I have an appointment this Wednesday with the Dr. that prescribes my Cymbalta and Oxycodone. I am currently prescribed 5mg. Oxycodone, 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. The last time I went to the Dr., about 4 weeks ago, I told her that I also have to take 2 in the afternoon and sometimes 2 if I wake up during the night. So, sometimes I can take upwards of a total of 40mgs. in 24 hours. I was going to run by other options with her. Should I take a stronger mg. or is this way high as it is? Maybe a time release would be better, or would another medication all together be better? I am 40 years old and have been married for 20 years and have never smoked, done drugs, and I drink White Russians maybe 2ce a year. The Oxy works good but only for about 3 hrs. The pain is all over, right now my knees are the worst. Its a debilitating pain, I would rate it an 8. I am also going to talk to her about Levitra. I hear that is good for pain. I guess people get addicted to the relax feeling the med gives? I have never been high so I dont know how that feels. I know that the med literally relaxes my body muscles so that I dont seem so tightened up. That eases my mood and feel more comfortable. Does ANYONE have any advice, med suggestions? I am also starting Physical Therapy on Monday. I also have severe insomnia and have tried Ambien and Lunesta to no avail. Thank you everyone!!! I am so looking forward to the great advice!!!! 
Lisa here. Chronic Depression/Anxiety 13 years. CFS, Insomnia 13 years, Gastric By-Pass 07/28/2009, down 100 lbs., Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Arthritis in knees and ankles. Need total knee replacement on R knee, however Im overweight and too young. Using Cortisone as long as possible.
Wellbutrin 150 Mgs. 1x day
Cymbalta 90 Mgs. 60 Mgs. AM; 30 Mgs. PM
Oxycodone 15 Mgs. 1 in AM, 1 in PM, 1 additional as needed
Hi Bankerbabe,
I don't have fibromalgia, but back issues. However, I do have experience of oxycodone, but slow-release oxycodone so everything below is in reference to that.
When in hospital this January, they increased the oxycodone dose from 400 to 600mg/day, with 10mg oxynorm every hour during the day. I reduced the dose myself once discharged and have been on 400mg oxydone/day ever since. I've tried both types of oxycodone and find the sustained-release type preferable.
However I must stress, mine is for back-pain so I have no idea about the best medication or dosage for fibromyalgia.
I'm sure someone will correct me if this is really bad advice for your condition, but it seems to me that if you're in significant pain, you should discuss this with your doctor and ask about your options.
In the meantime, I wish you the very best of luck. Hope this has been of some help.
Val
The approach I have found that works the best, isn't to suggest what meds I think I should have, but to ask the doctor his/her opinion on what might work best for me.
An extended release med is generally better for consistent pain relief. Let your doc know how quickly your body is consuming the Oxycodone and let the doc make the decision.
"C"
"Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror"
- Unknown
I'm not familiar with oxycodone but I would *think*
that you might benefit from keeping a low level of
an anti-inflammatory in your system. Please ask
your doc if it's okay first though. Ibuprofen
helps me tremendously - I keep it steady in my
system to gain the most benefit.
You might benefit from a Vitamin D supplement too.
Medical/Science journals indicate that being low
in it can make pain worse. Maybe you could discuss
it with your doc too.
Staying hydrated (drinking lots of water) helps
me with fatigue...but it's no magic bullet.
Regards,
jas
(2004) Fibromyalgia - disabling.
(2009 Cervical MRI):
C3-C4 disc protusion w/mild indentation on thecal sac.
C5-C6 moderately severe foraminal narrowing; disc bulge w/mild indentation on thecal sac; reversal of lordosis (aka Kyphosis).
(2009 Lumbar MRI):
Mild Levoscoliosis.
L3-L4 mild hypertrophy of facet & lig. flavum.
L4-L5 moderate hypertrophy of facet & lig. flavum; disc bulge.
L5-S1 partial tear of annulus; disc bulge in contact w/L5 nerve root; prominent facet & lig. flavum hypertrophy; moderate foraminal narrowing; lumbar canal stenosis.
