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Hi
I have been on 20MG of percocet for over a year from returning from Iraq with neck and nerve injuries from a gun shot, im considered 80% disabled and unable to work through the VA and also retired after 25 years in. Im also working on my SS claim. While I was in my meds went from percocet to Oxycontin to finally methadone, after I noticed my teeth getting bad and feeling like a prisoner to the weekly visits to a pain clinic I decided to stop the meth and went through hell getting off of them. Soon after I became stuck to never leaving the house because of pain, friends have pretty much left my life and have been given Effexure for the depression along with Temazepam 35 MG twice a day
, the primary care guy gives me my oxycodone 10/325 and tramadole for break through pain. Im feeling that the small dose of OXY im on now is getting to the point of not really helping that much, I have had neck fusion of C,5,6,7 with numerous injections to help with the pain/weakness on rightside of doby with little to no help, while the surgery was a life saver in keeping me from killing myself with the cant live with it pain, i feel the same thing happening with the Oxy starting to not do the jub again, I try to take it for three weeks out of the month and shift to the tramadole only to keep tolerace down and it has helped. Being a vet with injuries gotten from a war time siruation its bad enough i cant even get a job because of the daily pain I go through along with depression, and stomack pain frim croghn's desease. I was out of town visiting a uncle who is going through cancer, and told me to try something else because of the hard tylenol doses im giving my liver. He let me try one of his 24 hour time releae Avinza 60 MG and
a 10MG Valium, I have to say the pain went away all the way and was able to ge a night's sleep for the first time in years.
I want to be able to ask my doc to shift to these meds without sounding like some kind of drug seeker, I never use meds in a way not given by the doc, and even call him from time to time to get permission to take more OXY from time to time. How should I go through with me asking to shift to these meds without allerting him, he has been seeing me for over a year and knows I dont abuse the meds gives, its just at the age of 42 im net ready to lie around the house all day and have zero life. I know these med changes would really hep and would like to understand on how to asjing for these changes,
I am currently taking
Effexor 37.5 MG daily
Oxycodone 10/325 x2 three times aday
Testosterone 2cc a month at 200MG per cc
Mobic 7.5 as needed
Temazepan 15MG twice a day (one at bedtime
Norotin for nerve pain
Lopressor for High Bllod pressure 50MG twice a day
Methocarbamol 750MG x2 every 8 hours
celebrex 200 MG once a day
I have to say that the two pills given by faily member gave me allot less side effects, only require dtwo pills a day, and was uneffected by the dose and was able to funtion. Was a real gift from god for that day
As stated before I have croghn's desease, cronic pain from nech injury with major nerve damage to the right side of body, I have had over 12 surgeries to try to repaire things with little help, degenerative disk desease related to numerous decompression sickness events related to special forced opps during war, both knees have had two surgeries and still give me problems, hypogonadizm, depression, anziety. imsomnia, wealness on rt side requiring assistance getting around.
please help with idea without sounding like a seeker, but I really feel this would help me with getting around day to day.
thx ky
I have been on 20MG of percocet for over a year from returning from Iraq with neck and nerve injuries from a gun shot, im considered 80% disabled and unable to work through the VA and also retired after 25 years in. Im also working on my SS claim. While I was in my meds went from percocet to Oxycontin to finally methadone, after I noticed my teeth getting bad and feeling like a prisoner to the weekly visits to a pain clinic I decided to stop the meth and went through hell getting off of them. Soon after I became stuck to never leaving the house because of pain, friends have pretty much left my life and have been given Effexure for the depression along with Temazepam 35 MG twice a day
, the primary care guy gives me my oxycodone 10/325 and tramadole for break through pain. Im feeling that the small dose of OXY im on now is getting to the point of not really helping that much, I have had neck fusion of C,5,6,7 with numerous injections to help with the pain/weakness on rightside of doby with little to no help, while the surgery was a life saver in keeping me from killing myself with the cant live with it pain, i feel the same thing happening with the Oxy starting to not do the jub again, I try to take it for three weeks out of the month and shift to the tramadole only to keep tolerace down and it has helped. Being a vet with injuries gotten from a war time siruation its bad enough i cant even get a job because of the daily pain I go through along with depression, and stomack pain frim croghn's desease. I was out of town visiting a uncle who is going through cancer, and told me to try something else because of the hard tylenol doses im giving my liver. He let me try one of his 24 hour time releae Avinza 60 MG and
a 10MG Valium, I have to say the pain went away all the way and was able to ge a night's sleep for the first time in years.
