Posted by Racer on October 22, 2006, at 12:35:46
In reply to Difference between morphine and oxycontin- ed uk?, posted by kerria on October 22, 2006, at 8:58:45
I don't know enough about the mechanism of action of oxycontin to tell you for sure, but morphine acts by suppressing Substance P, which makes it very effective against dull pain, but not terribly effective for sharper pains.
Sharp pains are communicated by glutamate pathways, dull pain by glutamate and Substance P. Morphine doesn't necessarily do much for the sharper pains associated with the nerves using only glutamate. Aren't you glad to know all that? I'm sure it helps a lot with your pain, knowing something about the nerve pathways that communicate it to your brain... (Not.)
As for why the Oxycontin worked and the morphine isn't working as well, my guess is that, if you've been using Oxycontin for a while, you've become accustomed to it. Oxycontin is one of the most effective pain relievers known to modern medicine. Morphine is very effective, too, but it's not necessarily *as* effective. If you're used to using a backhoe, a shovel won't seem all that effective.
I'm sorry. The only thing I can suggest is to call for that appointment as soon as you can, and maybe ask for a partial prescription you can pick up in the meantime. Good luck, both with getting the drug and with your surgery.
poster:Racer
thread:696697
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061020/msgs/696741.html