New-Pain meds help

[HeatherO664]

I have many conditions that contribute to the chronic pain I am in all the time. I am currently in a "pain" program with physical therapy, clinics & doctors help for five weeks to try and live as pain free a life as I can. I have been taking hydrocodone (10/350) for three years to help a bit with the pain. Because I have been taking it so long, and my body had adjusted to it, I now take 10 pills a day (2 every 4 hours) to control the pain. My Doctor said that is too many pills, and wants me to switch to something else that I can take less of that will be longer lasting for my pain (to cut down on constantly having to take pills). I am in full agreement with this, as what I am on currently, just does not work any longer. He told me to think about what I want to try & these were the suggestions given: AVINZA, MS CONTIN, OXYCONTIN.
I do not know much about pain meds and would love to know what your suggestions are about what will work best for me & LAST LONGER. I would love to take only one or two pills and control the pain. I have an apt. early next week & would appreciate so much any advice!!
Thanks-
Heather

[Robin77]

I have just started reading posts in this forum.  I have chronic pain in both arms due to a failed cervical laminectomy 2 years ago (also complicated by a seizure disorder and osteoporosis -yikes!) Anyway, I've tried a bunch of different meds, with not much success, and have just started MS Contin (I'm not so afraid of HAVING to stay on it - I have needed to withdraw slowly from anti-seizure meds when changing in the past) and it is REALLY helping somewhat.  I'm just afraid that I will keep needing more for it to keep helping.  I have never yet heard of Ultram, but it sounds like an interesting possibility.  Thank you all so much for your input; I've learned a lot.  I wish you all as much relief as possible.

Thanks, again!
Robby

[feedup13]

Heather,  Don't stop looking for what works for you.  I have had chronic pain since 1989 so I know what you are feeling.  Good luck with the oxycontin.  You know, maybe if you looked at your pain medication as a diabetic looks at taking insulin - that is that it is a necessary medication for you in order to be healthy, it may be easier for you to accept the "addiction" part.  There are many medications out there that are not narcotic that you will get "withdrawal" symptoms from.   With three children (I have one son), the stress of having chronic pain must be overwhelming for you.  For a long time I always thought that I was just "weak".  I thought that anybody else would do alot better if they had  to deal with the chronic pain I feel everyday.  I spent most of my time beating myself up because I couldn't do the things I used to do.  I equated the depression I was experiencing as a weakness.  I realize now the depression goes hand and hand with chronic pain.  When I get really down I pray.  I try to thank God for all the good things in my life.  Chronic pain effects everyone in the family.   I know because it did mine.  Because I am not in a wheelchair or using a cane, people look at me and think, "There's nothing wrong with her", "She looks just fine."   What they don't realize is that it took everything I had to get up that morning.  They don't realize that in order for me to get somewhere at 8 am, I must get up at 5 am and wait till my medicine starts working before I can get ready.  They don't know that three times during the night I had to get up and change my pajama's because I have such bad night sweats.   They don't know that when I am looking at them speaking to me that I am dreading moving out of the position I am in because I stiffen up so badly and the pain on movement is like breaking bones.  Isolation becomes easier for people with chronic pain.  Unfortunately, isolation is the worst thing you can do when you are hurting.  You are right, the people who abuse drugs spoil for those us who need pain medication in order to have any quality of life.  Recently, I went to see a shrink and after talking with her she said that she thought I had AADD.  I looked back on my life and the symptoms of AADD, and thought that maybe she was right.  She started me on adderral, which is a stimulant.  She told me that if I did not need it that I would become very hyper on it but if I did it would calm me down and allow me to focus better.  I started taking it and it made me very sleepy, but I continued to take it and now what I have noticed is that the stiffness in my joints has gotten a little bit better.  Perhaps there is a connection.  I don't know.  I decided to seek counseling and it has been helpful talking to someone about the frustrations I have over always being in pain.  My son is 27 and lives out of the home and like I said, I can't imagine what it must be like for you trying to take care of the house, the kids, etc.  I admire you though I do not know you.  One of the things that the Ultram does for me is it gives me a little bit of energy - something you could probably use.  It may be worth a try as a supplement to the other medication.  Try it but make sure your stomach is full.  Good luck, Heather.  I will say a prayer for you.  Kathy (feedup13)

[HeatherO664]

Thanks for your input.
Layne, you are right, for many they are not for long term use & you cannot stop cold turkey, and it is a bad feeling to know that when you stop taking something that your body has become so dependant on, you will be in serious trouble. I have been in pain for over twelve years though. I am in so much pain that many days I cannot do anything with my three beautiful children or husband because it hurts so much. I have never been a medicine taker or touched drugs either, but for me, these meds are meant for long term use because I made the decision (carefully) that I want to be able to "live" my life. I am sad that I will probably have to take these meds forever, but glad I have something that will help. Unfortunately the people who abuse drugs ruin it for people that really need them. My Doctor says that when you are in pain, these meds do not even give you the high that they would give the normal person. He also said when you take them you have to continually (every few yrs.)"up" your dose in order to maintain the same relief. I know it will be a long road, but for me, it is the only way.
I love the analogy to the rock in the shoe, unless you have been there, you just can't know.
I have tried Ultram and I think it is one of the best pain relievers I have ever taken, the only problem is, it makes me very dizzy. I do take it at night before bed & it relieves my pain all night. I may try eating first & see how it does then.
I decided to try the oxycontin 2x a day(long acting))instead of the hydrocodone(short acting) (10 a day) i was taking because my doctor said because of its chemistry relation it will probably be a good switch. He said I would probably need the 60mg (because I have been on opioids so long) but I decided to try the 40mg first. I am getting some relief but it only last about 6 hours, not 12) I think I may need the 60mgs instead.
Any other suggestions??

