Need to find cheaper alternative to current pain meds - no insurance.

[wmaxwell]

Hi, I'm new here and I'm searching so if this has been visited previously, I apologise.

I am currently on Duragesic 50mcg 1 every 2 days. I was on 75mcg but I wanted to step down for costs and because I want to get off pain meds eventually. I get the generic, but it's still about $400 a month. What is a cheaper alternative to this? My Dr. isn't that familiar with this, he's just continuing old therapy.

Are there pills that are equivelant that are cheaper I understand I'll have to take it a few times a day and I can't use time release meds because I have had my colon shortened with an ostomy and stuff goes right thru me. I need something instant release.

So what's equal to Duragesic 50mcg and a whole lot cheaper. I just got dumped by disability and only get $500 a month. Please help, I'm lost right now.

Thanks in advance,

Wil...

[Mark N]

Wil, the cheapest pain med is methadone. It is a different med that you need a doctor well versed in it use and you have to educate yourself in how to use it. It has a long half-life and you have to stay strictly on schedule. There are some other options and hopefully Steve [we have a Dr and pharmacist Steve] can post some ideas. Methadone is the cheapest but I would use it as the last option.

[wmaxwell]

Wil, the cheapest pain med is methadone. It is a different med that you need a doctor well versed in it use and you have to educate yourself in how to use it. It has a long half-life and you have to stay strictly on schedule. There are some other options and hopefully Steve [we have a Dr and pharmacist Steve] can post some ideas. Methadone is the cheapest but I would use it as the last option.

Thanks Mark,

Ok, I found a chart online at http://www.wisc.edu/molpharm/wcpi/prof/focus/opioid.htm and it lists methadone as the cheapest followed by morphine, levorphanol, Roxicet, codine and hydromorphone... is this list full and accurate?

Also, if I'm looking to gradually get off pain meds would methadone work?

Wil...

[Mark N]

Wil, the list you have is from 1994 and doesn't have all the current meds but they would be more expensive. Methadone is a medication you can triate off of but you really need a doctor that knows their stuff with this and you have to be careful about following the steps exactly when taking it and when weaning off of it.

It would be easier to wean yourself off of your current med if you want to get off of it sooner. Most meds only take a few weeks to wean off of unless you are on a very high dose. Then I would wonder why you are going off the med.

Be sure to talk to a doctor or pharmacist to determine the schedule to wean off your medication. If you post to one of the Steves they will help you know what a reasonable schedule is.

[brians2000]

I also use Fentanyl patches 50mcg every 48 hours like you. I use the Sandoz brand and it cost me 275.00 at CVS. Maybe check prices at different pharmacies. I notice there can be a big price difference for pain meds at different pharmacies. I am also on disability. May I ask what you meant about getting dumped by them? Good Luck, Brian

[debhun]

I am in the same boat you are. My PM Dr put me on Methadone. I had no chose. You have to go with what they say . I tryed my best to go not on it. I had SE from taking it and PM Dr was going to change it but PM DR and hubby talked and they seem to think if I slowly start it I will be okay. Not still have the SE not going away. But any ways good luck. I know I will only be on this till DH gets ins. Than back to Opana ER.

Deb

[wmaxwell]

May I ask what you meant about getting dumped by them? Good Luck, Brian

Hey Brian,

I missed my doctor's appointment and they said I would no longer receive benefits. I was struggling with major depression and didn't do anything other than lay in bed depressed and didn't go or reschedule. I was suicidal almost and I haven't re-applied because I am so apathetic and lethargic. One of the reasons I want off the narcotics.

Bill

[wmaxwell]

It would be easier to wean yourself off of your current med if you want to get off of it sooner. Most meds only take a few weeks to wean off of unless you are on a very high dose. Then I would wonder why you are going off the med.


Is there any site that can tell me an approximate time it would take to go through withdrawl if I decided to quit the fentanyl say if I could no longer afford it and my Dr won't give me anything else? How long to cold turkey it I guess I'm asking...

Bill

[wmaxwell]

Also, is there any OTC remedy or cure for w/d symptoms since I am having trouble affording doctors and prescription drugs right now?

Bill

[Pharmacist.steve]

Next to Methadone ... Morphine SR is probably the next least expensive.. but is much less troublesome than Methadone.. in regards to getting the right dose and getting pain managed more quickly...

I am not aware of anything OTC that will be of much benefit dealing with withdrawal

[Mark N]

Bill, I don't know of a web site but I hope Steve's info answered your questions.

[gizmogirl]

what is the problem with methadone? It's supercheap. I thought it's been around the longest and is the easiest to prescribe because it is so well documented and is clean (few side effects other than the univeral constipation with all strong painkillers) Deb? Can you tell me? Cuz I've been on it from day one (the pill says methadose, so you don't have to sound like an addict when you tell your friends the name of your painkiller.

