questions about Opana ER
 

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone else has been rx Opana er. My new PM has taken me off Percocet and morphine and said that Opana is better and stronger. It is a hydromorphone hci. I'll start at 10mg every 12 hrs. and he'll be titriting me up over the next few weeks? Just wondering about the use.

Hugs
mary\

Hi Mary,

My daughter started opana, but it didn't help her. But, she just finished the pain rehabilitation program at Cleveland Clinic Childrens hospital. She is completely off of pain medication. She is doing very well she has CRPS in her left ankle leg and hip. She is now wearing blue jeans, and going to school, she went for a two hour walk today. But, my understanding is that opana is a derivative of morphine. It has been my daughters experience that the pain medications do not take the pain away, they only make her feel out of it!!
Her pm said she has patients who have good results with it. so much luck to you. I think everyone is different. I hope it takes your pain away.

Opana ER has been a life saver for me
 

Hi wanted to let you know, Opana ER has been a life saver for me. I take it with Lyrica 150 mg of Lyrica and 40 mg am and pm of Opana. I was in crisis and nothing else was working, we tried fentynal patches,and every other drug you have heard of. this is the only combination that worked for me and it was immediate. the Lyrica controls my severe burningl. The two together have been a winning combination for me. I of course also have to have breakthru meds, but I have a very severe full body case of RSD,(dont we all)-so I also take 4 -30 mg oxycodone for breakthrough pain as needed. I hope the opana works for youo too. dont forget to couple it wht Lyrica for the buring. Take care and good luck. CZ

Well, I've taken my 2nd dose of both the Opana and Lyrcra. I will say that I had the best nite sleep that I've had in a long time. As I was without any pain meds for almost 24 hrs before I took it, I was able to notice how it was working. After a few hrs I noticed that the pain was really down. Slept great, woke up ok. a little groggy, but not bad, took care of the horses, dogs cats, my new little kitten who was just spayed yesterday, and went back to bed to play on my computer. I did take my 2nd dose as soon as I woke up. It's been about3 hrs since I took my 2nd one and I still feel sleepy, but not as if I need to crawl into bed and sleep. Pain wise it feels ok, nothing more then the average person has. I really think this will work. I know it will take a bit to get used to the meds, but I'm excited about this. I've tried so many meds that I don't want to get my hopes up, but it's getting up there. Keep you fingers crossed. I know this is kinda a new med in pill form, and I've read some awesome reviews about it. It also came with a card that give me a 25 dollar payment to my co-pay for 12 months. It comes from the company. It is really great. so, if my co pay is 50 then I only have to pay 25. great deal..

:grouphug:
Mary

Mary I am so so happy for you!! Thrlled that the Opana is helping you too. WE can never really belivie when we find something that truly lowers our pain threshold. It is so wonderful this is helping you too. Im so glad you tried it!
Sincerely, CZ

CZ,

Well, my dr and I decided to keep me at 20mg 2 x a day with Opana ir 5mg for breakthru pain. I went off the Lyrica, and I do feel better. My hands we getting to be so swollen that I couldn't close my fingers. It's gotten better since I went off the Lyrica. But I love my Opana ER. I feel like a new human being and I have some excitement back. I wish everyone here could/would take it and it would be as wonderful for them as it is for us.

Hugs
Mary\
:grouphug:

im glad that some have found something that works wonders for them
it makes me feel better knowing that some are able to regain as much as normal life as they can!!! its great!!!

carrie

Opana ER has changed my life for the better. I feel so much better. I am glad that you have found relief from this lifesaver drug:)
:hug:
Dew

Hi Mary,

I did take Avinza, which is the same as Opana, for a while and yes it did work for Pain but the problem I had with it,was that all morphine based meds damage your teeth. What happens is it dries up the salvia in your month which does keep the mouth and teeth clean in-between brushings and such. Without the salva it causes decay and a lot of it. Maybe check with your dentist before you start. I have also done ketamine therapy which also contributed to the teeth problem, the ketamine changes your PH in your body. I am posting this because I wish someone would of warned me. I have lost quite a few teeth, in the back thank goodness, but I stay away from those type of meds. Also, I had great teeth prior to all meds I did not even have a cavity until I was 25 and only had 2 or 3 by the time I was 40. Now after the RSD I lost count between Root Canals, Cavities and extractions.

