[naphobia]

new here, so first let me say hello and thanks in advanced to anyone who offers their opinion.
I am on 60 mg of oxycontin a day for chronic back pain, and wondering if switching to methodone or fentanyl patches is a bad idea?
i would add more details but would like to stick to the question at hand
my reason for asking is i hear how dangerous those two medications are
(no that oxy isnt) but are they worse? thanks for any input

[drgreen420]

Hi you need to get off the oxycontin, it will kill you sometime soon. I was on Oxycontin for over 7 1/2 yrs and what can help your real Pain is Cannabis or Marijuana. If you love life, I was on the oxy's drug for many yrs and use only Marijuana for real pain. I have had 5 back surgerys and I know what Pain is also. So please read anything for pain with Cannabis, it works. I was on 1125 mg of Oxy's each day, now I use 15 to 20 joints. Save your life like I did, don't believe the Drs about this Drug oxy's, they will kill you. Read a book called Forbidden Medicine Marijuana, form a Dr Grinnspoon. So good luck I have been were you R, the Pain gets better after theDrug Oxy's get out of U.
John

[pharmstud(ent)]

Fentanyl patches are nice because they can be applied every 3 days and get a constant delivery. However, you will probably have some local site irritation but can be minimized by rotating the location of the patch each time. It takes 30 mg of oxycontin OR 20 mg of methadone to be equivalent to fentanyl so therefore fentanyl is a little bit stronger pain reliever than the other two choices. I would usually not switch therapies unless the oxycontin is not working for you (you can certainly increase the mg strength) or the oral route is becoming too "annoying" for you. I do not know what you mean by dangerous since they all are "ok" as long as used appropriately. Yes, there is tolerance and addiction to worry about but can be tapered down when/if you would like to stop therapy. Methadone is not used nearly as often as oxy and fentanyl (in fact, not that often at all mainly used for detox of heroin, etc.). Fentanyl a fair amount often less than oxy. For fentanyl there is side effects (>10%) of confusion, sweating, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, vomiting. Methadone has similar adverse reactions (side effects). Everyone's situation is unique, I would discuss it with your doctor above all.

[naphobia]

i have been on oxy for a while, it works great for the pain, and i even like the buzz it gives me, not gonna lie( wont get honest help if i do) i am just scared of methadone because i hear its harder to get off then oxy. i have already gone through running out early and the hell that it is. i honestly do have really bad pain, but at the same time, i also have a bit of an addiction issue. anyone that has been here knows what i mean. i guess what i need is a medication to stop the withdraws and then something for pain that isnt as ''enjoyable'' i guess. so one more question, i go to the doc this thurs, how does he figure out the amount of methadone to prescribe, does he start off low an then wait till the next month to ask how it worked? i just dont want to get the wrong amount an end up in pain all month. the oxy works ( the reason for the possiable switch is ins will not cover oxy) if wondering. but i am tempted to just pay for it, it just cost so much. is there anyone here that has yahoo messanger that could spend 30 mins or so to answer some question for me, if so i would really appreciate it

[naphobia]

also does anyone know if the fentanly patch will stop me from withdrawling from oxycontin

[norefills]

Hello naphobia,

I'm coming out the other end of the tunnel that you seem to be entering. I was looking for a little support for myself on these "pharma" boards and realized that my current state of withdrawl could provide a bit of diversionary reading for another soul in pain.

First the good news, fentenyl will help you get past the shaking, flu like problems. Even the ache of needing more oxy is minimized by fentenyl. It's nice to have a pain killer available that works marginally well and has absolutely no effects that will make you want to abuse it.

The bad news for me is that fentinyl will not replace the stimulant effect that oxy provided, and as a result sleep, I'm talking 22 hour a day for two weeks kind of sleep, may take over your social callendar.

[norefills]

Hey naphobia--

I'm laughing at myself right now, my drug fogged brain hit "submit" before the train of thought pulled into the station. Talk to your Doc's/friends/mechanic and find someone who is excited about the work of an accupuncturist in your area.

I was desperate to find my life after 2 1/2 years on 300mg/day Oxy and cold turkeying in late January with the help of fentenyl patches (still a work in progress). Long story short, the man I found has been an absolute wizard with physical issues and has given my brain a vacation from the gnawing ache of opiate loss. Treatments last (so far) five days, and it's money better spent than at the pharmacy.

[mpvt]

Why do you need to go to a fentanyl patch or methadone when you're only on 60mgs of oycontin. This is not a large daily dose and you could easily go up. If you're taking it for chronic pain then you really don't need to worry about coming off the opiates. If you are abusing these drugs then I would look into buprenorphene as methadone is way to strong for a 60mg a day oxycontin patient. Good luck....Dave

[Robert_325]

I agree with Dave. They are both and overkill for your situation. God bless.

[learning_to_be_free]

Just my opinion but dont go the methadone route your oxy dose isnt high enough and I found that after a year or so the pain reliveing effect lessen causes you to up your dose like most opiates but un like most opiates methadone is the hardest one I've come across that is so very difficult to get off of & it will give you a buzz at first atleast because your oxy dose is so low. Good luck with your choice

[naphobia]

well its my ins saying they will not cover oxcontin that i need to try methodone or fently patches, my guess is because oxy contin is so expensive

[naphobia]

thanks, an thanks to everyone else who has responded

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by naphobia

well its my ins saying they will not cover oxcontin that i need to try methodone or fently patches, my guess is because oxy contin is so expensive

If it's just your insurance then check on MS Contin or something that is more in line with what you are taking. They are going to put you in a place you don't even want to be with either the patch or the methadone. You don't need either one and they can't make you take them. Keep us posted. This one pisses me off. Hope this works out good for you. God bless.