Now What,screwed.

[BATTLECO]

Thanks for info Mazz, I appreciate it. But, so far opana seems to be working quite well, and I'm just taking it orally, I seem to be using fewer of my bt meds as well, so I'm actually happy w it so far, it is very expensive though, more than oxys, but like Sentience said they have an assistance program, I checked w VA and its not on their basic formulary, but my private ins has it as a tier 4, so I wil have to pay a $90 copay, which, if it controls my pain well, is well worth the $ imo. @ Sentience, my god, ur doctor was asleep at the wheel prescribing methadone to you like that, glad your ok! The VA pushes methadone and fentanyl because they are both cheap, as well as morphine er, which is also cheap. I have tried them all and I am weary of methadone because of its half life, morphine by pill is worthless, and the fentanyl patches are not good for me due to my exercise routine and my PT, they can release dangerous levels of med when body heats up, so I have found you seem to get what you pay for. For which oxycontin was always the most expensive, but also the best er med. For your info, I just began opana, in the er formula, and it is working very well, so far I find it very comparable to oxycontin. It really punches down my pain level w/o any bad side effects(i.e. drowsiness, nausea, headache, stomach pain, etc.) So I would recommend it. Of course its only been a couple days but it seems just like oxycodone, which I found to be the most effective pain med w fewest side effects. It certainly sounds like you need pain management though, as your conditions sound terribly painful! Also, for the record, I have never had a drug or alchohol problem, although alcoholism runs in my family, so I basically just dont drink. I am much like you, I have experimented with various/ and several drugs growing up, but never became addicted to any. Thwe closest I was was when I returned from my last tour in Afghanistan and found myself drinking, and smoking pot daily, along with using any drug that was put in front of me. When I turned 30, I went to the dr, to find out what was going on. Seems I had been self medicating myself for PTSD and chronic back problems. At that time I was put on meds for ptsd, and had surgery to correct my back. The meds for ptsd worked well, unfortunately the surgery made my back worse than it was b4 the surgery, in fact they had to do another one soon after to place a titanium bracket on my L1-L3 vertebraes because the first surgery damaged them so badly. I then seeked out a private doctor, VA screwed me up enough, and he started me on a pain management therapy, which has really given me my life back! He also said I am too young to be having so many risky back procedures as they often dont work or make condition worse(I'm almost 35 now btw). So he reccomended using meds, PT, massage, etc. for controlling my back pain. I havent drank(except occasional social drinks), used any illegal drugs w exception of pot once in a while which doc doesn't object to. So, it has given me back my life, that at the age of 30 was heading in a terrible downward spiral. So I have become a big advocate for pain management, and it should not be limited to cancer patients as so many ignorantly believe.
Anyways, I took my opana half hour ago w 1 30mg roxi and I am feeling very good, in fact I may go to gym today. Mazz, thanks for info, hopefully I may not need it but I appreciate it nonetheless. And Sentience, I'm glad you stopped in, and opana is very good from what I can see, and I am much like you, I look like I'm in great shape, so people would never guess the pain I'm in, its like being a wolf in sheeps clothing. And I wish you well with your quest for best meds, imo, oxycodone is best w fewest side effects, and it seems opana may be the same, but I share your opinions with other ones you listed. Take care all, and have a pain free day, J

 

[ihatepipes]

I read through this whole thread and I did not see anybody mention what I am about to say. If what I am about to say has already been discussed and I missed it please forgive me.

I think Mazz's doctor flipped his shit about the generic OC deal because up until this point Mazz has not been concerned with getting the generic formulation. What the doctor sees as fishy is that Mazz decides that it is prudent to switch to the generic shortly after the Obuse Proof oxycodone er's hit the market.

To the OP: If I was you I would tell the doctor that the new formulation did not agree with you for whatever reason and that you read somewhere that generics are still the original formulation, and that is why you wanted to switch. At any rate I hope things go well for you and if your current doctor decides to cut you off I hope you can find someone else willing to treat your pain. The pain management system in the U.S. is fucked up to say the least and I wish you luck in getting compassionate treatment.

