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Question on new pain medicine

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Posted 10/21/2010 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Well the home hospice doctor came and visited dad today, he has really gone hill these last 2 days, last Friday he had lost 18 lbs in one week, they went ahead n weighed him today n he has lost another 8 lbs in less than a week, he has almost totally quite eating. They are taking him off of his MS Contin, and MS fast acting and they had just started him on the fentanyl patch last week, and want me to not re-apply the next one. They r going to start him on methadone with ativan tomorrow. Has anyone else had to make these changes, is methodone stronger than the ms contin and morphine, n fentanyl? Loooking for any input.
Posted 10/21/2010 3:23 AM (GMT 0)

I believe they may have changed the pain meds in hope that his appetite will improve.  A person on morphine or MSContin really has no desire to eat.  They don't even feel hungry.  Methadone (a synthetic) at one time was just used to wean heroin addicts and maintain them.  Nowadays, it is being prescribed more for chronic pain.  It's not necessarily stronger--just different.  In this way, they can also determine if his lack of appetite and losing weight is a result of the pain meds he was taking or is a more disease-based thing.

Hugs,

Connie


Posted 10/26/2010 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Boomer,

I can totally understand your frustration. This is the place to be though, there are many experts here that seem to know more than most doctors. I'm sorry to hear about your frustration, and it's a sad place to be. As far as the drinking goes, I would think that the doctor's can give him something to take the edge off. From my experiences, I've learned that nothing can get you sicker and down faster than alcohol smhair   As far not eating, that is tough because I constantly had people rant about how I should eat more, but was so sick inside I could not take a bite! See if he will eat a veggie and fruit naturally blended drink- and if he can get some substance in, the lactulose should help.

As for the pain medicine, I would think fentanyl may be easier to process than pain meds. Methadone can have very high anasthetic benefits. Also, I was taking a medication called burprenorphine in the form of SubutexTM, that is similar to methadone, but i'm not sure. It is alternative to SuboxoneTM given to hep C patients for heroin maintenance. Just another possibility to ask your doctor about however, i'm not sure if it would would help in your situation and may not be beneficial. It did not diminish my appetite- and I was on it for two years for before quitting altogether. Good luck buddy, just keep doing the best that you can do.

 

Posted 10/26/2010 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Fentenyl (sp.) is a pain med and a very powerful one at that. As I recall, it's a morphine based synthetic and is applied by patches, although it can be injected and be taken orally.
Posted 10/27/2010 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
They have put dad soley on the methadone liquid and giving him the ativan liquid now. He hasnt been able to take any of his reg. meds in about 3 days, and has basically quite eating, he stays so confused and into EVERYTHING !!!!! Some days I feel like banging my head up against a brick wall!!!! He is absolutley running me ragged, trying to keep my eye on him and then hes argues with me about whatever hes doing that he shouldnt be! He is just SSSOOOOO restless! I find myself crying out to God "Take him home" because I know my dad would just die if he knew he was acting like this and having to be cared for in such a mannor. But then I feel guilty for asking God that. He has a very big sore on his hip, that could break open any day, he is now down to 115 lbs, where normally he is about 150. Ive read in the pamplets that home hospice brought out and according to that he is in his last days, but his vitals all remain fair. I just dont know, its so hard and there are so many mixed emotions going on inside me. He has nearly fell several times but yet he thinks he doesnt need anyone helping him, I keep telling him "dad your very weak, you get dizzy, and your confused, then he starts to cry" UUGGGGHHH then thats when my heart breaks!
Posted 10/27/2010 3:19 PM (GMT 0)

I went thru the not eating phase also.  First it easy because I was on a liquid diet (alcohol) then when I quit drinking my stomach was nauseated all the time.  Just looking at food made me want to throw up. The pain medicine also kept me from  wanting to eat.  I dropped from 150 to 96 lbs in less than 2 months.  I knew I had to eat and I tried but my stomach just revolted at the sight of food.  I got upset because I wanted to do as the Dr. ordered,I wanted to get better so I just made up my mine to force my way thru it.  At 1st I couldn't handle solid food so I started with ensure,gradually working up to fruit and soups and after about a month back to solids.  My stomach was used to no food so I had to re-train it.  I now weigh a healthy 120 lbs.  Sometimes you just to have to start slowly.  As for pain meds they have changed mine many times mainly do to tolerance level. I was Fentanyl patches 75mg every 48 hours with oxycodone for BP.  Personally for me the patches never even took the edge off the pain,they were expensive and had terrible withdrawls. Right now they have me on Oxycodone 5mg  12/day but when I go Friday my meds will be changed again because I don't like taking 12 pain pills a day.  Dr. had mentioned an extended release morphine.  I don't know anything about this medicine or how it works or will work for me.  Good luck.

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