Switching Meds

[Dylan465]

Hi. it's me again. I have a question. I do like my doctor but at times he can be hard to get across to and considering the ones we have, he is one of the best.

I thought I could get off the ms contin I am on but realize, even with it, I am in pain. I had told you that I was taking ultram with it for awhile and then he cut me off of that and said they are too strong to be combined together.

Bottom line, I hate the idea of taking meds as it is, but if I am miserable, it doesn't make sense to do nothing. I envy the people who can deal with pain.

I don't want to wait to get off the mscontin to try something else. If the ms contin isn't always helping isn't that a sign for a change? I can't stand the thought of another detox, isn't there a way to ease off or combine (which I din't really want to do)? I know someone here just switched. My question is can you switch without out detoxing?

I just want relief. My husband is sick and he had to rub my legs yesterday b/c they felt so sore.

Any ideas? I feel foolish. I did want to get off but I can see, even taking the amount prescribed, I am not always comfortable. I'm not terrible but I would hope for more. I see people getting break-through pills all the time. I am not looking for more pills, just relief.

Thanks.

[Dylan465]

Thanks ladies. I was going to call today but never did. I feel so indecisive. One minute, I want to just stop, the next, ask his opinion. I know there really aren't many choices. And I know I definitely can't stand the comedown feeling of percocet and would never try the patch or methodone. That leaves me back to ultram that touched the pain. I am having such a bad day mentally. My step son is going back to Afghanistan and it just feels like everything is wrong. Like every situation has a problem and my nerves are shot.

I would never cold turkey brw. I have always gone down slowly. I guess I am afraid that though he is nice (the doctor) can at times be unpredictable and I'm afraid he'll make me get off the contin a very slow way but initially, he cuts the first dose in half, which is too much for me, then I think do I want to do this? It wasn't fun getting off the ultram to begin with. I know like everyone my pain rises when I am tense and I am tense.

I feel confused. I want to be comfortable and I don't think he even realizes that taking 2 ms contins and 1 15mg instant release, isn't making it.

Now I wish I went today b/c he is only there 2xs a week. I know others have pain worse than mine but this is interfering with my life.

Thanks again, you two are great and give me a lot to think about.  

[Tuckamore]

Hi Dylan,

Your thoughts and words are so familiar. I admire you for even wanting to try to deal with severe pain without narcotics. I did it for years and was close to ending it all if I had to continue to struggle through every minute in uncontrolled pain and agony. It's a tough choice. I've been there. I have absolutely no quality of life. No one should have to live like that...it's not living.

Yes you can switch form one narcotic to another without experiencing withdrawal. I do not understand your physicians refusal to prescribe meds for break through pain. My physician is very conservative with opiates. However she insisted that I try MS Contin to better manage my pain. She also RX a narcotic break through medication. That is normal practice.

Don't feel foolish have a heart to heart with your physician. Two words that physicians usually respond well to is "Help me." Ask for his expertise, his suggestions. Allow him to run the show. He may than better understand your plight.  Tell him that it is your understanding that there are other options besides MS Contin which you feel does not control your pain well. Ask him to explain his thoughts to you. Kindly tell him that if he insists you continue on MS Contin your pain is just not being well managed and you beleive that you require a medication for break through pain. Again ask for his help, his opinion. "why is the MS Contin not controlling my pain?" Tell him how you feel.

Physicians like to be and should be in charge. Allow them to do so and they are more likely to listen to you and help you. In my experience, heart to hearts can go along way in building a good patient doctor relationship.

Others will post their opinions. I wish you luck.

[sandee1818]

I suggest you talk to your doctor and explain to him just as you have here the side effects your having and also that the medicine just is not helping your pain levels and you want to know what other options you have. This way it gives the doctor the option to give you a new medication w/o it sounding like your asking for an increase in medications.
I am sorry your getting no relief and as you said it is not helping you to take a medication that's not bringing your pain level to a point where you can handle it.
Just be honest with the doctor and make sure you explain everything that's going on.
I would not advise going off the MS Contin without talking to your doctor first though.
If you are changed to a different medicine then depending on what medication it is you should be okay as far as the w/d symptoms. Going cold turkey though is not an option in my opinion.