Re: Duragesic Patch

[Guest guest]

,

I have been placed on the Duragesic patches and they started me off

at 25 units also. It was pretty ineffective at that dosage for my

pain so they continued to up the dosage. Eventually, they had me up

to 200 units (2 patches of 100 each)and yet I still needed oral pain

meds in order to get relief from my pancreatic pain. That was when I

decided it was time to do something about this since I didn't want to

take such a heavy dosage of narcotics, so I had my Whipple.

One thing I didn't like about the patches was the fact that it took

so long for it to begin to work effectively, usually 8-12 hours after

lacement of the patch. The 1st day of a new patch was very bad since

i wasn't getting all of the dosage as of yet. The second day of the

patch was the best and I usually was able to function pretty good as

I was getting the full benefits of the patch. However, by the 3rd

day, I couldm't wait for it to be time to remove the old patch and

replace it with a new one. In other words, I found that it had me on

a roller-coaster ride from extreme pain to pain releif and than back

to increased pain as the patch's medication began to run out. I also

had problems with taking showers as sometimes the water would get

under the patch, making it uneffective once it became contaminated.

Also, you can't get soap on it for it will affect the flowof

medication (I don't know why but I think the soap destroys or

interrupts the flow of medicine into your blood system). Finally, I

began to develop a rash on the areas in which I placed the patches,

even though I was rotating the spots from left to right like they

recommend that you do to avoid such an incidence.

While I am not trying to discourage you from trying such a method of

achieveing suitable pain management, I think it is important for you

to understand that this medication does not work effectively for all

of us. However, I am certain ther4e are others within the group who

have been on the Duragesic patches for quite some time and have had

no touble with them whatsoever.

I hope this will be of help to you in making your decision on whether

or not to use Duragesic for pain management. However, don't forget

that we all have differing experences with the various methods of

attacking your pain. What works forme may not be effective in your

case and vise-versa. Good luck in your quest...

Andre'

> Hi Guys - I haven't posted much in the past few days as I haven't

> been feeling well at all. At any rate, had to go in to see my PCP

> (who at this point is managing the pain aspect of this presumably

> until I get a firm relationship established with the doc at Lahey)

> At any rate, went to see him yesterday and he decided to give me

the

> duragesic patch (Fentanyl) - 25 mgs (to start I think - if worse

> we'll go up to 50 mgs he said.) At any rate, just wanted to ask

the

> experts (!!) who have any experience with the patch how effective

it

> is, pros/cons, etc. Also, why is it that you have to wear it for 3

> days (for first time) before it starts providing pain relief? Is

it

> because it needs that long to fully get into the blood stream? How

> effective is 25 mgs? He gave me my usual 5/325 Percocets but only

> gave me 50 vs the usual 100. I'm really hopeful that this will

> provide me with the continuous coverage I need instead of having to

> play the catch-up game when the pain hits. Please let me know ok?

> As always thanks!

>

[Guest guest]

,

the patches talk 3 days to get into the system, that's why you have to

wear it for 3 days before you get any pain relief. I don't wear the

patch on a daily basis, but I do use it when I end up in the hospital.

It's pretty powerful medicine, even the 25mgs. I don't use them on a

daily basis because even the 25mgs is equivalent to more than what I'm

taking now in the methadone. If you read the information on the patches

that comes in the box, I believe it gives a listing of how much the dose

is equivalent to in other medications. That might give you an idea of

how potent they are. I wish you luck with them as a continous pain relief.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

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

physician or health care professional.