[mr.lucky66]

I'm glad ultram works for you but it is a nighmare for most people.

[feedup13]

Quality of life is what is important to someone with chronic pain.  I believe that people who deal with chronic pain on a 24 hour basis react differently to pain medication than someone who may be taken it for short term or recreationally.  I would not recommend MSContin.  I was on it for a year and it did nothing for me except take away any emotions I had.  I also tried the fentenyl patch.  This patch did not really do much for me either.  I did not like it because it made me smell- seriously!  I have been dealing with chronic pain since 1989 - it took 5 years to find a doctor that understood chronic pain, I went through 2 inpatient pain rehab programs.  In 1996, I started taking Ultram, a non-narcotic pain medication.  It saved my life.  I have taken for 12 years, and I have not had to increase the dose.  I would suggest that you talk to your doctor about starting Ultram (generic: tramadol) to see if it helps you.  I have multiple health issues too.  To date, I have had no adverse effects from the Ultram - liver, kidneys normal.  You must, however,  eat BEFORE you take the Ultram otherwise you will get sick.  Many people try Ultram but don't continue because they get sick from it.  But if you eat something substantial (milk and toast), a meal, etc.  you will not have this side effect.   Though Ultram is considered a non-narcotic (which makes doctors more comfortable in prescribing it), you will have withdrawal symptoms if you abrubtly stop taking it.  My question to all those doctors and nurses who say they specialize in pain is this:  Take a little a small rock and put in your shoe - than walk around for awhile and see how that feels.  Now imagine that feeling in other parts of your body - and then imagine that pain being with you 24 hours a day.  That is what chronic pain is like.  When a doctor or nurse tells you that you must learn to "deal" with your pain - find a new doctor.   The doctor you want is one that will look at you and listen to you and then ask, what do you think you need to feel better.  You want a doctor that understands that you know your body best.  Anybody else out there feel the same way?

[Jaybay]

You are correct: opiate therapy results in physical dependence on the drug, meaning you will experience withdrawal if you don't take it.  You have to understand that is a totally different issue from addiction.  Addiction is a mental disease where the person abuses the medication for the high.  Of course, not all doctors thoroughly educate their patients in these issues before initiating opiate therapy, and that is never a good thing.

[layne2000]

Hi Heather
I truly believe, in fact know, that Opiates are not designed for long term use. They are very highly adictive.
I can only vouch for oxycontin which was prescribed to me for chronic back pain.
I'm a sensibe mother of 4 kids and have never taken drugs in my life.
Within 6 short weeks I became dependant on Oxy.
I didn't realise I was dependant until.......
Due to my husband forgetting to pick up an emergency prescription, I had the worst weekend of my entire life doing cold turkey.
Please please take the  time to go over to the drug adiction forum and read what these drugs do to you and how much hell the takers have to go through to try to get off them again.
The choice at the end of the day is yours, but go into this with your eyes wide open and see where this path can/will lead you.
xx
Layne

[jcverive]

Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for an implantable electric stimulator. If not, you might want to ask about an implantable pump for morphine or individualized drug cocktail.  There are definite advantages with either approach, especially since you'll be able to reduce or even eliminate your oral narcotics. Your liver and intestinal tract will thank you.

[Jaybay]

Everyone metabolizes medicines in a slightly different way.  You won't know what will work for you until you try one.  Unfortunatley, much of pain management is trial and error rather than direct science.  You might ask your doc which medication seemed to work best for patients with conditions similar to yours.

[doggboy]

I have tried ms contin and oxycontin.  The ms contin did nothing for me but maybe that is because I was already used to taking a high does of roxicodone.  If you want long term pain that is one of the main reasons for oxycontin, but I would suggest that if you go on oxy's to get the generic brand TEVA because they made them a special way so thath people cannot abuse them unable to crush, snort or chew them due to the fact that it will turn into a sticky gel and will still be in the long term form.  Good luck and be careful long term use of opiates as you must know are not fun.

[HeatherO664]

I know I need to switch. I just wonderedif anyone could tell me what works for them & if it truly does last. I want to give something a shot that will actually work!

[Jaybay]

The meds you listed are simply long-acting, time-released formulas of narcotics.  Your doc is right about getting you off that much vicodin - it contains so much tylenol and you're at the upper limit of what your liver can process.  The meds you listed contain no tylenol.  Another option is the fentanyl patch, which has its own pros and cons, but it might be something to ask your doc about.