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Luvs2Tan
03-26-2005, 01:20 AM
Hello everyone, I have been reading the boards for some time now, and I am quite impressed with everyone's knowledge, especially Shoreline. Anyway, I am new to the boards. A little of my history......I am a 25 y/o single female with stage 3 meatastatic ovarian cancer, resulting in hysterectomy. My PM doctor is WONDERFUL, and he prescribes breakthru meds (BLESS HIM!!!) Well, we decided that I needed a base med-I tried the patch, then swtiched to avinza, then ms contin, then oxycontin, and now I am only on methadone which is working so well. Anyway, I was having a lot of B/T pain so my doctor prescribed me ACTIQ. I started on the 200mcg, then 400mccg, then the 600mcg and now am on 800mcg. My PM doctor said that if that does not help we could always up the dosage. So far it is working very well at this dose. He also made it very clear he wants me on parental meds? What does that mean? I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about ACTIQ, and about parental medications? By the way, my pharmacist (BLESS HIM!!) ordered me the ACTIQ welcome kit, and I have visited the website as well, but would appreciate any feedback positive or negative. I apologize in advance if I do not post more often, my mobility is quite limited. Thank You for your time and I hope and pray everyone is pain free! Luvs2Tan

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SheSparkles
03-26-2005, 05:05 AM
[QUOTE=Luvs2Tan] I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about ACTIQ, and about parental medications?

Hi Luvs,
SO very sorry about your diagnosis but you hang in there. I will be happy to add more later to this but for now I think your Dr. meant he wants to take advantage of PARENTERAL meds...meaning meds administered via means other than the GI tract i.e. IV meds, subq, im, etc. etc. I will try and get back
soon and I am really happy you have a very compassionate Dr.
SS

Luvs2Tan
03-26-2005, 03:23 PM
THANK YOU SheSparkles (Cute Name), I appreciate your KIND post, you are very sweet. I was told my doctor wants me to have surgery to insert a port? He said this was easier, than poking or proding me each time and in actually, maybe it would be easier. After surgery, he wants to discuss parental medications. Thank you SS for answering my questions. Any other input would be appreciated (I am eager to find out as much as I can) I'm sorry to vent..........ohh, sometimes it just gets so hard. Thank You all for listening and I hope and pray you are all pain-free!!
hugs,
Luvs2Tan

surgicaldisaster
03-26-2005, 04:07 PM
Hey LUV2, welcome!! :wave: I too am sorry for what you are going through...though I have not been there myself, my son was. He did have a port put in and it was WONDERFUL!!! It really is a godsend. Then all you have to do is put a little emla cream on it, which numbs the skin, and everything they need to do whether it be taking blood, giving chemo or pain meds etc, can all be done via the port and you don't even feel them accessing it because of the Emla cream. I highly suggest it...it made it so much easier on my son...by the way he is 6 years off chemo and cancer free! You will beat this...I can hear it in you posts. ANY questions you have for me(if you want) I would be happy to answer...I learned sooooo much since he was only 2 1/2 at the time, I had to make most all the decisions...especially since my then Dear hubby bagged me during my sons chemo...another story for sure! Please post back and let us know how you are and if we can help...there is a great group of people on this board, with tons of knowlegdge in all areas, and best of all here to lean on when you need or want to. :D Anyway..."talk" with ya soon I hope....and again, welcome! Love, Surgical Disaster :) :angel:

SheSparkles
03-26-2005, 04:15 PM
[QUOTE=Luvs2Tan]Anyway, I was having a lot of B/T pain so my doctor prescribed me ACTIQ. I started on the 200mcg, then 400mccg, then the 600mcg and now am on 800mcg. My PM doctor said that if that does not help we could always up the dosage. So far it is working very well at this dose. I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about ACTIQ, and about parental medications? <

Hi again Luvs,
Ok, so you are on Actiq. You are aware that, for all intents and purposes, this is a medication prescribed only for cancer pts. Few exceptions but, basically that is the directive on the prescription box. My one concern is that you seem to have gone up rapidly on the strength used. You are at 800mcg and I think there is only one higher strength pop, 1200mcg. So what happens if your pain gets worse and worse? I would speak to the Dr. about possibly upping yr base med..methadone and saving the Actiq for the very worst pain. 'Cause after you have exhausted the strength of the Actiq, I believe it's on to injectables. What is your take on this?

