I think the Oxycontin OP tablets are making me sick and not working for pain

[mrsD]

I just have to point out.... that solvents like ACETONE do not
exist in the human body. They are poisons.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002480.htm

What you see in a little cup from 4 tablets reacting to acetone is not applicable to what happens in your GI tract.

There are many many drugs that use polymer systems for sustained release. One is Concerta , for children. Some are heart pills, like ProCardia.

Here is an article explaining these hydrophilic matrices:
http://www.colorcon.com/literature/m...PTEarticle.pdf

While the change in OxyContin is real, and does affect patients, because the release rate is perhaps slower than the OC version....
It is certainly not poisonous or harmful because of the matrix chosen.
There is a post in the stickies here for reporting drug reactions to the FDA Medwatch:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread2864.html

[MissTT]

Originally Posted by ger715

Miss TT.....Please see a Urogynocologist and not a urologist. I made the mistake of having the Cystocele performed by a urologist. Many problems were a result of his surgery. Also when a Cystocele is repaired, the wall of the vagina should be reinforced at the same time so as to prevent a Rectocele from happening. (when the bladder is put in a different position, there is room for the lower bowel to come down and press against the vaginal wall, thus causing a Rectocele). Had that been done at the time of my cystocele surgery, I would not have needed Rectocele surgery.

Also, using the mesh and levaquin antibiotic for 14 days after the Cystocele surgery; within two weeks after surgery my legs and feet/ankles started swelling. Also, developed Statis Dermatatis as well in feet, ankles and now up to my knees. I take 2 water pills a day just to keep the swelling down.
(Ger)

Thank you Ger, i appreciate your comments. Unfortunately I live in a very small, isolated community that ONLY has one urology office at all, and none of the ones you mentioned. I have just been dealing with the fallen urethra/bladder myself, as no treatment was suggested. They are afraid of me because when they gave me antibiotics I got C. diff. back again (which is an intestinal bacterial infection caused by antibiotics) and now they are afriad of me because my gastrointerologist "got on them" for prescribing me antibiotics when I have 'recurring C. Diff. infection.

I plan to move in a few months to a larger area, namely Spokane, Washington, and will have access to better medical care, which it sounds like I will need! Thank you again! MissTT

[Hugs4U]

I too had a terrible reaction to the new "OP" Oxycontin formula. It caused me severe abdominal pain, especially on my right side. Also, it took at least 90 minutes to start working, but once it did, I felt extremely dizzy--as if the whole dose released all at once instead of gradually. Anyway, out of sheer frustration, I started researching and was shocked at what I found out. You see, as part of this new "tamper-proof technology," in addition to the "glue-like" stuff, a MUCOUS MEMBRANE IRRITANT is added, which is intended to cause pain in the nasal passages if the drug is snorted. Didn't they care that the intestines and bladder are also lined by mucous membrane! It's no wonder we have abdominal and bladder pain after taking the "OP" formulation!!! If you want to do some research on your own, here's a web site for to a company called Acura that has developed, trademarked and patented their "Aversion Technology."

*edit*


You can dig a little deeper by looking up their patent application on the U. S. gov. patent office web site and reading their submission.

This is SO wrong, in so many ways, to those of us who live in constant pain. Anyway, at least now you know why the "OP" formula gave you bladder pain. Sending e-HUGS to you and everyone else who needs one.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Hugs4U

You can dig a little deeper by looking up their patent application on the U. S. gov. patent office web site and reading their submission.

Not really necessary; those ingredients are listed (by name) in the link I posted previously. I'm not sure I agree that the substances used in the aversion technology would effect the GI membranes the same as they would nasal membranes. One of those ingredients may be sodium hydroxide (lye) in very small amounts (it's listed as an inactive ingredient). Sodium hydroxide is a poison and a very caustic substance; it would definitely irritate the nasal passages if snorted, however, the strong acids in the GI tract would neutralize that small amount before it could have much effect on the intestines, and I don't know how it would get into the bladder (which, AFAIK, is completely separate from the GI tract) before breaking down. I don't remember enough chemistry or know any biochemistry to comment on the other inactive ingredients.

I don't doubt that some people are suffering the side effects described here; that's not at issue. I don't know exactly what's causing them, or why, but if it is these inactive ingredients, there appears to be some sensitivity at work that effects only a small minority of patients. MANY complain that the OP formulation does not work as well as the old OC formulation, which is resulting in either doctors prescribing higher dosages and patients paying more for them, or patients suffering with inadequate pain control. However only a small minority are experiencing these extreme side effects; most patients are not.

I'll reiterate, these side effects should be reported to the appropriate entities (specified elsewhere in this thread) and alternative medications prescribed. Different people have different sensitivities to different medications all the time, and alternatives have to be found.

