IZZY'SMOM
01-04-2007, 09:08 PM
Hi all,
I am basically happy with my PM doc. He has me on Fent 50 patches, and I am lucky to be allowed to change them every 48 hours. The problem is that before we started the patches, I was on vicoprofen 7.5 [hydocodone and ibuprofen] and I was allowed 2 tabs 4 times a day. Which was 56 for a week. So when he started me on the patches he cut down the number to 28.
I wasnt getting the relief that I needed and had bad b/t so he started me on 75's which were WAY too strong.
Now on back on the 50s, but still need at least 6 of the b/t meds a day to function like I need to.
I asked him once about Norco, which someone has suggested which is of course as you know the 10/325 of hydrocodone, and he said he really didnt want to go there.
I havent asked for refills too soon, ect, but Im debating having an appt with him tomorrow to let him know that IM running out of the alotted 28 for a week that he gives me just because Im having to use them for maintaining, not b/t.
Ive been struggling with this ever since going back on the 50's. He has no problem with the patches, he stated once refilling them or dosing higher but he says that the feds watch the number of pills prescribed. I understand that, but why not prescribe what may be needed that may be stronger and not so many.
I know they all are afraid with the laws, ect, but I dont see the thinking behind it. Youd think hed rather prescribe something besides the higher dose of the patches. Arent they way more strong and watched if thats the case? I dont want to be pushy and end up not having anyone. Am I asking for too much? Im NEVER pain free and my meds allow me to function...Do you all think it may be a good idea to let him know what my daily schedule is? He says he doesnt believe in the pain scale. That if someone is in pain they are in pain, and they will tell you what you want to get the relief they need. Hes a very nice man, and usually very open to suggestions. I am a super compliant patient with no contract, ect.
If i had to use the pain scale, Id say I maintain a 5 at best all of the time except when b/t occurs and of course its higher. Im not asking to be completely pain free at all times at all. But that WOULD be great!
Does anyone have any advice? I dont have anyone here in this small town or even close who is helpful, believe me, Im lucky to have him,, and Ive been stretching out the 28 a week, but its just not working. I wont ever get into a postion with him to not be honest, so I want to do the right thing from the start. What do you do if a doc doesnt want to prescribe a higher b/t med?
I dont think that what I have is that high, am I wrong? I can get in to see him tomorrow, and would appreciated ANY input before I go~
Thanks so much for any help:confused:
xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM
I am basically happy with my PM doc. He has me on Fent 50 patches, and I am lucky to be allowed to change them every 48 hours. The problem is that before we started the patches, I was on vicoprofen 7.5 [hydocodone and ibuprofen] and I was allowed 2 tabs 4 times a day. Which was 56 for a week. So when he started me on the patches he cut down the number to 28.
I wasnt getting the relief that I needed and had bad b/t so he started me on 75's which were WAY too strong.
Now on back on the 50s, but still need at least 6 of the b/t meds a day to function like I need to.
I asked him once about Norco, which someone has suggested which is of course as you know the 10/325 of hydrocodone, and he said he really didnt want to go there.
I havent asked for refills too soon, ect, but Im debating having an appt with him tomorrow to let him know that IM running out of the alotted 28 for a week that he gives me just because Im having to use them for maintaining, not b/t.
Ive been struggling with this ever since going back on the 50's. He has no problem with the patches, he stated once refilling them or dosing higher but he says that the feds watch the number of pills prescribed. I understand that, but why not prescribe what may be needed that may be stronger and not so many.
I know they all are afraid with the laws, ect, but I dont see the thinking behind it. Youd think hed rather prescribe something besides the higher dose of the patches. Arent they way more strong and watched if thats the case? I dont want to be pushy and end up not having anyone. Am I asking for too much? Im NEVER pain free and my meds allow me to function...Do you all think it may be a good idea to let him know what my daily schedule is? He says he doesnt believe in the pain scale. That if someone is in pain they are in pain, and they will tell you what you want to get the relief they need. Hes a very nice man, and usually very open to suggestions. I am a super compliant patient with no contract, ect.
If i had to use the pain scale, Id say I maintain a 5 at best all of the time except when b/t occurs and of course its higher. Im not asking to be completely pain free at all times at all. But that WOULD be great!
Does anyone have any advice? I dont have anyone here in this small town or even close who is helpful, believe me, Im lucky to have him,, and Ive been stretching out the 28 a week, but its just not working. I wont ever get into a postion with him to not be honest, so I want to do the right thing from the start. What do you do if a doc doesnt want to prescribe a higher b/t med?
