antoinettev3
08-18-2005, 12:04 AM
I don’t know if anyone can really help me with this problem but I just need to vent. I am a 43 year old mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) patient and have been experiencing increasing pain despite all scans showing stable disease. I had been on Decadron for 3 months and started weaning off the drug because of side effects. I was using low dose Vicodin for BT pain and had adjusted well to the side effects.
I experienced severe flare in pain once I got down to ½ mg per day of the steroid and have had to up the Vicodin from 5mg every 6 hours to every 3-4 hours. Unfortunately the side effects seem to be getting worse. I’m nauseated almost all the time, I get so woozy and dizzy that all I can do is lay still and pray for sleep. The pain isn’t even being managed that well and I often need to take an additional 5 mg. an hour after the first dose. My prescription is written for 10mg every 3-4 hours max 6 per day.
I don’t tolerate opiates well or other pain meds for that matter and have tried Dialudid, Methadose, Ultram, and Neurontin. All of them had various problems and did little or nothing for the pain. Higher doses might have worked but the more I take the sicker I get.
I’m truly at my wit’s end. I’m scared and fear that there will be no pain relief for me. I’ve been very lucky over the past 10 years of dealing with my cancer on and off that my pain management has been easy. Vioxx and Celebrex worked great and Tylenol took care of what they couldn’t. Now even the stuff that seemed to work is now turning against me.
My radiation onc wants me to try the Duragesic patch but I have very sensitive skin and know that there will be problems with using the patch. I’ve also read a lot of posts on here of people getting pretty sick from the patch and since I’m prone to that I don’t think this is going to be a viable option for me.
My pain doc is tearing her hair out trying to alleviate my pain. She’s a wonderful woman who calls me from her vacation and days off to check on me. She said her job would be a lot easier if I had an addictive personality. :) All of this would be a lot easier to tolerate if I could catch a buzz from any of these drugs but I get none. All I get is sick and dizzy. I don’t even get good and sleepy so I can get through the night. The only positive effects there are is minimal pain relief for 2 hours if I'm lucky.
Has anyone else out there been through this? Is there anything anyone can suggest? I’ve gone from being fully functional and working out 5 days a week to dragging myself out of bed in the morning long enough to get to my radiation treatment and back home to sleep. I just don’t know what to do. I also find myself being incredibly emotional on the higher doses of the Vicodin. Is this typical? My pain doc seems to think that it is to blame and has suggested anti-depressants. The thought of taking yet another mind altering pill is just too much. I just want my old brain back.
I apologize for being such a whimpering idiot. This is not what I’m normally like. Most people know me for being a rock. These drugs and the pain have reduced me to this.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Antoinette
I experienced severe flare in pain once I got down to ½ mg per day of the steroid and have had to up the Vicodin from 5mg every 6 hours to every 3-4 hours. Unfortunately the side effects seem to be getting worse. I’m nauseated almost all the time, I get so woozy and dizzy that all I can do is lay still and pray for sleep. The pain isn’t even being managed that well and I often need to take an additional 5 mg. an hour after the first dose. My prescription is written for 10mg every 3-4 hours max 6 per day.
I don’t tolerate opiates well or other pain meds for that matter and have tried Dialudid, Methadose, Ultram, and Neurontin. All of them had various problems and did little or nothing for the pain. Higher doses might have worked but the more I take the sicker I get.
I’m truly at my wit’s end. I’m scared and fear that there will be no pain relief for me. I’ve been very lucky over the past 10 years of dealing with my cancer on and off that my pain management has been easy. Vioxx and Celebrex worked great and Tylenol took care of what they couldn’t. Now even the stuff that seemed to work is now turning against me.
My radiation onc wants me to try the Duragesic patch but I have very sensitive skin and know that there will be problems with using the patch. I’ve also read a lot of posts on here of people getting pretty sick from the patch and since I’m prone to that I don’t think this is going to be a viable option for me.
My pain doc is tearing her hair out trying to alleviate my pain. She’s a wonderful woman who calls me from her vacation and days off to check on me. She said her job would be a lot easier if I had an addictive personality. :) All of this would be a lot easier to tolerate if I could catch a buzz from any of these drugs but I get none. All I get is sick and dizzy. I don’t even get good and sleepy so I can get through the night. The only positive effects there are is minimal pain relief for 2 hours if I'm lucky.
