Duragesic as a diet aid? - Pain Management Message Board

Michael Hurts A Lot · 07-01-2002, 12:30 AM

I have been on Duragesic since March. I started on the 25 mcg/hr patches and I am now on 2 100 mcg/hr patches. I hate them - its like always being drunk. The only good part is that since I was boosted up to 75 mcg/hr patch in April (gradually moving up to where I am now because they eventually stopped working at the lower dosages), I have been losing a lot of weight. I always wanted to go on a diet. :-)

I have been on 200 mcg/hr since May 30th. I went to the doctor this past Friday (1 month) and I have lost another 12 pounds. Mostly due to the vomiting associated with the patches - I am on Phenergen (to prevent vomiting) but it only works some of the time. In the last 4 months I have lost 28 pounds. I only have another month on the patch and I will be at my 'ideal' weight. I am scheduled for surgery on my cervical spine on July 29th. Is anybody else losing a lot of weight because of these patches????

Disclaimer: I do not recommend these patches unless absolutely necessary. They control my life now - it's hard to function during the day. The diet aid part was a joke because I had to ask the weight question. I wasn't overweight before and I definately wasnt 30 pounds overweight - I am losing weight that I really do not want to lose.

The Rock · 07-01-2002, 02:28 PM

Hi,

These are just some opinions i have that i hope are useful to you! Haveing been involved in bodybuilding on a competeive level for many years before being hurt i know a little about nutrition and maintaining a healthy balanced diet. If you are takeing something for pain or any other reason that after a week or two are still giveing you these side effects(vomitting,feeling sick all the time), i would suggest maybe talking to your doctor about changeing to something else. Weight loss thru vomitting is very harsh on your body and twice as bad if your haveing to take such strong medicines to control pain. The muscle tissue damage this causes is really bad. Your body is going to feed its self off the most healthy part it can find and if your haveing such dramatic weight loss(anything over the 1-3 pounds a week is really unhealthy even if your trying to lose a few pounds)...so if your loseing that much weight in that short of a time period that means that your body is trying to help its self by feeding off of your muscle tissue more then likely then off of fat which is not what you want even when trying to diet.....which means your not loseing the fat that you want but muscle because it's where the protien is and thats what your body is feeding its self off of. This can also cause damage to your heart due to electrolite depletion and dehydration, which is where the most valueble water in your body comes from....muscle tissue. So please be careful and if it does'nt stop please speak with your doctor.

You may not have wanted this type of reply to your post and even though it may sound as if i think i know everything about this i don't so if it is starting to worry you then talk to your doc. Opiate therapy is supposed to inhance the quality of your life and allow you to live a more active lifestyle....i only mention this because in your post you said it was controlling your life. If i missed the boat on this or am way off from what you were talking about with my reply i'm very sorry. These are just a couple of my own opinions and not sound medical advise! I hope you adapt to it shortly or are able to switch to something else to provide pain relief. BEST WISHES!!

The Rock

Michael Hurts A Lot · 07-01-2002, 05:22 PM

Nope - you arent far off. I am very worried about the weight loss. I am taking Phenergen, which is a tablet that is supposed to prevent vomiting/nausea. My doctor increased my dosage of that from 25 mg a day to 25 mg 4 times a day. He also called my neurosurgeon and moved up my appt from the 29th of July to tomorrow (July 2nd). While I dread the idea of surgery, it is my only option. And the sooner I get off these duragesic patches, the better. My doctor said he isn't concerned about my weight loss yet, but if it continues for another month he will have to reevaluate my situation. He has me drinking at least ½ a gallon of water daily to prevent dehydration.

The Rock · 07-01-2002, 10:00 PM

Surgery or the idea of it can really play on your mind but you can't continue to live like this.....I know where your comeing from, I've had 5 lumbar surgeries and my entire lumbar area is fused solid L1-to the very bottem with 4 sets of plates and also 2 rods on the sides of my spinal colume to keep everything straight...maybe i should'nt be mentioning all of this to someone who's about to go for the first time but, and i honestly am not trying to worry you....just letting you know that i can relate.

I noticed that you are in SouthCarolina....we're neighbors....I'm here in NorthCarolina in the Mt.Holly area if you've ever heard of it. Not knowing alot about you...i would guess that you have a family...but if you did'nt and needed or wanted someone there while going thru surgery and recovery all you'd have to do is say the word!!....Just let me know and GOODLUCK!

Lisa Sunshine · 08-28-2002, 02:19 PM

Hello! Are you taking an NSAID? They could also cause your stomach upsets. I am on the patch. I have had stomach problems from my meds. I have not vomited since July. To be honest I credit my Chiropracter for that. She makes me feel better every time I go. You may want to talk to you DR about that.

If you are getting sick often You may want to try supplements like slim-fast. Also take vitamens.