infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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i got 25 mg fentanyl patches today and can't really tell that they are doing anything. i didn't think they would do much being that my hydro tolerance is through the roof but after 12 differnt doctors and specialist and this guy was the first to offer any kind of narcotic at all. should i tell him that i have been getting hydro from internet because there isn't any record of anyone perscibing it to me locally. so he wouldn't understand why i need stronger patches or stronger meds. i'm scared he'll think i'm just after drugs if i tell him that, and won't see me anymore or perscibe anything thinking i'm doubleing up on the net. but really its the only place i could get relief so i could work and support my family. anything would be nice thanks for info or ideas.
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we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
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drkar
Stranger
Reged: 07/02/02
Posts: 1
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I've been on the patch for three years now and am on the 50 mg. patch. It takes about eight hours for it to kick in but it keeps the comfort level constant instead of up and down like the pills. You always start with the lowest dose because older patients especially can get down right goofy on the patch. If you wee going to do any experimenting--which I'm not recommending--but did it myself, put two patches on to see if that works better. But remind yourself"are you looking for a buzz or for the comfort it brings. If I want a buzz, I can add patches but then I will run out before the end of the month and that means pain. This is a CLASS 11 so absolutely no early refills.
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peteg72
Member
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 174
Loc: midwest
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I tried the 25 mg patch breifly and it made me very sick around the end of the second day. I thought it might have been a fluke so I tried it again a month later. Same thing, nausea and vomiting with a pounding headache around the end of the second day. I am glad I didn't take the 50,s I was origionally prescribed. This is just me though, it works well for many of people.
It did control the pain very well though. And when I slept too long, I didn't wake up with any withdrawl symptoms which happens sometimes when I decide to spend a day off sleeping. A friend of mine uses two 25,s at once but then he runs out too quickly which your doc would not be very happy with. He does say he has no withdrawls though when he runs out early. I don't know, I would say they are probably better for you than the hydro. Good luck. pete.
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And if the band youre in starts playing different tunes....I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
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roxeanne
Member
Reged: 02/24/02
Posts: 196
Loc: I Come From Mars!
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I have tried the 50s before and I don't like them. They don't seem to have much affect on me. i also don't like wearing it. I find myself constantly worring about whether it's still adhearing properly and the like.
If I have a choice, I'll take my hydro over the Duragesic any day of the week.
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whywork40
Stranger
Reged: 05/29/04
Posts: 1
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I have terrible headaches and migraines. The patches did nothing at all for me. I couldn't even tell that I was on them.
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infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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thanks for replys good info. wierd but i couldn't sleep at all last night, i was tired and more comfotrtable than normal but couldn't fall asleep not even for five minutes. called the doc and told them but the lady who answered the phone said it wouldn't be the patch. and give it 24 hours to work for pain. sucks if i can't sleep tonight i'll really be screwed. would valium or xanax have effect on patches you think.
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we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
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SuseCue
Member
Reged: 04/25/04
Posts: 169
Loc: Tampa, FL
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I am on the 75's and I love them. I really like the constant level of pain relief. I did have some trouble keeping them on but once I called Jansen they sent me some covers that help keep them on longer. The larger the dose the larger the patch is and the larger patches are harder to keep on. I didn't have any trouble keeping the 25's on when I started with them but the 50's and the 75's are larger.
My doc also prescribes them for every two days instead of three because I didn't feel that they were lasting more than 48 hours, plus the fact that they didn't stay on for more than two days.
If you were using Hydrocodone regularly for a long time and then tried to switch to the 25's you probably are not getting enough.
But, I don't know how your doctor would react to you buying Hydrocodone online. That would be your call though as only you know your doctor and how he would react to it. He may cut you off or he may understand that you need a higher dose.
This is a major concern for all people who use OP's for their only source of pain medication. How do you explain your tollerance level to any pain management doctor? They will always start you off with low doses.
I would suggest you stick with them for a month or two and then tell him that they are not strong enough. It has been my experience that you need to make it look like you are putting an effort into trying what the doctor suggests. If you complain too quickly, you may make waves.
You kind of have to put in the time and go through the process of weeding out the milder meds before they will prescribe the stronger meds.
Of course this is only if you feel he wouldn't understand your use of OP's. It is a very important decision. But if you put in the time and try everything the doc suggests you have a better chance of getting what you need in the long run.
Good luck to you. Let us know what you decide and how it works out if you confide your use of OP's. I would be interested in his reaction if you decide to go that route.
Take care,
Susie**
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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
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infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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i don't know this doctor as this was my firt visit with him so i think i'll not say anything just yet. you are right i'm going to count my blessings that he even gave me these patches. i have been going to a number of doctors and specialist for over a year at least 12 or 13 of them. and none of them would give me any narcotics at all. i did tell one of them i got hydro online so its probably on record he said stop doing it its illeagal, i said i have no other option so i guess i'm back online. probably not a smart thing but i was in so much pain and had tried every thing non narcotic they make and no relief. thats how that one reacted but he also said soma was like the worst thing addictive like a narcotic, i knew he was a wast of time right then. so i'll take your advice and keep it zipped for a while. thanks again great help. i still don't get why i can't sleep though.
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we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
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SuseCue
Member
Reged: 04/25/04
Posts: 169
Loc: Tampa, FL
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Maybe you are just thinking too much...lol Happens to me all the time.
When I have trouble sleeping I will take a walk around the block and then try going to sleep. Sometimes it works.
I don't think it is related to the patches. At least it never affected me that way but I certainly can't speak for anyone but myself.
Maybe try some Tylenol PM? Of course, check into any contra-indications with your other meds.
Best of luck to you,
Susie**
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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
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SuseCue
Member
Reged: 04/25/04
Posts: 169
Loc: Tampa, FL
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Also, I have heard a lot of people who have used Soma having trouble falling to sleep after extended use.
