I had a great Doctors appointment today:)

[sandee1818]

I know alot of members have been having a really hard  time finding oxycodone in stock or at a reasonable price, I too have had this problem. I refuse to pay the outragous prices that are being charged and most will not accept insurance so I went in to my appointment today dreading it as I had already decided I was not going to get my normal prescriptions the prices are too expensive.  I was very worried that the choice my Doctor and I chose would not work and I was upset. I have been on the same medications for many years so I was so concerned that I would not find an alternitive and would be in pain until the shortage or price gouging was over. My wonderful Doctor was very nice and explained all the options and so we finally decided to try the hydromorphone 8mg every 3 hours.  I took my first dose when I got home as I do not drive when taking new medicines and about 20 minutes later I am pain free! For the first time in problaly 10 years I am pain free. I have always just stayed with the same medications.  

[optimus22mac]

I have been taking dilaudid and hydromorph contin for over a year, and it just works so much better than all of the others.  It is pretty high on the "big dog" scale...haha---it is thought of as stronger that oxycodone and others.  I never felt the euphoric or "high" feeling from it--never.  I always did feel some sort of euphoric feeling when I first started taking narcotics...or when my doses were increased...and because this is supposed to be the next step up from oxycodone (or one option), I expected to feel some type of weird side effect like that...and I did not.  That's why I always describe my pain relief as "subtle".  I think that some people who have tried it do not think it works because they are expecting some type of euphoric feeling upon starting it, and maybe when they don't get any, they give up on it? I also believe that you have to have it build up in your system a little bit...at least with the ER form...to have it really be effective.  

Mollyrae--I had tried fentanyl...when I first realized that the oxycodone was not working as well.  I was SO INCREDIBLY TIRED.  I stayed with it for over a month...and I could never keep my eyes open!  I really think there is no harm in trying the hydromorphone...it is a strong effective medication that allows you to function at a very normal level.  

Sandee I am so happy you are having success! I was as happy as you are now, when I switched...I think I actually posted when I switched last year...if you are interested, look at my posts--I just checked...July 2, 2009:)
Mollyrae...take a look at my posts about dilaudid also from last year, maybe it might give you more insight about the side effects:)

If anyone has any more questions and/or concerns about any of this, I'd love to help in any way I can:)

[sandee1818]

I hope it works for you:)

[Mollyrae]

Thanks fo rall the information in both posts. I really appreciate it.

I think I have made my mind up to at least try it and have a Pain Specialist involved along with my PCP who does my prescribing.

Kudo's
Molly

[sandee1818]

I also wanted to add that I slept great too. I had not been sleeping well at all and had decided to ask my doctor about giving me something for that but now I don't need it. It is my miracle medicine:)

[sandee1818]

Mollyrae,
I have really been so surprised at how normal I feel and with no pain. I do not feel tired as I was with the oxycodone and I get no euphoric feeling at all. I just feel like me with no pain if that makes any sense.I came home and took a half last night and that is 4mg and as I said the pain was gone and I wasn't tired just pain free. Today I tried the whole tablet after lunch to see if taking the whole tablet as prescribed would last longer and it worked great. I took it at around 2 and have not had to take another one! My Doctor prescribed them every three hours but thank goodness I do not need that much. It seems like when I took the whole 8mg tablet it lasted longer. The pain relief was the same I am doing really great.
I would definitely speak to your Doctor about it.I had no w/d symptoms either. I was taking 5 30mg oxycodone and 2 40mg oxycontin daily. I have been taking oxycontin since 1991 when it came out and only raised my dose twice from 20mg 2 a day to three a day and then to 40mg twice daily. I only added the oxycodone last year. It had just stopped working for me I realize now. Of course I did not realize this until taking the new medicine!
I was like wow I wished I had done this long ago.
I have no side effects , no nausea or euphoric feelings and no heartburn I was getting with the oxycodone.
I have not taken the Oxycontin and do not plan to unless I need it later for now I am set:)
I hope this helps Mollyrae.
I really appreciate all the support and kind comments everyone:)

[Mollyrae]

Cont......Or anyone else that has knowledge of Hydromorphone and it's effect would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Molly