Is there a better medication out there?

[skmedlin27703]

I am a little frustrated.  I just wonder are there better meds out there to manage my pain besides what I am currently taking... I am on 60mg MsContin tablets one every 8 hours (x3 a day) and Oxycodone 15mg IR tablets two tablets three times a day (x6 a day) and I am STILL hurting upwards of 9 to 10 on the pain scale.  I have been on the Duragesic (fentanyl) 50mcg, 75mcg, 100mcg and it didn't work for me anymore, tried hydromorophone (dilaudid) 4mg, percocet 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, oxycodone 5mg... the doctor gave me a choice between MsContin (morphine) and Methadone when he switched me from the Duragesic patch. There has to be something out there that works better! I can't stand this much longer.  I am tired of hurting and feeling bad....

[skmedlin27703]

Thanks for the support.  I am still at the new job.  They need some new chairs in that call center but other than that since I only work part time, it makes it alot less painful!

[skmedlin27703]

I am thinking of asking the doctor about it next month.  Is it expensive? I have no insurance and have to pay cash for my rx.  I have a discount card that saved me alot last month, the morphine was $241.00 and with the discount it was only $120.00 so thats a big savings.  I wish I could try the Opana ER & Opana once or twice, so I knew if it works or not.  Or atleast the Opana for breakthrough.  I am seriously going to ask but my next appt won't be until I get insurance in 3 months.  No one I know is on Opana... how long have you been on it? Does it keep working and not build a tolerance? I have got to try something, I am miserable! Thanks for the info.

[designgyrl]

Have you tried Opana ER and Opana for break through pain.  I know you've tried dilaudid but have you tried Opana?  I'm currently taking it and it seems to be doing a better job than what the vicodin does. I have no high's and low's in my body and just feel like the medicine in me all day long, so maybe you can try Opana?

Karen

[onthefence]

methadone is 5 to 8 x stronger than oxy and has a Much longer half life, that is why a smaller dose will help some ppl for longer . All ppl react to drugs different though.

[Tuckamore]

I am sorry your pain levels are so high. Chronic pain takes us down a difficult path some days with seemingly few choices.

I would discuss this again with your physician. Together the two of you should be able to find a regime that controls your pain better. It may not be one single drug but a cocktail of medications that works better for you. I found once that when my prescribing physician added one medication to my pain meds regime it made a huge differance.

I see that you are beginning a new job on Monday. I wish you the best with it. Please let us know how you are doing and what steps you and your PMP take to resolve your increased pain.

Hang tight. We are here to offer you our support. We'll be thinking of you.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[JadedSweetheart]

I'm sorry your pain levels are so high.  I know how frustrating it is to take medications every day, even strong medications, and they barely touch the pain.  (I've been having a flare up lately so I am particularly sympathetic tonight).  I know what you mean about feeling "beat up"  that is a great way to put it!
I don't know how you feel about methadone, but it can be a very effective pain medication.  I was on it for 6 months and it worked very well for the pain.  I also didn't have the terrible withdrawls that other people have reported when I switched to oxycodone 30 3xdaily.  I am now on oxycodone 30mg 4x daily and I think the methadone at a much lower dose was working almost as well.  Although I am having a flare up so I may not be remembering well.  The only problems I had with it were frequent pneumonia (I'm asthmatic and I smoke) and frequent UTIs.  I'm not sure if the UTIs were related but since I've been off methadone I haven't had nearly as many.
I hope you are able to talk to your doctor about a more effective pain medication and I hope he listens to you openly.  I know you need relief and I'm hoping you get it soon!

[sandee1818]

There are other medications you can try. I see you listed the hydromorphone dose as 4mg, this is relatively low considering what you have been on. Maybe your Doctor would be willing to try the medications you have tried at an increased dose.
There are other extended release formulas too.
Speak with your Doctor as it seems he is working with you.
I hope your doing better soon:)

[skmedlin27703]

I haven't thought about the pain pump... I have suffered for a long time with CP, I have lumbar pain too from DDD and spinal stenosis and scoliosis... and facet joint syndrome... so I am feeling pretty beat up.  I asked about Opana once, but I am thinking I will ask again, it can't hurt.  I just wish there was a way to try it for a few days and if it didn't work then I don't waste the money on an entire month's rx (especially since I have no insurance).... Thanks for the suggestions.

[flower12345]

I'm so sorry that you're having so much pain. It sounds like your doctors are working with you. I know that there are other pain medications like Opana, etc. Also, some people get a pain pump implant if oral medications are not effective for their severe pain. I apologize, but I don't know about any other options.

It sounds like you have had CP for a long time, so you've probably tried all of the other treatments around. Can you talk to your doctor about this?

Flower