Re: Opana ER - To Debra

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra,

Thanks so much for the response to my query. I really appreciate it! I am sorry

I am only now responding, I was laid low the past few days with some pretty

heavy breakthrough pain.

I have been taking Opana ER now for 6 days and really don't feel a whole lot of

difference. As I stated earlier - I have been having a lot of breakthrough pain

the past four days. The pain wakes me up, we are talking pain like I haven't had

since I first had my diskectomy - 10+ on the pain scale. My pain Dr had advised

that I could take half of my normal hydrocodone pill for breakthrough pain. I

find I am taking at least one half dose of the hydrocodone a day on top of the

Opana to barely make it through. I don't want to take extra and invalidate the

trial time to see if med will work - but would like to be able to get out of bed

in the morning. Called and spoke with my pharmacist and they said they have

me the lowest dose available - 7.5 mg.

Not sure about the dilaudid - I don't recognize the name right off the bat,

sorry. Are there any other names for this med?

I got lucky and my insurance covered the med - up to a point. Also, I received

an info pack that had a trial card that gives a discount on the first 12 doses -

so that was a real blessing.

Thanks again for your kind reply and the info you were nice enough to forward

along from your personal knowledge and experience. Let me say once again, I am

extremely grateful and appreciative. It always helps me to know that when I am

hurting my worst - that somewhere out there - someone else understands, has

experienced, lived through and survived.

Thanks and Blessings,

Callie

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: Anyone with experience with Opana ER?

Posted by: " Debra "

Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:18 pm (PDT)

Callie,

This medicine could be a g-dsend for you....it is long acting

dilaudid......dilaudid is an excellent drug and often doesn't have some of

the side effects.....the easiest way to explain

Is you have when you are speaking in the codeine family you have

codeine..and then the perfected as I call it drug from that or the

engineered drug is hydro codone......not " naturally occurring but say

engineered. You then have morphine the synthetic drug of morphine is

hydromorphone otherwise known as dilaudid. Give it a try.......it might

suit you perfect.....have you ever tried dilaudid for bt pain.....I used to

use all the time and it was very effective........

Unfortunatly the reason no one carries probably has to do with the cost of

the drug.

Deb RN

____________________________________________________________

Save hundreds on Beauty School - Click here.

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/Ioyw6iiglKzSZJzAtSmV3ZrrH6QN9iI7eCV6\

A3AfgfvrxVD9P9aM2p/

[Guest guest]

My doctor had me try Opana ER 10mg and I have to agree with you. It

did nothing for me. I went back to my norco. It works for me. I do

have to take more since it isn't long lasting, but at least it works.

I did not get any relief from Opana. I hope that helps.

Lynda

>

> Hi Debra,

>

> Thanks so much for the response to my query. I really appreciate it!

I am sorry I am only now responding, I was laid low the past few days

with some pretty heavy breakthrough pain.

>

> I have been taking Opana ER now for 6 days and really don't feel a

whole lot of difference. As I stated earlier - I have been having a

lot of breakthrough pain the past four days. The pain wakes me up, we

are talking pain like I haven't had since I first had my diskectomy -

10+ on the pain scale. My pain Dr had advised that I could take half

of my normal hydrocodone pill for breakthrough pain. I find I am

taking at least one half dose of the hydrocodone a day on top of the

Opana to barely make it through. I don't want to take extra and

invalidate the trial time to see if med will work - but would like to

be able to get out of bed in the morning. Called and spoke with my

pharmacist and they said they have me the lowest dose available - 7.5 mg.

>

> Not sure about the dilaudid - I don't recognize the name right off

the bat, sorry. Are there any other names for this med?

>

> I got lucky and my insurance covered the med - up to a point. Also,

I received an info pack that had a trial card that gives a discount on

the first 12 doses - so that was a real blessing.

>

> Thanks again for your kind reply and the info you were nice enough

to forward along from your personal knowledge and experience. Let me

say once again, I am extremely grateful and appreciative. It always

helps me to know that when I am hurting my worst - that somewhere out

there - someone else understands, has experienced, lived through and

survived.