 

[BATTLECO]

@ ihatepipes, u r absolutely right,lol! We must have had a collective brain fart!!! I am presently in process of switching off oc's due to the terrible new formula; AND IT IS BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY!! It gave me terrible headaches, stomach pains and it didn't have any where near the analgesia of the old formula, not to mention I wouldn't even feel it for a minimum of 2 hrs, as opposed to 30-45 min of old formula! Ihatepipes, I must say you just hit the nail on the head, and I think that's what we were all trying to say/ get across, but in the manner of a group of gorillas! That is exactly Mazz's and my problem, and he was worried about asking for generic after being on brand name for so long, but I don't think most doctors even knew it was reformulated until patients began complaining, that is how my doc found out. I just told him I thought new form was awful, and he immediately started trying alternatives. I didn't know it was in a generic (its act original sold by other company) until I came on boards like this trying to find a comparable pain med. And where I live it is a very popular med, so I think we were late to be hit because the pharmacies probably kept large stocks, so it took a while to run out. I cant even find generic here, everyone has switched over already.
Anyways, you couldn't have said it more perfectly, so thank you for simplifying our gorilla math! J

 

[Mazz115]

I hate pipes.....ur right, I agree...Thats whats going on no doubt. But,short of bullshitting anyone, things in people lives change.they lose jobs,but a house, file bankruptcy.point being economic situations fluctuate....if it happens to coincide w/a new=formualtion,,,well so be it.Either way....it's one's perogative to seek cheaper medication. Does it seem "fishy? Perhaps,but that doesnt necessarilary mean anything

 

[BATTLECO]

I hate pipes.....ur right, I agree...Thats whats going on no doubt. But,short of bullshitting anyone, things in people lives change.they lose jobs,but a house, file bankruptcy.point being economic situations fluctuate....if it happens to coincide w/a new=formualtion,,,well so be it.Either way....it's one's perogative to seek cheaper medication. Does it seem "fishy? Perhaps,but that doesnt necessarilary mean anything

Mazz, economic reasons may actually be just as good as how bad they are! And take into account the two combined, and you have a perfectly sound reason, as does anyone, for requesting generic oxycontin. BTW, I think they are history down here, I've called everywhere, and heard from people @ PT that they cant find em either. However, someone suggested a compound pharmacy could possibly re-create them, first, do you think that is possible, and second would it be covered by insurance, perhaps w a doctors PA request?

 

[Mazz115]

Mazz, economic reasons may actually be just as good as how bad they are! And take into account the two combined, and you have a perfectly sound reason, as does anyone, for requesting generic oxycontin. BTW, I think they are history down here, I've called everywhere, and heard from people @ PT that they cant find em either. However, someone suggested a compound pharmacy could possibly re-create them, first, do you think that is possible, and second would it be covered by insurance, perhaps w a doctors PA request?

To tell u the truth, I dont know what u mean by "compound pharm"....what is that? Secondly,that Pipes poster was correct and made a real valid point and I wasnt trying to make excuse's ,but like I said, things do change..........his logic was "all of a sudden now u want generics"...well shit, maybe all of a sudden someone lost their job and now has to scrape every penny to feed their children. Wtf.....who knows what ones financial situation is. I mean if were gunna keep it real, we all know the story, regardless...could b a number of mitigating factors.........right??

 

[ihatepipes]

I hate pipes.....ur right, I agree...Thats whats going on no doubt. But,short of bullshitting anyone, things in people lives change.they lose jobs,but a house, file bankruptcy.point being economic situations fluctuate....if it happens to coincide w/a new=formualtion,,,well so be it.Either way....it's one's perogative to seek cheaper medication. Does it seem "fishy? Perhaps,but that doesnt necessarilary mean anything

Mazz, I am not judging you at all, and I don't want you to feel that I am. One thing people have to realize is that doctors literally have DEA agents breathing down their necks. Of course you can find a doctor who doesn't buy into being intimidated by a third party regarding what drugs they are going to prescribe but those doctors are few and far between. I think that I read somewhere that if a doctor prescribes opiates to an opiate addict they can lose their license to practice medicine regardless of whether they were aware or not. If I went to med school and became a doctor I sure in the hell would not like to be left with a fuckload of loan payments and no way to earn money.

