Oxycontin question. - Pain Management Message Board

slipperyslope · 03-15-2006, 09:53 AM

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!

ARANGER · 03-15-2006, 11:31 AM

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

slipperyslope · 03-15-2006, 11:39 AM

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.

RetiredDirector · 03-15-2006, 12:02 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.

ARANGER · 03-15-2006, 01:09 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