How Many Milligrams Are You On?

[Eddie G]

Liberty Mutual claims none of their pm doctors will treat me unless I go to a 10 day detox first. They are looking at my chart that says 90mg Roxi every 3 hrs. Im actually on 15mg. every 3 hrs and thats as low as I can go on my own. Im off my Lyrica (since the judge said its widely abused and I'd have to come off that too) I never even bothered to bring up cannabis at that point. (Im mean LYRICA? Really? addicts have stolen my Morphine, Oxy, Roxi, but they always left the Lyrica & Gabapentin. I dont think they're trading Lyrica for sexual favors in the hood! Such misinformation....)

I cant imagine a week of this "recovery room" pain but maybe they have some good restraints & straight jackets for me to wear...

I found cannabis to be helpful during this adjustment/detox time. I have a feeling thats going to be an issue with this new pmd even after I get my card.

[Maria]

As far as I know my PM's office isn't in favor of one utilizing cannabis for spine pain and his PM is limited to treating spine patients.

Re Lyrica being abused ... really? I'm surprised and don't really get the abuse aspect unless it's being sold on the street for neuropathies for those that cannot obtain it otherwise which would probably not be happening as it's costly enough either way if one has to pay cash.

hmm.... I must really be out of the loop.

[Thelma]

@Eddie - If your insurance company insists upon you going throught detox - maybe you can ask for Ativan. I used it to help me get off my oxycontin 60mg/day and roxicodone 30/day for breakthrough. I felt too numb mentally from the meds and still had pain. I found a pm that practices more interventional pain management and am able to live with Opana-ER 20mg/day.

Good luck!

Thelma

[Thelma]

I just read an article in the ny times regarding the generically manufactured extended release medications. The article deals with the generic form of Wellbutrin at the 300 mg dose. The FDA found that the generic medication did not provide the same delivery as the brand medication.

When I was on OxyContin the generic form was pulled off the market for similar reasons. The manufacturers of brand medication have a patent on the extended release formula that outlasts the regular patent for the medication itself. When a patent for an extended release medicine expires, pharmaceutical manufactures use the main ingredient and attempt to develop their own version of the extended release mechanism. Not all of them get it right. While patients notice the difference in the generic medication, their voice may not be heard.

[lyssie]

I am in the UK and on:

30/1000mg of co-codamol (which is codeine and paracetamol) 4 X daily...

I am also taking Oramorph (morphine oral solution) 5ml/10mg for when pain is really bad! Amongst other things like, Baclofen 10mg X 3 daily (for spasticity) and Versatis lidocaine plasters as needed (for nerve damage, mainly hypersensitivity). Anti depressant and anti psychotic for mental illness! Pregabalin/Lyrica 200mg X 3 daily for neuropathic pain.

Lyssie

[Eddie G]

I finally got my medical marijuana card. By using a high CBD cannabis I was finally able to get off the opiates after 10 years. My Oxycontin script was 160mg plus Roxicodone as a breakthrough. The last few years it was all Roxi (90mg every 3 hrs). (+Valium & Neurontin) It took almost a year of tapering off to 30mg...then 15mg. I tried withdrawing 3x from 15mg and my spine pain was awful after 3 days. The doctors put me on Suboxone which was way worse than Roxi. Suboxone made me high and stayed in my system longer so we stopped that. The past few months I was on 8mg Roxi then 4mg and have been totally off for a month now. It's a lot of cannabis to use to make up for the opiates but the first 2 weeks are the worst. I'm taking vitamins & supplements, getting massage, TENS unit, using massage chair. If I can get off opiates, anyone can. I've had doctors tell me there's "no hope" and I'd be on opiates & anti-depressants the rest of my life. A year ago I almost believed them, now I know better. Get off the opiates and get a medical marijuana card and high CBD cannabis. I still have the same chronic pain, I'm just dealing with it differently.

[jsewell]

I am so happy for you. Congrats. That was a lot of opiods you were on. I am not ready yet to go the marijuana route, but your news is very encouraging. I work, (one evening a week) for a research endocrinologist . He had just reviewed an article on endocrine problems do to opiod meds and just shook his head and said it effects a lot. I have hypopituitarism , but for like 10 years about 5r ahead of opiods. But just last week got diagnosed with a cortisol deficiency. Now i am back to taking steroids, sure sounds like taking marijuana is better for my body.
What form do you use? Are they pills?
Thanks again
judy

[Maria]

Judy,
there are various forms that can be utilized now and much more dose specific from what I've heard.. it's much more of a science now supposedly. I was just talking to someone the other day that told me he used a vaporizer and that way one doesn't smoke it and gets a more profound dose with less of the substance. This is a person who works full time and owns his own business and uses it for pain relief as he doesn't want to take opiates/other drugs.

I've been on opioid medication now since 2001 and am concerned as well about long term use. I have not increased my dose however in all the years taking it.

[j121walker]

I just found that forum and i have lots of questions and surely will get here answers. Thanks for the support.