persistant pain control - Pain Management Message Board

mfj23 · 01-21-2008, 09:05 AM

I have lost my health insurance and my new policy will not go into force until 04/01/08. After my 2nd open heart surgery my sternum slipped and is misaligned giving me severe pain, especially when it is cold out. My Dr. gives me Oxycontin 20mg, 3 times per day. Without insurance the cost is $320.00 plus $120.00 office visit. Until my insurance kicks in I have to find an alternate medication that will help my pain that I can afford. Pharmacy was no help and my doc says there are mfg. that you can apply for assistance. That will not help me this week when I run out of Oxy20mg. Any suggestions would be grateful..
Thank you

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brianpain33 · 01-21-2008, 03:42 PM

I know that one of the cheap pain medications is Methadone. You could go on a low dose of this until your health plan kicks into effect. You could start out on 10mg dose and up it from there to get an effective dose. You might find that this will be more effective than the Oxy. Hope that helps. Call and ask the pharmacist what a 30 day supply of Methadone would be. They should be able to tell you that. Hopefully your doctor would write you the prescription to pick up instead of requiring an office visit. That price for an office visit is rather pricey. Keep us posted.

Brian

forginon · 01-21-2008, 04:18 PM

IMHO methadone is the best and probably only answer, especially since you don't have time for mfg assistance.

Lucky for you, methadone may well be the most effective pain med available.

And inexpensive? My Rx for 480 5mg tabs per month cost only about $42, and that was w/o insurance.

I say go for it!

You would probably do well at 5-10mg three times daily to start. I think you'll be amazed!

steve

mfj23 · 01-21-2008, 04:32 PM

Thank you for your reply's. Methadone seems to be the answer. I heard it was inexpensive. Any thoghts for breakthrough pain? I feel like I have a tolerance. I started at oxycontin 10mg twice a day, now at 20mg 3 timed a day and I am still in lots of pain. Thank you for your help.
Marty