OK I need some advice because I think that I may be trying to do too many things at once. First I am off the tramadol completely for 8 days now Second, I am trying to cut down on my BT meds(Percocet) or take them very rarely so I increased the patch by 12mcg. I was able to get down to only taking 1 (5/325 Percocet) yesterday. The problem was that I started getting a pretty bad headache(probably from increase in patch and decrease in the amount of acetaminophen - rebound headaches suck which I kind of forgot about). So I took 1000mg of tylenol before going to bed. Well, that must have been too much or something because I know it makes the fentanyl more effective and I was very drowsy this morning. I took the 12mcg patch off, had to take 1000mg of acetaminophen. So do you guys think that I am trying to do too much. Should I try to eliminate as much acetaminophen as possible by eliminating the Percocet as much as possible? Should I not go up on the patch and just stick with taking 3-4 Percocets a day with additional acetaminophen as needed? I have been staying at or below 1300mg/day of acetaminophen which is much better than a couple of months ago when I was taking 3900mg/day. I don't know what to do and what is going to be best for me long term. Any ideas?
brian
Last edited by brianpain33; 04-18-2008 at 12:44 PM.
Brian, you already know what the answer is. You titled this thread with the answer. Take your time, do one thing to your body at a time. Let your system adjust and then tackle the next thing.
Fred
The headache is from the increase in the fentanyl....Very common. Your body will adjust in a few days. An increase in your LA med and a subsequent decrease in BT meds will probably make you feel better. But, you know your body best.
Also, if you've having problems keeping your BPL up, you should try the patch a day method that we discussed in an earlier thread.
I don't think that I can handle the additional 12mcg patch. I am just going to stay where I am at and try to accept the pain that I am in and realize that things probably will not get much better with additional meds but only an increase in side effects. I'm sure my doctor will be impressed. I also am not taking the Ambien either because I found that only taking 1(50mg) benadryl does the job and I am not as sedated the next day. Thanks for helping me along my CP journey.
brian
p.s. My current plan is taking the 50mcg fentanyl patch, 600mg/day Lyrica, 1500mg/day Trileptal, up to 4/day(Percocet 5/325) as needed, 50mg benadryl(for sleep), and acteminophen(as needed for bad bt times but not to go over 3000mg TOTAL acetaminophen), and ibuprofen as needed for bad BT pain
Last edited by brianpain33; 04-18-2008 at 06:13 PM.
Second, I am trying to cut down on my BT meds(Percocet) or take them very rarely so I increased the patch by 12mcg. I was able to get down to only taking 1 (5/325 Percocet) yesterday. The problem was that I started getting a pretty bad headache(probably from increase in patch and decrease in the amount of acetaminophen - rebound headaches suck which I kind of forgot about). So I took 1000mg of tylenol before going to bed. Well, that must have been too much or something because I know it makes the fentanyl more effective and I was very drowsy this morning. I took the 12mcg patch off, had to take 1000mg of acetaminophen. So do you guys think that I am trying to do too much. Should I try to eliminate as much acetaminophen as possible by eliminating the Percocet as much as possible? Should I not go up on the patch and just stick with taking 3-4 Percocets a day with additional acetaminophen as needed? I have been staying at or below 1300mg/day of acetaminophen which is much better than a couple of months ago when I was taking 3900mg/day. I don't know what to do and what is going to be best for me long term. Any ideas?
