Increasing the Patches... - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Kimslos · 03-18-2007, 11:41 PM

Hi
Is anyone else on this posting board using the fentanyl patches for pain? I have tried to read as much as I can on them on the Internet and asked the doctor various questions regarding the fentanyl patch, but what concerns me is that it seems every time we up the patch is seems to work for a week or so and then we must increase the patch. I spoke to the doctor on Thursday since we had to increase the patch to 150 (poor guy has patches all over his chest with dates and times when to change) I asked the doctor why the pain seems to be okay for a short time and then gets worse. He believes that Stan is having more pain due to progression of the cancer. I was just wondering if anyone else has any experience with these patches to offer any advice. Stan's pain in his kidney area is staring to hurt again this evening so it has once again prompted me to wonder about these patches. Based on what I read he is taking a strong dose. He tends to sleep more and not get out for lunch anymore. I know the patches can make you be in more of a sedated state...ugh!
Thanks for any input.
Kim

Cee10 · 03-19-2007, 02:01 PM

HI Kim,

So sorry to hear that Stan is still having pain problems.
I don't have any experience with the patches Stans using, but I used to use a patch when I tried to quit smoking. I noticed that where I placed the patch made a difference to my nicotine withdrawals.
If I put the patch on a skinny bit of me it worked fine.
If I placed the patch on a bit of me that had some meat it did not work as well, perhaps the absorbtion is affected by what it has to pass though. I know this sounds odd, but it really did seem to make a difference.
Hope you are taking some time for you, and that you and Stan are able to do a few good things together.

God bless you both

Cee

Sunnee1 · 03-24-2007, 03:48 PM

Hi Kim
I just signed up for this board and noticed your post. My Mother was recently diaganosed with lung cancer which has spread to her bones.
As far as the patches are concerned, we are experiencing the same thing here with them. They last for about a week or two and then we have to increase them again. We also have some morphine pills here for when the patch just isn't enough.

Leslie

conan1017 · 03-24-2007, 07:47 PM

Hi Kim-

I have been think of you guys lately. It sounds like things are tough. I just wondering what other options you have for pain relief. What is the advantage of the patches anyway? It seems to me that pain should be the one thing we can control somewhat. I really haven;t had to go through what you are having to deal with, so I can't imagine how stressful it must be.

Patsy had a Ct yesterday which revealed some small nodules in the right lung (her breathing lung), but they were rather small and are not a major concern at the moment. So we are sticking with the Tarceva until we see some notable progression which they didn't see Friday. I actually think that the progression (nodules) were there 3 weeks ago and the x-ray didn't pick it up becuase she has been better since adding the cellebrex. Before that, I don't believe the Tarceva was working. So in a month we will go back and check it again. Worst care scenario, its back to other chemo lines.

Other than that she has been a little more active since the weather has been warmer. Does cold air cause Stan problems? I hope all is well with the boys. Shayne and I are playing on the church softball team together and that has given us a chance to spend some time together and is good therapy. Patsy is planning on attending some games next week. Well I have to run, so take care. I hope to hear from you soon.

conan

Kimslos · 03-27-2007, 10:17 PM

Thank you to those who replied. I appreciate the advise Cee when you used the nictotene patches. There really is not much meat on Stan but keeping that in mind when I put them on his chest. Since we have increased it to 150he seems to be a bit better, but now he is constantly complaining his stomach gets upset easy and is lightheaded. I hope we don't have to increase his patches too soon since I know that is what is giving him those problems. I hope you are doing well Cee and think of you often and admire your strength and love of life. You are a sweetheart for always checking in and giving advice...thanks and enjoy your week.
Leslie, sorry to hear of your mom's cancer. Does she have SCLC or NSLC? My husband is using the fentanyl patches, is that what your mom is using and what dosage? I wish Stan could use morphine pills for the pain that comes along, but we found out he is allergic to it and cannot urinate. I hope you can get your mom comfortable as it is heartbreaking seeing them in so much pain.
Conan,
I guess when the cancer gets advanced as it is in Stan's case they resort to patches. They are time release from what research I have done. Every hour he receives 150mcg of the fentanyl patch released into his body. From what I understand from the doctor as the cancer progresses it becomes more painful given the areas Stan has the cancer so the pain can get hard to manage. He still has vicadin but I think next week when we meet with him I need to mention to him that I don't think that is doing the trick anymore.
Nice to hear that Patsy really showed no progression in the cancer. Oh we will pray that the Tarceva and Cellebrex work well together and you start seeing the reduction! Our doctor believes that combo could work when I told him about your wife given she was not a smoker. No, the cold does not seem to bother Stan, but when you say cold here in Irvine it is not that cold compared to where you live. We usually don't get that cold, but today was a cold day for us....60 but it was very, very windy!
How fun you are playing softball with Shayne! I am sure your wife will enjoy watching the two of you play and sure there will even be some laughs!
Tomorrow is Stan's birthday, but we will stay close to home. I think we will order food and pick it up on the home way from Anthony's Taekwando. We will let Stan pick what he wants. He usually eats a lot after chemo since the steroids get his appetite in gear, but for some reason that is not the case this time...hhhmmm???
I am a little overwhelmed this week so need to get a grip on things and take a deep breath and relax.
I pray all of you have a good week and will keep you in my prayers.
Kim