Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which is often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) of the spine, DDD is in fact a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one's life. While disc degeneration is not a normal part of aging and for most people is not a problem, for certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe constant...
I have been suffering with severe Osteo Arthritis and fybromyalgia and Spinal steno-sis for about 15 years now and just now last year got a really good Ruematologist who now has me on Oxyicodone 5/325 every 8 hours as needed for pain,but the problem is the pain is chronic and before that law was passed I was taking 5/500 Hydrocodones from another doctor who was my Pain Management doctor until this doctor took it over. Does anyone know what the rules are about Hydrocodone and Oxyicodone when it comes to the strength of Mgs, are there rules about that too? This 5/325 is barely touching this pain and I'm having a hard time coping because it doesn't help it as much as the Hydrocodone 5/500 did and since they cut back to this 5/325 it really isn't helping much. My pain of a morning when I get up is unbearable and the soreness alone I experience is like I have been exercising allot and got really sore,but I'm not. Does anyone know more about the rules on theses Meds since this new thing took effect about the no refills thing? Is it also the Strength they are controlling too? and can the doctor maybe increase my Mg? If anyone can help, I would appreciate it very much if they know about this.
As I understand your specific problem, you are concerned that 5/325 of Oxycodone is a reduction in medication from your previous Rx of 5/500 hydrocodone. Oxycodone is considered a stronger medication than hydrocodone, although it is possible that your body is not responding as well to oxycodone as it did to hydocodone. IMO, the small reduction in acetaminophen should not be as noticeable as you have written, so therefore, your problem probably is elsewhere. Either your body works better with hydrocodone than oxycodone, or your medical problems have gotten worse.
Also, if I understand what you have written, you have been taking opiate pain medication for many years. It is very possible, that your body has built up a tolerance to codeine-based drugs and you may need to be switched to a morphine-based drug, or something else.
There are several possibilities to consider. You need to discuss your current problems with your doctor. There probably was a reason your new doctor switched you to oxycodone. If it was me, I would expect (but not suggest) that your doctor will either move you up to a 10/325 pill of either of the two medications written about here, or move you to something else totally different.