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I suffer from chronic back pain due to scoliosis. I have been to a pain clinic who suggests to my primary physician which pain medications to prescribe for me but it is up to her to decide the amounts and frequencies. I have asked her, my regular physician to change increase my dosage as I still am experiencing a lot of pain. I take 30 mg of oxycodone every 12 hours continuously and I take hydrocodone as needed. The hydrocodone is prescribed to be taken 1 tab 5/500 every 8 hours with a limit of 4 tabs per day. 1 tab does absolutely nothing for the pain so I take 2 tabs but I usually take no more than 4 per day. A lot of people have told me that this is not a very high dosage, but also I have been told that oxycodone is very addictive so I can appreciate my doctors hesitance. But I am in pain, and I do not know what to do. One of the specialist that I see wants me to put off having surgery as long as possible. Is my doctor being unreasonable about not raising my dosages?

Submitted: 261 days and 15 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $9

Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY

Age: 53; Female, Pennsylvania

Already Tried:
Chriropractic
Physical therapy, which makes it hurt more
Exercise therapy
Heating pads
Bedrest

Accepted Answer

Hi XXXXXXXXXXXXX,

In my opinion, nobody should have to live with a lot of pain. Back pain from scoliosis can have severe impact on a person's quality of life. While it is true that narcotics are addictive, one must also take into account the patient's suffering.

Oxycodone 30mg every 12 hours is not a very high dose. In fact, if you have to take vicodin (hydrocodone) up to 4 tabs a day, that tells me the oxycodone dose should be increased so you don't have to take medicine for breakthrough pain. A reasonable regimen would be MSContin 45mg twice a day- a longer lasting formulation may work better for you and has less addictive potential.

Another option is a fentanyl patch, which delivers continuous pain med for 72 hours.

I can see that you have already tried many modalities to help with your pain. Acupuncture may be something you want to look into. I have had patients who have good pain relief from acupuncture treatments.

I do think you should have another frank discussion with your doctor. Tell him/her that your pain is not controlled and it is impacting your life. Ask about MSContin /fentanyl. If he/she still refuses to adjust your medication, find another doctor who will.

I hope my answer is helpful. If so, please click "ACCEPT" so I can get credit for my work

Accepts:
Expert:	Dr Wu
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	3/6/2009

Doctor (MD)

Board certified family physician, extensive experience in adult medicine, specalizes in geriatrics.

261 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

thank you, I will speak with my doctor again.

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