Has anyone else out there been through this? Is there anything anyone can suggest? I’ve gone from being fully functional and working out 5 days a week to dragging myself out of bed in the morning long enough to get to my radiation treatment and back home to sleep. I just don’t know what to do. I also find myself being incredibly emotional on the higher doses of the Vicodin. Is this typical? My pain doc seems to think that it is to blame and has suggested anti-depressants. The thought of taking yet another mind altering pill is just too much. I just want my old brain back.
I apologize for being such a whimpering idiot. This is not what I’m normally like. Most people know me for being a rock. These drugs and the pain have reduced me to this.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Antoinette
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feelbad
08-18-2005, 09:02 AM
I am so sorry for what you are going through.And by the way, we all can be whimpering idiots at times,lol.i don't see that you have tried any of the long acting meds like oxycontin or mscontin,is there a reason for that or has this never been suggested to you by your doc?i really DO think that you should at least give these a try before going on the patch.i really did not have any sort of control over my pain until I was started on the oxycontin that i have been on now for about a year and a half.you could possibly have the same sort of reaction to the LA meds as you are having with the hydro,but it could also be the best thing you ever did.Has your doc ever Rxed any type of anti nausea med for you to try?this could also make a big difference.
you really do need to try the long acting meds instead of any more short acting as the coverage is sooo much better.You don't have that roller coaster of pain coming and going all day long like you would with the hydro. i hope you can find something that really works for you.i do think that trying the OC would really be a great idea.It has really helped me alot with certain pain generators,but unfortunetly not all,but at this point i will take what I can get you know?Hang in there.i am certain that the others will come along soon with many more suggestions for you.let me know how it all goes,K?marcia
you really do need to try the long acting meds instead of any more short acting as the coverage is sooo much better.You don't have that roller coaster of pain coming and going all day long like you would with the hydro. i hope you can find something that really works for you.i do think that trying the OC would really be a great idea.It has really helped me alot with certain pain generators,but unfortunetly not all,but at this point i will take what I can get you know?Hang in there.i am certain that the others will come along soon with many more suggestions for you.let me know how it all goes,K?marcia
Shoreline
08-18-2005, 01:19 PM
HIgh antoinetee, Part of the advantage of long acting meds is they don'thave a rapid onset which causes more unpleaseant side effects. For most folks unpleaseant side effects will deminsih as you become more used to the medication, untill then thewir are plenty of options for nausea. The also came out with a 12.5ugh duragesic patch this year, half of theold starting strength wich may make adjusting to the med much easier.
You reallyhave to try to get over the hump of side effects because they wil deminish long before the pain relief these meds provide.
I do understand that some folks are just more sensative to side effects but 90% of the population can manage them and don't have alergies. hat your describing is just side effects which can be delt with untill you get used to these meds. Sen****ve skin doesn't necessarilly mean you couldn't benefit from a patch, If you can tolerate a bandaid, you could probably tolerate the patches. Also spraying a steroidal inhaler for sinus or asthma on the area of skin prior to placing the patch can reduce some of the irritation and inflamation from the adhesive.
Tylenol makes some folks sick to thei stomach and they do make oxycodone without apap in t. The also make stronger versonsof Vicodin with less apap. Norco comes in 5/325, 7.5/325 and 10/325 the first number being the hydrocodone , the second being the apap. It does tak alot of trial and error to find relief from chronic pain. None are side effect free, so It's a matter of fnding one with the least side effects and allowing your body to get used to them and let the side efects deminsih and treat them before you move up in strength to manage pain.
Good luck and keep us posted. Take care, Dave
You reallyhave to try to get over the hump of side effects because they wil deminish long before the pain relief these meds provide.
I do understand that some folks are just more sensative to side effects but 90% of the population can manage them and don't have alergies. hat your describing is just side effects which can be delt with untill you get used to these meds. Sen****ve skin doesn't necessarilly mean you couldn't benefit from a patch, If you can tolerate a bandaid, you could probably tolerate the patches. Also spraying a steroidal inhaler for sinus or asthma on the area of skin prior to placing the patch can reduce some of the irritation and inflamation from the adhesive.
