Hi,

I was all excited to finally get a referral to a pain management doc, and met with him yesterday. He spent about 40 mins going over everything with me, and then put me on some new meds to try. Unfortunately I seem to be VERY sick from them.

Wondering if anyone has taken these and gotten similar reaction, and if the side effects level out eventually (better yet, go away!).

I'm taking 5mg butrans transdermal patch for pain, along with my percocets which I've been taking for a very long time, so that's not a problem, and gabapenten 100mg twice a day.

I'm thinking it's the pain patch making me sick, but not sure.

Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue and weakness.

I'm only on day two of the new meds. Any thoughts?
Cathie

Hi Cathie,

Are you sure about that butrans dosage? Is it 5 mcg (rather than 5 mg)?

Those effects could be the butrans, the gabapentin, the butrans interacting with the percocet, or some combination. They should subside within a few days to a month (everyone's different) but if they are intolerable, or anything more serious occurs, I think a call to the doctor is appropriate.

You know the drill.... Use Google and read up on them.

Hoping it all works out for you with far less/no pain,

Doc

Hi ~ I agree with Doc --- I'd give it a little time, unless the side effects are intolerable. It should subside soon. And like he said, I think the dosage is probably 5mcg and not mg.

I wish you the very best! Take care and let us know how you do. Hugs, Lee

Thanks Doc,

I googled until my fingers were sore looking for answers. It seems like its a combo of both. It is subsiding a bit as time goes on, thank God!, but still don't feel well. But I've had this when I started Cymbalta too as I read back in my journal. I guess I need to be patient and give it time.

You are correct, it's 5mcg, I was wrong.

Not no pain, but I get periods of time right now during the day with far less. Hoping the time grows longer!
Thanks again.

I was more concerned that the pharmacist didn't get it wrong!

Google, journal, some improvement.... Lookin' GOOD, Kiddo!

Doc

you have all the side effects of the patch
Butrans side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Butrans: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Butrans and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
•
slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, deep sighs, snoring that is new or unusual;

•
confusion, severe dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;

•
blisters, swelling, or severe irritation where the patch was worn;

•
seizure (convulsions); or

•
nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Hi, thankfully I don't have any of those serious side effects, just the tummy issues, but they seemed to have leveled off now. Just mild tummy issues now, no more dizziness. I read all the side effects for both meds, but in my personal experience they usually go away after your body gets used to the new med. That seems to be the case with me anyway. Just wondered if anyone had the same and how kongnit took to get used to them.

Thank you!

dear cathie

never could take patches

all suggestions great

doc's is something i would be doing

they a trained any combos

script + script

script + over the counter

over the counter + over the counter

my experience with all 3 patches
given lidoderm, fentynel and a third one
can't remember pardon spelling
all immediate reactions
stop and never any more
wasn't in my system that weaning was needed
trial and error you are doing great
make your contacts
violent reactions toxic
get well

Hi Eva,

How are you feeling? I'm doing better now. I spoke with both the neurologist and the pharmacist about side effects when combining my scripts, they both know everything I'm taking.

The side effects have all subsided, thank goodness, except for the hazey feeling, kinda foggy all the time, and although I'm not out of pain it sure has helped me a great deal. My only complaint is this stupid hand of mine! But I've decided to go through with the ulnar nerve transposition in the spring, just waiting to talk to my neuro in march about it. I would rather take a chance at getting my hand back and some more quality of life.

Hope everything is going ok for you and you are getting less pain instead of more. Think about you often.

Take care,
Cathie

Hi, sorry ur feeling so sick.

I've been taking 900mg/day Gabapentin, 25mg/day Lyrica, 10mg/4 times a day Baclofen & just completed my first week of the Butrans patch (5mg). The first day went ok, then on the beginning of the 2nd day the headache hit, of course the 2 beer I had (Canadian beer), probably didn't help. It was so bad I thought I was gonna puke. I asked my pharmacist if I could take gravol & she said yes. So I took 1, slept & then woke up in the afternoon & took another one. Jump ahead to week #2. I've adjusted to the Butrans & had friends over tonight, drank 6 beer, no problems.
So my advice to you is take a Gravol. Beer or any other alcohol isn't recommended, but I always feel better after a couple of beer.