Short Acting or Long Acting Med question?

[Sunflower1975]

I was wondering which do you think I am better off to be on short acting med or long acting med? Because when I take short acting percocet which is 10/650 and I am only allowed to take 2 times a day. But when after I take one, I would say within 3 hours then pain comes back slowly then in real pain and I'd have to wait until its other time to take 2nd pill of percocet. I'm just sick of it. So what do I say or bring this issue up to my primary doctor when I see him on Nov. 25th? I don't want to sound like I'm a "drug seeker" or something. I just want my pain managable if you know what I mean? Any advice? What long acting medicine it would benefit me? Oxycontin will be out of question because other day I went to ER, I was given only 2 pills of oxycontin (generic brand), insurance won't cover it. I'm on medicaid. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Sunflower1975]

Anyone? :o) Regarding rotating medications... Thanks.

[Sunflower1975]

Also, I have a question. Maybe some of you may notice it.... my doctor has been switching "rotating" Percocet to Norco, then Norco to Percocet.... Is it good idea for doctor to do that? I wonder why does he do that? Both medicine works fine for me except for Norco that has lower apap. Before, it was just 2 times a day, but now its 3 times a day so my pain is tolerable as of right now. So I don't know. Any ideas, whatever? I'd appreciate your feedbacks regarding switching pain meds (like rotating)?

[Sunflower1975]

I did what you all suggested. I saw my doctor today. I told my doctor that my pain relief is not adequate and that my pain relief doesn't last all day. Doctor upped (increased) dosages to take pain medicine 3 times a day instead of two times a day. He says he want to hold (for later) for long acting pain medications until I go through with injections and PT first.

[Mollyrae]

Hello Sunshine:

I would tell your Doc that your pain relief is not adequate. The first step though is to find out what your insurance covers and what it doesn't. Like Tuck said, Don't ask for a certian kind of drug, let the Doc make that choice. Your job is to tell him that your pain relief does not last all day. He just might add a pill to your day. Take care and good luck, Mollyrae

[jbssquared]

I could not have said it better than Tuckmore.  If you follow her advice your problem should resolve itself.  Pain is much harder to relieve and almost impossible to control if you wait until it is bad to take meds.  Morphine and Methodone are both inexpensive drugs and would probably be paid for by your medicaide.  They are also stronger than Pecoset.  Lay it out for your doctor and concentrate on letting him know how bad you hurt so your need is apparent.  I'll pray for you and have a good Thanksgiving.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Sunflower,

I amn sorry that your pain is so obviously not being controlled. You may not require a longer acting medication, simple more of your current percocet. By the time you are able to take the second pain pill for the day your pain is out of control and a vicious cycle continues. One should not have to wait until their pain so severe to tak a pain reliever. You need even control. It take more pain medication to ease your pain when it is high and there are not as effective when you have to go through the peaks and valleys. So possibly if you had double the number of percocet you could take it four times a day. You may not require a long acting medication at this time.

I take pain meds four times a day. If I miss a dose my pain greatly increases and it takes longer to get it under control. So when it is time for a dose and my pain level is a 5 I do not wait for it to become a 6.  I take my pain med. When I have waited it quickly escalates to a 8, 9 or more and than it will not calm down to a 4 or 5 until the second dose. I have done this multiple times with the same result. I am foolish sometimes but no longer stupid.

I would simply discuss your pain level and issues with your physician. I would not "ask" for a certain drug or even more percocet. I will tell him the situation and ask him what can be done. Often physicians will be the one to say you need more meds, either in number or strength if it is their idea. Patients who go in demanding a certain drug in certain amounts are often viewed as the drug seekers. patients who expalin their situation and aske for help will usually get further.

Other's will post with their opinions shortly. Good luck to you. Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. I will be looking for your updates.
Peace, Tuck