Aver00
06-23-2008, 06:17 PM
My doctor changed my medicine from oxycontin to opana today - he said it is good to change it up every once in a while - in the past 3-4 years we have upped it twice and had a vacation (?) now we are going to change to opana - I just do not get it - It is working fine and I say "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but he was a little persistent which is unusable for him - I told him I did not want to change and he said well let's just give it a try - seems goofy to me - hubby said the drug reps for opana probably have better golf balls (he can be bad when it comes to doctors)
Hope everyone is having a light pain day Huga huga huga Aver
Hope everyone is having a light pain day Huga huga huga Aver
Sponsor
123dietdrpepper
06-23-2008, 06:53 PM
What a bummer!! Sometimes I just don't get it. Don't they know how something like this can throw us into a spiral. Not to mention that it is not always the most convenient time in our life to deal with a change. Aver, if you need anything I will be here to provide support and a prayer that this change will work amazingly well for you.
Aver00
06-23-2008, 09:45 PM
Hey Pepper - thanks so much for the support - I know it is ridiculous but I have been doing so well that I am frightened to change - my oxy has given me my life back and I just do not want to change - he said it bothers him that I am so reluctant to change (wonder what the heck that means)
well I guess I will see how the night goes hugs Aver
well I guess I will see how the night goes hugs Aver
Aver00
06-23-2008, 11:13 PM
Does anyone take opana? How effective is it for you? I was on oxy and vicodan and now am on opana long acting and short acting - gosh I hope this works hugs Aver
123dietdrpepper
06-23-2008, 11:18 PM
You might due a search on IBAKE&PRAY user name. I think she might have tried it.
Aver00
06-24-2008, 01:01 AM
Has anyone else had their doctor just change their medication for no reason? I am just a little perplexed Aver
niap
06-24-2008, 02:03 AM
What mg were you taking with the oxycontin? I hope he gave you the right equivlent of opana to you! The only reason I can think that you were changed was because either you were asking to increase too many times or you were complaing of side effects...Other than that I cant seem to understand why he would do such a thing expecially since oxy was working so well for you for so long. I know Oxy gave me my life back,I dont know what I would do if this appened to me ....Good luck and keep us informed on what happens and the difference in pain control opana has compared to oxy.
niap:angel:
niap:angel:
123dietdrpepper
06-24-2008, 02:08 AM
It may simply have something to do with it being oxycontin. This medication clearly has alot of bad publicity for being abused. It is unfortunate because it is a effective medication. It could be that something happened to one of their patients or another doctors patient. There could be a million reasons.
Aver00
06-24-2008, 02:15 AM
That is true Pepper and he has been with me through cancer and a million other things and never done me wrong - he was flying today so I will question more next time hugs Aver
Executor
06-24-2008, 02:18 AM
Sorry to hear about this. The # 1 rule in PM is if a regimen is working, don't change it.....I hear my Doc say it all the time.
I guess you'll have to be the guinea pig and see what happens. Try to be positive....Maybe the Opana will work better. One never knows. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to tell him it didn't work if in fact it doesn't. Will he allow you to call @ some point and change if you turn for the worse?
I think in PM sometimes Docs change things up to see how patients will react....A "test" so to speak....Trying to see how receptive the patient is to improving or trying new things.
However, I think Diet is right in that it may be all about the OC, and not about you. I have sensed from my Doc that he doesn't care for OC very much either.
Good luck.
Ex
I guess you'll have to be the guinea pig and see what happens. Try to be positive....Maybe the Opana will work better. One never knows. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to tell him it didn't work if in fact it doesn't. Will he allow you to call @ some point and change if you turn for the worse?
I think in PM sometimes Docs change things up to see how patients will react....A "test" so to speak....Trying to see how receptive the patient is to improving or trying new things.
However, I think Diet is right in that it may be all about the OC, and not about you. I have sensed from my Doc that he doesn't care for OC very much either.
Good luck.
Ex
Aver00
06-24-2008, 02:33 AM
Yes I can reach my doctor 24/7 and if I were not getting pain relief I know he would change it back - I think I am starting to get old and fussy - just do not like to change anything - you may be right about the oxy because he said about a year ago that he wished he could find something that worked as well for me as the oxy - oxy is a real problem in Tampa - pharmacies are being robbed, homes are being broken into all for oxy - I can not imagine someone wanting it so badly
hugs Aver
hugs Aver
Executor
06-24-2008, 02:47 AM
you may be right about the oxy because he said about a year ago that he wished he could find something that worked as well for me as the oxy - oxy is a real problem in Tampa - pharmacies are being robbed, homes are being broken into all for oxy
There's your answer..........
