What Is The Best Replacement For Oxycontin. High Dose Long Time User For Chronic Pain. It Seems Like Nothing Else Works As Well.

I was on the Oxycontin 80mg 3x a day for 16 yrs. I have been tried on alot of other things . I went on methadone w/ 2 40mg of oxy then they quit making the methadone that iI took. None of the kadian or other things in that class have worked. I am now taking ms contin 100mg. a day w/15 mg. 2x a day it is not enough and my Dr. who gave me a hard time off and on about the oxy's now refuses to do the irs that are still available with any other meds. I've took the opana and at the time it seemed fine but pricey that has been a couple of years ago just to see. They have a cap I did not take the er's though. My Dr. is funny about writing large numbers of meds. This ms contin could work but he will not for instance give 60 more mgs. He would rater write 200mgs.3x a day because of amts. of pills Go wonder. Thing is getting to that dose requires going through the additional meds unless he jumps me directly up. I am tolerant after so many years and in worse condition as well. Is the regular morhine stronger than the sulphate in anyones opinion? At least with these categories of meds there aren't these strcict 8 hr. guidelines ect. Nothing has ever lasted 12 hrs. for me. Thanks Anyone with comparisons or experiences with having to come off the new oxy's let me know. My Dr. said I was the only pt. to complain about getting sick. I find that hard to believe. Only slight mentions of little differences. Please help

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REPORT

We have many complaints on here about them not working as well and causing odd side effects. If it were me, I'd print some of the pages and take them in to show my doctor that I am not the only one with a problem with them.


Here are the links to just some of the discussions on our site about it:

http:/­/­www.prescriptiondrug-info.com/­threads/­oxycontin-80-mg-OP-S174347.htm

http:/­/­www.prescriptiondrug-info.com/­threads/­oxycontin-op-30-mg-S174523.htm


As to the problems you have had with the new formulation, I strongly suggest you report it to the FDA and Purdue at the following numbers:

Purdue Pharma number for drug safety/medication issues:

888.726.7535


FDA MedWatch number:

800-332-1088

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IF YOU FIND SOME THING ELSE THAT WORKS PLEASE POST IT, I AM IN THE VERY SAME SHAPE. THE SIDE EFFECT'S ARE VERY, VERY REAL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THESE DOCTORS, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IF THEY WERE IN AS MUCH PAIN AS SOME OF US ARE THEY WOULD WITH NO DOUBT FIND SOME THING THAT WOULD WORK. IF NOT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO QUITE THEIR JOB'S BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT BE MEDICALLY ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB, BUT UNTIL SOME THING AS THAT HAPPENS (WHICH I WHICH I WOULD NOT WISH ON ANY ONE) THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CARE OR AT LEAST NOT THE ONES I HAVE TO GO TO. I HAVE ABOUT 9 CHRONIC MEDICAL THING'S WRONG WITH ME AND WENT FROM TAKING THE OLD OXY'S TO THE NEW AND NOW ALL I CAN DO IS SIT IN A CHAIR AND WATCH THE WORLD GO BY. I HAVE 6 GRANDCHILDREN I CAN NOT EVEN PLAY WITH OR HOLD ANY LONGER ANY THING THAT THE OLD OXY'S MADE POSSIBLE, THE NEW ONES HAVE TAKEN IT AWAY. I WISH EVERY ONE (THAT ARE NOT ABUSERS ) WOULD GET TO GATHER AND BRING A LAW SUITE AGAINST THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE NEW ONES. I WOULD BE AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE ALTHOUGH I WAS USING A WALKER FROM TIME TO TIME, I WOULD HAVE TO SIT THERE IN MY WHEELCHAIR, BUT I WOULD BE THERE. I HOPE THEY HAVE TO PAY OUT ENOUGH MONEY TO PEOPLE FOR ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT THEY WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE DOING SOME THING LIKE THIS AGAIN. ANY ONE THAT ABUSES MED'S ARE GOING TO KEEP ON ABUSING THEM, WHILE WE HAVE TO SUFFER.

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Everyone that is taking over 3 80's a day should make their doc switch them to opana. They made it for people who don't get any help from oc anymore. I've had it and it's fantastic for pain, way way better than any oc.

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Opana definitely does the trick...kinda pricy even with insurance, but hey give it a shot...im at 10mg a day...see what the doc says...he told he it's 2x stronger than oxycontin...

