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...
Hi-it's been quite a while since I posted here-I still read the posts, but haven't contributed much. I hope to change that.
Anyway, I have breast cancer (in remission, thank God), lupus, fibro,,osteoarthritis, migraines, LCH and a TBI. Jointly, they all cause a lot of pain. I have been on Oxycontin since 1997, and it is the only pain medicine that can touch the pain. I haven't had to up the dosage for the last 10 years, It doesn't take all the pain away, but takes the edge off so I'm able to function.
Well, last week, when I went to get my prescription filled, the pharmacy told me that the insurance company decided that they were not going to cover this for me any more. This has happened before, and usually the doctor, by submitting paperwork showing that other pain meds have failed, has been able to get the oxy approved.
Well this time, even though my oncologist has done all of that, the insurance co. solution is for me to stop the oxycontin immediately and start taking morphine. The last time I got that, I was really sick and it didn't touch the pain. I've been on it for 3 days, and it's doing nothing but making me tired and nauseous. My doctor said the ins. co. said I need to try this for a week to prove that it really does make me sick, and if it doesn't work, they they can appeal the company's decision.
My doctor is furious-he knows that I live on only SSD, and can not afford to pay for my meds out of pocket. I don't understand how an insurance company can override a doctor's orders. And I'm sure if the ins. co. looked back in my file, they would see the records of how all the pain meds but oxycontin either made me sick, or didn't work.
People tell me I'm crazy to be on oxy, but honestly, it is the only pain med that I have not side effects from, and it at least lessens my pain a bit. It's not perfect, but it's right for me. I'm also in 11 other meds for my various conditions, and I think that, after being on them all together for about the past 15 years, all the meds work together, and it's the perfect mix for me. I get blood work every 3 months at the oncologist, so were anything bad start happening, they would be aware of it.
I just don't understand why I have to get sick from one med that I know makes me sick, and it is in my records, in order to remain on the one that has been working for the past 15+ years.
OK, I'm done venting. I hate insurance companies.
Kathy
Anyway, I have breast cancer (in remission, thank God), lupus, fibro,,osteoarthritis, migraines, LCH and a TBI. Jointly, they all cause a lot of pain. I have been on Oxycontin since 1997, and it is the only pain medicine that can touch the pain. I haven't had to up the dosage for the last 10 years, It doesn't take all the pain away, but takes the edge off so I'm able to function.
Well, last week, when I went to get my prescription filled, the pharmacy told me that the insurance company decided that they were not going to cover this for me any more. This has happened before, and usually the doctor, by submitting paperwork showing that other pain meds have failed, has been able to get the oxy approved.
Well this time, even though my oncologist has done all of that, the insurance co. solution is for me to stop the oxycontin immediately and start taking morphine. The last time I got that, I was really sick and it didn't touch the pain. I've been on it for 3 days, and it's doing nothing but making me tired and nauseous. My doctor said the ins. co. said I need to try this for a week to prove that it really does make me sick, and if it doesn't work, they they can appeal the company's decision.
My doctor is furious-he knows that I live on only SSD, and can not afford to pay for my meds out of pocket. I don't understand how an insurance company can override a doctor's orders. And I'm sure if the ins. co. looked back in my file, they would see the records of how all the pain meds but oxycontin either made me sick, or didn't work.
People tell me I'm crazy to be on oxy, but honestly, it is the only pain med that I have not side effects from, and it at least lessens my pain a bit. It's not perfect, but it's right for me. I'm also in 11 other meds for my various conditions, and I think that, after being on them all together for about the past 15 years, all the meds work together, and it's the perfect mix for me. I get blood work every 3 months at the oncologist, so were anything bad start happening, they would be aware of it.
I just don't understand why I have to get sick from one med that I know makes me sick, and it is in my records, in order to remain on the one that has been working for the past 15+ years.
OK, I'm done venting. I hate insurance companies.
Kathy
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Tomorrow is National Relaxation Day but seeing how we already had a Moment of Zen this week and today happens to be a Friday, how about some relaxation jokes instead?! Namaste... enjoy! Happy Friday!
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If you only know one thing about me, it should be _____________________.
I wish you the best with that.
Hugs-RJ
It sounds like the insurance company is approving of a medication that makes you ill with side effects, just to cover themselves against the consequences of sudden discontinuation of Oxycontin, but this is taking an unnecessary risk both for them and for you.
I so admire you for expressing your anger and using what limited energy you must have to deal with this. I would write an anonymous letter to the health section of a newspaper about this terrible problem requesting solutions and actions your doctor could take to prevent this in future. Good luck getting back on the med combination that works for you best. Take care!
Another factor is you having been on it for so long with no increase. Most Dr.'s and Patients properly managing their Chronic Pain strive for longevity of pain control by narcotic meds with as few increases as possible. But it is also theorized that if you have Chronic Pain bad enough to require one of the strongest narcotics available, i.e. Oxycontin, Fentanyl, etc. tolerance and body/brain chemistry adjustment will require increases over time. Some Dr.'s figure that if you've not needed an increase, your pain might not be as bad as you think it is.
Also, every Health Insurance Co. has a staff of Physicians that work for them. These are the people who study patient histories, drug choices, therapies, treatments, etc. It's not just a bunch of guys in suits making random stupid decisions.
Hopefully you can ride out the few more days you have and get back on your preferred med. You might ask your Dr. for an anti-nausea med. to get you through. That might also help your appeal case, pointing out that you had to add a med to be able to use the non-effective one they're giving you.
Purdue was already sued a few yrs ago by the FDA which is why they chose to change the formula adding more polymers to make it tamper proof & less recreational.
4/26/2013 Settled with Actavis to release generic around 10/2014
12/2/2014 Settled with Impax to release generic in early 2016
Looks like (re-formulated) generic oxycontin are coming soon per the maker/ owner of the patent.
I take this med too and I know the stigma and bad press associated with it. I also have family experience with the abuse issues. Unfortunately, a lot of the previous abusers have now moved on to heroin. Heroin is easier to obtain on the street than oxycontin is from a dr due to tightened DEA regs. Abusers will get their high wherever they can find it. Making it more difficult for legitimate patients isn't the solution. For me, it's been more of a nightmare getting the pharmacies to fill it than with my insurance company approving it. I do have to get re-authorization every 90days though.
Kshort, I'm sorry you're having so many issues with a med you've been taking for almost 20yrs. I hope you find a way to make it thru the next few days while this gets sorted out & its just a bad memory you can put behind you.
I'm not speaking for anyone else, as I never do, but I also never said I agreed with the conception that making Oxycontin harder to get reduced the addiction issues. Many of us used Oxycontin successfully for years, myself included, until they made it more "tamper resistant" with the plastic like coating in 2006 and therefore created a less effective medication. Patients with gastric issues tended to pass the pills straight through their systems intact, due to that great new coating. At that point many, many Oxy users switched to other meds to get the same pain coverage they were getting....I switched to MS Contin and fortunately was able to get adequate coverage.
I'm glad to hear it's harder to get on the streets illegally in GA where you live, sorry for the heroin re-influx. But I know that in at least 13 States that I can think of off the top of my head pharmaceutical narcotics are the preferred choice of teens and young adults and they're pretty easy to get just about anywhere, unfortunately.
I never took the original formula but have heard about the issues. As far as the kids & addicts..if you look online they've figured out a way around just about everything now. Abusers will do what they have to do. Crazy horrifying stuff. Stats show at least 80% of the ODs are people using it recreationally. After reading online I'm not surprised. I've never understood that concept myself. I just want my pain managed & to be functional not fall down stupid wondering if I'm going to wake up in the morning.
MS Contin & Kadian just made me feel like a zombie which is how we ended up here. I've tried everything now & this is the best one for me. I just hope it doesn't become more of a hassle than it already is.
Have a good night.
When they switched Oxy to the new formula it was like going from great pain control to taking aspirin....it just sucked, and then it was difficult to get other stuff because everyone wanted something different...was not a fun time.
I work with Troubled Teens and also a Suicide Hotline. I have a Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, so I see alot of kids who get hooked on this crap and can't find a way out, or die....it's just wasteful suffering.
Yes it is worthless suffering. In my own family I've watched them start as children & continue into adulthood. Replacing one thing with another. Trying to fill a hole inside them with drugs to numb the pain rather than deal with the real issue thats causing the pain. And the cycle repeats with their own children. I've lost 2 already and I'm really hoping to stop a 3rd before it gets any further. It breaks my heart. But I only have so much control & I'm learning to accept that. My own son is 14 and I'm hoping I've drilled it into him so he doesn't get caught up in the vicious cycle. I've chosen to live 1000 mi away just for that reason. Fingers crossed!
Not only that, but I have seizures, and one of the side effects of Advair is seizures. I am taking a very large dose of phylbarbital to control my seizures, so why in the heck would I want to take a medicine that can cause them? To me that's insane.
I also had the same thing with my doctor regarding the Norco & Tramadol that I take for scoliosis and osteoarthritis, which was working fine. He said I should get off of them because my body is probably addicted to them, so he put me on Morphine extended release and told me to exercise. I had bad side effects from that too... still had pain, dry mouth, insomnia, etc. Why take something that doesn't work?
Why are doctors and insurance companies trying to fix things that are not broken at the cost of our ultimate health and pocket books? Maybe the FDA & DEA are pushing it, and/or the doctors &/or insurance companies have stock in certain pharmaceutical companies??? I agree with Annett...Insurance companies DO have more say than our doctors regarding what meds he/she prescribes for our illnesses.
I am on SSDI too, and get a nominal amount once a month and that's it. When it's gone, that's it and I'm usually broke by the 15th. My Part D insurance is good, but if my medications are not on their "Formulary" I'm screwed. I am ready to switch Medicare suppliment companies, or go back to regular Medicare. It's all about money, and It's sickening!!! Actually, I'm about ready to move to Mexico where you can go to the doctor and actually get what will work the best for your condition.
I'd never heard of oxy until I was put on it, then in the paper later that same week there was a front page article about 'Hillbilly Heroin' that completely freaked me out. Ive tried every other pain med there is over the years but, like you, oxy is the only one that doesn't make me sick and lowers my pain. Ive accepted i need to be on it now and no longer care about the opinions of people without CP telling me they wouldn't touch it.
Take care and I hope this gets sorted out for you soon.