Have any of you taken Exalgo? I have been taking Morphine for a couple of years now and up until last month, I had good results; it kept the pain at a low roar. But I am having a horrible flare up and it isn't touching my pain. My doctor gave me a script for Exalgo. I read info on it online and it sounds like pretty potent stuff. It scared me a little with all the warnings about respiratory depression and how if you overestimate the dosage it can cause a fatal overdose with the first dose. I haven't started it yet because there wasn't a pharmacy in town that had in stock, so it is ordered. I would love to hear from any of you who have tried it.
I must have missed the post, sorry. I haven't heard of the medication you are referring to. Just made a note to ask my PMS about it. I don't like opiates but sometimes we just have to have some relief. maybe since your doctor has that confidence you could find someone close to help monitor your meds with you. A second opinion might also be in order.
Just a mention about the caffeine, too. Migraine headaches once really plagued me, caffeine worked better than anything. The same has not been true with TN. Since I was a constant coffee drinker, it doesn't work out so well anymore. :-)
I have read that there might be some evidence that caffeine also reduces the effectiveness of meds like Tegretol, Gabapentin and the like. Personally, I can't risk it. Boy, sure do miss that coffee. :-)
Not taken Exalgo but I have taken Dilaudid. The dilaudid IV worked fine when I had to go to the ER once so they gave me Dilaudid oral. That didn't do much for me for some odd reason maybe because of how it's metabolized and we lose alot through all of the first pass effects through the liver, kidneys, etc. Most of the opiates states they can cause respiratory depression, etc. Usually class effect wording. But, be careful anyway. I still haven't found anythng that works worth a durn anyway. But I' have not tried MS Contin. What is that? Seems like I've tried everything else people have written about...did Stef get a new job? Congrats. That means you are better? I have chronic pain and it is not getting better, unfortunately, I might have to look into MVD afterall...ugh. Take care. Tinkerbell
MS Contin is an extended release Morphine. I was on 15mg. For a long time it helped but I am having such bad breakthrough pain that it wasn't touching it. Doc increased it to 30mg (you take it every 8-12 hours) Last night was a lot better night. I slept for 5 hours instead of 1-2 hours. It really helps with my TN2 type pain:throbbing, burning, feeling like my teeth are being ripped out. But I still get the shocks even on the 30 mg. Doesn't help with that, but lately it is the throbbing, non-stop, that has really been beating me up. I guess it just depends on the type of pain you are having as to whether it helps or not. I also was given dilaudid in the ER and, after a few doses it usually can settle things down. But the Exalgo is extended release and really strong. It is used for people who are opiate resistant. I just don't think I am at that point yet. Since the MS Contin 30 mg has worked, I think Exalgo would be too strong for me. If the 30 mg stops working, then maybe I will try the Exalgo.
Thanks for your help!
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Tinkerbell said:
Not taken Exalgo but I have taken Dilaudid. The dilaudid IV worked fine when I had to go to the ER once so they gave me Dilaudid oral. That didn't do much for me for some odd reason maybe because of how it's metabolized and we lose alot through all of the first pass effects through the liver, kidneys, etc. Most of the opiates states they can cause respiratory depression, etc. Usually class effect wording. But, be careful anyway. I still haven't found anythng that works worth a durn anyway. But I' have not tried MS Contin. What is that? Seems like I've tried everything else people have written about...did Stef get a new job? Congrats. That means you are better? I have chronic pain and it is not getting better, unfortunately, I might have to look into MVD afterall...ugh. Take care. Tinkerbell
How often are you having to take the Exalgo or how often is it supposed to be dosed? Twice a day? Glad you got some relief from the MS Contin. I have the teeth problem, too and it's horrid. I can relate. I use the Fentanyl/Duragesic patches 75 mcg but it only takes the edge off but the pain never stops....teeth, gums, tongue, palate, lips, chin. I think the teeth pain is the worse. Feels like each tooth has turned into a spike and is boring into my gums stimulating nerve electricity. Sounds like some Sci-Fi movie..living it! I know you can relate. Take care and if you find anything that works let me know and vice versa.. Tracy...Tinkerbell
Karen said:
MS Contin is an extended release Morphine. I was on 15mg. For a long time it helped but I am having such bad breakthrough pain that it wasn't touching it. Doc increased it to 30mg (you take it every 8-12 hours) Last night was a lot better night. I slept for 5 hours instead of 1-2 hours. It really helps with my TN2 type pain:throbbing, burning, feeling like my teeth are being ripped out. But I still get the shocks even on the 30 mg. Doesn't help with that, but lately it is the throbbing, non-stop, that has really been beating me up. I guess it just depends on the type of pain you are having as to whether it helps or not. I also was given dilaudid in the ER and, after a few doses it usually can settle things down. But the Exalgo is extended release and really strong. It is used for people who are opiate resistant. I just don't think I am at that point yet. Since the MS Contin 30 mg has worked, I think Exalgo would be too strong for me. If the 30 mg stops working, then maybe I will try the Exalgo.
