Opana Pros & Cons

[aynrose]

I started using Opana for chronic pain. Because it makes me so tired, depressed and lethargic i am taking Ritalin to counteract it. I am interested to learn people's experience with this pain medication. What side effects you do you experience? Are there other MEDS you find better? What MEDS have you used?

I have DDD in L4/L5 which is quite painful. I can't stand without pain. I can sit for limited times. I use heating pads and cold packs. I exercise 4-6 days a week in a pool to keep strong but it doesn't seem to help with the pain at all though it is beneficial for me overall health.I am wondering  what people do to cope with this type of disease, including any procedures or surgeries.

I have become very depressed due the lack of mobility due to the pain.

Any experience you share would be helpful.

Ayn

[aynrose]

Thanks for the response. I was hoping to hear what people have used and what worked and what didn't. I have been to a pain specialist for 1 1/2 years in the past.

I have tried fentanyl patches, Dilaudid, oxycodone, hydrocodone and Opana. I use ibruprophin, as well. I take the extended release Opana currently. So far nothing really helps. I cannot stand without pain. L5 vertabra has moved and is pressing on the nerve. I have tried all hands-on therapies, i.e., chiropractic, acupuncture, numerous types of bodywork, including everything you mentioned. I am currently seeing an osteopath. I can't sit very long without pan either.

I have been to see 3 surgeons, have tried shots and physical therapy. Shots were in the SI joint which is where I experience the pain and did not work. I exercise 4-6 days a week in a pool. So far, nothing has worked. Pain medication makes me sleepy, lethargic, depressed and  disturbs my sleep. I was prescribed Ritalin to counteract this.

The surgeons have seen thus far said replacing the disk would fail or has a high risk of failure. No wonder I get depressed. The last surgeon said he would do the surgery but I had 50/50 chance of success. I am seeing him at the end of the month to explore surgery and other options.

A relative had the ends of the nerves burned at Christmas time and was
very happy with the results. (I have another relative who said it didn't work for her. She thinks they didn't get the right spot) I saw him the Sat before Christmas; he was hobbling around with a cane struggling to walk and in a lot of pain. He had the procedure done on Mon and when I saw him on Christmas (Wed) he was a new man. He walked well and without a cane. He also had the electrical nerve device implanted quite a while ago which didn't help him. He seemed to like it at first but started using a cane and had to quit working after the implant was put in. My observation was that he went down hill.

I feel very anxious that I will not be able to walk again without pain. Which essentially means not walking because the pain is too great.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi Ayn!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems. DDD is best treated with a combination of pain medications and alternative therapies, which you are partly trying.
Painkillers are tricky things. What may work for someone else may not work for you. There are strong opioid pain killers such as codeine, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone etc. They are available both as pills and as patches especially fentanyl.  Doctors either start with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen or add them to your current prescription of opiod pain killers if you need more pain relief.
Opana is an opioid just like morphine. If given as extended relief medication, it gives round the clock protection against pain. Hence, it will prevent break-through pain. Other drugs which can be tried are N-methyl-D-aspartate or NMDA antagonists and fentanyl or Butrans patch. Often changing the combination of drugs you are taking is helpful in preventing breakthrough pain.
There are many alternative or non-pharmacological pain management therapies which can be tried along with pain medications. These are: ice packs, heat pads, massage therapy, physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), spinal cord stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, other types of neurolytic blocks, aromatherapy, Reiki, acupressure and acupuncture, guided imagery and biofeedback. Usually a combined approach of a pain killer and a non-medication therapy helps give best pain relief. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.