Nucynta personal review

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Secrets1983

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Hey D,

Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know!!! Really, what a guy you are!

I hope that things get better for you soon pain wise because living in pain really is miserable.

Thinking of you buddy!
 
This is personal opinion only

As many of you know, I began taking (on a limited basis) a new pain medication called Nucynta, which was release in June 2009. Well, the jury is still out on it for a variety of reasons. 1) I started taking it after my epidural, so my pain level has not been as high as it was previously. 2) I have only been taking it at night and only when I need it for pain, as opposed to on a continuous basis.

Some concerns that I have had even with my limited use are it does not appear to completely stop the pain even though my pain levels are significantly lower because of the epidural. It reduces the pain, but does not eliminate all of it. Also, I have noticed a dramatic increase in visual migraines the day or two after taking it and a headache in the morning. Although the first time I took it I felt a little drowsy, I have not noticed any significant drowsiness since. I definitely will not fall asleep after taking it and most nights I end up all night long unable to fall asleep.

So, that is my initial impression of the drug, but I will have to take it much longer and probably at therapeutic levels to really evaluate it properly. I don't know if I will ever get to that level unless the epidurals stop working.

Everyone's body reacts differently to drugs, so other people's result may be dramatically different than mine. I saw one post where someone went directly from Percocets to Nucynta w/o any ill effects and no withdrawals. I would still like to find someone who has stopped taking Nucynta and see how their withdrawals were compared to other opiate based drugs.

So there is my unscientific, opinion of the drug.
 
A little update on the Nucynta. This evening I was in more pain than usual, so I took a pill help relieve it. I haven't had to take any in a few days. An hour and a half later I took another one, because the first did not do hardly anything at all for the pain. Three hours later, I'm drowsy enough that I wouldn't drive, plus I am still in pain. :-( I'll be definitely be looking forward to the epidural a week from now. I'll talk to the doctor about my experience with the drug and see if he wants to make any changes.

If you end up taking Nucynta in the future, make sure you buy lots of gum. One of the side effects is dry mouth and I can attest to it first hand.
 
D, thanks for taking the time to do this. I did read some comments on another pain management board that Nucynta had caused headaches in some. Other than that, it seems everyone's experience was like yours -- it was just "OK" for pain management. As for the claim that it's not addicting or doesn't cause withdrawals, I would remain skeptical. Apparently that's how OxyContin started out (doctors claiming it wasn't as addicting)....there have been numerous class-action lawsuits by patients who said they weren't informed of the risks. I guess I'm just darn gun-shy about everything, having gone through (and still going through) this experience.

Glad you're feeling better!
 
Ughhh, dry mouth -- I hate that! So many of the anti-depressants cause that, but a pain med? I'll tell ya, I know dry mouth promotes tooth decay, and I have spent too darn much on dental work to have it all go down the drain for a pain med! ;-)

So -- jury's still out on the Nucynta, but it doesn't sound like you'd be asking for it again, huh? Hope your pain subsides long enough to get that next epidural.
 
I still recall a conference with a doctor before I started on this board. Even then I was taking the Percs on an as-needed-for-pain basis and the doctor told me, "Take them as prescribed. What are you afraid of that you'll get addicted to them?" Well, in hinRABight... "Ahhh... YES!"

I agree with you that I am skeptical about the addiction claims and the withdrawal claims. I don't plan on finding out about either first hand!!
 
Hey Denon

Just in case I have never told you this: I think you are a great guy.

You have shared so many things that have helped so many. Sharing your pain and suffering in withdrawal and a report on a new drug probably weren't the top things on your list of "What I foresee in my life," but you sure have taken a great approach to some painful issues. Thanks for the inspiration you give and the care you show. I am gald we have met.

Hugs
reach
 
Additional opinion...

After last night's pain episode and my attempt to relieve it, I have come to the conclusion that I believe this drug could end up being abused more easily than Percocets. For me, Percocets never gave me an euphoric feeling. These do.
 
hi d,

i do remeraber i used to get that feeling for the first month on ultram, but hen it went away after the 4 week, i wont lie i really liked that part but its for the best that it did not last long. the pain is so frustrating i know. you are so in touch with the red flags yu get with these drugs, i'm so impressed and motivated!

i hope you have family close by to help keep your mind off the pain.

take care!
 
hi D,
sorry your not sleeping great, if its any help i know how that is. your approach to try a new med is a great lesson for me. gather information, staying close to support, and keeping your doctor informed.
thanks!
 
LAST UPDATE...

I'm off of the Nucynta and back on the Perc's. Nucynta just never did relieve the pain and gave me unbelievable headaches. So, the Pain Mgt doc took me off of them and put me back on the Percs for pain. I'll still only take them as needed as opposed to 24/7 like the last time.

Pain has been bad the last few days and I'm spending today in bed. I probably need to spend the next week in bed to allow the nerve bundle time to relax and recover. Pain Doc was OK with me not having the epidurals anymore since they don't seem to help and told me what I already knew... Pain for life - get used to it.

So, in my opinion, Nucynta just didn't make the grade. Didn't stop all of the pain, gave me headaches, made me drowsy, but I never used them enough to find out if there were no withdrawals like they claimed. Your use of the drug may vary and your opinion may be different. Talk to your doctor about it.
 
Oh man, sorry to hear that (pain for life). Yeah, I got to the point where the epidurals didn't help either, and the pain of the needle being stuck in my lurabar spine (or maybe it was the medicine being injected) was excruciating. I hope your pain settles down to a more manageable level soon.
 
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