I do have an update on this. I contacted my doctor and he instructed me to cut the 20mg tab of the Oxy in half. Well, I didn't know any better so I was going to do that. I happen to be at my pharmacy and mentioned to my pharmacist what my doc had told me and the guy went ballistic! He said you NEVER cut Oxy in half. Because it's a timed release formula, you'd be releasing all the medicine into your system at once which could have disasterous effects. I went to the manufacturer's website and on the very first page in big bold print it tells you not to cut, crumble, crush, etc., and that doing so could even be fatal... So after arguing with my doc about it for a few days, I finally got him to write an rx for the 10mg, which is the lowest dose available. It's not as effective on the pain, but doesn't make me feel loopy like the 20's do. He also kept me on the high dose of the Hydrocodone, which by that time was up to 12,000mgs a day.

Now keep in mind I was taking the Hydro at the doc's instruction OK? About a week and a half ago I called in for a refill. I got a call from his nurse telling me that he was afraid that I was becoming an addict and that he wasn't going to prescribe anymore Hydro to me, he was cutting me off cold turkey. Now, I didn't have an issue with him being concerned about me becoming addicted to the drug, but I was very concerned about him cutting me off like that with no contingency plan for tapering me so I wouldn't go thru withdrawals. I voiced my concern. Not only didn't he care, but told me to find another doctor... I went thru 4 or 5 days of pure hell detoxing from the Hydro, including a trip to the ER. That's why I haven't been around here lately. I'm just now finally starting to feel back to normal. I've decided to go pain med free and I still have the 10mg Oxy, but I will only take those if the pain is so bad that I absolutely can't tolerate it.

In the mean time, I am drafting a letter to the American Medical Association to report this doctor. What he did was wrong. If he wanted to get me off the pain meds, fine. I could appreciate his concern over that. But to hang me out to dry like that was poor medicine and I don't wish what I went thru on anyone.

Sorry to tell you such a long story, but this seemed like a good opportunity to tell it. That you so much for the feedback, I do appreciate it!

Be well,
bp

"A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart."