Is Kadian stronger than Oxycontin ER?

[Cindylou]

Or vice versa? It peaked my curiosity with Kathy saying how good she has been feeling on the Kadian the last few days. Of course, I believe her dosage was 20 mg 2 x a day, so 40 mg total, whereas my dosage of the Oxycontin ER is only 10 mg, once a day, at bedtime. But I am sure the mg aren't as critical as the potency of the drug itself. I just have to get to where I can feel less pain. I sit in this G*# D**# chair for 5 hours at a time, and I can't live like this anymore. Won't live like this anymore. I went out today to run my errands, made 2 stops, and had to come home due to pain. Never made it to the grocery store, nor to pick up a refill med, nor to the dry cleaners, even tho all the clothes were in the trunk, etc., etc. It just gets to be too much. I just don't know what to do. The only thing that feels good is sitting in this ##@$%** chair all day.

[Katie]

Cindylou, if the chair is the only thing that gives you relief, then just stay there, girl! And I'm not trying to be cheeky or a smart alec at all. I've been trying to accept the same thing myself, and finding things that I can do in the position that 'works' for me.

What about needlework or drawing, or ???? How about writing in a journal, telling your story, or the best and worst of Sophie, things like that? Try not to feel useless or 'bad' for doing what works for you.

So many times I've laid in bed while Dear Husband has gone out and done all the barn chores for me...now that's a guilt trip. They are not his critters, they are mine, but he never complains. It might feel better if he did, because I hate the fact that I can't do it.

Is this making sense at all? I don't know anything about this medication that you and Kathy are discussing, but I hope it gives good results to you guys. Hugs to both of you.

[Justin]

Or vice versa? It peaked my curiosity with Kathy saying how good she has been feeling on the Kadian the last few days. Of course, I believe her dosage was 20 mg 2 x a day, so 40 mg total, whereas my dosage of the Oxycontin ER is only 10 mg, once a day, at bedtime. But I am sure the mg aren't as critical as the potency of the drug itself. I just have to get to where I can feel less pain. I sit in this G*# D**# chair for 5 hours at a time, and I can't live like this anymore. Won't live like this anymore. I went out today to run my errands, made 2 stops, and had to come home due to pain. Never made it to the grocery store, nor to pick up a refill med, nor to the dry cleaners, even tho all the clothes were in the trunk, etc., etc. It just gets to be too much. I just don't know what to do. The only thing that feels good is sitting in this ##@$%** chair all day.

Hi CL,

Kadian is extended-release morphine sulfate, while OxyContin ER is extended-release oxycodone. Oral Oxycodone is roughly 1.5 times more potent than oral morphine.

I hope this helps.

[Cindylou]

Thank-you Justin. I thought maybe that was the case. I guess it's mainly then that I am on it 1 x a day, so still limited benefit. What do you think, if anything, about taking it at bedtime?

I appreciate your perspective as well Katie. Yes, I do find things to do in "my chair." I never have the tv on. I am working on a book. But, in all honesty, maybe I'm just not there yet, for that to be ok. I still defy the new me sitting in a chair for the better part of the day. I'd rather be dead, frankly. So, I clearly have a ways to go on that frame of mind.

[KBear]

The Kadian I am on is a very low dose (I believe the starter dose), which is working great for me since my pain is not as severe as before surgery. I was on the same dose pre-surgery and also was taking 6 10mg Vicodin a day and was still in a lot of pain.

I have heard that switching pain meds around every so often helps your body not become so accustomed/dependent on a certain one and helps keep your dosage lower (this may be completely wrong, maybe someone else with more knowledge will jump in on this one). I'm just my fingers and praying that my body doesn't get to used to this one and I get back in the same slump.

Have you ever tried the Fentanyl patch? I was on it a couple of years ago, once again a low dose, a 25mcg patch that I changed every 3 days. Initially, it was awesome and I had no pain; but eventually got to where I was needing 4 Vicodin a day with it and still had pain. I tried it again last year and it wasn't as effective for me as the Kadian. Which is weird, because it is way more potent than morphine. Here is what Wikepedia says about it: "It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, with 100 micrograms of fentanyl approximately equivalent to 10 mg of morphine"

I would definitely talk to your pain doctor about switching things up. It couldn't hurt to try. I agree that sitting in a chair all day is no way to live and be sure to tell your doctor that. I told mine that if this is what my life was going to be like and I was going to have to feel this everyday, that I would rather be dead, that I could not handle it anymore. Sometimes, it takes that brutal honesty to get through to them how bad it is for you.

I will be praying for you and I hope you get something to help you soon.

Kathy

[Cindylou]

Thanks for your observations and suggestions Kathy. Always appreciated. And I will definitely talk to my pain doc about this. I see him next Monday.

[KBear]

Oh, and I took my most opinonated, loudest mouthed friend with me to be my advocate. She is actually the one that suggested the doctor give me something longer acting for the pain.

[Justin]

Thank-you Justin. I thought maybe that was the case. I guess it's mainly then that I am on it 1 x a day, so still limited benefit. What do you think, if anything, about taking it at bedtime?

I think taking it at bedtime is helping with your pain throughout the night and the slight sedation caused by the medication is probably helping you get to sleep.

You are on extended-release oxycontin right now and 10mg is the lowest controlled-release tablet they make. There are many other medications that would be helpful in your situation, so make sure to follow-up with your pain management doctor.

Personally, I think Fentanyl would be quite a jump for you--it is an extremely powerful drug.

Good luck.

[Cindylou]

I think taking it at bedtime is helping with your pain throughout the night and the slight sedation caused by the medication is probably helping you get to sleep.

You are on extended-release oxycontin right now and 10mg is the lowest controlled-release tablet they make. There are many other medications that would be helpful in your situation, so make sure to follow-up with your pain management doctor.

Personally, I think Fentanyl would be quite a jump for you--it is an extremely powerful drug.

Good luck.

Justin, "many other medications that would be helpful in your situation...." Such as? If you are more comfortable PM-ing me, that is totally understandable. I do agree, Fentanyl would be quite a jump, but I just know I have to be able to get up and move. I am so worried about another blood clot because I am off my Coumadin temporarily but am supposed to be walking 30 minutes 7 days a week, and it is NOT HAPPENING. 1 day a week, maybe 2, for 15 minutes is more like it. On a good week.

[Justin]

Justin, "many other medications that would be helpful in your situation...." Such as? If you are more comfortable PM-ing me, that is totally understandable. I do agree, Fentanyl would be quite a jump, but I just know I have to be able to get up and move. I am so worried about another blood clot because I am off my Coumadin temporarily but am supposed to be walking 30 minutes 7 days a week, and it is NOT HAPPENING. 1 day a week, maybe 2, for 15 minutes is more like it. On a good week.

CL, I sent you a PM.