question about new oxycodone med. - Pain Management Message Board

Sage48 · 05-25-2006, 04:40 AM

Hi all,

The beginning of May my PM prescribed oxycodone 10/325 (one every 4 to 6 hrs. ) for me to take instead of the hydrocodone 10/500. (I had been on the hydrocodone for quite a while, and I had a really bad flare of back pain...hence, the change in meds.)
This week, I refilled my prescription for the oxycodone....and my PM now has it at 10/650. (one every 6 to 8 hrs.)...not happy with all of that tylenol. The pharmacy filled it with the Watson brand. Last month, I had the other generic Mallen------. I noticed that the Watson appears stronger. (I had a post regarding this last week).

Anyway, I haven't taken an entire 10/650....only about 3/4 of it....I am afraid of meds....they sometimes don't like me! It seems to work...not out of pain, but it makes life easier...(I know, should take the entire pill)...But, this is my problem. I seem to be developing a headache. This is something I normally do not get.

Could it be the pills? Why didn't I have it last prescription? (I was taking it the same way, sometimes 3/4 of a pill, or the entire pill then (10/325)., depending on my pain levels...

Before I call my PM and tell him about the headache, I wanted to check with the knowledgable people on this board......experience is a good thing. Could the change in manufacturer etc. be the cause of the headache??
My PM knows that I break pills....we've been together for at least 3 1/2 years, and he knows I won't abuse meds. etc, he knows I'd go for less meds., rather than more.

Thanks for any help...

Sage.

ARANGER · 05-25-2006, 08:34 AM

Hey Sage,

Watson Pharma is a pretty reputable company. I've never had there meds tested, but I'd venture to say that they put more active drug than other compainies like Mall.

Oxycodone can cause headaches. That is a side effect that many people report. It may be that you are getting more oxy from the Watson pill. Or it may be a different filler that is used. Or a combo of both. I take Oxycodone as well and used to get H/A's. That side effect eventually went away.

Hopefully it goes away soon. Take Care

Sage48 · 05-25-2006, 02:36 PM

Thank you Aranger,

I had a bad night...couldn't sleep....back was hurting bad, I did housework, played the "normal person" for a day or so and now am having payback....

The headache symptom is new....don't care for it at all.

Will wait another day or maybe till next week to see if the headache's go away.....funny though....maybe it is a change in the brand's contents.

Thank you for your reply....I thought I was going nuttier than usual...headaches are not something I usually get.

Sage

Sage48 · 05-26-2006, 07:12 AM

Ok, I took another pill (oxycodone 10/650) about 4:15 yesterday afternoon. The headache increased....and then I started to get sick to my stomach....very unpleasant....

It's now after 9 Fri. morning. I called my PM doctor at 8 this morning. Explained what was happening, and about the different mfgrs of the pills and the increase in the tylenol in the new med.

They know me there, I have been going there for over 3 years, so they know that I am not making this up....The nurse I spoke with said that they would give the note to my PM as soon as he finished with patients....hope that isn't late this afternoon! Because I am not taking anything else today until he calls. My headache is a bit better this morning, and my stomach is feeling better. My back pain is increasing as the morning goes on, which is to be expected.....so generally, I am not having a great morning. No pity party yet!!! I do unterstand it is difficult for my PM because I have had problems with meds in the past, but we just have to find something that works. I don't understand why he took me off of the 10/325 and put me on the 10/650 oxycodone. The 10/325 seemed to be working, and I didn't have any side effects to it. Maybe it was to cut down on 1 pill a day. I understand that too, but this is not acceptable.

Thanks for letting me rant!!! These boards are so wonderful, people who understand, and great advice.

Sage

ARANGER · 05-26-2006, 09:14 AM

Hey Sage,

I don't why your doc would change your medication either. Its not like he changed the Oxy level, just the tylenol. Tell him that you want to go back to the 10/325 and if you feel like you need more tylenol, go buy a bottle and take one.

As far as the H/A, it could be just a different filler that is used between the manufactures. I don't its the increase in tylenol that is doing it. However, H/A's are side effect of Oxy, but I find that a lot depends on the manufacturer

For the nausea, this is a side effect of oxy. I found that Phenegran (Promethazine) works pretty good. Its a little sedating with the oxy, but it works pretty good. You may want to see if your doc would call you in a script of that. Its a good med to have on had.

Hope you start feeling better. Take Care