I feel sure your Doc will switch you back if needed. Who knows....Maybe the DEA has even requested Doc switch patients, but allow those who need it to stay.....Stranger things have happened.
Ex
There's your answer..........
I feel sure your Doc will switch you back if needed. Who knows....Maybe the DEA has even requested Doc switch patients, but allow those who need it to stay.....Stranger things have happened.
Ex
Arthr Itis
06-24-2008, 02:53 AM
Aver, I agree with Ex. Because oxy is such a problem in your area the doctor is trying to save you future problems by taking you off it. When my PM put me on it he warned me [several times] not to tell a soul that I'm on oxy. Of course with my big mouth I told a few people.Well maybe more than a few. Be sure to let us know how the new stuff works. Mybe I'll want to switch too.
Fred
Fred
feelbad
06-24-2008, 08:58 AM
considering what you posted about real issues just with overall oxy use down there,i think i too would have to agree that this could possibly be the real reason. i just cannot imagine why a good PM,who knows how hard it is to even GET some patients just 'tolerable' relief in many cases,would up and change something either without having SOME sort of actual reason for this.
i am curious to know how this switch goes for you since i have been considering this same switch for myself. i know i need some type of changes right now in my base meds and possibly my BT too. i finally get the chance to speak with my actual PM doc himself on thursday,finally when i have a block done.
that sure is a very crappy thing to do to a PM patient tho. when finding anything at all that actually works and having that 'switched" on you just sucks. i would talk with him about the real 'whys" for this switch tho,you do have a right to know just why he is actually doing this when he knows it actually works for you. i too am of the mindset,if it aint broke don;t fix it thing. if i were you too,i would just want to know why,ya know? hopefully this will actually work well for you or even better? keep us posted,and good luck with this. Marcia
i am curious to know how this switch goes for you since i have been considering this same switch for myself. i know i need some type of changes right now in my base meds and possibly my BT too. i finally get the chance to speak with my actual PM doc himself on thursday,finally when i have a block done.
that sure is a very crappy thing to do to a PM patient tho. when finding anything at all that actually works and having that 'switched" on you just sucks. i would talk with him about the real 'whys" for this switch tho,you do have a right to know just why he is actually doing this when he knows it actually works for you. i too am of the mindset,if it aint broke don;t fix it thing. if i were you too,i would just want to know why,ya know? hopefully this will actually work well for you or even better? keep us posted,and good luck with this. Marcia
Aver00
06-24-2008, 11:27 AM
I talked with my doctor's PA this morning and he said the change was partly due to the oxy problem and partly because I had been on this dose so long without an increase that changing the medicine at this point might prevent an increase - he said they are also sending out a safety memo recommending that all scripts be dropped off and picked up at drive throughs if possible - apparently a customer was beaten up pretty badly in one of the parking lots at 2:00 in the afternoon just to get her oxycontin - the funny part of this was that they caught the idiot when he called in a refill for it
so far so good on the change - if anything it is working better - my pain is usually corrected to about a 4 on the pain scale and today it is about a 2 soooooooo I will give it a few days and let you know
hugs Aver
so far so good on the change - if anything it is working better - my pain is usually corrected to about a 4 on the pain scale and today it is about a 2 soooooooo I will give it a few days and let you know
hugs Aver
forginon
06-24-2008, 11:33 AM
Aver,
Would you be so kind as to list what your meds and doses were before and after the change. This would include all LA and SA meds for pain.
Many have found that Opana is very hard to dose, especially the LA formula, and if you've found it to work, I'd like to know the before and after picture, including pain scores, as you alluded to in the last post.
Thanks a bunch - this could help many here.
steve
Would you be so kind as to list what your meds and doses were before and after the change. This would include all LA and SA meds for pain.
Many have found that Opana is very hard to dose, especially the LA formula, and if you've found it to work, I'd like to know the before and after picture, including pain scores, as you alluded to in the last post.
Thanks a bunch - this could help many here.
