[Off Topix] Percocet vs. Oxycontin

January 28, 2004

That was a good point , , about how you can feel making the switch. I

felt that way and a couple of times , when I even missed one dose of the oxy,

felt that way until I figured out what was going on!! I had unintentionally

forgotten my dose!!

January 28, 2004

That was a good point , , about how you can feel making the switch. I

felt that way and a couple of times , when I even missed one dose of the oxy,

felt that way until I figured out what was going on!! I had unintentionally

forgotten my dose!!

January 28, 2004

,

Percocet, a narcotic analgesic, is used to treat moderate to moderately

severe pain. It contains two drugs - Acetaminophen and Oxycodone.

Acetaminophen is used to reduce both pain and fever. Oxycodone, a narcotic

analgesic, is used for its calming effect and for pain. The damaging-side

of taking too much Percocet, is that the Acetaminophen when taken at too

high a daily dose, exceeding a daily dose of 800 Mg. (that is 800 Mg. of

Acetaminophen, not Percocet), will start to damage the kidneys and liver.

You may experience what is called " Transitional Withdrawal " . This syndrome

commonly occurs when one switches from one narcotic analgesic to a different

narcotic analgesic. For a short while, the body has to adjust to the

absence of, in your case, the Percocet, and you may feel irritable and out

of sorts for a little while. This will pass. One must not be confused into

thinking that it is their new medication, the " Oxycontin " which is causing

you to feel badly, and may cause you to think that you cannot tolerate it

because of how crummy you are feeling after switching to the Oxycontin.

I only mention this , as I've been through this several times, thinking

that it was the new medication causing me the grief, and it was only after a

pain-specialist that I was seeing some time ago took the time to explain

this to me. Only then did I fully understand why I felt so darn lousy after

changing to a different narcotic medication for pain. Even though you

change to another 'narcotic', the body can/will still 'cry-out' for the old

for a period of time. Then again, you may experience no unpleasantness at

all. I hope for the later.

Just a mention that Oxycontin can 'bung you up' at the rear-end of the tract

like all strong narcotic medication will. I would highly recommend taking a

stool softener religiously each day. One such as: Sodium Docusate, which is

commonly given to patients in many hospitals to reduce constipation at doses

of 200mg to 400mg a day.

Also, drinking water in a volume equivalent to half your body weight, but in

ounces is a good rule of thumb: (130lbs body weight - drink 65oz. of water

minimum, and an additional 6oz. of water for every tea, coffee, or soda you

consume), to keep yourself properly hydrated and the bowel moving freely.

Hope I don't sound like a big old 'butt-in' to your business here , and

I hope your pain is soon under much better control.

January 28, 2004

,

Thank you so much for your kind informational response to my post! I am a nurse,

but I surely do not know it all. I haven't been here yet, changing pain meds and

what happens to one's body and what one goes through. I am afraid! But your

letter made me feel better. I gave all these drugs to my patient's in the past,

but still just didn't know it all or ever expect it to be me. Thank you from the

bottom of my heart! I printed it all out.

Thank you, Sincerely, S.