Did you say yr cancer has metastasized? That may be why the Dr. says use what you need and we will go from there. A port will def. save lots of needle poking, yes. I think he wants you to understand that he will use anything needed for pain control and that is wonderful...just the way it should be.
Please do let us know how you are, not only physically but spiritually and emotionally. And remember...God sees every tear and wants to be part of your life and your healing; whatever form it takes. I will be honored to ask for peace and mercy for you and your family. It is truly amazing what happens when prayer is part of the treatment!
Love,
Sparkles

surgicaldisaster
03-26-2005, 04:30 PM
Hey Sparkles...I'm right there with ya on the emotional and spiritual aspect of all of this. Having gone through this with my little boy, it sure helped me. I too would be honored to help in any way possible. Talk with ya all soon...Love, Surg

Luvs2Tan
03-26-2005, 04:39 PM
Thank You all so much. You all are very kind. Surgical Disaster, Thank You for your kind words. I'm sure we will be chatting a lot and you too, SS. Unfortunately, my cancer has metasticized to my liver and a few spots on my lungs. SS, you are too cute. I'm not 100% on this, but I think the actiq goes up to 1600mcg, but again not sure. I don't use it every day, and we moved my dosage up over a period of a few months. However, I only take it if I feel its an emergency. I do appreciate your concern SS, and everyone else's as well. I may take your advice, and up my base med. Thank the Lord above I have a KIND doctor!! Well, as for how I am doing, I am hangin in there. Everyone is SO KIND HERE. I am nervous about the port surgery, but I understand its necessity. I will try to let everyone know how I am doing, again my mobility is limited, so I hope you understand. Its strictly from the bathroom to the bed. (LOL). I never realized how nice it is to have a TV in my room!! Well I am going to lie down for a while, so I will try and post more later. I hope and pray everyone is pain free. hugs,
Luvs2Tan

SheSparkles
03-26-2005, 08:33 PM
[QUOTE=surgicaldisaster]Hey Sparkles...I'm right there with ya on the emotional and spiritual aspect of all of this.

I know you are...if anyone can empathize with Luvs it is you. How is your son? And how are you? I also appreciate your response to this young lady who is doing remarkably well it seems, from her writing. We must help when and where we can and this Easter season I know that many of us will be asking for a miracle to occur in Luv's life; not only asking but expecting it to happen...that is how God does things!
In His Grace,
SS

surgicaldisaster
03-27-2005, 04:07 PM
Hey SS , you are so right....God can work miracles and I am a firm believer that he did just that with my son...he is a survivor....6 years cancer free after his year of intense chemo. We are doing pretty well...it is always in the back of our minds, but I truly believe he will be o.k. Thank you for caring and asking, yes it was a rough time...I had a three month old daughter when he was diagnosed and then to get the boot from my now ex-husband at the time when my son was going through chemo seemed almost too much to handle. But, I believe my faith helped in so many ways.

Luvs2, I am here, like I said, anytime....if you can't post much, please DO NOT worry, I understand. You are so positive in your outlook, and i feel like we have made an instant connection, which is wonderful. ANY questions you have at all or if you just need a shoulder...please let me know...I want to help. I am thankful for you that your Dr. is caring and compassionate...it is as it should be. If you are not getting the relief you need...speak up... you are your own advocate. With my son, the Dr. had given us tylenol with codeine, and it did NOTHING. He was screaming in pain, so I DEMANDED better pain control and got it. We had to take percocet, cut the pill in half and smash it and put it in his juice sippy cup. It worked wonders for him. I'm not sure the Dr. really believed how bad his pain was(I think he thought I might have been an over protective, over reading mother)until one time he had one of his "fits" due to pain while he was receiving his chemo. I carried my son flailing and screaming from the chemo room to the other office with tears streaming down my face and he took one look and said oh my God. Thankfully they injected morphine into his port and broke the cycle of pain for my little boy who could not speak for himself as he was only a little over 2 at the time. The Dr. never ever again questioned his need for stronger meds. He realized I knew what I was talking about. So, sorry to ramble, but I guess my point is only you know how bad it is, and do not be afraid to tell them that k? Looking forward to chatting with you and seeing you recover fully ;) . Then we will have a cyber party! :bouncing: So, SS and Luvs2....we will all talk soon my friends! Love to you both and pain free days...your friend, Surg