And, why would someone in pain want to go off their painkiller? If you have true pain, you prevent depression by staying on a high enough dose to make yourself comfortable. And it doesn't make you sleepy and dopey like the neurontins, gabapentins, etc. Nothing a coffee won't take care of. Are you working hard to get comfortable enough to get enough sleep? It sometimes takes me 15 hours to get 7 hours sleep - struggling to get calmed down after painkillers wear off, or constipation problems, etc. If you can't get a few good hours you will get depressed.
Thank god you can re-apply. I spent too many years getting diagnosed and now it's too late to apply for disability and my life has been ruined. Tell us more, please, Wmaxwell - it may be that you really just can't feel good at all now, but that you can force yourself to take some steps (I always call it deathmarching or crawling) that will give you the opportunity to feel good in the future.
After my twin brother ( a new dad) was killed by a drunk driver going 88 in a 30 mph road on the wrong side of the road, I asked my very depressed dad, who had to care for my angry and mentally ill mom how he could stand it so well having lost his only son. He told me he couldn't; it's just that experience had taught him there'll be a sunny day sometime down the road when he'll just feel like smiling just to be alive if he takes care of himself now. Wise words from a guy who worked 1st and 3rd shifts for decades and had a very hard life.

[suede]

gizmogirl

It's really great that methadone works so well for you and I can't count the number of others that I have talked with or read that it has been the wonder drug for them.

It took me years to get a Dx also, I had so many test and procedures and ESI'S and a few failed surgeries even went so far as to have a SCS implanted and revised and removed.

I was on many different opioids for the pain and tried most of the anti seizure meds and on and on for about 6 or 7 years, the pain was rarely controlled, finally I was put on methadone, I was so grateful I thought finally the wonder drug.

With all my spine disorders and nerve damage I was also dx'ed with lupus and underlying fibromyalgia.

Anyway I am so sad to say that I actually have lost most of the last 2 years while being on methadone. I honestly thought that all the SE I was having was due to all these other DX's, such as the brain fog, I couldn't finish sentences or find the words I wanted, I would nod off anywhere, anytime and can not tell you of all the dangers that caused, I would perspire so bad that I always looked like I had stepped out of the shower and didn't dry off.

My family didn't even like for me to go to the bathroom alone and scared them to death when I was in bed for fear I'd burn the house down or who knows what, it also caused me to be very short of breath, then of course there was the constipation.

There is more but this a large part of it, my family couldn't take anymore and went to my Dr and they changed me to Morphine and I have to say things aren't perfect, but it is so much better, my family feels like I came back from the dead and I feel, well I can't even explain, seriously though I can barely remember the time I was on the methadone..

The morphine is actually working better for me for the pain then the methadone did.

I'm not being argumentative but you asked Deb what the problem was with the methadone and I just wanted to let you know that it's just not for everybody and even though it has been around so long not all Dr's can Rx it and do not fully understand the effects of it.

Sorry so long winded, just pent up aggravation for having let it take over my life for so long, again it's great it works so well for you and many others, just not all..

Thanks for "listening".
Linda

[debhun]

Linda thank you. You told my life being on Methadone. Well now DH will not let me round knife's. I was going to cook and had to cut a onion. Well I thought I would sharpen it first. I did okay and how I don't know cut my finger. I should had stitches but I said I could take care of it. I put New Skin on it and wroks great. But anyways I can't do so many things cause of being on Methadone. I just can't handle the SE from it. My hand and feet very swelled. And just like Linda said. When I was on my other med I felt normal I do not feel normal on methadone. But with all meds some can some can't.

gizmogirl I have read it is one of the best pain meds. Also you don't know where I live. I live out side a very small town in NC. People here think it is a drug to come off drugs not for pain. Look the people that drink will not buy their liquors at the ABC store here in town. They will drive 40 miles away to get it. For the fear of some one might see them. No Lie.
I am very sorry I can't take this med. Cause it is cheap I will till Jan 4th. But if the SE would go away I would take it.


Deb

[suede]

Deb,
It really scared me, especially when my family really started pointing out things, things I knew kind of but in the fog couldn't do anything about.

My DH even had my daughter and her family move in he was so afraid to leave me alone, of course I couldn't understand all this, but it was then that they noticed that even though the SE never went away and only worsened that they got even worse shortly after taking it.

I'll be so happy for you when you have your ins.
Have you ck'ed to find out though if the old med is in fact one of their preferred meds?

Linda

[BrokenBladder]

I just wanted to chime in and say that it's so strange that we don't realize until much later the fact that we were completely out of it for so long. Thank goodness for family and friends who take care of us when we need it the most. My DH told me that I was out of it a couple of times and I was so angry because I thought I was fine and he was just being paranoid. LOL!!

I think it's always a good idea to have someone watch over us when we start a new med and if we can't get out of being a zombie then if we can't get out of that dark hole at least our family or friends can watch over us or let the doctor know what's going on.

Many Blessings To All Of Us As We Struggle Through This Thing Called CP!!