OxyContin versus Time Release Morphine tablets?

[SistersHelp]

My sister takes OxyContin for pain but has become extremely addicted and has been misusing it. She was taking 16 tablets a day, 20mgs.

She now tells me her new doctor has taken away five of those tablets and replaced them with one time release morphine pill (don't know the dose).

Can anyone tell me...

a. First, is this plausible? Does it make sense?
b. And... If so, what makes time release morphine a better option than Oxy?



Thanks!

[jazpoppy]

SisterHelp;

So she wasn't supposed to take 16 of the 20mg oxycontin pills per day, I am totally assuming, as that's a really high dose and dangerous! Did her doctor find out about how much she was taking or did he just decide to put her on Avinza (the one-a-day 90mg of Morphine at least I think that's what its called, but I'm NOT a doctor or pharmacist so I'm not sure about the 90mg or it could be less or more). She is she on BOTH oxy 20mg and morphine once-a-day??? That's weird if she is. I don't know why a pain doctor would put someone on TWO different types of Time Release narcotics. Now I've hear of a pain doctor putting someone on ONE time release narcotic and a short-acting narcotic like oxycodone (or percoset without tylenol), or vicodin, or morphine instant release, but not TWO time released medications, at least not where I live. Is she telling the truth? If so, and it is AVINZA at 90mg of Morphine and she is taking Oxycontin 20mg however many times a day, she MUST take this as prescribed. Do you know is she snorts or crushes and chews her pills? I know from experience that the strong time release morphine in a capsule if its crushed and snorted can be VERY strong, as I almost overdosed on it myself a few years back in my using days. Try talking to your sister to find out more information, get online and look up what she is telling you that she's on and then try to get through to her so she can either get help and get clean off all this junk or if she really needs some of it for pain, at least be honest with her doctor and get on a controlled dose and have it given to her by a non-using person (her husband/boyfriend if she has one, or you if you can handle that responsibility, or another trusted family member or friend). You're a great sister for coming online here for help! Good luck to you and her!

Love

Jaz

[nandm]

Welcome to our forum

1. Yes, it makes sense that a doctor would switch from a short acting to long acting medication if the short acting is not managing the pain. Personally, I spent several months on both oxycontin (long acting) and oxycodone (short acting) after an accident in early sobriety. The long acting kept the pain under control and I only took the oxycodone when for some reason the pain would break through and not be managed by the oxycontin. I am assuming that when you say long acting morphine you actually mean the long acating form of oxycodone. This is assuming that you do mean he switched rather than allowing her to take both forms of the medication.

2. What makes it a better option is ideally it provides a continuous pain control rather than allowing the pain to come through and the person have to continually chase it with the short term med. It is kind of like giving a child tylenol every 4 hours when they have a fever. The idea is that by keeping the fever under control by managing it before it becomes a problem it is easier to manage and deal with as opposed to trying to get the fever down once it has risen.
In my opinion though it does increase the chance for abuse if it is not taken as prescribed. But many doctors try to manage this by only prescribing and allowing one months worth at a time.

If she is experiencing enough pain to need oxycontin or oxycodone it might be worth it for her to check into a pain clinic as they can help to find other options that work rather than just a narcotic pain reliever. Personally, although I have a prescription for oxycodone, I have several other methods I use for pain management before I reach for the oxycodone. I have a TENS unit which interupts the nerve signals to the brain preventing or reducing the amount of pain registered by the brain. I also use ice packs, tylenol, ibuprophen, and do yoga. I have tried accupuncture and chiropractors as well. Personally, I prefer to do my best to utilize the non narcotic approach as much as possible as I do not want to wind up with an addiction problem to go with the pain problem.

Jazz also gives some great pointers addressing your concerns about her addiction issues. It does sound like she could use some help for that issue as no amount or type of pain medication is going to address the real issue which would be the addiction.

[lizw]

Have you looked at the forums on here for family members of addicts and alcoholics?

You might find some help there too.

[nandm]

In re-reading your post I realize that you were speaking of a time release morphine rather than the time release form of oxy. It still makes sense to me. The problem that I see though is that I wonder how honest she is being with the doctor. If she is truly an addict it is unlikely she is being honest and seeking help for the physical pain but rather she is trying to score some more or stronger meds. If that is the case until she is ready to deal with her addiction/abuse issues there is not much you can do. When I was an active alcoholic no amount of someone else talking sense to me would have made me quit. What it took was for me to fall far enough down the scale to have the bottom staring me in the face. The suggestion given by liz is a good one. Please do check out our family and friends section. It is full of people in your position who can share their experience, strenth, and hope with you on this issue. I would also suggest ALANON as it will help you a lot in learning how to deal with the unmanagability, concerns, and fears your sisters addiction has created for you.

[SistersHelp]

Thanks everyone. I really am not sure whether my sister is being honest with me about what medications she is taking and what her doctor truly recommends. I also don't know if she is honest with her doctor. I am certain she exaggerates her pain to get stronger, and more, medication. Unfortunately, until recently she had a doctor who just gave her more and more medication every time she asked for it. He actually DID prescribe 16 oxys a day, 20mgs each. Outrageous from what I understand!

She tells me she is trying to wean OFF the OxyContin but I have no confirmation of this from the doctor and I am trying to just let her do her thing and not over-involve myself in her business. She is 30 years old and she has to decide for herself how she wants to live her life.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the pain she feels is truly related to her injury or whether it is withdrawal from trying to cut down.

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts... I am left with new questions I need to ask my sister...

[jazpoppy]

Dear SisterHelp;

Sorry to hear that your sis is so caught up in active addiction. I do believe that she has pain, but she is having MORE pain because she's weaning down off that astronomical amount of oxycodone. 16 pills x 20mg per pill is 320mg of oxycodone per day, and that's almost UNHEARD of for back pain! Unless the person is in traction or barely able to move due to a broken back or severe back surgery failure, or a cancer patient near their end of life! Its way too much! When I was abusing I was only abusing less than half that amount, and I did have pain at the time, just not as severe as now. I tend to never doubt someone is in pain, unless they are truly deceptive, and I don't know your sister, so I'm assuming she has back problems. I'm 31 and I have severe arthritis, herniated disks, spinal stenosis, and my hip is very arthritic, and I have other problems I just don't like listing them, it makes me feel bad. I think I sound like a hypocondriac, or a crazy person, even though everything I have is real. I got recovery first, then I hurt myself a lot, then I suffered for a few years being labeled "drug seeker" and then finally after a while I found a compassionate doctor who listened to me, understands my addiction, and prescribes me what I need to be in much less pain, not get high! Is your sister always high, even though she was on that large amount, her body may have been used to it an no longer got her high. I know you are concerned, but like you said, you cannot make her be honest, you cannot make her quit or cut down, or get off the meds to see where her pain levels really are. I did that and it helped me a lot to understand how much and what kind of medication I really needed. I tried EVERY alternative to narcotics, and I ended up with methadone as the only medication that works and that I will NOT abuse! Methadone is a good alternative for a former addict, as long as the medication is NOT in the addict's possession. I have no clue where my medication is, I just know that my bf gives me what I need each day (what I'm prescribed and ONLY that amount). I never ask for more. If its not working, I talk to my doctor. Good luck and God Bless!

Love;

Jaz

[kj3880]

It's hard, I know.
I just found out that my brother-in-law is oxy addicted.
After going through this myself for a year, my heart goes out to him and to you and your sis.
I offered him a spot at a doctor for addictions that I go to, but he turned me down today.
There's not much we can do until they are ready, is there?
KJ