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I was on 80mg also and when my insurance refused to pay for it anymore, I, was put on Methadone and hydrocodone for break thru, The methadone worked fine and got me off the Oxycontin it also should do the same for the new Oxycontin, the wafers I'm told are not available now but you can get all the 10's you need, I would go back to methadone you don't get the euphoric hi that you get from the other but hey it's all about controlling pain not getting hi at least for me any way, I do need a break through as they only last at max 8hrs. good luck.

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Shirley, Thank God for people like you I also took th old oxycontins ad the new (Reformulated) do not help I DO NOT care how many Drs say they are the same thing they are just reformulated so the DRUGGIES that do not use any meds they get there hands on properly cannot misuse oxycontin anymore. Guess what those people that did not use the old oxycontin's as prescribed figured a way to misuse something else before the new oxycontins were prescribed to people like us that take our med's as prescribed. The new oxycontin's ARE NOT anything close to the old one's that helped people like us that take our med's as prescribed. Since the new oxycontin have been prescribed to me I went from having as close to a normal life as possible considering my condition to not having a life at all. I stay sick and stopped driving I very seldom leave my house. I think since they changed our oxycontin the only time I have left my home is to go to the Dr. and I have had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance twice I have had two mimi strokes and cannot have a MRI to see how much damage they have caused because I have to much metal in my neck.My medical bills are pileing up because of trips to hospital and test they have done causing stress. I have severe headaches almost everyday. I use to be able to have fun and play with my grandchildren but like you my pain is so bad I am not able to be the same person. I will be next to you in line in my wheelchair to sue whoever is responsible for taking away our lives.

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As a Doctor in Canada if I write a script for 200mgs I have to report it to the government. Chances are your doc isn't ok with getting red flagged and stuff. He or she probably doesn't know what the limit is. Also here in Canada the copy of the script get copied to the government as they help police the doctors. This is a new procedure but nevertheless it's been done. I know they have a similar program with the DEA. They must notify large narcotic orders to the DEA. Good luck, Feel better!

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Yes my dr has pulled me off the oxy 80's 3x per day along with fast acting oxy 20's cold turkey man have I been sick!!!

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Hi this is Cindy -Lee I have the same problem .My Dr. After ten yrs took me off my oxy80's cause I had a puff a day to help me eat.He went on to tell me he was afraid that one day I would not wake up ( after ten years) one would think he would take me off my sleeping pills but didn't!I have broke just about every bone in my body worked hard played hard!Getti g t-boned by a 57 Chevy off my Harley broke my back ended up a para! Have worked hard to walk with two canes! I fired my Dr for all his abuse now my new Dr tells me these 200 mg of TRAMADOL will work! Well they don't! I need a Dr to understand I can't move without oxy HELP ;-(

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Yes your story is just like mine I do not have a life.I took my meds for a quality of life!What did I do so wrong? HELP ME PLEASE!!!

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I get more than than for minor lower back pain, ur doc is a U know what man! Doc's like that, I wish they could feel u all's pain as I don't have horrible debilitating pain, but if I did, or was I doc. u bet ur butt I would help and give out almost whatever the Pt. said works. I'm sorry as Tramodol is not even a real pain killer as I can use it on my suboxone which makes pain meds not work. Its similar, but no way near the potency of even Codeine, which Is IMHO and my Dr's as well the weakest op. on the market today. So much so that in UK and Canada u can buy both codeine, tramadol OTC! no BS! Even Bupenorphine in small amounts .2, .3mgs called Tamgestic. This would help w/ pain 4sure! Get another doc. or tell him that crap doesn't work and ur suffering! Also the main reason why docs in the USA are cutting dwn pain meds in ER's, pain clinics, etc.. is because the FDA has on going seminars explaining the dangers of LA and ER drugs such as oxy, diladid, morphine, etc... Good luck yo, and I hope u get the help u need!

