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Doctors claim oxycodone exacerbates pain but nothing else helps
Hello. I have reached out to the forum before on behalf of my best friend with chronic pain and I am back again with another query....
My best friend had yet another upper endoscopy today to attempt to find a cause for the constant and intense abdominal pain that she suffers. She has a long history of food allergies, gastroparesis & other gastro issues spanning most of her 49 years but, several years ago she began a cycle of getting pancreatitis repeatedly with 6-12 months in between. The abdominal pain has never gone away & is so intense that she can no longer work, especially since she had a nerve block a couple of years ago that she claims actually made it worse. She now relies heavily on the oxycodone & it doesn't take her pain completely away but she is able to function at least. It is the ONLY thing that seems to work for her and she hates it because of the side effects.
Today after the latest endoscopy, this doctor joined a series of docs that have suggested that the oxycodone she takes to relieve the pain is actually exacerbating the pain and that she should consider getting off of it. The doctor that renews her prescription for it monthly doesn't seem to see that as an issue & my best friend doesn't know what to do because of course she'd love to get away from the oxy but the pain is too intense without it and no one seems to have an alternative for her.
I guess I came here to ask if anyone else has heard that the opioid they take for pain may be making it worse & if there are non-opioid alternative that actually work for this type of pain.
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They are not the same. Oxycodone is the stronger of the two and about 1.5 times as potent as hydrocodone. In other words, 30 mg of hydrocodone is equivalent to 20 mg of oxycodone.
That depends on who is doing the research. Speaking to 10 different PharmD docs, they have all said they are the same.
Both medications are strong painkillers, and they are incredibly effective at managing pain in individuals. In the Placebo Effect study, researchers found that participants experienced equal pain relief 30 and 60 minutes after taking medications and saw similar side effects. But those who took HC experienced constipation more often than participants who had OC.
The study comparing the efficacy of oral analgesics found no significant difference between Hydrocodone and Oxycodone when combined with acetaminophen (APAP) to ease acute musculoskeletal pain. Nearly 60% of participants in both groups reported a significant reduction in discomfort.
To some researchers and healthcare professionals, OC is more potent than HC. In addition, according to the Drug Alcohol and Dependence study, the combination of Oxycodone APAP was 1.5x stronger than the combination of Hydrocodone and APAP in terms of pain treatment.
I have used both and found no difference.
Have to tell you that I love your name. If I had delivered a second daughter, her name would have been Marialiese. My daughter is named Annaliese.
Thank you for your response. I'm glad you got relief from the pain. I'm required to have 2 additional appointments and 12 shots to see if I can even have the ablation. Ugh
There's a typo in my listing. Oxygen should have been Oxycodin. Sorry
I hear your frustrations and share your concern.
I take a small amount of hydrocodone (Vicodin) for nerve/arthritis pain/spinal stenosis - I have had two back surgeries and am fused L2-S1 and my neck surgery fused two levels and now the rest of my neck is essentially self fused.
My internist is retiring end of June and I am concerned that I may not find anyone new to prescribe it for me. I have a huge collection of “pain relief” ointments, roll ons, creams, etc. I have gone to PT many times. I was told to not go to a chiropractor (and the last one years back sent me to a neurosurgeon!). I can no longer take aspirin or other NSAIDs because I got gastritis, lost 20#. I am not overweight and am in good shape otherwise. I stretch. I use cold/ice and heat…
Feeling your pain!
I have also had ablation in my back due to back pain (too many accidents). Once done it was wonderful to be able to take my favorite past-times (kayaking, biking, hiking) and getting to enjoy the days without the pain. My ablations were done under light sedation but the other choice was 'local' anesthesia. My ablations don't last as long as I'd like - I get them every six months. But that's OK - I'm up and around pain free.
I've had these issues and had the surgery . It helped immensely!! No drugs.. I don't want to become addicted or to feel weird from any. . I take ibuprofen when really needed for headaches etc.. I've taken the hard stuff after surgeries for very short time only . Both Hips replaced 2 major back surgeries, shoulder, knee many others. I have had 12 ischemic strokes that haven't been a major yet thankfully and they are from my Connective Tissue disease. No cure. Life can be hard. I'm sorry you're having a very hard time dealing.
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1 ReactionDear wisco,
You can still take Nsaids like Voltaren, only it won't be pills but suppositories. Don't bother trying to find them here in the US. Search Canadian on line drug stores and you can get them that way. They will ask for a prescription so Your doctor will have to do that for you. I used these suppositories for years because my stomach could not take the pills either.
I use a fair amount of diclofenac in rub on forms!
What are your pain management drs prescribing for you? I am on buprenorphine 10 mcg patches. This is one of the things I am trying at the moment . I think I will have to go to a higher dose but it has calmed the pain.