oxycotin
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admin
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Re: oxycotin
I was on oxycotin for 4 yrs, and it is a very powerful drug. You become dependent on it very easily. It makes you function on an everyday basis. That is what is is, a functional medicine, where you feel NO Pain. I had to hit rock botton by taking more and more. I thought I would die when I got off of it.It is like heroin, you just want more and more of it. I had to wake up and get my life on track or I would be dead by now if I wouldnt of changed my life. I prayed about things, and ask for Gods help, and my prayers were answered. I am now drugfree, and am having a wonderful life. If I could do it so could you.. at least try to wean yourself off of this drug, otherwise you will be in troule in the longrun. Thanks for hearing me out.
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Christopher
- Posts: 845
- Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02
Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed
BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.
Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt - Location: Los Angeles, California USA
Re: oxycotin
Drugs are great - when they help life be better than before.
Oxycontin is a godsend that enables me to sit and read this Forum. Without it, it wouldn't be worth the frustration of biting the bullet and re-reading over and over the same sentance. Because it's impossible to see straight while your arm's flesh is being boiled off to the bone and your teeth are cracking to the jaw as you stare through the wall pretending this isn't happening... since your arm is still fleshy and skin-covered.
I hate that I need the stuff, and have periodically reminded myself how tough I think I am by trying to free myself from it. Only to find out how grateful I am that I've got some waiting, to free my mind and body to do what I want (like type at three in the morn). I've just switched to Methadone as of today, so anyone out there that's compared the two, please feel free to fill me in. Hey Susan.
Christopher
Oxycontin is a godsend that enables me to sit and read this Forum. Without it, it wouldn't be worth the frustration of biting the bullet and re-reading over and over the same sentance. Because it's impossible to see straight while your arm's flesh is being boiled off to the bone and your teeth are cracking to the jaw as you stare through the wall pretending this isn't happening... since your arm is still fleshy and skin-covered.
I hate that I need the stuff, and have periodically reminded myself how tough I think I am by trying to free myself from it. Only to find out how grateful I am that I've got some waiting, to free my mind and body to do what I want (like type at three in the morn). I've just switched to Methadone as of today, so anyone out there that's compared the two, please feel free to fill me in. Hey Susan.
Christopher
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punchy sue
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2003 8:31 pm
Re: oxycotin
Hey Christopher- I'm glad to see you're still trudging along. E-mail me how the new drug works for you. I've movd to Richmond, VA and don't have a computer so I only check it periodically when I go to the library. Take care.
LOVE SUSAN
LOVE SUSAN
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: oxycotin
Susan you are missed on the boards... glad to see you checking in. I hope you are doing well
Kath M
Kath M
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
Re: oxycotin
HI SUSAN!!
YOU MOVED TO RICHMOND?? THAT'S GREAT!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, AND HOW ARE THINGS? SO GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU STILL CHECK IN EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE--DAVID IS DOING PRETTY WELL--HAD HIS SHOULDER REPAIR AT THE END OF JANUARY, AND IT WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED--3 OUT OF 4 TENDONS HAD AT LEAST A PARTIAL REPAIR--HE IS IN EXTENSIVE PT, AND IF HE COLD GET HIS HAND TO STOP BUZZING AND COME B ACK A BIT MORE, HE WOULD BE REALLY PLEASED--BUT ALL IN ALL, A DECENT WINTER FOR US!! HOPE ALL IS WELL--KEEP IN TOUCH--YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT DS33@INTERGATE.COM IF YOU WANT!!
SUZIE FROM MARYLAND
YOU MOVED TO RICHMOND?? THAT'S GREAT!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, AND HOW ARE THINGS? SO GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU STILL CHECK IN EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE--DAVID IS DOING PRETTY WELL--HAD HIS SHOULDER REPAIR AT THE END OF JANUARY, AND IT WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED--3 OUT OF 4 TENDONS HAD AT LEAST A PARTIAL REPAIR--HE IS IN EXTENSIVE PT, AND IF HE COLD GET HIS HAND TO STOP BUZZING AND COME B ACK A BIT MORE, HE WOULD BE REALLY PLEASED--BUT ALL IN ALL, A DECENT WINTER FOR US!! HOPE ALL IS WELL--KEEP IN TOUCH--YOU CAN EMAIL ME AT DS33@INTERGATE.COM IF YOU WANT!!
