Im currently taking oxycontin 80mg to alleviate my back pain from 3 severely slipped discs. Ive had them for a week and theyre not working good enough. Ive went back to the doctor and he said they were the strongest medication available as a prescription for my condition.

Would going to a different doctor work or is he telling the truth?

The pain gets to the point where i pass out and its CONSTANTLY there. alcohol somewhat alleviates it but only after im proper floored. Marijuana helps too but its too expensive to use as 24/7 pain management.

Out of desperation ive even tried chewing the oxycontins and even then it didnt do enough good.

Will i have to resort to iv heroin use? ill have to do something if this keeps up, my family is a wreck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif
i dont want to become an addict especially to a dangerous and illegial substance.

The only relief I get is when I have to go to the emergency room for a morphine IV.

Don't mean to sound uncaring but if your taking that much oxycotin, drinking alcohol till your floored, smoking funny cigarettes and considered shooting medication in your veins, then you definitely have a substance abuse problem and no doctor will give you stronger medication...Sorry but that's the way I see it and if this post is your idea of a warped sense of humor, then thank goodness you really aren't as bad off as you sound...Tell me why the pain doesn't go away when you pass out? Mine would!!!!

[This message has been edited by scissorhands (edited 07-12-2003).]

No offense, but Marijuana *IS* an illegal substance, and the oxycontin *IS* a very strong pain med...That is also a very strong dose for someone who hasn't been on OxyC for very long.. Perhaps, he should try a different med...Such as the patch, or even as a last resort, a pain pump implant... I don't know much about your situation, and docs are really picky on who is a candidate for certain things, but maybe you should ask your doctor for a DIFFERENT kind of pain relief...Some people don't have the receptors to certain pain meds, and so in that sense, they don't get any relief from them. You really should not chew the pills...I really am quite afraid for you... I know your pain has to be legitimate from these severely slipped disks, but what did you do BEFORE this?? Marijuana, alcohol, chewing pills, shooting heroin, and other such methods, are not going to look kindly on you.. In fact, you will sound to most people like "a drug seeker". I don't mean to be rude, or uncaring, or any of that, but you REALLY shouldn't resort to any of these methods. Talk to your doc about this. Tell him the oxyc doesn't work, and maybe you should be put on something else, even if less strong it still could work wonders.. Hope the advice helps. You also might want to check out the Pain Management board as it has some very insightful people that could answer your question even better than me, as I'm not too familiar with OxyC or anything but hydrocodone and percocets...Hope you find the answers you need, and good luck with your pain...

------------------
- * HockeyCrystal * -

scissorhands
Very well put and I agree 100%

WOW,I have to say I can't say much more then all ready has been ,YOU have to know you are playing with fire and you are going to get burnt or dead for sure what you ar mixing is suicidal no if and or buts I can tell you that is a Dr.heard all this you would be put on a lock down suiside watch!!!I don't want to sound insensitive to your pain I know what pain can drive a person to,you need to seek help for the pain but you need to seek help for the suicide tendency you seem to have again not insensitive just been there and done that!!!Everyone here is supportive and caring people and I pray you take the advice you are getting if not you won't be around much longer to seek it!!Guess I had more to say then I thought!! Please get help soon!!!!
Linda

allts,

It sounds to me like you are in a tremendous amount of pain, and are looking for any way to make it stop. I hear you, and I understand, although I do think you may be taking it a step too far. I know what it is like to be in so much pain you are curled up in a little ball sobbing crying and praying for death. It makes you desperate.

However, it sounds to me like you need different pain medication. What you are on either is not strong enough for you, or just is not the right pain med. for you. I would recommend strongly however that you discontinue using the marijuana and alcohol. First of all you don't know what the ramifications are for drug interaction, effects on your liver, etc... You body needs to be able to process the toxins that are introduced, and it sounds like you are overloading a bit.

Talk to your doctor, explain how bad your pain is, and ask for something different or stronger. 80mg of Oxycontin may not be alot for you if you are 6'5 and 300 pounds, or it may be alot if you are 5'3 and 130 pounds. Your doctor is the only one who can make that recommendation. And if you feel that your doctor is not listening to you, and will not change, then find a doctor that you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

Hersheysmommy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
05/01 - DDD L5/S1 w/annular tear diagnosed, no specific injury.
08/01 - 8 weeks physical therapy.
Fall 2001 - Series of 3 Epidural injections.
01/02 - 8 weeks physical therapy.
02/02 - Bi-lateral Facet block injections.
04/02 - Began 3 months with chiropractor.
01/03 - Series of 2 Epidural injections.
06/03 - Considering Prodisc ADR, scheduled for Discogram 08/06/03.

