Hi Michelle...

I was on the Duragesic patch for a few years, mostly on the 50mcg. It was a pretty effective pain reliever, but I still had to take Dilaudid along with it. The biggest problem I had was feeling drugged all the time, and found it very hard to think. I finally stopped using it voluntarily because I couldn't take it anymore.

There is a think that fentanyl does to your body when you use it for long periods of time. It causes a change in the muscles of your lower digestive tract, and can lead to feelings of wierdness and discomfort there. When I went off the patch it made my abdomen feel uncomfortable for a long time, until the muscles could repair themselves. But since you're on such a low dosage, it might not be an issue with you.

I hope you continue to find lots of relief with this product. There will surely be an issue of tolerance that may lead to needing a slightly larger dose, but still...it would be worth it if it gives you that much more freedom.

Take care, and feel better...

Idealist

Honestly, the patch had been working really good, untill Tuesday when I had to start moving my daughter around. My pain levels are back up to where they were before and then some. I just dont have any choice but to do the things I am doing. When my husband and step son are around I have them move her but she wont let them get her from the bathroom and help her to change. She gets upset when they try because they are not as gentle and they hurt her. She is having a hard time with the walker since her entire side is bruised up and she cant put pressure on her arm/wrist either, it appears to be soft tissue pain nothing broken. She is only 60lbs. but it is killing me. I try not to show her since she is being very emotional, but it is getting harder every time. I am off of work with her for the next 3 months, I am hoping we can get a system going to limit my lifting of her. She can at least get her leg up on the couch most of the time, so that is progress. I am also going to beg the doctor to try and get a lightweight wheelchair for her, I cant get this one in and out of the car without screaming.

Enough complaining! It doesnt get you anywhere. Maybe the patch needs to be upped to the next dose, or I just need to add more of a breakthough med., who knows. I will call on Monday and see what they have to say.

Thanks again,
Michelle

Hey Michelle,

Are you using any assistive devices to help you move her around? Like when you have to get her into a standing position from sitting, are you using something like a lifting belt? If not, PM me, and I can give you directions on how to make one out of household items and directions on how to use it properly, so that you minimize the load on your back.

Make sure that your showing her how to log roll to get in and out of the bed, rather than you just sliding her over. There are lots of ways to modify her movements and your own to minimize the weight bearing for both of you. Its just a matter of knowing which movements to make for each situation. Yes, its easier for you to just pick her up, but in the end, you don't want to get yourself hurt...then both of you will be laid up, and your hubs and son will be the only one's able to help.

Make sure you're letting her do everything by herself that she's capable of. Its easy to fall into doing everything yourself, but she still has to "help" as much as she can. Everyone likes to be taken care of when they don't feel well, but she does need to realize that you can't do everything for her.

Please feel free to PM me anytime. I check the boards frequently, so I'll get back to you asap. I worked as a nurse's aide while I was going to school for nursing, so I learned all of the different way of moving people out of necessity, since most of my patients outweighed me by at least 50 lbs, if not more (the patient that busted my back up was a little over 400lbs).

Don't forget to take care of yourself, ok? Make sure you've got some time at the end of each day to soak your aching bones, hopefully without interruption. There never is much of "me time" when you're a mom, is there?

Theresa

I am an Occupational Therapist and I do have some gait belts here, but I havent been using any. Believe me I am trying to do everything with proper mechanics, it just doesnt work real well when I cant bend my knees. I am heading out to Walmart to get her a basket for her walker, and a couple sports bottles so she can get herself drinks. She is getting better about rolling and then pushing herself up, but she is really scared, and I am petrified she will knock a bone out of place and we will back to square one. I have a hospital bed coming today so hopefully she can reposition herself with the electric controls a little better. Our couch is also so low to get her off of is horrible. The bed will be higher and will be much easier I am hoping.

Thanks for reminding me, I cant do everything . Its hard with the little ones.

Take Care,
Michelle

First, I was getting married and really wanted to figure ot my pain meds so I could have a decent honeymoon. A while before the wedding, my doctor suggested I try the Duragesic patches. After about a month, I was lying in bed, cancelling my wedding and trying to figure out how to commit suicide. I was just done and beyond depressed. Apparently 5% of the patients that use Fentanyl become suicidal, and I was one of the lucky winners. I'm adding on to this old post because that seems important enough to notify patch users about. I did get off the patch and had a wonder wedding and am married to an incredible man.

Also, I had a patch on my arm burst once. It had been on for about 6 hours when I realized my skin felt wet. I thought it was just sweat, but I checked anyway. The fentanyl goo was all over my skin. I immediately called the company who pulled that whole batch from the shelf and they sent me to the hospital for an overdose so they could test my blood and take steps if any were necessary. Just be aware that is possible.

Good luck,
Suzanne