[Dew58]

Recently, I was increased on the med Opana ER from 10 to 20 mg x2 per day.

I will see PM doc on 7/7/09 to see if the med needs to be increased again.

My first experience with Opana ER was a great one; I was a happy gal, immediately...slight burn/ache pain.I traveled to AZ and back, no probkem.

Now, it has only been 10 days and I feel break thru pain,already! I have had nights that I have slept 3- 4 hrs, and then wake up because of nightmares, and a strong burning pain. I attempt to stay awake during the day, forcing myself too..so that I can sleep a good night's sleep that night. It does not work to do it that way.

I feel the "fire" burn crawling up both legs( above my knees) to my hips,mainly on the outside(lateral) and front areas of my body, and then spread across my bottom and then up my back/spine. I wake up with such dry mouth that it is hard to swallow. At times I have to catch my breath as it feels shallow and difficult to breathe.

PM doc (WC) placed me on MMI. All he can do is adjust my meds. for me;however, it is difficult to contact him on the weekends. I just have to make it 2 more days....so frustrating

I have been crying at a drop of the hat, from being so tired ,as it makes me very emotional. It has been very humid this week, raining off and on. My sinus is dry. It is difficult to focus with my eyesight as everything seems fuzzy. I have had some harsh headaches,too.
I just want a good night's sleep.

I saw my psychologist yesterday, and we talked about 1 1/2 hrs. I cried the first part of my session. My psychologists thinks I should take Topamax-HS, at night, before bedtime. It would help me sleep and ease the burn when I am asleep when the sheets touch my skin. He thinks I am waking up because of the break thru pain, as well as the anything that touches my skin.

Have any of you tried Topamax- HS? I have made a call to my family doc and left a message to call me.

Thanks for your input,

[lostmary]

I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time, but I kinda know what you mean. I thought it was just me but I guess not. Like you, I'm back to not really sleeping at night, and as I'm having a flair now, it's hard to remember breakthru pain, but I know I have it. I'm taking 5 mg Opana IR, for the breakthru and it does seem to work. I haven't been taking it like I'm suppose to, so I guess I only have myself to blame. When taken as I should, the 5 mg does make a difference. I wonder if that is something that your dr. would give you? It is such a great drug, that it has to work.

Hugs
Mary

[Dew58]

Hi Mary,

The only break thru drug I have is nothing! Is that how your doc prescribed for you..only Opana ER, then saw that u had break thru pain..and prescribed Opana,instant release?

Dew's Current Meds

Opana ER 20 mg x 2 daily
Ultram ER 300 mg
2400 mg. Neurontin
Xanex 2 x .25 mg daily
Cymbalta 180 mg
Mobic 15 mg
Diovan HCT 160/25 mg.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tens Unit
Flector Patch
Lidoderm Patch
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GONE from MY LIST since last PM doc visit: Lortabs 10/500 mg x 3-4 daily, which was my BREAK THRU Medication
I had been on them over a year and they didn't seem to be working,anyway.

I now take 18 pills per day vs. 22 pills per day. Topamax is suppose to assist me in sleep and have a calming affect upon me. Have you ever taken Topamax?

[CRPSbe]

I wish I could help, but I am *so* not familiar with Opana. I'd call the doctor asap to ask what you should do in the meantime, until your next visit, or make an appointment to see him right away. Ask the doctor if he knows of a medication that might be suited to act as a breakthrough medication for you.

I'm on gabapentin & pain patches (buprenorphine pain patches). I have the same kind of medication as my pain patches for breakthrough pain: oral, sublingual buprenorphine. If I get breakthrough pain, and this can vary quite a bit, all I have to do is put a small pill under my tongue and wait for it to work. Usually I end up having to take two because I've waited too long to take something. It is atrocious to get breakthrough pain. I mean, my pain is still there, it's there all the time, but it's there to a point where I teeter on the brink of manageable. I do not want to be a zombie. I can get quite a bit of breakthrough pain. Only in the summer do I get some form of relief from it all - it's my favorite season, it's like my bones warm all the way through for a change.

