Looking for info to copare OxyContin and Methadone - Pain Management Message Board

lgriffincsa · 07-10-2003, 11:21 PM

Hi all,
Since I got some real good advice and info. from my last thread, but it unfortunatly turned somewhat ulgy, I was afraid that this question might get lost in the heat of battle. I therefore have posted this new thread, in hopes of gaining only this specific info, and avoid the fighting.
I have posted before about my bulging discs, L4/L5 and L5/S1, with a tear in the L4/L5 disc. I would like to know if someone has any info or links to info comparing Oxycontin and Methadone, (specificly 20mg OxyC vs equivalent amount of Methadone). I would like to find equivelent doses, side effects of each, withdrawal duration, and basicly everything that can be provided to compare the 2 meds to each other. I ask because my PM dr. presently has me on percocet 7.5/325 every 4 hrs. At present, I do not get adaquate releif. Strangely enough, I have gotten adaquate releif in the past taking less Oxycodone, just in a different form, (Oxycontin 20mg, 2 times per day). I know that I cant go on forevertaking the percocet at this quanity, because I am concerned about my APAP intake. I brought this up to my Dr. and asked if their were other meds I could take, that would last longer and provide adaquate releif. He mentioned Methadone and I am not comfortable with the prospect of taking it. I would prefer the Oxycontin, since I know what I can expect from oxycodone (percocet) and have had a positive pain releif experience with the Oxycontin. I would like to have the requested information to prepare my "argument" when discussing my prescription options with my Dr. at my next visit. Thanks in advance for your help.

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1998-Major rear-end colision
1998-mid2000-Chiropractic care
2000-mid2002-Pain level increased drasticly. No insurance, took a combo of every OTC painreleiver imaginable.
2002-MRI/ L3/L4 and L4/L5 annular bulging; DDD L4-5 and L5-S1
2003 February- Orthopeadic Spinal Surgeon said not a candidate for surgery,Percocet 5/325 every 6 hrs.
2003 June-1 month at PM clinic, Percocet 7.5/325 every 4 hrs.
08JULY2003-Had Discogram, comfirmed pain comming from L4-L5 disc. Awaiting followup exam, and discussion of treatment options.
I can function/work for 3-4 hrs per day/ 2/3 days per week with current meds. I beleive I could function/work normal hours with stronger, timereleased meds. Surgery is NOT an option at this time.

lostsoul15204 · 07-11-2003, 06:03 AM

hello from lostsoul15204, You and I have the same injury,execpt I also have tear in L-5S-1 . I contracted an infection from discogram and had my good L-3-4 disc removedbecause that is where infection settled,this happened in 12-02,I was sent home from hospital on 100mg of oxycontin 2 times per day plus 150mcg oer hour of fentyl patches, my pm doc at that time was uncomfortable prescribing those dosages for me. I fired him and got a great pm doc now, I had tried methadone in 12-01 for 1 month and was amazed at the level of pain relief it gave me,so I asked my new Doc aabout converting to methadone, He was very open to this suggestion and started me on 160mg of methadone with 2 4mgs of dilaudid for breakthrough pain,I am now taking 140mgs divided over 4 times a day of methadone with the dilaudid still for BT pain. I am getting a lot more relief from methadone than I di from either Oxycontin or the patches, and I don't have that drugged feeling, I just feel normal with less pain now. As for withdrawl from methadone,I did that in 1-02 from 80mgs per day of methadone to 0 in 13 days by tapering down daily, It was rough, but I made it through it, I did that to find out how much pain I had without meds as my work comp insurance co was trying to settle my case, I lasted for almost 3 months taking only neurontin and ibprofen before crawing back to another pain clinic. Well that's my story and I hope it answers all of your questions. Don't be afraid to try the methadone, you will be amazed at the level of relief it gives. good luck and God bless, Rick

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Rick

mokita · 07-11-2003, 11:58 AM

Hey Griff!

I was just wondering if looking in the mfg web-sites might not help somewhat. I know they're going to be giving all 'bells & whistles' about Their med.... but, perhaps that info... along w/ what you're able to glean from here, and web searches will better enable you to make informed choice? Just a thought!

Karen

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9/22/00 24 hour labor, baby posterior, left tailbone killing me
12/00 MRI - PCP said nothing amiss - but, had to begin taking vicodin
2/8/02 - 2nd baby born after long, painful pregnancy, weight gain didn't help
2000-11/02 various PT + pain meds
11/02 Referred to Neuro
3/03 NEW MRI - shows slight bulge L3-L4,slight DDD, neural foramen involved, Superior aspect S1 and L5 Nerve root involvement -Neuro Refers to PM for ESI
3/03 PM Doc orders ESI
3/21,4/1,4/8 - ESI's no help
5/9 - Discogram - shows Tear L4 w/ significant leak onto nerves, DDD
Performing doc oversedated, False Negative (pm doc & I agree)
New Consult w/ Dept Head Cleveland Clinic 7/8 to discuss possible new discogram/IDET candidacy
7/8-Doc ordered Facet Joint nerve block for 7/29 to rule out/identify as pain generator. If not, new discogram.
Also, thinks tailbone prob is dif issue - wants x-ray - THOUGHT I had one - didn't!! They are ordering.

lgriffincsa · 07-11-2003, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Great ideas. I will give them a try. Looks like I have got a lot of reading ahead of me. Thanks again and here's wishing you a life free from pain.

------------------
1998-Major rear-end colision
1998-mid2000-Chiropractic care
2000-mid2002-Pain level increased drasticly. No insurance, took a combo of every OTC painreleiver imaginable.
2002-MRI/ L3/L4 and L4/L5 annular bulging; DDD L4-5 and L5-S1
2003 February- Orthopeadic Spinal Surgeon said not a candidate for surgery,Percocet 5/325 every 6 hrs.
2003 June-1 month at PM clinic, Percocet 7.5/325 every 4 hrs.
08JULY2003-Had Discogram, comfirmed pain comming from L4-L5 disc. Awaiting followup exam, and discussion of treatment options.
I can function/work for 3-4 hrs per day/ 2/3 days per week with current meds. I beleive I could function/work normal hours with stronger, timereleased meds. Surgery is NOT an option at this time.

Jack Beanstalk · 07-11-2003, 10:06 PM

When I used to have Insurance,I was able to take Oxy and it did a good job.This was before all the hoopla began.I was on close to the same dose for almost 2 years till I had to have surgery on my Elbow.The surgeon raised my Oxy from 20x3 to 40x3 and OxyIR 15mg every 4 hrs.for BT.I had a lot of trouble gettin over that surgery and my tolerance got on up there.After 8 months,I was up to 80mgx4,then 80mgx6 and finally 80mgx8 each day.My ankles were swollen and my joints ached like crazy.My pain doc talked to me about Methadone and just in time,too.I lost my insurance,so I had to go to Methadone.He put me on 40-50mg every 6-8hrs.I tried but I never had to take that much to relieve the pain.Methadone stays in your system for a long time so I could still feel it,s effects the next day.I settled on 80mg a day,taken as 20x4.I,ve been on that dose for 18 months and never increased it,until 2 weeks ago,went to 80-100(he gave me a 20mg spread)mg a day.Other than drowsiness,it,s the best med I,ve had.Hope that helps,Igriff.Jack Beanstalk