long acting opiate question-in particular, opana er

[TwinsMommma]

my dr just put me on opana ER 10mg 2x day and 2 lortab day for breakthru...before that was prescribed and taking 4 norco 10/325 daily and was not controlling the pain...i've been in this constant flar-up phase few weeks...
i've only been on opana er for 2 days so i know it takes around 5 days to kick in and dr says this mg is a starting point for me and will move up some accordingly...i'm glad and surprised that my pain has subsided some...i assume more relief will come over the next few days...WHAT I'M WONDERING IS....has anyone gotten headaches and felt drowsy on opana er? does this possible side effect go away as your body adjusts like most side effects...OR...is this known to continue w/ opana use? also...if you do end up going up on dosage does that start the side effects all over again or once you go thru intial adjustment u could be home free?
fyi--i've been on lortab, vicoden, norco and percocet in the past (at seperate times) and lortab-no drowsy or headache
vicoden-drowsy
norco-indifferent...but less side effects than lortab
percocet-indifferent
which by the way is why i have lortab as breakthru...
do i assume that like my experience w/ the short acting meds above it's trial and error?
this last question is a little pre-mature but just curious...IF the opana continued to make me drowsy (MY LEAST FAVORITE SIDE EFFECT B/C I'M CHASING 2 YR OLD TWINS AROUND) ...do i still wait it out? and for how long? if not...should i try a different long acting before getting to into the opana ...heard u tolerate quick...which wouldn't matter if the plan is to continue... but...i think u get what i'm asking...gotta sum it up eventually, right lol.

so lemme recap questions...so i can help u help me...

        - has anyone gotten headaches and felt drowsy on opana er?
        -  does this possible side effect go away as your body adjusts like most side effects...OR..
         -is this known to continue w/ opana use?
          -if you do end up going up on dosage....does that start the side effects all over again or once you go thru      intial adjustment u could be home free?  
          -do i assume, that like my experience w/ the short acting meds listed above, it's trial and error?
           -IF the opana continued to make me drowsy, do i still wait it out? and for how long?
if not...should i try a different long acting med before body gets more adjusted?

thanks in advance!

[Tuckamore]

It is not unusual for our systems can take time to adjust to new medications, especially opiates. When I first began taking Vicodin I could always count on a headache about two hours after I took it and in three hours I would be a bit sleepy. This took several weeks before it subsided though there are still times that it occurs. These are fairly common or normal effects of any opiate.

Opana is (generic name oxymorphone) is similar and closely related to Dilaudid (hydromorphone). However Opana is a bit less potent than Dilaudid. It is not unusual for any opiate to cause a bit of drowsiness until your systems adjusts. This should subside with continued use.

You may not have to increase the dose any time soon if your current dose is effective in controlling your pain. When you require an increase you may notice some of the side effects that you are experiencing now...or you may not. Our systems are all different. When I had a dose increase of my pain medication the headache did not return although the drowsiness did for a short time. Again I think these are normal effects of opiate usage.

I would think that in two weeks you will know how well you can tolerate the Opana. But by all means discuss your concerns with your prescribing physician. Another, often over looked source is our pharmacists. They are the real experts in medications and drug reactions and interactions.

Please let us know how you are doing.

~Tuck

[sandee1818]

Hi,
    As you know it is trial and error when trying to find the right medication. You will experience some drowsiness as with most pain medications but it is likely that when you become accustomed to the medication it will subside. I have not tried this medication but this is true with any medication your body has to get used to it.
If your dosage is increased then no you will not experience the same effects your having now. I would wait and see how you do on this medication before trying a different one. Every medication you try, you will have to give yourself time to see how your body reacts and if that particular medicine is for you.
Give it a month and see how your doing then when it is time to see your doctor again talk to him/her about any side effects your still having and if they are still worrisome ask what other options are availble to you.