OxyNEO is Coming - Hurray for Purdue Pharmas Shareholders

Medications don't ruin lives...people ruin their lives. There is a reason for every medication out there. Some cancer patient out there did not get adequate pain relief, so Oxycontin came about. Yes, drug companies, just like every other company out there, is in existence to make money. That's what makes the world run, but somewhere, a patient has to stand up and be responsible for their own care. Healthcare folks can't save everyone from themselves...we do what we can. If you crush and snort Oxycontin, that's your fault, not the drug company's...the company is actually trying to do something positive and deter the abuse (I would at least commend them on that).

I couldnt have said better myself I have a friend who has been struggling with cancer for a long time and thats the only thing that would help her with her pain like you said people ruin there own lives and always want someone or something to blame to those people grow up and take responsibility for your own actions.

As being part of this from the other side of the story, the big worry is that the changes to the formula means that the
new form of the medication wouldn't be as effective at relieving our pain. I have chronic pain and have been on oxycontin
for 10 years now, with only one change in dosage and only recently. I have not ever abused my medication in anyway.
Before I started my treatment I wasn't able bodied; "NOT ABLE TO Fully FUNCTION", and wasn't able to work... With the medication
I'm an UNDERGROUND MINER!! And a DAMN GOOD ONE.. But not on them, I can't get out of bed or even put on my socks.

    I'm NOT one of those welfare junkies your thinking about. I'm a HIGHLY trained, HIGHLY skilled proffesional who
takes GREAT pride in what I do, and what I represent.. As soon as I think of not being able to refill my prescription I have many fears
going through my thoughts. "I'm not only in store for a boat-load of pain", but "How am I going to support my family"!
I've been through 2 years of PHYSIO, CHIRO AND REHAB since my accident.
 
    It's ONLY because of the positive effects of the medication that I'm not on a pension or some sort of Government Support for my family.
Yes, at times it has taken some will power to avoid taking more than I should; due to the pain on days. Those days are few in between and shortly after
I try and lower my tolerance by taking fewer for a few days. If people would respect modern medicine for the blessings
it brings and just be adults and responsible for OUR actions as adults we wouldn't have these epidemic's of unrespecting and unresponsible people
taking these medications in any other way other than the way prescribed by our physicians. It's not Purdue's fault, it's the abuser's fault, and
the people who decide to give in to temptations.
 
    Now what legitamately injured and suffering people are worried about is "CAN WE STILL LIVE A RELATIVELY NORMAL LIFE ANYMORE"!
That's what those of us are worried about.. Will it be as effective, will it last as long so we can carry out our daily obligations,
"Can I still function enough to still support my family"! Will it continue to make our lives barable and allow us to be functionable, Or
will we be able to continue to try and enjoy our lives. Or will we fall back into the dark abyss of the pain that had consumed our lives and was truly destroying
us and our families.
 
    These are the questions, these are the fears that those of us who unfortunately have to deal on a daily basis with truly chronic pain
and disabilities that effect every part of our daily lives and the lives of those that we love.
 
Thank you.

Unfortunately, at this point, Medication is clearly the culprit. But don't worry, OxyNEO sounds sooooooo much cooler, and I'm sure there's going to be a a quick method of duping whatever 'safety measures' are built into this new pill. Hmmmm, OxyNEO....kinda reminds me of 'The Matrix'. That movie was cool. Maybe this 'OxyNEO' will be just as cool. Sounds like something a kid would be interested in.....don't you think? Anyone else thinking that some clever marketing has gone in to renaming this product?
  And I'm going to have to disagree with you about all of this being the fault of the people as opposed to the company. Street users are funding this company completely, and Purdue is well aware of the financial loses they'll face by having their best seller removed from the cities of Canada. Sure, cancer patients can still get the treatment they so desperately need, but what about the other 99% still looking to have a good time? I guess we'll all just have to give our money to the Mexican drug cartels for real heroin.
  All I can say is: 'Good Luck with this one Canada'. I wonder what's gonna happen when fifteen MILLION people start going into withdrawls at the end of the month? This country can barely handle the current epidemic state of Oxy victims. And we thought Vancouver losing the cup was bad. :(

Hear hear, Very Well said. I have been saying the same thing as this but people think that these druggies who abuse it should be protected but then I ask, what about the people who need the oxy for pain. Who is going to take care of them? After one year of receiving oxyneo, you then need special permission to keep on taking it and if you have an A..hole for a doctor as I do, well I may not be getting them. He already asked me what I was going to do after a year.

 You could die of cancer from the BHH that Oxyneo is made with

As being part of this from the other side of the story, the big worry is that the changes to the formula means that the
new form of the medication wouldn't be as effective at relieving our pain. I have chronic pain and have been on oxycontin
for 10 years now, with only one change in dosage and only recently. I have not ever abused my medication in anyway.
Before I started my treatment I wasn't able bodied; "NOT ABLE TO Fully FUNCTION", and wasn't able to work... With the medication
I'm an UNDERGROUND MINER!! And a DAMN GOOD ONE.. But not on them, I can't get out of bed or even put on my socks.

    I'm NOT one of those welfare junkies your thinking about. I'm a HIGHLY trained, HIGHLY skilled proffesional who
takes GREAT pride in what I do, and what I represent.. As soon as I think of not being able to refill my prescription I have many fears
going through my thoughts. "I'm not only in store for a boat-load of pain", but "How am I going to support my family"!
I've been through 2 years of PHYSIO, CHIRO AND REHAB since my accident.
 
    It's ONLY because of the positive effects of the medication that I'm not on a pension or some sort of Government Support for my family.
Yes, at times it has taken some will power to avoid taking more than I should; due to the pain on days. Those days are few in between and shortly after
I try and lower my tolerance by taking fewer for a few days. If people would respect modern medicine for the blessings
it brings and just be adults and responsible for OUR actions as adults we wouldn't have these epidemic's of unrespecting and unresponsible people
taking these medications in any other way other than the way prescribed by our physicians. It's not Purdue's fault, it's the abuser's fault, and
the people who decide to give in to temptations.
 
    Now what legitamately injured and suffering people are worried about is "CAN WE STILL LIVE A RELATIVELY NORMAL LIFE ANYMORE"!
That's what those of us are worried about.. Will it be as effective, will it last as long so we can carry out our daily obligations,
"Can I still function enough to still support my family"! Will it continue to make our lives barable and allow us to be functionable, Or
will we be able to continue to try and enjoy our lives. Or will we fall back into the dark abyss of the pain that had consumed our lives and was truly destroying
us and our families.
 
    These are the questions, these are the fears that those of us who unfortunately have to deal on a daily basis with truly chronic pain
and disabilities that effect every part of our daily lives and the lives of those that we love.
 
Thank you.

You really need to do some research about what it's like to live with chronic pain bafore you start to talk.
I have chronic pain and have been on oxycontin for 10 years now, with only one change in dosage and only recently.
I have not ever abused my medication in anyway. Before I started my treatment I wasn't able bodied;
"NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION", and not work... Would YOU rather see people laying in their beds at home on welfare or
pensions and so more people like you can go out and pay MORE taxes just for injured people like me to eat more
KRAFT DINER!! Just to satisfy your ego to say that NO-ONE is taking any of these medications... With the medication
I'm an UNDERGROUND MINER!! And a DAME GOOD ONE.. But not on them, I can't get out of bed or even put on my socks you
fu**in TARD! Now what am I gonna do to support my family asshole! I know what I'm in store for. Since your so smart,
how about you tell me how to fix my back in 2 places and my neck that have had nerves shredded to hell. Think before you
fu**in talk on here, not just here, THINK BEFORE YOU TALK period. I'm NOT one of those welfare junkies your thinking
about. I'm a HIGHLY trained, HIGHLY skilled proffesional who takes HIGH pride in what I do.. And it's ONLY because of
the Oxycontin's abilities that I can... And this is after 2 fuckin years of PHYSIO, CHIRO AND REHAB. So now what do you
have to say.

You really need to do some research about what it's like to live with chronic pain bafore you start to talk.
I have chronic pain and have been on oxycontin for 10 years now, with only one change in dosage and only recently.
I have not ever abused my medication in anyway. Before I started my treatment I wasn't able bodied;
"NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION", and not work... Would YOU rather see people laying in their beds at home on welfare or
pensions and so more people like you can go out and pay MORE taxes just for injured people like me to eat more
KRAFT DINER!! Just to satisfy your ego to say that NO-ONE is taking any of these medications... With the medication
I'm an UNDERGROUND MINER!! And a DAME GOOD ONE.. But not on them, I can't get out of bed or even put on my socks you
fu**in TARD! Now what am I gonna do to support my family asshole! I know what I'm in store for. Since your so smart,
how about you tell me how to fix my back in 2 places and my neck that have had nerves shredded to hell. Thank before you
fu**in talk on here, not just here, THINK BEFORE YOU TALK period. I'm NOT one of those welfare junkies your thinking
about. I'm a HIGHLY trained, HIGHLY skilled proffesional who takes HIGH pride in what I do.. And it's ONLY because of
the Oxycontin's abilities that I can... And this is after 2 fuckin years of PHYSIO, CHIRO AND REHAB. So now what do you
have to say.. Ignorant ASSHOLES NEED NOT POST!!! Put that in YOUR pipe and smoke it DICK!!

Woah woah woahhhh. ixnay on the profanity chum. If i was as high as that I wouldn't be cursing. I think you should start smoking pot. Pills aren't the way man. And you know what? Using pills to mask your pain just so you can go mining isn't going to do you any good. No wonder you feel like shit in the morning.....your body can't take it. I know you want to support your family, but you won't be doning them any good from a wheelchair.
  

Wow Oxyfox, you obviously don't have a clue what it is like to live with chronic pain do you. We don't feel like shit in the morning because of the drug. I myself feel crappy in the mornings because I either did not get any sleep, not enough sleep, or, if I did get enough sleep, my body cries out from being stiff and hurts like heck because it hasn't moved all night. So, please get the facts before you put down someone who needs pain meds to live a functional life.

Hmm...how about:

OxyNEO will still allow those suffering from chronic pain disability to function, to be gainfully employed, and to have a quality of life that you must be taking for granted.

OxyNEO will still allow families to have some semblance of normality, when mom or dad isn't screaming at them because of the pain, or laid up in bed because the pain won't let them act normal.

OxyNEO will still allow those suffering from terminal illnesses some semblance of dignity as they manage their pain.

OxyNEO will still allow people sustained relief from pain, instead of popping pills like "House" and suffering analgesic rebound to top it off.

So...get off your damn high horse and realize that just because something is abused by some it shouldn't be banned. How about banning alcohol, seeing the damage it *might* cause. Or ban sport cars, since people *might* race them on public roads. How about banning pro sports, since they *might* cause riots.

And so on.

Look, I'm sympathetic if one of your loved ones abused medication. Some people are wired that way. But don't you *dare* think you can now dictate the quality of life of others because of your loss.

You want to educate? Fine. Do it in an impartial way, presenting all sides of the argument. But claiming that a drug and the corporation is *evil* shows your IQ is probably the same as the temperature in Nunavut.

I love it injured. I never thought of banning alcohol just in case or sports cars, just in case. It really is basically the same thing, isn't it. Kudos to you!!

Ok, there is one very major negative on taking sustained release oxycodone. As is the nature of it, your body will become tolerant to opioids. This isn't addiction, it is tolerance. (If somebody calls it addiction, ask if a diabetic is 'addicted' to insulin. No, it's a substance that the body requires to operate at the optimum given the circumstances. That usually shuts up the nurse who hasn't specialized in pain control who equates tolerance with addiction.)

Anyways...tolerance.

Ended up in the ER needing emergency surgery. Pain was off the charts...eclipsing the chronic pain so much that for the first time since getting hurt in '94 I haven't noticed that particular pain.

But because the ER staff has to go based on their protocols, they have to start off pain control at minimal levels. And evaluate.

The evaluating...the waiting...is utter agony.

So...speak frankly with the ER docs, the surgeon, and the nurses. Speak calmly and show them you know what you're talking about...if you do this, it will be more likely that the anasthesiologist will put you on a PCA for the duration of recovery...which *will* suck big time. Hydromorphone works pretty good when you're tolerant.

Now, you don't expect emergency surgery as an ordinarily recurring event, and it won't be in your thoughts when you're going through chronic pain.

Just realize that as part of your informed decision as an educated patient...it's gonna suck *really* bad should you need to go under the knife.

The oxyneo is made with BHT a knowen carcenogen that can cause cancer

I really, truly feel for you 'Canadian Miner'. Perhaps you should direct your concern to the actual company and voice your opinions in that direction. Because, right now, THEY are the ones, along with the government (of course) who are calling you a junkie. Based on the current abuse of Oxycontin, they've lumped us all into the same 'junkie' category, and they don't give a crap how you take your pills, as long as you keep taking them. I can hear their cash registers in the back of my mind.....kaching.....kaching....ka-ching. My worry is that people who are addicted and have the product removed may just turn to something more easily accessible like herion or cocaine. Because of the current lack in treatment availability, people will either die in withdrawl or get hooked on something else. So, when the doctor tells you that they're taking your pills away, just tell them that you're considering smoking crack as an alternative. :)

I have not got the new pill yet. I am scared that it will leave me in withdrawal. I was hit by a minivan while crossing the street 4 years ago. I spent 1 month in the hospital because I severed the nerve in my right leg. It was extremely painful. I have been on pain killers ever since. Even with the medication I still suffer because my Family Doctor refuses to increase my already high dose to a dose that I could excerssize on. I get looked at like a drug addict. I don't what to do. If any one knows what I can do to illeviate my Doctors suspicioons e-mail me @ delia_mad420@hotmail.com Thank you

I can understand about the worry of the new 'oxyneo' not working as effeciantly. For if it is harder to crush, or can't crush them anylonger, what about the body being able to break down the pill in the stomach? I understand that the medical ingredent is still the hydrocodon, the medical ingredent which relives the pain. My friend has been changed onto the new oxyneo from the older version of oxycotin, and she is suffering withdrawals, and when she went to the bathroom, noticed that the pill didn't even break down, and there it was looking back up at her from her stool in the toliet. I know thats a little gross, but now she is suffering all over again. I'm a little nervous to say the least, for I'm going to be on them in a few days. I am not looking forward to the pain, and being bedriden again. Say what ever, but the oxycotin gave me a life back. My quality of life before the medication was being in bed, people having to help me dress, and do my household chorse. It has been nice having my life back, but will the new drug help me? I know it's not helping my friend any. Hopefully my stomach acids are stonger than hers.

My pill bottle says drink plenty of water and the pharmacist told me to drink a full glass of water when I take it.

I was changed over to oxyneo almost 2 weeks ago. No withdrawals but I do find that it doesn't help quite as much or last quite as long. But, it could be that because I have new problems and would probably need more. I will not do that. No, not because I am afraid of overdosing. But because I did try pot once to help the pain and although it did help, the way it made me feel made me vow I would never touch the stuff again. I absolutely hate feeling high so no worries about me overdosing. As said before by others, the ones in pain will be the ones to suffer because we can't take something else. The druggies can go to heroin or other things to get high.

Am curious to know something. According to what I read, it is only the people who get the oxy paid for by the government who will be changed to the oxyneo and then only for a year. After that they need special permission. Is it true that if you have the money (those not on welfare and disability) you will still get the original oxycontin? If so, we go back again to the rich not being affected, just the poor.

OxyContin is being discontinued by Perdue Pharma...they're not going to make it anymore, period. There is a time frame where stocks will still be available to pharmacies, but when stock of OxyContin runs out, that's it, no more.

Then again, that's what I was told by their "contact us" people over the phone. They won't respond to emails, claiming confidentiality, but I suspect their legal department wants to hold greater control over disseminated 'printed' information. Phone calls can always be claimed to have been misinterpreted...even when taped. Oh well.

Worker's Comp cases will be determined on a case by case basis, and only if the equivalent is less than 200mg morphine. OxyNeo or OxyContin is 1.5 multiplier to the morphine baseline: if you take 10mg of Oxy, it is equivalent to 15mg of morphine. (I don't want to get into the particulars of molecular chemistry...this is the calculation in the benefit guidelines.) (In Ontario, anyways...)

So, if you take 130mg of Oxy a day, regardless of the combination, you *should* be covered since it's less than the 200mg of morphine threshold set out.

But, guidelines are just guidelines...each case can be considererd on individual merits and quality of life calculations determined by neuropsychological assessments. So there can be instances where if higher doses are what you require, and the docs will back it up, you will receive what you require.

You'll have to go back annually to your doctors to confirm you still require the meds...and if the quality of life isn't improved, it might not be covered as a benefit.

As an aside...I've been on Neo for two weeks now, switching over after being prescribed Contin in 1998. Same dose as Contin, 30mg TID. Same absorbption ratio - you feel more in the first 6 hours than the next six, hence taking it three times a day as opposed to twice a day. Same pain relief. No side effects. Still fits in the discreet pill box...but you can't be discreet taking it. After over a dozen years on Contin I perfected the 'dry' swallow...not with Neo. I think a key ingredient they added was glue and sandpaper... <sarcasm>

This isn't sarcasm though...the initial conversations I've had with the medical community regarding this switchover is this: abusers say they 'prefer' Contin and don't prefer Neo...but they are *still* abusing Neo.

Meanwhile, patients such as myself have to schedule appointment, juggle work, get stressed over paperwork and the worry benefits may not be approved the first time, that they'd have to appeal, etc.

Times like this makes me wonder why I decided to serve my country, become injured on duty and become permanently disabled...and now have to further suffer because of the actions of others who aren't using the medication as directed.

Don't have preconceptions: go into it with an open mind. If it works the same, great, if not, ask your doctor to tritate your dosage so that you achieve a better quality of life.

Look into a specialist who has trained as an anaesthesiologist. My family MD is a general practitioner...I go to specialists when it's called for, and chronic pain is definately calls for it.

For pain relief, ask your doctor to change the manner in which you take it to TID instead of the majority who take it BID. Studies have shown that the most effective period is within the first six hours; if you take it every eight hours instead of twelve, it may prove to control the pain better.

You may also ask for something for breakthrough pain. Sadly, there are times in the day when the Oxy doesn't manage the pain...and that's when breakthrough meds...Tylenol #3...provide that boost to the pain management that allows one to get through the day. Depending on the type of pain, maybe you won't need another opiod; if it's muscular, perhaps ASA or Advil will do the trick. That's why you need a specialist...

I get my oxyneo from my family doctor but I also see a pain specialist who haappens to be an anaesthesiologist weekly for trigger point injections among other types of injections. Without these weekly injections I would not be able to live a normal life. He takes care of the pain the the oxyneo does not. Even the oxycontin did not take care of all of the pain. So, I am pretty much covered. BUT the oxyneo does not help as much as the oxycontin did. It takes longer to kick in and does not last as long. I took one the other morning and after I popped it into my mouth, I realized that I had no water so off to the kitchen to get some. By the time I had it, the coating of the pill started to dissolve and yuck yuck yuck it was slimy and gross and it upset my stomach. So, as a lot of people have said, they are protecting the abusers and the ones in pain have to suffer because of all this. WTG government. I am sure there must have been another way of handling this. I read somewhere that most of the deaths occured not by druggies but from people who did not have the patience to wait for it to kick in and took too many.