Harm Reduction The Pain Management Megathread (Chronic and Acute Pain Discussion) Version 5.0 ~ V

[Bliss26]

Speedking
No, if it's not touching your pain than doubling is acceptable, they did that w me

 

[Speed King]

Speedking- I haven't tried opana, I am on morphine sulfate ER 30 three times a day and they aren't helping very much so when I get my scripts Thursday I will be trying to use the liquid morphine guide here on bl to break the time release on my tabs and then start plugging.

One time I had ms cotin I think. That shit was great. Do you think a doctor would rather script oxycodone before they would prescribe morphine? I need to be educated on pain medicine.

 

[Speed King]

Thanks for clarification. I just want to keep this simple. If my pain doctor insists on IR meds I'll have to try Percocet 10/325 x4 /day. I'm afraid to be completely honest about my tolerance and comfort level.

 

[Runtoparadise]

^Rather than just asking directly to double your meds, I've discovered that doctors can be more accomodating when poor quality of life due to ongoing pain is present.

Of course it depends where you go & on your r'ship with your prescriber. IME my PM has done every rotation or request that I've asked outright for in the past twelve months, but I have been with him a long time. It probably helps that I'm now in my thirties & no longer regarded as a "young drug seeker" :/

I'm not in the states & we don't have Opana here, but I've been on pretty much every type of pain med including opiates if you have any direct questions @speedking.

Good thoughts & pain free vibes to all,

Rtp

 

[Jlosnow]

How is everyone doing today? Tough day for me pain - wise, work was very busy so I was on my feet a lot. I am literally counting down the hours until my PM appt and refills Thursday afternoon. I am trying to find a way to explain "plugging" to my hubby without him flipping out. He knows everything about my pain management, running out early, etc so I don't want to hide it from him that I am testing a new ROA. Any suggestions?

 

[JebJebJeb]

Try not to focus on the pain it might just be in your head so instead try reading a book or oqquipying yourself with something to take your mind off it

 

[Bliss26]

I'd wait until you know that pLugging right for u before telling .

 

[CfZrx]

Hey Shroomy! Since you're in chronic pain, might wanna research suboxone, I've read it's great in tiny doses like a mg a day type thing, maybe up to a few mg I mean since you're also an addict...

My spine hurts. The middle of my spine. It screams at me. I lost my job, my money... everything but the love of my life.

I self medicated for a while with weed and booze but it was stupid and it wasn't what I needed.

What happens when the solution to your problem becomes another problem in itself?

I have self control now. Percocet, in a way, it's abuse-proof for me. I notice the acetim-whatever, and I don't like it. I'm an everything organic type person apart from the meds. But no matter how much pain your in, don't fuck around with opiates. Or they'll start to fuck with you. Especially heroin, no matter how much pain you're in. Just never ever go near that stuff and I've only done 10 grams in my life, it messed me up really bad. Take meds as prescribed, even though let's admit it we're all fucking under-prescribed. It's like the script is a little tease. I will need them for as long as it hurts. But I need to learn to respect them more, the whole point being is I don't want my opiate tolerance to get any worse than it already is. It's already like... 6 times what it was last year.

Totally pissed off that I'm under-medicated too. It caused me so many problems! And it's life or death so I'm going to get the relief I need. I've come to hate the pills but what's the point of living a life of suffering? I can't suffer anymore.

And hi everyone. I don't know anybody other than me who has chronic pain. I'm too young to have this problem! It rules my life. I didn't even know it existed until I had it. I would have been more careful with my body! What the fuck happened to me? I kinda sorta want my life back...

I don't have any answers either... my life is a total mess and it's all because I can't handle being in agony all the time... the opiates are a gift and a curse, I need to find balance with them. Just enough for relief, to get me out of bed, but nothing more.

 

[lavendermew]

Hey, guys!

I apologize if this is redundant; I've been searching through posts but I haven't found an answer to my question, so I figured I'd get specific. Basically, I have a couple of safety questions re: combining medication.

I have fibromyalgia, CFS/ME, chronic migraine with aura, and a congenital defect that causes chronic sciatica. None of them are currently managed because my PCP is a bitch and a half to get in touch with, and when I do manage to get an appointment, she keeps prescribing me antidepressants that are totally ineffective, not to mention dangerous in combination with my SNRI for, y'know, actual depression.

