pain meds

[helpforhubs]

Is there any other pain med stronger or more effective than oxycontin?  I fell my husband, who lives in chronic pain due go 2 cervical spine fusions, is building up a resistance.  Please help!

[trixy71]

I'm sorry your going through this with your husband. Maybe the addiction forum will have some idea's to help you. One thing that may help is maybe go to his next doctors appointment with him and talk to the doctor yourself. Its possible that your husband has developed a major tolerance so that he needs so many to get relief and yes he may also just like them too much. Just trying to give him and you the benefit of the doubt. But you can speak to his doctor and tell him that maybe its time to switch to a long acting medication or something. I wish you the best of luck. And hang in there!

[Zombiefied]

I am completely new to this website... Not sure where I should even start... Here because my husband is on oxycodone 15mg.. He takes about 4-5 at a time and up to 13ish a day.. Now to me that is INSANE! Enough to kill an elephant I always say.. Just wondering if anyone else in chronic pain is taking medicine like this? I saw the woman who started this post was searching for something stronger for her husband, well I'd like to shove some tylenol down my husbands and tell him to LAY OFF the script!! He did have a leg injury at work a couple years ago where his lower leg was crushed by several thousand pnds.. I would just love to know how ppl cope with a spouse like this? I felt sorry for him the first couple years but at this point I believe he is just an addict.. If there is a better place for me to post, someone pls do tell me where!!

[shinty]

Yes there are drugs stronger than oxycodone. He has most likely built up a tolerance to his medication. The dosage can be changed, a different medication altogether can be used, or a combination of medications can be tried. I have been on narcotic therapy for over 15 years and have been on almost every opiate available in this country. I have a great pain specialist that "rotates" my opiates as needed. It simply means that rather than just continue to raise the dosages of the opiates currently prescribed, he changes the opiates altogether when it's warranted. I think it's important to be on the lowest dosage simply because of the problems that would ensue if my pain increased for some reason, or i needed pain control after a surgery, etc. It would be very hard to gain pain control if I were already on very high dosages pf any opiates. Talk with the doctor about this. If the doctor isn't comfortable or knowledgeable regarding chronic pain, then ask to be referred to a pain specialist. Good luck,
            shinty

[kumquatmay]

Consider joining the American Chronic Pain Associations and making use of their CDs that provide guided imagery relaxation techniques that reduce the amount of prescript-meds necessary to reduce pain.

[Ellen038]

What works well for one person may not work as well for another. This is something that should be discussed with his doctor. They may increase his dosage or change the med completely. What meds has he tried? How long has he been on the oxi? Has he ever tried Fentanyl patches? Is he allergic to any meds?  It's best to let his doctor decide what he should try. Demanding a change might not be in his best interest. I hope he gets some relief soon!

[omhome]

we can help you with a little more info. How much is he taking a day and are you sure it is the time release and not the quicker acting oxycodone. Does he take lyrica which can help with building up tolerance. Let us know H---i am sure you will get an answer from someone knowledgable in this group!   omhome