain isn't being fogged by pain meds in addition to disease. I certainly don't miss the monitoring physician appointments and pharmacy hassles involved with taking narcotics either. I am still weak and limited from MS. I'm beginning to see that spasticity plays a role I had never recognized before. Still, I've eliminated some heavy duty systemic drugs and the pain remains very tolerable when it comes.
Nerve pain from MS (or anything else for that matter) is best treated by a different class of drugs. Gabapentin is a frequent first choice. Some people get additional relief from antidepressants. They truly help pain and can also help the depression that is likely to develop after a long period of unrelieved pain. Your spasms are best treated by a drug like Baclofen if they are constant or perhaps a muscle relaxant if they appear irregularly.
Have you returned to your diagnosing neuro to ask him/her about pain control? A MS specialist should understand the different causes of pain that people experience with this disease. I would think they would prefer to treat you with something that helps you function better as you feel better instead of focusing on the sole objective of pain relief with narcotics.
I am in no way trying to minimize your pain or suffering. What you are describing is a horrible way to live. It seems your present path isn't being very productive. If you are indeed stuck in a place that seems to have no solutions, I hope to offer a hopeful new path to pursue.
It doesn't happen overnight but I do think you can find relief, peace and even happiness. Perhaps then you will be able to share yourself with us as a total person rather than only through your pain. We would love to know you better. Until then, keep coming with the questions of the moment.
I'll be keeping good thoughts in my head and heart for you.
Mary
MS Contin did not help with pain . Now I am suppose to start fentanyl 25 mcg .
I put my first one on today but had a "Episode" and had to take it off and I flushed it.
The only thing that seems to help even if it doesn't take all the pain away is percocet.
My insurance denied Oxycontin.
I really need some relief. it's been 5 years.
Even if my insurance denies meds can't I still offer to pay for them ?
I put my first one on today but had a "Episode" and had to take it off and I flushed it.
The only thing that seems to help even if it doesn't take all the pain away is percocet.
My insurance denied Oxycontin.
I really need some relief. it's been 5 years.
Even if my insurance denies meds can't I still offer to pay for them ?
Need to make a correction on my post...i do (as of just recently) take a pain med.
But what I meant to say was that I have never had any experience w/ that particular type of pain med...... :) i do think though that they can give you something for the "break through pain"
Please keep us posted,
~Tonya
I'm sorry you're having so much pain that this addition is necessary Heather. The MS Contin should be taken as prescribed every twelve hours. It is one of those pills that should never be broken or crushed. When it is taken whole the medicine (morphine) is released slowly over the twelve hours to give you a steadier level of pain relief.
Tanya is right about calling the doctor for directions about what to do for breakthrough pain. He may still have you take the Percocet or he may have you use MSIR (short acting oral morphine) or some other short acting drug. It may take a few days for the level of MS Contin to become consistent enough to (maybe) not need anything else.
You will build a tolerance to any narcotic over time and require escalating dosages for the same level of pain relief. Unfortunately, for that reason, your goal will probably be relief to a tolerable level rather than pain elimination. I'm assuming this drug is for your back pain since nerve pain from MS would require a different type of medicine.
If you are being seen in a pain management setting they should also be able to train you in alternative methods (progressive relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, TENS, etc) or evaluate you for a longer lasting solution (epidurals, ablation, etc.) Combination therapy often works best. For now, the long acting narcotic in combo with a shorter acting pain reliever should give you better relief than the up and down cycles of six Percocet per day.
Hope you find what works to keep you functional and enjoying life again soon.
Mary
Tanya is right about calling the doctor for directions about what to do for breakthrough pain. He may still have you take the Percocet or he may have you use MSIR (short acting oral morphine) or some other short acting drug. It may take a few days for the level of MS Contin to become consistent enough to (maybe) not need anything else.
You will build a tolerance to any narcotic over time and require escalating dosages for the same level of pain relief. Unfortunately, for that reason, your goal will probably be relief to a tolerable level rather than pain elimination. I'm assuming this drug is for your back pain since nerve pain from MS would require a different type of medicine.
If you are being seen in a pain management setting they should also be able to train you in alternative methods (progressive relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, TENS, etc) or evaluate you for a longer lasting solution (epidurals, ablation, etc.) Combination therapy often works best. For now, the long acting narcotic in combo with a shorter acting pain reliever should give you better relief than the up and down cycles of six Percocet per day.
Hope you find what works to keep you functional and enjoying life again soon.
Mary
My only experience with this drug was when my Dad had metastatic cancer in his bones. He took the MS Contin and he did very well on it. He even went bowling twice a week until about a week before he passed away. Granted some of this was pure grit and determination but he didn't complain about pain until the very end and the x-rays showed it to be widespread..hips, legs, hands, etc.
After the first few doses he said his body adapted and he didn't feel drugged and was fully functional. Don't know what if any comparisons you can make to MS but thought it might help.
Sorry about your pain. I SO understand. I hope you feel better soon.
Ren
After the first few doses he said his body adapted and he didn't feel drugged and was fully functional. Don't know what if any comparisons you can make to MS but thought it might help.
Sorry about your pain. I SO understand. I hope you feel better soon.
Ren
I do not take that type of oain med. But I did want to pop on here and tell you that I am sorry that you are having so much pain.
I do hope that this will help for you Heather. I hope that someone else on here can give you some more info.
******* I would make a call to you doctor and ASK..."is there anyhting that you can take for "Break Through Pain" ....
Take Care and praying for some relief for you.
~Tonya
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