Harm Reduction The Pain Management Mega Thread Version 4

[Doomed2pain]

This is thinking that most people don't have until it's too late to go with other options. Hell, some healthy people WISH they had cancer or some type of chronic pain, just because they'd get an opioid script and think that they would get super fucked up all the time. They just don't realize how much of the "narcotic" effect of opioids are diminished when one is truly in a lot of pain.

the people that wish for illness need lining up and beating

 

[macd610]

the people that wish for illness need lining up and beating

No shit, that's pretty extreme! I guess if one is at the point that they're actually WISHING a terminal illnesses on themselves in order to have a lifetime, unlimited supply of opiates, it's safe to say their addiction has completely taken over in every area...mind, body and spirit.
Sadly, I'm sure there are some who have had that cross their minds.

 

[Lifeinpain]

Hello. . . . My 1st post. . . I have pain & have had since I was a child. I have arrived in a bit of a mess and seek assistance! But need to get my BT meds sorted out soon.
I was prescribed Ocycontin when it came onto the market; I’m still on oxycontin although it’s not a perfect situation it helps a lot. I also use Percocet as a BT med 4X 10/325 but I started suffering severe acid reflux, of which I got scripts for it but after sleeping in an upright position for far too long I finally worked it out that it was the Percocet causing the problem.
My physician is always willing to give me what I ask for but he’s worried of making changes due to my large main mg. and I’m not sure what short acting instant release BT meds work well with Ocycontin? My pharmacist has given his suggestion. So I am asking anyone here taking Ocycontin as their main what do you use for BT pain?
Thanks

 

[laCster]

I suggest oxy and pregabilin or gabapentin. Lyrica (pregabalin) synergizes sooo well with opioids for pain relief. U can also try taking soma or another muscle relaxer with oxy to help with pain.

IMO oxy is the best pain med for oral administration which is really the primary ROA prescribed by doctors. Stick with oxycodone

I have fibromyalgia with TMJ and signs of lock jaw because I grind my teeth too much and take suboxone for opiate dependency maintenance, so there I am limited for in pain meds to take. However lyrica with temazepam at night for sleep and muscle relaxtionx and I never experience any nerve pain, and rarely have a sore jaw in the mornings and nights. I used to not be able to eat apple's and bug sandwhiches because my jaw would pulse with severe pain when I open ny mouth too wide. When I do experience jaw pain I take Aleve and Ino more pain. I also smoke weed which helps soooo much

So essentially, I support lyrica for pain it is one of the best meds out there to combine with opioids for pain relief. Smoking weed also helps soo much for pain

 

[brighton]

This is thinking that most people don't have until it's too late to go with other options. Hell, some healthy people WISH they had cancer or some type of chronic pain, just because they'd get an opioid script and think that they would get super fucked up all the time. They just don't realize how much of the "narcotic" effect of opioids are diminished when one is truly in a lot of pain.

Totally. I hate it when people are jealous of my scripts! I would swap them in a heartbeat for my pain to go away

How is everyone?

 

[Doomed2pain]

in a lot of pain because of the cold. my meds aren't even touching it either today it felt like i was at 20 out of 10 on the pain scale. mental health is still really bad too. Im just fed up with it all. how is your pain B?

 

[brighton]

^ Hugs!

Almost no pain for me today. But Im depressed. I got fired from my volunteer job this week, they think I stole $600. Argh. I get the blame while the actual thief gets away with it. Sucks.

 

[macd610]

