I have had generic percodane which is oxycodone and it is very affective, but I do not like to take narcotics. I seldom use this as it does not work if you use it very often. When used sparingly it\'s very good and always works. But a word of caution, it\'s addicting and one is better off without it unless the pain is so unbearable you really have to have something. Very strong medicine for pain relief, it can be good when used in moderation.

I have used Oxycodone for 6 months and it seems to not work as good as it did. My doctor says it is very addictive and we need to get me off of it. The problem?
They haven\'t figured out how to stop my pain. Nothing is working. I was going to have surgery where they insert a probe in your spine that sends some kind of electrical stimulant to the nerve, but my other doctor is saying he is not in favor of it.
I have another appt. tomorrow..we\'ll see what they decide.

I\'ve tried the narcotics and they work but make me too high to get through my day. Now, I\'m on Tramadol 100 mg 3X a day. That takes the edge off. I put BIOFREEZE on my leg MANY times throughout the day and use a professiona grade (thermopane) heating pad when it\'s real bad.

I have a friend on Oxycontin 3-4 times a day and it helps her pain a great deal, but you know, one day the doctor\'s may try to take her off of it, and then what? The detox could be horrible and what if she can\'t break the addiction at that point?

I\'m going to a pain clinic soon to ask about Lidoderm patches and maybe they can help some too.

Angel
www.mtworkathome.com
www.mtacc.net
www.cwahm.com

I have been on oxycodone for almost a year now. I take it on a regular schedule because if I don\'t the pain gets unbearable. Unfortunately I have had to increase my dose periodically because I have built up such a tolerance however; it still works in combination with cymbalta which I take once a day. My doctor says it will eventually quit working but until then I keep taking it. I know I am physically addicted to it because if I wait too long to take it I can feel the withdrawl symptoms, which are aweful. All medications work differently for all people. My mom takes oxy as well but she says it doesn\'t do anything for her except make her sick. I still have bad days but I can\'t imagine what they would be like if I didn\'t take anything at all. I have already had a fusion of my L4-S1 and I am trying to avoid another surgery, this time L1-L2. Anyway, thanks for listening.
Kim

Never did a thing for me.
Sarah

Yes, was put on it for break thru pain in tandem w time release MSContin(morphine). That was by the pain specialist who diagnosed fibro in 1991.
I used it very very sparingly, so this year (15yrslater) when I fractured 3 Vertebrae I am using it frequently w at least some relief. So we don't seem to become resistant unless using alone & frequently! I'm in my 12th week and now tapering it v. gently!

it is my only treatment right now for my back pain and it works miracles, gives me function to do more than I could ever do without it.

I've been prescribed oxycotin for pain.
It's been four months now, I only have 2 pills a day, of 20mgs each, which is far from enough.
Whenever I need to go out, I take 1 3/4 and it works real well, but only for approximately 8 hours.
So hopefully next time I see my doctor, I will discuss with him, getting 2x40mgs instead of 2x20mgs.
At this time if I only take the one pill, it relieves some of the pain, but not all, and have no energy at all.
One of the side effects of these pills are short of breath.
Mckenzie One day at the time

Although I have not tried this medication, I can say some things about it that go for all narcotics in general. They cause physical dependence. This results in the need for increased doses, but should not be confused with psychological dependence. Psychological dependence is not common, but can occur. Phsyical dependence is quite common. Your body becomes accostumed to them over time. Some people will tell you that if you take them for real pain, you are not truly addicted. I like to think that, but then others say the opposite.

As far as I can tell from a drug guide, you can increase the dosage of pure oxycodone (not if it is combined with acetaminophen or other pain killers) almost indefinitely. I suppose personal choice would dictate if you felt comfortable with this.

Withdrawal symptoms if you are getting off of oxycodone can be eased by easing off slowly. Of course, the pain will increase as you go off of the medicine.

I used oxycodone for almost 3 years. It was effective at first but as time went on my body got used to it and it is no longer a good medication for me. I had a hard time getting off it, but I am glad its gone now.