I think that when they say "addictive" with Soma is that your body needs the Soma to sleep after using it for sleep too long.
If you have used Soma, maybe it will take a little time for your body to get back to falling asleep on it's own.
Susie**
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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.
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seaofyouth
Journeyman
Reged: 09/22/03
Posts: 84
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I would SAY NOTHING of your actions on the internet, and take the patches, you are very lucky to have a doctor willing to prescribe duragesic. I speak from experience, I have made lots of mistakes telling doctors thing that I thought would not matter. . all of a sudden the door to the office was hitting me in my a$$. If you admit to a doctor that you can / have / potentially still obtain narcotics after you leave his office, he / she will want to proctect his/ her liscence and not give you anything.
Sea
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mainship35
Stranger
Reged: 06/07/04
Posts: 9
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My experience with the patches was that they control the pain so well that I did not notice the increase in pain. It seems they worked in the background for me. My back got so bad that a large piece of disk at L3-L4 broke apart and was pushing on my nerves. The doc said I needed surgery right away or I could become paralyzed. I was on them for 2-1/2 years from a 50 mcg to 125 mcg just before my second surgery. I also had to use the covers supplied by Jansens and it would only last 48 hours not 72. In the instructions that came with the patches it states that 5% of people who use the patch need to change it every 48 hours. My doctor did not know that and I had to show him the instructions about changing every 48 hours before he would prescribe that.I did have very good pain control with the patch.
Good Luck
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infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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thankyou all very much for the info sounds good i'm starting to feel the relief from the patch. not alot but some is better than none. thanks for the quick responses. thats why i love this site.
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we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
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I_love_Jesus
Stranger
Reged: 09/27/04
Posts: 12
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Actually, there is a large percentage of people who have a natural opiod tolerance. Tell him the patches are not working well enough to relieve your pain. If you have no history of abuse or drug seeking, he WILL help you. It has been said already, but under no circumstances should you tell him you are taking hydro. That will not help you at all.
I would go back after your 30 day prescription is up and tell him that finally by day 15 you couldn't stand the pain any more so you tried putting another one on 12-24 hours after you put the first one on. Do not tell him you put two on at once, as to some doctors that says you are not giving the doctor authority (which they lust for), and you are taking things in to your own hands (which they detest) - this may lead him to believe you are looking for some kind of high.
Good luck! Keep us informed
Believe it or not, those patches are just a dream for most pain patients.. Be glad you have a doc who has some compassion. Since this is your first visit with this doc, and he was willing to prescribe fentanyl (be in the lowest dose available or not), it definitely shows that he is willing to help you. It is understandeable that he started you low.. He did that so you can move up if you have to, he just wants to start low so that you can find the exact dosage you need without getting too much or too little. This is a great start!
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peteg72
Member
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 174
Loc: midwest
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I agree... you are very lucky to have seen this doctor once and been started on the patch right away even though I am sure you do deserve them. I bet he will bump you up to 50's after a month with not much pain relif, you just have to wait to show that you are trying. I hope they work. good luck.
Boston just won the World Series!!!!!!!!!!!
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And if the band youre in starts playing different tunes....I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
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BigMarkG
Banned: discussing email sources
Reged: 09/11/04
Posts: 6
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Benzos are CNS depressants, so they would slow you down quite a bit. How is the duragesic patch holding you? Can you function, or are you extremely tired and dopey? If you are the latter, then do not use the benzos. Only use them if you know that you are strong enough to take it. I would suggest getting up out of a chair rapidly, as a test. If you fall, no benzos.
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infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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i function fine not drowzy at all or dopey at all just was feeling paranoid and wierd scared feeling so i took the patch off last night and 2 hours later was feeling better and fell asleep fine. i don't get it at all. i did stick it on my other arm and it seems to be holding ok. where are you supposed to stick them, any do not places the doc didn't tell me. its going on my back this time for sure.
thanks again
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we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
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rockystuart
Enthusiast
Reged: 03/11/04
Posts: 217
Loc: San Fran Bay Area, Calif
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Quote:
I would suggest getting up out of a chair rapidly, as a test. If you fall, no benzos.
Please people dont do this; I ended up blind in one eye after doing this (unintentionally) and falling on a doorsill. AND i'm used to falling due to back problems and Narcolepsy.
7 months and one surgery later I can see 20/20(first time!) Now I'm very, very careful using high dose val's for back spasms. (unless I'm going to lay down I don't take them W/Painkiller).
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infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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well the patches don't work for me cause i can't sleep with them and they make my chest muscles cramp up and tighten whichever arm i put them on and its not worth the relief the give. so the doc took me off and didn't offer any other pain meds. so i will be back to the hydro at least till i see him on next visit. hopefully he will give me something eles will be praying till then. no one else has had any of these effects from them? i have huge tolerance to morph oxy hydr so i don't get why these patches seem to just do more harm than good with me and no one else, wierd.
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Farmer
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/23/01
Posts: 203
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I have an idea that some meds simply don't work on some people. I was once prescribed Dilaudid, which is supposed to be very strong. It may as well have been asprin. Then a year later, kidney stones again and I tried another script, filled at a different pharmacy (thought maybe I got old meds) and again absolutely nothing, vicodin did far more for me, and I had almost zero tollerance at the time, so I really think some meds just don't work on some folks. I was once also given a Atiq lollies and again zero, nada, nothing. I must be missing some receptor or something. The Atiq is the same med as the patch, so maybe you are just like me and they simply do not work on you.
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infliksta
Journeyman
Reged: 10/29/03
Posts: 88
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well i'm off the patches and on avinza or something anyways its morphine 1 a day capsules.
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we're out of our medicine, out of our minds and we're wanting yours let us in.
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