Doc

[Hugs4U]

You are entitled to give your point of view, but please don't discount mine. I've done my homework too.

[pain-no-more]

Originally Posted by MissTT

After 10 years of taking the Oxycontin 'OC' tablets I have been devastated by this new formulation with the 'OP' on the tablet. Initially I thought i had received a 'bad batch' of medicine because i went into withdrawels while taking them as prescribed. I often noticed them floating in the toilet, so I thought perhaps they were not working due to not being digested. I had a similar problem with a generic oxycodone ER a few years ago (it was shaped like a football).
But then i also began having some significant systemic health problems, namely an unexplained urethritis that did not respond to antibiotics, and a bowel colitis that also did not respond to antibiotics. It was as if my entire system was responding to some toxin. I became horribly sick and stayed that way most of the year. The only thing that seemed to heal my new health problems was to stop taking the oxy. 'OP' tabs for a period of time. Fortunately I was able to take some old Oxycontins that i had diligently saved up over the 10 years of taking them, which allowed me these brief breaks.
After a few weeks of not taking the 'op's my symptoms would decrease and I would get better. The urethritis would heal (constant feeling of urgency to urinate and then a feeling of urinating razor blades when i would go) and so would the colitis: i would stop seeing a toilet full of blood and mucous at each bowel movement, etc.
I feel pretty hopeless because my "stash" of old oxycontins is quickly running out and morphine and methadone don't work for my chronic pain. I tried Opana, but it was not very effective for pain control and had many side effects. I was hoping and praying that Purdue would correct this horrible mistake with the new oxy pill, but it doesn't seem that is going to happen. I did contact Purdue initially, and have filled out numerous forms for them documenting my experience with the new oxy. I may have had even more bad effects from it because I take quite a large dose compared to most people.
Does anyone know if there is any hope for a better oxycontin pill any time soon, or if there are other people having significant negative responses to this new formulation. At my last doctors appointment he ended up prescribing Exalgo for me, but I have taken Dilaudid before, and I expect many side effects.
I would appreciate any insights or information anyone can share with me.

I know exactly what you are talking about here. I was doing great for years on OC. these new op have been increasingly making me sick. I have been lethargic and have had abdominal pain and bloody stools. I have also experienced the gel like substance these monsters turn into. Its like a combo of rubber cement and super sticky super glue. I mean, it if you touch it, it will stick to your hands and turn into stringy, super sticky strands of gel that you cant wash off. YOu literally have to peel and rub it off with something dry.

It really is something you have to experience firsthand to understand where we are coming from. After experiencing it, you will realize that it simply can not be good for our systems to have this stuff in it. And its not like our bodies are breaking this stuff down into something non harmful. Our digestive systems are mostly water. Stick one of these pills in water for a few hours, and it still turns into one of these gel blobs. It is sad that the small percentage of ppl who abuse these meds are making our lives miserable.

Us chronic pain patients are the ONLY ones being harmed by these reformulations and cracking down on supply. God forbid when the day comes when we cant get our IR meds anymore. Like this poster, nothign else works for my pain like oxycodone. FEntanyl works well, but the patches are a problem within themselves. I could bet that purdue did not do proper human testing into how these new ingredients effect our bodies longterm. I am on a very high dose compared to the average patient, and therefore have been cramming more of this crap into my system for the past two years.

The ONLY way we could ever get anyone to listen is simply to band our voices together. Altogether, there are nearly 100million ppl in the US suffering from chronic pain. A large percentage of us are on pain meds. Even if a few million of us get together, which isnt really asking alot, who could afford to ignore us? My only hope now is that the FDA allows generic versions of the original oc formula to be made come aprl 2013, although i think im farting in the wind with that hope.

[Saffy]

Wish I'd known, when I came off of 12 hour release OxyContin and the liquid form for breakthrough pain, I took them all (sealed) back to the pharmacy who THREW them away as even though I'd not opened them, the had to do.

Would much rather have sent them out to someone.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Saffy

Would much rather have sent them out to someone.

Good intentions aside,

Dealing [distribution] of the drug illegally is punishable by up to life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone#United_Kingdom_2

We all have compassion for, and wish to help, our fellow painees, but that, IMO, is not a way to do it. One would also be responsible (legally, ethically, morally) for any adverse results of that well-meant act of compassion -- diversion, accidental overdose, abuse, suicide...

You did the right thing by turning them in.

Doc

[pabb]

It seems the OP is no longer posting. However, I will throw out this idea anyway. I think her digestive tract is screwed up. She appears to be absorbing things oddly. Would suggest diet clean up. ?taking antacids? Perhaps defeating the appropriate break down of this med. Good luck.