SheSparkles
03-27-2005, 04:40 PM
[QUOTE=surgicaldisaster]I had a three month old daughter when he was diagnosed and then to get the boot from my now ex-husband at the time

when my son was going through chemo seemed almost too much to handle.
Thankfully they injected morphine into his port and broke the cycle of pain for my little boy who could not speak for himself as he was only a little over 2 at the time. The Dr. never ever again questioned his need for stronger meds. He realized I knew what I was talking about. <

My goodness Surg, I had no idea the timing of your crises.......what some of us (you so much more than me) are put through. It is difficult to put into words the feeling I got regarding your ex-husb. I hope he had his reasons for doing what he did when he did it. Your children are blessed to have you in their lives and I truly hope you are able to continue feeling pain free or at least less. I have to admit..there are many days I think of what I would do if I were tossed back into the fire of no meds. So I must trust Him and take my life just this day today.
Living the joy of the Resurrection today,
SS

surgicaldisaster
03-28-2005, 09:42 AM
SS, yeah the timing was really not too good, and unfortunately his reasons wren't either...he had something going on if ya know what i mean ;) . Though he will deny it to his grave, she fessed years later and i have never bothered to tell him what i know because there is no point. I am happier now and remarried to a wonderful caring and supportive man, so why look back i guess. He claimed so many things were wrong with the marriage, but certainly never bothered to tell me his feelings until the I don't love you anymore came out. Funny, in the long run after a year of marriage counseling(though he was still carrying on the whole time...), I asked for the divorce. I could not and would not live like that anymore, especially since just 3 mos. into the marriage he had also said he had met someone he might be in love with, but might have to date her to find out...WHAT? I should have run then, but I guess i thought things would work out...and they did for a long time, but then how many times can one go through that. I doubted everything about myself...but realized nothing i could do would change things...the trust would never come back and without that...forget it! I never let myself "go"...I'm thin with long blonde hair and have been told quite attractive, but he made me feel like a dog. Anyway, as i said, what's done is done, and i am better off for it. Hope you are doing well, and you too Luvs2!! Talk to you both soon! love, Surg :wave: :angel:

trowftd3
03-28-2005, 11:10 AM
I'm happy things turned out for you and your kids.
Also happy that you're still hanging out 'round here!
Sorry to here about the battle you fought with your son(against cancer--not fighting with your son). Am I making sense? No coffee yet!lol
I can't imagine the pain if one of my kids were that sick.
You've had enough struggles in your life and now cp too.
It's always something.
Take care, Mush

Luvs2Tan
03-28-2005, 07:40 PM
Hello everyone, Surgical Disaster, you are so kind as well as everyone else here. I'm sorry I don't post much, my strengh and mobility is not what it was a few months ago. LOL. SD, I was in tears when I read what your son went through.....oh I am so sorry. However, I am so glad to hear he is cancer-free.
Thay say,"what doesn't kill us make us stronger or eventually go insane". LOL. Anyway, SS, and SD (Surgical and SheSparkles) Thank you for being there for me. I know that there are people much worse off than me. Well, I go in tomorrow to see my oncologist and to receive more chemo. I must say through all of this, I have lost so much weight, LOL. I 'm lucky if I can keep saltine crackers down the hatch. LOL. Thank You for your kind words of encouragement. I will try to post more tomorrow if I am up to it. Again, Thank you everyone. I hope and pray everyone is pain-free.

