slipperyslope
03-15-2006, 12:53 PM
I just started on Oxycontin Teva brand 10 mgs 3 times a day. I am pending a back operation have already had one, and my pain is really unbarible I will need a fusion but I am trying meds first to buy some time. This is the first Time I have ever taken this drug and so far it seems to help with the pain but only for 4 hours at a time. The Dr gave me percocet for B/T pain but only 2 a day. at 5mgs. I am only on day 3 so maybe I need to give it more time? but I don't think the oxy is lasting but 4 hours for me. is this abnormal? I am to go back in 2 weeks to the pain management Dr.
I have to be sooo careful with my meds as I have a history of addiction with vicadin and percs but I have not abused in a LONG time. so far so good but I am still a little nervous here but the pain managment Dr will drug test me and count my pills at every visit so this helps keep me in check and I don't want to loose out on a good Dr he is very good and is not afraid to help me as long as I abide by the rules.
Thanks!
I have to be sooo careful with my meds as I have a history of addiction with vicadin and percs but I have not abused in a LONG time. so far so good but I am still a little nervous here but the pain managment Dr will drug test me and count my pills at every visit so this helps keep me in check and I don't want to loose out on a good Dr he is very good and is not afraid to help me as long as I abide by the rules.
Thanks!
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ARANGER
03-15-2006, 02:31 PM
Hey Slippery,
Generally people report that OxyContin works for around 8 hours. The actual prescribing method for this drug says it is q12 meaning that it is to be taken every 12 hours. Luckily a lot of doctors know that it does not work for 12 hours, and go to the 8 hours schedule. So feel luckly that your Dr is on a q8 schedule and that he is willing to prescribe OxyContin as many Dr's will not due to the stigma.
I take OxyContin 3 times a day and use Percocet 10/325 for BT and it seems to work pretty good for me. If you are getting only 4 hours of relief, maybe you can use your BT meds after the 4 hours. Also you can keep a not***** of how your meds are working. Maybe the Dr would consider going up on the Oxy to a higher dose.
It is very important as you stated to take these meds as prescribed to a T. For one, you mentioned previous addiction and two this helps the doctor build trust in you. PM dr's are watched very closely so as long as he can show your pain and that you follow instructions he is more likely to make adjustments to you meds. 10 mg of OxyContin is the lowest made, but like I said, witht he stigma the Dr may be feeling you out to be sure you are compliant.
Anyway, good luck with the Oxy. Hope your pain gets better. Take care
Generally people report that OxyContin works for around 8 hours. The actual prescribing method for this drug says it is q12 meaning that it is to be taken every 12 hours. Luckily a lot of doctors know that it does not work for 12 hours, and go to the 8 hours schedule. So feel luckly that your Dr is on a q8 schedule and that he is willing to prescribe OxyContin as many Dr's will not due to the stigma.
I take OxyContin 3 times a day and use Percocet 10/325 for BT and it seems to work pretty good for me. If you are getting only 4 hours of relief, maybe you can use your BT meds after the 4 hours. Also you can keep a not***** of how your meds are working. Maybe the Dr would consider going up on the Oxy to a higher dose.
It is very important as you stated to take these meds as prescribed to a T. For one, you mentioned previous addiction and two this helps the doctor build trust in you. PM dr's are watched very closely so as long as he can show your pain and that you follow instructions he is more likely to make adjustments to you meds. 10 mg of OxyContin is the lowest made, but like I said, witht he stigma the Dr may be feeling you out to be sure you are compliant.
Anyway, good luck with the Oxy. Hope your pain gets better. Take care
slipperyslope
03-15-2006, 02:39 PM
Arranger how many Milligrams do you take? also what is the max people can take of this drug? I know I am on a low dose but I see her again in 2 weeks so we will make adjustments if its not working, she already told me that. thanks for the welcome. take care, SS.
Director
03-15-2006, 03:02 PM
Hi SS: I'm on Methadone right now, but when I was on Oxycontin I think I started about 40 mg TID. When I went off, I was at 160 TID. There's really no ceiling to amount you can take when it come to opiates. Really, the side effects are the thing to look out for when taking high doses. You can go as high as you want, as long as you don't have problems with the side effects. Like I said, I got up to 160, TID and also had Roxicodone 30 mg, q4h, prn for pain. So I was taking a lot of Oxycodone.