Tylenol makes some folks sick to thei stomach and they do make oxycodone without apap in t. The also make stronger versonsof Vicodin with less apap. Norco comes in 5/325, 7.5/325 and 10/325 the first number being the hydrocodone , the second being the apap. It does tak alot of trial and error to find relief from chronic pain. None are side effect free, so It's a matter of fnding one with the least side effects and allowing your body to get used to them and let the side efects deminsih and treat them before you move up in strength to manage pain.
Good luck and keep us posted. Take care, Dave
MKS
08-20-2005, 02:17 AM
Antoinette, I'm so sorry for your situation. Please don't be so hard on yourself - nothing wrong with reaching out for a little help, right?
Anyway, I realize that of course people respond differently to medication, but just thought I might tell you that I have had serious nausea issues with my pain meds, too, and Duragesic was probably the worst for me. I switched to oxycontin, which has been far more effective for pain control, and is significantly easier on my tummy, too.
I've tried about half a dozen or so different anti-nausea meds, and have found Anzemet to be truly helpful. It is indicated for chemotherapy and post-operative nausea, but it certainly helps my narcotic-related nausea. It is absurdly expensive - between $80 to $90 per tablet (100mg), but if you have prescription coverage, it might be worth checking out. I seriously resent paying that much money for medication, but just decided that it was nutty for me to suffer with nausea and vomiting on top of chronic pain, since at least I could actually do something about the nausea!
Please keep us posted, okay? And, by the way, I'm thrilled for you (envious too) that you have found a doctor who is so invested in your care! So many chronic pain patients would give their eyetooth for a physician with such compassion! Take care, Antoinette, and let us know how you're doing!
Michelle
Anyway, I realize that of course people respond differently to medication, but just thought I might tell you that I have had serious nausea issues with my pain meds, too, and Duragesic was probably the worst for me. I switched to oxycontin, which has been far more effective for pain control, and is significantly easier on my tummy, too.
I've tried about half a dozen or so different anti-nausea meds, and have found Anzemet to be truly helpful. It is indicated for chemotherapy and post-operative nausea, but it certainly helps my narcotic-related nausea. It is absurdly expensive - between $80 to $90 per tablet (100mg), but if you have prescription coverage, it might be worth checking out. I seriously resent paying that much money for medication, but just decided that it was nutty for me to suffer with nausea and vomiting on top of chronic pain, since at least I could actually do something about the nausea!
Please keep us posted, okay? And, by the way, I'm thrilled for you (envious too) that you have found a doctor who is so invested in your care! So many chronic pain patients would give their eyetooth for a physician with such compassion! Take care, Antoinette, and let us know how you're doing!
Michelle
trowftd3
08-20-2005, 04:30 PM
I just want to chime in....I, too, am taking oxycontin and even though it gets a bad rap and some docs are afraid to prescribe it, it works great for me. Like Dave said it's the sudden upswing in serum levels from the short acting meds like vicodin or percocet that causes the majority of side effects. I can really tell the difference between the long acting and short acting. The only side effect I have from oxycontin is an increase in energy. Darn!LOL
Good luck with whatever you choose. Maybe the 12.5 duragesic patch will work for you. Listen to Dave. He knows of which he speaks!!
Take care. ~Mush
Good luck with whatever you choose. Maybe the 12.5 duragesic patch will work for you. Listen to Dave. He knows of which he speaks!!
Take care. ~Mush
antoinettev3
08-20-2005, 08:44 PM
Dear Marcia, Dave, Michelle & Mush,
Thanks for your kind words, encouragement, advice and help. This board is a Godsend.
My PM doc put me on the 12.5 duragesic patch and I'm just past the 24 hour mark with it. I'm still taking Dilaudid for the BT pain but at a lower dose. The pain is better but still there and I'm not functional yet. I'm pretty groggy and woozy still but at least I'm not writhing around in pain.
I'm also still having a lot of trouble with bloating and gas pain from the steroid but if the patch does the trick I'll be able to cut back on that and the bloating will subside. There's absolutely nothing they can give me to alleviate the gas and bloating so I just have to tough it out.
So far the stomach upset hasn't been too bad. I have Phengren for the nausea which seems to work pretty well at least on the mild nausea I've experienced so far.
I have no trouble with Tylenol. Been taking it on and off for years and it's one of the few drugs I can take on an empty stomach with no ill effects.
I know everyone responds differently to the patch but on average how long does it take to adjust to the side effects? The sleepiness is fine at night but I can barely manage on my own during the day. I wouldn't dare drive a car or try to operate any heavy machinenary. :D It's also very hard to concentrate or write coherent sentences. It's taking all my effort to type this out.