I think that the pain management situation here in the states is about as fucked as possible. What you said about situational changes makes more sense than telling him the new formulation did not work well. If I was you I would get my story straight for the next appointment and that story would be that I could not afford the co-pay for the name brand formulation and that is why I asked for a generic. Again I wish you luck and hope that everything pans out for you.

Also, a compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that buys pure drugs/chemicals in powder form and presses them into pills/ puts them in capsules theirselves. A quick google search will give you some info on them.

 

[BATTLECO]

To tell u the truth, I dont know what u mean by "compound pharm"....what is that? Secondly,that Pipes poster was correct and made a real valid point and I wasnt trying to make excuse's ,but like I said, things do change..........his logic was "all of a sudden now u want generics"...well shit, maybe all of a sudden someone lost their job and now has to scrape every penny to feed their children. Wtf.....who knows what ones financial situation is. I mean if were gunna keep it real, we all know the story, regardless...could b a number of mitigating factors.........right??

Mazz, I thought your orig reason was perfect, I had no prob w it, told u that b4. I just don't think a lot of docs even know what they did w our med, and we need to make them aware of how terrible it has become, I didn't mean to come off like his idea was better, sorry if it sounded that way, all I meant was nbetween the two reasons combined, any doc w a morsel of ethics should have no problem w anyone wanting the generic, in fact either of the reasons should b perfectly suitable, but we all know how docs can b, they seem to b brainwashed by the FDA, hell most of mine still think generics are identical to brand name,lol, when w the slightest research u can find a generic, by law, only need to have 80% of active ingredient to b approved. I was just trying to make a point about ignorance of docs, sorry if you interpreted it differently, I meant nothing by it, especially towards your original reason, my bad if it came out wrong, sorry.
BTW, a compound pharm apparently has the chemicals to make any drug, they are basically a pharm w a lab. They could make u pure vicodin for instance.
& I also agree w pipes too, his point is very valid, esp about how f'd up pain mgt is in this country

 

[Mazz115]

I hear ya,I know u didnt disagree w/the original story.........it is half truth,the new form sucks and the other is cheaper but yeah, these fuckin Dr's always look for something suspicious. Weird thing about my story is I been knowing and going to this guy for a very long time. like I said, he's a fuckin moody,weirdo Dr...for a Dr...........I mean , what Dr would make me drive 20-25 miles in Friday afternoon(4 30pm) work traffic to speak to me about this when he knows I wear a back brace, just had back fusion surgery,use a walker at times(mainly a cane).but wtf? Why not speak to me on the phone, right? Why make me drive all that distance .....Any "normal" Dr, would b a bit more sympathetic and take those things into account. No, Not him.......a clear example of what a real dick head he is!
I just hope this DR I'm gunna see understands,because let me tell ya......if he doesnt and he calls my Dr.my Dr will flip. Now he'll say something stupid like I'm dr shopping or cuz he wants to do counts and ua me...I'm seking another provider. That may be partly true but realistically, This other guy is closer and e-zier for me to get to. I'll just give u 1 more quick ex........when I fell back in Jan and reherniated the disc.....i knew I wouldnt b able to get in quickly to see him or my neurosurgeon,so I called a local orthopedist and got a next day appt. He did x-rays @ the office, then ordered an MRI....when it showed herniation,I made an appt w/The primary care Dr(the jerk)...when i got in , he asked me who this orto was, I told him....he fuckin screamed @me and said I had no right going to this Dr. What? I said sure I do, It's my ins, my right.he said no its not...who pays the ins premiums,I said I do.he said no u dont !....He was looking at it from the perspective that i just involved another physician theby driving up the cost of medical care. He said I shouldda called him and jhe wpuld have gotten me in to see my neuro right away. Ahh,maybe so.......but In my opinion, I got a quick appt ,which I needed at the time. But, its just another example of how this prick operates. Forget the med part....why shold any patient have to put up w/that bullshit? Hope ur doin alright man....try to stay pain free!