SUZIE FROM MARYLAND
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admin
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Re: oxycotin
Sue, My first time on brd. but I wanted to respond to you about oxycontin. My dr. had no problem prescribing it to me as he knew I would not abuse it. I took it every day for about a month when it became apparent that it wasn't going to help. I took myself off it gradually without any problems at all. Maybe it depends on how much you take but I've heard other doctors say they never prescribe it. Personally I think it's a good drug that is easy to become dependent on. Maybe talking with a pharmacist would help you. They actually are much more knowledgeable about drugs than doctors. Jan
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Wesley
Re: oxycotin
Susan,
I just happened across you message about Oxycotin and couldn't help but reply (even though your question is months old). I have been on oxycotin for about 3 years for chronic back pain resulting from bone cancer. When I first started taking it, I had the same concerns. There was lots of bad publicity about this new drug of choice and its rampant abuse. Pharmacies were being robbed every other week, doctors were refusing to prescribe it, and pharmacies stopped stocking it. I asked my oncologist what the big deal was. He stated that it was the "abuse" as you mentioned, from grinding it up and getting the full jolt. I also had concerns about long term use and possible side effects. As a result of my concern I went to a pallative specialist at the cancer institute. She calmed me down by saying that without a doubt, oxycotin was the most effective, cleanest, fewest side effects pain medication available. After asking a laundry list of questions, I left feeling like I could stand up straight and not be ashamed. To me, it has been a life saver. For anyone who has personally endured intense chronic pain, you know it can ruin your whole life. You can't concentrate, you can't get comfortable, you can't sleep, you don't have any patience and it hurts! You just can't function. It's enough to make you seriously consider suicide. For me, it has allowed me to be "normal" and function like I did before my cancer. I have never had a "high", just relief from the pain. Sometimes I think I'm better and can stop taking it. What I have found, is that the pain returns. As soon as I take it, the pain goes away. It's that simple. I imagine some people have a different reaction, but I have never felt like I had an addicition because I never was seeking nor obtained a "high." And as a result, I don't expect to suffer a "low" from going off it, other than having to deal with the pain. I drive 30 miles to and from work everyday and have no problems handling my white collar management job. I guess there will always be some who will find a way to abuse what was meant to be a godsend. I just hope that those who abuse it don't cause such a backlash that those who use it as it was intended are deprived from access to this modern day life saver.
Good luck!
I just happened across you message about Oxycotin and couldn't help but reply (even though your question is months old). I have been on oxycotin for about 3 years for chronic back pain resulting from bone cancer. When I first started taking it, I had the same concerns. There was lots of bad publicity about this new drug of choice and its rampant abuse. Pharmacies were being robbed every other week, doctors were refusing to prescribe it, and pharmacies stopped stocking it. I asked my oncologist what the big deal was. He stated that it was the "abuse" as you mentioned, from grinding it up and getting the full jolt. I also had concerns about long term use and possible side effects. As a result of my concern I went to a pallative specialist at the cancer institute. She calmed me down by saying that without a doubt, oxycotin was the most effective, cleanest, fewest side effects pain medication available. After asking a laundry list of questions, I left feeling like I could stand up straight and not be ashamed. To me, it has been a life saver. For anyone who has personally endured intense chronic pain, you know it can ruin your whole life. You can't concentrate, you can't get comfortable, you can't sleep, you don't have any patience and it hurts! You just can't function. It's enough to make you seriously consider suicide. For me, it has allowed me to be "normal" and function like I did before my cancer. I have never had a "high", just relief from the pain. Sometimes I think I'm better and can stop taking it. What I have found, is that the pain returns. As soon as I take it, the pain goes away. It's that simple. I imagine some people have a different reaction, but I have never felt like I had an addicition because I never was seeking nor obtained a "high." And as a result, I don't expect to suffer a "low" from going off it, other than having to deal with the pain. I drive 30 miles to and from work everyday and have no problems handling my white collar management job. I guess there will always be some who will find a way to abuse what was meant to be a godsend. I just hope that those who abuse it don't cause such a backlash that those who use it as it was intended are deprived from access to this modern day life saver.
Good luck!
Re: Oxycontin
Thank you Wesley for this! I completely agree with everything you have said and so I will not repeat it.
Just wanted to add that I had suffered horrible pain which was completely ruling my body and destroying my life for 3 long years...until Oxycontin!
My doctor was very opiate-phobic and kept insisting that I did not want to try this drug due to it's addictive properties and so he prescribed every medication under the sun which were not "opiates"... anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, OTC pain meds in large quantities, physiotherapy, massage, TENS etc. etc.
and when I eventually broke down in tears in his office after years of intense unbearable pain that nothing was touching...anti-depressants (of course, depression at this point must have been causing my pain, in his opinion).
Long story short, after 4 years, another fill in doc finally prescribed Oxycontin and saved my life! I have been taking only 40mg. for the past year with no need to increase the dose. I get no high from it and it does not effect my ability to function, but it does give me some pain relief for the first time since my injury. I still have some pain and have to deal with the side effects of the drug, but compared to a year ago, the improvement is incredible. I am angered that I was forced to suffer such devastating pain for so long do to a doctors unwarranted fears of reprisal due to the bad name the media and those who have abused Oxycontin have given it.
Like Wesley, it was a life saver for me and I too would be saddened to think that chronic pain patients will be denied a medication which was created to treat their pain, because of the misuse and abuse of others.
