Good evening, all - I am being treated by the Veteran's Administration for a back injury I received in the line of military duty many years ago. For the last few months, I have been on 300 mg morphine sulfate/day. A few days ago, they switched me to Oxycontin because the morphine was not dealing with the pain enough and the side effects (severe contipation, nausea, etc,) were getting too much to bear. I am now on 80 mg Oxycontin. They told me that Oxycontin was at least twice as strong as morphine, but the last several days, the Oxycontin is not nearly as effective... it doesn't feel like I am taking anything, and now I am actually experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If the oxycontin is so much more powerful, why is this happening? I can ask them to raise the dose, but at this point, I think they wouldn't believe me that the Oxycontin is having no apparent effect at all?! Thanks in advance for your time and assistance in
this matter.
Oxycontin vs. Morphine Sulfate?
Question posted by gqusaf on 17 April 2011
Last updated on 9 June 2012 by amahlmenotti
Sorry...I am taking 80 mg oxycontin TWICE daily, for a got la of 160 mg per day.
6 Answers
I have used both. The primary difference between the two is this: most narcotics are changed into morphine in the liver, so technically, all opiates are broken down into morphine anyway. The highest dose of Oxycontin available is 80mg... so all you can do is request that your doctor increase the number of pills (dosage) that you take per day. Perdue Pharma (the makers of Oxycontin) used to manufacture a 160mg pill, but withdrew it because it was of a higher dosage than most people could take. The purpose of the 80-160mg pills is to provide for those patients who have developed a tolerance to higher dosages. Also, Oxycontin (in most patients) provides a sense of euphoria (a high). Morphine (and Methadone) do NOT give the patient a "high" -- this is why Methadone is used in drug detox clinics.
It allows a gradual reduction in the dependency level, and takes the severity out of withdrawal symptoms, in addition to removing the addiction to other opiates due to the euphoria, which is why most drug abusers take narcotics in the first place. I don't get a "high" out of the morphine sulfate that I did from the Oxycontin. I hope this info at least helps. -- Rick Nossaman, Chestertown, MD
I called the medical board because it is so hard to find a doctor willing to work with people with chronic pain and RX pain medications. Someone from the board stated "they are high maintenance therefore doctors don't want to take them on." I felt so irritated by that response. Now people are high maintenance, what they want health right? My primary... has sent to me to many different doctors within the clinic (specialist) and they have a fit when I ask to change my medications. Tired of all the pain. I take 30mg SR morphine 4x day which does not work very well (I told my doctor last year meds were not workoing very well), I have taken it over a year. I asked about changing to OxyContin and they think I am med seeking. REALLY... I wish they had my pain for a few hours. Little to no sleep and pain all day. At 2-3am the worse pain ever.
I took an OxyContin 20mg once someone gave me and I worked almost all day without needing another one. It seemed to last longer. Not sure why but I felt little pain most of the day. What a concept. Any suggestions?? I have worked out, I do acupuncture, pay for massages, can not take cymbalta or effexor. I was taking 3000mg between IB and tylonal a day to help with additional pain and the doctor said that was ok. ???
Hi dovdes...
I think your posts are being missed because you are replying on someone else's string. Does that make sense? I noticed you have another post too on someone else's string as well.
If you could start a new question, people will then respond to you... okay?
Mary
I believe you need the pure form of Oxycontin to be sure you are getting the full benefit of the medication, start with 30MGs of Roxicontin, one for pain as needed... then lot's of prune juice at night to start then there are many choices for constipation, and appetite stimuli... the main side effects of the Roxicontin. You can also up the dosage as you doctor seems fit.
Hi ggusaf, They should be looking after you a lot better as you were fighting for your country. Good for you! Sorry though you're in a lot of pain. I can't understand why they didn't give you Donperidone 10mg for your nausea, it stops you feeling sick while on morphine or oxycontine.
Go back and tell them you need to increase the dose because the Oxycontine isn't working.I was on both and when I changed, I was getting hot and cold sweats at first until they got the dose right. Unless they do it in hospital, you have to keep onto your doctor until they get it right. The problem is MST has stopped working for you unless you get to very high doses. Then Oxycontine starts at a lower dose, but it sounds like they started it too low. Don't leave it too long to get intouch with your doctor or you'll go through withdraw and the real back pain will be even worse and you will feel terrible.
Oxycontine is brilliant once you're on the right dose and easy on your stomach. I didn't suffer so bad with constepation either. I found MST was bad for this. Also, if you suffer from constapation, there's loads you can take for it. If you don't want other side effects,then get your doctor to give you Microlax Enemas 5ml. You can use one two or three at a time and they will get things moving for you. You don't swallow them, you squirt them up your bottom, leave it a few minutes and then out it comes and you feel much better for it.
