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How to ask for a better medication?

I just started pain management in June. Since then, I've been on the fentanyl patch. I've also tried MsContin with Opana IR for breakthrough pain. The Fentanyl patch works the best for me. Now I am on 75mcg/hr every 72 hours. Where I live, the weather is not stable and affects my joints a lot. I have been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis (since childhood) and fibromygalia. My doctor prescribed me Vicodin 5/500, 30tabs for the month for BT pain. I've gone through all of it in 5 days and am in so much pain. Opana seemed to work the best for BT but I don't know how to ask for it. I don't want him to think I am a drug seeker, seeing as I am young.
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547368 tn?1440541785
Hello SilentGrace,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad you found us and took the time to post.

Juvenile arthritis can be extremely painful and debilitating. It may be that it triggered your Fibro which leaves you with yet another painful and challenging condition. Doesn't seem fair when life deals us such a lousy hand. My heart goes out to you.

I'm curious. You've been in PM since June, has what he has prescribed you the last several months for b/t held your pain until now?  Did you have any problems making your 30 day supply last until this month? If so what do you think is different?

I agree with the above posts that you should discuss your pain levels with your PMP. Often they will start you on the lowest possible levels and work you up till your pain is more controlled. Discuss in detail how your pain effects your daily life, the tasks that you must perform and your sleep.

Opana (oxymophone) is much more potent than the Vicodin (hydrocodone) you are now being prescribed. I am guessing that your PMP thought your pain may be controlled with a less potent opiate given the fact you are now on the Fentanyl Patch.

My concern is echoed in the above posts. Depleting your months supply of b/t meds in five days may be frowned upon my your PMP. I don't want you to lose your PM and it can happen when meds are not taken as prescribed. It would be heartbreaking if you had to begin again with a new PMP. It can be a timely process.

If I am reading your post correctly you have taken 30 Vicodin in five days. As Sandee said the acetaminophen intake is high in that short of a time frame.

I don't have a good suggestion as to your next step. I don't know how you will function for the next 25 days without b/t medication so that will necessitate a call to your PMP. Obviously you must be honest with him and inform him of your pain levels.You do have more than enough reason for pain. Ideally your physician will be understanding and work with you on better pain control regime.

I wish you the very best and hope that all goes well. We will look forward with interest to hearing from you again soon.

Take Care,
~Tuck
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
Hi,
As Jadedsweetheart said you have o be very careful about taking your pain medications as prescribed. When you go back in for your appointment they may do a UA test and they will know you have not been taking your medications as prescribed and if it is not in your system at all you will be dismissed. I would advise just speaking to the Doctor and explaining that the vicodin is not working for your B/T pain and that you had taken the Opana in the past and it worked better.
Do not be afraid to talk to your Doctor because if you do not then he has know way of knowing your Medicines are not working for you.
Elavil is commonly prescribed for Fibro, you may want to ask your Doctor about this as it does help with sleep and pain as well.
Please do not take more than your prescribed, taking 25 vicodin in 5 days is too much Tylenol and that is dangerous. You do not want to get dismissed from your PMP as it will be very difficult to find another PMP to treat you.
You have two painful conditions and the Doctor knows this so just be honest with him and see what options he can offer you.
I hope your doing better soon, let us know how your doing:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You want to be careful about taking all of your BT meds in so short a time, not only does it give you nothing to take for the rest of the month, but it may also make your doctor suspicious if they were to do a pill count.
I made that mistake once and my doctor thought I was up to something, even though I was just in pain and was honest with him about how long the BT meds lasted and that I needed them.
You've been in pain management for two months, so you are starting to build trust with the doctor.  That is the key to PM, building a trusting relationship with the doctor, then you can speak to them about what you feel works and what doesn't.  You've tried about 3 long term meds in 2 months, though.  Why did he switch you off the Opana?  
Helpful - 0
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