The dizziness is at it's worst when I try to read which is incredibly frustrating. I have so many wonderful books I want to read not to mention studying the Bible but I everytime I try to read my head really starts spinning and I feel just sick to my stomach. So I'm stuck either sleeping, doing some light web surfing or watching mindless TV. Pretty depressing. I'm hoping that will improve and soon.
I've heard a lot of people say that they have increased energy with the Oxy. I've asked my doc for it but she knows I'm such a light weight when it comes to narcotics that the lowest dose of the LA Oxy she feels is too much. Maybe it would make a better BT med then the Dilaudid since the Dilaudid makes me sleepy.
I know it's all trial and error. The hardest part for a cancer patient is that you misinterpert the pain as being the disease worsening. So you have that added psychological torture of it. I just have to keep reminding myself that my cancer is stable and that eventually we'll come up with a solution.
I'm just very grateful that I have a doctor that is so caring and compassionate. I have been appalled by the stories I've read here about doctors who care more about their bottom line and what the gov might do to them then for their patients.
Thanks again for your help and I know I'll have more questions as the days go by and look forward to your advice.
Antoinette
Thanks for your kind words, encouragement, advice and help. This board is a Godsend.
My PM doc put me on the 12.5 duragesic patch and I'm just past the 24 hour mark with it. I'm still taking Dilaudid for the BT pain but at a lower dose. The pain is better but still there and I'm not functional yet. I'm pretty groggy and woozy still but at least I'm not writhing around in pain.
I'm also still having a lot of trouble with bloating and gas pain from the steroid but if the patch does the trick I'll be able to cut back on that and the bloating will subside. There's absolutely nothing they can give me to alleviate the gas and bloating so I just have to tough it out.
So far the stomach upset hasn't been too bad. I have Phengren for the nausea which seems to work pretty well at least on the mild nausea I've experienced so far.
I have no trouble with Tylenol. Been taking it on and off for years and it's one of the few drugs I can take on an empty stomach with no ill effects.
I know everyone responds differently to the patch but on average how long does it take to adjust to the side effects? The sleepiness is fine at night but I can barely manage on my own during the day. I wouldn't dare drive a car or try to operate any heavy machinenary. :D It's also very hard to concentrate or write coherent sentences. It's taking all my effort to type this out.
The dizziness is at it's worst when I try to read which is incredibly frustrating. I have so many wonderful books I want to read not to mention studying the Bible but I everytime I try to read my head really starts spinning and I feel just sick to my stomach. So I'm stuck either sleeping, doing some light web surfing or watching mindless TV. Pretty depressing. I'm hoping that will improve and soon.
I've heard a lot of people say that they have increased energy with the Oxy. I've asked my doc for it but she knows I'm such a light weight when it comes to narcotics that the lowest dose of the LA Oxy she feels is too much. Maybe it would make a better BT med then the Dilaudid since the Dilaudid makes me sleepy.
I know it's all trial and error. The hardest part for a cancer patient is that you misinterpert the pain as being the disease worsening. So you have that added psychological torture of it. I just have to keep reminding myself that my cancer is stable and that eventually we'll come up with a solution.
I'm just very grateful that I have a doctor that is so caring and compassionate. I have been appalled by the stories I've read here about doctors who care more about their bottom line and what the gov might do to them then for their patients.
Thanks again for your help and I know I'll have more questions as the days go by and look forward to your advice.
Antoinette
MKS
08-21-2005, 03:38 AM
Hi, again, Antoinette,
You mentioned that you still have pain even though the cancer is apparently stable or non-existant at this point. Do you know why that is, what causes that pain that doesn't go away when the cancer does? I know very little about cancer and cancer-related pain, and am trying to learn more - I think it might help me to understand the role that pain plays in my own neurologic/autoimmune illness. If you feel too crummy to converse, then please don't feel that you need to respond.
I'm just trying to learn - it seems ridiculous to me that pain is what dominates my whole entire life in all respects, and yet I feel that I know so little actually about it. Does that sound bizarre, or is that something that you or anyone out there can relate to?
Also, it doesn't sound like you'll be trying oxycontin anytime real soon, but when you do, just thought I should tell you that my experience with it has not been like all of the others you've heard who have had an energy increase. To the contrary; I find narcotics to be highly, highly sedating. I am on a very high dose, so that likely has something to do with it, but I've been on this same dose for at least a year, so I think if my body were going to start handling the sedation better, it would have already occurred.
