MKS
08-20-2005, 03:00 AM
Hi to all! I'm just trying to get an idea of what an "average" dose of oxycontin is, among those who use it. I've had some pain management specialists nearly fall out of their chairs when they read my dose, but I've also been told by other medical professionals that my dose "isn't really all that bad."
So, I'll start: I take oxycontin, about 500mg every day, sometimes up to 600mg a day. I've been taking oxycontin between 2 - 3 years.
Next?
So, I'll start: I take oxycontin, about 500mg every day, sometimes up to 600mg a day. I've been taking oxycontin between 2 - 3 years.
Next?
Sponsor
Torley
08-20-2005, 03:05 AM
Hiya
I have just recently switched to Oxy from morphine sulfate. I take 10 mg twice a day. I have notcied that the oxy is not workign as well. I wa son 40 mg of morphine a day. . I am sure there maths are wrong as now I get stabbing pain through the day. Does anyone know what the correct maths should have been? I dont really want to go up 10 mg, but sthats tsh smallest amount? any help would be great
debs
I have just recently switched to Oxy from morphine sulfate. I take 10 mg twice a day. I have notcied that the oxy is not workign as well. I wa son 40 mg of morphine a day. . I am sure there maths are wrong as now I get stabbing pain through the day. Does anyone know what the correct maths should have been? I dont really want to go up 10 mg, but sthats tsh smallest amount? any help would be great
debs
Shoreline
08-20-2005, 09:05 PM
HIMKS, Ya kniow my dose of oral meds was probab;y 3 times the dsose of some other, So how could I sa someone taking 3 times what I took as being high.
Yes it's a number not all dcs would be cmfortable with. Ir drawa alot of attn to a cntreversial drug.
AS much as I think we should give meds a chance to work. As in not giving up yitrating too soon or leting a weeks worth of nausea rule out an entire clas of meds. I do tghin there comes a point where someone wopuld be thinking perhaps yo would repond beter to a different medication.
Not knowing any dtails about what's wrong and how you got there, I wouls say compared to th e folks that emewntion their dose you are robably on the high side. So was I, after trying all the different opiates and decided to have a pump. My pump is probably set higher than some and lower than others. Going from oral meds to the pump was like going from a black and white world to full color. I was very acomadated to oral meds and felt comfortable as far as not feeling impaired but the small amount used in a pump versus large doses is amazing if you run out of choices and it will be effective on your condition..
My concern would be to get to that dose in 2 years, you would practically need an increase at every visit. What is your goal of pain mnaagmnet? Tolerable so you can function or no pain? No pain is imposible to maintain and requirres increase every month. If after two years of increasing I would suggest trying a differnt med. Without knowing more I couldn't suggest one but different meds do work diferently on different people and dfferent types of pain.
People also have different expectations of pain management. Management is the key word, but many think why live with a 5 if an increase every month keeps me pain free. I'm not sure they relize the price they must pay someday for that level of tolerance is it coul dhave been managed reasonably. There are some that regardless of what you do a 5 "on the subjective pain scale" is the best they will ever see.
I never got relief for OxyC, I swithced to meth, then duragesic, then meth, then morphine and back to meth. My dose did stabalize the last 2&1/2 years. I would bounce between 120 mgs of meth and 600 mgs of morpine "that would be about 450 of oxyC." I took what I could aford depending on insurance coverage. Once we found a dose of both meds, Morhine and meth, I knew what it took to make my pain tolerable and not impair me more than the my physical problems.
What's causing your pain, can it be treated in other ways?
I kind of look at PM as a bell curve as far as what works for some, how debilitaed they are, how much the meds make a differnce. Where they are on that curve. All these are factors docs should consider too. Compared to me, your dose isn't high. Would you probably have a problem finding another doc to continue you at that dose without other imnterventional procedures, I think you would unless you have incredable documantation of all the other efforts, your DX and the ability to fix it Vs mask it.