 

[BATTLECO]

Thats fuckin awful! What a cocksucker! I swear the whole health care industry is a racket that rivals any big time Mafia! He wanted your $$ too I'm sure, for the referral and such, so when u did it on your own, he gave you a hard time to try n keep lining his own pockets.
I would prob reccomend you talk to him first b4 seeing new doc, and explain w your back trouble you can't handle such a long commute, along w the bulshit he puts u through! I can't even imagine havin to be called in for a doc to count my pills! Of course I'm subject to random UA's but that's state law now for people on CII's, so I can't do anything about that, same w VA, they can UA you in any state if you take narcotics.
I really feel for ya Maz. BTW, The Opana's are ok, not spectacular, but not bad either, I still prefer the old oc's. They def are strong, almost too much so, they knock you out, which I don't really care for, I like the old oc's, they wouldn't drain my energy. So basically, I guess I'd give up some of the strength for the med I KNOW WORKS PERFECTLY FOR ME. I may call that pharmacy you gave me, says they do online orders, so maybe if I send them script they can ship me the meds, do you know if they will admit on the phone if they would have a 3 month supply in stock? Anyways, unless they have a recall, I may not even bother, I should be trying to adjust to something new anyways, ITS A FUCKING SHAME! AND... I found out the US is the ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD that is using new formula, talk about unadulterated BULL SHIT! I wish you the best w new doc visit, hope it works out for ya!

 

[Mazz115]

Thanks Bro...yeah, isnt that some shit. If I tried to just talk to him, he'd say....well, see someone else. Believe me , he is a jerk.I cant tell u if they'd tell u on the phone about the 3mnt supply. When I called them, they readily told me they had the generics and they were Ethex.....
Good Luck, Lemme know wht u decide to do

Mazz

 

[Violenza666]

It's sad that some medical professionals have the same view you do...

People can switch their Dr's. It's not that odd to go to another Dr. Additionally you can just take you medical records with you, tell your new Dr that you have personal problems with the old Dr, and I don't think they are going to call and check.

Yea, I just switched dr's. At first it was a bit bumpy. but I think everything is gonna be okay. He bumped my Opana.. had a botch with some dilaudid.. gave me my roxi back. They dont call and ask about you like Jam stated.. they just get the papers from your appointments. It's not a big deal to switch dr's.

I switched dr's because after a shit ton of injections with a dr who only does injections... no medication maintenance.. I switched dr's to a dr she would have referred me to anyways. I got really close with the receptionist at my old dr and she told me how it works. So Jam is correct.

 

[Violenza666]

I read through this whole thread and I did not see anybody mention what I am about to say. If what I am about to say has already been discussed and I missed it please forgive me.

I think Mazz's doctor flipped his shit about the generic OC deal because up until this point Mazz has not been concerned with getting the generic formulation. What the doctor sees as fishy is that Mazz decides that it is prudent to switch to the generic shortly after the Obuse Proof oxycodone er's hit the market.

To the OP: If I was you I would tell the doctor that the new formulation did not agree with you for whatever reason and that you read somewhere that generics are still the original formulation, and that is why you wanted to switch. At any rate I hope things go well for you and if your current doctor decides to cut you off I hope you can find someone else willing to treat your pain. The pain management system in the U.S. is fucked up to say the least and I wish you luck in getting compassionate treatment.

This is true as well. The new OP's are causing skin rashes and all kinds of fucked up shit. You could easily tell your dr that you are having issues with the new formulation.. It's these kinds of complaints that is going to help force purdue to do something else with OC. Not like they can make them any worse.

 

[Sentience]

The just released a new extended-release hydromorphone in the US called Exalgo. Here is the website to it: http://www.exalgo.com/

Also what type of immuno-suppressant do you take? My guess is methotrexate, I have to take it when my psoriatic arthritis flares up, even though I really fucking hate it.

Its called Tysabri. Its used for Multiple Sclerosis and Expirimental for Crohns. I have no obvious signs of MS, and my Crohns is in remission.....but I am in agony from this biliary disorder, likely caused either from scarring of the gallbladder or bile duct from Crohns, or from a mechanical disorder from nerve damage from MS. Life is absolutely intolerable without pain relief.

Doctors seem to have no compassion.