Anyway, I'm hoping the best for you with the patch! Keep us posted when you feel like it, okay, Antoinette?
Michelle
You mentioned that you still have pain even though the cancer is apparently stable or non-existant at this point. Do you know why that is, what causes that pain that doesn't go away when the cancer does? I know very little about cancer and cancer-related pain, and am trying to learn more - I think it might help me to understand the role that pain plays in my own neurologic/autoimmune illness. If you feel too crummy to converse, then please don't feel that you need to respond.
I'm just trying to learn - it seems ridiculous to me that pain is what dominates my whole entire life in all respects, and yet I feel that I know so little actually about it. Does that sound bizarre, or is that something that you or anyone out there can relate to?
Also, it doesn't sound like you'll be trying oxycontin anytime real soon, but when you do, just thought I should tell you that my experience with it has not been like all of the others you've heard who have had an energy increase. To the contrary; I find narcotics to be highly, highly sedating. I am on a very high dose, so that likely has something to do with it, but I've been on this same dose for at least a year, so I think if my body were going to start handling the sedation better, it would have already occurred.
Anyway, I'm hoping the best for you with the patch! Keep us posted when you feel like it, okay, Antoinette?
Michelle
antoinettev3
08-22-2005, 12:07 PM
Michelle,
I can only speculate why the cancer pain persists despite no advancement of disease. Scar tissue has always been mentioned as a common cause, in my case the type of cancer tends to stiffen up the pleural lining so the tissue becomes less pliable. With the lack of elascticity pressure is put on the surrounding tissue and organs causing pain.
Most cancer pain is caused because tumors are pressing on organs or nerves. I'm assuming that some of that is going on in me as well.
I will be enquiring about Oxy today as I just took my last dose of Dilaudid for BT pain. I was able to cut back to 3 mg every 4 hours until last night. I'm to put on a new patch today at 2:00. Since last night I've had to take the BT meds every 3 hours. Still seems like I'm taking too many BT meds. The dosage seems alright as anything higher would just knock me out that much more.
So far the patch seems OK but not sure if the dosage is right. Most of the side effects I'm experiencing, I believe, are stemming from the Dilaudid. If I'm not able to get anymore BT meds before I need my next dose I'll have to go back to the Vicodin I have in the house. Not looking forward to that as it makes me feel so bad. It does work better on the pain though.
We'll see what the good doc has to say. I also start my second week of radiation today but thankfully my appt. is for after lunch so I can crawl back to bed for a couple of more hours since I didn't sleep much last night (damn Decadron).
Hope everyone is having a good day.
Antoinette
I can only speculate why the cancer pain persists despite no advancement of disease. Scar tissue has always been mentioned as a common cause, in my case the type of cancer tends to stiffen up the pleural lining so the tissue becomes less pliable. With the lack of elascticity pressure is put on the surrounding tissue and organs causing pain.
Most cancer pain is caused because tumors are pressing on organs or nerves. I'm assuming that some of that is going on in me as well.
I will be enquiring about Oxy today as I just took my last dose of Dilaudid for BT pain. I was able to cut back to 3 mg every 4 hours until last night. I'm to put on a new patch today at 2:00. Since last night I've had to take the BT meds every 3 hours. Still seems like I'm taking too many BT meds. The dosage seems alright as anything higher would just knock me out that much more.
So far the patch seems OK but not sure if the dosage is right. Most of the side effects I'm experiencing, I believe, are stemming from the Dilaudid. If I'm not able to get anymore BT meds before I need my next dose I'll have to go back to the Vicodin I have in the house. Not looking forward to that as it makes me feel so bad. It does work better on the pain though.
We'll see what the good doc has to say. I also start my second week of radiation today but thankfully my appt. is for after lunch so I can crawl back to bed for a couple of more hours since I didn't sleep much last night (damn Decadron).
Hope everyone is having a good day.
Antoinette
antoinettev3
08-22-2005, 10:42 PM
Just wanted to update everyone with what's going on.
PM doc upped my dose on the patch and told me to slap another one on since i was still using BT meds every 3-4 hours.