Thanks for your help!
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Tinkerbell said:
Not taken Exalgo but I have taken Dilaudid. The dilaudid IV worked fine when I had to go to the ER once so they gave me Dilaudid oral. That didn't do much for me for some odd reason maybe because of how it's metabolized and we lose alot through all of the first pass effects through the liver, kidneys, etc. Most of the opiates states they can cause respiratory depression, etc. Usually class effect wording. But, be careful anyway. I still haven't found anythng that works worth a durn anyway. But I' have not tried MS Contin. What is that? Seems like I've tried everything else people have written about...did Stef get a new job? Congrats. That means you are better? I have chronic pain and it is not getting better, unfortunately, I might have to look into MVD afterall...ugh. Take care. Tinkerbell
The other night I was so bad, I couldn't talk, eat, or drink. My hubby asked me several times if there was anything he could get for me. i was lying in bed with a heat wrap over my mouth because it hurt so bad. I was thinking: I wish I could put this thing in my mouth to try to lessen the teeth pain some. then it dawned on me : hot tea! So hubby made me a cup of very hot chamomile tea. I would take a sip and kind of wooshed it around my mouth. It really helped!!! Something so simple but it did take the edge off for a little bit. Try it and let me know if it helps. It did for me.
You know I have taken hot tea, usually green tea for me, especially in the winter months because cold makes matters worse. You may have heard of this compound called Magic Mouthwash. I have to see a Hematologist/Oncologist and they have the pharmacist mix this up for me and other patients, mainly head and neck cancer and have pain in their mouth, neck, etc. It's numbs the mouth up for quite awhile and can be used several times a day. You just swish it around your mouth, swallow a tad and spit the rest out. It can give your mouth, teeth, gums, palate, tongue. Any doctor can write a prescription for it, even dentists. A company has even started making it now so it doesn't have to be compounded, just a prescription is needed for Magic Mouthwash. Thanks for reminding me about the hot tea...it's getting cooler outside, too!
Tinkerbell
Karen said:
tinkerbell,
The other night I was so bad, I couldn't talk, eat, or drink. My hubby asked me several times if there was anything he could get for me. i was lying in bed with a heat wrap over my mouth because it hurt so bad. I was thinking: I wish I could put this thing in my mouth to try to lessen the teeth pain some. then it dawned on me : hot tea! So hubby made me a cup of very hot chamomile tea. I would take a sip and kind of wooshed it around my mouth. It really helped!!! Something so simple but it did take the edge off for a little bit. Try it and let me know if it helps. It did for me.
I must have missed this one as well, so sorry for the delay.
I am taking Exalgo ER and have been for about six months. It has, by far, been the best extended release pain med I have taken.
My pain was better, my shaking had stopped, and for the first time in a long time I felt more control than ever. I still have plenty of pain and take Dilauldid and have a nerve stimulator implant, but I sure would give it a shot if you are running out of options.