>

> Thanks and Blessings,

> Callie

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

> Re: Anyone with experience with Opana ER?

> Posted by: " Debra "

> Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:18 pm (PDT)

> Callie,

> This medicine could be a g-dsend for you....it is long acting

> dilaudid......dilaudid is an excellent drug and often doesn't have

some of

> the side effects.....the easiest way to explain

> Is you have when you are speaking in the codeine family you have

> codeine..and then the perfected as I call it drug from that or the

> engineered drug is hydro codone......not " naturally occurring but say

> engineered. You then have morphine the synthetic drug of morphine is

> hydromorphone otherwise known as dilaudid. Give it a try.......it might

> suit you perfect.....have you ever tried dilaudid for bt pain.....I

used to

> use all the time and it was very effective........

>

> Unfortunatly the reason no one carries probably has to do with the

cost of

> the drug.

>

> Deb RN

>

> ____________________________________________________________

> Save hundreds on Beauty School - Click here.

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/Ioyw6iiglKzSZJzAtSmV3ZrrH6QN9iI7eCV6\

A3AfgfvrxVD9P9aM2p/

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,I have been taking OpanaEr for two years now-I take 20mg twice a day-with 4

mg hydromorphone for breakthroug up to 6 a day(if needed).I also take 15mg

Restoril at night if its really bad.I started the Opana at 10mg,the reason I

take is I am allergic to so much(anything with codiene,OxyContin-etc.)......Some

days are really bad,I tell myself its proably worse if not on these drugs,most

days are about a7-8(pain) with bouts all day of screaming breakthrough pain..I

cant even remember what its like to wake up and feel no pain-pretty

sad..............Best,Dottie

[Guest guest]

Dottie,

Have you asked your doc about increasing your drug. A pain journal might be

what you need.....a 7-8 is pretty high to be dealing with on a daily basis?

Do you see a pain management doc?

Deb RN

From: spinal problems

[mailto:spinal problems ] On Behalf Of Dottie

Neubert

Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 12:30 PM

spinal problems

Subject: Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Hi,I have been taking OpanaEr for two years now-I take 20mg twice a day-with

4 mg hydromorphone for breakthroug up to 6 a day(if needed).I also take 15mg

Restoril at night if its really bad.I started the Opana at 10mg,the reason I

take is I am allergic to so much(anything with

codiene,OxyContin-etc.)......Some days are really bad,I tell myself its

proably worse if not on these drugs,most days are about a7-8(pain) with

bouts all day of screaming breakthrough pain..I cant even remember what its

like to wake up and feel no pain-pretty sad..............Best,Dottie

[Guest guest]

Callie,

The good thing..it sounds like you are not having side effects which means

that there is room to increase the drug. Speak with your doc and ask him to

increase the drug. I hope that you start feeling better.....

Deb RN

From: spinal problems

[mailto:spinal problems ] On Behalf Of ljw75010

Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 12:20 PM

spinal problems

Subject: Re: Opana ER - To Debra

My doctor had me try Opana ER 10mg and I have to agree with you. It

did nothing for me. I went back to my norco. It works for me. I do

have to take more since it isn't long lasting, but at least it works.

I did not get any relief from Opana. I hope that helps.

Lynda

>

> Hi Debra,

>

> Thanks so much for the response to my query. I really appreciate it!

I am sorry I am only now responding, I was laid low the past few days

with some pretty heavy breakthrough pain.

>

> I have been taking Opana ER now for 6 days and really don't feel a

whole lot of difference. As I stated earlier - I have been having a

lot of breakthrough pain the past four days. The pain wakes me up, we

are talking pain like I haven't had since I first had my diskectomy -

10+ on the pain scale. My pain Dr had advised that I could take half

of my normal hydrocodone pill for breakthrough pain. I find I am

taking at least one half dose of the hydrocodone a day on top of the

Opana to barely make it through. I don't want to take extra and

invalidate the trial time to see if med will work - but would like to

be able to get out of bed in the morning. Called and spoke with my

pharmacist and they said they have me the lowest dose available - 7.5 mg.

