Oxycontin feels like it's lasting 9 hours - Pain Management Message Board

brianpain33 · 08-08-2008, 01:30 AM

I guess most of you are right about the Oxycontin definitely not lasting 12 hours. I timed it today. I took 1 at 2:30pm and then around 11:30pm it started to wear out and by 1:30am it was comletely out so I took the 2nd one but it technically was an hour early. I wasn't sure whether to go ahead and call my doctor's office and tell him this or to ask for a BT med such as SA oxycodone. I do have an appt on the 14th with the other doctor but he isn't quite as generous as the doctor I saw a coupld of days ago. It depends on what mood you get them in too. The Oxycontin is helping @ 10mg x 2/day. I know that going up to 20mg x 2/day would help better with my pain but it won't make it last up to 12 hours.

So what's everyone's advice?

brian

p.s. If my doc was to say go ahead and take them 3x/day every 8 hours, then of course I would run out of my Rx early. Would I be able to get another prescription filled if it was the same mg but different dosing schedule? Do they consider that a different script?

Round1 · 08-08-2008, 06:34 AM

Hi there brian,

If there is any change in dosage it is considered here a new script. Example I was on 10mg and filled my script for the month, but a week later I was going to the 20mgs so I had a new script and that was filled also in the same month. They did not ask or question the remaining 10mg that I had still left for the month.

I have been taking 20mg now 3 times aday. Not the best way as I take them every 6 hours and have noticed a great improvement, but then my last could be taken at 10 or 11 at night and not take any till morning. I just find it works for me every 6 hours, as I dont touch wood have trouble sleeping and I am not in pain when I lye down, and getting out of bed is fine to. I just find taking them when I am asleep doesnt help. I need it when I am up and out and about. I know there is posts about the plasma levels and to keep them at a level. When I am due back to PM I will ask if I can increase it so then I could start taking them 4 x 20mg in the 24hrs. I think my PM will have a heart attack if I tell him its every 6 hrs as he quite annoyed when I said it didnt last 12 hours ! told me it is a 12 hour drug for sure and wasnt going to change, when I suggested the 8hours, and now I am doing 6. Well the way I look at it. I am the one in pain and limited and he isnt loosing any sleep worrying how I manage.

So hopefully over there if there is a change in your meds you wont have hazzle getting them.

Round1

cmpgirl · 08-08-2008, 07:14 AM

Hey Brian, I have been taking Oxycontin for about 7 years, give or take, and I started out at:

20mg 2x/day. But I had 5mg Vicodin up to 4x/day along with it. This worked pretty well for about 2 years.

Then my doc and I agreed it was not a 12 hr med. (he was getting the same feedback from a lot of his patients) So I went to 20mg 3x/day and he upped my vicodin to 7.5's up to 4x/day.

The next jump was just the vicodin (still 7.5) to up to 6x/day and this was good till about 6 months ago.

Finally in June of this year, we decided to try changing the oxy to 30, 20, 30 and he switched me to Norco 10mg up to 6x/day. This has been the most dramatic change since beginning the oxy and I have only been using the Norco 3x/day, 5 out of 7 days and 4x/day, on the weekends. (because I am more active on weekends)

For me, the dose that up to now, worked the best and the longest period of time, was the 20mg 3x/day with anywhere up to 6x/day of the 7.5 vicodin. I'm hoping this new increase will give me the same or better longevity.

Hope this helps. Hugs, CMP/MM

Executor · 08-08-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianpain33

I wasn't sure whether to go ahead and call my doctor's office and tell him this or to ask for a BT med such as SA oxycodone. I do have an appt on the 14th with the other doctor but he isn't quite as generous as the doctor I saw a coupld of days ago.

I would call and ask to speak to either the Doc or his nurse....Given the difference between the two Docs. I'm not so sure I wouldn't call the receptionist and tell her that you've experienced some issues (be vague) with your regimen change & would like to come back in & see the same Doc. Be careful what you tell the receptionist as that all get documented and you don't want her to make some decision about when & whom you should see. I could see her putting you off to the 14th for example. I think face to face is always best if possible.

Quote:

It depends on what mood you get them in too.

You are so right!

Quote:

If my doc was to say go ahead and take them 3x/day every 8 hours, then of course I would run out of my Rx early. Would I be able to get another prescription filled if it was the same mg but different dosing schedule? Do they consider that a different script?

Yes, it shouldn't be a problem since the dosing instructions will change on the next script. This is where a good independent pharmacist can come in handy sometimes. Ask your Doc about it just in case....But wait until after he's approved the change and the decision to change is done...You don't want this to possibly influence his decision and say something like..."yeah, we may have some issues with insurance, so lets wait."

Regards,

Ex