Originally Posted by dllfo

I'm sorry but I'm a little confused about your question. I mean, I understand you are asking for advice on different types of meds, but I'm not sure what you need them for. I WAS REAR-ENDED IN A SEVERE WRECK JUNE 2001. I HAVE MANY, MANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS, BUT THE AVINZA AND PAIN MEDS ARE FOR AN INOPERABLE CONDITION IN MY LOWER BACK.

I am new (WELCOME) and I am still trying to learn about everyone. What are you currently taking pain meds for? From my understanding, the Avinza is a time release narcotic. If you are still having pain, why are you reducing this med? MY GOAL IS TO GET OFF ALL PAIN MEDS, SO I AM TRYING TO REDUCE THE INTAKE, PLUS I HAVE SEVERE, LIFE THREATENING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. ONE PULMONOLOGIST, AFTER A BRONCHOSCOPY, TOLD MY WIFE TO GET ME OFF OPIATES BEFORE THEY KILL ME. I QUIT BREATHING 3 TIMES DURING THE PROCEDURE AND HE HAD TO TERMINATE THE PROCEDURE EACH TIME TO GET ME TO BREATHE AGAIN. I WOULD NOT START BREATHING ON MY OWN. (CCHS)

Did you have problems at the higher dose? YES.

I'm assuming the Oxycodone was for breakthrough pain. Is that what you are looking for, something for breakthrough pain, especially when you have your next oral surgery?? YES.

I'm sorry for so many questions, I'm just not sure what YOUR question is! NO PROBLEM, SORRY I WASN'T MORE CLEAR.

Have you tried Oxycontin, the time release form of Oxycodone? NO, AND I DO NOT REMEMBER WHY.

I have taken Morphine in the past and to me, it is like candy. It does not do anything for my pain. However, Oxycontin has been really great for me. Just a thought. OXYCONTIN IS A GOOD DRUG. DAY IN AND DAY OUT, IT MAY BE STRONGER THAN I NEED. THE AVINZA HANDLES MY PAIN MOST OF THE TIME. THE OXYCODONE HANDLES THE BT PAIN REAL WELL. BUT I HAD NEVER TAKEN 75-90MG A DAY --- COMPOUNDING MY ORAL SURGERY
(WHERE THE CUT THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH OFF AND SEW IT TO MY GUMS), WAS A SERIES OF 3 TO 5 TOOTHACHES TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY. THEN THEY SAID I NEEDED A ROOT CANAL AND THEN THEY SAID MY JAW BONE WAS INFECTED, CONTRIBUTING TO THE PAIN.
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BTW, I was not shouting, just typing in all caps to make it easier to follow my comments as opposed to yours. I try to take 30mg of Avinza a day. It is good for about 12 hours for me. I take it around 6pm so I can sleep without the pain waking me (as it used to do).

I am pondering not using a BT pain, just "ramping up" the Avinza. If my Oral Surgery was September 1st, I would take 60mg of Avinza a day from Aug 10th thru the 15th, then 90mg a day the 16th thru the 20th, 120mg a day and so on.

I have described my pain to various doctors as being similar to a storm than knocks down the power poles. As the wires swing in the wind --- when the wires touch each other the sparks fly. Same in my lower back. You and I might be walking into a store and I turn the "wrong way" and I fall down in agony. I cannot explain why, it just happens. In fact, my wife just steps over me when I fall down. She is used to it. Since I have been on Opiates,
I have passed out a couple of times (Respiratory), but not from pain. That is NOT to say I am not in pain many times, but I try to tolerate it.

One of my biggest disappointments was when I realized they call it Pain Management, NOT Total Pain Relief. They finally got it through my thick skull that the amount of pain relievers to relieve me of all pain would knock me out. My words, not theirs. So I am trying to balance between the stress caused my body from pain and the potential mental and respiratory stress caused by the meds.

Another scary thing for me is Alzheimer's. My dad had it. At around 84 or 85 years old. I am 62 and don't want to get a head start. My memory is very bad now. My "Google" won't search. I remember Mickey Mantle won the triple crown in 1956, but can't remember a lot of current things. Pretty frustrating. I know part of it is getting older, but the Opiates are not helping. Sorry, didn't mean to start a "Pity Party". I am a lot luckier than many on these forums.