[vetswife]

How long should someone be on oxycotine? My husband has been on it for several years and I'm trying to convince him to go to a pain specialist. He was on Roxecete at first then went to morphine pills, and he's been on oxyctine for about 5 years his injury was eight years ago. What are the long term affects? I have noticed something going on with his teeth, is that a side affect? Please if anyone could give me information that might persuade him to come off the stuff.

[iamtwilight]

I know someone who has serious pain issues and he takes Oxycontin. He says it's been of great help to him, and his doctor said that he may have to take it for the rest of his life because his pains are so difficult - but if the drug could be discontinued, the withdrawal would happen in a hospital, under supervision.

I don't know what your husband's case is, though. Is he still having pains?

Here's a good article on Oxycontin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone

I didn't find any info on the long-term effects - I guess if the dosage stays the same it's not so bad.

Going to a pain specialist sounds a good idea.

[vetswife]

Yes. He has chronic pain. He broke his neck and back and the nerves for his arm got ripped out of his spinal cord. Docs and he says it feels like its on fire all the time, as if his arm fell asleep (pins and needles) but 10 times worse. I know he's going take something for the rest of his life. He abuses his medicine, he doesn't take it the way he should (he crushes it). He goes through it faster then he should and has to go through withdrawal till he sees the doctor again. Tell your friend to be careful with this drug. It's addicting and you get amuned to it so you have to take more and more in order for the pain to go away. I don't know if my husband needs it for his pain or his addiction. I've never taken the stuff and I do not allow him to keep it in the house (I have three children ones a tween and 2 are toddlers). I hate it and I hate his doctor for giving it to him.

[sunrise]

vetswife, whether your H continues on oxycontin or not, I agree, he should go to a pain specialist.

[AAAAA]

Vetswife,

I’m so sorry that your husband is in this much pain. My husband severely injured his back many years ago and was afraid that the surgery would be worse. Before his injury, he didn’t take any type of pain meds, even OTC meds. For three years before his surgery he was taking vicodin and oxy like m&ms, he chewed them as well. I was so worried that he had become addicted to them. Once he had his surgery, he took his pain meds the day of his surgery and the day after and did not touch them again until just recently when he reinjured himself.

I’m really surprised that your husband’s doctor has not required him to see a psychiatrist. In this area, if you’ve been on pain meds for 3 years you are required to see a psychiatrist to determine if you are addicted to the medication; which I’m not suggesting he is, just a rule here.

In all probability he will have to take something for the rest of his life, but I agree that a pain specialist is your best plan of attack. Could he be afraid of the levels of medication that the pain doc would discover in his system?

I know that pain docs are black and white. A fellow PCer had problems because she had a false positive for a drug that the pain doc didn’t Rx and he dropped her like a hot potato. Even though she retested immediately at her own expense, and discovered that the OTC antihistamines (which she disclosed at the time of the test) combined with her Rx meds are known to give a false positive.

IRL, a friend was dropped by hers for testing positive after eating lemon poppy seed muffins. She did not know she was being tested that day and informed the technician when her blood was taken, but it didn’t matter. Many pain docs have a one strike rule period. I imagine that they hear it all, and view weeding out the actual abusers is time that they’re not willing to waste.

Whatever happens, I hope and pray your husband finds relief. I know how difficult it is to live with someone in chronic pain, the depression, anger, and frustration. Sorry for the lengthy reply.

[vetswife]

Thank you for the feed back, it's well appreciated. This doctor is just a family doctor. He will give my husband whatever medication he would like to try. If he goes into the doctor and says he lost his prescription or medication the doctor will write him a new one (my husband does loss everything, I still don't see how a doctor could just hand out scripts like that). The doc should made him go to a pain specialist not handle it himself. There is no doubt in my mind that this doctor is crooked. I didn't know about the three year rule, I'm going to have to see how I can use that. If there was a way to have him investigated anonymously I would do it. He's ruining our lives, he's a legal drug dealer. My husband's also on a large dose of Neurotin and he also takes percacetes (spelling?).
Thanks again.

[AAAAA]

Oh my! That doesn't sound like a good doctor at all. I understand that he empathizes with your husband and his injuries, but the doctor is supposed to be the voice of reason.

[cera]

my husband was on Oxycotine for years due to chronic pain unfortunately he mixed it with another drug and ended up OD'ing personally I think he should see another pain specialist.
luv
Cera