MsContin

[skmedlin27703]

Is it common or heard of to be prescribed MsContin 3 times a day instead of twice? I am currently prescribed 60mg every 12 hours but it seems to wear off about every 6 hours.  I planned to ask the doctor if I can be changed to three times a day even though it should last 12 hours.... Its not working for the 12 hours for me... am I alone?

[BP88]

Sorry for posting way late.

No, my doctor doesn't want to prescribe me anything for BT pain because he says I'm too young to be on a bunch of pain meds.  They'll prescribe me bogus anti-depressants and Xanax, though; go figure.  I quit Xanax and Effexor XR cold turkey recently.  Not nearly as bad as opiate withdrawals but it's still not fun.

[skmedlin27703]

Do you take anything for BT pain?  I take the 60mg MsContin... now three times day instead of twice... so that's 180mg a day instead of 120mg.  I hope it works better taking it every 8hrs instead of every 12hrs.  

[skmedlin27703]

I just heard back from the nurse.  I can take my MsContin every 8hrs.  They are going to have an additional rx for me tomorrow for the extra tablets I will need.  I am so happy.  It was working for me only wearing off before the next dose.  I hope every 8hrs will do the trick! Thanks for your support everyone!

[mellie4]

I'm changing over to oxycontin and my nurse decided to do 40 mg. 3 times a day rather than a larger dose twice a day.  She thinks it wouldn't quite make it the 8 hours and her feeling is that by giving a larger dose twice a day wouldn't remedy that.  You'd have stronger pain meds but still for the same number of hours it works ... you'd still be falling short.  I don't know how this will work for me.  I'm waiting for the oxycontin to be delivered.  Today at some point will be my first dose.  I'm hoping it will give me better pain control.  I have a lot of options for the breakthrough pain, which is good.  And we are going to reevaluate all of this next week.

[BP88]

I take MS Contin.  30mg three times a day. (every 8 hrs)

[Brenndy]

Best to not "tell" the/any doctor how to medicate.  State the facts; the pain medication is not providing me relief for the entire ___(# hrs), which are instructed.  Is there anything further that can be done to help me in this regard?
Consider carefully your options in response to his/her reply.  IF offered t you, give long consideration to taking 180 mg. of MSContin daily.  That dosage is exorbitant.

[designgyrl]

It sounds as though your body has become adjusted to the dose. I hope they are able to adjust it to what you feel is necessary to control your pain.

[namnam46]

Did the MsContin work for you at the start? If so maybe the answer will be to up that dose.

Or maybe you could change the BT meds. How long have you been off of the Patch? Is it long enough that possibly the Fentanyl meds would work for you again? I was thinking maybe the Fentanyl Actiq (Lollipop) would work for the BT meds.  Also, when you have gone through all of the different dosages fo the MsContin it might be possible to try the Patch again and it might work at a lower level for you.

I'm just trying to help, I hope that this didn't sound too off the wall to you.  :)...Sherry

[skmedlin27703]

Email to nurse...
Please let me know what you think???
Any suggestions???


Please let Dr. XXX know that the MsContin seems to wear off after about 6-7hrs.  It does not last the entire 12hrs between doses.  I experience horrible pain during the last 5-6hrs prior to taking the next tablet.  I feel that it would manage my pain effectively if it lasted the entire 12hrs. I have read a lot about the medication online and this seems to be common problem with the controlled release tablets for many chronic pain patients when using this medication. I found in the patient information for the medication that it does not release morphine continuously over the course of a dosing interval; which explains why I am experiencing no relief in the last 6hrs or so of the dose.  Is it possible to take it every 6 or 8hrs rather than every 12hrs?  

[skmedlin27703]

I was on the 100mcg Fentanyl patch that I changed every 48hrs for about 5 years and it didn't work anymore so the doctor changed me to MsContin. The MsContin comes in 15mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg and 200mg controlled release tablets.  He prescribed me one 60mg tablet twice a day which is every 12 hours. I am on the max dose of Oxycodone for BT that he is going to give me (or so he has made rather clear) which is two 15mg tablets three times a day. So, that's where I am now....

[namnam46]

I'm so sorry that the MSContin isn't working the length of time that it's supposed to!!

I don't take the MSContin, I use the Fentanyl Patch 50 mcg and I have the same problem. It doesn't last the 72 hours so I have a script for every 48 hours instead. Since the meds are different I don't know if they will prescribe it more often or not. You'll just need to ask your Dr.   I don't know about this med as I said, what strengths does it come in? Is it possible to go to a stronger strength? If not can you switch to a different ER med? Or can you strengthen your BT meds. I know that's what I did instead of going up on the patch I changed my BT meds to compensate for the BT pain. Just a thought.  :)

I hope you get some answers quickly so you can get this under control again...Sherry