Good luck and be carefull...

Gabbycakes

Went to the pm doc today with my wife today and brought up the subject of Opana with her doctor. She wrote out a one week prescription for 20mg 12 hour time release for Suzy to take every 12 hours to see if she gets relief from it. The doctor sent us to a particular pharmacy to fill the prescription and they refused because the insurance company said no. I hate insurance companies and can rant all day about it but wont. The insurance company said Suzy should not take the time released version. That makes absolutely no sense to me and I will straighten it out. :confused:

jim

i know i hate ins. also they are so dumb about what they will cover and not. it just boggles my mind . .i hope that she is able to try and see if this will also help her like it is helping other ..

carrie

Jim King, I can't believe that either, well, yes I can. It makes about as much sense as AIG going to the St. Regis after they got their bail out $$$$$$$$. I'm sorry, that has to be so frustrating for you both. Susy is fortunate to have you batting for her. loretta

sighs...$#%^** Insurance Company
 

How is it that an Ins. Co. can over-rule a doctor's script? I never have understood that at all. I hope you get this mess straightened out. I take Opana ER, and it has given me hope..and I have a smile on my face,everyday. Sure, I have had some sleepless nights, but that is just part of RSD. It has nothing to do with OpanaER.

I will keep you in my meditation prayers.
:)
Dew

Dew, I've seen pharmacist over rule her doctor's scripts. I hate insurance companies and have been fighting them for years now. I've battled 4 different insurance companies total, all in violation of the law. We've won every battle except an HMO who wouldn't recognize she even had RSD and stated twice to me they've never heard of it. I think there needs to be a class action suit against these hawks but it's difficult because of the different state laws etc. I called the insurance co and explained my wife now takes 2 40mg time release Oxy per-day and is trying something different for a week to see if it has a better effect. They gave us a toll free number for the doc to call and will most likely be approved today.

I am so sorry about the insurance co. they are such a pain in the ***. If she goes on it, ask your dr. for a credit card from the company that makes Opana. The card give you up to a $25.oo credit on your co-pay, every month for 12 months. It helps a bit. I really hope it help your wife. It will make her very sleepy at first, but I think it is worth it. Now that I'm on a regular dose, I'm not having to take as many naps as I did at first. In fact, I'm going to start driving to volunteer at the local spca. Keep us posted on what is happening and how she feels on it. My fingers are crossed.

Hugs
Mary
:grouphug:

Opana ER and insurance companies
 

Hi Jim, try going to a smaller pharmacy not a chain. I go to a local pharmacy. they are farntastic they know how to work the insurance companies and will take the time which the chains will not do. I am on 40mg opana ER am and pm and could not make it with out it. good luck. CZ

lostmary, yes the doctor did give her a discount card from a Opana packet. I've been told the doc needs to fill out a form and fax to the ins co.
CZZ74, my wife has her regular pharmacy that she deals with but her doctor said to go to this particular one because the doc is known there and thought there would be less hassle, I suppose.
Also, what is the difference between these Opana drugs ie Opana ER and PM?

