Oxycontin-Vicodin Calculation Pls Help - Pain Management Message Board

StMishl · 03-21-2005, 05:56 PM

I have seen people helping others with calculations from one med to another, and could really use some help myself.

Due to a long story (see my post about running out of meds) I have been "messed up" with my oxycontin Since Thurs. My usual dosing schedule is as follows

20mg 6am
10 mg NOON
20 mg 6 pm
I have been taking oxycontin (very messed up back, leading to a failing fusion) since Oct. 2004. They had been working pretty well (now that i'm off them I realize how well).

I learned I would have to make 3 pills last until (I thought) Monday
so I took 10 mg Thursday evening, 10 mg Friday evening 10 mg Sunday evening.

My doctor was out again today, and the nurse called in 60 vicodin (hydrocodone/apap5/500). When I asked about picking up my "real" refill for the oxy tomorrow (and then using the vicodin as BT) she said I'd have to wait until my appt on Friday (it was scheduled for today but the dr took Thurs-today off!). She is acting as a "gatekeeper" to the dr and has evidently decided I don't need oxycontin so long as I have the vicodin. While I am grateful for something stronger then tylonol... How do I make the Vicodin work equivicably to the oxycontin. I know it is the same narcotic. I am trying to get a level amount into my bloodstream and to avoid the ups and downs. So far I took 2 when I got them from the pharmacy about 2 hrs ago (and I can tell that I am "coming down" again -boy now I DO sound like a drug addict).

Is there a way to overlap doses or ?? to best make it to my appointment Friday (at which point I can hopefully get a refill of the oxy). I don't want to be unconcious, I just want to be in as little pain as possible, while being able to function (I am a mom and am trying to work pt at a desk job- TRYING to keep the job at this point is more like it!) Is that so much to ask for?

I took tons of Tylonol/benedryl this weekend to essentially keep myself asleep - an unhealthy choice obviously, but it stopped the restless legs and let me sleep.

Due to my back being a disaster I am in the process of seeking a second opinion, but think my 1st move will be asking for a referal to a pain clinic (I think this guy doesn't have enough exeprience besides just post op meds).

Thank you Sincerely for your advice,

RetiredDirector · 03-22-2005, 12:58 PM

StMishl...Sorry to disappoint you or be the bearer of bad news, but Oxycontin and Vicodin are not the same drug as you indicated in your post. Your Vicodin has 5 mg of Hydrocodone and your Oxycontin has 10 mg of Oxycodone. Two different drugs. I'm not sure exactly how you can find out how much Hydro it would take to be equivilent to the LA Oxy but here is a conversion URL you can look and see what you can come up with: [url]http://www.globalrph.com/narcoticonv.htm[/url]. I hope this will be of some help to you.

StMishl · 03-22-2005, 06:24 PM

Director,
Thanks anyways... I thought they were the same base med. I had gotten spoiled with the oxycontin and really dislike the vicodin. It seems to cause light headedness for about 1/2 hr then make me really sleepy, while never really adressing the pain...

Thanks though.

Michelle

pedden · 03-22-2005, 06:33 PM

Good Luck. I know that those 2 meds are totally different when it comes to pain relief. For I was on Oxycotin for 6 months before I decided to try something more as needed, and to my surprise that something as needed just wouldnt work for my pain. So again, Good Luck.