Bobber: I guess I did not really wirte down what I really meant to say about wiping off the outer coater off Oxcontin. I know that is very bad to do. I guess what I meant to say or what he told me(also I do not know if I agree) was he just dampens the outer coater to control the itching. However that is him! I would not do it. Also I am not on Oxcontin. I do not think that anyone should do anything to there meds. Before talking to there DR. So Bobber you are so right! Please do not take his advice! Also maybe I should have not even told anyone what he does,because he is putting his body at harms way! I am so sorry- Love To All! Breezy55

Bobber, I gotta say, you are the only person I have ever heard of that claims that opiates are rough on the liver. Quite to the contrary, they are easier on the liver than nearly all the newer drugs, although I'm not sure exactly why that is. I've read where heroin addicts of twenty and more years who have no physical problems associated with their abuse(aside from needle marks, etc, I should think) When years ago I was in rehab, the junkies actually looked down on the alcoholics because they knew that could they kick, they wouldn't have the liver problems the alkies would. Also, I know quite a few people who have had life threatening reactions to morphine, yet they can take vicodin. Strangely enough, codeine and morphine must be pretty closely related, for the folks that can't take morphine usually can't take codeine either, although most I've noted don't have life threatening reactions to the codeine. Since I'm on enough opiates to have concern, if you have a link that shows liver issues, please provide it. I don't want to be dying in a few years from liver failure (ouch!) nor do I want to mislead anyone else. From every doc I've talked to and whatnot, I've told them I'd prefer to take an opiate rather than say neurontin or one of the other new ones due to health concerns, and have yet to hear any of them disagree that this is a valid concern. Detox off of them does suck regardless, but if you don't wean yourself off very slowly, it is a horror. Quite frankly though, as this is a lifelong condition, and my pain levels only fairly slowly increase or decrease (the 'base level', that is; spikes don't fiddle around, some days I can't control it at all) I can change the levels of pain meds needed gradually. I don't have to stand on concrete all day at work anymore, and my pain levels have gone down, mostly. Spreading to my foot though, and the new area hurts more. I really hate it. Spikes are more frequent and worse than before. But the base level is lower, so I won't be needing as much painkiller as I did, I should imagine. And pray. Anyways, my apologies if I tweaked you, I certainly hope I am correct, and if I am, well, I had to say something. If I am incorrect, I would like to know, fer sure.

Later,
Smoke

Smoke,,,,,,,,,,,,you can go to mayo clinic.com or drugs.com or medicinenet.com or ask your dr or read the paperwork that comes with the meds or punch the info into any internet engine , they can cause liver toxcity,,induced hepatits on the liver,,,serious and fatal liver disease[quote],, the meds like percocet and vicoden are dangerous because they are stacked with aceaminophen,which perpells the oxycodone or hydrocodone,, even oxy or hydrocodone alone isnt good on the liver,its even worse when the dose is upped or stacked with muscle relaxents and other meds,,cymbaltra is hard on the liver too,,,smoke,,,i take them too,,im just giveing you the info you asked for,,i have a sensitive liver ,,i just wouldnt want or wish it on anyone here,everything taken with moderately is ok,,but long term or high doses isnt,,,your buddy not foe,,,bobber,,,,

I'm sorry Smoke, but opiates are broken down by the liver. Here are a few references for you, but I'm sure you'll find others should you do a search yourself.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedic....com/Narcotics

http://meassocnews.blogspot.com/2006...-possible.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine

I did read that comment about wiping the outer layer of the oxycontin off, but there's no way I'd do that. It's a slow release med so wiping off the coating is as bad as breaking it in half.

I have had dramas previously with my liver, during a ketamine infusion 3 years ago. We had to cancel the infusion on day 2 (of a 7 day low dose infusion) before my AFTs went from 40 to 100 to 140 within those two days. Two weeks later it had gone back down to around 50, but with each infusion I've had since then, they've done daily blood tests to check my liver function is all ok.

So I'll bring that issue up when I see my pain specialist and see what he thinks, if the itching is related to my liver.

For now I'll just carry on with phenergan to help control the itching, but only take it on the bad nights, not every night.

Thanks again for all the feedback

x Kate

You're quite right about not disturbing the outer coating of the Oxycontin Kate. Once that coating is gone the full amount of the drug can be released over an extremely short time period. It's something drug addicts do to get a kick, but in doing so it's often the last thing they ever do.

If the tablet is slow release like Oxycontin is, no matter what the dose.... that amount is meant to be released over 12 hours. Without the protective coating the whole amount would be released into the blood stream immediately, often causing death. Well .... "often" is an understatement really. I should have said frequently causing death because opiate overdose it's one of our big killers.

I'm not talking through my hat. I've taken Oxycontin and Endone for many years in an effort to control my own chronic pain. I'm also a registered nurse who spent a large number of my 40 years as an RN years rescusiitating and caring for, people who do dumb things like remove the slow release coating from their pain killers. A large number of them die.

Sending you some hugs and wishing you the best of luck when you see your doctor. Sometimes the itch means that your body has had enough of this drug and you need a change. Sometimes it means you need a lower dose. Sometimes it means little at all except you need to take an antihistamine. It always means you need to speak with your pain doctor, as they're the ones who know all the options available to you.

Kate: Just like Koala77 said disturbing the outer coating of Oxycontin is what drug addicts due. So lets just put that subject to rest! The man I know who does it has one leg and does take to much pills for his own good! I know deep in my heart that he is a drug addict. Also one of these days he will die. By doing the things he does. Kate just trust your Dr's and most of all trust your mind and your body and heart! I know that you will and that you have all the support that you need. We are all with you! Breezy55

Quite the contrary. One can never have enough friends. My point was not that the liver does not metabolize the drugs, nor that it is a smart thing to use them if you have liver damage or hepatitis. I am simply saying that they in and of themselves when used properly as directed do not cause liver damage. Now, being on four thousand different drugs along with them probly makes the likelihood of having some damage very likely, unfortunately. Bummer. However, I would rather be on them than something that can give me diabetes or have other insanely dangerous side effects along with liver damage. In regards the acetaminophen, I find it sad that it is bundled with everything, "so safe you can give it to infants"...'but we don't know how or why it works'. Idiocy. I did find some information that methadone can damage internal organs though, and as I was intending to get on it, I am now looking for an alternative long acting painkiller without those dangers. Probly end up on MScontin again, which worked, but virtually stopped my need for a toilet, if ya get my meaning. Anyway, my battle against using more dangerous drugs as the first line of attack against pain because they are "non-addictive" instead of using safer older meds with physically addictive properties in a chronic pain setting continues. Onward Christian soldiers...
Later,
Smoke


[QUOTE=bobber;541099]Smoke,,,,,,,,,,,,you can go to mayo clinic.com or drugs.com or medicinenet.com or ask your dr or read the paperwork that comes with the meds or punch the info into any internet engine , they can cause liver toxcity,,induced hepatits on the liver,,,serious and fatal liver disease