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scared after my pm appointment

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Posted 1/30/2014 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I had my monthly check up on Tuesday with my PM DR. He changed my Fentanyl patch from 12 mcg/hr to 25 mcg/hr due to the fact that my pain was still at a 6. I also take 30 mg of oxycodone each day. My problem is I am scared to put on the 25 mcg/hr patch. I had one 12 mcg/hr left and he said keep it in case the 25 mcg/hr makes you dizzy or your stomach upset. In 2007 I had a fundoplication for GERD and hernia repair and I can't physically vomit. I do keep zofran on hand. I know everyone reacts different but I would like to hear from some people who have some experience with the patches. I was supposed to change my 12 mcg/hr to a 25 mcg/ hr at 9:00 a.m. this morning it is now 3:00 p.m. and I still have not. I called my Dr. And left a message about my concern. My pain is very bad and I am sure it would help me though as I said I am scared. I hope no one thinks I am foolish or maybe someone else has felt the same about a change in therapy. Each time a change is made I get scared like when I first went on the fentanyl patch. I apoligize if I rambled. Thank you for your time and understanding.
Posted 1/30/2014 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry for the confusion... But what is causing your anxiety? Did you experience bad side effects with the lower dose? If you didn't vomit or get a rash with the other patch, I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm on 25mcg Fentanyl and I can't take 30mg of Roxicodone. It makes me feel sleepy and nauseous. If you can handle those without getting dizzy or ill... I think you'll be fine. Do you have someone home with you? Let them know what's going on and put on the patch the doctor prescribed and IF (that's a big if) something happens, at least you have someone there with you.

Sometimes the fear we have is a much bigger deal than what it is we are afraid of. Let us know how you come out. Again, I'm on it and I haven't had any side effects... Just my pain is gone! I only take a half of my 15mg Roxicodone now because the pain relief from the patch is so effective. I hope.it works similar for you.

Good luck!
Posted 1/30/2014 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm tending to agree with Linds on this.

I think it's pretty common, especially for those of us who are on a lot of medications, have multiple medical problems, or have had scary reactions in the past,....to feel those twinges of concern any time there are changes made to our routine.

So in that regard, I think being alert is quite logical.

As Linds inquired,...where is your anxiety stemming from? I do exactly what Linds recommends, every time (yep, every single time) there's a change made to my med schedule. I start on the weekend when my Husband will be home, and I tell him in advance that "this is the new medication I'm taking," and I give him the details.

Just knowing that he's there and knows what I'm taking,....and that he knows I'm feeling a little nervous (I don't deal well with change),...well, that helps me to calm down quite a bit. It's comforting, as Linds pointed out, IF (big IF) something should happen.

But it sounds like you have tolerated the medication well already, so this is an increase of a medication your system has adjusted to. You will in all likelihood do fine, especially since your body is familiar with how this medication reacts in your body.

Let us know how you make out, and what you decide to do.




M.
Posted 1/31/2014 8:46 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome JayL to the chronic pain forum. I have to agree here and anytime they mess with or change anything I tend to work myself into a tizzy!! We find a comfort zone as CPers after spending sometimes years of trial and error with meds and adverse reactions and side effects that when change is offered it's scary!

I think knowledge is power though and you know what signs to be aware of and how your body reacts to certain things and as long as your aware and have someone checking on you I think that's safe playing honestly.

We become opiate tolerant and that simply means our body's become accustomed to higher amounts of a drug then our non-opiate users counterpart.

Should you have difficulty just make sure you or your "watcher " gets immediate medical help. Re:911 and they're made aware of the situation. They all keep Narcan onboard and the use of it can pull you back from any overdose within seconds of administration. It won't be comfortable for opiate dependants but it will prevent accidental overdosing and just knowing it's available can relieve the stress of the situation.

I don't think anything like that's going to be necessary though since your not new to fent use and your not jumping high but stepping up.

Good luck and I hope the new dose helps.
Posted 1/31/2014 8:56 AM (GMT 0)
I posted last night however, I don't see it. I put the new higher dose patch on after my husband got home from work. That was around 7:00 p.m. it is now 3:46 a.m. and I woke at 3:30 p.m. in pain. I was nervous to put the new higher dose patch on and once I did I was proud of myself that I was able to deal with my anxiety and do it. I am a bit unhappy as I thought the higher dose patch would keep the pain bearable. I will hang onto the hope that things will get better. I hope everyone has a good day.
Posted 1/31/2014 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
JayL it's likely it's not had enough time to reach serum levels yet. Also you stretched the lesser dose to it's limits and that allowed the amount of fentenyl in your system to drop.