Hope this helps, Mirandagate.
OOPS! I forgot to tell you about my fiber intake to prevent constipation: Lots of raisin bran, stool softener, Senakot, fiber drinks, etc... Doing this day and night is essential to avoid ripping your anus. The doctor who gave me Morphine Sulfate (MS Contin) all the way up to Dilaudid, NEVER told me about how fiber keeps our bowels moving!!! So, when actually I tore my anus from being too constipated, I MADE her look at it, especially when I could tell she didn't want to! HA! HA! She was the worst doctor ever.
Finally, when my skin broke out into "wheals" (I thought red ants had invaded by body), this female doctor told me just to take antihistamines. I had to go to the ER three times! You wouldn't believe their diagnoses... It was after that I realized the "wheals" were my body's way of saying "Too MUCH" stuff in your body! Post-op, I "cold turkey-ed" everything but the anti-depressant. Guess what? All the pain disappeared!
Hey gqusaf,
I have never heard of Oxycontin being twice as strong as morphine sulfate. It really depends on how much you are taking of each. The conversion is usually done in such a way as to reduce the opiate you are converting to (oxycontin) by 33 to 50% from the actual comparable dose. So the convertion for 300mg morphine to oxycontin at a 33% reduction is 134mgs oxycontin. So you may need to have your dosage of Oxycontin increased to get comparable results. Also, because they reduced the comparable Oxycontin dosage by more than 50% explains why you are having withdraw symptoms.
I hope this made sense, any further question, please post,
Laurie
OK, I just saw your subsequent post. The 160mgs of oxycontin is a comparable amount of oxycontin to morphine. That makes more sense now.
The oxycontin is a new formula that was produced to prevent drug addicts from crushing and snorting, etc. You may not be absorbing it well because of this new formula. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about this new formula problem.
I would contact the VA as soon as possible and let them know of your symptoms. You may do better on a medication such as Opana or Dilaudid.
Wish I could help ya more, thank you for defending our country,
Laurie
OK, I will ask them next week. I had high hopes for this oxycontin, as I have heard for years that it is such a powerful medcation. I have tried Dilaudid with little success, have never tried the other one. They did discuss switching me to Methadone or some sort of patch. I am just trying to get full pain relief without all the side effects (I know, a pipe dream!). Thanks for your help.
What is Opana, and what is it comparble to?
Opana is oxymorphone which is stronger than Dilaudid which is hydropmorphone. It comes in extended release similar to the extended release form of morphine sulfate. My sister takes it as she was not getting relief from oxycontin and really likes it. You might ask the VA about it.
The newer oxy 80 op are not as strong as the older. Also, I copied this equivalenty chart from the net:1)Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)8 mg
2)oxymorphone (opana)10mg 3) Oxycodone (oxycontin) 20mg 4)Morphine (ms contin) 30 mg. Both Dilaudid and Oxymorphone are semi-synthetic derived from morphine. Many drs prefer to prescribe semi-synthetics because there are less side effects, such as rashes, itching, etc. Hope this helps.
Having also experienced chronic neck and back pain for years, I have personal knowledge of all the drugs you reference above.
The best thing I have ever taken is Methadone. I only take 10 to 20 mg./day, although my script is for 40 mg. NOTE: There is NO HIGH or warm, fuzzy feeling with this drug. All I notice is that the pain is gone!
I read where one man was taking 160 mg. of Methadone/day. I understand the withdrawals from this level are horrid. I know of many people who died trying to get "high" with this drug. I was given Oxycontin to the point where it was like taking a sugar pill. My body and brain were almost destroyed by a doctor who gave me every f'ng narcotic, muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, etc. prior to IV morphine for surgery.
BTW, I use a "breakthrough" drug with the Methadone, as taking more of it does nothing to help the pain. I'm currently using Hydrocodone 10/325 because I didn't want all the acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol) in the 5/500 pill.
Finally, due to the chronic pain, I currently take Effexor XR (2 75mg/day). I take it with Methadone and coffee first thing in the morning. I've learned it's best to get on top of the pain before it gets you first!
Best wishes in finding what is right for you. I encourage you to read ALL you can on WebMD about EVERY drug you take. Knowledge is power!
I have personally prevented death in several clients whose doctors did not "check" the interactions of a new drug with their pre-existing medicines. Sometimes they just get too busy and forget to check. Please take control of your life, as all of the pain medications, anti-depressants, and OTC drugs are LETHAL and affect your vital organs, causing premature dysfunction or death.
Thanks for being in our country's armed forces. You deserve happiness and only YOU can find it!
Hugs, Brie
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