Re: Dear Becca

[Guest guest]

Pam wrote:

<there are great pain patches out there that bypass the stomach and

deliver pain med through the skin into the blood stream. They not

only save the stomach, but they also deliver continuous pain

medication for hours, and reduce those ups and downs that come with

regular pill meds. Call the doctor that is seeing him and tell him

that the pain is unretractable and unbearable and that they can not

see him for two months. Tell them that is unacceptable and that he

needs pain meds NOW, today. Ask him to consider a pain patch.>

Becca,

The pain patch that Pam is referring to is called a Duragesic Patch.

It delivers the drug Fentanyl intradermally into the skin. They are

worn for 72 hours, then a new one is applied.

This is the medication that I've been using for the last two years. I

love it, it's been the only thing that worked for me. I tried MS

Contin (Oxycontin), Oxycontin IR, morphine, and all of the lower

strength medications, but the duragesic patch has been the only one

that could control my pain. See if Mark's doctor will prescribe this,

with another short acting medication for breakthrough pain, for the

time being, until he can see the PM doctor. The starting dosage for

the patch is 25 mgs., unless he's been on narcotics for a while and is

more accustomed to them, then they could start with a higher dose.

They come in 25 mgs., 50 mgs., 75 mgs., and 100 mgs. The breakthrough

med that I use is Oxycodone 5 mgs., but some doctor's prescribe

Percocet or Hydrocodone for the breakthrough pain.

Hope this helps.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina State Rep.

South Eastern Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

opinion, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.