I dont think that what I have is that high, am I wrong? I can get in to see him tomorrow, and would appreciated ANY input before I go~
Thanks so much for any help:confused:
xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM
Sponsor
Shoreline
01-05-2007, 12:39 AM
Hi Izzy, It's pretty standard protocol that if you need BT meds more than twice a day na reglular basis, the dose of long acting meds shouldbe adjusted. How long did you give the 75's, enough time to adjust to side efects? The 12.5 patch is still available, but that's something you should dscuss with your doc. He's right about the dEA watching pill counts, however it's really more of a protocol and manafacturer recomendation t o obtain optimal dosing. Having to take BT meds every 4-6 hours defeats the purpose of long acting meds that are supposed to free you from clock watching and living your life in 4 hour increments. 28 pils a week is 2 doses per day, that's what he shooting for, because that's what's recomended and the standard of care. The more a doc deviates from the standard of care, the more scrutiny he brings on hmself.
I know all I have done is try to explain the doc actions. Hopefully knowing he's following a standard protocol and manufacturer recomendation takes some of the misunderstanding out of the picture.It doesn't sound like he's trying to be hard headed, just trying to ensure he will still be around to help you and his other patients in 5 or 10 years. If you just can't function without frequent SA meds,talk to your doc and let him make the call. You may be able to try the 75 again with better results or use the 12.5 patch in addition to the 50 to find a middle ground or to use as a step towards the 75 to allow time to accomadate to the side effects that made you step down the first time.
Good luck, Dave
I know all I have done is try to explain the doc actions. Hopefully knowing he's following a standard protocol and manufacturer recomendation takes some of the misunderstanding out of the picture.It doesn't sound like he's trying to be hard headed, just trying to ensure he will still be around to help you and his other patients in 5 or 10 years. If you just can't function without frequent SA meds,talk to your doc and let him make the call. You may be able to try the 75 again with better results or use the 12.5 patch in addition to the 50 to find a middle ground or to use as a step towards the 75 to allow time to accomadate to the side effects that made you step down the first time.
Good luck, Dave
IZZY'SMOM
01-05-2007, 01:36 AM
Hi Dave!
Thank you SO much! I didnt think to ask for the others to add to the patches I have. I had no idea, and maybe he would have suggested it. thanks again for the post. He really is a great guy, and wants to help, and I dont ever want to lose him as a doc.
xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM:wave: :wave: :wave:
PS ...thanks again for the suggestion!:)
Thank you SO much! I didnt think to ask for the others to add to the patches I have. I had no idea, and maybe he would have suggested it. thanks again for the post. He really is a great guy, and wants to help, and I dont ever want to lose him as a doc.
xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM:wave: :wave: :wave:
PS ...thanks again for the suggestion!:)
IZZY'SMOM
01-05-2007, 02:48 AM
Thank you for your reply, Dave.:) I will talk to him tomorrow and see what he says. I totally understand all of the points that you have raised, and my biggest thing that I was addressng was the fact that the 75' after 2 weeks of hell were just horrible. I couldnt function of much less drive after the second nite of the second day. The 50s at least I can function the first day pretty well for what I do, and along with the b/t meds the second day until about 10 am. I may be in the middle of a few adjustments here, and thats what I wanted to know.
Honestly, Im just trying to find something that is in agreement for all of us.
Maybe if i present to him what is going on tomorrow he will surely have some other options. Hes a wonderful man, and like you said, hes just trying to do right. Thanks for helping put it in perspective. Sometimes its hard not knowing where the doc is coming from of not understanding what they have to do in order to keep in protocol and the patient's well being as well.
Thanks so much for the reply, as I was hoping id hear something before bed. I really appreciate it more than you know~
xoxoxoxox:angel:
IZZY'SMOM:wave: :wave:
Honestly, Im just trying to find something that is in agreement for all of us.
Maybe if i present to him what is going on tomorrow he will surely have some other options. Hes a wonderful man, and like you said, hes just trying to do right. Thanks for helping put it in perspective. Sometimes its hard not knowing where the doc is coming from of not understanding what they have to do in order to keep in protocol and the patient's well being as well.
Thanks so much for the reply, as I was hoping id hear something before bed. I really appreciate it more than you know~
xoxoxoxox:angel:
IZZY'SMOM:wave: :wave:
djemcee
01-05-2007, 04:18 AM
Weird thing is Norco is a schedule 3 drug and is not in the same class as the patch or percocet, etc...
Norco is a beefed up vicodin and is not a triplicate drug. I don't think he even has to report it to the DEA like he does the patch or a sched 2 drug.
Good thing about Norco is the lower APAP (tylenol) levels.
California Chris
Norco is a beefed up vicodin and is not a triplicate drug. I don't think he even has to report it to the DEA like he does the patch or a sched 2 drug.
