Loads of problems ... Duragesic patch & Worker's Comp -- Long (Sorry)

[mellie4]

I have huge problems here.  I'm going to try to stay on topic but things are pretty convoluted.  Problem number 1 ... I'm on the Duragesic patch, 75 mcg every 48 hours.  (In truth I change it every 72 because of fear on my part.)  Last appointment told her I wanted to wean down and got a script for 50 mcg.  Trouble is, in this location apparently they are not manufacturing the Duragesic and there is no date when they will be releasing more.  No info on why.  So no Duragesic in any dose at all.

I had a generic (Watson) brand in the past but had trouble with that in keeping it on.  It's a gel-filled patch and it falls off and I don't think it releases the medicine in the right way for me.

Secondly, my worker's comp is being cut off.  My original attorney, who I have fired, didn't file paperwork he was supposed to in January.  Last Friday I get a notice informing me I'm being cut off financially and medically.  I don't know if I'm cut off as of now or within a couple of weeks.

I'm also on a ton of breakthrough meds ... 60 mg. oxycodone every four hours (even through the night.)

So, I'm afraid of pain BUT I am more afraid of withdrawal.  My pain clinic, nice as they are, can't help me if I'm cut off from worker's comp.  (I have no other health insurance but am looking into Mass Health or something but it will take time.)

My NP has suggested two things ... the first is to go on methadone.  I told her no way.  I'm afraid of it.  Everything I've read about it suggests very few people ever get off it.  The second was to try 50 mcg. of the generic Fentanyl and see how it goes.

I need help figuring this out..  I really want to be off the oxycodone and the Fentanyl.  Within a week or two I will have no funds, and I think she suggested the methadone because it's cheap.  

So, what I need to know is:  IF I tried the methadone, would it cover the withdrawals from both the Fentanyl and the oxycodone?  How is methadone administered?  Pills?  Liquid?  

How easy or hard will it be to taper down from the methadone?  (At this point, I really would like to be on NO meds to evaluate my TRUE pain level.)  I started on Percocets 5 mg. 5 years ago for my hand.  My dosage escalated around last summer after 9 failed surgeries and the development of RSD.

I have never abused my medication, never taken more than I was supposed to.  When I first began the meds, the 5 mg. used to knock me out for hours.  Now with ALL the meds I'm on, I never even feel it.  I just feel normal.  Thing is, the pain has never really been controlled.

I know my pain is going to escalate when I go off things, but I am really fearful of the withdrawals.  (I experienced the very beginnings of withdrawals once when a prescription was late in the mail.  Had no idea what it would be like.  I NEVER want to feel it again.)  At this point, though, I have NO options due to the worker's comp issue.  Maybe it's all for the best, but I need help here.  

I've got so much help here in the past ... hopefully there will be someone that can help me again.  I've got a lot on my plate:  single mom of 4, plus a stepdaughter and an 82-year old dad.  The money situation is horrendous and now this.  Please, please, someone help me figure this out!!

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

[mellie4]

Thanks for the responses!!  I knew you guys would be there for me!  I actually panicked earlier in the week and decided I needed to get off the meds and made a big mistake.  I cut back on the patch (with the doctor's approval) but got rid of all my oxycodone for the breakthrough ... bad idea.  Withdrawals were terrible.  Called the doctor and 'fessed up and she rewrote the script for me and now I'm comfortable again.  Pain issues still there but no withdrawals.  I'm meeting with her on Monday to come up with a taper plan.

Luckily I hired a new lawyer ... fired the original one.  Unfortunately, the money part of it will take 6 to 8 weeks to rectify.  I'm looking into some state programs to help me bridge the gap and hope I'll find something.  On the upside, the new lawyer told me that though they can discontinue my money (at least until we get before the judge or a conciliation meeting) they CANNOT discontinue my medical care.  So that's a relief.  My medications run to nearly $3,000 a month.  

This has made me rethink my pain management, though.  I've decided I'd like to taper down and get off the medication to try to see exactly where my pain is.  I've been on these medications for so long and in the last year they've added so much more and upped the dose and I still don't get great relief.  I've been feeling the meds make me a little apathetic and I want to see if I can get by on less. Maybe even not have to take it daily.  It's unlikely but I still want to try.

Thanks for the tip on the MS Contin.  My doctor had mentioned methadone and after a lot of research and reading others' experiences, it's not the route I want to go.

Mama Sherry ... we can't get the Duragesic brand here any longer.  They're back ordered.  At first they said until April, then until June and now they say there's no date available.  Right now all we can get are the gel-filled and they don't work so well for me, both pain-wise and also with them falling off.  And thank you so much for your words.  You mean the world to me and I'm so grateful for your friendship and love and I love you as well.  And I WILL be getting out your way ... just not sure when!

[Tuckamore]

Just another thought....MS Contin, long acting Morphine is relatively inexpensive. It may provide some pain relief until you can get things straightened out.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck

[namnam46]

Oh Mellie!!!!  My heart is BREAKING for you!!!  I just can't believe that this is happening to you and at this point in time!!!!


Have you contacted Duragesic.  The number SHOULD be on the back of the box. Call it and ask them if they have a discount program that can help you!!!  Do this TODAY!!!  Sometimes the companies DO have a program like this.  ALSO, call Watson and see if THEY have a discount program.  Talk to you Pharmacist TODAY and see what if ANY programs they know about as they can be a wealth of information as you well know!!!

Mellie, I just can't reiterate how VERY SAD this makes me for you!!!  You KNOW how much I love you and how much your Friendship means to me!!!  I just wish there was MORE that I can do to help you.  

How many patches do you have left?  Will your Doctor give you a new prescription BEFORE your benefits run out?  I have NO IDEA how W/C works so I can't be of ANY help to you on that.  I'm SO SORRY!!!  

If my laptop hadn't crashed 3 weeks ago, I would have seen your post MUCH sooner!!!!  I'm SO SORRY!!!!

Let me know what  you find out from your Pharmacist as well as your phone calls.  You KNOW that  I  have you and your family and your Fiance in my Prayers!!!!

All my Love and MEGA (((((((HUGS)))))))............Mama Sherry  :(

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mellie,

My heart goes out to you. How horrid.

Have you contacted your attorney? It would be my first, second and third call!!! He/she should not let this happen. WC does a lot of threatening and too often their goal seems to be to frighten you. WC laws vary from state to state. If you were in my state I could advise you on the laws as you know WC was part of my management responsibilities.

I would contact your PCP as well as your PMP to see if there some manufactures will help you with your required meds. Some will and some won't and much depends on the medications.

Also don't forget your local county social service department. If you are indigent there may be programs that you are eligible to receive through them..... At the least they may be able to direct you.  

Again I can't impress upon you how important it is to contact your attorney. It's his responsibilities to find answers for you. Why have you been dismissed from WC... when and how do you reestablish your WC benefits??? Is this it and why??? There are many questions that need to be answered. Be assertive and remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil first.

Trust that this will work out....again WC likes to do a lot of threatening, especially if all the i's are not dotted and the t's not crossed. You'll remain in my thoughts and prayers and you know I'll look forward to your updates!

My Very Best to You,
~Tuck

[mellie4]

I'm looking into things but the process is slow.  In the meantime, I've cut back on medicine, and am finding myself in withdrawal.  Am calling the doctor today to see what we can do for the moment.

[skmedlin27703]

Is there any kind of state health program in your state that you could apply for? I would call Social Services in your area and ask them what options are available... I have no insurance and have to pay cash for my meds. I am out of work and so is my husband, all we have is his unemployment... I am on oxycodone and morphine... I use AAA's prescription discount program and it gives me about $150 discount on the morphine...