kmichele
09-08-2003, 11:07 AM
Hi all, I've put questions up on all of the sites I visit in the hopes of receiving different info. from just one more person. I've tried every tip received so far without any additional luck. My problems:
I use Duragesic 75 patches and they last 2 days. I've tried putting them in several different areas (the last suggestion being my stomach) and not only do they not stick much at all, but they don't seem to help. What they do successfully do though is cause horrendous withdrawal symptoms at the end of that second day if I'm not quick enough in changing that patch!
I've been on my patches for over a year. I started at 25, went to 50 and then have been on 75 for most of the time. I also use Percoet 10/650 for BT pain and Valium 10mg for spasms. Nothing that my doctor gives me is effective enough. I spent most of the weekend unable to even move!
I'd like to know some tips on how to talk to my doctor about getting off of my patches in the very near future. I'd also like to know what you think they will do to prevent the withdrawals, because I cannot handle them - they're terrible! I can't so much as sit still for 5 minutes, my whole body feels as if I've got bugs crawling all over me, there is an intense itching deep down under my skin and I get a serious case of the shakes when I'm due for a patch. Also, my percocet and valium is not helping me enough. I've told him this several times, but he hasn't changed me at all. The only additional thing he's put me on was an anti-depressant when I cried over it all (Lexapro).
Please.......any tips would be great!
Love to all,
Kim C.
------------------
T6-7 thoracoscopy 11/5/02 by Dr. Dickman. There is still pain, but have noticed definite improvements. On some days I feel fine and on other days I feel as if surgery just happened!, but I HAVE noticed definite improvements. I can lay down again!!! Maybe with time there will still be more to come. I am still very hopeful!
[This message has been edited by kmichele (edited 09-08-2003).]
I use Duragesic 75 patches and they last 2 days. I've tried putting them in several different areas (the last suggestion being my stomach) and not only do they not stick much at all, but they don't seem to help. What they do successfully do though is cause horrendous withdrawal symptoms at the end of that second day if I'm not quick enough in changing that patch!
I've been on my patches for over a year. I started at 25, went to 50 and then have been on 75 for most of the time. I also use Percoet 10/650 for BT pain and Valium 10mg for spasms. Nothing that my doctor gives me is effective enough. I spent most of the weekend unable to even move!
I'd like to know some tips on how to talk to my doctor about getting off of my patches in the very near future. I'd also like to know what you think they will do to prevent the withdrawals, because I cannot handle them - they're terrible! I can't so much as sit still for 5 minutes, my whole body feels as if I've got bugs crawling all over me, there is an intense itching deep down under my skin and I get a serious case of the shakes when I'm due for a patch. Also, my percocet and valium is not helping me enough. I've told him this several times, but he hasn't changed me at all. The only additional thing he's put me on was an anti-depressant when I cried over it all (Lexapro).
Please.......any tips would be great!
Love to all,
Kim C.
------------------
T6-7 thoracoscopy 11/5/02 by Dr. Dickman. There is still pain, but have noticed definite improvements. On some days I feel fine and on other days I feel as if surgery just happened!, but I HAVE noticed definite improvements. I can lay down again!!! Maybe with time there will still be more to come. I am still very hopeful!
[This message has been edited by kmichele (edited 09-08-2003).]
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mlgable
09-09-2003, 03:29 AM
You seem to be having side effects from the patch so call your doc and tell him what is going on with the patches. If the patches worked for you at a lower dose maybe you could switch back to a lower dose if that didn't give you the bad side effects. To help them stay on when you use them place a tegaderm over them. You should be able to get tegaderms at your local drug store.
kmichele
09-09-2003, 10:39 AM
What is a tegaderm? I've been using large bandages and they stay - but then I just about have to pull off skin to get the bandages off! Also, the area that actually covers my pain patch is the non-adhesive part so I'm not completely sure how well it's being held against my skin.
Kim C.
Kim C.
lifeonhold2003
09-09-2003, 04:03 PM
If you have trouble getting through to your doctor like I do, you may want to check with your Pharmacist. Sometimes they are more knowledgable in these areas.
Julie
Julie
kmichele
09-09-2003, 06:07 PM
Thank you Julie, I'll keep that in mind. :)
Kim C.
Kim C.
quietguy
09-12-2003, 01:08 AM
The patch does NOT last the full 72 hours for all patients. the company that makes the patch is quite aware of this. the patch only lasts about 48 hours for about 15% of patients using it, and you sure sound like you're amoung that group! i was, too, so I know what you're going through. it is not completely known why this happens, but possibilities being looked at include higher metabolism and/or faster absorption throughthe skin.
discuss this with your doctor... there are several options: some doctors prescribe new patches every 48 hours for patients like you (but that does get even more expensive.) my doctor took a different approach and had me start taking an oral pain medication on the evening of the 3rd day and another on the folowing morning (when i change patches.) this has been working quite well for me, although i did forget one night a few weeks ago and woke up in high pain and feeling horrible as well (you know what that's like!) anyway, i won't make that mistake again soon!
And finally there is switching to another pain med entirely. give your doctor a thorough accounting of how the patch works for the first 2 days, then what happens, and so on, and even tell him you think your one of the 15% for whom the patch doesn't last the full 3 days. if he's not aware of this, suggest to him tht he call the company (they have an 800 number and a special line for physicians) and ask them for their recommendations. the number is on the package inserts.
good luck!
qg
discuss this with your doctor... there are several options: some doctors prescribe new patches every 48 hours for patients like you (but that does get even more expensive.) my doctor took a different approach and had me start taking an oral pain medication on the evening of the 3rd day and another on the folowing morning (when i change patches.) this has been working quite well for me, although i did forget one night a few weeks ago and woke up in high pain and feeling horrible as well (you know what that's like!) anyway, i won't make that mistake again soon!
And finally there is switching to another pain med entirely. give your doctor a thorough accounting of how the patch works for the first 2 days, then what happens, and so on, and even tell him you think your one of the 15% for whom the patch doesn't last the full 3 days. if he's not aware of this, suggest to him tht he call the company (they have an 800 number and a special line for physicians) and ask them for their recommendations. the number is on the package inserts.
good luck!
qg
kmichele
09-12-2003, 01:31 AM
Thanks QG. My doc is aware that I'm one who can only last on the patches for 2 days. He's changed my prescription to one every 2 days. It has raised my costs, but luckily I have insurance to help a little. My biggest concern (aside from what to do when I get off of them to not be suffering!) is that my BT meds that he swears by are not helping me at all! I've gone through almsot a whole bottle in one week and tomorrow when I call back yet again, I'm not going to be the usual nice patient with lots of patience! I am very upset that they've been ignoring my complaints because I promise I'm not making them up!
Kim C.
Kim C.