steve
Aver00
06-24-2008, 11:48 AM
I just started the opana yesterday and as I said so far so good but it has only been one day so I think I need to give it a couple of weeks befor giving a real opinion - I was taking oxycontin 80 mg 3 X Daily and
vicodin 10/325 1-2 q 4-6 hrs for b/t
my new dose is opana 40 mg 3xdaily
opana ir 10 3 X daily for b//t
he said the opana was more of a 12 hour medicine but since I was used to the 3 times a day routine we would stick with it - also getting a little extra medicine in my most active time a day might be helpful
he really is great, he would not have rushed yesterday if I would have been more questioning - I was just not ready for what happened so the questions came later (hope ya'll understand that)
hugs Aver
vicodin 10/325 1-2 q 4-6 hrs for b/t
my new dose is opana 40 mg 3xdaily
opana ir 10 3 X daily for b//t
he said the opana was more of a 12 hour medicine but since I was used to the 3 times a day routine we would stick with it - also getting a little extra medicine in my most active time a day might be helpful
he really is great, he would not have rushed yesterday if I would have been more questioning - I was just not ready for what happened so the questions came later (hope ya'll understand that)
hugs Aver
Aver00
06-24-2008, 11:51 AM
The other thing my pharmacists told me about opana la was that to get the full effect of the medicine take it on an empty stomach about 10-15 minutes before meals - he said it made a huge difference
Hugs Aver
Hugs Aver
123dietdrpepper
06-24-2008, 12:16 PM
That is scary about your pm sending out the note. If you think about it, must of us are easy targets walking with walkers or canes. I know at Kaiser the doctor walks the oxy script to the pharmacy himself and the pharmacy staff never say a word about the med I am picking up. If someone was watching they would see that I have to show my drivers license so it would be a dead give away I am picking up a narcotic.
forginon
06-24-2008, 12:32 PM
...he would not have rushed yesterday if I would have been more questioning - I was just not ready for what happened so the questions came later (hope ya'll understand that)
hugs Aver
I totally understand.
When I get caught off-guard I always have the best questions after the fact.
And I believe your doc is correct about the food issue. The prescribing info says that folks that take the med on an empty stomach and then eat within 20 minutes have 50% better "bio-availability" than those who take it on a full stomach.
I am still surprised by the docs decision to switch you. In nearly every profession the hallmark of decision-making is "if it ain't broke don't fix it." Especially since he was willing to put you back on the OxyC if the Opana didn't work for you. So he clearly was not intimidated by prescribing OxyC. The best way to pre-empt tolerance is to add a med that slows or reverses tolerance like dextromethorphan or similar meds. opioid switching is usually reserved for when a med has stopped working.
Oh well - who know what evil lurks in the minds of these artisans of medicine...
steve
hugs Aver
I totally understand.
When I get caught off-guard I always have the best questions after the fact.
And I believe your doc is correct about the food issue. The prescribing info says that folks that take the med on an empty stomach and then eat within 20 minutes have 50% better "bio-availability" than those who take it on a full stomach.
I am still surprised by the docs decision to switch you. In nearly every profession the hallmark of decision-making is "if it ain't broke don't fix it." Especially since he was willing to put you back on the OxyC if the Opana didn't work for you. So he clearly was not intimidated by prescribing OxyC. The best way to pre-empt tolerance is to add a med that slows or reverses tolerance like dextromethorphan or similar meds. opioid switching is usually reserved for when a med has stopped working.
Oh well - who know what evil lurks in the minds of these artisans of medicine...
steve
Aver00
06-24-2008, 01:19 PM
You are right, who knows the thought process of another - I just have to trust him and I do because he has always done right by me though the change is puzzling - when I get with him next time I will ask more and usually when something happens that I do not understand he has a reason that is something valid - the only thing I am finding with the switch is that I may need a nap this PM nite nite, Aver
russell7676
06-24-2008, 08:42 PM
How are the Opana IR's working for you? I'm in the Tampa area also and on Oxycodone IR for my breakthrough med. The pharmacy doesn't have the usual Roxane brand that seems to work so well, and gave me the Ethex version instead. With these, I can't even tell that I have taken one, and my pain control has gone from superior to poor. I'm just wondering if I could sub the Opana IR if I was on the Oxycontin LA, of if they only prescribe the two together.
Lou1
06-25-2008, 04:15 PM
I was on Opana...it is VERY important to take this medication on an empty stomach...at least one hour before...or two hours after a meal. Taking the Opana with food in your stomach will actually cause a much higher amount of the medicine to be released, with the potential for unwanted side-effects. You won't overdose, just more medicine is released than is supposed to. My doctor could not stress enough the importance of the empty stomach.
I did not do well Opana....but don't think my personal poor experience means you will not do great. Opana just did not agree with my body and I had to be changed. Apparently my body is very sensitive to the stronger narcotics because I could not stay on oxycontin either....made me deathly sick.
I am now on morphine sulphate which seems to be doing ok so far.
Good luck,
Lou
I did not do well Opana....but don't think my personal poor experience means you will not do great. Opana just did not agree with my body and I had to be changed. Apparently my body is very sensitive to the stronger narcotics because I could not stay on oxycontin either....made me deathly sick.
I am now on morphine sulphate which seems to be doing ok so far.