Hi, Everyone! I hope this finds you all as well as possible. Here where I live it's cold, rainy & downright miserable. Usually I enjoy a nice rainy day in, but in addition to everything else going on it's got me sort of down today ....
Which brings me to my question/point- For the last couple weeks I've been feeling really badly. I thought it was just a cold so I put off going to see the doctor. My symptoms were: body aches, fever, bad cough, headache, sore throat, and painful clogged up ears. Once I got into my fifth day straight of running fevers (always at least 100, got as high as 102.5) I decided to throw in the towel.
I went to the doctor and found out that I have two ear infections, a sinus infection, and pretty severe bronchitis. I even received two breathing treatments at my doctor's office, which I've never had to do before.
So, from the very beginning of this ordeal I noticed that my pain medications were not working as well as they normally do... What is even stranger is the fact that since I started taking my new prescribed medications for my illnesses, they (my regular pain medications) seem to be even less effective!!
In case this information is helpful, the medicines I am taking now are: Azithromycin, 250mg (2 tablets the 1'st day, then 1per day for the next 6 days), Methylprednisolone 4mg Dosepak, and Promethazine VC-Codeine Syrup (1tsp. every 4 hours for cough-although I mainly save this for bedtime).
I guess my question is, has anyone ever noticed that being generally ill lessens the effectiveness of regularly taken opioids? The reason I listed all of my new medicines was because I thought maybe they could be a contributing factor. Although they seemed to stop working normally as soon as I got sick, the lessening of effectiveness is definitely more pronounced now that I am taking these.
Sorry for being so long winded. I think I am going to little stir crazy lol. I've just had such low energy and so much fatigue, I haven't been socializing much. I spend most days on the sofa sleeping Guess I am taking it out on you guys.
Thanks for listening and I appreciate any feedback.
Cat

 

[Lifeinpain]

All in the same boat

Hey Kit Cat. . .
Yes sometimes, opioids can effect everything, everything I say! But it also works the opposite like in the spring when I’m busy and my minds attention and thoughts are on wonderful things outside and theres a happy smile on your face. . . All of sudden you look at the time and you realize you’re a couple of hours behind in taking your meds and then you also notice you’re really not feeling much pain either, Awesome days like those!

Yes there are the opposite days to those wonderful days. I to have had more than my share over the last few weeks, weather, season, decrease of sunlight and the warm weather, not sure of anything bet the. . . . I try and talk little of them to myself or others, attempting to keep the thoughts and words from my mind and off my lips. I have an arsenal of over the counter salves and ointments, meds, moist heat, blankets and heating pads. I write in my journal, now even recording temp/rain etc. just to find if there’s a pattern! I volunteer, read or watch a show or movie, stretch or a little yoga, I keep moving, doing anything to keep my mind busy and occupied.
I have found just like you have your flashlight ready for darkness so you have to be ready for times when you don’t feel so great.
Finally and most importantly watch your attitude be calm and always positive, don’t get stressed out stay away from stressful situations. There is a time for everything and you make the choice when and where you will handle or deal with somthing, don’t be goaded.
Be conscious of the fact medications are only 50% of the relief you seek! Your outlook and mind set are the rest.
Feel better. . .

 

[macd610]

Hey Kit Cat. . .
Yes sometimes, opioids can effect everything, everything I say! But it also works the opposite like in the spring when I’m busy and my minds attention and thoughts are on wonderful things outside and theres a happy smile on your face. . . All of sudden you look at the time and you realize you’re a couple of hours behind in taking your meds and then you also notice you’re really not feeling much pain either, Awesome days like those!

Yes there are the opposite days to those wonderful days. I to have had more than my share over the last few weeks, weather, season, decrease of sunlight and the warm weather, not sure of anything bet the. . . . I try and talk little of them to myself or others, attempting to keep the thoughts and words from my mind and off my lips. I have an arsenal of over the counter salves and ointments, meds, moist heat, blankets and heating pads. I write in my journal, now even recording temp/rain etc. just to find if there’s a pattern! I volunteer, read or watch a show or movie, stretch or a little yoga, I keep moving, doing anything to keep my mind busy and occupied.
I have found just like you have your flashlight ready for darkness so you have to be ready for times when you don’t feel so great.
Finally and most importantly watch your attitude be calm and always positive, don’t get stressed out stay away from stressful situations. There is a time for everything and you make the choice when and where you will handle or deal with somthing, don’t be goaded.
Be conscious of the fact medications are only 50% of the relief you seek! Your outlook and mind set are the rest.
Feel better. . .

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement.... I really appreciate the time you took to reply, and I hope you continue to do well with your pain management. It sounds like you're doing great so far!!

