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Oxycontin 20 mg is the equivalent of 4 percocet in 12 hrs. since you'll be on it for a sustained period, the pain receptors will down regulate somewhat (become less active) which is good and bad....good, it takes longer to "need" the med to prevent 'withdrawal', bad in that it then takes more drug to give an equivalent analgesic effect....tolerance is the term for this.
As long as you have something for 'breakthrough' pain at your disposal (oxycodone or percocet or the like), it shouldn't be a problem to be off the oxycontin for several days or forever, as long as you are titrating some other med.
Withdrawal occurs after the receptors all up regulate and are no longer stimulated enough to maintain the 'status quo' of their previous condition....and alot of other physiologic things that happen that are beyond this discussion.
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'Revel in action, translate perceptions into instant judgements, and these into actions that are irrevocable, monumentous and dreadful - all this with lightning speed, in conditions of great stress and in an environment of high tension:what is expected of "us" is the impossible, yet we deliver just that.
(adapted from: Sherwin B. Nuland, MD, surgeon and author: The Wisdom of the Body, 1997 )
Education is the anti-ignorance we all need to better treat our patients. ss, 2008.
The blade is so sharp that the incision is perfect. They don't realize they've been cut until they're out of the fight: A Surgeon Warrior. I use a knife to defend life and to save it. ss (aka traumadoc)
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