Hey, I have got to get back on the green hot tea again. Sometimes it just soothes things, temporarily, when I get that freezing cold sensation in every tooth, gums and chin. It's weird. It's so cold, like dry ice, it almost feels burning. I had one of my worst days in a long time. I just about went to the ER but then I thought, they will pump me full of IV meds, and nausea meds as well as fluids, send me home and in a few hours, it wears off and I'm back to square one...I just took some Klonopin, Oxycodone for breakthrough (I'm already on Duragesic patch), a friend came over, laid in the bed with me, read some Scriptures and I fell asleep eventually. I had a better today yesterday and it's escalating back up again as I write. I guess I better go try some hot tea. Geez....Maybe I will ask my doc about the exalgo ER? Dilaudid does nothing for me unless it's IV and that's not practical. Glad the hot tea helped!!!! Maybe I should try chamomile since Peter Rabbit's mom claims it soothed him after he got into Mr. McGregor's garden...lol. Yes, I used to teach school many moons ago. Take care and let me know if anything else helps. We have to help each other out here! Thank you. Take care.
Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell said:
You know I have taken hot tea, usually green tea for me, especially in the winter months because cold makes matters worse. You may have heard of this compound called Magic Mouthwash. I have to see a Hematologist/Oncologist and they have the pharmacist mix this up for me and other patients, mainly head and neck cancer and have pain in their mouth, neck, etc. It's numbs the mouth up for quite awhile and can be used several times a day. You just swish it around your mouth, swallow a tad and spit the rest out. It can give your mouth, teeth, gums, palate, tongue. Any doctor can write a prescription for it, even dentists. A company has even started making it now so it doesn't have to be compounded, just a prescription is needed for Magic Mouthwash. Thanks for reminding me about the hot tea...it's getting cooler outside, too!
Tinkerbell
Karen said:
tinkerbell,
The other night I was so bad, I couldn't talk, eat, or drink. My hubby asked me several times if there was anything he could get for me. i was lying in bed with a heat wrap over my mouth because it hurt so bad. I was thinking: I wish I could put this thing in my mouth to try to lessen the teeth pain some. then it dawned on me : hot tea! So hubby made me a cup of very hot chamomile tea. I would take a sip and kind of wooshed it around my mouth. It really helped!!! Something so simple but it did take the edge off for a little bit. Try it and let me know if it helps. It did for me.
Were you on any other pain meds before you started Exalgo? It sounded so potent I was nervous about taking it. From what I read, it seemed like you should have at least some history taking narcotics before you take Exalgo, kind of like working up to this strong med. Does that make sense? I have been on Ms Contin 30 mg twice a day since the fall. It helped alot for a while but it seems like I am getting worse and worse for the past month. I also have a Morphine IR for breakthrough pain and I have been taking that more and more often. I hadn't thought about Exalgo for a while but because of the recent posts, it has me thinking again about maybe trying it if the Morphine continues not to be enough. I am glad it helps you. Thanks! ~Karen
MSandTN said:
I must have missed this one as well, so sorry for the delay. I am taking Exalgo ER and have been for about six months. It has, by far, been the best extended release pain med I have taken. My pain was better, my shaking had stopped, and for the first time in a long time I felt more control than ever. I still have plenty of pain and take Dilauldid and have a nerve stimulator implant, but I sure would give it a shot if you are running out of options.
Yes, I was on other pain meds before I got Exalgo. I have been on just about everything before Exalgo. Before I switched, I was on Opana ER 30mg 3 times per day plus the Dilaudid and the nerve stimulator. Opana ER worked really well for me too, but well all build up tolerances and i eventually needed to switch again.
My switch from Opana to Exalgo was quite easy. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was, which probably means they are comparable meds, just different molecules.
I hope this helps! I know how frustrating and painful it is when your are trying to find relief while trying to live your life outside of a drug haze. I hate that we have to take such strong meds, but without them I know I would not be here. I don’t think my body would have survived.