Monday got really bad and I ended up in the ER, and the doctors who saw me were AMAZING and didn't brush it off as being "all in my head", and after a thorough exam, I was discharged with instructions to be really annoying with my PCP until she gets off her ass and on the same page as the rest of my care team (psychiatrist, therapist, and pain specialist) and scripts for small amounts of oxycodone and diazepam to tide me over until then. The oxy is for pain and the valium is to be used as a muscle relaxer. Both were prescribed in 5mg tablets.

Is it safe to take one of each at the same time? My back is freaking out and I had a migraine aura earlier and can feel it creeping up on me, so I figured I'd try the oxy to see if I could head it off. I took it about half an hour ago, but my muscles are still really sore and clenched up. I don't want to take the valium if combining it with oxy is dangerous.

I do have a heating pad on my back and that's helping a little, but not much, and I was also prescribed 800mg tablets of ibuprofen. For reference, I have zero opiate tolerance, but I was coercively made dependent on benzos about five years ago and while I'm working on weaning myself off it, I'm still taking 0.25-0.5 mg of clonazepam every day (although upon recommendation from the ER doctor, I'm not combining the klonopin and valium). I weigh about 117 pounds.

Thank you in advance. I hope everyone reading this is in less pain tomorrow than you were today.

 

[Runtoparadise]

You'll be ok to take 5mg Diaz (with your current clonaz tolerance, so long as you only take one or the other), with a 5mg oxycodone tablet. Hell, I'd even add in the ibuprofen if I were you!

What does your pain specialist usually do for your pain, if not opiates? Just curious as I also suffer a pain syndrome, & we always welcome new ideas on this site!

Feel better,

Rtp

 

[lavendermew]

You'll be ok to take 5mg Diaz (with your current clonaz tolerance, so long as you only take one or the other), with a 5mg oxycodone tablet. Hell, I'd even add in the ibuprofen if I were you!

What does your pain specialist usually do for your pain, if not opiates? Just curious as I also suffer a pain syndrome, & we always welcome new ideas on this site!

Feel better,

Rtp

Thank you! I did exactly that, and with the heat, the ibuprofen and the heavy-duty stuff, my pain went down to a bearable level...although I had a panic attack when the oxy wore off. Honestly, I'm not big on opiates; the side effects aren't worth the so-so pain relief for me. :/

My pain specialist (I've only seen her once) recommended I try physical therapy and lyrica, and I'm still wrestling with my PCP on getting the lyrica started. I'm also pursuing getting a medical marijuana card, because in my experience it blows everything else out of the water. Side effects are next to nothing, it can bring my pain down from an 8 or 9 to a 2 (which I didn't even think was possible until it happened)...but that's a long and irritating process full of red tape and false leads. It's definitely my end goal, though.

I also use a wrist brace and a cane for walking longer distances, which helps my back a little, and I take magnesium supplements, which have helped shorten my migraines some. I've been taking turmeric powder capsules on the suggestion of a dear friend, but not long enough that I can tell whether they're making a difference.

 

[AnnaBanana333]

Hey! I've been a reader for a long time, first time poster. I still work full time, but my discs have collapsed (L3-4, L4-5, L5, S1). I've been in pain management for 7 years. I fell when I was 9, and I believe that's what caused the first fissures in my discs. Played hard sports (field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball), and have thrown out my back for years. When I was pregnant in 2007, I experienced sciatica for the first time. I couldn't take anything when I was pregnant; only took Advil back then, anyway. Took so much I burned a whole in me stomach. After an endoscopy, was told I could never take NSAIDS again. Tried a few years ago and threw up.

Currently taking Opana ER 10, 2x day, Oxycodone 15, 4 x day, and just added Oxymorphone IR 5, 1x day. Plus 5 mg Valium 1x day. Since I've in PM for years, I've tried everything and rotate here and there. Came off of Cymbalta this summer (Cymbalta withdrawal was by far the worst experience of my life. Fortunately, I'm not under medicated, so I haven't experienced any other withdrawal. Nope; when I was on 50 meg of Fentanyl every 72 hours, every third day was horrible until they switched me to 48. Fent works well, but not worth the withdrawal every two days, because of my metabolism, I would start to feel creepy at hour 45, then 42, etc. (btw, if you call the company, they will send you those Tegadrem patches for free).