>

> Not sure about the dilaudid - I don't recognize the name right off

the bat, sorry. Are there any other names for this med?

>

> I got lucky and my insurance covered the med - up to a point. Also,

I received an info pack that had a trial card that gives a discount on

the first 12 doses - so that was a real blessing.

>

> Thanks again for your kind reply and the info you were nice enough

to forward along from your personal knowledge and experience. Let me

say once again, I am extremely grateful and appreciative. It always

helps me to know that when I am hurting my worst - that somewhere out

there - someone else understands, has experienced, lived through and

survived.

>

> Thanks and Blessings,

> Callie

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> Re: Anyone with experience with Opana ER?

> Posted by: " Debra "

> Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:18 pm (PDT)

> Callie,

> This medicine could be a g-dsend for you....it is long acting

> dilaudid......dilaudid is an excellent drug and often doesn't have

some of

> the side effects.....the easiest way to explain

> Is you have when you are speaking in the codeine family you have

> codeine..and then the perfected as I call it drug from that or the

> engineered drug is hydro codone......not " naturally occurring but say

> engineered. You then have morphine the synthetic drug of morphine is

> hydromorphone otherwise known as dilaudid. Give it a try.......it might

> suit you perfect.....have you ever tried dilaudid for bt pain.....I

used to

> use all the time and it was very effective........

>

> Unfortunatly the reason no one carries probably has to do with the

cost of

> the drug.

>

> Deb RN

>

> __________________________________________________________

> Save hundreds on Beauty School - Click here.

>

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/Ioyw6iiglKzSZJzAtSmV3ZrrH6QN9iI7

eCV6A3AfgfvrxVD9P9aM2p/

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra,

Thanks for the response. I am extremely happy about not having any side effects

- you don't know how happy. I hate reading the info papers the pharmacy sends

home and the " little " talks the pharmacist has with you about your meds when you

pick up your prescriptions. I think these are important - but a cruel twist of

fate as everyone I talk to says that they only make them not want to take the

medications.

My dilemma now is finding the line between not breaching the trial period of the

Opana Er by invalidating the outcome with too much of the short acting

hydrocodone and trying to get some relief from the constant pain as I am not

sleeping well (past several nites I have only gotten about 2 hrs each) and am

having trouble moving around doing my daily routines. My migraines (which are a

normal, about 1 a week, due to the nature of my spinal condition) are up to

about 1 a day now in varied but gradually increasing intensity and duration. I

am even having some of my pre-surgery complaints returning - IE. limited lifting

of hands and arms over shoulder height, arm strength and hand grip. I am again

dropping dishes, much to the dismay of my husband, my cat and my kitchen floor.

:/ I would be interested and appreciative in hearing your $.02 on the issue of

taking pre-trail med during an initial trial time on new med, if you don't mind.

Thanks and Blessings,

Callie

------------------------------------------------------

Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Posted by: " Debra "

Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:20 pm (PDT)

Callie,

The good thing..it sounds like you are not having side effects which means

that there is room to increase the drug. Speak with your doc and ask him to

increase the drug. I hope that you start feeling better.....

Deb RN

_____________________________________________________________

Compete with the big boys. Click here to find products to benefit your

business.

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iifXQ9HP7HdVFvmb2mzD9pUJyAN2oQg\

aNeSIi6ADD3XxCQuHj/?count=1234567890

[Guest guest]

Callie,

I am unsure about how many days you have been on the meds. Most pain docs

will make weekly appointments when manipulating or titrating drugs. If the

dr doesn't suggest you certainly can. I have never been told not to take bt

meds during a new drug. The point is to start you at a low

level...certainly take your bt meds as needed...keep track on how many bt

pills a day. Make note if you are having side effects...if no side effects

and you are requiring frequent bt meds.....ask the doctor to increase the

dose. You know that you are on a reasonable dose when you are not requiring

BT meds every three hours. The only time the doc is limited on the dose he

can go up to is when and if you are having intolerable side effects.

