1. < Chronic Pain

Switch from hydrocodone to Oxycodone?

Posted by phxratt1 @phxratt1, Jun 19 12:01pm

Hi all, I've had 3 lumbar surgeries, and still having pain 18 months after last one. My pain dr has me on 10/325 hydrocodone 2X/day that doesn't seem to do much. Has anyone with lower back pain switched from hydrocodone to Oxycodone, and did it make a difference? I'm being told Oxycodone is more potent. Thanks.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 19 2:58pm

@phxratt1
I didn't notice any difference so my doctor started me on the fentanyl patch, relief at last.
Good luck to you,
Jake

REPLY
phxratt1 | @phxratt1 | Jun 19 4:02pm

Wow, thanks Jake! I didn't even know that was an option!

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rockon79 | @rockon79 | Jun 19 8:24pm

Oxycodone is more potent and has better pain relief than hydrocodone. I personally would try that first. Unfortunately, with most pain meds you probably will have to take a higher dose to get the same relief if taken for extended periods. Therefore, taking a less potent pain reliever that works (oxycodone) is preferable to stepping up to a more potent one (fentanyl) right away. Taking less of the less potent that works is the ideal when it comes to pain medication for many reasons.

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phxratt1 | @phxratt1 | Jun 19 9:38pm

Good point... everyone is different, and Oxycodone might do it for me. I won't know until I try. At least I'll have another option if oxy doesn't do it. Thanks for the post.

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charlie92plus | @charlie92plus | Jun 20 8:59am

A friend of mine took Oxycodone for years after having a rod inserted to stabilize her spine. She often blanked out, even while driving. I believe it is now banned. Hydrocodone has been prescribed by my pain specialist and used when needed. No problems.

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1 reply
laura1970 | @laura1970 | Jun 20 2:36pm

I believe the fentanyl patch is quite expensive, and there is a national shortage at the moment

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 20 6:18pm

@laura1970
Yes, I imagine it is quite expensive. I know years ago when I took it I used the brand, Duragesic and it cost $600+ a month. I don't remember what the generic cost, but I did switch to the generic.
Although I wonder if there's any doctors out there now that would actually prescribe it.
Take care,
Jake

REPLY
philipsnowdon | @philipsnowdon | Jun 21 5:02am

Hello to all of my fellow pain management patients. I’ve been suffering from debilitating pain for over 30 years and have tried everything but FENTANYL patches.
Firstly, every patient experiences pain differently. If there were ever a case for “NON ONE SIZE FITS ALL,” pain management is the epitome of that expression.
In short, keep trying different pain medications until you find the one and dosage with the best and most effective efficacy!
Personally, I use OXYCODONE.
Be absolutely thankful and grateful if you have a physician and pharmacy who are willing to fill any kind of OPIOID medications, it has and continues to be a struggle to obtain opioids for pain management for over 30 years and becomes more and more difficult all of the time,
At best, most of us will be able to manage severe, chronic pain. It’s a misnomer for most patients to be able to “control their pain!”
Type, duration and exacerbation of pain will require different dosages and strengths of pain meds at different times to try and maintain the same result.
Personally, I find it absolutely pathetic and dehumanizing that patients have to beg for their pain meds just so they can reduce the amount of tortuous suffering they must endure every day. It’s worse than dehumanizing. I am on pain meds throughout the day and without them I would be completely dysfunctional. As far as side effects are concerned. Unless I told somebody I was using pain meds they wouldn’t have any idea. They are like taking an effective dose of aspirin for me. I don’t get any kind of “high” and I certainly don’t feel any kind of euphoric state from them. I am similar to a diabetic taking insulin. If I don’t take enough than I will feel very badly. If I take what I need I feel much better. My medication just blocks the horrible amount of pain and discomfort I would be feeling if I weren’t taking them.
One of the biggest “MISNOMERS” propagated by the medical profession is that Pain meds, (especially opioids) don’t improve your underlying medical problems creating the pain. Therefore, they are of no benefit. That’s one of the most stupid and most irresponsible comments they could ever make. Opioids were never designed to treat the underlying problems or symptoms from any underlying disease or medical malady. However, if you don’t sufficiently treat the pain associated with patient’s medical malaise, the pain gets worse and worse and the patient feel.worse and worse which causes a serious decrease in the overall wellbeing of the patient! Opioids are the most effective pain treatment we have available to us as chronic pain patients. When the medical profession comes up with something more effective I will take it. Patients do not abuse or overdose on pain meds. Of course, some do just like anybody who uses alcohol could potentially become an alcoholic. However, most pain patients use their medication responsibly. The bigger problem to address is that most patients are “under medicated.”
Frankly, I could write for hours on the subject but do not have the cognitive or physical ability to do so. Good luck to everybody who seeks to be treated with genuine and authentic empathy in managing and treating their pain as effectively and empathetically as possible.
GODSPEED,
Phil

REPLY
5 replies
phxratt1 | @phxratt1 | Jun 21 8:53am
In reply to @philipsnowdon "Hello to all of my fellow pain management patients. I’ve been suffering from debilitating pain for..." + (show)
@philipsnowdon