As I'm reading some of the replies I am quite surprised that doctors have put people on such a strong medicine (it is more potent than morphine) and yet there is alot of misunderstanding of the medicine.One person said her friend was on Oxycontin 3 to 4 times a day. Oxycontin should be taken 1times a day or dosage split in half and taken 2 times a day 12 hours apart. Oxycodone is an immediate release medication. That is the one you would take 3 or 4 times a day. If a person is in chronic pain which is constant or almost constant pain for 3 months or more and the end of the pain is not in sight, Oxycontin, the slow release form is usually the best choice because it stays in the system and there isn't that scary wearing off feeling where you feel you need to take another dose but then feel guilty taking more. Having the medicine in your system constantly keeps the chance of addiction down because there are no highs and lows. You don't run out and have to run to your doctor with your tail between your legs asking for more. You take one or two pills a day that's it. At first it takes a little time to find the right dosage for you. What is right for your neighbor isn't necessarily right for you. Oxycontin cannot be crushed or chewed. This is very dangerous because it sends a whole days worth of medicine into your body at once. Now, Sometimes people need a small amount of another medication for times that the pain breaks through and you are in a high amount of pain. Usually a pain management doctor will give you a small amount of breakthrough meds. Vicodin, codeine, oxycodone, or morphine immediate release. There is also Morphine in slow release form in 12 hour dosing and 24 hour dosing. These meds are Kadian, MS Contin, Avinza. The same would be true with these medicines. I'm sorry this is so long but it is very confusing and I see so much misuse on the terms that it makes me nervous..Once you get on a good dose of Oxycontin you will not have that scary feeling of taking too much, what am I going to tell my doctor he'll think I'm an addict. Any doctor who doesn't understand this should be replaced with a doctor who deals in pain management and he or she can explain it alot better than I can. But there is hope for chronic pain if you find the right doctor. I did, and I no longer feel guilty everytime I go see him or go to the pharmacy. I just feel better and much more in control.

I take oxycodoone and it does the job of getting rid of the pain, although it is constipating, which is probably the only drawback. I take 2 to 3 every four hrs., since I just recently had surgery. But usually I take morphine every 12 hrs, and use oxycodone for breakthrough pain. Works very good for me.

I have been on Oxycontin for a little over 3 years now. Previously I was on MS Contin which made me very nauseous. I take one 40mg pill 4x daily. The Oxy is a timed release and absolutely not to be chewed up ever. In addition I take 50-60 mg of Vicodin daily. While the vicodin is not supposed to be chewed either, my Doctors have told me that for some breakthrough pain it will give faster relief. There is no doubt that I have a physical addiction to the narcotics. I do not get any sort of buzz when I take them but I certainly can feel withdrawal symptoms if I'm late with a dose. The upside is that it does somewhat dull the pain.
There are no medical options for a cure so this is something I have to live with & manage the rest of my life. My doses have increased slowly but steadily over the years but my Doctors feel that as long as I still get some relief we will stay with what is providing at least some relief. I cannot try steroid shots because I am insulin dependent diabetic. I use a pump to control the diabetes so I cannot have a pump for pain.
The bottom line for me is that I would have no quality of life at all without these drugs. As it is I can only walk very short distances with my canes. I got a scooter last fall & it allows me to get around a bit. Like I'm sure everyone else here some, days are worse than others. In the short time I have been on this site I am amazed how different things work for different people. I thank you for being so welcoming. God Bless, Paul

I have taken low doses of oxycotin for years when my pain exacerbations are severe. I like that I only have to take a dose ever 12 hours. There are not the ups and downs that one has with shorter acting pain killers. I also have used higher dosages after surgeries this is great because I can sleep longer with out worrying about waking up in extreme pain.

I have had difficulty being able to get my oxycotin when I was in Boston very few pharmacies carried the drug I had to drive all over the place to get my medicine even though I had a prescription.

Currently Since there has been a switch in my pain specialist PA's I have had a hard time getting a prescription for oxycotin they say I must really not need it because I do not take it every day.

Like a lot of people in pain I try and take the lowest amount of pain medication so that I can function to the best of my abilities

with all my health problems i couldnt live without it. to tell the truth i dont care that i am physically addicted to them. the thing is that i am not mentally addicted. theres a big difference. I'm more concerned about the quality of my life not about that my body needs it. i am able to go out and dop things now...no i cant go out running but at least i have sort of a life now. before i didnt so i have to say yay for oxycodne and for all the other meds that let me live.