Hiking Fan - Pain Management Message Board

Autumn Angel · 08-25-2003, 08:18 PM

Hi Sara...I wanted to post this on the right board so no rules are broken.
Anyway..I used to take alot more meds than I do now. At one time I was on Oxycontin 20mg twice a day with percocet 4 times a day for BT plus 1 Dilaudid 2mg at bedtime.
The price of the OXY was too much for me so after 3 months I quit that no wd nothing..before I quit it counting that and the 4 percs a day I was taking 60mg of oxycodone. I went from 60mg to the 30mg I am now taking. The Dilaudid was easy to quit cuz half the time I didnt take it at bedtime only when needed.
So thats how I came to be on 6 percs a day. But when I lost my bestfriend Steve in May to a heart attack my pain level shot through the roof and my PM put me on 8 percs a day...2 tabs 4 times a day. But as I got better I went back down to 6.
I take 2 tabs in the AM when I get up...1 tab at noon or 1pm...1 tab at 3 or 4 pm and 2 tabs at bedtime.
When I find the 1 tab those 2 times during the afternoon arent cutting it anymore thats when I plan my detoxes.
I usually do it every other weekend from thrusday night (last dose) till Sunday night. With my big detoxes once or twice a year. Usually when I take my trip to Missouri to my friends place. Last year was 14 days this year was 10 days.
So right now I have temporarily cut out the one bedtime tab and I try and just take a half at noon. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Take care and God bless.
Autumn.

HikingFan · 08-25-2003, 09:28 PM

Thanks so much. You are such a great help on this board to everyone, always willing to share and provide advice whenever it is needed. You are like the Godmother of Pain Management!

The methadone scares me after reading a little more on the A/R board. It sounds like it is hell to stop using it when you don't need it anymore. I am in Charleston, SC this week for work (10 days actually) and I didn't bring enough BT meds with me. I tried to not have to have much to do a self-imposed detox to bring down my tolerance and make them more effective, and I'm really needing them now. I am not having any WD's because of the methadone, but the BT pain is killing me. I don't think I can handle doing this until we can get the pain under control. These facet joint injections really screwed me up bad. I was sure they were working, and now I am back at square one. They only helped for a week (if they were actually what gave me the short-lived relief.) I thought I had my life back, and I obviously spoke too soon.

Enough venting...thanks again for sharing your story and offering support.

sara

Autumn Angel · 08-25-2003, 09:55 PM

Dear Sara...Do not do the detox if your pain is unbearable even with the meds. Because yor pain level intensifies during WD. When your pain level with the meds gets to a good level where you think you can handle a little more discomfort then you may be ready.
You might want to try weaning of the med you want to get off the most. And maybe using the one med will curb some of the WD for you. I know I didnt feel a thing when I quit the oxycontin cuz I was still takin the percs but they are the same drug oxycodone. Meth and hydro being different meds I dont know how that would work out. Have a good night. Oh and what is your CP Dx again I am sorry but I forgot. God bless.
Autumn.

HikingFan · 08-27-2003, 07:07 PM

My diagnosis is:

Arthritis of the spine/neck (Upper), Degenerative Disk Disease, and bulging disks at the 3,4,5 level. The most recent addition to the pain/discomfort has been the numb arms and hands...I hate that!

Well, take care Autumn, and thanks again for the advice.

Sara

Autumn Angel · 08-27-2003, 08:03 PM

Ouch that has to be painful..I have numbness in my left side of my face about 3 times a month due to my TMJD and my doc says the numbness is nerve pain and nerve related have you ever thought of trying Neurontin? My doc wanted me on it he said its great for nerve pain it is a non narcotic seizure medication but it is good at treating nerve pain. It wasnt covered on my plan so I couldnt get it

I would have actually had to have a seizure disorder for it to be covered. I hope you feel better soon.
Autumn.