ms contin and swelling

[Nanatotwins]

I was prescribed ms contin around early to mid July for my lower back pain and I've been having some trouble with my legs swelling, the dosage is only 60 mg but could these two things be correlated by any chance?

[butchy yost]

yes I believe they are related. while it doesnt happen to everyone and its hard to find info on it, I have seen and experienced it firsthand.

I noticed a dramatic bloating in one of my close friends who was abusing oxy in the month or so before he died. This is why when I noticed my legs starting to swell, I became very concerned. ( I didnt pay it any mind at first, just thought my socks were too tight when I saw the deep depressions the elastic left)

The technical term for this is edema. When you press down hard on the swollen area does it stay indented? thats called pitting, and confirms that the condition is edema and could be a sign of something serious, even impending heart failure. you need to go to the doctor asap to get it checked out.

To be honest, that is the final straw that convinced me I needed to quit, I went to the er, got referred to the substance abuse clinic and have been clean 5mos.

I am not trying to scare you, it may be nothing or a mild reaction, but it definitely warrants getting checked out. And despite many google searches I couldnt find any info connecting opiates to edema other than the pulmonary variety...but i can tell you there is a very good chance they are related.

[binda]

Butchy Post
Sounds like you've been there done that. Did your friend die from the oxy's. I'm asking because I have a oxy addiction and I'm looking for the best recovery route for me. I'm leaning toward the Subxocone tx because although I have back pain I am willing to live with that if it means getting my life back. This is something i can't cold turkey. I did that with activan years ago but this has got me. Any info would be appreciated.

[butchy yost]

Binda
yes my friend died as a result of the oxys combined with alcohol. and I totally understand where you are coming from, i have read many other posts of yours and I know how it is to suffer alone. When I finally came clean to my girlfriend of 8 years(and mother of my children) who swore she would love me no matter what, she was very judgemental and angry, even decided to leave me. (That was actually a positive side effect though, as I was trying to find the balls to break up with her for 3 years!) However I was still hurt that someone who claimed to love me unconditionally would abandon me for admitting my problem and getting help.
Anyway, for your situation suboxone might be good, but then you willstill have to deal with quitting that someday. If you have serious legit pain, then that won't help, maybe methadone...but that is another long term thing with a lot of stigma attached to it.
I really think you should try to find a rehab/clinic that offers a medically managed detox. These places are available, you may need to lie about your financial situation and maybe even your name, but you will get the same kind of meds and treatment that the expensive private centers, like the one you mentioned offer. I didn't know that there was help like that when I stopped, or I would have done it. Look up hospitals in the nearest major city to you that have substance abuse detox and find out what the requirements are for admission, then lie your ass off to get in. Tell them you are homeless if you need to...

good luck. just the fact that you want help lets me know you are gonna make it.

[Nanatotwins]

yes I believe they are related. while it doesnt happen to everyone and its hard to find info on it, I have seen and experienced it firsthand.

I noticed a dramatic bloating in one of my close friends who was abusing oxy in the month or so before he died. This is why when I noticed my legs starting to swell, I became very concerned. ( I didnt pay it any mind at first, just thought my socks were too tight when I saw the deep depressions the elastic left)

The technical term for this is edema. When you press down hard on the swollen area does it stay indented? thats called pitting, and confirms that the condition is edema and could be a sign of something serious, even impending heart failure. you need to go to the doctor asap to get it checked out.

To be honest, that is the final straw that convinced me I needed to quit, I went to the er, got referred to the substance abuse clinic and have been clean 5mos.

I am not trying to scare you, it may be nothing or a mild reaction, but it definitely warrants getting checked out. And despite many google searches I couldnt find any info connecting opiates to edema other than the pulmonary variety...but i can tell you there is a very good chance they are related.

First off, my deepest sympathies to you over losing your friend.

There is no abuse of this drug going on, I assure you of that, in fact I dragged my feet on taking it for quite awhile . I have been to the cardiologist and preliminary tests have shown there's not too much to be concerned about right now though they still want to run more tests just to be certain. Today at the regular doctors, he said the toradol I take for my migraines is most likely the cause and I should stop taking it. I have a tough time believing this due to the fact I have taken toradol for years (again not abusively) and have never had any trouble with it. I just have a feeling it's the ms contin causing the edema.

Thanks for your replies!

[butchy yost]

nana,
I wasnt implying you were abusing the drug, just letting you know that although it isnt considered a common side effect, I have noticed it as one. Its weird though because it took almost three years before it happened to me...everyones system reacts differently I guess.

Thanks for your sentiments in regards to my friend(s). there have actually been 3 who have died from either oxy or heroin in combination with alcohol. This stuff is no joke...

maybe you can try another opiate or some non narcotic for your pain...hoping you find relief.