Xtampza Er Users Effectiveness (Page 6)
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I need ppl who have tried the new Xtampza er med to tell me if it works the same as oxycontin? I need to switch so I wanted to know the strength of the new med in comparison.

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Hi Lynx, I have just started on Xtampza. I had to switch over from Oxycontin since my insurance quit covering oxy. The Xtampza is a good substitute but it does not last 12 hours. I think it will work just as good as Oxy once I get the dosage right. i am hoping to take one every 8 hours instead of every 12. They do make me a bit drowsy sometimes.

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I have to switch from 3 oxycontin to 2 xtampa a day, same dose supposedly, will I have withdrawal symptoms?

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Re: MrRyan (# 81)

Hello again, Ryan. I'll start with "I'm a 62 1/2 yr OLD woman" just in case anyone is curious. About your Fentynal patch, I'm glad that you're not on that anymore. With no way to control how it affects you is really not good to have to try to deal with. From what you describe, I'm surprised that anyone would prescribe it. I've heard that it's dangerous for anyone who has to come in contact with it whether it be a caregiver or medical professional. Sounds like you have an awesome pm professional who really wants the best for you. That's so important. I have no shame in telling the stupid things I do that are of no help to get me on the right track (with anything but I'll just stick to Rx subject). I told you that I really thought I should change schedule from 10:00 to more like 8:00 or even 7:00. NEVER as early as you! Thing is, I have been changing to 9:00 but usually woke up more like 8:30 or so. However, just this morning, I woke up and figured it was time to take my first pill, completed my ritual and because I just glanced at the clock, I determined that it was only 6:30! So much for a schedule, eh. So, since my schedule is blown, I've decided to aim for 8:00. My evening pill was almost always off anyway. You say consistency is so important and that makes sense plus you've already done the trial and error so I choose to learn from you. THANK YOU, SIR! Oh, you asked about his long I've been on this stuff.

I switched about 7 or 8 months ago. Had been on regular Oxycodone and switched because I had Rx for 4 pills a day but I almost never got 4th pill in. Started out at 13.5 and have gone up to 18 each pill. I think when I get my schedule straightened out, I'll be okay. Will use acetaminophen for break-thru. My last challenge is getting up at a normal person's time of day. That's gonna take some time. Been so immobile for so long (years). Oh, one more thing. My issues are mild scoliosis, DDD, spondylolisthesis (can't spell it) osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, fused bet l4 and l5 (no surgery, body did it on its own). I haven't had any surgery but have had esi's and rfa's. Neither helped. My pm guys say losing weight will help. If you could see me, you'd agree?? I'll spare you. I wish that I could wave a magic wand and completely cure you. You have such a positive attitude that I wish I had. You just sound like there's no way this is gonna do you in. Now, I think I've jabbered way too long, but. Since I'm old enough to be your grandma... Take care of yourself. Don't go even to your limit, much less over. Get your sleep. I look at the clock and know you should be asleep instead of taking care of my issues (although I really appreciate it!). Really long post. Sorry. Rest up. Let me know if you want to pick my brain or think of anything that will help anyone else on here. Shout out, people! Want to know anything, read Ryan's posts. He's so got this down to a science. Thanks for everything and take care!

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Re: Lou (# 78)

Hello again Lou, it sounds like you have a pretty good schedule going, from my experience so far with xtampza, consistency is key. After being on this medication fir a while your body will start to get in a routine and it will let yoy know when its time for my dose. What I have experienced so far is as you know I take my first dose at 2:30am. I can usually tell its getting close to time for my dose because my pain wil start coming on strong and I will get restless. I have had nights where I am stairing at the clock waiting for 2:30 to come along because I am hurting so bad. Before I was perscribed xtampza I was on 75mcg Fentanyl every 48 Hours. I cane to hate the fentanyl patch, I had constant withdrawls due to ineffective absorbtion. It was horible because it soley depended on absorbing thru your skin, so if it was hot ourside that day it would absorb at a faster rate and with an end result not lasting the full 48hrs. When I switched to xtampza I went thru severe with drawls until my pain doctor was able to get my dosage matched properly. Now I take xtampza 36mg every 12hrs. I can not say it enough how this is so much more consistant than the patch. I don't feel sick all the time and the fatigue went away. Now don't get me wrong xtampza doesn't take away all my pain but it does help manage it. Its definitely better than nothing that's for sure. Well sorry for rambling on. Let me know what you think and also how things are going with you. Also how long have you been taking the xtampza.

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Re: Lynx (# 75)


Your dilemma is truly heart breaking. I'm not at your level of immobility but I can no longer do the things around the house that a husband needs to door any of the outdoor activities I used to enjoy and now I have been forced to take this new Xtampza drug which like you, thousands of others are enduring pain that they SHOULD'T have to live with. I like what one of the other people posted here: "Let the people who came up with these rediculous daily limits and the new tamper free wonder drugs live a few days in our bodies with our pain and see what they think". Anyway I'm sorry you have to live with your situation but I hope things get better for you.