Now it seems a new battle is brewing with the insurance company. I just found out the insurance company refused the doctor's request for my wife to receive Opana. They said Suzy must take regular morphine first before they will consider Opana. She must take it for a month and if she doesn't take well to it they will consider Opana. You know, we do not have an HMO policy, but sure seems like it. I'm really sick of these people. :mad:

IS THERE A LAWYER INVOLVED WITH YOU ON THIS MATTER? If there was, he/she would nip this is the bud,pronto. The ins. comp. is attempting to take the cheapest way out. This is so sad, and your poor wife and you, stuck in the middle. I hope your doc steps up to the plate and talks to the ins. company to explain WHY Opana ER is superior to morphine.
:grouphug:
Dew

The only lawyer we have now is one specializing in SSDI. We had another who was looking for a connection with her former employer and health insurance company to see if she was terminated from her employment do to the insurance company's negligence releasing both parties from any obligation pertaining to her RSD.
BC/BS told us Opana is not on their list of drugs because it is relatively new. The insurance company wants Suzy to take what they consider a generic version of Opana which appears to be morphine sulfate for one month first. 4 30mg per day and 2 60mg time-release per day. She started it yesterday and became somewhat ill from just one 30mg. Dew, Suzy seems to think that Opana is just like morphine and may make her ill anyway. I've explained that it may not be just like morphine even though it is morphine based, but it may not have certain side effects as morphine. Can anyone attest to this? Thanks!

Usually is there is anything else out there my insurance co would want me on it. I didn't run into any trouble with it. Of course, each insurance co is different. If it makes your wife sick, then what I would do is let the dr. know, and he can report that she can't take it because it makes her too sick. the other thing I might do is wait out the month, without actually taking the morphine, then go for the Opana ER. Especially if her dr will give her pain meds during that time to cover her pain. Opana is kinda new, it's been out for about 3 years now. It was out in the 70's but it was pulled from the market because of the high it gave. The company reformatted the drug to take the big high out of it, and then they put it back on the market. If you go to pharmer.org you can type in Opana er and get a lot of information about it. but somehow, I think you will have to wait out the month. Has your wife every been on the morphine. If so, that should cover the requirement of having tried it. I hope it works out

Hugs
Mary
:grouphug:

hey there...
 

I started Opana ER about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I did not get sick, nor did it give me a "high":p

What I have received from Opana ER, recognized by me, my family and sis in AZ, is a glimpse of the former Dew(Linda), before RSD. The woman that smiled all the time, and laughed. The woman that enjoyed being around others. The woman that could be free of the constant, chronic pain from the RSD. The woman that wanted to travel, and did, to visit my sis in AZ concerning her pancreatic cancer ordeal. I felt useful, and I want to feel needed, as it assists me in finding significance in this crazy world. I was helping someone instead of someone helping me. It is a miracle in my life in reference to the last 26 months of hell that I have endured, since RSD entered my life.

Granted, I have had a couple of nights that were my usual insomnia episodes, before Opana ER; however, my PM doc told me that Opana ER would help me sleep better, and will lower my pain,substantially.The PM doc's exact words,"All will be well in your world, as this drug will assist you with the pain and sleep issues." I will be increased in doseage from 10 mg twice per day,to 30 mg,twice per day on 5/26/09. The first night on Opana ER, I slept 8 hrs in a row! Since then, my sleep has cut back between 5-6 hrs in a row.

Let's face it, no sleep makes anyone a mess: emotionally, psychologically, and physically.

I hope your wife gets to try Opana ER as soon as possible. Please remember, each of us are individuals and don't follow the same path. I am hoping your wife responds well to this pain medicine.

Good response Mary.
Dew! I'm happy for you!

If she gets sick from her meds, call the Doctor! Doesn't she suffer enough? The meds are to reduce that!

Lots of ins. companies are trying to get their patients onto methadone, because it's very inexpensive. I've been on it since about 90-91, through different dosages, and it must be treated with respect, (No different than any of the meds in this discussion).
Some people get upset about the label's that have been attached to it (because of it's use for heroin addiction, that's the point, no high).
For me, it's effective, it doesn't wear off, i.e. I don't have to raise my dosage because time has gone by. I only need take some miralax with it, as I've gotten more sedentary.

Wish all the best!

