[southerngq]

I am currently taking Morphine Sulfate 100MG twice a day, Vicodin 7.5/500 twice a day, and Cyclobenzaprine 10MG once a day at night. I have been on the morphine for over 2 years and it is starting to lose its effectiveness. (In the past, I have used the Fentanyl patch with little effect. I have also taken Oxycontin, Percocet, and Kadian) I am in search of other medications that I can research to take the place of the morphine. My PM is very open to my suggestions and opinions. Then he looks at the situation and makes his own decisions on treatment.
Right now, the front runner to replace the morphine is Methadone. I really need advice on other medications that would be effective in my situation. What are you taking and how does it affect you? What suggestions do you have?
Thanks for your help.

[billie]

Hi!

I am so sorry for your pain med predicament. You don't say what you are taking the meds for. Would a TENS Unit be of any help? I had to withdraw from codiene some years ago, and a TENS Unit was the answer to my back pain. I think that, by now, there are several different types, and one might suit your needs. Praying for you - billie

[billie]

Scroll down to Danimal79's post. You might find an answer there! It's on this board. billie

[razzle51]

Have you tried Opana ER ? it is a derevitive of Morphine

[AndieB]

Originally Posted by southerngq

I am currently taking Morphine Sulfate 100MG twice a day, Vicodin 7.5/500 twice a day, and Cyclobenzaprine 10MG once a day at night. I have been on the morphine for over 2 years and it is starting to lose its effectiveness. (In the past, I have used the Fentanyl patch with little effect. I have also taken Oxycontin, Percocet, and Kadian) I am in search of other medications that I can research to take the place of the morphine. My PM is very open to my suggestions and opinions. Then he looks at the situation and makes his own decisions on treatment.
Right now, the front runner to replace the morphine is Methadone. I really need advice on other medications that would be effective in my situation. What are you taking and how does it affect you? What suggestions do you have?
Thanks for your help.

You are on some heavy doses.Your Dr may believe you are just abusing your meds,so be careful with that one,you do not want to be red flagged.My insurance co.did it to me once thinking I may be Dr. shopping since I was on a desperate search for a cure.( I really was not looking for meds)I was on Methadone once,and I can honestly say if you can avoid that medication,do it.It worked great for the pain,but the side effects were horrible.My teeth started rotting out of my head almost instantly.Then I had to withdraw off of itThe worst experience of my life,and I was only taking it for three weeks.This medication lodges itself in your bone marrow,and the withdrawal time is at least 10 fold,comared to any other med.So go into that one lightly.

[alex44]

be very careful of the Methadone, as AndieB said, the withdrawels are miserable (first hand experiance, It took 6 Mo. to come off 70mg. daily. Good pain relief but the side effects were not worth it. I still have dental problems I belive were aggravated by the menthadone. Have you tried alternative tharapies? Massage, Acupuncture, Physical therapy,ESI'S work for some. I wish you luck and that you are as pain free as possible. alex44

Originally Posted by AndieB

You are on some heavy doses.Your Dr may believe you are just abusing your meds,so be careful with that one,you do not want to be red flagged.My insurance co.did it to me once thinking I may be Dr. shopping since I was on a desperate search for a cure.( I really was not looking for meds)I was on Methadone once,and I can honestly say if you can avoid that medication,do it.It worked great for the pain,but the side effects were horrible.My teeth started rotting out of my head almost instantly.Then I had to withdraw off of itThe worst experience of my life,and I was only taking it for three weeks.This medication lodges itself in your bone marrow,and the withdrawal time is at least 10 fold,comared to any other med.So go into that one lightly.

[legalmania]

Wow those are some really heavy duty meds you are on. What strength oxycontin did you try? It sounds like you're going to need some kind of a cocktail? I have a friend who mixes morphine sulfate 60mg 2x daily with oxycontin 80mg 2x daily, xanax 3 times daily and then soma 3 times daily that seems to at least help with daily function. Of course I don't know your condition, but you do need to change meds every couple of years , because your body does get use to it. Well good luck, and be careful, make sure you don't take to much. Have you tried acupuncture, I know it sounds like a band-aide on a deep wound but , it may relieve some of the pain, somewhere.

[Leesa]

Hi ~ I'm on Methadone, and it does help with the pain. I was on MS contin for years, and then went to the Methadone.

As far as Dental problems, that began with the MORPHINE. The Methadone didn't cause it. It probably added to it, as ANY opiate will do. Opiates ARE hard on teeth, that is a known problem. Make sure you take very good care of your teeth and see your dentist regularly/often.

I don't know about the withdrawal, as I'm still on it, but I don't see how it would be any harder to get off that any other opiate. As long as you're not addicted to it (don't crave it), it shouldn't be too terribly hard. I realize that we're physically dependent on it, and WILL have withdrawals, but with a doctors help, I don't think it should be too much of a problem.

Best of luck, and I hope you find something to relieve your pain. God bless. Peace, Lee

[dlstanf2]

Yet again I am in the process of changing my pain medication. I'm switching from Avinza to Opana, as of today. Previously I was on Opana and changed to Avinza. Unable to take hydrocondone or Oxycontin. Allergic to acetaminophen & codeine derivatives.

I was developing a tolerance issue to the Avinza and did not want to increase the dosage. I use m-oxycodone for BT. Before my Lumbar Fusion (total), I had to come off ALL pain meds. Surgery did not solve my pain and created problems of its , i.e., massive blood clots & nerve damage to legs and feet.

I was unable to walk upright and now my pelvis has rotated enough to cause me to need a lift in my shoe.

Tired, will finish later

[5280Katie]

After nearly dying from severe malnutrition caused by a massive Thyroid Storm (I have Hashimoto's - very underactive thyroid; Storms are sudden massive thyroid outputs that destroy other organs), I was switched to MS Contin from the IV Morphine I had been on for weeks to come home. After working with my neurologist for the Storm results that include permanent hand damage (Neurontin), Essential Tremors (Propanalol, Clonazepam, very occasional Valium), sleepiness somnolence (Nuvigil), I was ready for him to add a Pain Clinic.

First thing was no more Morphine. The pain MD replaced it with Opana 20 mg; 1 each a.m. and p.m. We ended up with 2 (40 mg) in the a.m., 1 at night. It works like a charm! Plus no Morphine side affects (rashes, unbearable itching, constipation). Be aware, tho, that I also take 30 mg of Oxy, every 4 hours, as I have for previous back fractures, arthritis, and the new hand neuropothy. The Opana, as with Morphine, does not address the continual, maddening breakthru pain of the neuropathy. We are considering an Opana increase and an Oxy reduction. I am not willing to submit to pain pumps. Opana is definitely worth consideration. I really hope this helps.

PS to back injury people. My tried and true Flexeril for back spasms had to be replaced because of urinary problems from interactions with new med's. I had horrible, negative reactions when we tried Baclafen that I have never experienced before. Dramatic mood swings; laughing one moment, violent crying the next over absolutely nothing. Teriffying nightmares; throwing myself from the bed to the floor while asleep, fully awakening when my husband dashed from the bed to find me sweating, crunched against the wall. Running into the master bath at 4 a.m. (tho I can barely walk), closing/locking the door, turning on the lights. All symptoms disappeared after getting off the Baclafen. It's a ramp up/ramp off med. Do NOT stop it cold!