Misalignment & displacement of sac joints.
2 sacral perineural cysts.
S1-S2 dehydration of nucleus.
Meds: Cymbalta, Ibuprofen (daily), Vicodin (as needed), Valium
I actually saw the Neurologist today. Beleive it or not, I have been given Oxycontin which is the Oxycodone extended release and it has done NOTHING. I am shocked at this and SO disheartened. I know that people out there have severe back problems and they like the releif from Oxycontin. Is it supposed to build up in your system? My sister in law has an appointment at 9am tommorow with the same Dr., she also has severe Fibromyagia, and I am going to bring her what I have left (which is all but 2pills, = 20mgs) and tell her it didnt do anything. I took them almost 3 hours ago. I guess we can up the regular Oxycodone, which was helping, but wearing off sooner than it had. UGGGGGGGGGH.
OH... I should mention that I am a Gastric Bypass Surgery patient, and am forbidden to take any kind of Ibuprofen. It can cause severe bleeding ulcers and other damage.
Lisa here. Chronic Depression/Anxiety 13 years. CFS, Insomnia 13 years, Gastric By-Pass 07/28/2009, down 100 lbs., Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Arthritis in knees and ankles. Need total knee replacement on R knee, however Im overweight and too young. Using Cortisone as long as possible.
Wellbutrin 150 Mgs. 1x day
Cymbalta 90 Mgs. 60 Mgs. AM; 30 Mgs. PM
Oxycodone 15 Mgs. 1 in AM, 1 in PM, 1 additional as needed
Give it a little time. The ER drugs are designed to give a therapeutic level over a longer period of time. So the initial peak won't be as high as what you get from the same dose of the IR Oxycodone.
Let the doc know as soon as you can and see what he has to say. Don't give up on something just because you didn't get immediate relief.
"C"
"Reality is the mirror of your thoughts. Choose well what you put in front of the mirror"
- Unknown
I did go to the Neuro again this morning and brought her the Oxycontin. We decided to stick with Oxycodone, and increase it to 15 mgs. two to three times a day, instead of 10mgs. twice a day.
I am going to have to come up with a better game plan though, because I know dependancy will be in my future, and I really want to avoid that. I have never even smoked a full cigarette...LMAO! Ive had a few drinks in my day, but I mean generally I have been very straight and clean my whole life. I am terrified that eventually I will just keep needing more and more, and I am only 40. I am in Physical Therapy now, so I will work on the exercises they gave me and keep doing them at home and hopefully I will learn how to better handle my pain that way.
Thank you to all who replied and helped me! I gave this website to the Neurologist in case she wanted to show some of her other patients.
Be Well!!!
Lisa here. Chronic Depression/Anxiety 13 years. CFS, Insomnia 13 years, Gastric By-Pass 07/28/2009, down 100 lbs., Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Arthritis in knees and ankles. Need total knee replacement on R knee, however Im overweight and too young. Using Cortisone as long as possible.
Wellbutrin 150 Mgs. 1x day
Cymbalta 90 Mgs. 60 Mgs. AM; 30 Mgs. PM
Oxycodone 15 Mgs. 1 in AM, 1 in PM, 1 additional as needed
I don't have fibromyalgia but do I agree with Haglandc that you'll get the full benefits of Oxycontin once it builds in your system over time and it gives you a steady dose which will better control your pain. I take 80mg's a day of Oxycontin and 6 10mg Oxycodones daily for chronic back and nerve pain. I'm glad your Neurologist appt went well today and she listened to your needs. I'm in my 30's and I feel confident and comfortable with my pain meds because I take them as prescribed and understand that the chances of addiction are slim as long as you take them only for pain and as directed. As long as you do that you should be okay. Take care
PLS,nerve damage,facet arthropathy,severe DDD,DJD,scar tissue
Back Surgeries: Microdiscectomy/ laminectomy,2 level TLIF/Laminectomy w/ hardware, Synchromed infusion pump
Meds: Methadone,Dilaudid,Oxycodone,Zanaflex,Cymbalta,NSAID
Spineys Rule!