Nucynta is something that works for some people and not for others. But, I would also point out that it's not an opiate medication, so you maybe should have been tapered off of your norco and on to the nucynta.

Are you having any other withdrawal symptoms to indicate that you could be having w/d pain rather than just lack of pain relief?

I'd definitely give it a couple of weeks if you want it to work out.

I will say that when I switched from 90mg MS-Contin to a 12 mcg/hour fentanyl patch (we went down in level for a reason), I had a massive increase in pain for about a week and a half- this was withdrawals (opioid receptors saying "waaah! you took away our happy juice! we don't know what to do!). The following few weeks was much more comfortable, although the 12 mcg/hr did not provide enough pain management, at least my normal PM tools besides meds worked.

I've heard great things about Nucynta, but like any med it isn't for everybody. But we do have to be willing to suffer some pain increase when we switch meds, since no medication is going to work forever (it's the nature of these meds to lose effectiveness over time).

Just because something is stronger doesn't mean it works for everyone. Give it till Monday since you are basically stuck through the weekend anyway.

See what happens, your body might build some up, all meds have a half life maybe you haven't reached a blood level high enough to offer you comfort. please keep us informed and god bless

Guilty until proven innocent pain management? Nucynta instead of an opioid? Find someone else to manage your pain--- quick!

OOO Dallas darlin, Im so sorry! And I totally hear you on the "guilty til proven innocent" pain management thing! I stupidly changed drs merely because of convenience and after he promised to keep me on the regimen i was already taking, he immediately took away everything beneficial! I have totally felt just the same as you, like Im some 16 year thug that has to be selling all my meds, abusing them and taking illicit drugs! I've never been treated this way and have felt like I only have good results when I take someone to my appt with me! When I go alone, I get treated like shit and talked to like a peice of trash who must be doing something wrong because Im a pain patient! Im now determined to somehow get a pain advocate that can go to all of my appts with me. Now just finding that person who is always available will be a huge challenge in itself!
I was unaware of Nucynta at all until just this weekend. Is it supposed to be like suboxin (sp?) or Lyrica? Or something like that?
Hope you get your pain under control soon... I have an appt Tuesday to get off this evil new oxy OP!
Hugs,
Riss

Nucynta is a newer drug. It is similar in structure to Tramadol, but supposedly much more effective.

You know, as chronic pain patients, I understand that it's difficult, but when doctors give us poor treatment we really need to vote with our feet whenever possible. I think really good pain management doctors don't need to treat everyone like that, because they can tell the difference. If you have options, don't feel bad about looking around for a PM doctor who will treat you respectfully!

I have severe allergic reactions to many opiate meds and my own doctor was about ready to prescribe Nucynta but decided instead to give me Oxy IR 30mg 6 a day as I could no longer take the Oxycontin OP 40mg nor could I get the generic as they no longer make it.
The problem with both of these meds is they are not long acting and only lasts about 3 hours tops and even then didn't give me enough pain relief after one week as I already had a follow up appt with my doctor.
When I went back and told her it wasn't working, she ended up giving me Kadian; a synthetic Morphine long acting pain opiate.
With MS, you should be getting a stronger pain med as I've known people in chronic pain with MS. I have RSD and have even heard a couple people with MS describing their own pain like RSD pain so that lets me know how bad it truly is.
Until only this year was I able to get back to what I feel is doctors that treat pain patients with respect. For several years I felt trapped in a pm place with doctors who didn't care at all.
It took me one year due to having only Medicare to find a doctor that would take my insurance but getting out of a bad pm place has been the best thing as I know it only causes you stress with each time you have to go or feel like you are being more proactive in your care than your doctor is willing to be.
I ended up going back to my 1st pm doctor who diagnosed me and he told me after 11yrs I no longer belonged in pm; I needed a doctor to take care of my entire health as like MS, there are other health issues besides pain and we shouldn't have to go every single month just to get scripts and no help otherwise.
Now I have an Internal Med doctor who does it all and is very versed on treating chronic pain as I even signed a pain contract with her.
She has been the best ever. She is the one who finally put me on a med strong enough to deal with my pain when NO other doctor ever dared to try a different med.
She also ensures my entire health is taken care of so I don't feel like I have to go to more than one doctor for anything unless I need a specialist for some other reason.
Just like you when I was taking the Oxy IR, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't get comfortable at all, and my pain was so out of control.
Maybe instead of naming a med, you could possibly say you feel you need a "long acting pain medication" as there are a few options.
With most long acting pain meds, you may also need the Norco or some other break through pain med as I do.
I hope this helps you,
Rhonda, IN

I think this Nucynta is a weaker drug in my opinion and from what I heard. I would tell her that you want to go back to what you were on.
Dont you hate when you call and they sort of blow you off and they get to go on with their day and we have to sit in pain. you want to call back but you dont want to be a pain, but be a pain and call and tell them you want to change back and when you go into your visit you will talk about it then but dont sit in pain just to keep the peace. If they have a phone in number you can call on Sundays call now and have her call it into your pharmacy.

When I want someone to do something, I just sort of demand it I would call and say this isnt working I want to go back on the other med here is my pharmacy number and I will be there in an hour to pick up and do not let her get in a word or let her think there is a option to say no.
Sorry you are feeling so bad

...

None of us should be putting up with abuse from a pain doc or their employees! We are patients and not criminals and yes, we should vote with our feet!

For those who don't know, my first "pain doc" didn't Rx opioids and the shots were not enough. My 2nd pain doc had a PA who was so astoundingly rude that it blows my mind that I sat there and took it for a couple months--- I was really THAT desperate for help! I would do practically anything to win her over. I am a tough lady who has been through a lot in this life, but it was still traumatic, and even now I flashback to that horrible time when I am stressed. Yes, I know there is no connection between her and my current stressors.

For the last 1.5 yrs, I have had a wonderful doc--- intelligent, kind, compassionate and generous. He has the nicest and most caring, professional, and knowledgeable staff. I couldn't order better people from God himself!

I now regret not leaving the 2 bad situations much, much sooner. HurtHummingbird and DallasBull--- put on your "boots that were made for walking." A long commute, a tardy doc, and other inconveniences are sacrifices well worth making for an excellent doc!

My doc is a 3 hr RT, he is often tardy so I bring a book. I know punctuality is a much bigger deal with some people than it is with me, but I prepare for it and make no plans after my appointment. He personally spent 3 HOURS with me on my initial evaluation. He takes as much time as it takes with each of his patients. He will give you 15 minutes or 3 hours--- whatever it takes to do the job right! He never rushes anyone and wants to answer all our questions and explore all options available to us.

Now that I know what a good doc is, I would never settle for less. I suggest that you don't either!

bump

I totally agree with your "guilty until proven innocent" theory. I have always been treated this way when it come to pain meds, even by my own mother. It is bad enough to hurt enough to need the meds, and it is intolerable to be made to feel like a common criminal because we want to have enough meds to be able to function. I hope your doctors appointment goes well.

In the meantime, here is some info I found about nucynta...
http://www.drugs.com/nucynta.html

Wishing you the best.

BUMP