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somewhat functional at least. I'm still look, feel, act like I'm 90, but at least I'm not suicidal every day like I was. The pain was just so bad everywhere before the pain meds that I couldn't sleep, eat, think, etc. All I kept thinking was if I'm this bad in my 20s, how am I going to live another 20, 30, 40 years getting worse or best staying the same which was unbearable.
I'm actually not on OxyContin. I take oxycodone HCL (short acting) two 5-mg tablets every 4 to 6 hours for the breakthrough pain that my 50-mcg fentanyl patch does not cover or if I'm doing something like working that makes the pain worse. Unfortunately, I've been on these for quite a few years, so they really don't work much anymore for me. The fentanyl is new as I was switched from methadone to Kadian, and now the fentanyl patch. So, I've only been on that for the last 6 months. I really probably should be on the 100-mcg patch and have the oxycodone switched to another short-acting med since my pain level is still at around an 8 on a good day, but trying to get meds increased at my young age in these "war on drugs" times (really should be called war on pain patients) is very difficult. Everyone is so afraid of overprescribing or alerting the DEA if they write for what is actually needed for really severe chronic pain that they routinely underprescribe and short change there patients. So many doctors have been prosecuted for trying to be good doctors and provide their patients with relief, that it's making this worse, but at least I'm getting a doctor that actually believes my pain and is trying (or at least that's what I tell myself). Sorry about getting on my soap box about this, but it makes me so made we have to suffer for nothing. 
Anyway, to answer your question about the meds making me tired, the answer is no with the exception of when you first start them. About the first week on the meds, you do feel more tired than usual, but you quickly get tolerance to this side effect. If not, you can always switch to a different drug that does not have that side effect. Of course, you have to build up to taking these stronger, long-acting meds by first taking the weaker short acting meds and building up, but that really does not take long at all. Then, they can start tweaking what dosages you need of the long-acting meds based on pain levels and what they are willing to prescribe.
I wish you lots of luck, and if you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to answer whatever I can for anyone regarding either fibro or pain meds.  |
Pain meds help to keep me sm - Shannon
