Duragesic working alone? [Archive] - HealthBoards Message Boards

avogadro

09-23-2003, 11:24 PM

Has anyone else found that the Duragesic patch does not work well by itself? I put the patch on yesterday and initally, it seemed to be working. Then, I started to clean house and the pain HIT HARD! My mom wanted to take me to the ER. Instead, she brought me over some Vicodin that she had left-over from surgery. Ooopss... a no-no. I took too much and ran out of mine. I seem to get good relief from the combination. And, with the patch, I hope to not have to take as much Vicodin. My aunt, who has a very painful auto-immune disease, also tells me that the patch, by itself, does not work well. But, she can take much less percocet in combo with the patch and that works great for her.

I just wonder if anyone has had luck, on a regular basis, of using JUST the patch and having relief. Not counting the occassional B/T meds on the third day.

Thanks,
AV

Sponsor

HockeyCrystal

09-23-2003, 11:55 PM

Hey, I think some people still take BT meds when on the patch, not just on the 3rd day... I don't take the patch though so I can't help much... Sorry... hopefully someone will be along shortly to help!

Much http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Sweetie!
Crystal

twisten

09-24-2003, 12:02 AM

I still needed bt meds while I was on the patch, but not as often. Hope that helps some.

HockeyCrystal

09-24-2003, 12:05 AM

See Av! You're not alone! :) Hopefully you don't have to take as many BT meds as you were taking before!!!

Have a great night hun!
Crystal

avogadro

09-24-2003, 10:41 AM

Thanks everyone.

I was hopeful that the patch would work all by itself, since I have the impression that it is one of the strongest medications out there. But, at least I am still hopeful that I will not be taking 8-10 Vicodins a day any longer!

I have also been quite nauseous (sp?) since putting on the patch Monday. I hear that is quite normal and the phenegrean seems to help... it makes me sleepy but not a big deal!

Thanks,
AV

Russo

09-24-2003, 06:29 PM

I started the Duragesic patch Monday morning (25mcg) for the first time. Before that I had been using about 7 10mg Lortab a day. Here are my impressions on day 3 of the patch: generally, I feel kind of "drugged" and lethargic all the time. I keep falling asleep at my desk, and in the evening I fall asleep easily watching TV. I never used to do that. But I am able to take maybe 4 or 5 Lortabs a day and get pain relief. With the patch alone, I think I'd still have a lot of pain spasms (back). I'm leery of upping the patch dose, because then I'd be catatonic all day. Does anyone know--will the sleepies go away after using this awhile, and will I still need to keep using the Lortabs? Like you, I feel like the patch alone is not giving me pain relief. Just making me tired.

ORNurse

09-25-2003, 06:13 PM

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif Hey RN-Paramedic!!! I was so happy to see a post from you - I think we not only share an occupation together, but our meds also seem to be the same. I am on Kadian 30 mg/2x day and Actiq for BT. Originally, Vicodin had been my BT med, but was not working AT ALL! doc put me on those suckers and they do work great! I am still a little leary about the high prevalence for addiction to them. I seem to always have to take 2 (as directed, of course) for my episodes in order for it to help me to any significant degree. I really try not to have to take them at work because I'm still unsure about my driving capability after taking them. Anyway, just made me feel great to see we had so much in common! Hope to "hear" from you again! ORNurse