Hello All,

I now have break thru meds for my horrific pain flare that I have been dealing with. I don't know how good they will work;however, I am excited to have something that may help me with this break thru pain.

I have to stop the Ultram ER 300 mg., and start one Ultram 50 mg every 6 hrs(instant release). I am to con't my Opana ER 20 mg x 2, and all my other meds.

The script instructions state take 2 Ultram 50 mg, every 6 hrs as needed for pain. The doc prescribed 90 tablets.

Hmmm, when I do the math,2 tablets every 6 hrs= 8 tablets x 30 days = 240 tablets.



I will see my PM on 7/7/09, 30 days from today. Do you think I need to call doc back and share the script dose vs. the dose I was told to take by his office;also, the number of pills do not add up to what I will require before I see him in 7/7/09???

I must say that I still feel the break thru pain..may be it takes time to get into my system???


Dew

Hi Dew, If the meds are strictly for break through and not a new routine daily dose you may not need 240. The 90 may be enough to bring in under control. I would call the PM and confirm the dose to be taken and how often. If in fact he does want you to take 2 every 6 hours daily and not PRN then tell him you are concerned that you won't have enough pills to last until your next appointment. Don't wait! Hope it kicks in fast for you.

Hi Dew,
Flares are so terrible. I've never had break-thru pain meds for them. My understanding of the break-thru pain meds are they are just that=to be used until the pain is under control.
I never really get relief from pain until my second set of vicodin. I take two at a time and it's late afternoon when I take the 2nd set. I called my Dr. Friday to get in earlier. Will see him next Tuesday. I've started the anti-inflammatory diet. No glueten. Trying more anti-oxidant foods. I've just finished 4th day.
I'm so sorry you are going thru this Dew. It's good you have a wonderful husband and son and your family. AND 'us' smile! This flare WILL pass even though it may not seem so at this very moment. I use every distraction I can possibly think of, including of course my soft kitty, well she is 9 years old. Her name is Sabrina and she is a maincoon cat. long hair. I'll get you a picture one of these days. First, I need to get the digital camera. Just bought a photo printer-travel size. My old one broke. See, I still haven't given up hope of traveling again. I used to take my laptop and travel printer on trips and bid jobs that would come in and fax the bids from my hotel. Didn't like the business centers, with hour restrictions etc.
When our daughter was in school for court reporting, it was a 12 months school-no big breaks, but we took them anyway, They required she take her court reporting machine with her and practice to keep her speed up. That machine went to Paris, Greece, Greek Islands, New York, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Acapulco, camping. She was a very diligent student. She started her senior year in high school, so we decided she really deserved breaks from the grind. It's not an easy job, especially in the beginning. Today she did a deposition with 5 attorneys and a videographer present.
Tomorrow I meet with a new salesperson. I think she will be good. She is the sister of a good friend. Economy is terrible here in Phoenix. So many homes on the market and people out of work. Several of our friends have lost their homes to foreclosure or short sales.
Do you have any clues about your flare? Sometimes, I have no clue. Sometimes, it's getting a cold or sinus infection or flu. Stress? Yes, the stress of having RSD. or incoming storm. Who knows. I just hope it ends soon. I'm looking forward to meeting you, but sorry about the circumstances. How is your Sis doing?
Take care of yourself. Your friend, loretta

I hope the meds start working for you. You do not deserve to have to go thru this. Have the new meds started working yet? I hope so. I'm hoping I'm starting to come out of the flair. It's been super hot and humid already and it's killing me. We've had about 6 inches of rain this week. If I didn't know better I might think I was back in Edmond. Let me know how you are doing. I would also call the dr. and double check the meds. Where is your dr. located? In the city?

Hugs
Mary

FYI all,
I'm not prescribed anything for breakthrough pain, that is considered my responsibility.
In other words, on my good days, I have to save some pills, which I do. No problem.

But, I'm on methadone 60 mg. (all per day)
Cymbalta 60 mg.
Diazepam 20 mg.
Zanaflex, up to two (never) I think that's 8mg? I usually take half of one bedtime.
Zonegran 100 mg bedtime
Namenda, 20 mg bedtime
Lidocaine patch/ prn, ,(never used a whole one) cut them for neck, low back and forearms / hands.
imetrex / Treximet / maxalt mlt for migraine, prn.

aricept 5 mg AM for TBI.

Miralax half recomended dose on bottle for side effects of methadone.

I stay away from caffeine pretty much. Green/White Tea is good.

That's why I recomended "Aleve" for breakthrough pain, on those days when NOTHING seems to be working... It's just a "change up" pitch at the pain...
Wether it's the temp / humidity, the news, whatever. Something sometimes, just needs to be changed!

feel well all!

Pete
Asb

I understand and am sorry. I hope you get relief soon. I know for me certain things in daily life effect me for sure but then sometimes I have no idea. It cause fear,anxiety,and frustration as many know. Feel better and to all of course as well

I just spoke with the pm doc's nurse about my concerns of the prescription that hubby and I picked up last night. She explained that I am to take 2 Ultram 50 mg. every 6 hrs just as the bottle indicates. She apologized for telling me the wrong dose by phone before we collected the actual meds.

I told her that if I follow the script, 90 tablets will only last 11 days..and I see the doc in 30 days..there is definitely a math issue here..and I started to laugh. She laughed too, and told me to have pharmacist call doc's office to get a refill on or around the 10th day! They want to see if I will need an adjustment to this medication before they increase the script tablets.

I am to stop the Ultram 300 ER. This new script is a reg. daily dose as my others meds., but also the break thru med. My reg. pain med is the Opana ER,20 mg x2 daily.

I appreciate each of your support and input to my question. I do feel better.

Hope each of you feel better,too. Maybe it is the change of season that has sent us into a group flare;odd though, I do stay inside most of the time. Walls have no barriers when one's body is a barometer

love you
Dew

I hope everything goes well with the new meds, Dew!