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I was on 40mg OC oxycontin bid since it's release without any problems of tolerance. My pain level was a 5 on them. I also have the newest 32 lead rechargeable spinal cord stimulator implant. Then along came OP oxycontin my pain went to a 9... My doctor had to add 4 10mg percocets to the OP oxycontin to get my pain back to a 5. I'm taking endocet 10/325 for the percocet brand name substitute.
Anyone who says the new OP oxycontins work the same isn't in severe pain to begin with or their body is breaking down the polymer bonding agent releasing the active ingredient better than in a lot of other people.
My doctor had a lot of different blood work done on me to see what the oxycodone level was in my bloodstream at various times of the day.
It showed that the 40mg OP oxycontin's were around 27 to 33 percent off what should have been in my bloodstream. Now anyone he puts on oxycontin has their blood monitored for oxycodone levels and adjusts the level with different strength percocets 5,7.5,10 to get the desired level the doctor is after.
From what I hear ALL extended release opiates will become even MORE tamper resistant in the future. Which makes me think they'll mess up the pills even more for the people who have to take them, so a few anal politicians and their followers can fool themselves into thinking their helping society, but in reality hurting the lives of people who actually need the medications.

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Please tell me the difference between old oxy and new. Why are new ones worse? R they not as strong?

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Sorry to hear about your problems. This is Obama having the DEA breathing down the doctors necks about writing for alot of meds. Your personal situation is irrelevant to him. Some states aren't bowing down to it, but most are. Taking 80mg of OC 3 times a day is alot. Your doctor maybe thinking you're having a tolerance to the OC and wanted to try other meds. I know from personal experience that the opiate receptors in my brain don't respond well to all the different opiates out there. I do best on OC with 10/325 percocets for break through. I know some people who take opana er and ir tabs too. They said it works well for them. For some reason hydromorphone and oxymorphone don't work on my pain very well and I'm allergic to morphine. I also have a 32 lead spinal cord stimulator. That along with pain medications 40mg OC bid and 4 10/325 percocets for break through give me a quality of life that pain medication alone couldn't. Like I always tell anyone in our situations, if a doctor won't work with you to help you have a decent quality of life (you'll never be pain free) then find some doctor who will work with you. Just remember to be aware of how the government is cracking down on doctors right now and doctors will protect themselves before they think about our situation. Have you ever considered an infusion pump implant? Their expensive to fill, but I know people who have them and take pills too because their pain is worse than mine. Good luck with your personal situation in trying to find decent pain management. I went through several doctors till I found a good one whose not liberal with meds, but who isn't afraid to write for meds when the situation calls for it.

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The old "OC" stamp on pill and now the newer "OP" stamp on pill. The original formulation had a wax coating around the pill and the active ingredient would release over time through the wax coating. People would remove the wax coating and abuse it. Now in its 3rd formulation "OP" stamp on the pill on one side the mg on the other side. The wax is gone and the pill has a normal coating around it. The active ingredient is mixed with some type of polymer that when cured is hard (I'm not a chemist). Now you can't alter the pill and easily abuse it like some people did before. It also gums up when it gets wet. All though all of this so called more tamper resistants has done is slowed down the drug abusers, people are still abusing it. I take it and since this 3rd reformulation it doesn't last 12 hours, more like 8 hours or so. I have read about alot of people who take it complaining about that and other problems. I have actually seen the undissolved white remains in my stools of these pills, meaning it didn't release all the active ingredient before it was passed out of my body. Other people have said this too. I've had to add 4 10mg percocets to my meds to get the same amount of pain control as I did with the original formulation. There's people now taking 3 oxycontin a day 1 every 8 hours since this formulation came out. I've heard from my doctor that Perdue Pharmaceutical who makes oxycontin is making a newer version (the 4th) because of all the complaints. I have no idea when it will release, it hasn't even applied for a new patent yet or applied for trials through the FDA. So to answer your original question, the active ingredient is the same amount, but the time release mechanism is flawed to some extent.

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@EpiduralPeridural Abcess.. I receive Pain Management papers written by doctors in my email from Medscape. You mention: "From what I hear ALL extended release opiates will become even MORE tamper resistant in the future.....etc.".

Actually, I don't believe opiates will become more tamper resistant. In fact, according to the medical paper entitled:

"FDA Restricts Long-term Opioid Use to Combat Abuse" dtd. September 10, 2013, it says in part: "Extended-release and long-acting (ER/LA) opioid pain relievers are no longer indicated for merely moderate pain, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today as part of a sweeping move to stem the deadly misuse and abuse of the drugs.

