Reaction to pain meds.

Nittany168

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Reaction to pain meds.

« on: February 05, 2012, 01:16:18 PM »

Hi ~

I was first prescribed Hydrocodone 5-500 by my GP Dr after he saw my neck X-rays. He told me just one a day. I decided since my pain was worse later in the day, that I'd take it right before bed. I noticed a little itchiness when I woke up, but not too bad.

I took my X-rays to an Orthopedic surgeon. She asked me what I was taking for pain, and she prescribed the same thing only take it every 4-6 hrs as needed. That sounded great to me so now I could get some relief during the day. Well I thought I was going to go crazy with the itchiness. I gave the Ortho a call, and she switched me to Oxycodone 5-325. No luck, still itchy. Is there anything else out there that might help? I've tried taking some Benadryl with the pain meds, but that didn't help either.


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Location: Arizona
Age at Application: 51
Disability: RA, DDD, Raynauds, cervical radiculopathy, cervical subluxation, peripheral neuropathy
Date Applied: 02/01/2012

Different Perspective

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2012, 02:54:50 PM »

The fact that you have been prescribed these medications indicates you have severe pain - ouch.

While itchiness is a known side effect to these medications, each person reacts differently. You will have to keep working with your doctors to try to find something that controls the pain without the side effects.

Since you are having the side effects, you may want to ask for sample packages but your doctors may not be able to give out controlled substances. You can at least ask of a prescription of a few pills rather than a months supply as a trial.


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Dragon Fly

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2012, 04:16:30 PM »

Itchiness is a common side effect of opiate based painkillers such as those you were prescribed. The itchiness can be maddening but for some, it subsides over time.

I don't think there is one med I take that does not have side effects that make me Tongue

but over time, and with the help of your doctors, you can find the ones where the benefit column outweighs the negative column.

It is really helpful to keep a daily log of pain levels, what meds are taken, and what side effects are experienced. Doing this is helpful both for you and your medical team.

Wishing you the best!
>;<
Dragon Fly


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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." -- Friedrich Nietzsche

Name: >;<
Location: CA
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Date Applied: October 8, 2010
First Approval/Denial Date: Approved verbally March 15th, 2011. Approval letter dated April 5, 2011
Additional Info: 2 weeks in QR, Received backpay April 4th, 2011

Nittany168

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2012, 06:27:23 PM »

It certainly is maddening. I'm still hanging in there. I'm hoping it gets better. The pain is still there, but it's not as intense. So I guess the itching is still worth it. Thanks for the help.


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Location: Arizona
Age at Application: 51
Disability: RA, DDD, Raynauds, cervical radiculopathy, cervical subluxation, peripheral neuropathy
Date Applied: 02/01/2012

JEWELS

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2012, 03:18:55 PM »

HI, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAD SOME LEFT OVER MED. I OT FOR POISON IVY, I DONT REMEMBER THE NAME BUT IT HELPED AND ALLERGY MED. ALSO HELPED. GOOD LUCK.


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SSDAdmin

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2012, 07:28:13 PM »

I am not sure if it is safe to combine them but you may want to ask your doctor about an antihistamine if these meds are necessary for you to take. It may help with the itching.


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I speak from experience not expertise.

Name: Marci
Location: Florida
Age at Application: 35
Disability: Arthritis, Degenerative Disc, Migraines, Foot Injury
Date Applied: September 2005
First Approval/Denial Date: Denied February 2006
Reconsideration Approval/Denial Date: Denied October 2006
Date Hearing Notice Received: October 2008 two weeks before hearing
Hearing Date: October 2008
ALJ Approval/Denial Date: Letter Received December 2008
Date Award Letter Received: January 2009
Date Back Pay Received: February 2009
Additional Info: Approved at hearing, no Attorney

contin

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2012, 01:27:31 AM »

Having personally been on and off pain meds for over 15 years, I think I can speak with just a little experience.

When I first started taking opiate based narcotics for pain, like you, I experienced severe itching all over. It became too much. So then I was extremely open with my doctors about the medication and told him that I could not take the itchiness. Luckily there are numerous variations of pain medications and that it really comes down to your doctor working with you to find the right combination to provide you maximum relief with minimal side-effects.

What ended up working for me and my back is Hydrocodone 5mg every 2.5 hours, Ropinirole HCL 5mg at night, Pregabalin 100mg x 3 a day and Diazepam 5mg as needed for anxiety. (Also Ambien 10mg at night for sleep). But this combination was after numerous attempts at Percocet, Vicodin, MSMorphine, MSContin, OxyContin, Fetenyl Patch, Morphine Patch, Gabapentin, Lyrica, and many others. Some would give sleep problems, some made me noxious, some gave me thought fog, some made me sleep all day and some just made me plain old stupid.

Work with your doctor and do not hold anything back from him. He is there to LISTEN to your needs and to put you on a path that you will hopefully follow with success!


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Name: Contin
Location: Minneapolis
Age at Application: 36
Disability: DDD (L3-S1), Radiculopathy, Spinal Stenosis
Date of Onset: 1/9/09
Date Applied: 6/14/10
First Approval/Denial Date: DENIED 7/30/10
Reconsideration Approval/Denied: DENIED 9/27/10
ALJ Hearing Date: APPROVED 11/30/11

Nittany168

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2012, 08:58:27 AM »

Thank you contin for your help. The itching has subsided quite a bit now. The generic Vicodin was the worse. It made me feel like I wanted to rip my skin off. I'm now on the generic Percocet, it's much better but I still have just a little itching. Your right, it's my responsibility to make sure the dr knows what is working and what isnt. I have a problem with minimizing my symptoms and pain to my Drs Sad

. So now I always take my DH police

with me to most visits, he gives me "the look" whan I need it.


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Location: Arizona
Age at Application: 51
Disability: RA, DDD, Raynauds, cervical radiculopathy, cervical subluxation, peripheral neuropathy
Date Applied: 02/01/2012

Dragon Fly

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Re: Reaction to pain meds.

« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2012, 10:23:11 PM »

Glad the itching is getting better!!
>;<


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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." -- Friedrich Nietzsche

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