Pete
asb

Suzy has been prescribed, amongst many others, methadone which she became very ill from, percocet, same reaction and a couple others I don't remember. She handles vicodin and oxicodin well. She is trying to ease into the morphine but I don't have high hopes. She will most likely wait out the month and reapply.

opana er
 

Hi Mary,

I took Opana ER 40mgs for about 1 year. Yes, it may be stronger, but better, I don't think so. This is my opinion though! I talked to a Pharmacist about it and she said it was stronger. The thing is, is how it is released into your system? Whoever makes the drug was trying to make it comparable to Oxycontin. I've taken both, and I'll stick to Oxycontin and Percocet! I've read a lot about Opana, and on paper It's stronger, but it's released into your system slower than most of the other long acting meds. I hope I have helped you. One more thing, I've also read a lot of other posts comparing Morphine and Percocet to Opana, and it was hands down, people preferred percocet and Morphine over Opana. The ratio was not even close, so the people have spoken about your question!

jmac51

welcome to the forum
 

Opana ER is suppose to be released at a slower rate as the name of the pain medication indicates,EXTENDED RELEASE. It was placed back on the market 2-3 yrs back, without the euphoric affect, while still addressing pain relief.

Your preference to Oxycontin and Percocet are not extended release meds, so you would feel the effect/affect quicker. However, you would also be needing higher mgs. dosesage of the drugs to achieve the same results compared to your initial use of the medications.

The ER meds are suppose to assist in keeping break thru pain at a minimum.

Medications have different effects on individuals. The focus on pain relief is the goal. What may work for one, may not work for another.

I have found relief with Opana ER.

Welcome to the forum,
Dew

I am glad you found relief for your pain - it does makes an amazing difference in your life, doesn't it?! I started taking 5 mg methadone 3 times a day about a week and a half ago, and it significantly reduced my head pain. I didn't realize how depressed I was until I wasn't so depressed. I have also been able to sleep more. So like many of you I feel like I have some of my life back. Percocet by itself wasn't working for me anymore. I wish I could get rid of all of my pain...

Just the name "methadone" or "oxycontin" or "morphine" is pretty freaky, especially when you are still working. If my co-workers knew I had large bottles of percocet and methadone in my workbag I'm sure they would be horrified!

Another good thing about reducing our pain levels is that it allows us to move around more. When my head hurt I tended not to do as much. Now I am getting out and walking further, working more in the yard (nothing too strenuous, though, I'm still afraid to do too much), and cleaning up the messes my kids tend to leave all over the house. Hopefully that is good for things.

What is Opana derived from? I know Mary said she had to up her dose after a while to maintain the same effect on her pain. Dew - did you also have to increase your dose after a short period of time?

thanks, Sandy

http://www.rxlist.com/opana-er-drug.htm

I found this site helpful;however, you can goggle Opana ER, and find many more sites.

I was prescribed a 30 day supply on 4/28/09( 10 mg twice per day;12 hrs apart). That did wonders for my sleep,immediately. My pain was no longer the main focus in my life. I was able to travel to AZ and then back to OK, in a car,hubby driving,over 13 hrs one way..with many breaks to stretch and walk. I was so happy to feel good again without that "drugged" feeling. I also con't my other medications. I am now living my life instead of existing.

I will see my PM on 5/26/09, at which time he will increase my dosage.
I am not sure exactly to what dosage. I thought he said to 30 mg twice a day??? Then, I will be placed MMI, maximum medical improvement, and have maintenance appts. with PM doc every 3 months.

Before Opana ER, RSD's by-products of pain and insomnia ruled my life. The week before I started Opana ER, I had maybe 10 hrs of sleep in 7 days. I was devastated to say the least! The first day on Opana ER, I slept 8 hrs in a row:)

It con't that way for a about 5 days..then I started having less hrs in a block of sleep: 6-8 hrs..then 5-6 hrs. Say what you will, you go without sleep in 7 days except for 10 hrs, which were napping here and there;this product changed my life for the better. Sleep regenerates all of us. Sleep heals. The pain no longer rules my life,totally. :)

DEW,
For some,
the "Euphoria" is the pain relief.
For me, percoset always made me feel as if my feet weren't quite touching the floor.. (Oh, I'm hang gliding again!)
I only took them for two (weekend) periods after tmj surgery, long ago.

