Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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/ Chronic Pain Support Group

How Much Pain Relief to Expect

kshort49
kshort49
Hi-I have a question about pain relief. I've got DDD up and down my spine, lupus, fibromyalgia, and cancer (in remission), and a MTBI with bad headaches. I have been on Oxycontin for many years, as it agrees with me very well. I have also been on the same dose for many years. My question is, how much pain relief should I expect. Should I take just enough to take the edge off the pain, or should I take enough to rid myself of most of the pain? My oncologist works with me with the pain meds, and he knows I take only what I need and will increase it if I feel necessary. But sometimes I think I am not allowing myself to have the pain relief I am entitled to. I guess I feel that if I take enough to get rid of most of my pain, I am abusing the drug, even though it is the only med. that has been able to touch all the pain I have. I know my doctors want me to be able to function as well as I can, but should I take enough to rid myself of the pain, or just enough to take the edge off. I guess I sound like a crazy person, but I guess I've always had pain, and kind of expect that I always will. Can anyone understand how I am feeling. When people hear I've been on oxy. for so long, they don't believe it. But I really havn't increased the dose (30mg 2x a day) for about 8 years, even though I know the pain is more now. I guess I have to convince myself that it is ok to try to get full pain relief instead of living with any. Thanks for reading this post. I hope everyone is doing well, and God Bless. Kathy
deleted_user
deleted_user
My Dr tells me that i should be @ 3 or 4 pain wise. A 3 or 4 pain level should mean your getting proper pain relief. -Z-
slrow
slrow
My pain doc tells me too that i should be taking enough for me to be functionable. I also take oxycotinin and have for many years. I have worked my way up from the starting 10mg all the way up to 2-60mg tablets every 12 hours plus percocet for breakthrough pain. That seems to help me alot. I am though at the maximum dose now so if that stops working I guess we will be at square one all over again. Good luck!
deleted_user
deleted_user
It seems like you want to up the dose, so go ahead and get 40 mg x 2 times per day. This is still a fairly modest dose and you were stable for 8 yrs on 30 x 2, so it's not like you are an addict. I agree acceptable pain levels are about 3-4. Another option, get breakthrough meds, perhaps a box of Fentora every month.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I can tell you that I am never ever in no pain. Like the others have mentioned, as long as I am on anything below a 5, I am happy and my PM Doc is fine with that too.

I take 80 Mgs of daily and Dilaudid for break through pain, and as long as I can get out of bed, go walk the dog, and do the normal things that most of us do on a daily basis, I am OK with it. Of course there are days (like today), that I can not get out of bed no matter what, and those days I just have to deal with them, and take them with a grain of salt.....
Lynr
Lynr
I can relate to some of your conditions...I have DDD and lupus, I haven't been formally dx'd with fibro but there are times when my whole body hurts, I just bring each new medical condition to my rheumatologist and we go from there. As far as pain relief I don't think there is medication out there that will get rid of ALL of the pain. The closest that I've come to total pain relief is IV medication. Some days are better than others and of course it also matters what I do during the day too. I find that water therapy really helps- any type; swimming, warm baths, soaks, etc. Wish you the best xoxoLyn
deleted_user
deleted_user
It depends on the severity of pain. I can definitely feel my breackthrough pain on my current dosage, and I always feel mild discomfort.

I dont really believe in the pain scale though.
kshort49
kshort49
The pain scales don't work very well with me, either. Depending on the day, I can have a lot of pain, but can still be somewhat active, when on other less painful days, my body doesn't cooperate at well-who knows why. I guess what I should do is try to keep at the minimum dosages that are effective at letting me function, and have the doctor prescribe something that I can use for breakthru pain when needed, instead of upping the dose altogether. Thanks for your info. God Bless, Kathy