patches
 

The best advice is to ask the md who prescribed them to you how often they want you to change them. I have worked with fentanyl patches for over 12 years and I have never changed a patients patch earlier than 72hours unless it had been removed and needed to be replaced. Sometimes the first couple of days you start using them can be difficult because it generally takes a full 24 hours to build up in your system. Take care and be sure to ask your doctor, fenanyl along with all narcotics need to be taken as ordered because they can be dangerous and even cause you to stop breathing if not taken properly.:)

Then discuss this with your specialist NOW, (ask him how transfer of care will proceed) so it'll be taken care of, off your mind (which can't be helping any) and the transfer of care will go smoothly. He probably has a lot of patients with the same concerns, and will likely turn everyone over to the same doctor/clinic/group with letters/notes on each that function like letters of recommendation.

Doc

Thank you! I will certainly bring this up at my next visit.
I'm having a hard time making the patches last 3 days, but I don't want to go back to changing every 48 hrs.
It's my dang back spasms! (have I mentioned lately that I'm having these? :p) The Baclofen seems to be helping less and less, so I need to see if there is something better we can try. Thanks to your suggestions and links you provided, I'll be more familiar with the options that are out there

Rae

My standard suggestion is google: talk doctor pain and let him choose which to try based on your need & his knowledge/experience. If you have any concerns/questions about his choice, ask them then & there. Give whatever he prescribes a fair/reasonable chance/trial (w/ adjustment period). If it works, cool! :yahoo: If it doesn't, or there's any problem, don't hesitate to call immediately, report it, :hissyfit: and ask for a change.

You probably know all this stuff very well, :Clever: but for the lurkers... The thing is (seems I've been posting a lot about doctors lately, so this stuff is all running rampant through my head... :picknose: ) unless we specifically tell them (call, complain, ask, etc) doctors assume everything is ok and working fine, whether it's pain, medications, or whatever. Once we leave the office, other than notes & billing, they're on to the next patient and their problems; they don't think much about us :Dunno: until the next appointment. :Doh:

Doc

Thanks for that google reference. I remember you giving that to someone else and I was actually going to pm you for it.

:D I see you've been hit with 'Smilie Fever' also ! :Crazy 2:

Innit great!

I go in spurts. It depends on a few variables - how much time/"stress" constraint I'm under, having the patience/stamina to go through the whole chart looking for the appropriate smilie, how goofy I'm feeling (even under "stress")...

I was chuckling to myself the other day thinking someone out there might suspect I'm bipolar or something.... :eek: In the case of the post above, I had a brief break in a multi-day headache, so yeah, my spirits were a little better. Other times I may do it just to keep/lift my spirits; when I lose my sense of humor, THEN I'm in trouble! :thud: (Never had occaision to use that one B4.)

Doc

finding a new doctor...
 

Hi Rae,

in all my years, I have managed to find new doctors as necessary when I moved cross country and back. it is not always easy and may take seeing a couple of doctors, but it is do-able. My pain doctor is in the process of retiring and she has sent a list of multiple pain doctors out to her patients. Ask your doctor for a referral. Best of luck. keep me in the loop.

sincerely,
Sloane

Thanks Sloane! I talked to him yesterday and it sounds like he'll be around for another year (I hope)...... I used up most of our 10 minute office visit asking about SSDI and if he's helped pts with this (he does), so I'll wait for next visit to ask about this.
It eases my mind to hear you say that your other Drs have honored the referrals and recommendations.
Thanks again
Rae