Re: Fw: Re: Anyone have any luck with Fentanyl Patches for nerve pain?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jane Sounding more and more like I may be needing a muscle relaxer in

addition to the other stuff. I dont take any narcs now, they dont seem to

help....I thought maybe there was something different or special about the

Fentanyl but it doesnt sound like it.

From: hollygolightly1916 <emaher1916@ gmail. com>

Subject: Re: Anyone have any luck with Fentanyl Patches for nerve pain?

To: tetheredspinalcord@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 2:34 AM

Hello !

How are you? (other than being in pain am very sorry to hear that.)

No, I have not had personal experience with the Fentanyl patch for

treatment of neuropathy. I have used Lidocaine patch twice for lumbar

nerve/muscle pain with mixed sucess. While it initially " dulled " the

sharp dagger like sensation -- in the end it was not enough for me --

and I explored other narcotic pain medication as my intervention &

treatment.

Have you tried searching the group database? The majority of

circumstances in which I've read, heard of Fentanyl patch being used is

in palliative treatment for cancer etc. Have you asked your doctor

about trying another neuropathy med such as Lyrica or Topamax? Lyrica

is manufactured by the same company that patented Neurontin and is

similiar yet different -- Topamax like Neurontin was initially used in

treatment of seizure disorders and epilepsy (as an anti-convulsant. )

While I had good luck initially with Neurontin, I had to stop taking it

in the end b/c of the side-effects -- and serious edema affecting my

feet, legs and rest of my body. Topamax worked for very well for the

first 10 days -- but on day 11 I broke out in terrible hives. I went

off it for 3 weeks and once again tried it but with same allergic

reaction. This is not to say it hasn't worked for others. Lyrica &

Topamax are a Tier 2 prescription drug and are not available in generic

form -- as the pharmaceutical companies have not " released " it for

generic use. If you're interested in trying other neuropathy

medications such as the above for mentioned I would suggest a trial run

with samples.

Right now, I am on COBRA and unfortunately (and quite maddening) BC/BS

will not cover any prescriptions until 2 months after -- meaning

January 2009. I did my own research on-line and contacted the

pharmaceutical manufacturers of two of the other medications I take,

not related to my neuropathy but a different condition and applied for

their patient assistance programs to receive my meds at little to no

cost for up to a year. Happily, I was approved! So -- never doubt there

are ways and means to stay on your meds - if financial

strains/struggles/ no RX coverage is an issue.

I realize this is a somewhat " long-winded answer " to your question --

but felt it usual information to share. Keep your chin up! Never stop

asking questions ...

Much Love & Light to you ..

>

> Hi all here...still having tooo much pain on 2400mg

> Neurontin and 30mg Elavil (for sleep mostly). Am waiting on a visit

> with a specialist but it probably wont be until Feb. Thats a long

time

> from now pain wise. My daughter works with a girl whose Mother got

good

> relief from her nerve pain using Fentanyl patches. I vaguely remember

> there were/are some problems with them (lawyer commercials on tv lol)

> but was curious if anyone has tried them for TC and if they worked.

> Thanks everyone, hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving

>

>