Just my two cents...for what it's worth.
Just wanted to add that I had suffered horrible pain which was completely ruling my body and destroying my life for 3 long years...until Oxycontin!
My doctor was very opiate-phobic and kept insisting that I did not want to try this drug due to it's addictive properties and so he prescribed every medication under the sun which were not "opiates"... anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, OTC pain meds in large quantities, physiotherapy, massage, TENS etc. etc.
and when I eventually broke down in tears in his office after years of intense unbearable pain that nothing was touching...anti-depressants (of course, depression at this point must have been causing my pain, in his opinion).
Long story short, after 4 years, another fill in doc finally prescribed Oxycontin and saved my life! I have been taking only 40mg. for the past year with no need to increase the dose. I get no high from it and it does not effect my ability to function, but it does give me some pain relief for the first time since my injury. I still have some pain and have to deal with the side effects of the drug, but compared to a year ago, the improvement is incredible. I am angered that I was forced to suffer such devastating pain for so long do to a doctors unwarranted fears of reprisal due to the bad name the media and those who have abused Oxycontin have given it.
Like Wesley, it was a life saver for me and I too would be saddened to think that chronic pain patients will be denied a medication which was created to treat their pain, because of the misuse and abuse of others.
Just my two cents...for what it's worth.
Re: Oxycontin
i realize this thread is a bit old now but you never know when it can help.
i agree 110% with everything wes said. i've been on oxycontin for almost 3 years now. i started out at 40 mg 3 x/day PLUS percocets (oxycocets) 3-4 times per day for "breakthrough" pain.
i have gradually weaned myself down to 10 mg 1 or 2 a day - depending on weather, pain level, etc. i rarely take the percs.
i think alot of it is like everything else with bpi - everyone is different and responds to different things. i remember at the beginning, they took me off the oxycontin and onto morphine. i screamed for my oxycontin back - the morphine did nothing!
just my 2 cents
jan
i agree 110% with everything wes said. i've been on oxycontin for almost 3 years now. i started out at 40 mg 3 x/day PLUS percocets (oxycocets) 3-4 times per day for "breakthrough" pain.
i have gradually weaned myself down to 10 mg 1 or 2 a day - depending on weather, pain level, etc. i rarely take the percs.
i think alot of it is like everything else with bpi - everyone is different and responds to different things. i remember at the beginning, they took me off the oxycontin and onto morphine. i screamed for my oxycontin back - the morphine did nothing!
just my 2 cents
jan
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punchy sue
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2003 8:31 pm
Re: Oxycontin
Hey Everyone!
Thanx for all the imput, good and bad. I guese it all just boils down to the individual person and how oxycotin effects them. I am still taking it but I've stepped my doseage down to 20 mg. twice a day and I haven't had any withdrawl symptoms. I still hate the reactions I recieve from people when they find out that I'm taking it but that's their problem and not mine. My problem is the constant pain that is unfortunately the only debilitating part of TBPI. Oxycotin has helpped me function again and I will continue taking it as long as it helps me. I do believe, one day, that I will be able to live without taking mediaction, but until that day, I have to do whatever it takes to live as normal a life as I can.
This is only my opinion, but I think people get in trouble when thier docs prescribe too high of a doseage in the beginning. You should always start taking the lowest doesage and increase that until you reach a level that works. It is important to know that you will probably not ever reach a level where you are without pain. Pain comes with nerve damage and there is not a medication out there that is going to release you from it. So please don't get yourself into a situation where you truly become addicted to a narcotic because you keep taking more and more in hopes that you can irradicate the pain. It just doesn't work that way.
Good luck to everyone and be safe, be realistic, and always stay educated on what you're putting into your body.
THANX LOVE SUSAN
Thanx for all the imput, good and bad. I guese it all just boils down to the individual person and how oxycotin effects them. I am still taking it but I've stepped my doseage down to 20 mg. twice a day and I haven't had any withdrawl symptoms. I still hate the reactions I recieve from people when they find out that I'm taking it but that's their problem and not mine. My problem is the constant pain that is unfortunately the only debilitating part of TBPI. Oxycotin has helpped me function again and I will continue taking it as long as it helps me. I do believe, one day, that I will be able to live without taking mediaction, but until that day, I have to do whatever it takes to live as normal a life as I can.
This is only my opinion, but I think people get in trouble when thier docs prescribe too high of a doseage in the beginning. You should always start taking the lowest doesage and increase that until you reach a level that works. It is important to know that you will probably not ever reach a level where you are without pain. Pain comes with nerve damage and there is not a medication out there that is going to release you from it. So please don't get yourself into a situation where you truly become addicted to a narcotic because you keep taking more and more in hopes that you can irradicate the pain. It just doesn't work that way.
Good luck to everyone and be safe, be realistic, and always stay educated on what you're putting into your body.
THANX LOVE SUSAN