Hello to all of my fellow pain management patients. I’ve been suffering from debilitating pain for over 30 years and have tried everything but FENTANYL patches.
Firstly, every patient experiences pain differently. If there were ever a case for “NON ONE SIZE FITS ALL,” pain management is the epitome of that expression.
In short, keep trying different pain medications until you find the one and dosage with the best and most effective efficacy!
Personally, I use OXYCODONE.
Be absolutely thankful and grateful if you have a physician and pharmacy who are willing to fill any kind of OPIOID medications, it has and continues to be a struggle to obtain opioids for pain management for over 30 years and becomes more and more difficult all of the time,
At best, most of us will be able to manage severe, chronic pain. It’s a misnomer for most patients to be able to “control their pain!”
Type, duration and exacerbation of pain will require different dosages and strengths of pain meds at different times to try and maintain the same result.
Personally, I find it absolutely pathetic and dehumanizing that patients have to beg for their pain meds just so they can reduce the amount of tortuous suffering they must endure every day. It’s worse than dehumanizing. I am on pain meds throughout the day and without them I would be completely dysfunctional. As far as side effects are concerned. Unless I told somebody I was using pain meds they wouldn’t have any idea. They are like taking an effective dose of aspirin for me. I don’t get any kind of “high” and I certainly don’t feel any kind of euphoric state from them. I am similar to a diabetic taking insulin. If I don’t take enough than I will feel very badly. If I take what I need I feel much better. My medication just blocks the horrible amount of pain and discomfort I would be feeling if I weren’t taking them.
One of the biggest “MISNOMERS” propagated by the medical profession is that Pain meds, (especially opioids) don’t improve your underlying medical problems creating the pain. Therefore, they are of no benefit. That’s one of the most stupid and most irresponsible comments they could ever make. Opioids were never designed to treat the underlying problems or symptoms from any underlying disease or medical malady. However, if you don’t sufficiently treat the pain associated with patient’s medical malaise, the pain gets worse and worse and the patient feel.worse and worse which causes a serious decrease in the overall wellbeing of the patient! Opioids are the most effective pain treatment we have available to us as chronic pain patients. When the medical profession comes up with something more effective I will take it. Patients do not abuse or overdose on pain meds. Of course, some do just like anybody who uses alcohol could potentially become an alcoholic. However, most pain patients use their medication responsibly. The bigger problem to address is that most patients are “under medicated.”
Frankly, I could write for hours on the subject but do not have the cognitive or physical ability to do so. Good luck to everybody who seeks to be treated with genuine and authentic empathy in managing and treating their pain as effectively and empathetically as possible.
GODSPEED,
Phil

Jump to this post

Thanks Phil... I've just started this search for the right painkiller, and so far Hydrocodone isn't it. Next up is Oxycodone. I sure hope I don't run into the resistance you're talking about. I just want it for pain ONLY. Thanks again, I appreciate the input.

REPLY
mann1 | @mann1 | Jun 21 9:54am
In reply to @philipsnowdon "Hello to all of my fellow pain management patients. I’ve been suffering from debilitating pain for..." + (show)
@philipsnowdon

Hello to all of my fellow pain management patients. I’ve been suffering from debilitating pain for over 30 years and have tried everything but FENTANYL patches.
Firstly, every patient experiences pain differently. If there were ever a case for “NON ONE SIZE FITS ALL,” pain management is the epitome of that expression.
In short, keep trying different pain medications until you find the one and dosage with the best and most effective efficacy!
Personally, I use OXYCODONE.
Be absolutely thankful and grateful if you have a physician and pharmacy who are willing to fill any kind of OPIOID medications, it has and continues to be a struggle to obtain opioids for pain management for over 30 years and becomes more and more difficult all of the time,
At best, most of us will be able to manage severe, chronic pain. It’s a misnomer for most patients to be able to “control their pain!”
Type, duration and exacerbation of pain will require different dosages and strengths of pain meds at different times to try and maintain the same result.
Personally, I find it absolutely pathetic and dehumanizing that patients have to beg for their pain meds just so they can reduce the amount of tortuous suffering they must endure every day. It’s worse than dehumanizing. I am on pain meds throughout the day and without them I would be completely dysfunctional. As far as side effects are concerned. Unless I told somebody I was using pain meds they wouldn’t have any idea. They are like taking an effective dose of aspirin for me. I don’t get any kind of “high” and I certainly don’t feel any kind of euphoric state from them. I am similar to a diabetic taking insulin. If I don’t take enough than I will feel very badly. If I take what I need I feel much better. My medication just blocks the horrible amount of pain and discomfort I would be feeling if I weren’t taking them.
One of the biggest “MISNOMERS” propagated by the medical profession is that Pain meds, (especially opioids) don’t improve your underlying medical problems creating the pain. Therefore, they are of no benefit. That’s one of the most stupid and most irresponsible comments they could ever make. Opioids were never designed to treat the underlying problems or symptoms from any underlying disease or medical malady. However, if you don’t sufficiently treat the pain associated with patient’s medical malaise, the pain gets worse and worse and the patient feel.worse and worse which causes a serious decrease in the overall wellbeing of the patient! Opioids are the most effective pain treatment we have available to us as chronic pain patients. When the medical profession comes up with something more effective I will take it. Patients do not abuse or overdose on pain meds. Of course, some do just like anybody who uses alcohol could potentially become an alcoholic. However, most pain patients use their medication responsibly. The bigger problem to address is that most patients are “under medicated.”
Frankly, I could write for hours on the subject but do not have the cognitive or physical ability to do so. Good luck to everybody who seeks to be treated with genuine and authentic empathy in managing and treating their pain as effectively and empathetically as possible.
GODSPEED,
Phil

Jump to this post

Best, intelligent summation of the need for opioids for chronic pain. I take one hydrocodone for my low back pain per day and attempt to do all of my living: walking the dog cleaning the house doing PT in the 4 to 6 hours that follow. After that I'm relegated to my heating pad and laying down. Yes, I've had all the therapies with very little success including radio frequency ablations. It is humiliating to have your request a monthly prescription for those 30 to 40 pills. I have been with pain management for decades. I have evidence of severe degenerative spine, radiologically and symptomatically. I find it humiliating.. The abuse by a few causing pain for the many people who need an opioid to get through the day with any degree.

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