Guest guest Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Millie, does it take long for the titration level to reach pain control? I presently use oxycodone and tramadol. I have been tried on morphine which did nothing. Neurotin is no longer effective. Oxycontin was too strong. I was so knocked out that I couldn't even drive. I have been on codeine for about 3 years. i plan to use it till it is no longer working. They had mentioned methadone. My concerns are how long it will take to get pain relief and the withdrawal if i can not fill it without titrating down. I am trying to figure out what I can ask about that would not cost me a fortune. I have medicare and I am concerned about how I am going to pay for my other medication when I hit that doughnut hole. I am just wondering what your experience has been with methadone. I understand everyone is different. i have found that the short acting medications work best for me. I also take medication for bipolor depression and use an insulin pump. Thanks for any information you can provide. Hope you are have some less pain days. Huzs, Tami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Methadone and ms contin are probably the cheapest of the long acting drugs. Methadone is difficult to titrate due to the long half life. The patient must wait 7-14 days before upping the dose. However, the dr will calculate an equianalgesic dose from the med dose you are on now. So, he is not shooting from the hip and it shouldnt be that difficult. Deb RN Debra Tami wrote: I am trying to figure out what I can ask about that would not cost me a fortune. I have medicare and I am concerned about how I am going to pay for my other medication when I hit that doughnut hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 \ A wrote: > Millie, does it take long for the titration level to reach pain control? I presently use oxycodone and tramadol. I have been tried on morphine which did nothing. Neurotin is no longer effective. Oxycontin was too strong. I was so knocked out that I couldn't even drive. I have been on codeine for about 3 years. i plan to use it till it is no longer working. They had mentioned methadone. > > My concerns are how long it will take to get pain relief and the withdrawal if i can not fill it without titrating down. I am trying to figure out what I can ask about that would not cost me a fortune. I have medicare and I am concerned about how I am going to pay for my other medication when I hit that doughnut hole. > > I am just wondering what your experience has been with methadone. I understand everyone is different. i have found that the short acting medications work best for me. > > I also take medication for bipolor depression and use an insulin pump. > > Thanks for any information you can provide. Hope you are have some less pain days. Huzs, Tami > > I Found this on Wiki answers.com and agree with it : They can, but combining the 2 defeats the purpose of each drug's usage. Tramadol (Ultram) is a relatively moderate painkiller that is prescribed when stronger meds aren't indicated, or there is a risk to the patient of the side effects of opiates (morphine intolerance, etc.). Oxycodone is a Schedule II opiate, and as such has many side effects that Tramadol doesn't. If your primary prescription if for Oxycodone and you add Tramadol, you probably won't feel much, if any, additional pain relief as Sched II drugs are the strongest available by prescription. If your prescription if for Tramadol and you add Oxycodone, then you're effectively bypassing all of the reasons that Tramadol was prescribed to begin with - because it doesn't have the side effects of opiates. If you're taking Tramadol but are having pain it's not taking care of and you feel you need something stronger, the first thing you want to do is to start a Pain Diary. You can get one at Painfoundation.org. Most doctors are reluctant to prescribe Schedule III or II drugs because of the possibility of abuse, which is stupid considering that 95% of people who have a legitimate medical need for stronger pain meds don't abuse them. Bennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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