I'm sure if the current dose isn't doing the job, you doctor will bump you up some to get you some relief. Also, the BT meds might be a little on the low side too. You can get the Roxicodone which is plain Oxycodone with no apap in 5, 15, and 30 mg. doses.
Good luck when you see your doctor and let us know how it goes.
I'm sure if the current dose isn't doing the job, you doctor will bump you up some to get you some relief. Also, the BT meds might be a little on the low side too. You can get the Roxicodone which is plain Oxycodone with no apap in 5, 15, and 30 mg. doses.
Good luck when you see your doctor and let us know how it goes.
ARANGER
03-15-2006, 04:09 PM
SS,
Director answered the question about the max. With pure opiates, there is no ceiling. Like he mentioned only side effects will be the thing that would stop someone. Oxycodone seems to be one of these drugs that people build up a tolerance to rather quickly. If you throw tylenol into the mix as with Percocet, than you do not want to exceed 4000 mg of tylenol per day. And actually if you are taking it daily, then 2000 mg would probably be better.
I take OxyContin and Percocet daily. Of course the main drug in both is OxyCodone. Between the two I take usually around 160 mg a day of oxycodone. Again, this is total between the two. Now for some, that would be alot, others like Director mentioned I think he said he was taking 160 mg at a time. It really depends on the person, tolerance, other meds you are taking. If you are a chronic pain patient, then Mg's really shouldn't matter. because what will work for one, may not work for another. If you search around this board you will find people taking quanities that would put some of us in a coma. But that is what works for that person. Tolerance will always be an issue with opiate meds.
Hope your appt goes well with your Dr. Take Care
Director answered the question about the max. With pure opiates, there is no ceiling. Like he mentioned only side effects will be the thing that would stop someone. Oxycodone seems to be one of these drugs that people build up a tolerance to rather quickly. If you throw tylenol into the mix as with Percocet, than you do not want to exceed 4000 mg of tylenol per day. And actually if you are taking it daily, then 2000 mg would probably be better.
I take OxyContin and Percocet daily. Of course the main drug in both is OxyCodone. Between the two I take usually around 160 mg a day of oxycodone. Again, this is total between the two. Now for some, that would be alot, others like Director mentioned I think he said he was taking 160 mg at a time. It really depends on the person, tolerance, other meds you are taking. If you are a chronic pain patient, then Mg's really shouldn't matter. because what will work for one, may not work for another. If you search around this board you will find people taking quanities that would put some of us in a coma. But that is what works for that person. Tolerance will always be an issue with opiate meds.
Hope your appt goes well with your Dr. Take Care
slipperyslope
03-16-2006, 10:43 AM
This is defientley not enough medication for me. I took an oxy 2 hours ago and my back is in big time pain.. I have an apt in 2 weeks, should I just wait to tell them than or should I call? I hate to be a difficult patient this soon but its not cutting it for me at all. again I am on 10mgs 3 times a day, every 8 hours.
ARANGER
03-16-2006, 12:16 PM
SS,
If it were me, I would wait. I would write it down and the pain level you were at the pain level with the meds, but if you just started I would wait to call. The reason is, many Dr's will not even prescribe OxyContin and the ones who do many time only prescribe it at twice a day.
So you have a Dr that is willing to do TID and has said she would make adjustments. However, Dr's like to see that we as patients are doing what they say. ie, not taking more, ready for pill counts, etc. Its called titrating and probably everyone on this board can give you stories of when they were just started on something.
Most Dr's will not start at a high dose of anything to see if you can tolerate it, and to have something to put in your file. If you had some major reaction, then a low dose is going to be easier then a large dose. Most are also looking to see the lowest dose that will work for you.
I know its not fun while titrating, but sometimes its better to wait to show he Dr you are doing everything.
Hope you feel better soon. Take Care
If it were me, I would wait. I would write it down and the pain level you were at the pain level with the meds, but if you just started I would wait to call. The reason is, many Dr's will not even prescribe OxyContin and the ones who do many time only prescribe it at twice a day.
