[curbow]

Hey cats meow I have seen your name on a couple other sites mabey you can help. For almost 6 years I have been taking various forms of codene, the last 2 years I have been on morphine sulfate 15mg er,(2@day) and oxycodone ir 5mg (4@day). Last spring and also this july I have tried to ween myself off of them, I can put up with the sickness I feel in my guts, but I haven't figured what to do with the total lack of energy and the depresion that just will not go away. I feel like a failure because I gave up once again this afternoon and went back on them. Of course my body and mind think they are all better now. Have you heard of stategies to get past the lack of energy and depresion that seems to overtake some of us when getting off these drugs? I would appreceiate any advice. curbow

[Debpurpletiger]

[QUOTE=Bubbi;

PS. Methadone maybe cheap but it is the most dangerous opiate around and I find it hard to believe it has become the Chronic pain med of choice by most docs.
Bubbi[/QUOTE]

MY Reply: Methadone is NOT the most dangerous med used for chronic pain, it is great for pain relief, lasts a very long time, and not a huge dosage for pain relief needs to be used.

My husband had 3 unsuccessful back surgeries and is on Methadone for pain. He takes four (4) 10mg of Methadone for pain per day and has been on that same dose for 3 years. It works well for him.

Dr's tend to use it because it is NOT as addictive as some others: Percocet, Dilaudid, Morphine, Oxycontin, etc.....plus it is very inexpensive. My Husband has NO Insurance, and the price for 120 Methadones per month is only about $40.

[Debpurpletiger]

Originally Posted by 13ghosts

For knee and back pain, I am currently on MS-Contin 60 twice a day with Hydrocodone 10/350 for breakthrough pain. I find that the MS-Contin partially alleviates the pain, but certainly not for 12 hours at a stretch, so I still generally take 3-4 of the hydrocodone a day to be completely mobile, and even full relief from that is short-lived. I was considering switching to oxycontin, but from what I have read I would not be gaining anything, really, except a higher bill at the pharmacy. I am guessing I could go up a bit in the mg of the MS-Contin and see how that works.
.

I am also on MS Contin for pain. 60mg in the a.m. and 60mg in the p.m. I also find that it does NOT last the 12 hours it is supposed to. It also doesn't seem to work as well. I used to be on Oxycontin, but who can even afford that now!!?? Even with Insurance, Oxycontin is VERY expensive. Thats why I had to switch to the Morphine, and I do take 2 5mg Percocets for Breakthru pain.

[Debpurpletiger]

Originally Posted by cooknwoman

I am checking to see what the difference is between MS Contin vs Oxycontin mainly for the cost -- generic that is - since there is no more oxycontin (Oxycodone) - the cost is phenomenal to say the least!!!

I AGREE with the expense of Oxycontin, it is HORRENDOUSLY expensive due to no more Generics.

Thats why I has to switch to MS Contin....but it doesnt seem to work as well for my pain. I am on 60mg in the a.m. and 60mg in the p.m.

[Robert_325]

Debpurpletiger ......Drs DON'T prescribe methadone because it's not as addictive as percs, vics or whatever. It's cheap, it's good for lifelong chronic pain that you never plan on stopping taking and it's an effective pain medication. It also doesn't contain acetaminophen like the fast-acting opiates like percs, vics, etc.

Methadone is one of the most addictive opiates available. That's why it's a "last resort" medication. Whoever told you methadone isn't as addictive as a percocet is terribly misinformed and confused regardless of what they do for a living. That person could be chief of staff at a hospital and they are WRONG if they think methadone isn't TERRIBLY addictive.

They do use it due to the cost being inexpensive but methadone is one of the most difficult drugs to w/d from that exists. That is a fact! Hope you never have to experience it or you'll see what I'm talking about. God bless.

[enviroman63]

Originally Posted by JOHNNY LATS

I have had bad migraines for the past 2 years. I went to several doctors and all they give me is Imitrex (which does not help, at all). Every doctor I go to will not give me anything like Vicadin or Oxycontin. They tell me it is not used to treat headaches. How do you get them prescribed so easily? Am I just going to the wrong doctors?

I here ya On the Migraines headache's, sometimes to much Oxycotin can trigger them actually, Have you ever tried Imitrex for your Migraines , As this has been the Magic Bullet for me, Opiate Pain Killers do very little for Migraines for me.
But one Imitrex wil Wipe it out alltogether it's Truly the miricle Drug for them.

[Robert_325]

I agree. RX opiates can cause headaches, they are NOT the best medication for headaches for MOST people.

In addition to the Imitrex you could also try Zomig. Zomig has proven to be the most effective RX medication for headaches for me. We are all a little different but Zomig is incredible for migraines in my experience. Doesn't get you high in any way at all but it will flat knock out a migraine. You might want to give it a try. God bless.

[CassyB]

I have found these postings to be very informative however I would love to find an alternative to what I'm currently taking or trade my back in for a new and improved model. I suffered an on-the-job back injury in 1987 at age 24 (diagnosis: 2 bulging discs + degenerative disc disease)and had my 1st back surgery in 1996 to remove 2 discs. Thus far, I've had 4 back surgeries and 3 discs removed from my lower back. I started out on vicodin (1987 - 1996) but after my 1st surgery that no longer worked for my pain therefore I was put on dilaudid. That worked for a several years however by the 3rd surgery even morphine would not touch my pain. Because dilaudid was short acting I was put on MS Contin 3 tablets (100 mg ea) every 12 hrs and have been taking that for at least 5-6 yrs now along with valium (only when the spasms are off the charts). I took it upon myself to reduce my dosage due to fear of addiction. Therefore now instead of taking my meds twice a day I now take it only in the am and have reduced it to 2 tablets instead of 3. It is only when my back goes out that I will take 3 (100 mg) tablets + valium as needed......I try to suffer through the pain in the evening. I noticed that when I was exercising regularly (walking 2-6 miles every day) that I didn't need the medication nearly as much plus I dropped 55 lbs just from walking. Unfortunately I've put the weight back on and my pain level has intensified greatly for I wake up in pain every single day. The MS Contin works but I'm so tired of having to take drugs just to get out of the bed every day not to mention the deep depression I've been going thru for years as a result of excruciating pain every day and inability to do normal every day things that so many take for granted. I know that daily exercise will improve my situation greatly but it's so hard getting motivated again and by the time I get off work I'm so tired and in so much pain that I feel like a zombie and can hardly move. My doctor had recommended me going to a methodone clinic however I was afraid of addiction and didn't want to be associated with a drug addict. I've been told that I will suffer back pain for the rest of my life however I refuse to accept this prognosis. I feel like I'm a walking pharmacy and God only knows what my liver must look like........there has got to be other options out there in this technological age and I refuse to undergo any more back surgeries. Severe pain and depression is not a good mix and I'm open to suggestions...........