Fibro Diagnosis...2 Much Hydro? - Pain Management Message Board

MomOf4VA · 03-15-2005, 01:52 PM

My new PMD has determined that I DO have Fibromyalgia resulting from my accident/neck break and failed cervical C4-6 fusion surgery. He put me on Hydrocodone 10/500 up to 8 per day. I asked him about a LA med and he said he would Rx that for me "should need be" in 3-4 months. My question is this: Wouldn't the NEED for up 8 hydro a day WARRANT being on a LA med? I have had this pain for years and have done everything known to medicine to relieve it. I went in HOPING to get put on an LA med as I am sick and tired of these hydro's. He said that once I got on the "long acting opioid train" that I would not be able to get off it and that it was a "lifetime commitment". Anyway, I guess I can wait 4 more months, but 8 hydro a day seemed like a lot to me. Especially when it doesn't really help with the pain. Thanks guys.

Kim

SheSparkles · 03-15-2005, 03:00 PM

Hi Kim,
I think your concern is reasonable regarding the hydrocodone you are on...unfortunately what we feel is zip when it comes to your Dr. You are the pt. and you are really the only one who can get the message across to the Doc. that yr pain is still unacceptable. I would think most Drs. would prefer getting you off the hydros and onto something with fewer ups and downs. If it gets to the point where you are really bothered by the refusal to try a long acting narcotic...you may need to try another Dr.
Sparkles

RetiredDirector · 03-15-2005, 03:14 PM

Hi Mom...There's something else to consider if you're going to be on this Hydro for four months (at least). The maximum daily dose of APAP is 4,000 mgs a day, which is where you're at if you take all eight Hydrocodone each day. If he is hell bent in keeping you on this med for four months and not switching you to a LA drug of some kind you need to do something. The four grams is the maximum dose for one day, but not long term. Then you should cut that in half if you're going to be on it long term. You can ask him about RXing you Hydro 10/325. That would help quite a bit, in pain control and also your APAP intake. You mentioned it really doesn't help the pain, How long until your next appointment? When you see him, just mention you don't feel comfortable taking that much Tylenol because of the potential harm to your liver. One other thing too. Going on a long acting med like Oxycontin or MS Contin does not mean it's a "lifetime commitment". I have detoxed off Oxycontin at home with my doctor's schedule of tapering. When I started, I was taking 160 mgs of Oxy TID and for a short period he bumped me up (just before detoxing) TO 160 Mgs QID. It can be done, as I have done it. Right now I'm on a high dose (180 mgs per day) of Methadone and I hope I stay on it the rest of my life, because I'm not looking forward to the detox from Methadone.

MomOf4VA · 03-15-2005, 03:26 PM

I took oxycontin before I went to this Dr (moved) and had no problem tapering off with Methadone and I told him so. He wants to try to avoid the LA meds by having me on "his" rounds before switching me. However, I HAVE DONE HIS ROUNDS before to no avail. I WANT to be on an LA med because of the Tylenol. SO frustrating. I was on 60 mgs of oxy 3 x a day..oxyIR up to 4 x a day and didn't have to go to Betty Ford to get off. I get the impression the HE wants to "document my need" if you know what I mean; before putting me back on an LA med. He seems to think that the Cymbalta< AMbien and Nortritylene are going to fix me. HA! BTDT. Only with Effexor instead of the Cymbalta.

twisten · 03-15-2005, 05:08 PM

I'm not in any way judging you but I noticed in another post that you were taking too many and weren't taking your oxy as prescribed. Is that possibly why this doc is doing this?