She also perscribed Provigil to help offset the daytime sleepiness and the Aptiq (sp?) lollipop for BT pain. Won't be able to pick any of this up until tomorrow since she didn't get back to me until late so it's Dilaudid for the rest of the night.
As wonderful as she is I don't think she has a good handle on how much pain i'm really in and how difficult the side effects are. When I try to explain that the steroids keep me up at night and the drugs make me sleep in the day her solution is to just force myself to stay awake in the daytime and reset my body clock. I can barely sit up from the pain in my chest and back. If I could I would. I don't want to be in bed all day but it's the only relief I get from my pain. In the daytime for some reason the side effects of the BT meds are just horrible. My head feels like it's underwater, my ears are plugged up, my whole body feels bloated and heavy and nothing seems to make me feel better except time. As the day goes on my head feels better and my ears clear up but the bloating never goes away.
At this point I just don't give a damn. Whatever happens, happens. These drugs will either work or not. This cancer will either kill me or not. My mind is not my own and neither is my body. Each radiation session is harder for me to get through then the last. I had to have my husband walk me back to the waiting room today. By the time I got home I could barely walk.
The hardest part is watching my husband deal with this. I feel very badly because my lousy attitude scares him but I just don't have the strength to put on the positive act anymore. I've been fighting this cancer on and off for 10 years. I'm tired and there are no signs of improvement at this point.
It's up to God what will happen to me and I pray that he'll spare me and let me get well soon but if it's my time I'm OK with that too. Going to be with the Lord is not something I fear.
Well I guess that's enough of the pity party for today. Sorry to be such a whiner, I blame the drugs. ;)
Hope y'all are having a better day then I am.
Antoinette
PM doc upped my dose on the patch and told me to slap another one on since i was still using BT meds every 3-4 hours.
She also perscribed Provigil to help offset the daytime sleepiness and the Aptiq (sp?) lollipop for BT pain. Won't be able to pick any of this up until tomorrow since she didn't get back to me until late so it's Dilaudid for the rest of the night.
As wonderful as she is I don't think she has a good handle on how much pain i'm really in and how difficult the side effects are. When I try to explain that the steroids keep me up at night and the drugs make me sleep in the day her solution is to just force myself to stay awake in the daytime and reset my body clock. I can barely sit up from the pain in my chest and back. If I could I would. I don't want to be in bed all day but it's the only relief I get from my pain. In the daytime for some reason the side effects of the BT meds are just horrible. My head feels like it's underwater, my ears are plugged up, my whole body feels bloated and heavy and nothing seems to make me feel better except time. As the day goes on my head feels better and my ears clear up but the bloating never goes away.
At this point I just don't give a damn. Whatever happens, happens. These drugs will either work or not. This cancer will either kill me or not. My mind is not my own and neither is my body. Each radiation session is harder for me to get through then the last. I had to have my husband walk me back to the waiting room today. By the time I got home I could barely walk.
The hardest part is watching my husband deal with this. I feel very badly because my lousy attitude scares him but I just don't have the strength to put on the positive act anymore. I've been fighting this cancer on and off for 10 years. I'm tired and there are no signs of improvement at this point.
It's up to God what will happen to me and I pray that he'll spare me and let me get well soon but if it's my time I'm OK with that too. Going to be with the Lord is not something I fear.
Well I guess that's enough of the pity party for today. Sorry to be such a whiner, I blame the drugs. ;)
Hope y'all are having a better day then I am.
Antoinette
MKS
08-25-2005, 01:25 AM
Antoinette, I'm not up for writing tonight - I know you understand how that feels - but I still just had to tell you that I'm just SO SORRY for what you're dealing with. I know it must sound meaningless, but I don't know what words would be meaningful, or if such words even exist in this situation. I do want to read Monday's posts more in-depth when I'm a little better, and I'll talk to you then, but even just skimming through your recent posts really makes my heart hurt for you. For whatever it is worth, please just know that there are people out here who do truly care about you, Antoinette.
MKS
08-25-2005, 01:38 AM
Antoinette, I do need to address the Provigil, since I never really know when I'm going to be well enough to be engaged with the board, and this could be pretty important.
I had a doctor put me on it several years ago to increase my energy level, and he failed to mention to me that Provigil can adversely affect the efficacy of the birth control pill. I took the pill to keep my endometriosis in check, so I was really upset to find out months later that Provigil may have undone some of the surgery that I'd had to remove the endometriosis. Anyway, I don't know what your situation is, or if you even take the pill. Still, I thought I should let you know just in case, since that seems to be a commonly overlooked little "side-effect" that could last eighteen years or so!