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Re: A Fan (# 15)

Hi, I too was forced to switch to the Xtampza and I'm scared to death! I have read NOTHING good about this drug. This whole thing makes me sick! Due to all the negative press about opioids in general I personally feel like I'm doing something wrong every time I get my script filled. I have been on Oxycontin for 8 years and every time a new "Tamper Resistant Break through" comes out my pain level goes UP. I feel for you all and only people with legitimate pain can understand this horrible struggle. I hope you all find pain free lives but it doesn't"t look promising.

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Re: MrRyan (# 71)

Hi, MrRyan. I'm back to pick your brain! I appreciate the details on how you take this rx. First, you say you eat a little food and drink with your first pill and then a sandwich with your second. I make a sandwich w/deli meat, mayo and rye bread. Then I cut it in half, eating each half with each pill. I think that's okay so far (let me know if you think I might do differently). Next, you say you take your first pill at 2:30 and go back to bed for a couple of hours, then get up, drink your coffee and start your day. About 2:30 you take second pill with a sandwich. This is good because you've got most if your waking hours covered. I don't have any kind of schedule of things I have to do, so...I set my alarm for 10:00, take my meds and go back to sleep for a couple of hours #1 for my pills to kick in and #2, I'm just lazy. Plus I hurt so much, I just don't want to deal with having to get up. The flaw with my timing is that I should be taking pills at least by 8:00, maybe even 7:00. Then force myself to get up earlier as well. I really need to stop lying in bed as long as I do. Another thing I've been doing is taking tylenol every six hours since Xtampza doesn't have it. I think I should use that as break-thru since I don't have an RX for that. I've begun to experiment with this and I think it's working. So, I think the main change I need to make is the timing of taking the pills. Oh, yeah. My PM guy wants me to lose SOME weight. Says I need to get my heart rate up. Suggests a Zumba class! I gave him a look that let him know that wasn't gonna happen! We get along well so that isn't a problem. I think I covered everything. Would like your thoughts on what I might do differently or if you think I might be on the right track. I value your opinion. Thanks! (Sorry so long)

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CJ --

Well the reason that the government is doing that is bc the damn junkies out there ruined it for us that reallyyyyyy need it for pain. I had a fusion done and my Doctor who did it told me I wasn't going need no more painkillers. He lies. All he wanted was the money for the surgery n didn't give a damn about me.

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Re: Lynx (# 75)

I so much agree. I've been forced to take Xtampza it is no where near what I need and I am also now once again in bed. Crying. The med works a it for a few hours maybe 4-5 I need breakthrough meds and I'm sure they won't give them to me. Yes The government is taking over our pain care. I wish all of them had to spend a week in our bodies before coming up with these new laws

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I have read insurance companies and the gov are pushing this med over oxycontin. I don't know if the abuse-deterrent in it is so good or if oxycontin just has the bad name (pill mill beginnings) but this med is being promoted in all ways which maybe tells me I am correct that it simply is weaker than the original oxycontin. I have not been able to find relief with xtampza no matter how I take it, which leaves me bedbound mostly all days. Life is over as a human being, pain is a daily battle that I am not sure how long my mind and body will be able to take it. This to me is simply murder when it is obvious that my pain is destroying me. Is it the dr's fault or the gov taking over our health, since the drs cannot be expected to lose their livelihood by dea attacks which are completely wrong. We are being allowed to die without any concern, the weak and sick are disposable, we do not matter, america has forsaken us which to me is so beyond sad that our great country has come to this. Our voices are not heard, even as we try to scream our plight, we are nothing in this cruel place which is supposed to be the land of the free and brave. It has become the land of the greedy and cruel allowing citizens to be tortured and unheard. We are forgotten without one but of remorse.

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I was on 3 30 mg OxyContin for 8 yrs until my Insurance co started charging $400 copay so Dr put me on 36 mg Xtampza 2 times every 12 hours I just started on Oct 3rd. First, it takes about 2hours to activate and does not last 12 hours. The pain relief is similar to the oxy I hope they will give me break thru meds next month, then I think it will be ok. The Xtampza also cost me nothing.

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Re: POinPain (# 29)

I am curious if you have had any relief from this medication? I will have to change to this (or something like this) in the very near future.

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Re: MrRyan (# 66)

Hi Ryan, I experienced a lot of side effects, including the horrible headaches. That, combined with the fact that xtampza didn't work well to manage my pain, forced me to wean off. During that process, I knew for sure xtampza was the cause. My doctor wouldn't prescribe any other long-lasting med, so I'm left with the rollercoaster of Vicodin...takes an hour to kick in and doesn't last the three remaining hours until I can take another. On a different note, each time a pain med was changed, I specifically asked if the dosage was the same and was told it was. I finally did my own research and discovered it's been cut in half over the last year!