Talk your doc..communication is the key to successful medical care.

Granted, some docs do not want to prescribe any break thru drugs. For me,

this means that you would be consistently on too high of a dose too account

for the severe pain. By utilizing break thru...you can be on a lower

constant dose and bump it up as needed by utilizing fast acting meds.

I always think it is reasonable to ask pain doc for meds to work in

conjunction with pain meds such as sleeping pills, muscle relaxers or SSRI's

etc.

Deb RN

Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Hi Debra,

Thanks for the response. I am extremely happy about not having any side

effects - you don't know how happy. I hate reading the info papers the

pharmacy sends home and the " little " talks the pharmacist has with you about

your meds when you pick up your prescriptions. I think these are important

- but a cruel twist of fate as everyone I talk to says that they only make

them not want to take the medications.

My dilemma now is finding the line between not breaching the trial period of

the Opana Er by invalidating the outcome with too much of the short acting

hydrocodone and trying to get some relief from the constant pain as I am not

sleeping well (past several nites I have only gotten about 2 hrs each) and

am having trouble moving around doing my daily routines. My migraines (which

are a normal, about 1 a week, due to the nature of my spinal condition) are

up to about 1 a day now in varied but gradually increasing intensity and

duration. I am even having some of my pre-surgery complaints returning - IE.

limited lifting of hands and arms over shoulder height, arm strength and

hand grip. I am again dropping dishes, much to the dismay of my husband, my

cat and my kitchen floor. :/ I would be interested and appreciative in

hearing your $.02 on the issue of taking pre-trail med during an initial

trial time on new med, if you don't mind.

Thanks and Blessings,

Callie

------------------------------------------------------

Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Posted by: " Debra "

Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:20 pm (PDT)

Callie,

The good thing..it sounds like you are not having side effects which means

that there is room to increase the drug. Speak with your doc and ask him to

increase the drug. I hope that you start feeling better.....

Deb RN

_____________________________________________________________

Compete with the big boys. Click here to find products to benefit your

business.

http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2111/fc/Ioyw6iifXQ9HP7HdVFvmb2mzD9pUJyAN

2oQgaNeSIi6ADD3XxCQuHj/?count=1234567890

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra,

Thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate your opinion.

That is basically how I feel about the issue of Opana vs breakthrough meds. I

just wondered if I was alone in my opinion. Now I guess I will just have to see

if my pain Dr thinks the same way, wont I? I go to my Dr this morning so

hopefully I will be able to get resolution and relief very soon.

The whole idea of the Opana is to take less med and get more consistent pain

coverage relief. I am taking a few more pills a day now (including a new

Neuropathy pill Dr has me on and the additional half doses of original pain med

and my original muscle relaxer/sleeping med) as I was before beginning the Opana

and was just on the Hydrocodone and epam - with way less results/pain

relief. As you can see I am sitting here typing this at 5 am. I have been up

since 3:30 when the pain woke me up.

Looked back at the pain diary they have had me keep as well as my own private

medical diary I have been keeping since my surgery and I haven't been below an 8

since the day after I stopped my original med regimen. I am almost positive they

will have to increase dosage or change meds. I plan on taking the diary with me

when I go to Dr this morning to hopefully help the Dr better understand my

predicament. Fingers crossed and whispering a prayer.

Thanks again for your kind and knowledgeable words. They gave comfort in a time

of unease.

Blessings,

Callie

--------------------------------------------------------------

Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Posted by: " Debra "

Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:21 pm (PDT)

Callie,

I am unsure about how many days you have been on the meds. Most pain docs

will make weekly appointments when manipulating or titrating drugs. If the

dr doesn't suggest you certainly can. I have never been told not to take bt

meds during a new drug. The point is to start you at a low

level...certainly take your bt meds as needed...keep track on how many bt

pills a day. Make note if you are having side effects...if no side effects

and you are requiring frequent bt meds.....ask the doctor to increase the

dose. You know that you are on a reasonable dose when you are not requiring

BT meds every three hours. The only time the doc is limited on the dose he

can go up to is when and if you are having intolerable side effects.