I had a doctor put me on it several years ago to increase my energy level, and he failed to mention to me that Provigil can adversely affect the efficacy of the birth control pill. I took the pill to keep my endometriosis in check, so I was really upset to find out months later that Provigil may have undone some of the surgery that I'd had to remove the endometriosis. Anyway, I don't know what your situation is, or if you even take the pill. Still, I thought I should let you know just in case, since that seems to be a commonly overlooked little "side-effect" that could last eighteen years or so!
antoinettev3
08-25-2005, 01:10 PM
Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to write, I SO understand how you feel and I really appreciate you making the effort. There have been days where I can barely open my laptop much less sit and type at it.
Your words brought me great comfort last night and are FAR from meaningless. It's amazing to me that people who don't even know each other can make a connection and offer help, comfort and ease one another's minds in the most difficult of situations.
After reacting VERY badly to the addtional patch I was told by my radiation oncologist to remove it and the next day felt somewhat better. I still was wearing a 12.5 patch and had to up my dilaudid to deal with the BT pain. When I woke up yesterday still feeling pretty miserable my husband suggested ditching the other patch and I agreed. By the evening everyone was telling me how much better I sounded on the phone and I have to admit it was the first time in days that I didn't feel like I was underwater.
I switched back to 1/2 a Norco every few hours for the BT pain which at first wasn't doing it but seems to be working now. While I still have a lot of issues with Vicodin they're easier to deal with then the Duragesic. The pain doc did give me the Actiq lollipops for BT pain. I doubt I'll use them since it's the same med as the patch. It's good to have around just in case. Maybe in SA form it's not as bad.
I also have some samples of the Provigil. Thanks for the heads up on the BC interaction. I don't take the Pill now but appreciate the warning.
What did you think of the Provigil? How did you react to it? From everything I've read it seems to have few ill effects and people seem generally happy with it. I want my system to clean out a bit before I try it.
My biggest problem right now is a HORRIBLE burning in the back of my throat whenever I drink or eat anything. It started yesterday morning and I thought it was just bad acid reflux but it might be some sort of irritation of my esaphogus from the radiation. I'll try to find out from the doc today.
Well time for me to sign off. The Norco is kicking in a bit and I'm getting dizzy trying to type.
I hope you're feeling better today and thank you again for all your kind words and support.
Sincerely,
Antoinette
Thank you for taking the time to write, I SO understand how you feel and I really appreciate you making the effort. There have been days where I can barely open my laptop much less sit and type at it.
Your words brought me great comfort last night and are FAR from meaningless. It's amazing to me that people who don't even know each other can make a connection and offer help, comfort and ease one another's minds in the most difficult of situations.
After reacting VERY badly to the addtional patch I was told by my radiation oncologist to remove it and the next day felt somewhat better. I still was wearing a 12.5 patch and had to up my dilaudid to deal with the BT pain. When I woke up yesterday still feeling pretty miserable my husband suggested ditching the other patch and I agreed. By the evening everyone was telling me how much better I sounded on the phone and I have to admit it was the first time in days that I didn't feel like I was underwater.
I switched back to 1/2 a Norco every few hours for the BT pain which at first wasn't doing it but seems to be working now. While I still have a lot of issues with Vicodin they're easier to deal with then the Duragesic. The pain doc did give me the Actiq lollipops for BT pain. I doubt I'll use them since it's the same med as the patch. It's good to have around just in case. Maybe in SA form it's not as bad.
I also have some samples of the Provigil. Thanks for the heads up on the BC interaction. I don't take the Pill now but appreciate the warning.
What did you think of the Provigil? How did you react to it? From everything I've read it seems to have few ill effects and people seem generally happy with it. I want my system to clean out a bit before I try it.
My biggest problem right now is a HORRIBLE burning in the back of my throat whenever I drink or eat anything. It started yesterday morning and I thought it was just bad acid reflux but it might be some sort of irritation of my esaphogus from the radiation. I'll try to find out from the doc today.
Well time for me to sign off. The Norco is kicking in a bit and I'm getting dizzy trying to type.
I hope you're feeling better today and thank you again for all your kind words and support.
Sincerely,
Antoinette