Dear Friends, I'm wondering if anybody with pain issues has tried Duragesic Patches (a transcutaneously absorbed fentenyl). It's a drug is intended for chronic pain in people used to narcotics... basically, if/when hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone, oxycontin, hydromorphone and other opiods don't work or stop working. If you haven't tried or can't take those 'lesser' opiods, this would likely NOT be an option since opiods can cause trouble breathing in people not used to them.
The patches deliver 25 micrograms (mcg) per hour, or 50mcg/hr depending on dose and the patches last about 3 days. These were the ONLY thing that really worked for me. The only problem I had was that I fell into the group of less than 3% of patients who got diarrhea using them. Most people get constipation from opiods ... this one gave me wonderful pain relief with 5 hellish days of "the squirts." No anti-peristaltic or intestinal anti-spasmotics (like belladonna, atropine, librax, etc.) helped so I had to give up the patches. Note: I had terrible diarrhea for days after a recent surgery. We kept thinking antibiotics messed me up or maybe I got a C-diff infection. I later found out reading notes that I was given IV fentenyl by my anaesthesiologist. (Now I list it as an "allergy.") But, I do have a friend who is a high-level para with chronic pain who does very well with the patches as far as pain and has no ill effects. Just a thought as an option for anyone looking for non-surgical or non-implanted pain control devices. Hope this can help somebody! Best, --Tod ---- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Corie, > > It sounds as though we've been down the same path. I've tried all the meds > that you've mentioned, with all the same results. I haven't had any pain > medication put into my pump since I've had it. I will inquire about the > Prialt. > I've read up on it, and it sounds pretty scary, but so did some of the > other medicines that I've taken. > > My Baclofen pump works very well for controlling the spasticity, but it will > be an bonus, if I can get pain medication put into my pump that actually > helps the pain. Thanks for this information. I will talk to my doctor > about > it. > > Naomi > > > C4-incomplete, quadriplegic since July 2005 > due to Transverse Myelitis