Actually, it doesn't matter your size with pain meds. They don't act on your size like alcohol. They act on receptors in your brain... Just thought I'd clarify.. Sometimes a certain med won't react with the receptors in your brain even if it's an extremely strong dose. OxyContin just may not be the right pain treatment for you. I agree that the alcohol and marijuana and anything else that may be involved should definitely be stopped. Talk to your doc, but please don't do those dangerous and very illegal things to control your pain, even though I know all too well how painful it really can get...I've also been lying on the floor sobbing in the fetal position praying just to die to not feel the pain anymore.....But PLEASE don't do these harmful methods anymore... TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!! You really need to try a different med!! If you aren't responding to 80mg of Oxycontin, I doubt he will give you stronger...Because usually with OxyC, it takes quite a while to build up such a tolerance to where it's not effective at all. You should check out the pain management board here... You will find out about tons of methods that could be the answer to your prayers.

Again, I urge you to talk to your doc...ASAP! Something needs to be done before something bad happens! I am scared for you... Get help..

Please don't take any of this as rude or insensitive. I know how bad the pain can be, I promise you, but those ways are honestly not going to do any good for you.

Good luck in finding a GOOD and LEGAL pain solution as soon as possible...

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
Crystal

Just one more thing....

please, please do NOT chew the oxycontin. There are reasons they tell you not to.... like death.

Karen

------------------
9/22/00 24 hour labor, baby posterior, left tailbone killing me
12/00 MRI - PCP said nothing amiss - but, had to begin taking vicodin
2/8/02 - 2nd baby born after long, painful pregnancy, weight gain didn't help
2000-11/02 various PT + pain meds
11/02 Referred to Neuro
3/03 NEW MRI - shows slight bulge L3-L4,slight DDD, neural foramen involved, Superior aspect S1 and L5 Nerve root involvement -Neuro Refers to PM for ESI
3/03 PM Doc orders ESI
3/21,4/1,4/8 - ESI's no help
5/9 - Discogram - shows Tear L4 w/ significant leak onto nerves, DDD
Performing doc oversedated, False Negative (pm doc & I agree)
New Consult w/ Dept Head Cleveland Clinic 7/8 to discuss possible new discogram/IDET candidacy
7/8-Doc ordered Facet Joint nerve block for 7/29 to rule out/identify as pain generator. If not, new discogram.
Also, thinks tailbone prob is dif issue - wants x-ray - THOUGHT I had one - didn't!! They are ordering.

What type Doctor are you seeing & what steps are being planned/taken by your doctor to help correct your slipped discs and help alleviate your pain & your associated dependency on pain medication to get thru your day/nite? (surgery,injections,etc.?)

I really hate to say this, but I think scissorhands
hit the nail on the head since ALLTS hasn't responded to any ones post. It's sad that some people will use a forum like this to play jokes or try to be funny. This is by far the best forum I have ever been a part of or have read. So many people here are concerned and really care about people and all in all they give very good advice or tell you where you can find the advice you are seeking. So, to all that think being in pain 24/7 is a big joke. Get on your knees and pray to GOD that you never have to face it, because you are the ones that can't make it.
Sorry everyone. Hate to get this off my chest.
Alex

Aroberts....

I'm afraid you're probably right. Ya know, you just never want to believe that someone w/b that twisted. This is NO laughing matter.

Don't apologize for saying what you feel. If the poster is for real? He/she'll reply and at least thank people for their concern. If not? It w/b wise to stay away.

Karen

Thanks Aroberts for your kind support, I do feel for anyone dealing with pain on a daily basis but Allts just doesn't warrant my sympathy. His/Her post just doesn't sound believable especially it being a first post and no replies when everyone give him/her very caring answers and concerns.

Anyone getting drunk, taking narcotics and smoking marijuana just doesn't sound like someone who really cares about their body or brain much less their back pain...Sorry to everyone who gave excellent advice to someone that sounds like a true Drug Seeker....

[This message has been edited by scissorhands (edited 07-14-2003).]

scissorhands
No probelm. Anything for a someone from Tennessee. I am from Bristol. At least grew up there then wa with Uncle Sam for 20.
You are right about ALLTS though and thats a shame. So many people need help and someone to talk to.
Alex

It's really sad when someone goes to a place like this and acts like a jerk. We all responded with care and fear for this person... It's sad not that this person can joke around about things like that, but that they would actually consider doing these things to their own bodies. I am glad that you all are so caring, but I hope in the future, allts has enough courtesy not to joke around about such ignorant things to make us worry so much and scared for their lives. I hope allts does read these answers, and takes our advice if he/she is for real, if not, I still hope he/she reads these posts from us, and realizes it was wrong to joke around about these things.

Good luck to you all, and hope you guys have a pain free (as possible as that is with our back problems) night, and day tomorrow. I don't know too much about many back problems, except whats going on with me (even that I don't know too much about!) but if I can do anything for anyone ever, just let me know...

I hope no one else would ever consider doing what this poster was talking about...

With that-- Talk to you guys later..

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif to all-
Crystal