Low dose of medication? - Pain Management Message Board

Moldova · 05-22-2008, 09:04 AM

Thank you all for your replies! Really appreciated...
Do you think I am on low dose of Pain medication? Let me tell you again and please let me know what you think than...

Lurica: 150mg - AM
150mg - noon
150mg - PM

20mg of Oxycontine - every 8 hours. as LA
15-22 mg of Oxy - as needed as BT
or 20/650 mg Percocet as BT

Lexapro - PM only

I told him that because I try my best not to take more than 3-4 times a day my BT I feel it's not enough for me to cover my pain.

He said I am allowed to take up to 6-8 times a day my BT.

So I feel I am on plenty of meds.
He said that because this is Oxy meds (body gets used too fast to any dose of Oxy and needs more to cover pain) he prefers to not increase LA, but take BT as needed since I have strong pain tolerance and take them very resplonsibly. Yes, it has something to do with it too!!!

I guess every PM has his own views depends on patient and case. I don't have a reason to doubt his methods so far. I have to admit I am not an easy case for them (too many other problems, like RA and ARC they have to take in consideration) that is why it takes time to make the right desicion. Boy, they try so hard. I am lucky enough to have also Neurologist on same team and they all work together to help me.

Have a wonderful day and many days after....

forginon · 05-22-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moldova

Lurica: 150mg - AM
150mg - noon
150mg - PM

20mg of Oxycontine - every 8 hours. as LA
15-22 mg of Oxy - as needed as BT
or 20/650 mg Percocet as BT

Lexapro - PM only

I told him that because I try my best not to take more than 3-4 times a day my BT I feel it's not enough for me to cover my pain.

He said I am allowed to take up to 6-8 times a day my BT....

Moldova,

In my opinion, your LA dose is significantly low, especially compared to the BT doses you are being allowed. But this is IF you are regularly taking your full allotment of BT meds. Because your LA dose is low, you are really managing your pain through the BT meds. But by trying to take only 3-4 doses daily you seem to be robbing yourself of the relief available. Before raising the LA dose, I highly recommend that you start using more of the BT doses available to you - which is probably what your doc recommends as well.

I want to say this carefully so as to avoid sounding hurtful, but I think by trying to take low BT doses you are hurting yourself (causing or making possible your added pain). And I think this is also causing a problem for your docs in trying to treat you. Both the doc and the patient each have to do their own part. They are prescribing the meds, and you have to take them. By refusing to take the BT doses allowed, and then alerting the docs to uncontrolled pain, you are working against yourself and the doctors. If I were your doc I would order you to take your full allotment of BT meds before trying anything else. Your solution could be right under your nose. If you do take your full allotment of BT meds and the pain is still uncontrolled then your doctors have something to go on. Then they can make an intelligent decision on either raising your LA med or trying something else altogether.

There, I said it. You are a tough lady and I know you can take it. If you are angry with me, I can take it too. But I think this needed to be said.

Have a great day Moldova.

steve

slipperyslope · 05-22-2008, 11:00 AM

yes your doses are very low. much lower than what most CP patients take. I think that is a BIG part of your problems. That you are very undermedicated.

SS
20 MGS OF OXY 3 Times a day is nothing. remember your only get 10mgs released in each dose, that is nothing!

Moldova · 05-22-2008, 11:05 AM

O, Steve, I can't agree more - you are absolutely right.
But the thing is: when he put me on LA meds he said that now i will not require BT as much and it's better on my system. So I got an idea that I have to take less pills than before. I like to communicate with my Drs (usually), but i did not want to sound needy or to be interested in BT before even trying LA first. Wrong thinking, ha?

Instead of asking him what exactly does he mean, i got into my head that taking LA means NO or almost NO BT. I checked on Internet about Oxy and how addictive this is, I got very uncomfortable taking it and fear not to get addicted even though I am very responsible person, but things can happen to anybody.

He also said that if LA will work well, I don't have to take BT at all. I read so many posts here and checking with people how many BT they are on. Usually it's like 2-4 for mostly... So I thought that is what I approximately have to do. Very silly and inmature from me not to confirm it with him.
That is why when I told him on Tuesday that I try my best to take no more than 2-4 a day, he was surpised.. and told me i can take up to 8 BT.

My question to you... If I took before LA about 8 Percocets 20/650 each a day - what is the reason of LA if I still will take same amount as BT?
That is why this confusing to me... I hope you understand where I am coming from...

While ago I told a story how I went to see my surgeon and met a man in his waiting room: his hands were shaking, eyes were looking like he is very crazy or very high; he did not talk, he screamed saying that his *&$ Dr gave him prescription for only 60 pills, meanwhile he is in lot of pain after 9 spinal surgeries and so on.... I got so scared looking at him, felt so bad for him.
When nurse told him if he does not leave they will call police - he left; nurse apologized for him and said that he is very bad addict with bad spinal history and asks for more and more meds...
Well...

Since than I am even more careful with meds; each time I take, I think of him - how crazy this is? He was the first person I met who was high and high from it.
Well, now at least I feel better that I have DRs approval for taking more BT.

HBMod07 · 05-22-2008, 11:37 AM

Please do not ask a new question within an exisiting post, always start a new post.