[ansky]

I have had neuropathy only in the front part of both feet for about 5 1/2 yrs. now. The doc says it's mild neuropathy with sever pain, at this time I am on 375mg of Lyrica, 200mg cr Ulram and now 300mg Dilantin, I might as well be taking tic tacs. The pain is 24/7 now, it goes up and down in intensity mostly up but it is always there. The doc says I am not on the dilantin long enough, I have been on it for about 2 1/2 wks now. I am also using The Rebuilder at a setting of 5. All was doing pritty good till I had a full knee replacement a little over 2mos ago. After the surgery I was good for 2wks then all hell broke loose. Over the years I have tried all the other so call normal drugs with no or little help. I am diabetic and in control although I am having some problems with being to low now.
Can anyone help me with some advice I am ready for the rubber room and I am going too drive my wife there also.

[DanP]

Ask your Doc to let you try the Duragesic Patch. Start on the 50 strength patch. If that doesn't help then go to the 75 strength patch. You should get some pain relief but if it's not enough try the 100 strength patch. The idea is to titrate this medication to obtain maximum relief. Also, be sure and give this med sufficient time to do it's job - at least a full week. These patches are usually changed every 72 hours (3 days).

I've had Painful Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy for over 22 years with constant severe pain at the 7 to 9+ level on the Mankoski Scale and never got any relief from all the meds usually prescribed for PN. I started the Duragesic Patch on 1-9-02 and when we began the 100 strength patch on 11-18-02 the pain dropped down to a 2 to 4 with it being closer to 2 than the 4. Today I am using 150 strength patches and my pain remains at the 2 to 4 level allowing me to live a relatively normal life. I have no problem driving my car and I walk 1 to 2 miles most every day. I am 79 years old and we will continue to use these patches until a cure is found or till I die.

If pain is the problem give these patches a try. Good luck.

[zorro1]

Originally Posted by DanP

Ask your Doc to let you try the Duragesic Patch. Start on the 50 strength patch. If that doesn't help then go to the 75 strength patch. You should get some pain relief but if it's not enough try the 100 strength patch. The idea is to titrate this medication to obtain maximum relief. Also, be sure and give this med sufficient time to do it's job - at least a full week. These patches are usually changed every 72 hours (3 days).

I've had Painful Sensory Peripheral Neuropathy for over 22 years with constant severe pain at the 7 to 9+ level on the Mankoski Scale and never got any relief from all the meds usually prescribed for PN. I started the Duragesic Patch on 1-9-02 and when we began the 100 strength patch on 11-18-02 the pain dropped down to a 2 to 4 with it being closer to 2 than the 4. Today I am using 150 strength patches and my pain remains at the 2 to 4 level allowing me to live a relatively normal life. I have no problem driving my car and I walk 1 to 2 miles most every day. I am 79 years old and we will continue to use these patches until a cure is found or till I die.

If pain is the problem give these patches a try. Good luck.

Good post . Do the patches give heavy brain fog? they seemed to be as a last resort from what I read

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by zorrro13

Good post . Do the patches give heavy brain fog? they seemed to be as a last resort from what I read

My DX is idiopathic polyneuropathy with quite a bit of pain in my feet and legs. After trying just about everything else (Cymbalta, Lyrica, Neurotin, Tramodol, etc) my neurologist started me on Fentanyl (generic for Duragesic) a little over a month ago. I started at 12mcg/hr changing patches every 72 hours. After 2 weeks, she increased my dosage to 25mcg/hr every 72 hours. Now I'm at 25mcg/hr changing patches every 48 hours. Pain is better but not great yet. I imagine I'll go to 50mcg/hr next but I want to give the current dosage a chance to work.

These patches are a Schedule II Narcotic. Use as directed and there should be no problem. Changing your dosage without your doctor's advice can cause major problems both medically and legally.

[DanP]

No - I have not experienced 'brain fog'. The only side effect I have experienced is constipation and this is caused by the narcotic 'fentanyl' which is the pain reliever on the patch. Constipation is common when one is using a narcotic but it's easily treated.

Be sure and use this medication exactly as prescribed by your physician. Work closely with him/her and build a solid and trusting relationship. Do this and your doctor will support you as you fight this damnable pain.