Percocet losing it's "Perc"...

My pm/gp has put me on Methadone for Chronic Pain and it's changed my life. It really does an amazing job for the pain so long as I'm sedentary. But with a healthy wife and 3 healthy kids plus a dog who can be sedentary. Plus I'm self-employed and to be honest sitting around just doesn't appeal. I want to live. So my GP has been giving me Oxycodone 10/325 for going on 2+ years. At first they worked okay and now I really try to avoid taking them to protect their effectiveness which seems to diminish every time I take it. She's written so that I can take up to 8 a day. Unfortunately I think I now need 12 a day and well... there's another forum full of people who've crossed that line and I don't want to go there.

Has anyone else that has taken Methadone found a good medication for breakthrough pain that is not a *codone type of medicine? I realize we don't have tons of options but I'm just looking for one good option.

Thanks,

Rex

[Tuckamore]

Hi Stricklyforpain,

I am sorry that you have found yourself in the spot so many CP suffers do. My pain medications does not so the job it use to either. I would bet that is the case for most of our members that have been on their pain meds for any length of time.

Did I understand that you are on Methadone with Oxycodone for break though pain? Or did you mean that you no longer take Methadone. If that is the case I would encourage you to return to the meth. If it's been 2+ years of Oxycodone your system should be more tolerant of the effects of the meth.

I just deal with it the pain instead of increasing my dosage or the number of pills I take. , But I am no longer able to work. I have several meds, including a muscle relaxant that I can interchange when my pain becomes severe. That has worked well for me. I also have found alternative methods that help, like a massage chair and a jacuzzi.  

So I am hopeful you will find something that will work for you. Others will post that will offer more suggestions. Best of luck and take care, Tuck

[charbie]

I know where you are. I have been taking pain medication for almost ten years. With some breaks in between but the last 2 years when I get a pain that can not be managed at all. Then I have to go to the ER to get a shot with a higher dosage!! I would say try to switch to something that you have not used in a while. I know you want out of the codone state. I have been there myself but I find the pain is just to great. My whole right side burns from a Stent in my kidney and bladder and the left side throbssssss!! Where they are both nagging pains that if they go to far then I am over the threshold. . But I take Meperidine now. I use to take diluadid but I find that my breathing gets funny with that.But my new pill is small and it works within minutes. Not sure if this will help you but I hope it can. Charbie

[strictlyforpain]

The methadone is what I am taking now and it's awesome. The problem is that if I do anything active my back just FLIES into pain in no time. I'm taking the Oxycodone and it's good but it'd be nice if I could find a change of pace medicine to take instead of the Oxycodone. Like 30 days of _ _ _ _ (new medicine here) and then 30 days of Oxycodone and then back and forth.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Again,

There are other opiates you may try. Everyone is different, what works for one does not necessarily work as well for another. My system is unusual. Hydrocodone works better for me than Oxycodone. You may want give it a try. There are also the meds that Charbie spoke of but it's rare in my state that Demerol or Dilaudid (5 times stronger than Morphine) is routinely prescribed for CP. According to my research Demerol is not as strong as Oxycodone or Morphine but again everyone responds differently to different medications. Demerol works better for me than Morphine does, and that makes no sense either.

Tramadol is a non-narcotic and works well for some ppl. It does have addictive qualities in spite of it's not scheduled status.

I would suggest you discuss all this with your prescribing physician. He/she can assist you with your decision. Again good luck to you. We'll look forward to your next update, Take Care, Tuck  

[Mollyrae]

Hello Stricklyforpain:  I was where you are at while back and the Doctor switched me to Fentanyl. I have found that the Fentanyl doesn't wear down like the Codones did. I have been on the same dose now for 8-9 months and don't see an increase for sometime to come. I have good and bad days but I feel that the medication works as good as it did the first week of use. I also take Oxycodone and to be truthful, it really doesn't do much for me anymore. The Doc said that it's possible that with the Fentanyl being such a strong drug, it might make the Oxycodone not as effective. Maybe you should talk with your Doc about the possibility of switching to a more powerful drug. Take care and good luck,
Mollyrae

[Storm007]

  Hello Rex, I know the cycle of being on a med too long and it loses its effectivenesss so you have to keep upping it.
Getting on Methadone is a very good thing. Use strickly as prescribed though.OD is easy especially if you are new to it.I have been on it for a while and for BTP (break thru pain) I take hydromophone(DILAUDUD) Helps tremendously.I recall you stated something not opiate based but you may b passed that Rex.But I don't know what your cheif complaint of /cause of pain.
  being you are already been on Oxy you might want to stick with that for the BTP.
I would seriously discuss this with the Dr and tell them exactly how you feel and what ever they Rx you if it doesn't wok.Speak up and tell them so.
I hope you have learned by now you have to speak up.
You are your 1st DR. And your best advocate.
  I am putting you on my friends list and hopefully you will write and we can exchange info. ......Storm007