I would expect by early afternoon, evening you should be seeing some of the relief you expected. Hang in there and thanks for the update and glad you worked up the courage, it's not easy!!
Posted 1/31/2014 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm curious about the nissen you had. I also had one a year ago & similar thing happened to me until I got a bad stomach bug & I think I may have broken something loose. Did you surgeon say anything about the wrap being too tight?
Posted 1/31/2014 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
No my wrap is not to tight in some people after the surgery they are unable to burp or vomit. I am one of those. If my stomach gets upset I take Zofran if that does not work I have to go to the ER because as my GI Dr. Says if I get the dry heaves I could do damage to the wrap or the mesh that is in there. I had it done in 2007 and I have been lucky I have not ended up in the ER with that problem. I have a friend who also had it done and he as well can't vomit however, he can burp. I am happy that I had it done like many things we trade one thing for another and I would rather not be able to vomit then deal with GERD and the hernias. You should make an appointment with your Dr. To make sure everything is okay. I have an endoscopy once a year per my Dr. Orders. I hope you are doing okay and you can get to see your Dr.
Posted 1/31/2014 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Vickie, the patch is certainly working now. The dr said I have to get usto it as it is a higher dose. I don't like the weird feeling it is giving me though I have not had this kind of pain relief in months. I hope the pain relief keeps up and the weird feeling goes away.
Posted 1/31/2014 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Jayliz, I had insomnia and a foggy feeling when I started the patch too. It went away for me... Matter of fact by day three it went away and never came back. And I had the same reaction you did as far as pain relief... It has given me my life back! I was able to take my daughter trick or treating, I took her to the zoo, we walked for miles at the cider mill! I haven't been able to do things like that for years!

I hope the weird feeling goes away for you soon and you are able to filly enjoy the pain relief! Keep us posted!
Posted 1/31/2014 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I think I'm going to ask to be put on the patch.

Since their shot in my back I need 24 hour a day coverage.2 oxycontin isn't doing the job.

Rick

Posted 1/31/2014 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad you are here

For myself, I realized I would prefer to risk what I thought of as ' drug addiction ' after the lightbulb moment -
I had been in bed many hours a day - every day - for hhmm about 18 - 2 yr

My ' moment ' came when I realized I could not feel joy..
Who does not feel joy when holding their precious grandbaby ?!

My smiles were superficial - I was gritting my teeth - in pain

Tried quiet few other meds before the fentanyl patch (with another med to use for break through & one for muscle spasms)

Life changing

And Understanding that dependency is different from addiction was key for me - if others didn't / don't 'get it' - too darn bad. My unasked for bit of advice: is not necessary to share your medical info with anyone - you are in control.

Welcome - glad you found us !!

Re: fentanyl - yes was Scarey when starting

Had some different feelings at first but not bad - certainly tolerable.. & they went away fairly quickly

The pm doc has been great..
I do let him know when dosages became not hi enough BUT I (still) prefer to wait a couple of months before increasing them.. just to be sure I am not in a (temporary) flare.

Someday I want off as much med as Possible & hope that happens..

for now
I am enjoying life - still have pain but I can smile, & get those sloppy wet toddler kisses & hugs !!
Posted 2/1/2014 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Linda, "a foggy feeling" is a great way to explain it. I as well have a bit of a headache thoughh I just took some advil for it. I am so happy with the pain relief that when this foggy feeling goes away I am going to go for a walk. I have not been in awhile. I only took 10mg of my break through med today and that is because my cat got under foot and I twisted my back. I tried the heating pad and advil for an hour and it was not working so I took the 10 mg and everything is okay and that was over 6 hours ago. I am allowed 30mg a day however, if I don't need it I am certainly not going to take it. When my husband came home I got out of the bedroom and into the family room. He could tell right away that my pain was better. I was telling him about all the things I may be able to do now and we both smiled at the same time. Of course he said baby steps at first and I agree. My dr called this afternoon to see how I was doing. He was pleased and did say probably after 3 or 4 days that feeling will be gone. I told him about the walk and he said take it easy but enjoy yourself. I was hesitant to post my fear though I am glad I did. I get great support here, thank you all.
Posted 2/1/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Diane, when I first started with a pm dr I tried everything under the sun before I finally decided to take oxoycodone. I was so concerend about others calling me a drug addict or just feeling like one. My pm dr is great and spent time explaining dependancy over addiction. There are still the ones that judge though I can't worry about them anymore I need to concentrate on myself and getting my life back. I hope and feel I am in the right direction. Thank you for your support it means so much that I know I can come here and I don't get laughed at and my questions are answered witth genuine concern and support.
Posted 2/1/2014 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Rick, I hope you are able to get some relief. My thoughts are with you.
Posted 2/1/2014 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Rick, I'm so sorry that the Oxycontin isn't working out... I was very hopeful for you. I also used to be on it but I was on a 3x a day schedule. I took it every 8 hours and it worked much better.

I hope you find what works for you soon!
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