That JMO and there are probably foks taking 30 mgs of MSContin a day blown away. But I understand the need for high dose medsor remain bed ridden and never walk again. I'm not looking to resume gofing or bungie jumping, I just can't spend 30 years in bed." I'm probably closer to the top of the curve but I wnt through every step maginabl and multiple faled surgerries. Onlu you know if the meds are helping or hndering you. BUt if you haven't tried another med, It does seem like rapid increasing may be solver by a med change.
Welcome and I hope you willing to share more than a number of mgs ;)
Good luck, Dave
Yes it's a number not all dcs would be cmfortable with. Ir drawa alot of attn to a cntreversial drug.
AS much as I think we should give meds a chance to work. As in not giving up yitrating too soon or leting a weeks worth of nausea rule out an entire clas of meds. I do tghin there comes a point where someone wopuld be thinking perhaps yo would repond beter to a different medication.
Not knowing any dtails about what's wrong and how you got there, I wouls say compared to th e folks that emewntion their dose you are robably on the high side. So was I, after trying all the different opiates and decided to have a pump. My pump is probably set higher than some and lower than others. Going from oral meds to the pump was like going from a black and white world to full color. I was very acomadated to oral meds and felt comfortable as far as not feeling impaired but the small amount used in a pump versus large doses is amazing if you run out of choices and it will be effective on your condition..
My concern would be to get to that dose in 2 years, you would practically need an increase at every visit. What is your goal of pain mnaagmnet? Tolerable so you can function or no pain? No pain is imposible to maintain and requirres increase every month. If after two years of increasing I would suggest trying a differnt med. Without knowing more I couldn't suggest one but different meds do work diferently on different people and dfferent types of pain.
People also have different expectations of pain management. Management is the key word, but many think why live with a 5 if an increase every month keeps me pain free. I'm not sure they relize the price they must pay someday for that level of tolerance is it coul dhave been managed reasonably. There are some that regardless of what you do a 5 "on the subjective pain scale" is the best they will ever see.
I never got relief for OxyC, I swithced to meth, then duragesic, then meth, then morphine and back to meth. My dose did stabalize the last 2&1/2 years. I would bounce between 120 mgs of meth and 600 mgs of morpine "that would be about 450 of oxyC." I took what I could aford depending on insurance coverage. Once we found a dose of both meds, Morhine and meth, I knew what it took to make my pain tolerable and not impair me more than the my physical problems.
What's causing your pain, can it be treated in other ways?
I kind of look at PM as a bell curve as far as what works for some, how debilitaed they are, how much the meds make a differnce. Where they are on that curve. All these are factors docs should consider too. Compared to me, your dose isn't high. Would you probably have a problem finding another doc to continue you at that dose without other imnterventional procedures, I think you would unless you have incredable documantation of all the other efforts, your DX and the ability to fix it Vs mask it.
That JMO and there are probably foks taking 30 mgs of MSContin a day blown away. But I understand the need for high dose medsor remain bed ridden and never walk again. I'm not looking to resume gofing or bungie jumping, I just can't spend 30 years in bed." I'm probably closer to the top of the curve but I wnt through every step maginabl and multiple faled surgerries. Onlu you know if the meds are helping or hndering you. BUt if you haven't tried another med, It does seem like rapid increasing may be solver by a med change.
Welcome and I hope you willing to share more than a number of mgs ;)
Good luck, Dave
wirry1422
08-22-2005, 12:00 AM
I currently take oxycontin 20 mg's three times a day. However, a friend from the hospital who had a rare L-spine tumor removed several years back takes approximately 1600 mgs a day oxycontin, last time I asked. Plus he uses the Actiq fentanyl lollipop for bt pain, 800 mcg's as needed.
Bill17724
08-22-2005, 02:51 PM
I currently take 30mgs of oxy a day with 20mgs of percocets for b/t pain. I feel stable on this dose. It is down from 60mgs a day and I'm doing just fine. Obviously, I was overdrugged at the higher dose. Hope this helps.
Bill
Bill