Previously, the labels for ER/LA opioid analgesics stated that they were indicated for "moderate to severe pain in patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid treatment for an extended period of time." The labels now will state that the drugs are indicated "for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock opioid treatment and for which alternative treatments are inadequate." The new labeling emphasizes first considering potentially less addictive measures." You can read the rest of the article here, and sign up for specific news items or medical papers that fit your needs as I did with pain management.

So, it's going to be more difficult for patients having what doctors consider "moderate" pain to be prescribed the long acting and/or extended release meds. I am very lucky to have a great PMDR right now. The fact I found out about her in my orthopedic surgeons practice was a miracle. I had been on massive amounts of MS Contin, Dilaudid, MSIR, etc., from 2002-2010. I was forced to come off them when my PMDR lost his license. Will not go into that history as I'll be here all night, but I was blessed she took me on as a patient and no more morphine (as my tolerance to it is too high.

I'm now on the Fentanyl patches (50mcg) qty. 1 every 48 hours instead of 72. I found they lost effectiveness after 48. Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine. I am also on 20 mgs oxycodone three times a day for breakthrough. I went a whole year with nothing for pain and could not function at all. And I recently had cervical spine surgery due to two herniated discs in my neck (C5-C7) with disc degenerative disease, and I also have frozen shoulder, which is extremely painful if I try to lift my arm above my waist. I have put off THAT surgery for the immediate future. And the Fentanyl patch helps with the God-awful pain that put me on pain meds to begin with. Four back surgeries in 2002-2004, the fourth which was a total reconstruction of my lumbar spine from L4-S1. I was left permanently disabled after the last one.

I just wanted to let folks know that the FDA is clamping down on the Extended Release and Long Acting meds and will at the behest of DOCTORS, not politicians, those suffering moderate pain and do not require 24-hour round-the-clock opioid treatment, will be re-evaluated for shorter acting pain meds.

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I just read what you wrote about opana... the reason the opana are not working as well is because the bio-availability on them is so low. When you orally take them your body doesn't break them down as well. The only way to honestly get break thro pain management with them is to i.v. them. But then you run the risk of gettin hooked to shooting up. I believe your best bet would be methadone or fentynal.

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Thank you for this info. I have saved it and I am going to show my dr. Only bc she wikk understand as I do now of why my 80 mg. Ocs have only been working about 6-7 hours. This is Stupid!

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Stop blaming the president for the crackdown on pain medication first and foremost informed before you speak. I suffer from chronic pain 24 seven after six surgeries on my hip patella replacement all on my right side. I have one of the best doctors in my opinion in Washington state. She has been my pain management doctor every sense my third surgery on my hip, I have tried everything for pain now on a good cock tail of medication that was working. Please everyone stay away from Lyrica. The side effects are horrendous I was taking it for nerve damage gabapentin made me gain weight and I slept all the time just to lethargic to function. There should be a legal suit about Lyrica by the way. Do nothing Congress is your problem about pain meds. Please read the facts before you blame Pres. Obama. Sorry about your pain believe me I live it every day also we belong to a real small class of people that are going through hell each and every day all day. Take care and God bless you and I hope I did not make you up set about politics.

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I distinctly remember Obama's speech on the prescription drug problem in America and he was going to do something about it, so who do you think has the DEA breathing down the necks on doctors... Seems to me you're just another Liberal mouth piece making excuse for more failed leadership from Obama. You have NO clue what you're talking about! You show your own ignorance with your comments...

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Re: Sad in Sunny Marci Island (# 24)

Geezus how did you even function on the 12 oxycodone 30 mgs alone???? My God that is some strong sheet! I used to take that back in 2011 and very quickly became addicted to it and it made my pain 10 times worse! The more I took the worse the pain became. I only take 3 hydrocodone per day now and have been on the same dose for 8 years! I also had a torn miniscus and never got any more stronger pains or anything, I elected not to have the surgery and it did get better but still swells and hurts sometimes.

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Re: Mac (# 28)

Serious question, how do you even work under all that medication? You're on some serious strong sheet so no wonder you looked like sheet, you were in withdraw. People don't ever think about what would happen if they can't get their meds. anymore when they start out and agree to take all that. Sorry, but that is a lot of strong medication and I don't know how you can even perform at work.

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Re: shirley (# 2)

The only people reaping from litigation against pill mfr.'s are the crooks running the cities and states, NOT the actual people who were lied to and told that the drugs weren't addicting, oh no not them. This world is now A** BACKWARDS.