So you have a Dr that is willing to do TID and has said she would make adjustments. However, Dr's like to see that we as patients are doing what they say. ie, not taking more, ready for pill counts, etc. Its called titrating and probably everyone on this board can give you stories of when they were just started on something.
Most Dr's will not start at a high dose of anything to see if you can tolerate it, and to have something to put in your file. If you had some major reaction, then a low dose is going to be easier then a large dose. Most are also looking to see the lowest dose that will work for you.
I know its not fun while titrating, but sometimes its better to wait to show he Dr you are doing everything.
Hope you feel better soon. Take Care
slipperyslope
03-16-2006, 01:28 PM
Thanks so much that is kind of what I was thinking....... I took a percocet and that did help as well as a motrin 800..
Director
03-16-2006, 03:31 PM
Hey Slippery: As long as you have the Percoset to help you out, I would agree with Arranger. 10 mg TID of Oxy is very low, but I'm sure the doctor will bump you up when you go in next. Hopefully, you won't be too uncomfortable for the next two weeks and make notes of your pain, so you can tell him when it's the worse. You may want a bump up on the BT meds too. You could go to Roxicodone, which is just plain Oxycndone with no apap.
Hang in there, as Arranger said titration is never fun, but they'll get you stabilized at a dose where you're as comfy as you can be when dealing with CP.
Hang in there, as Arranger said titration is never fun, but they'll get you stabilized at a dose where you're as comfy as you can be when dealing with CP.
Shoreline
03-16-2006, 03:55 PM
Hey Slippery, It's not that OxyContin doesn't even last 4 hours, It's the dose and the way it works. It has a Dual phasic release, which means a 10 mg pill releases 5 mgs at about 1 hour and the rest at about the 6th hour. The manufacturer compares taking a 10 mg OxyC to taking 5mgs of oxyIR or one percocet every 6 hours. Explaining the med doesn't last more than 4 probably isn't the best way to come across. However there is an exlanation. Basically 5 mgs of oxyCodone every 6 hours just isn't enough, It doesn't get your pain under control from the first release, and by the second it's so out of control you can't tellit released another 5 mgs. If you were taking 2 5mg Vicodin at a time in the past you were getting more opiate.
Aranger is right that they want you n the lowest possible doseand not to expect complete relief, becuse it just can't be maintained. But what's happening with you is called wind up pain, the pain winds up to the point that the second release doesn't make a difference. It taking a 5 mg perc on top helps, than lkely the 20 mg OXyC is the strength yu need. If he's willing to dose TID, you should be K aside from BT pain which I assume he has an opinion on./ I read your earlier post and understand your handle. There is no reason your pain shouldn't be treated, but you do have to be careful,m keep yourself in check and realize all your pain can't bve managed. There is nothing wrong with taking some IBU if it helps and you need it. Just don't over do it.
It's great acupuncture works so well for you and with the help of your practioneer you can probably manage the tolerance many people quickly build to Oxy. Everyone is different but you don't want to get cought in the cycle of your feeling better, so you do more, then you hurt more then you need more. It's easy to do and the consequences may be a little greater when your doc knows your entire med history.
It's only natural to want your old life back and not have to ask for help with things that seem smple. But you do have to modify your lifestyle to adapt to any medical condition that is severe enough to require this kind of medicine.
Titration always sucks anyway. Even high dose patients that have been on opiates for years start low with new meds and new delivery methods. Hoping we haven't achieved complete cross tolerance to a drug we might not have taken before. Even when switching back to my previous med after 8 months on morphine, they started at half the old dose, They saw me every week untill I was functional again. Surprisingly it happened to be the exact dose I was taking prior to switching. :rolleyes:
Do try to be patient and if he gave you enough percocet to make it untill you next apt, use it as prescribed but keep a pain diary as someone else suggested.
It's really not that your new to long acting meds, they do this to us all. I pretty much expect withdrawal everytime I switch meds, But in the long run I know it's worth it. I know my doc will contnue to work with me as long as I don't break the trust we have built. HE also knows I'm not looking to be pain free and am well aware of what the meds can do and what they can't.
