Question re: MSContin

[SandyRN]

I go to my pain mgmt doc on Tuesday for a followup on the mscontin. I keep playing around with my dose. I am allowed 4 30 mg tablets a day, and was told to take 60mg 2x a day. But, I have been taking 30mg in the morning, 60 early afternoon, then another 30mg early evening and that seems to hold me til I wake up the next morning. I could, however, use a slightly bigger dose because I use a LOT of breakthru medication. I was thinking of asking if I could take 60mg 2x a day, with a 30mg dose in the early afternoon. Do a lot of you take your doses 3x a day? My doctor is weird with this sometimes and even with the oxycontin I was only allowed to take it 2x a day. It didnt hold me anywhere CLOSE to 12 hours! So I'm hoping that he will let me take even a half dose mid day....or, would it be better to take 60mg mid day? So far, knock on wood, I'm getting better relief from this than I did the oxycontin. I sure hope it continues....I just would like to cut my breakthru meds WAY back. I shouldn't need so many if I'm on the proper dose of the long acting....right?!?

[DaniBelle]

For the last couple of weeks, I've been through alot...dealing with a pain dr. who doesn't care and has not controlled my pain adequately (to put it lightly). My UroGyn is trying to have me changed to the pain dr. who treats most all of the IC patients needing long-term pain mgt.. I'm know I'm repeating myself to many who've read my posts for the last month or so. This weekend was absolutely awful. I believe there is a high probability endometriosis is growing again. The pain never stops, even though I've increased my pain medication. I think I've gotten to the tolerance point. I feel like I'm in the first stage of having a baby. I have a feeling of abdominal contractions, almost like my body is trying to rid itself of something, but it won't budge. Then I start to think of something worse...cancer. I recently had a full blood test, and everything looked good (but I don't know if they always check everything). The constant pain is literally driving me crazy. My husband headed out of town on business this afternoon and although I don't work, I need to make sure my boys have what they need and that I'm able to get up to get them to school. Not to mention the fact that they see me laying down all the time. I have been nauseous for days, but don't have a bug or flu. I do actually feel like I'm dying, or that something inside me has stopped functioning and is in failure. I don't mean to sound so bleak, but I'm just trying to get this off my mind and onto pages. This past Saturday, I was barely able to stand to take a shower. I felt sooo weak. I'm eating enough protein and carbs, so I know it's not that I'm under-eating. Another thing...I can see something different in my eyes....a sick look. I have my appt. for an instill tomorrow afternoon (may go in morning) and I'm going to ask the nurse and doctor what they think. I'm hoping the doctor will say I have been changed to another pain mgt. doctor and perhaps he can help me. Also, my UroGyn has been looking over all my records of my past gyn surgeries to decide if I need another laparoscopy. I just want to feel better soon. It's making me go nuts! How much must I take? I just want a break from this and to be able to get up off the couch without feeling like I have to lay right back down again immediately. Can you get endo again even if all female organs are gone?

Dani

[SandyRN]

I'm no expert on endo but I believe you can get it on other organs and intestines, etc even if the female parts are gone. I just did a search for you and saw several sites that said endo can always grow back. You've been through so much, I hate to hear that you're feeling so awful. Please let me know how you're doing and definately talk to your doctor tomorrow about how badly you're feeling.

Sending big hugs, Sandy

[Berkshire Road]

Oh God, Dani, you're not dying! It'll be all right. Are you getting any counseling or help with stress management? I know, the pain is absolutely real, but the more tense you get, the worse it can feel sometimes. Please post again or PM me and let me know what the docs say.

[Elle]

Dani,
You can get Endo again, so please have this checked out.
You're obviously under a great deal of stress, as we can all relate to at one time or another. I saw in your signature that you take meds for anxiety. Do you have a history of panic attacks? It really sounds to me like you may be having them. I have a relative who has severe anxiety and frequent panic attacks. She went from Dr to Dr thinking she was dying-and was very certain that she was. One by one they all passed her off, until finally one listened to her. She talked with her about panic attacks and the symptoms, but to put her mind at ease, the Dr did every test under the sun. After much worry, she found out that all was normal. Once she began treatment for the panic attacks, she stopped having these horrible feelings of worry and was able to function more normally and enjoy life again. Every once in a while she'll go through the feelings of feeling as though she's dying or has a life-altering disease, but with support from others and her wonderful Dr, she's been able to make it through. I'm not saying this is your problem...I'm only saying that it wouldn't hurt to look into it.
I know you're huting from IC - I am a mom also and experience an extreme amount of pain as a result of IC and other diseases. I'm also in a PM program. I know how frustrating it is not to have the answers, but you have got to take control of your life. Constant worry about anything, whether your health or otherwise, is not healthy. Please speak with your Dr about your feelings. You deserve to have treatment - for your sake and the sake of your kids. :kissing:

[WENDYK]

:confused: I Am In The Same Situation About How To Play Around With It Just Right. But I Had A Question You Mentioned That Mscontin Was Better Than The Oxycontin, What Is The Difference. The Prescription Botttle That I Get Says Oxycontin, But When I Mentioned That Drug To My Dr He Said It Was Different Than The Mscontin. So Which Is Which. Also I'm Not Sureabout Dosing I Am Prescribed 40mg 3 Times A Day With Percocet For Breakthrough That Is Prescribed 1-2 Up To 4 Times A Day. Help!!!!!! I Am So Confused,:confused: CAN YOU HELP OR ANYONE ELSE??????????

THANKS,

WENDYK

[SandyRN]

Wendy, MSContin is Morphine Sulfate in a continuous form, and Oxycontin is Oxycodone in a continuous form. I don't think I said MSContin is better, I said it is working better for me than the oxycontin did. However, I DID take the same dose of oxycontin for years and built up a tolerance to it. It is most likely that switching the medication, and getting it up to a proper dose is what is making me feel better. After my last pain doc visit he upped my dosage of MSContin to 60mg 3x a day. I was taking the oxycontin 80mg 2x a day and I really think it's that extra dose in the middle of the day that helps me the most.