Hello everyone, I have been reading the boards for some time now, and I am quite impressed with everyone's knowledge, especially Shoreline. Anyway, I am new to the boards. A little of my history......I am a 25 y/o single female with stage 3 meatastatic ovarian cancer, resulting in hysterectomy. My PM doctor is WONDERFUL, and he prescribes breakthru meds (BLESS HIM!!!) Well, we decided that I needed a base med-I tried the patch, then swtiched to avinza, then ms contin, then oxycontin, and now I am only on methadone which is working so well. Anyway, I was having a lot of B/T pain so my doctor prescribed me ACTIQ. I started on the 200mcg, then 400mccg, then the 600mcg and now am on 800mcg. My PM doctor said that if that does not help we could always up the dosage. So far it is working very well at this dose. He also made it very clear he wants me on parental meds? What does that mean? I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about ACTIQ, and about parental medications? By the way, my pharmacist (BLESS HIM!!) ordered me the ACTIQ welcome kit, and I have visited the website as well, but would appreciate any feedback positive or negative. I apologize in advance if I do not post more often, my mobility is quite limited. Thank You for your time and I hope and pray everyone is pain free! Luvs2Tan
[QUOTE=Luvs2Tan] I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about ACTIQ, and about parental medications?
Hi Luvs,
SO very sorry about your diagnosis but you hang in there. I will be happy to add more later to this but for now I think your Dr. meant he wants to take advantage of PARENTERAL meds...meaning meds administered via means other than the GI tract i.e. IV meds, subq, im, etc. etc. I will try and get back
soon and I am really happy you have a very compassionate Dr.
SS
THANK YOU SheSparkles (Cute Name), I appreciate your KIND post, you are very sweet. I was told my doctor wants me to have surgery to insert a port? He said this was easier, than poking or proding me each time and in actually, maybe it would be easier. After surgery, he wants to discuss parental medications. Thank you SS for answering my questions. Any other input would be appreciated (I am eager to find out as much as I can) I'm sorry to vent..........ohh, sometimes it just gets so hard. Thank You all for listening and I hope and pray you are all pain-free!!
hugs,
Luvs2Tan
Hey LUV2, welcome!! I too am sorry for what you are going through...though I have not been there myself, my son was. He did have a port put in and it was WONDERFUL!!! It really is a godsend. Then all you have to do is put a little emla cream on it, which numbs the skin, and everything they need to do whether it be taking blood, giving chemo or pain meds etc, can all be done via the port and you don't even feel them accessing it because of the Emla cream. I highly suggest it...it made it so much easier on my son...by the way he is 6 years off chemo and cancer free! You will beat this...I can hear it in you posts. ANY questions you have for me(if you want) I would be happy to answer...I learned sooooo much since he was only 2 1/2 at the time, I had to make most all the decisions...especially since my then Dear hubby bagged me during my sons chemo...another story for sure! Please post back and let us know how you are and if we can help...there is a great group of people on this board, with tons of knowlegdge in all areas, and best of all here to lean on when you need or want to. Anyway..."talk" with ya soon I hope....and again, welcome! Love, Surgical Disaster
[QUOTE=Luvs2Tan]Anyway, I was having a lot of B/T pain so my doctor prescribed me ACTIQ. I started on the 200mcg, then 400mccg, then the 600mcg and now am on 800mcg. My PM doctor said that if that does not help we could always up the dosage. So far it is working very well at this dose. I was wondering if anyone could tell me more about ACTIQ, and about parental medications? <
Hi again Luvs,
Ok, so you are on Actiq. You are aware that, for all intents and purposes, this is a medication prescribed only for cancer pts. Few exceptions but, basically that is the directive on the prescription box. My one concern is that you seem to have gone up rapidly on the strength used. You are at 800mcg and I think there is only one higher strength pop, 1200mcg. So what happens if your pain gets worse and worse? I would speak to the Dr. about possibly upping yr base med..methadone and saving the Actiq for the very worst pain. 'Cause after you have exhausted the strength of the Actiq, I believe it's on to injectables. What is your take on this?
Did you say yr cancer has metastasized? That may be why the Dr. says use what you need and we will go from there. A port will def. save lots of needle poking, yes. I think he wants you to understand that he will use anything needed for pain control and that is wonderful...just the way it should be.
Please do let us know how you are, not only physically but spiritually and emotionally. And remember...God sees every tear and wants to be part of your life and your healing; whatever form it takes. I will be honored to ask for peace and mercy for you and your family. It is truly amazing what happens when prayer is part of the treatment!
Love,
Sparkles
Last edited by SheSparkles; 03-26-2005 at 01:16 PM.
I too am sorry for what you are going through...though I have not been there myself, my son was. He did have a port put in and it was WONDERFUL!!! It really is a godsend. Then all you have to do is put a little emla cream on it, which numbs the skin, and everything they need to do whether it be taking blood, giving chemo or pain meds etc, can all be done via the port and you don't even feel them accessing it because of the Emla cream. I highly suggest it...it made it so much easier on my son...by the way he is 6 years off chemo and cancer free! You will beat this...I can hear it in you posts. ANY questions you have for me(if you want) I would be happy to answer...I learned sooooo much since he was only 2 1/2 at the time, I had to make most all the decisions...especially since my then Dear hubby bagged me during my sons chemo...another story for sure! Please post back and let us know how you are and if we can help...there is a great group of people on this board, with tons of knowlegdge in all areas, and best of all here to lean on when you need or want to. 
Anyway..."talk" with ya soon I hope....and again, welcome! Love, Surgical Disaster 
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