I know I am absent from here for long stretches at a time. I am absent from the computer for long stretches sometimes period. And even my email suffers for this.

BUT I do have a question & would love to hear from anyone about this. My PM Doc is saying he wants to change my pain meds from MS Contin ER (morphine sulfate for generic) to something else as he feels I have reached the maximum doseage & it isn't working as well for me as it use to. I take 200 mgs of morphine every 8 hrs. And if that isn't working well I can add up to 60 to 120 mgs more several hours after the initial dose. I also am able to take up to 120 mgs of OxyCodone IR for break thru pain if the morphine doesn't make it the whole 8 hrs. Most of the time the 200 mgs every 8 hrs works fine, but have had ALOT of break thru pain this winter. More than ever before. I have been on this same dose since approximately Jan/Feb 2004. I am scared to death to have my pain meds changed. I am afraid the pain coverage will be absolutely awful for several months while he adjusts or finds the correct dose for me to have adequate pain coverage. Even at the doses I am on & have been for over 3 yrs doesn't ever contain my pain completely. I have had hours at a time when I can say I have NO pain, but that has happened alot less the past 6 months or so. So if anyone out there can throw me some suggestions for my question just below, I would be very greatful.

My questions is this, WHAT other pain med would give me similar pain coverage but at a lower dose???? What has worked for any of you when your doctor changes your pain meds??? He won't give me something that is suppose to last 24 hrs. or only 12 hrs. The problem I have is that I am one of those people whose body seems to process pain meds quickly. I was on a med that you were able to take every 12 hrs. My problem with it was it didn't last 12 hrs, it only lasted approximately 8 hrs. So my PM Doc had me take the max dose for the day every 8 hrs instead of every 12 hrs. At the time I had NO drug coverage & it was the only pain medication I could get from the drug manufacturer for free. I think it was called Kadian ER 12 hr. I see now it comes only in 24 hr dosing according to the drug formulary I have at this time.

Anyway, wishing all to be as pain free as is heavely possible.

DebbyV