Question for members........

[sandee1818]

What if  a new member told you all that they had several medical(severe) problems and they take 320mg of oxycontin and 90-120mg of oxycodone IR a day and it still does not help their pain
What if they said their doctor is increasing that dosage because they are in so much pain even with that extreme dosage?
Think before you answer.
I will post after a few replies as to the meaning of this question:)

[Tuckamore]

I'm sorry about your Dad's horrid chronic pain too. He certainly is a hero. Aren't we all Daddy's girls at heart?

When I last wore the patch I had a temp and laid on my back, where I had placed the patch. Heat is not a friend of the patch, as you know. I broke out with a horrid raised rash and hives. It itched so bad I thought I would go more crazy than I already am!!

I tried if after my fever subsided but could not tolerate the adhesive no matter what I did. I understand your Dad's fear. If the patch leaks it is usually certain death. So many things can effect it's absorption. I know it works great for some ppl, like Mollyrae and for that I am happy. However it scares the heck out of me.

There are other opiates that I hope your Dad will consider but I'm sure you know that and have discussed it with him. My heart goes out to him.

[Mollyrae]

Hi Sandee:

I'm very sorry that your Dad has to battle with Chronic Pain like so many of us do. In regards to the Patch, he would have to start out at a really high dose. The manufacturers highest Patch is the 100 mcg and your Dad would have to wear 2 of them. They can be really uncomfortable, especially in the heat of Florida so I'm not so sure that the Patch would be the best route for him.

Has he thought about going to a Pain Pump? I'm wondering if the Doctors used something along the lines of Dilaudid, he might be more comfortable. This would decrease all of the pills he has to take on a daily basis.....Just a thought.

Our Dads are our heroes, I agree 100% with that. It is also very hard to see your Dads in pain. I watched my Dad in pain for a very long time until he lost his battle with Cancer. I hope your Dad can find a way to be more comfortable in the near future.

[sandee1818]

The reason I posted this question is that my Dad who is in his 60's is on this dose and I KNOW he does not abuse drugs in any way shape or form and he has had surgery in the past many times.
With the post I have been seeing latley I wanted to see if there were any judgmental or accusatory post that would indicate that this poster was an abuser. I really hope this does not offend anyone. I want this community to be the best one there is.
I am so very happy not to see the judgmental post and I think each and everyone of you who posted has a heart od gold and you understand what it is like to be in pain and take strong medications and still hurt. I applaud you:)
My Dad is in so much pain and has tried everything. The oxycontin is not working anymore and he refuses to go to the patch. He has had back pain and other problems since I was little, he has always handled it well and has always done right by me and my sister and brother. He would go to the football games to watch us cheer and play and he would take us to the fairs and carnivals and on vacations despite his pain and I look up to him for that and see him as my hero.

[Mollyrae]

FYI- The dose in question when converted to Fentanyl equals a 164.4 patch which I have heard of quite a few members using so it isn't uncommon here.

[Mollyrae]

The most likely response from the Forum would be to question the poster like we have usually done in the past.....and it's a shame come to think of it. In reality, that dose is not that high for someone with dibilitating pain. It equals 4-80mg. Oxy's and 3-4 30mg breakthrough.

As I sat and looked at this question, I realized that doubt was in the air. I think because of some of the posts that come across, you tend to start questioning rather than believe right off the bat.

An increase would definitly be justified in extreme cases but for how long? I'm not sure that without Hospitalization it would be the safest thing to do.

[ChronicPain1]

I would say that for that much medication, they may have been on them for some time. I've got 3 sources of pain (DDD Cervical Radiculopathy, Patella Femoral Syndrome/Chrondomalacia and Sciatica/Back pain) and after 2 years of opiate medication am now at 90mg of Morphine a day down from 180 due to rotation.

If their pain is that bad, they need something done....badly. Surgery? Conservative treatment? I don't know.

I don't think that much is dangerous if they've been on it long enough to develop a tolerance. But eventually they will reach the ceiling and not be able to go higher, and if in acute pain from surgery might not have relief.

[toolmaker]

This person needs to be hospitalized .

[MontanaGurl]

I would say that they must be in alot of pain, sometimes there are circumstances where large doses of medicine is actually needed to help a person controll their pain.  I might ask what their injuires or pain issues are.  I would also be supportive, it is hard when you have to live in pain and you actually grab at straws sometimes to get your pain under contriol.  That is alot of medicine but, if the doctor is prescribing it than who are we to question what the doctor has done.  I might suggest heat pads or ice packs, hot showers if they can get into the shower or tub.  But I would support this person as best as I could.