New Oxycontin OP- not working

[Keri11]

Hello All,
     I haven't been on this site for about a year now and I apologize. Many personal issues going on and I'll be sure to send a pm to my friends asap.

Anyway, obviously I have a chronic pain condition that requires me to take medication. I was on a short acting med for as long as it worked because I do not want to be on anything too strong if need not be. My doctor has been wanting to add something long acting for quite some time now, and I agree it makes since since the pain is always there. After trying a few medications and having AWFUL side effects I agreed to go add a low dose of oxycontin to my short acting med. I have been prescribed oxycontin after every major operation I've had in the last decade (each surgery requires me to have bone drilled from my skull- very painful) and it has always worked without any side effects. I've only ever been on it for 1-2 months post-op, then go to short acting med if needed.
     Well, it's been almost a month on the newly formulated oxycontin and it doesn't work, it just causes bad side effects! There have been a few days where I vomited, and many where I have had an upset stomach and cramping. After doing some research, I have come to find out I'm not the only one with these exact side effects. I completely understand their goal in trying to make it tamper proof, but something in the formula is not right! I have always taken it as prescribed and it worked well to just take the pain away so that I could function. I never understood what all the hoopla was about that medicine anyway (but again, I take it as prescribed). I does very little, if anything at all for pain now. Something in the formula seems to inhibit its ability to breakdown in your body and release the pain relieving properties. In the attempt to make it tamper proof, they have also made it ineffective it seems! I will be discussing these extremely unpleasant side effects with my dr. this week and will see if there is something else that I could take that is a low dose of something long acting- without making my stomach hurt all the time and that actually helps with the pain.
     I just wanted to post my thoughts to this website because I find it to be credible and the people to be kind. I came across many disturbing websites while researching this topic. Has anyone else had this or any other experience with the newly formulated oxycontin op? If so, did you switch medications? Are there any medications that provide similar pain relief with little side effects? Thanks to anyone for your input. Hope you are all doing well! :)

[Keri11]

Thanks, Jan,
     Unfortunately, I already tried a very low dose patch and had a horrible reaction! It caused a lot of anxiety and I could not sleep. After 3 days, I took it off and would never put myself through that again :( If it works for you, I'm so glad you found something. It's strange how everyone's chemistry is different :)
     I see my doctor this week and have kept a pain diary. Hopefully we can find something that doesn't cause negative side effects. I have better luck with the short acting medications so far. Someday we will get this right! I know you all understand the struggle.... Have a great weekend! :)
    
    

[Crazyjan]

You might want try a low dose fental patch. It goes directly into your blood stream instead thru your digestive system.  You leave it on for 72 hours so it gives you constent meds.
Hope this helps
Jan

[Keri11]

Thanks, Sarsi. I'm glad you have found something that provides relief.

I was actually referring to the new formula of Oxycontin. Apparently, it has been changed since I've had to take it post-op after every major operation in the last decade. I've only ever been on it for a short period of time but it has always worked well to control pain and enable me to function. My pm dr. wants to add something long acting and I agree we need to, I just don't want to be on anything too strong. After several failed attempts at other medications (side effects), we decided to try Oxycontin since that has always worked in the past without any negative side effects. For some reason I don't tolerate the new formulation well. It makes me nauseous, causes cramping, etc... I understand they had to make it tamper proof, but the whatever chemicals they put in the new formula must make it hard to break down in the body because it's doing VERY little for the pain. I'm talking to my dr. this week. Hopefully there is something else out there that I tolerate better.

I just wondered if there was anyone out there who had similar experiences and if they were switched to something that was effective without the unpleasant side effects. It's a shame because the old formula was very effective. This trial and error thing is no fun! :)

Thanks for your reply, and to anyone else out there :)

[Sarsi]

Hi

I have taken the slow release oxycontin before - but only for a short time......but I also found it wasnt very helpful......but I didnt get any side-effects thankfully......

I take a long acting tramadol daily now which creates a steady level of relief for me.....but I also need to take other meds with this as it's not strong enough just by itself except on the very mild days.....

I hope you get some relief soon.....its not right to live in constant pain...xx