Talk your doc..communication is the key to successful medical care.

Granted, some docs do not want to prescribe any break thru drugs. For me,

this means that you would be consistently on too high of a dose too account

for the severe pain. By utilizing break thru...you can be on a lower

constant dose and bump it up as needed by utilizing fast acting meds.

I always think it is reasonable to ask pain doc for meds to work in

conjunction with pain meds such as sleeping pills, muscle relaxers or SSRI's

etc.

Deb RN

_____________________________________________________________________

A New Way to Get Free & Discounted Offers -- FreeInternet.com!

Visit http://offers.juno.com/TGL1111/?u=http://www.freeinternet.com

[Guest guest]

Callie,

No problem. The purpose of switching drugs is for better pain control.

Sometimes DR's switch for convenience for the patience sake. Ie to a twenty

for hour dosing or to fentanyl patches which are a 72 hour drug. I switched

to the patches because I would always forget to take my meds with me when I

would o out and then bam I would be in w/d. Well let me know what your doc

did.....I would bet he increased the dose. I hope that you are feeling

better.

Deb

Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Hi Debra,

Thanks for getting back to me. I really appreciate your opinion.

That is basically how I feel about the issue of Opana vs breakthrough meds.

I just wondered if I was alone in my opinion. Now I guess I will just have

to see if my pain Dr thinks the same way, wont I? I go to my Dr this morning

so hopefully I will be able to get resolution and relief very soon.

The whole idea of the Opana is to take less med and get more consistent pain

coverage relief. I am taking a few more pills a day now (including a new

Neuropathy pill Dr has me on and the additional half doses of original pain

med and my original muscle relaxer/sleeping med) as I was before beginning

the Opana and was just on the Hydrocodone and epam - with way less

results/pain relief. As you can see I am sitting here typing this at 5 am. I

have been up since 3:30 when the pain woke me up.

Looked back at the pain diary they have had me keep as well as my own

private medical diary I have been keeping since my surgery and I haven't

been below an 8 since the day after I stopped my original med regimen. I am

almost positive they will have to increase dosage or change meds. I plan on

taking the diary with me when I go to Dr this morning to hopefully help the

Dr better understand my predicament. Fingers crossed and whispering a

prayer.

Thanks again for your kind and knowledgeable words. They gave comfort in a

time of unease.

Blessings,

Callie

--------------------------------------------------------------

Re: Opana ER - To Debra

Posted by: " Debra "

Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:21 pm (PDT)

Callie,

I am unsure about how many days you have been on the meds. Most pain docs

will make weekly appointments when manipulating or titrating drugs. If the

dr doesn't suggest you certainly can. I have never been told not to take bt

meds during a new drug. The point is to start you at a low

level...certainly take your bt meds as needed...keep track on how many bt

pills a day. Make note if you are having side effects...if no side effects

and you are requiring frequent bt meds.....ask the doctor to increase the

dose. You know that you are on a reasonable dose when you are not requiring

BT meds every three hours. The only time the doc is limited on the dose he

can go up to is when and if you are having intolerable side effects.

Talk your doc..communication is the key to successful medical care.

Granted, some docs do not want to prescribe any break thru drugs. For me,

this means that you would be consistently on too high of a dose too account

for the severe pain. By utilizing break thru...you can be on a lower

constant dose and bump it up as needed by utilizing fast acting meds.

I always think it is reasonable to ask pain doc for meds to work in

conjunction with pain meds such as sleeping pills, muscle relaxers or SSRI's

etc.

Deb RN

_____________________________________________________________________

A New Way to Get Free & Discounted Offers -- FreeInternet.com!

Visit http://offers.juno.com/TGL1111/?u=http://www.freeinternet.com

------------------------------------