Well, I thought I'd introduce myself and say that I enjoy the support that this forum gives. As everyone says, it's really difficult to relate unless you've walked in these shoes...with a cane. Hope I can offer help, or jokes on occasion. I make a thin, crispy chocolate chip cookie (when my back isn't out), and I'd send one to all of you virtually if I could.

Will be here until my spine fuses on its own (opted not to have 3 level fusion, as it's going to happen on its own; just painful while it does).

Hope everyone has a good laugh some time today. The only way I can manage this life of chronic pain.

 

[Jlosnow]

Welcome Anna and Lavender!

I hope you both find the support you need here

@Anna- I want a cookie! Lol they sound really good right now. You mentioned a Cymbalta withdrawal, I am currently on Cymbalta as part of my PM regimen and am concerned about your comment about the horrible withdrawal. What happened? Also, I was never told I had an option to let my spine fuse on its own, how does that work? TIA hun ♡

 

[Speed King]

Speedking- I haven't tried opana, I am on morphine sulfate ER 30 three times a day and they aren't helping very much so when I get my scripts Thursday I will be trying to use the liquid morphine guide here on bl to break the time release on my tabs and then start plugging.

Would you consider the morphine in general to be weaker than Oxycodone?

 

[Runtoparadise]

^Morphine is, in general & otherwise,- (as long as it's tablet form, & even when plugged ), weaker than oxycodone in any formulation.

@speedking, an equianalgesic calculator (which you'll find online), may be helpful in your case.

I know you have a lot of questions, & may not readily find answers for these. Have you seen your prescribing doctor? I know it was soon.

@lavendermews. Firstly, DO NOT ever take medical advice from some random BLr, 'cept on this pain thread lol! We all have some idea of the pain the next person may be in, & if they have the means & we have the way then let's combine our heads. It's not rocket science like the drs would have us believe..

Seriously though, anyone reading this who's benzo AND opi naive, pls don't take the two together.

So GLAD that, even if you don't yet have access to medical marijuana, you do know it helps you! Weed's illegal here, but I've certainly tried it out. Can't say it does help myself,

I found, firstly Gabapentin, then Pregabalin to greatly improve awful leg pains I'd specifically have at night, & it also calms my nerve pain from an over active CNS.

@annabanana333, welcome! Sounds as though your pain is controlled, lovely to have a new (albeit chronic lurker), voice on the thread!

Rtp

 

[namnoc16]

I think I'll take my time with this. I hate to say it but 4,5/325 Percocet a day is simply not enough for me. Optimally 80mg/day would be great, but I'd be willing to try 4,10/325 a day.
Can someone tell me if basically asking to double my dose, would be escalating to quick. Unknown myself enough, where I believe that might work well.

I can't guide you on asking for your dose to be doubled(my doc would be skeptical of me abusing) but can recommend for you to ask for the oxycodone without the Tylenol .Thats a lot of acetaminophen!

 

[CfZrx]

Speedking- I haven't tried opana, I am on morphine sulfate ER 30 three times a day and they aren't helping very much so when I get my scripts Thursday I will be trying to use the liquid morphine guide here on bl to break the time release on my tabs and then start plugging.

When I was addicted to plugging mscontins it became horrible to have to stick an oral syringe in my ass 1 or 2 times every day. tbph, I hope you can talk to your doc about trying something else, your butt will thank you

 

[Speed King]

I just realized that for the time being the Percocet will work for me, but I am already not liking the medicines up and down effects. The medicine starts to work, peaks and wears off within 4 or so hours. I must make it clear to my Pain Management doctor that I need an extended release medicine that doesn't have any ups and downs as drastic as an IR medication.

 

[namnoc16]

I'm thinking my family doc decided to switch me to pain management doc because the FDA is changing regulations in October. Anyone know about these changes and if it'll affect the patient?

 

[Cliffy78]

Haven't heard anything about them namnoc, can u post a link ease so I can read it? I'm so sick of all this ridiculous over regulation when it comes to our meds. It's hard enough already guys!!! Take one of ur xannies and stop fucking with us cpps!!!