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

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

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.

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

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