I want to be able to ask my doc to shift to these meds without sounding like some kind of drug seeker, I never use meds in a way not given by the doc, and even call him from time to time to get permission to take more OXY from time to time. How should I go through with me asking to shift to these meds without allerting him, he has been seeing me for over a year and knows I dont abuse the meds gives, its just at the age of 42 im net ready to lie around the house all day and have zero life. I know these med changes would really hep and would like to understand on how to asjing for these changes,
I am currently taking
Effexor 37.5 MG daily
Oxycodone 10/325 x2 three times aday
Testosterone 2cc a month at 200MG per cc
Mobic 7.5 as needed
Temazepan 15MG twice a day (one at bedtime
Norotin for nerve pain
Lopressor for High Bllod pressure 50MG twice a day
Methocarbamol 750MG x2 every 8 hours
celebrex 200 MG once a day
I have to say that the two pills given by faily member gave me allot less side effects, only require dtwo pills a day, and was uneffected by the dose and was able to funtion. Was a real gift from god for that day
As stated before I have croghn's desease, cronic pain from nech injury with major nerve damage to the right side of body, I have had over 12 surgeries to try to repaire things with little help, degenerative disk desease related to numerous decompression sickness events related to special forced opps during war, both knees have had two surgeries and still give me problems, hypogonadizm, depression, anziety. imsomnia, wealness on rt side requiring assistance getting around.
please help with idea without sounding like a seeker, but I really feel this would help me with getting around day to day.
thx ky
BOK
thanks for the post. Nice looking black/and golden there. I also have two blacks now after having to putt my 17 yr old golden down (worst day of my life) My situation is a little hard being a vet, they always act like there low on money (they are) and the doc are limited to a set name of drugs they can give. IE Percocet 10/325, Morphine (No ER) or the patch 25/50/100 MCG an hour is about all they have for pain (as far as strong stuff) the good news is im waiting on the 100% disabled rating that will open up free health care and all, this takes time these days with so many people coming back from Iraq in my situation. the patch as of now is doing good, I still have spells were the pain is OMFG and I have to take perc's to get through it, I had a sister that was car accident and hurt her back 15yrs ago and killed herself by taking too many perc and killed her liver, im super scared of this and I even go to the level of cold water seperation to not take a high dose. The problem with tylenol is crazy and they should not use this in pain management seeing that the max dose is 2000 MG for one time use 4000 in 24 hours. someone taking 10/650 would hit this very fast. I hope things go well for all of you in here and thx for the post.
thanks for the post. Nice looking black/and golden there. I also have two blacks now after having to putt my 17 yr old golden down (worst day of my life) My situation is a little hard being a vet, they always act like there low on money (they are) and the doc are limited to a set name of drugs they can give. IE Percocet 10/325, Morphine (No ER) or the patch 25/50/100 MCG an hour is about all they have for pain (as far as strong stuff) the good news is im waiting on the 100% disabled rating that will open up free health care and all, this takes time these days with so many people coming back from Iraq in my situation. the patch as of now is doing good, I still have spells were the pain is OMFG and I have to take perc's to get through it, I had a sister that was car accident and hurt her back 15yrs ago and killed herself by taking too many perc and killed her liver, im super scared of this and I even go to the level of cold water seperation to not take a high dose. The problem with tylenol is crazy and they should not use this in pain management seeing that the max dose is 2000 MG for one time use 4000 in 24 hours. someone taking 10/650 would hit this very fast. I hope things go well for all of you in here and thx for the post.
My problem is its the VA, and oxy without tylenol was not an option, VA doc have to give what VA supports Patch, and Morphine was my option and the patched seemed better. Has for how its going. Tons better, and allot more freedom, wearing a patch that last 3 days (he said every two day but it works for three as of now, im sure tolerance will change), seeing that I was only on a 40-60 MG of Oxy a day, going to the 50 was a little high but he actually gave me the choice and said he would lower if needed. If you get option to get patch I would say get some big fake skin patches (Big enough plastic rap thingy I got at drug store) and putt over to help hold on if you sweat, and or take shower. Only down side is I get a little sore under the patch area (like stiffness) so I shift from each shoulder to the next. 10K better than the pain so I will live with it.
Welcome,
It's too late for me to answer your original post. Many already did a great job, plus you were able to arrive at a solution with your doctor. I'm so glad you got help! I know the feeling of not wanting to ask - there are many reasons we feel awkward about it. It's a shame, but it is true. I'm just glad you've gotten on something that is long acting. I've used it and it does work. I'm on the avinza. The ups and downs for chronic or even just long term pain aren't good. When you're always trying to get on top of the pain, it makes it hard to control.