 

[volp]

Being diabetic, I'm used to keeping an eye out for infections on the rise. And I'm no stranger to pain, having to deal with neuropathy. But wow this infection moved fast and kicked my ass. Before I knew what was going on, I had a massive infection raging in my left butt cheek. Once I got myself to Kaiser's urgent care, they took me down in their operating suite in the basement, and cut into me without any anesthesia, (I had had too much water that day) Then they shipped me off directly to the hospital, and surgery again the next day to finish the job. Whatever it is, it made my SVT heart arrythmia go crazy, and I ended up in the hospital a week while hooked up to a morphine pump i could use every 10 or so minutes. I'm not even sure how often it was. Between the pain and the meds, antibiotics like avelox, augmenten, etc, and pain medications, I can't remember much about what went on. Finally I made it home and they had me on dilaudid for a week. Now I'm recovering on percocet 10's, while a nurse comes every day to unpack and repack the wound. They're concerned with it healing properly. And I can't do that myself considering the location. I'm stuck on my stomach all day, it's horrible. Work is more than understanding. Obviously I'm burning through all my days, and everyone there (small non-profit) has offered up days to the emergency pool in case I need more days. Which according to my surgeon, I will. This seems endless. Thank god for a good insurance plan. I couldn't imagine the resulting cost of this without one.

 

[macd610]

Volp,
That sounds absolutely HORRIBLE. Hope you have a good movie collection
On the bright side, it's great that you have such support from your co-workers... that would be the last thing you'd need, to have to worry about work during your recovery.
Good luck!

 

[Doomed2pain]

Hey cat. Message me please hun im really not well

 

[BiggDirty01]

Hey guys, just wanted to check in and get some feedback...

So I've diligently worked myself down on my ER medication Methadone from 20mg/ 8 hours to 10mg every 8. That was not as problematic as I had predicted.

My issue is with my IR meds. My neurosurgeon has had me do a CT scan because he is not satisfied with my progress since my last spinal fusion attempt. My pain has only mildly improved (~15-20 %) and since fall-winter has arrived my pain has in fact gotten worse with the cold tempratures at night and early morning.

My PM Doc is fantastic, caring and compassionate. But he wants to get me down on my IR Oxy 30mg from 6 pills/day to 5 and I am finding that to be nearly impossible the last few weeks.

My Question: With your guys experience, do you think I might have an easier time going down on my IR meds if I switched from Oxy 30mg to say Morphine or Hydromorphone? Going down on meds is something I believe in (as I got off all meds last year after surgery #1) but like I mentioned I find it difficult with the current meds and just feel like maybe rotating the medication might help make the transition easier?

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I head back to the PM Doctor tomorrow afternoon...thanks

 

[tentram]

i'd say have a talk to your PM doc tomorrow when you see him and talk about your options. express your concerns and get his feedback.

you can take advice given here but it ultimately comes down to your doctor and yourself coming to a resolution. if you're wanting to lower your IR meds dose i don't think your doc would have a problem with that. or have i misread that and you're wanting to change to oxy from whatever you're on now? still, it's best off talking through with your doctor. he's the one with the pen and pad in the end.

best of luck!

 

[BiggDirty01]

Its not a matter of wanting to lower my meds or not, I am not a believer at 27 that pain pills are a lifelong solution. However, at this point, after 2 more surgeries this year, I feel that my doctor wanting me to try and take as few an amount of pills as possible is correct...I just am having trouble with my current IR meds which haven't changed in 6 or 7 months.

So I guess my question was more about if switching my IR Meds would make it easier to titrate down (cross tolerance, fresh start on a different medication)?

 

[tentram]

gotcha.

in that case it's all individualised, as in each person will find withdrawing easier or harder from one or another.

the only real advice i can give to you in this case is change IR meds if possible to see how you react to lowering your dose as compared to how you are with the oxycodone at the moment. or take it as slow or as fast as you want with the oxy. generally speaking you'll find your body will adjust with lowering your dose rather quickly, the worst of it will be over within a few days to a week.

talk it through with your doc about the options.

again, good luck

 

[macd610]

Hey guys, just wanted to check in and get some feedback...

So I've diligently worked myself down on my ER medication Methadone from 20mg/ 8 hours to 10mg every 8. That was not as problematic as I had predicted.

My issue is with my IR meds. My neurosurgeon has had me do a CT scan because he is not satisfied with my progress since my last spinal fusion attempt. My pain has only mildly improved (~15-20 %) and since fall-winter has arrived my pain has in fact gotten worse with the cold tempratures at night and early morning.