[lostmary]

Initially, my dr. just prescribed the Opana ER. When I saw him last time I told him that it wasn't lasting the full 12 hrs, that I was only getting about 9-10 worth, and that is when he ordered the Opana IR. I'm suppose to take it at hour 10 on the ER dose. So that means that I take the ER at 7.30 am and pm,and then I take the IR at 5.30 am/pm. Of course, I'm not getting up at 5.30 to take meds, so sometimes, if I need it, I take the IR at about 6.30 and then the ER about 7.30. I figure the norm is about 1 hr either side of the time works for me. I'm also taking it during a flair whenever I need it. (but not more than about 5-6 hrs between). So far it is working ok. I wish their was a cure for the nightmares. It's good to know that it's not just me.

Mary

[daniella]

I am sorry but relate to the sleep issue. I can go nights with none. As for Topomax I have heard of it for head aches and was suggested it but then it was ruled out due to it causing weight loss and I can't have that. I take serequel which is supposed to help with sleep and moods but does not. Also klonopin for muscle relaxer and is also supposed to help with sleep. Random ? are you guys having nightmares about your pain and health or not. Mine are and I also get woken up like I am seeing things like bugs or last night they were butterflies but that may be from all my eye floaters. Who knows but usually I wake thinking of my leg pain cause I feel a bat came and hit me when I have no circulation. Ok sorry for getting off base here.

[SandyRI]

Dear Dew,

I am so, so sorry that you are having a hard time.

I take Topamax, but not Topamax HS. I don't know if they are the same thing. Topamax is an anti-seizure med, I tried Neurontin and Lyrica first but had bad experiences with them. It is often used for migraines. It does have some side effects, you need to be careful that you drink a lot of fluids because it can cause kidney stones. I also drink cranberry juice in the morning and at night to try to keep my kidneys healthy.

Doesn't your doctor have an answering service on weekends? How about a walk in clinic or ER? I think if you are really suffering you deserve to be treated for your pain. It is only Sat.

Methadone has made a big difference for me. I'm still in pain all the time, but it's not like it was. I don't know how the strength of Methadone compares to Opana - whether yours is already a lot stronger than what I take.

I hope you get help soon. Please take care.

Sandy

[AintSoBad]

DEW,
I'm SO sorry this is happening to you.
With all you have going on in life.


I've heard of Opana's relief "tapering off".

I agree with Marleen, Sandy and all.

Your DR should have an emergency line!
(I can get a return call from my doctor within 5 minutes, day or nite).

I also agree that methadone is the most successful drug for this type of pain that rsd causes.
(I think it's just a matter of time before our ins. companies have most of us on it).
But, I don't know that you're going to get that prescribed without being seen.

If you can get through to your doc, he may allow you to up your dose, or Opana, before he sees you again.
Perhaps you can take a couple of "Aleve"s, as my doc recommends that, (and it helps). believe it or not. (The reason I seem to remember, is since your body has apparently acclimated to the Opana, just something different, will "break" the pain for you.) Aleve works best for me, of all the OTC pain relievers.
I truly wish I had better news.

Get yourself as comfortable and in a "stress free" place until you can hear from your doctor!


Pete

[Dew58]

My doc is a WC Pain Mangt. doc that lives over 100 miles away. It is more difficult for me to contact him just because of that reason. I caved in today and took a nap with hubby, and it lasted about 5 hrs.(sheer exhaustion). I feel better at the moment...sleep matters!
Thank You for all of your input. It is time for my next dose of OpanaER and Neurontin.

[daniella]

I am glad you rested. It is not caving it is taking care. I agree sleep is very key to both body and mind. I often feel like I will loose it. Bad enough being in pain if one was up reg hours but to add more hours to the day makesit even harder. You even hear people not in pain saying how they ache from lack of sleep.
I have also heard good things about the methadone but I wonder why it is not used more. I was suggested it by one doc but then never was it brought up. I never thought Aleve would help. I think before this I took it from random "normal" things. It is all day or 8 hour right? You are lucky to get a prompt call back. Usually where I am they say go to the er on the recording.