I wanted to second the advice concerning meds for breakthrough pain. See if your doctor would prescribe a narcotic without any other ingredient. Oxycodone comes that way. That way you can take any NSAID or Tylenol as needed separately. Hopefully you won't need anything for breakthrough, but there often is a need.
I also thank you for your service. You've had a high price to pay for your patriotism.
Blessings, Jan
It's too late for me to answer your original post. Many already did a great job, plus you were able to arrive at a solution with your doctor. I'm so glad you got help! I know the feeling of not wanting to ask - there are many reasons we feel awkward about it. It's a shame, but it is true. I'm just glad you've gotten on something that is long acting. I've used it and it does work. I'm on the avinza. The ups and downs for chronic or even just long term pain aren't good. When you're always trying to get on top of the pain, it makes it hard to control.
I wanted to second the advice concerning meds for breakthrough pain. See if your doctor would prescribe a narcotic without any other ingredient. Oxycodone comes that way. That way you can take any NSAID or Tylenol as needed separately. Hopefully you won't need anything for breakthrough, but there often is a need.
I also thank you for your service. You've had a high price to pay for your patriotism.
Blessings, Jan
ps make sure your percocet is 325mg of tylenol not 500 so it wont afffect the liver i asked my dr about that recently he knows thats why im on Perc 10mg 1 1/2 4 x ady and you could ask for opana i take 10 mg Opana instead of percocet i
I got switched to OPana for breaktrhtough pain along wiht time release avenxa 90 mg i started at 60 and moved to 90 the next mo.
I got switched to OPana for breaktrhtough pain along wiht time release avenxa 90 mg i started at 60 and moved to 90 the next mo.
i had scoliosis surgery 30 yrs ago and now have flatback deformity and need a partial resegmenting of the spine im in intracgable pain since 07 and have stepped from vicodin to full on fentanyl patches that made me sick after a mo . There is a lawsuit against analgesic fentanyl patches so be careful
Im now on avenza 90mg 1 x dy plus opana 10mg 4 day soma 4 a day and valium 1 ady at nite, im used and changed many meds my system is senstitive what ive learned is that no matter what opiate your on you eventual get used to it and i wont go any stronger than now. Havent used oxycontin
I know for me pain is inevitable due to my deformity and its progressive the revision surgery will help but wont stop pain totally so i dont know if i can do another surgery
i havent done methodone or anythign i have had 13 epidruals in 2 yrs for pain and an RF which has worn off , just finsihed facet blocks that didnt help so im on std from work agian , like in 2007 and if i had one wish it would be no more pain, it disrups living period.
wish you well be careful of the patches
Im now on avenza 90mg 1 x dy plus opana 10mg 4 day soma 4 a day and valium 1 ady at nite, im used and changed many meds my system is senstitive what ive learned is that no matter what opiate your on you eventual get used to it and i wont go any stronger than now. Havent used oxycontin
I know for me pain is inevitable due to my deformity and its progressive the revision surgery will help but wont stop pain totally so i dont know if i can do another surgery
i havent done methodone or anythign i have had 13 epidruals in 2 yrs for pain and an RF which has worn off , just finsihed facet blocks that didnt help so im on std from work agian , like in 2007 and if i had one wish it would be no more pain, it disrups living period.
wish you well be careful of the patches
I'm pleased that the patch is working out for you and you are finally getting some good pain relief. My Doc just put me on the 25mcg but I've been reluctant to start it so just know you've encouraged me to start using it.
I know exactly what you mean about asking for stronger meds, I have experienced both support and understanding, and also judgement and 'the looks' form my Dr and I've been a patient with him for many years.
I do think though that when you build a relationship with your Dr it becomes easier to ask for or explain how much you are hurting. They begin to trust us more as we also in turn trust them. I normally approach it like this.
"I'm in a chronic pain support group, and many people suggested I try the Fentanyl patch". "What are your thoughts on that"? It usually brings around a positive response and the Dr will tell you what he thinks and if he or she thinks it would be a good choice for you.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
P.S. I'm sure you already know this....... Using other peoples medication is against the law, I say this because I gave a fellow Manager at work one of my pain pills because he asked for it, and it came close to almost costing the both of us our jobs!!
Just be VERY careful. Feel free to PM me any time.
All the best.
Brian.
I know exactly what you mean about asking for stronger meds, I have experienced both support and understanding, and also judgement and 'the looks' form my Dr and I've been a patient with him for many years.
I do think though that when you build a relationship with your Dr it becomes easier to ask for or explain how much you are hurting. They begin to trust us more as we also in turn trust them. I normally approach it like this.