But, straight pain relief, without the Buzz, is where it's at!
(Am I being cruel?)

The point is, the closer you can get to "Living a Normal, YOUR Normal life, wether that be raising children, working, driving, etc."
That's success, at Managing RSD.

Then, we must deal with our bodies aging.
(The alternative is not good).

So, back to the "Triangle of RSD management"

Meds = Your Doctor and You

Mood = Your neuropsych doctor and You.

Body = Excercise, You!

Keep that body ready for retirement, even though you may feel that you're retired, or simply "existing" now.

Do I practice what I preach?

A Question for another day....

Pete
asb

I don't have enough experience with meds yet to know the difference - I didn't even realize how much pain I was in until I wasn't. I don't think Percocet really works well for me anymore...I should talk to a doc about an alternative at some point. I use it for breakthrough pain now, along with the methadone, and probably take a total of 3 - 4 pills a day...

Just reading about these meds makes me want to take a nap! But unfortunately I am at my desk (working on something that is not very interesting).

Have a good one, Sandy

Jim,
I don't know how Suzy has tried these meds. But, one thing I learned, is I will NEVER try more than one new med at once (Unless there's a specific reason). Because I want to know what they do to / for me, individually.

Also,
If I get a big side effect, as you say Suzy has had, could it be the dosage is too high, (she might need to titrate up), and also as I said, too many in the mix?

Just a thought...

Pete
Asb

That's tough but we have to be... :hug:

Good morning ASB! Good point about maybe the dose is too high. I will mention it to her. After 4 years with no meds, lousy treatment from both her employer, doctors and insurance company and finally started to receive good treatment to control her pain after she was dumped from her company's payroll it was in these early days of treatment she tried methadone, percosets etc. slowly in order to find what worked better for her. After sometime it was vicodin (the strongest version) and 2 per-day 40mg ER oxycodin that she received the most relief. The other meds she takes are for muscle cramps, bone issues, lidocaine cream and inflamation meds. She refused to take any drug that will increase her weight. She has steadfast refused any evasive treatment at all cost, ever since her original injury, that caused her RSD including blocks, stimulators etc. Her fractured right wrist is still damaged from the reset the doctors performed (original injury) in which she still has torn cartilage and rubbing bone issues. To this day she wears a brace on her right arm and has been for 7 years. She has been warned by two doctors that physical therapy on her bad arm is a no no until she has surgery to correct this mess but are very afraid of her RSD spreading. There are no trapped nerves in her right hand and arm but sometimes I wonder about this, that there is a trapped nerve the EMGs missed causing her RSD symptoms. However she has had PT at GW hospital in Washington and several ketamine and lidocaine infusions. This Opana thread is very interesting because I can not recall reading anywhere a drug or procedure that has given those with RSD a high level of relief other than ketamine and or early detection followed by aggressive PT. I'll suggest to my wife the dosage issue and if she finally does receive Opana maybe the dose should start out lower around 10mg instead. I'm hoping she'll find more relief from her pain than she is now.

Jim,
We all wish Your Wife and you the best!
You should read the methadone thread as well.

Some doctors just write a prescription and slide it over to ya.
No explanation.
But, I think it's wise to start slow, and kind of "figure out" what this med does to/for you, one at a time!

Hope this helps, don't be afraid to PM me, if I can help.

Pete
Asb

I am allergic to morphine, but can take Opana. I personally do not like Opana as I am still on 10mg in the am and in the pm with no pain relief!!!

I was on Opana ER 40mg 2x a day for 16 months. The last 4 months I noticed that I got really bad headaches all the time and pain relief for only 3-4 hours at a time. My PMD put me on methadone at 15mg 3x's a day. This has helped with my pain and no more headaches.