My PM Doc is fantastic, caring and compassionate. But he wants to get me down on my IR Oxy 30mg from 6 pills/day to 5 and I am finding that to be nearly impossible the last few weeks.

My Question: With your guys experience, do you think I might have an easier time going down on my IR meds if I switched from Oxy 30mg to say Morphine or Hydromorphone? Going down on meds is something I believe in (as I got off all meds last year after surgery #1) but like I mentioned I find it difficult with the current meds and just feel like maybe rotating the medication might help make the transition easier?

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I head back to the PM Doctor tomorrow afternoon...thanks

Hey Bigg!
Good to hear from you, and glad to hear your'e still working on your goal- I'd say your results are magnificent, myself. Really.
Although Methadone is one of the few meds I haven't given a whirl, from what I have heard/read about the drug it's no small feat to successfully lower your dose...and lowering your dose by HALF is quite an accomplishment as far as I'm concerned.
It's interesting for me to hear what you're going through with your oxycodone IR, because I take a similar dose as you do...about 240mg/day, divided into 4 doses of 60mg. Sometimes I am able to take 4-5 pills on good days.
I find it VERY difficult to lower it much more than that, and it's a concern for me as well.
Like Tentram said, (and as you obviously know; you seem very intelligent) it's up to your MD in the end. But, obviously all of our doctors would be pleased to see us lower our doses!
What I am about to say is only my experience, and quite a few people have found my situation surprising...I just really wanted to share what I went through when trying to switch from my oxycodone IR ...I'd gotten to the point where the oxycodone IR was working for sure, but I found myself watching the clock, waiting for that 4 hours to be up so I could take some more. It was only lasting maybe 2 hours.
My doctor said that was my tolerance ( I also am on 100 micrograms fentanyl) he thought Oxymorphone ir had the best chance of working. I was concerned about withdrawals, but was willing to go through them if I came out ahead on the other side...( Just a little history, I tried morphine, Hydromorphone, and a couple of other BT meds with no results before we tried- and had great results- on the oxy ir).
My experience with oxymorphone was not good. I felt depressed, angry and anxious all the time. I gave it about 3 weeks and my doctor thankfully switched me back to oxycodone. That's been probably close to a year ago and I still haven't had the problem with it not lasting.
I realize that my experience with oxymorphone was sort of irrelevant for the purposes of this conversation. I guess I sort of feel like you have done a really big thing in cutting your methadone in half already... I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to move on to tackle your next goal. so quickly , ya know?
Obviously, things aren't all rosy with me...I am getting ready to try some sort of taper with oxycodone. For me, I sort of freak out at the end of the day if I have only needed to take it twice ...I know, weird. I have recently had some short term success with taking 1.5 pills instead of 2. Maybe this will be a good starting point for me.
OK, rambling! I just would hate to see you switch meds (if the oxycodone is helping your pain) only to find yourself in a bad position and in wd's.
Maybe nothing like that would happen, and you'd immediately be able to be where you want to be in terms of intake...I really feel you may come out better in the end if you moved slowly with this. As I've said, you obviously are motivated and your reasons for wanting to do this are the ingredients for success ...Maybe enjoy that success a bit longer before more big changes?
I realize I didn't answer your question, and I apologize.
I can really relate to what you're going through and wish you the best of luck!
Cat

 

[daddydago]

I was on oxy ir for a long time for back pain and was taking 6+ 30s a day after getting kicked from my drs office I had great success with methadone. I would give that a try as an alternative but be cautious some people do not tolerate methadone and die suddenly. Usually within the first few days of taking the drug. Another option if you decide to stay on the Oxy IRs is to break one in half so you can still take them at the times your used to and that may make it easier to drop one. I always felt a large part of it is psychological and by splitting one in half you still feel like your getting your dose.

 

[michael]

i am stuck in this stupid fucking worker's comp nightmare and i think that the stress is driving my pain level higher. and i know that comparatively my pain is not bad, there are people who are much worse, but shitfuck it hurts and i have no idea when this dream will be over.

i could give up now and settle but quitting is not going to make me feel better. it's going to make me feel like a loser that gave up.

fuck these assholes, i hope their scumbag adjuster and scumbag lawyer stub their toes every day first thing in the morning for the rest of their pissant lives.