"I'm in a chronic pain support group, and many people suggested I try the Fentanyl patch". "What are your thoughts on that"? It usually brings around a positive response and the Dr will tell you what he thinks and if he or she thinks it would be a good choice for you.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
P.S. I'm sure you already know this....... Using other peoples medication is against the law, I say this because I gave a fellow Manager at work one of my pain pills because he asked for it, and it came close to almost costing the both of us our jobs!!
Just be VERY careful. Feel free to PM me any time.
All the best.
Brian.
I'm really happy for you Kydiver. I hope the patches continue to give you relief. I want to tell you something and I only say this because you seemed so reluctant to ask for a stronger prescription in the first place. Tell you doctor if you have any changes or problems or don't think the patches are working anymore. There is nothing to be afraid of and by telling your doctors exactely what you are feeling they can help you better. The patches work great for a lot of people so you should feel real positive about this.
Somtimes a medication stops working because we build up a tolerance or somtimes a medication works great for a month or two but then you start to feel sick from it, whatever the case may be, try to be aware of what you are feeling and keep track so you can let your doctor know.
Sorry to sound preachy I just admire what you do and who you are and I want you to live the best possible life now that you are home, pain free, as well as guilt free. Best Of Luck Kydiver, keep in touch.
Babs
Somtimes a medication stops working because we build up a tolerance or somtimes a medication works great for a month or two but then you start to feel sick from it, whatever the case may be, try to be aware of what you are feeling and keep track so you can let your doctor know.
Sorry to sound preachy I just admire what you do and who you are and I want you to live the best possible life now that you are home, pain free, as well as guilt free. Best Of Luck Kydiver, keep in touch.
Babs
Thank you for the update. So many ppl do not return to let us know how they are doing or the conclusion to their particular situation. So again thank you.
I am so glad to hear that the fentanyl is working for you. It will deliver a continuous supply of pain medication for 48 to 72 hours. No more peaks and valleys. We have a number of members that use fentanyl for pain control with great results. If you have any questions regarding the medication please let us know.
And please be an active member of our community. I will look forward to your updates. And as always, Take Care, Tuck
I am so glad to hear that the fentanyl is working for you. It will deliver a continuous supply of pain medication for 48 to 72 hours. No more peaks and valleys. We have a number of members that use fentanyl for pain control with great results. If you have any questions regarding the medication please let us know.
And please be an active member of our community. I will look forward to your updates. And as always, Take Care, Tuck
I dont know why I did not want to ask for something stronger, I had a friend that had problems after getting hurt in the war, but at the same time I have not been able to sleep in weeks from the pain. Called him yesterday and he putt me on something called 50 mcg/hr fentanyl patches and it was like a light switch with the pain, thx for the help and im glad I finally got something that seems to work, the up/down of perc was driving me crazy.
Hey Kydiver, how ya doing? Thank you for protecting me, I appricate you!!! okay now on to your question. First off let me say that in my experience everytime I have changed meds the first doseage always feels the best. I guess it is that way with illegal drugs as well I've head the saying :" always chasing that high" I don't mean to associate the pain medication we take with illegal drugs and I'm sorry if it came off wrong I just wanted to let you know that while the pills you took from your uncle might have made you feel good that one time, it doesn;'t mean they always will and you really really need to be honest with your doctors. They know you and as you've said, you have been seeing them for a long time and are always honest. Doctors know we are human and they know we make mistakes and sometimes we do whatever we can to make the pain go away even if that means taking an extra pill now and again but a doctor will respect your honesty!
It will also help to aid the doctor in adjusting your meds. It is possible that what your uncle gave you is contra-indicated with other meds you are on. That is just one of the reasons you should never take someone elses medication even when it is with the best of intentions. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I am confident that the doctors wont look at you like a drug seeker and YOU know
you are not a drug seeker. Why should you not be able to get the best possible treatment available. Don't you think you deserve it? Do you feel guilty somehow? Do you think you don't deserve to live a pain free life? Listen, you deserve to feel the best that you can and that does not make you a drug seeker, it makes you a survivor! God Bless!
It will also help to aid the doctor in adjusting your meds. It is possible that what your uncle gave you is contra-indicated with other meds you are on. That is just one of the reasons you should never take someone elses medication even when it is with the best of intentions. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I am confident that the doctors wont look at you like a drug seeker and YOU know
you are not a drug seeker. Why should you not be able to get the best possible treatment available. Don't you think you deserve it? Do you feel guilty somehow? Do you think you don't deserve to live a pain free life? Listen, you deserve to feel the best that you can and that does not make you a drug seeker, it makes you a survivor! God Bless!
Sorry I am late with my response. I don't know how I missed your post so I apologize.
