Fields to large for php3

I have an application that stores large text fields in MS SQL SVR and when they are entered on-line everything works fine. The problem begins when I try to retrieve them from the database and populate a field on the php3 on-line form. The query will only return the first 4096 byte of the information in the data base field. I have been told there is a work around, but don't know where to find it. Splitting the field up in to smaller chunks is not an option. Can anyone help me with this problem. Thanks PaulL