new to this board and questions about med side effects

[fire_and_ice]

Hello everybody,
I am new to the board and I have a question about side effects from narcotic pain medication - specifically roxicodone - which is just straight oxycodone without the Tylenol. Anyway, I take eight tablets of 15mg each - per day - of the roxicodone. I use it for chronic pain resulting from scoliosis, fused vertebrae and metal rods in my back from extensive orthopaedic surgery (to sustain the curvature and keep it from progressing), as well as fibromyalgia and low bone density. I used to take hydrocodone with Tylenol and really didn't have the side effects that I have now with the oxycodone. Anyway, one of the weird things I notice is that during the day I urinate without any difficulty; But, at night, if I have been asleep for an hour or so and then wake up to urinate - I find that my body has the urge to go - but the medication relaxes my nervous system so much that it is hard to urinate. I have to wait for about 2-3 minutes before I actually can go (just sitting there on the toilet). I don't know why this only happens at night, but perhaps it's because I am already tired and my central nervous system is in shut-down mode anyhow. Then another side effect I have is the feeling that I need to yawn to pop my ears - like they are clogged. It sort of feels the way it does when you are in an airplane and your ears get clogged from the abrupt altitude change and you need to yawn to release the pressure in your ears. Anyway - I do yawn - but my ears remain in that clogged feeling. The other thing that bothers me is that I notice a subtle ringing in my ears that only started after I began using this medication, and I can only notice it at night when I am in bed and everything is very still and very quiet. I am wondering if these are side effects that the rest of you also experience and if they will go away once I stop taking the meds. Please let me know. I have talked to my doctor and pharmacist about all of this and they don't seem too concerned - but it bugs me because this is my hearing and I want to make sure this isn't something permanent! Anyway, any response is much appreciated. Thank you so much. Take care!
Lisa

[whaleylaker]

Hi and welcome. It seems as though the meds are working for your pain relief so that's one good side affect. In as far as the others I'm not too sure about, however I have the same. The urination problem arises for me on different meds,especially morphine. I also have had ringing in my ears which I am going to speak to my Dr. about. As soon as I get an answer (at least hope to ) I'll pass on the info. Meanwhile there maybe someone else out there who will have more info. Take care and welcome,Lake

[grizzk62]

Fire_and_ice,

Hey there and welcome to the boards and the go ole'pain managemnet boards self proclaimed experts. LOL Sorry guys or gals just jokin. LOL come on laugh with me. Sorry I'm a little wacked from today. Getting off of work and all and enjoying what this life has given me.

Any how on your meds. "I 'm one those self proclaimed experts". LOL. I would think that if your doctor RXed oxycontin for you at the same dose you would have much better pain coverage. And then using OxIr for BT pain. You can get Oxy7 IR in the 5mgs doses. It has shown over several studies that with this particular narcotic that taking a extended version of this narc. called oxycodone. Being in that long acting med. It retains better serum levels. By being long acting the meds are intering the blood supple to optimin levels. Then Oxy IR imediate release for those really bad 4 hrs. And its in several mgs tabs. In 5mgs, 10mgs, 15mgs. Depending on the severity of pain and duration. I hope that this info helped. Any how take good care...

Matt