Please Help Friends! Duragesic Patches ?? - Pain Management Message Board

hottrodd · 01-13-2004, 05:53 PM

Hi Everyone

I know it's been some time since my last post, especially for those who remember me from the old boards. Very long story which I will not get into at this time.

Well to give a short update..

Thoracic problems front and back, stiffness, muscle spasms... ect.. (see signature)

I have been going to my PM doctor which I started in October 2003. Before that I was going to my PCP who prescribed

Hydrocodone 5/500 3/4 X Daily
Soma 350mg 3 X Daily
Naproxen 500mg 1/2 X Daily
Trazodone 50mg 2 X @ Bedtime

Since I went to my PM doc he switched the Hydrocodone to Oxy IR 5mg 5/6 X Daily (180 monthly), and kept everything else the same.

He then sent me to see a Rheumatologist because he wanted me checked for Fibromyalgia and Lupus. I also had an MRI which found (Disc Bulges T6-7 / 5 mm Disc Protrusion L5-S1 / Slight Cervical Narrowing/Straightening)

The Rheumatologist did a Fibro check and confirmed, also stating there might be a touch of arthritis in the rib cage area. He will further test but X-rays show nothing of the sort. He also sent lab work to be done to rule out Lupus. He says you don't have the tell tale signs of Lupus but to be on the safe side we will check anyway.

So back to my meds... The Oxy works well for me, only problem it doesn't last long.. I mentioned this at my PM appt. on Monday. I was thinking he is going to try a long acting med equal in strength, in conjunction with the Oxy IR.

We talked about pain levels and then he examines me, saying definately Fibromyalgia. He says I am going to RX the Duragesic Patches. I was like okay, tell me about them, so he explains..

He says he is changing the Oxy IR to 120 monthly from 180 and to use those for breakthrough pain.

I just want to be able to get out of bed and not be so stiff and in pain. Also it would be nice to go about my day without all the aching.

My question is how good are the patches? I have no experience with them or know anyone who has ever used them. I am nervous to start them, I hear they are very strong. He only started me on the 25's which I am assuming is the lowest dose available.

I guess it boils down to..

Should he have tried something else (long acting med) first?
If the patch doesn't work for me, or side effecyt happen, what next? Am I at the end of my rope after the patch?
What about withdraw on the patch, is it bad if I ever have to stop?
Is this normal for people suffering from Fibro, or my symptoms?

Sorry I have so many questions.. I am just nervous and so is my wife.. Am I just being silly to be acting this way? I know I would like my pain to stop, but is this the way?

If anyone can shed some light and give any info on the patch with your experience, what it is, how strong compared to other long acting meds ect..

it would be very appreciated.

Thanks..
Hottrodd

vitonxl · 01-14-2004, 12:44 AM

I took them for two months and they don't last to long. They say three days. They lasted one day then they started to not last at all the more I took them. I just ended up with 20 mg's of oxicontin and 4 x 5mg percoset. Oxicontin saved my life. I had back surgery 2 yrs. ago and I got nerve damage from it. I'm 25 and constantly fight to stay on it. I have do deal with this pain every day and all they care is about addiction. I don't get "high" off it or don't abuse it. I appreciate it.

hottrodd · 01-14-2004, 02:43 AM

Hi vitonxl,

Thanks for your reply.. I was thinking my PM doc would have RX'd me Oxycontin since I am already on Oxy IR and it works. Especially since we were discussing how the medication works well for me just doesn't last long. I can't confirm because I have never asked him but I am now wondering what his thoughts are on Oxycontin. Wondering if he has a personal or office policy rule against it. I personally think that would be weird since he obviously prescribes Oxy IR, same med just immediate and at different mg's. (I Think)

I also left wondering if a Duragesic rep was in there that week or day.. you never know..

I guess I would be worried about starting Oxycontin as well as the Duragesic patch. I'm just so new to trying these medications. Then again I would not like to be in pain. I just read from Duragesic that you should not start unless all other options have been tried and failed. Which in my case I have never been on any long acting med before.

Hottrodd

Kayley · 01-14-2004, 09:47 AM

Hi Hottrodd
You are the first person I have ever heard of that has a problem that is similar to mine. I also have upper back and chest wall pain. Have you had an mri or myleogram? I have a herniation at t6 and t7, according to my tests. I was on the Duragesic patch for about 6 months, and it didn't help much. But everyone is different, and I know it helps some people. I now take Methadone and Dilaudid, which works a little better, but not much. Like Shore says, nerve pain is very hard to treat, if that is what you are dealing with. I know it's hard not to have a diagnosis, I went through that for a year, I can't imagine going as long as you have without knowing what is wrong. I wish you the best. Let us know how it goes.
Kayley

hottrodd · 01-14-2004, 03:38 PM

Hi Kayley,

Did your doctor say that your herniated discs were the cause of your pain? I did have an MRI and it showed slight bulges at T6-T7 and a couple other things I metioned in my first post. My PM doc and my Rheumatologist seem to think I have Fibromyalgia as well as Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome. And plus I also have those slight bulges and a small disc protrusion at L5-S1. I have lot's of trigger points and tender spots.

My main problem is my rib cage area front and back, and a little around the sides. Underneath the shoulder blades is also a major problem for me.

When they tested me, I also have tender spots on my collarbone, down my chest, back of neck, knees, ankles, elbows and pelvis area. These spots are tender and cause pain when there is applied pressure. I noticed my knees aching really bad for the first time when I went outside and it was very cold. I could barely stand.

The problem I have most though is my upper/mid back and lower chest area across front ribs. I am really stiff in the mornings and have pain and stiffness throughout the day.

When I go to the chiropractor and get a trigger point massage it hurts and is very sore the day after, but working those knots does help after the soreness goes away. The problem is they come back..

I am just nervous about the patches because I hear/read it's very strong and I haven't tried any other long acting med before. I read on Duragesic's website that this drug is a last option once all others have been used and failed. Well I haven't tried anything long acting. I thought for sure since I am on Oxy IR and it works, just not a long time, and no side effects, my PM would have put me on Oxycontin. Not sure why he chose the patch.

Pharmacy had to order them, then got the wrong strength in so had to re-order with a 3 day wait. I pick them up on Thursday. Geez! I hope if I DO start them the stupid pharmacy doesn't have to order them when my script is due after 30 days and make me go through withdraw.

Anyway's sorry for the long wind everyone.. Any help or info on Duragesic or advice, would be great. I was thinking about talking to my PM about trying something else (long acting) first in conjuction with my Oxy IR for breakthrough.

I am open to comments and suggestions..

Really nervous..
Hottrodd