Let me too offer my sincere thanks for defending our great country and it's freedoms. I agree that we do not do enough to honor and care for our vets. I was married to a vet and I have some understanding of the military life and what our solders must endure.
I won't repeat what has been said regrading taking meds that were not prescribed for you. I think you get it.
I never suggest that you ask for a specific medication. Just explain to your physician what the pain has done and is doing to your life. Ask him for a recommendation and try it. My physican went through trial and error with me to find an effective narcotic. That's how most good physicians operate. MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release ) is usually a starting point and that is the generic name for Avinza. Your PCP should do the same for you.
I am hopeful that you will keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. We all know how chronic pain can disrupt our lives. Please take care and we will look forward to your updates.
Peace,
Tuck
Let me too offer my sincere thanks for defending our great country and it's freedoms. I agree that we do not do enough to honor and care for our vets. I was married to a vet and I have some understanding of the military life and what our solders must endure.
I won't repeat what has been said regrading taking meds that were not prescribed for you. I think you get it.
I never suggest that you ask for a specific medication. Just explain to your physician what the pain has done and is doing to your life. Ask him for a recommendation and try it. My physican went through trial and error with me to find an effective narcotic. That's how most good physicians operate. MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release ) is usually a starting point and that is the generic name for Avinza. Your PCP should do the same for you.
I am hopeful that you will keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. We all know how chronic pain can disrupt our lives. Please take care and we will look forward to your updates.
Peace,
Tuck
I know it seems like a strange question but for those in the situation of asking a doc to increase there dose or go to stronger med, the OMG stare I get from some docs is crazy.
I agree all the way I should have not tried the other meds, stupid move on my part for sure. But now that its done, is three a doc out there that would know the bestcway in asking a doc to change for a stronger med, or better yet the one I tried? It really helped and the idea of just taking two pills a day is far more better IMO.
First of all I would like to say THANK YOU for your service. It is because of people like you that the rest of us get to enjoy the wonderful country we live in. We owe you a debt that can never be repaid.
Most of us here are suffering some kind of chronic pain...some worse than others. I truly am sorry to hear of your situation...it makes me sad that I am unable to offer anything other than words of encouragement as I am not a doctor.
The truth is....the longer a person is on opiates their body will develop a tollerance and the doseage will need to be increased. If your pain gets too bad there are things called duragesic patches of either morpheine of fentanyl. Fentanyl is approx. 30 times stronger than morphine and is as close to actual heroin as you can get but it does work.
As with any opiate....you will eventually develop a tollerance to the fentanyl and will have to increase your doseage...we are all in the same boat.
Most of us here are suffering some kind of chronic pain...some worse than others. I truly am sorry to hear of your situation...it makes me sad that I am unable to offer anything other than words of encouragement as I am not a doctor.
The truth is....the longer a person is on opiates their body will develop a tollerance and the doseage will need to be increased. If your pain gets too bad there are things called duragesic patches of either morpheine of fentanyl. Fentanyl is approx. 30 times stronger than morphine and is as close to actual heroin as you can get but it does work.
As with any opiate....you will eventually develop a tollerance to the fentanyl and will have to increase your doseage...we are all in the same boat.
First of all let me say thank you for all that you did in supporting us and America by going to Iraq.
In my opinion we do NOT take care of our soldiers like we should!
That being said I also want to warn you about taking other peoples medications. it is very dangerous and I would really hate something bad to happen to you.
You need to talk to your doctor and tell him that the medication regime your on just is not working and you need something stronger because you just really have no quality of life with the way things are now. Tell him the pain has literally taken over your life and you want to be able to get out and do things again and have a life.
You are taking too much Tylenol and this is something you should also address with your doctor. I believe you would benefit from a extended release medication and have a break thru med if needed.
You just need to tell your doctor everything thats going on with your pain and also your life and how it has went down hill since your pain is not being controlled.
I really am sorry your in so much pain and hope you can get your doctor to help you:)
In my opinion we do NOT take care of our soldiers like we should!
That being said I also want to warn you about taking other peoples medications. it is very dangerous and I would really hate something bad to happen to you.
You need to talk to your doctor and tell him that the medication regime your on just is not working and you need something stronger because you just really have no quality of life with the way things are now. Tell him the pain has literally taken over your life and you want to be able to get out and do things again and have a life.
You are taking too much Tylenol and this is something you should also address with your doctor. I believe you would benefit from a extended release medication and have a break thru med if needed.
You just need to tell your doctor everything thats going on with your pain and also your life and how it has went down hill since your pain is not being controlled.
I really am sorry your in so much pain and hope you can get your doctor to help you:)
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