Managing pain with patches - Page 3

conductor · 10-10-2007, 02:56 AM

Dear Whosit,

I have Systemic Lupus and the Lupus Anticoagulant--so I know what it's like having pain throughout my body.

Furthermore, I have used the Duragesic patch (the Sandoz generic, not--by any means--the Mylan generic) for over 10 years. I've been on the same dosage (75 mcg) since 1998 (or so). I also use Actiq 800 mcg, which contains the same active ingredient (fentanyl) as Duragesic. This is a "lozenge" (translated as "lollipop") used for breakthrough pain. Both of these medications have treated me very well. I should warn you, however. These meds can be very expensive. Both the Duragesic and Actiq are available generically! Fentanyl is the most potent opiate available, from what I understand. So, be careful concerning its usage--that lockbox sounds like a good idea!

I change my patch every 48 hours (2 days) and receive excellent relief. Don't get me wrong...I will always be aware of the pain I have, but this combination seems to do the trick for me. There are other meds I use for different pain-related problems--like Dilaudid and Fioricet. By the way, I use Tegretol 200 mg 3 times a day and Elavil 50 mg at bed time. These medications help the whole pain syndrome significantly, and perhaps you should discuss this with your physician. Also, be completely candid about your past history of "abuse". Being honest with a doctor is the BEST way to go!!!

I would be glad to discuss anything else concerning this difficulty you are forced to endure!

BY THE WAY...THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS in this post!! Linda71, Wren9, and Brianpain33 have all offered excellent/superior ideas and suggestions.

Take care,
Jon (Conductor)

P.S. Many of you may remember me because I used to post a great deal on this board. However, on June 1, 2007 I fell and cracked my skull. I was in the hospital for 13 days. This is the first post I have been able to complete since that accident. BLUNTLY...I'M OUTRIGHT AFRAID TO CHECK THE ACCUMULATION OF MY E-MAIL!! For some reason, I have retained my pickiness concerning writing/grammar!! Since I just said that, I assume that this post will be filled with errors. Please know that I'm kidding. I AM THRILLED TO BE BACK, AND I HOPE THAT HELPING ON THIS PAIN BOARD WILL BE PART OF MY HEALING PROCESS!!!!! Again, I'm glad to be back, my friends!

whosit · 10-10-2007, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conductor

Dear Whosit,

I have Systemic Lupus and the Lupus Anticoagulant--so I know what it's like having pain throughout my body.

Furthermore, I have used the Duragesic patch (the Sandoz generic, not--by any means--the Mylan generic) for over 10 years. I've been on the same dosage (75 mcg) since 1998 (or so). I also use Actiq 800 mcg, which contains the same active ingredient (fentanyl) as Duragesic. This is a "lozenge" (translated as "lollipop") used for breakthrough pain. Both of these medications have treated me very well. I should warn you, however. These meds can be very expensive. Both the Duragesic and Actiq are available generically! Fentanyl is the most potent opiate available, from what I understand. So, be careful concerning its usage--that lockbox sounds like a good idea!

I change my patch every 48 hours (2 days) and receive excellent relief. Don't get me wrong...I will always be aware of the pain I have, but this combination seems to do the trick for me. There are other meds I use for different pain-related problems--like Dilaudid and Fioricet. By the way, I use Tegretol 200 mg 3 times a day and Elavil 50 mg at bed time. These medications help the whole pain syndrome significantly, and perhaps you should discuss this with your physician. Also, be completely candid about your past history of "abuse". Being honest with a doctor is the BEST way to go!!!

I would be glad to discuss anything else concerning this difficulty you are forced to endure!

BY THE WAY...THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EXCELLENT SUGGESTIONS in this post!! Linda71, Wren9, and Brianpain33 have all offered excellent/superior ideas and suggestions.

Take care,
Jon (Conductor)

P.S. Many of you may remember me because I used to post a great deal on this board. However, on June 1, 2007 I fell and cracked my skull. I was in the hospital for 13 days. This is the first post I have been able to complete since that accident. BLUNTLY...I'M OUTRIGHT AFRAID TO CHECK THE ACCUMULATION OF MY E-MAIL!! For some reason, I have retained my pickiness concerning writing/grammar!! Since I just said that, I assume that this post will be filled with errors. Please know that I'm kidding. I AM THRILLED TO BE BACK, AND I HOPE THAT HELPING ON THIS PAIN BOARD WILL BE PART OF MY HEALING PROCESS!!!!! Again, I'm glad to be back, my friends!

I just wanted to let you know conductor that i was a responder to this post and not the person having the abuse problems. you started your post out as dear whosit so I was under the impression you were talking to me. i am not the one who started this thread or having problems abusing my medications....was only trying to help the person who was. I have never ever abused my meds or ever will. i just wanted to clear that up for everyone reading this thread. No harm done though...your post has alot of useful info in it!

whosit

whitfield · 10-10-2007, 06:23 PM

Conductor(Jon)--Wow, I did wonder where you have been--You did used to post quite often--I should start a new thread to welcome you back, but I did not post much then and that has not changed--Sure hope you are feeling better, but am curious about your fall--what happened? You should start a thread! I posted on this thread earlier as I do use the patch--Sandoz is the only generic I use and suggest to others considering the patch.--Roger

brianpain33 · 10-10-2007, 07:12 PM

Linda71:
Please keep us posted on what happens when you visit the doctor. You may also try to see an addictionologist (like recommended previously)if you can find one in your area. I went to see one and she recommended the fentanyl patch if all the other meds she suggested failed or did not help enough. Since you did have a problem with opiates in the past, you might also want to check out the medication suboxone. It can be used for opiate addicts, which the addictionologist was going to start me on until she realized it wasn't opiates that I was addicted to. However, there are not a whole lot of doctors that can prescribe/know about the suboxone. Please let us know what happens. I really hope you get some relief. I really understand the difficulty you are going through.

Brian

linda71 · 10-11-2007, 10:31 AM

Thank you all for your responses. Yes, I had/have an addiction to opiates. That is why I am being so careful about what I use for the pain I am in. My doctors know about my addiction. She suggested I either go to pain management or see a rheumatologist.

Conductor I hope you are ok. Whoisit and Brian have been extremely helpful with there support and ideas. Thank you all. I'll let you know how I make out.

Linda