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Would recommend Opana Oxicontin? I have to order them from my pharmacy the generic brand.

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Re: shirley (# 2)

Stop typing in CAPITAL LETTERS, it's annoying! Also, you should really think about using Auto Correct... You may go now.....

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Dear Doc,

I think the government getting into the middle of Dr and patient care is horrible. That is not the problem. It is when Dr's strip medicine from patients that things get horribly bad. That is when they go to the streets looking for relief. The government needs to bust the dealers, not the Dr's who are trying to help pain victims.

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I feel you. The abusers are the ones that have done this to us, and that in cludes the doctors. I just with in the last couple months had my time release upped to 40mg. 3x day. You can deff. Tell when it's not working!

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I take oxycontin ER, 40mg, 3x a day, and oxycodone 30mg IR 3x a day for breakthrough pain, plus Soma 350mg 3x a day (muscle relaxer that works great in combination with oxy IR). I have Blue Cross insurance which is terrible now, used to be great. As if April 1st 2017 (last month) blue cross stopped covering my oxy ER. I went from paying $30 a month for 90 pills to now $1093 for it a month. It's breaking me but the only thing blue cross will cover now for ER is morphine sulphate. Last month I asked to try it because it's a difference of $10 compared to $1093!! My Dr prescribed me morphine ER 60mg, 3x a day. By day 3 I was at between a 20-30 on the COWS scale, sick as hell. All I had to combat it was my 30mg oxy IR. I was living on my breakthrough pills only. The morphine did NOTHING, even when I took 2 at once to help the withdrawals. I went back 15 days after being prescribed it, turned over all the morphine I had left to my pain dr,... He took 1 look at me and said "you look like s***". I begged to be switched back to the oxy ER, and he took my meds and wrote me an immediate script putting me back on the oxy ER.

Almost had a stroke when this pharmacy told me it was almost ELEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. But I hadn't slept more than 2 hrs a night in 2 weeks and was constantly either semi ok from the breakthrough pills, or very sick in between. Plus it took me 4 Tylenol PM just to get that 2 hrs sleep. The bioavailability of oxy is around 90%, with morphine ER in oral form it's around 10%. That's what the problem was. As soon as I filled my script I was feeling great again, rebound pain gone, and now sleeping 8 hours a night again. I honestly don't know why they even make morphine in oral form, totally useless, especially being dropped 120mg of oxy overnight... I hear the immediate release morphine at 6omg would've possibly worked for me but then I would've lost my 90 oxy IR a month breakthrough. So to control my pain I now have to work 5 overtime shifts a month JUST for the 1 prescription. The 90 immediate release breakthrough pills of oxy only cost me $10. It's just unreal. Big pharma are just legal drug dealers. 25 cents for each pill and then sell them for $12.50 each to people who are barely covering all the bills and payments to live. They're bastards. Greedy bastards. And the insurance company thinks they are doctors and can dictate to a patient they never met and have no medical training on what medication the patient needs. Why even go to the Dr then? It's getting totally out of hand.

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Hi, I got injured on the job, tried therapy and back needles which didn't help. Herniated disks in my neck & back. I went from 40 mg OC to 60mg ×2 a day for 15 yrs. Paid by OWPC. April 2016 I was let go of because of a loop hole..the 2 and & 3rd referee BS Dr. Been 6mos no meds BC no insurance.. I'm lying on my back 90% of my miserable life suffering and wish I would just die in my sleep. Politicians should focus on OWPC who conceal patients from their only source of health coverage..My pain is worst or equally to all here..I understand. Government & Drs should feel what we feel for just one day! I hope they all die.. because thats what I wish for tonight so it can be done with. No one should suffer this agony.. Suicide runs in my family..but I won't open that door because of my kids & Gkids who I haven't seen for 3 yrs due to travel limitations.. Can't type no more my emotions got the best of me I can't see the letters anymore.. A FAM member of mine is searching the underground for a replacement.. I'm afraid he's gonna get caught an go to jail or hurt out there..I'm done..see you in the next life..

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Try Palladone SR hydromorphone or the Canadian HydromorphContin. Available up to 24mg, 32mg has been withdrawn.
Otherwise, why not consider immediate release oxycodone on a qds basis?

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