Re: Experiences with Duragesic Patch

[Guest guest]

Hi Cyndi,

I don't have much to say other than I am experiencing something

very similar to you with my kadian. The first week I was taking it, I

had great pain relief, I was able to get it down to 1s and even 0s.

I was aware when it kicked in and wore off. I still had to take the

occasional oxycodone for the breakthrough pain, but was able to

either take less or get the pain levels down to zero when I did.

But after that first week, I noticed that the kadian just didn't seem

to be working as well or even at all. I was back up to consistent

pain levels of 5 to 6 with only relief to 4 and 3 with both the

morphine and the oxy. I am going to see the pain doc and the

PCP next week to see what they will advise about this. I am

thinking that since I am still on trial to find the right dose and

medication that they will be willing to either change the type of

medication or increase the dosage. My understanding is that it

takes a lot of trial and error to get the right combination of dose

and type of medication and that only time will tell what that will

be. I also suspect that a persons pain cycle / variabilty will also

confound these efforts.

Laurie

It will be interesting if there is any explanation for why the meds

worked so well for only a week. I am not sure if it was just a

placebo effect or if my pain levels changed due to a change in

the disease. If I get any insight into this phenomenon, I will

share it with you.

[Guest guest]

After reading your post I realized you are experiencing what in

medicine is termed tolerance. It is not unusual for a person to

develope a tolerance to pain medication when taken over a prolonged

period of time. I do not remember if you posted anything regarding

break through pain medication. Many physicians will prescribe

something like Duragesic or Oxycontin ( something that is extended

release) and then something in addition for what is called break

through pain that is not covered by the extended release medication,

there are many drugs that can be utilized in that category such as

oxy IR, actiq, liquid morphine, diluadid, it is wise to stay away

from the drug combinations that contain tylenol such as percocet,

tylenol and codiene combinations, lortab, vicodin, darvocet. It is

very helpful if you find a physician that can be creative and

educated in pain medication.

Atwell LPN

[Guest guest]

Cyndi,

I take Methadone and Oxycodone for breakthrough pain, not duregisic

patches. Those (the 25's) are actually stronger than what I am taking

now. The methadone, while longer lasting than the oxycodone, still

requires me to take it three times a day. I'm taking 20 mgs in the am,

15mgs at noon, and 20mgs at bedtime. My doctor has been raising mine at

about a 5mg dose each time he raises it. . My oxycodone is my

breakthrough and I'm allowed to take 5mg (up to to at a time and a

maximum of 6 a day) if my pain is more than my pain meds will take care

of. I call the doctor if the pain is worse than my normal dosages will

handle. When we up the dosage, I'm supposed to take it for about 2

weeks, than my doctor ups the dosage again. Luckily, he's only had to do

that once.

Hope this is of some help for you.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.