I saw my pain doctor today. Update, a long one, but needed.

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

My last post was a comparison of Oxycontin to Dilaudid. Well, I saw my pain

doctor today and he really hates prescribing Oxycontin. I told him that I was

on a very low dose of Oxycontin (10mg every 12 hours) and that it either

needed increased, or switch me to something stronger to help with my chronic

pain.

My chronic pain is related to ill fitting, poorly made dentures. (I plan to

have my new dentures by the end of June due to financial difficulties....he

wants my $1,000.00 portion paid to him before he starts to make my new

dentures.) I have chronic migraines, TMJ pain, jaw pain, gum pain and was

recently

diagnosed with cancer in my uterus with a possibility that is it also on my

ovaries. I also have Fibro. I see my OB/GYN tomorrow morning to discuss my

options concerning the cancer. When I spoke to them on the phone last Friday

morning, they said that surgery is one of the options, either removing my uterus

only, or a total hysterectomy depending on where all the cancer is. That is

causing me to have severe cramping and I had 3 periods in the month of February.

Well, my pain doctor decided to take me off the Oxycontin 10mg every 12 hours

and switch me to Methadone 10mg taken four times daily. He also prescribed

me Soma 350mg taken four times daily. I started both medications as soon as I

picked them up from the pharmacy and I already feel better. No headache or

jaw pain, and the cramping is not completely gone, but is very dull. Tolerable.

Maybe it will get better the longer I take the Methadone and Soma. I think

I have finally found a combination of medications (the Methadone and Soma)

that is working for me.

I am just scared about what my OB/GYN will tell me tomorrow morning and what

my options are going to be. I don't like the idea of surgery, and if I have

to get a complete hysterectomy, it will kick me into an early menopause. I'm

only 37.

I'm a physical and mental mess. I was also recently diagnosed with

dangerously high cholesterol. Mine is 360 and it's supposed to be around 100.

I take

so many meds it's ridiculous. Here is the list....

Oxybutynin 5mg at bedtime for urinary incontinence.

Risperdal 1mg at bedtime for bipolar disorder.

Lovastatin 40mg at bedtime to lower my cholesterol.

Elavil 100mg at bedtime for depression and chronic pain.

Cortef 5mg two times daily for 's Disease.

Armour Thyroid 30mg every morning for Hypothyroidism.

Soma 350mg four times daily to help with migraines and cancer cramping.

Methadone 10mg four times daily for chronic pain, migraines, TMJ, jaw pain,

gum pain and cramps related to cancer.

HRT cream 1/4 teaspoon applied to skin every evening for low hormones,

estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Valium 10mg 4 times daily for GAD, panic attacks, and general anxiety.

Ten medications monthly that I have to take regularly. After I get my new

dentures made, which will probably be finished by the end of June, I'll be

tapering off the Methadone and Soma. At least I hope so. The pain doctor said

I

may need to take them for a couple months longer while I am getting used to my

new dentures. If I have to have surgery for my cancer, which I am almost

positive I will, that will be done way before June and that will stop the

cramping.

I am so looking forward to getting my new dentures and getting my cancer

taken care of. It will mean I wont be in chronic pain anymore, hopefully as far

as the dentures are concerned. If the dentures are made correctly, the mig

raines should stop, or at least come less often.

I don't plan on having anymore children, so that is why I am almost sure my

OB/GYN may suggest a total hysterectomy. ::sigh:: I am a nervous wreck

worrying about the cancer and we are also trying to buy a home and stressed

worrying

about whether we are going to get approved or not. It's a VA loan, so that

helps.

Any comments from anyone regarding my pain med switch would be appreciated.

Is taking Methadone 10mg four times daily stronger than Oxycontin 10mg every

12 hours? I tried the conversion chart that Mike sent out, but I didn't really

understand it. I'd really like to hear back from someone regarding the

Oxycontin to Methadone switch, please.

Take care everyone and I hope you can stay as pain free as possible.

Vicki

" Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and

supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to

God, and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts

and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6,7

[Guest guest]

Um... I need some clarification. Are you taking Oxycontin for denture pain that

could easily be fixed by removing the dentures? I don't mean to minimize your

pain, so I thought I should ask.

VickiFL@... wrote:

Hi all,

[snip]My last post was a comparison of Oxycontin to Dilaudid. Well, I saw my

pain

doctor today and he really hates prescribing Oxycontin. I told him that I was

on a very low dose of Oxycontin (10mg every 12 hours) and that it either

needed increased, or switch me to something stronger to help with my chronic

pain.[snip]

[Guest guest]

Um... I need some clarification. Are you taking Oxycontin for denture pain that

could easily be fixed by removing the dentures? I don't mean to minimize your

pain, so I thought I should ask.

VickiFL@... wrote:

Hi all,

[snip]My last post was a comparison of Oxycontin to Dilaudid. Well, I saw my

pain

doctor today and he really hates prescribing Oxycontin. I told him that I was

on a very low dose of Oxycontin (10mg every 12 hours) and that it either

needed increased, or switch me to something stronger to help with my chronic

pain.[snip]

[Guest guest]

Um... I need some clarification. Are you taking Oxycontin for denture pain that

could easily be fixed by removing the dentures? I don't mean to minimize your

pain, so I thought I should ask.

VickiFL@... wrote:

Hi all,

[snip]My last post was a comparison of Oxycontin to Dilaudid. Well, I saw my

pain

doctor today and he really hates prescribing Oxycontin. I told him that I was

on a very low dose of Oxycontin (10mg every 12 hours) and that it either

needed increased, or switch me to something stronger to help with my chronic

pain.[snip]