Good luck,
Lou
eyesworld
06-30-2008, 07:39 PM
so, how did it work out with the switch to opana?
eyesworld
07-09-2008, 01:02 AM
I started on opana er 20mg 2x a day along with oxycodone 30mg 4 or 5x a day. I feel absolutely no difference adding the opana. The doc upped me to 30mg 2x a day-still no effect-so he dropped me back down to the 20 mg. I don't know about this drug.??
I was hoping for LA relief-but it just isn't doing it for me.
I was hoping for LA relief-but it just isn't doing it for me.
friendly_one
07-10-2008, 04:34 PM
Aver,
I tried Opana ER & IR last year. HATED IT!!!! For me and many other people, it might as well have been a placebo. It did nothing for me, pain wise, except make me nauseated and vomit. With this med, you have to take on an empty stomach, so that didn't help me with the n/v, either. Everybody is different, but from my experience with it and other people's, it's not a very good pain reliever. That's such a shame about the Oxycontin situation where you live. Stupid stunts and abusers have made this excellent pain reliever almost non-existent for the true chronic pain patient. :(
I tried Opana ER & IR last year. HATED IT!!!! For me and many other people, it might as well have been a placebo. It did nothing for me, pain wise, except make me nauseated and vomit. With this med, you have to take on an empty stomach, so that didn't help me with the n/v, either. Everybody is different, but from my experience with it and other people's, it's not a very good pain reliever. That's such a shame about the Oxycontin situation where you live. Stupid stunts and abusers have made this excellent pain reliever almost non-existent for the true chronic pain patient. :(
Aver00
07-10-2008, 06:12 PM
Okay, I really gave the opana a try and did so with a positive attitude - I am going on three weeks and will give it the full month -
*do not get adequate pain relief - find it to be about 60-70% as effective as oxycontin
*more drowsiness
*more nausea
but I told him I would give it a month so I will tell him on my next visit - it is certainly better than nothing
huga huga Aver
*do not get adequate pain relief - find it to be about 60-70% as effective as oxycontin
*more drowsiness
*more nausea
but I told him I would give it a month so I will tell him on my next visit - it is certainly better than nothing
huga huga Aver
eyesworld
07-10-2008, 07:34 PM
I agree with both of the previous posters--I'm fortunate to still have my BT, even if they aren't the Amide brand-but the Opana--you're correct ---like a placebo --it's almost like a scam-
Aver00
07-10-2008, 10:30 PM
Maybe it is not used much because of the ineffective action plus the negative side effects
eyesworld
07-10-2008, 11:26 PM
I'm at zero copay right now and 60 of them cost my insurance company $378.
Aver00
07-11-2008, 12:47 AM
I hope all goes well when I go back to doc and tell him that the opana is not working as well for me - with the oxy and vicodan for b/t my pain level stays around 3-4 which is terrific - with the opana it never really stablizes, one day it is 2-3 the next 7-8 soooooo hopefully he changes me back with out a problem huga huga huga Aver
brianpain33
07-11-2008, 02:28 AM
Aver:
I think you have definitely given the Opana a good trial run. You can either go back on the Oxycontin or try another LA med like:
Kadian or Avinza (both morphine based)
Methadone
Fentanyl patch
Good luck
Brian
I think you have definitely given the Opana a good trial run. You can either go back on the Oxycontin or try another LA med like:
Kadian or Avinza (both morphine based)
Methadone
Fentanyl patch
Good luck
Brian
Executor
07-11-2008, 05:26 AM
The "claim to fame" of Opana is that it supposedly targets the receptors that do not cause euphoria and etc. Thus, it may not "feel" like it's working.
This med has not caught on with PM Docs and many have reported that it doesn't work that well. I've never tried it, so I don't know. However, to me, where's there's smoke there's fire...........
Hope your Doc changes you back. Once you tell him about the days of 7-8 BT meds required, I'm sure he'll switch you back.
Regards,
Ex
This med has not caught on with PM Docs and many have reported that it doesn't work that well. I've never tried it, so I don't know. However, to me, where's there's smoke there's fire...........
Hope your Doc changes you back. Once you tell him about the days of 7-8 BT meds required, I'm sure he'll switch you back.
Regards,
Ex
Aver00
07-11-2008, 01:37 PM
Thanks EX - I can tell you there is certainly no euphoria when I am curled up on my bed not wanting to move - One thing I haven't mentioned to ya'll is that I got a new bed and it has been a miracle for both me and hubby - it is a tempurpedic (sp) and the head elevates - the price is ridiculous but it has really helped both my back and neck -
anyway back to oxy - my doc is really terrific and will change me back unless there is a good reason not too - I will let everyone know what he says
Thanks to all - you really are the best huga huga huga Aver
anyway back to oxy - my doc is really terrific and will change me back unless there is a good reason not too - I will let everyone know what he says
Thanks to all - you really are the best huga huga huga Aver