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Re: Lou (# 70)

Hello again Lou. So unfortunately the medication does not seem to live up to the 12 Hours that it should. For me I have noticed that the medication starts out strong for the first 4 hours and then tapers off. I get about 8-10 hours of relief. If pai. SoGets too bad i take break thru medication. So here is my daily schedule - I have to wake up at 5am for work, so what I do is set an alarm for 3am I wake up take my capsule of Xtampza with a little food and glass of tea or milk. Then I lay back down and go back to sleep until its time to get up at 5am. By that time my medication has kicked in. This helps a lot because anyone with back pain knows getting out of bed first thing can be very painful. I drink my coffee and go to work. At about 2:45pm I eat a sandwich and then take my next dose of Xtampza at 3pm. This will then cary me the rest of the day and evening. The one good thing about this schedule is when the medication wares off the good thing is I'm asleep if i do wake up in pain i will take my break thru medication. So its a win win. My body has got use to this scedule and I will wake up at 3am like clock work. Its my body telling me its time for my medication. For me because I am very active in the day due to work and just day to day living raising kids / family etc. This scedule lets me get the most pain management during the day time when I need it. If my pain gets too much to handle during the last few hour I have medication for break thru pain which can be very helpful on those days when I over do it with activity. Let me know if this helps I am more than happy to share my experiances if it helps. Thanks

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Re: MrRyan (# 69)

Okay, I feel like a total ***** going on about how you should be taking the Rx. I went back and read all of your posts and you answered everything and then some. Sorry for the unnecessary posts. Anyway, from what you describe on what, how much and how you take the Rx including a big drink, sounds like I should be eating more. I make a sandwich with rye bread, deli chicken and mayo. Then I eat half to go with the pill. I have a couple of dogs that insist on getting a bite so I don't get the whole thing. I definitely need to drink more. My doctor says I'm dehydrated. I have better days managing pain than others but I wonder how much is attributed to activities I overdid the day before (going to the grocery store will put me down for a couple of days) or the mental stress from others in my house. Sorry, I'm off topic again. Does your pill last from one to the next (I know you said it kicks in after an hour or two). Do you have something for break-thru? I don't. Pain dr. hasn't offered and I haven't asked for any. Would rather do without. Do you know that Xtampza er doesn't have acetaminophen in it. My primary says I don't have to take that. Could use it for break-thru. Gees, about me again. Sorry. My mind wanders. Can you tell? Sounds like you've got it all figured out except for the headaches. That's a puzzle. Ask your doctor about it. Your body might just be adjusting. Hope so. Take care.

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Re: Lou (# 68)

I typically eat a sandwhich i.e. roast beef an cheese on wheat then within a minute or two after i finish eating i then swallow my capsule, I drink a couple big drinks to wash down the capsule. Within 1-2 hours I can feel the medication take effect. I always stick to this system and it seems to help with the dispersal and a consistant effective time. I have tried several methods and this seems to work the best for me. I stress FOR ME. I hope this helps. I look forward to everyone's feed back.

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Re: MrRyan (# 66)

I've been on Xtrampza er for about 6 or 7 months now and luckily haven't had any side effects. If you google it, you'll be able to find a list of side effects. The ones you describe aren't on the list but that doesn't mean they don't exist. It's not my place to try to figure out what might be going wrong but I'm just curious to know how long you've been on the Rx and how you take it. Instructions say to take it with food and about the same amount each time. Food first, then Rx. Or if you have trouble swallowing pills, there are instructions on how to take them when you need to open them. But be sure that you don't take it by itself, either open or whole. You should get these instructions when you fill the Rx. Since this is not getting better, but is getting worse, you really should talk to your doctor to figure out what's going on. Hopefully, it'll be a simple fix and you can get your pain under control. Oh, what a joyous day when that happens! Good luck to you and keep us posted on how it goes. We always learn something new on this board. Again, good luck and I wish you well.

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Re: Lynx (# 65)

I am starting the new medication xtampza next week when it is delivered so I'm willing to give it a try I will let you know how it feel how it feels I will give it 3 months then I will take it from there I hope you are having a good day God bless you

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Re: MrRyan (# 59)

Hello again.
So I have found I do have a side effect, at first I thought is was alergies or maybe dehyrated etc. But over time its happening more and more. I am getting undescibable Headaches. I mean it puts me down for the count. Light noise everything makes it worse they are just paralyzing. It took a little while to notice why and what was causing it. Does anyone else deal with this problem. What do you do to help with it, is there a good medication that can help. Does anyone else have any other kind of side effect from xtampza?

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Dmoonchild, I would like to hear what comes of your litigation against the insurance company. I know there are many people who have talked about doing such but don't know anyone who's actually done it. I certainly hope you've got a good attorney and that you can win, it would be so exciting. Again please let us know how things go. Thank you.

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