Good thing about Norco is the lower APAP (tylenol) levels.
California Chris
IZZY'SMOM
01-05-2007, 03:28 PM
I know, Chris, and IM afraid to bring it up again.:confused:
xoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM
xoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM
IZZY'SMOM
01-05-2007, 07:24 PM
Went to my appt. and had a great visit with my doc. He is letting me try the Norco, and I got a script for it today. Ill try it when I need it. Im happy it went well, but he did state that in our state they are pretty lenient, and in his home state they used triplicates.
He definatley doesnt want to go to anything stronger for b/t so I need to try to get by with either this or the vicoprofen. Thats fine for now, hopefully this will be bettter soon and then I can start tapering the patches. ect. Thanks for all of your posts, and help~
xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM
He definatley doesnt want to go to anything stronger for b/t so I need to try to get by with either this or the vicoprofen. Thats fine for now, hopefully this will be bettter soon and then I can start tapering the patches. ect. Thanks for all of your posts, and help~
xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM
ozzybug
01-06-2007, 09:44 PM
Izzy'smom-
I think you'll find that the Norco works quite well. My PM doctor prescribes that for me, and it does a good job. He knew that before I started seeing him, my primary prescribed a low dose of Vicodin (5/500) and he told me he would rather I use the Norco because of the fact that there is much less acetamenophen in it. I use 7.5/300 Norco. This is used in combination with a couple other things and other modalities as well. Instead of me being at an 8 or 9 in pain, my pain levels are more around the 4-5 range which is something I can deal with and still live my life somewhat normally.
I don't get any kind of drowsy or euphoric feelings from it either which in my book is a plus. I hope you will be able to say the same. But again, because it is hydrocodone, follow your doctors instructions to the letter.
I'm glad you were able to talk about your pain levels with your PM and get better relief for your pain. Take care, and have a great weekend!! :)
I think you'll find that the Norco works quite well. My PM doctor prescribes that for me, and it does a good job. He knew that before I started seeing him, my primary prescribed a low dose of Vicodin (5/500) and he told me he would rather I use the Norco because of the fact that there is much less acetamenophen in it. I use 7.5/300 Norco. This is used in combination with a couple other things and other modalities as well. Instead of me being at an 8 or 9 in pain, my pain levels are more around the 4-5 range which is something I can deal with and still live my life somewhat normally.
I don't get any kind of drowsy or euphoric feelings from it either which in my book is a plus. I hope you will be able to say the same. But again, because it is hydrocodone, follow your doctors instructions to the letter.
I'm glad you were able to talk about your pain levels with your PM and get better relief for your pain. Take care, and have a great weekend!! :)
IZZY'SMOM
01-07-2007, 07:50 PM
Hey Ozz~
I tried it and its doing good for b/t. Now that Im on the patch, B/t meds dont give me ANY kind of feeling at all, except some strange relief. I do know that if i go a day without ANY b/t meds, I start to get small w/d symptoms.
Is that odd? Maybe i should start a new thread. Anyway Thanks again to everyone!~
xoxoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM
I tried it and its doing good for b/t. Now that Im on the patch, B/t meds dont give me ANY kind of feeling at all, except some strange relief. I do know that if i go a day without ANY b/t meds, I start to get small w/d symptoms.
Is that odd? Maybe i should start a new thread. Anyway Thanks again to everyone!~
xoxoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM
aussie_jono
01-07-2007, 08:52 PM
Why are Americans so scared of paracetamol/acetaminophen?
Doses of 4000mg per day can be taken almost continualy without the risk of any adverse outcome.
Doses of 4000mg per day can be taken almost continualy without the risk of any adverse outcome.
ozzybug
01-08-2007, 05:24 PM
Izzysmom-
It isn't uncommon for your body to react with w/d symptoms if it's used to having them on a regular basis and then go for a day and not take them. Your body has become dependent on them, which is one of the down sides of long term treatment with any medication. But, because of our pain, we need these medications to function and not have to sit on the sidelines while life passes us by.
Take Care!! :wave:
It isn't uncommon for your body to react with w/d symptoms if it's used to having them on a regular basis and then go for a day and not take them. Your body has become dependent on them, which is one of the down sides of long term treatment with any medication. But, because of our pain, we need these medications to function and not have to sit on the sidelines while life passes us by.
Take Care!! :wave:
IZZY'SMOM
01-08-2007, 06:52 PM
Thanks for the reply~
Im not good at sitting on the sidelines~:dizzy: Its nice to be able to do the things I used to with less pain.
xoxoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM:wave:
Im not good at sitting on the sidelines~:dizzy: Its nice to be able to do the things I used to with less pain.
xoxoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM:wave: