"i began taking pain meds on a 12 hr basis with prn oxycodone for breakthrough pain in 1996. we started with oxycontin er, which has actually been the most effective, although very shortly we discovered i am a rapid metabolizer and it had to be increased to every 8 hrs. then that doc retired. the new one refused to give it to her pts, so i went thru a different pain med about every 3yrs....until i hit the jackpot w opana! it took minor juggling the 1st 3 months, but for 5yrs i have taken it or the generic &amp; had no side effects &amp; haven&#039;t needed a dose increase!
as a retired rn, phd, i will suggest you ask your doc  do genetic screening focusing on one&#039;s body&#039;s ability to take specific drugs successfully. "