I'm new here, but I wanted to answer your post about the Duragesic patches and bt oral meds. I used the Duragesic, I was on 175mcq(100+75 patches) and roxicodone for bt pain. First, your Dr put you on a fairly big jump from 3 percs a day to a 50 (microgram, not mg). That dosage would equal about 180mg of oxycodone. no wonder you felt sick. Although , there is to be an adjustment period with the patch. Most pain mgmt Dr will only scribe the patch after you have been on long term opoid therapy, ie: Ms Contin, Oxycontin, MSER...with IR tabs for bt. The patch is great for pain control, but you will need bt meds at times, as with any opoid regimen.
You can use the 25mcq patch, which is almost always the level on which one starts unless they have been on higher opoids already.Also , if the patches fall off, you can call the 800 # and they will send you the bioenclusive covers to help them stay on. I would really recommend you telling your Dr right away that you are using them again. It is very easy to take too much of the pain meds while on the Duragesic. The maximum benefit of the Duragesic is not usually felt until the 7th day of your opoid therapy, so it does take some time for the med to work fully. It binds to a different receptor than Oxy and Morphine, so it takes more time to build up, and to get out of your system. You will almost always have a bit of a "withDrawal" when stopping the med, due to this. So, your Dr needs to be aware of your dosages, and what you are taking. It is also very possible for your Dr to drop you as a patient if he feels that you are medicating yourself, or not telling him what you are taking. I have seen this happen too many times, especially because of this Oxy scare. I am glad that you are finally getting some relief and pain control, Duragesic is great for pain control, it smooths out the ups and downs of IR meds.Hope this helps some. Prayers for more pain-free days to come.
Hugs
Lori=^..^
>----- Original Message -----
From: To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS
Sent: 9/7/2001 9:25:25 AM
Subject: Looking for some feedback/advice on meds.
Hello everyone! I've only posted once before here I received some very
supportive letters posts. Thank you very much for your responses -
they made me feel not so alone. I've had a lot of things going on in my
life over the past couple of months haven't been checking in like I
had planned to. This is a wonderful site I'm hoping to be able to be
more a part of it.
Now for my dilemma.....
Like many of you, I have had a tough time getting my pain under control
for one reason or another - doctor who will listen, insurance, money,
etc,etc,etc. I now have a very good doctor who listens to me wants to
help me. I had been taking Percocet 5mg, 1 three times a day. It was
working ok, not great, but ok. Then my dr. had me add the Duragesic
50mg patch. I felt "drugged", something I never felt with the Percocet
also got an itchy rash where the adhesive was on my skin. He took me
off the patch. Also the patch didn't control the pain as well overall
as the pills. I decided to experiment on my own. I put the patch lower
on my upper arm than I had had it before. I had a few patches left
(good for 3 days apiece). I continued taking the pills 3 times a day
wore the patch too. The drugged feeling went away by putting the
patch in a different place the itching is only slight. Now I have
virtually NO pain, just some achiness every couple of hours or so. Now
for my questions. Has anyone else been on both the patch oral
medication at the same time? Is this too much medication? Because of my
past experiences with doctors (I'm sure most of you have had the same
problems),I feel funny telling my doctor that this is what is working
for me. I hope you all understand what I'm talking about. We, as
patients, are made to feel uncomfortable asking for pain relief. But
this is working for me, I haven't been this much pain-free in years! I
feel normal. I can do my housework play with my kids! Any
advice/support would be SO much appreciated!
Thank you in advance. Peace.
Claudia
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--- Lori Dillon