Opana?

[treefrog]

Since Cheryl told us about her side effects and such, I thought I would post some things I have noticed about Opana-ER.

I actually feel like I have less of an issue with constipation, with Opana-ER than I had with the percocet, or some other pain meds I've tried. There is still some constipation, but it's manageable.

But what's also interesting, is that I have been taking neurontin for some nerve pain. I have been taking the same amount for a long time, and had still been having a good deal of leg/nerve pain. In fact I would say that the leg pain was more bothersome to me than the back pain. But, when I started taking Opana-ER, my leg/nerve pain is much less noticeable. And I haven't changed the dose of neurontin. So now, my back pain is more bothersome to me, than the leg pain.

Cheryl - If 20mg isn't working, have you talked to your doctor about increasing the amount? You might even ask about trying 20mg in the morning, and 10mg at night (or the other way around, whichever you think would be more beneficial). This is why my doctor has me taking two 10mg tablets twice a day, so that if I am feeling pretty good, I can go down to one 10mg tablet.

There was one week where I was feeling exceptionally well, and was down to taking just 20mg/day, but it didn't last. And since then, for some reason my pain has been higher and requires 40mg/day.

[Maria]

That PMs use Methadone as a last resort pain medication? I'm on a very low dose of it (12.5mg/day) and was on MS Contin for mo. when first starting pain meds but was too constipated on it and also had burning in my shoulders and knees I thought was osteoarthritis but after d/c'ing the MS Contin that all went away quickly.

I saw that the Morphine equiv to Methadone is 15mg of Morphine to 5mg of Methadone.

Supposedly it's one of the most difficult opioids to discontinue. I've only tried decreasing my dose and had some really terrifically painful responses so I maintain (choice of words) pretty well pain wise.

It seems that the people I see that are put on Methadone (other forum) are the ones that have tried other opioid pain meds and not achieved adequate relief or those that are deemed chronic pain patients that have no surgical options (at least at the time or no known surgical options w/docs they are seeing/see).

Mark, between the pain and the additional numbness that sounds scarey. Get things taken care of as soon as you are able.

[melodyl]

Hi Mark,

Sorry to hear you are in pain and having trouble getting the Rx you want to relieve the pain. You said that 5 mg oxy wasn't available? Did you mean oxycontin or oxycodone? A couple months ago there was a sever shortage of 5 mg. oxycodone in my area. For a few weeks, I had to switch to percocet (which isn't ideal for me (tylenol) on the high doses I needed at that time. I ended up calling all over to find a pharmacy that had managed to stock up on the 5 mg. oxycodone that I needed. I have never been on Opana, but I did try Kadian, which I believe is similar. It helped with sleep, but not with enough with pain. Sounds like you should find a better pharmacy. It took a long time, but I finally found the perfect pharmacy for me. The pharmacist and techs are extremely helpful, non judgemental, compassionate, and willing to help. Many of us have to visit our pharmacy every 4 weeks. It shouldn't be a negative experience. We have enough to do deal with already. Keep us updated on your neck issues. Melody

[Kathy]

Originally Posted by melodyl

Many of us have to visit our pharmacy every 4 weeks. It shouldn't be a negative experience.

I wish I only had to go every 4 weeks. I am there every week, because my scripts run out at different times of the month. I am on 5 rx's for pain and 3 rx's for other stuff. When the kids are sick, sometimes I visit the pharmacy 2 times in a day!

I agree on finding a good pharmacy, I have the best. They know me on a first name basis and are quick (you can bring in a script and be walking out with it filled in less than 10 minutes!) They can order medication and have it in early next morning. If they don't have enough medication for my script, they will give me what they have (partial fill) and let me pick up the rest later. They are the best pharmacy ever!

[Eastex]

I am on 10mg Opana-ER 2x a day too. I didn't notice too much from it in 3 weeks. I told my pain mgmt doctor this last Wednesday when I was about to get SI and Facet Injections. He told me to wait a little to see what happens after this. Well, my right calf pain has gotten better and I will feel my back hurt through out the day. This is my 8th week of post-op, so I am sure I am not heeled all the way. He also told me no more than 3 7.5/750 hydrocodones a day for breakthrough pain. I haven't been taken them that often. Once a day usually. I am off Neurontin and on now on 60mg of Cymbalta for depression that I have gotten from all the pain and my wife leaving on the 28th. This back thing really sucked! So I am not sure which one of these medicines has been helping me. I am also taken 15mg Temazepam for sleep when needed.