Hugs,
Luvs2Tan

SheSparkles
03-28-2005, 09:29 PM
[QUOTE=Luvs2Tan] I know that there are people much worse off than me. <

I guess there are always people worse off than us but it never hurts to soak up sweet wishes from one like Surg. (and me too). It's really good medicine!


>Well, I go in tomorrow to see my oncologist and to receive more chemo. I must say through all of this, I have lost so much weight<

OMG this should be an illegal statement. I have to sit down. :)

Please do let us know how things go tomorrow as I know at least 2 of us will be very curious and hopeful that things are better every day. (prob. many many more)
With you in spirit,
Sparkles

surgicaldisaster
03-29-2005, 06:23 PM
Hi there!! :wave: Mush, thank you for your kind words..and yes, I have been able to get back on the boards more, and it feels good...hope you are doing well too, or as best as can be!!.

Luvs2....I will be praying for you to have strength through your course of chemo..do you know what chemo drugs you will be recieving? I am familiar with many of them! You are so sweet to care about me and what i went through when you are going through so much yourself.....you seem like the nicest person in the world. You will beat this and we will be there to help and support you. Post when you can...we know it's not easy...do NOT push yourself...if we don't hear from you for a bit, we will know you just can't and that is totally O.K..!!!!

SS, you have been so supportive of me and everyone else here...you too are the best! I know we will chat a lot! Hugs and best wishes to ya, your friend, Surg :wave: :angel:

Luvs2Tan
03-31-2005, 07:12 PM
Hello Everyone. I'm sorry I have not posted in a few days, the chemotherapy really knocks me out. At least when I am getting chemotherapy, the nurses give me popsickles. SD-the drugs I am taking for chemo are paclitaxel (Taxol) and cisplatin (Platinol), however, it seems these are not working because my cancer has spread, so my oncologist wants to start some new drugs called Hexalen and Hycamtin. I just hope and pray this works, I'm sure it will!! I am scheduled for port surgery at the end of next week. I'll try to post when I can. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words. I hope and pray everyone is pain-free. God Bless. SD, SS and everyone else you are in my prayers.


Luvs2Tan

SheSparkles
03-31-2005, 09:37 PM
Hi sweetie,
I hate to think of you undergoing all this toxicity but we do what we gotta do. How are you feeling these days? Do you get sick from the chemo? I hope and pray you have a superb oncology team in place...and I hope a new poster named Cajun Boy reads this...he has a line to the Lord, too. I trust that the God who loves you more than anyone in this whole world is watching over you and has His hand on the Drs. and nurses involved in your care as well as your family. Stay in touch and remember we do not forget you....it is a privilege to pray for your comfort and peace of heart and mind.
Love,
Sparkles

StMishl
03-31-2005, 11:52 PM
Luvs,
I hope you can enjoy your popscicles (any little thing that brings you happiness :angel: ), know you are surrounded my your internet friends who are thinking of you.

-Michelle

surgicaldisaster
04-01-2005, 09:59 AM
Hi Luvs2, I am sorry to hear it's taking its toll on you(the chemo), but in the end it will be worth it when you beat this!! I too will be praying for you....and remember we are always here for you. The port surgery (at least for my son) was not too bad, and it will make a world of difference. I am sure your Dr.'s will find the right combo of drugs that will do the trick....they have come such a long way it's truly amazing. Anyway....we will chat soon and as I said i will be praying for you and thinking of you lots....Love, your friend, Surg :wave: :angel:

Luvs2Tan
04-01-2005, 08:44 PM
Hello everyone!! SS, SD, and Michelle and everyone else....I am in tears (it's a good thing) and so moved by your kind thoughts and prayers. All of you, are so kind and compassionate. I just wanted to say Thank You. Well, my dad went wig shopping for me later today. Actually, I pre-ordered a wig-I thought I'd go light blonde for the summer. It actually doesn't look half-bad. I will try to post more later this weekend, when and if, my strength comes back. I've had a good day today and all of your kind thoughts are very much appreciated. I hope and pray everyone is pain-free. I am praying for all of you. God Bless.