Good luck and Hang in there, Dave
Aranger is right that they want you n the lowest possible doseand not to expect complete relief, becuse it just can't be maintained. But what's happening with you is called wind up pain, the pain winds up to the point that the second release doesn't make a difference. It taking a 5 mg perc on top helps, than lkely the 20 mg OXyC is the strength yu need. If he's willing to dose TID, you should be K aside from BT pain which I assume he has an opinion on./ I read your earlier post and understand your handle. There is no reason your pain shouldn't be treated, but you do have to be careful,m keep yourself in check and realize all your pain can't bve managed. There is nothing wrong with taking some IBU if it helps and you need it. Just don't over do it.
It's great acupuncture works so well for you and with the help of your practioneer you can probably manage the tolerance many people quickly build to Oxy. Everyone is different but you don't want to get cought in the cycle of your feeling better, so you do more, then you hurt more then you need more. It's easy to do and the consequences may be a little greater when your doc knows your entire med history.
It's only natural to want your old life back and not have to ask for help with things that seem smple. But you do have to modify your lifestyle to adapt to any medical condition that is severe enough to require this kind of medicine.
Titration always sucks anyway. Even high dose patients that have been on opiates for years start low with new meds and new delivery methods. Hoping we haven't achieved complete cross tolerance to a drug we might not have taken before. Even when switching back to my previous med after 8 months on morphine, they started at half the old dose, They saw me every week untill I was functional again. Surprisingly it happened to be the exact dose I was taking prior to switching. :rolleyes:
Do try to be patient and if he gave you enough percocet to make it untill you next apt, use it as prescribed but keep a pain diary as someone else suggested.
It's really not that your new to long acting meds, they do this to us all. I pretty much expect withdrawal everytime I switch meds, But in the long run I know it's worth it. I know my doc will contnue to work with me as long as I don't break the trust we have built. HE also knows I'm not looking to be pain free and am well aware of what the meds can do and what they can't.
Good luck and Hang in there, Dave
slipperyslope
03-16-2006, 07:01 PM
Thank you for the explanation guys. My GP had me on 4 each of the 7.5 MGS of hydrocodone a day and 6 tramadols a day. I was getting a little better pain managment there but it was very short acting and was keeping me up at night. so this must be why the 10mgs isn't working well for me I am getting some pain relief but my pain level is still at a 6 or higher. my apt is in 2 weeks so I will mention this to the PA at that time. I saw the Dr once than I follow up with the PA and I feel that she is very good and I trust her judgement she did expalin to me that we will start of slowly. Thanks for the explanation of how the oxy works, I have never used it before so I am new to this medication and didn't really understand how it worked.
Thanks again for the help and suggestions.
Thanks again for the help and suggestions.
cind68
03-17-2006, 10:49 AM
I took 80 mgs of Oxycontin four times/day and used shortacting oxycodone 5mg caps for years. I never had to change the dose thankfully but there would be days I would need the shortacting and days I wouldn't.
For me, Oxy has never worked longer than 6 hours max. I may forget to take it but by 7-8 hours my body will definitely be reminding me!!!!!
I have slowly gotten better....whew!...hopefully one day will fully but if not...then I'm just glad the pain can be controlled. I now take 40mg 4times/day and sometimes will substitute one of those doses with just 20mg if I feel that will be adequate. I no longer have to take the breakthrough oxy either. ....Is just my experience anyway...... I read some of the other posts and you've been given some great info! ....Just added mine for another "comparison".....
good luck!
For me, Oxy has never worked longer than 6 hours max. I may forget to take it but by 7-8 hours my body will definitely be reminding me!!!!!
I have slowly gotten better....whew!...hopefully one day will fully but if not...then I'm just glad the pain can be controlled. I now take 40mg 4times/day and sometimes will substitute one of those doses with just 20mg if I feel that will be adequate. I no longer have to take the breakthrough oxy either. ....Is just my experience anyway...... I read some of the other posts and you've been given some great info! ....Just added mine for another "comparison".....
good luck!