hugs,
Luvs2Tan

surgicaldisaster
04-02-2005, 04:17 PM
Hi Luvs2!!! :wave: Glad to hear you like the wig, and I think blonde sounds great....I happen to be one with a little help of course. ;) They make them look so realistic it's wonderful....it certainly helps make ya feel better I'm sure. You are so sweet to wish us pain free moments when you are going through so much on your own, you really are a sweetheart. I am praying for you often and just know He will watch over you as you go successfully through your treatments. As always I am here for you....if you don't mind my asking what area do you live in? i am in N.J. and the weather is AWFUL this weekend. i hope it's better where you are, it kinda makes everything seem better when the weather is good. Do you have any pets, hobbies, etc? I have 2 cats, one who is scared of his own shadow(but a cuddlebunnie none the less!) and one who is scared of nothing(also a cuddlebunnie!!), and they are so fun to watch. I love to lay in the sun by a pool or by the ocean....it is so relaxing to me listening to the sound of waves crashing on the beach and the seagulls going after fish. I also like anything outdoors come to think of it...though i cannot do the things i used to, i just love being outside. Anyway, enough boring you....lol ;) , I will look forward to your post when you are up to it...Love your friend, Surg :angel:

Luvs2Tan
04-03-2005, 06:11 PM
Hi SD, and everyone. I hope everyone is pain-free. SD-I too am in NJ, West Milford. So glad to hear about your adorable animals. I have too have animals- a persian cat who loves to eat, I call him the eating machine. LOL. (I took over his care when my dear sister passed away a little over a year ago). I also have a baby chinchilla. He's so cute. He has buck teeth, its so darn cute, and I also have an older cat, he's 18 years old, and an older ferret. I know, a lot of animals, but they are my children in a sense. My hobbies were tanning...I really love to just lay out, but I haven't been able to go suntanning because of my limited mobility and strength. I also love reading and I try to write daily in a journal. SD and everyone, you really put a smile on my face everyday. Well, I think I will take a nap right now and I will try to post when I can. I hope and pray everyone is pain-free. All of you are in my prayers.

Hugs,
Luvs2Tan

trowftd3
04-04-2005, 04:59 AM
I know I haven't been in on this thread but I just wanted you to know that I have been thinking positive thoughts for you too.
Hang in there. I hope things start looking up and you start feeing better soon.

I know what you mean about the sun....I'm heading to AZ in the morning and can't wait to be warm all the way to my bones!!! I'm not crazy about tanning but I love to be out in the sun. It does wonders for the attitude. I'm also curious to see how it affects my lung.

Take care. Praying for a day with less pain for all!~Mush

surgicaldisaster
04-07-2005, 07:13 PM
Hey Luvs2!! :wave: Just wanted to drop a note to let you know i am thinking of you and wanted to see how you are doing. I am so sorry to hear you lost your sister last year. If you don't mind my asking, what happened? If you'd rather not get into it, please do not feel you have to as I know that is a very personal question. It sounds like you have some great animals to keep you company...aren't they great? They can be so entertaining and loving as well as comforting. I also have 2 children that keep me quite busy...a 9 yr old and an 11 yr old. I don't live to terribly far from you...which hospital do you go to for your treatment (again if you don't mind my asking), as i know most of them! Anyway, hope you are doing as best as can be, and pain free as possible :) . If you need any suggestions on getting through the chemo, I'd be happy to offer suggestions just based on what I was able to do for my son. I am not claiming to be an expert by any means!! Just might be able to think of some things that might help. Well, I'll chat with ya when you are up to it...Love, your friend, Surg :wave: :angel:

Luvs2Tan
04-07-2005, 08:14 PM
Hello everyone. I hope everyone is pain-free today. SD, my sister Lynnley, is my best friend and was the most kindest, warm-hearted person in the world. She passed away a little over a year ago, (still a very sore subject) from a massaive pulmonary embolism. She was only 24 years old. She had multiple things wrong with her, and too many to list. I know she is in heaven, looking down on me and my dad. I try very hard to fool myself in thinking she is on a long trip, and in a way she is.......but I know the truth deep inside. May the Lord rest her soul, my poor sister. Oh.... I'm sorry...I just... miss her so much. SD, I go for chemotherapy at Chilton Memorial Hospital. My gyno-oncologist is affiliated with that hospital. Well, its been a long day. I have my port surgery on Monday morning...a little nervous, but I do understand its necessity. I will try to let everyone know how it goes, but for now my oncologist wants me to rest, and I agree. SD and everyone thank you again for your kind words and thoughts. You all are in my prayers. I won't be posting for a few days, again I need the rest, so I hope you all understand. God-Bless.

P.S.-SD thanks for being there for me, its amazing what you did for your son, and you truly are an amazing person, and I look up to you. I also may need you to answer some of my cancer ?'s in the future, if you don't mind. I hope and pray everyone is pain-free. Hugs,
Luvs2Tan

surgicaldisaster
04-08-2005, 05:28 PM
Hi Luvs2! I am so sorry about your dear sister...I can't even imagine the pain you have and are enduring. I believe, as you do that your sister is looking over you from heaven and is with the good Lord. I will pray that each day will help ease the pain of your loss. Chilton is soooo close to where I live, maybe 20 minutes at most. I would be honored to help you with any questions you have at ALL that I might be able to help with. I also know some nurses at Chilton, so if that might help...I'd be happy to do anything I can for you. Anyway, I'm sorry I have to run, and please do rest!! It is the best thing for your body....I will chat with ya when you are up to it...Love, your friend, Surg :wave: :angel:

Seashore
04-10-2005, 12:05 AM
Hi! I'm new too. I just wrote to someone and put it on as a quote, instead of a reply. I guess I'll figure it out. I saw what Sparkle answered about parental meds. But maybe your doctor did say parental meds--i would think that would be the "parent" med as in your methadone--the main, mother med--and Actiq as your breakthrough-only med. I only say this because I take methadone and have recently been put on Actiq for breakthru, like you.

I'm on 40 mg of methadone a day, usually only take 30, with breakthru I take maybe 800mg or 1200 of Actiq, but when I don't have that or need it, it does not bother me at all; and I go thru no form of "withdrawal," as I'm sure I would without the methadone.
My sister only takes Actiq, but it is supposed to be a breakthru med and not her only, or main, pain med. (She's in the DC area and needs to set up with a pain clinic, now she's just getting med s from the rheumatologist.)

Anyway, I could be wrong on the "parental" thing and am interested to see what your doctor says when he clarifies it! It's nice to be along with another new person. : ) Talk to you again, Seashore

catman1313
12-08-2005, 11:54 PM
I'm sorry to hear about what you are going though. I have not been on the boards for sometime and am trying to catch up. Here are some of the meds I take. Actiq 800mcg {3x Daily}
Methadone 10mg {3 Tablets 3-4 x Daily}
Oxycodone 30mg {3-4x Daily}
Prozac {2x Daily} As you see I take Actiq up to 3 times a day. And get this I don't have cancer. I was in a tornado about 8 years ago and lost a few area of my brain. The good part is I lived the bad I got stuck with a constant headache and migraines. I can say if my PM doctor had not but me on Actiq I would have done my self in. They have saved my life. But I have to admit that I am concerned with pain management that jumps up someones dose very quickly. My doctor started me off on 200mcg. I was on those for about a year them went to 400mcg then to 800mcg. It has taken me about 4 years to get to the point I'm at now. I have to face the fact that my headaches will always be with me but the Actiq cuts out at 1600mcg. I am very very cautious when I take Actiq. I know once I get use to the level I at now there is not much more to go to. I am only 40 yo and hope to be around for many more years. So I guess what I am saying is if you are still on Actiq be careful.
I am one of just a handful of people that take it for other than cancer pain. The reason I get to take it that my pain will never go away because of the operations I had on my brain to keep me alive.
Take care and good luck,
Mo





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