Please let us know how the new dosage is working for you as you go along. You should probably see a difference within just a few days but I am just guessing on that.

Yep, a sign for the pool sounds like just the thing. I can just imagine Bubba, the man, not the pool, looking at all you have accomplished and working on and is so proud of you. You honor him and his memory every day and I believe he is aware of it.

The pool will be Bubba's way of comforting your pain in his absence. Can't wait to hear about all your summertime fun in the sun and water and the healing powers the pool will bring to you.

Forget the pun in the title, pins and needles, but we are sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear some good news ??? about the increase on the dosage.

I know I am asking too soon, but I am so hoping to hear that it is helping, I just can't wait. Yes, patience is NOT something I can exhibit all the time. (As well illustrated by asking just 2 days after you began the new dosage.)

I also wanted to bump this up since it is Easter and many members are busy with the holiday. The bunny rabbit can wait, .... I just want good news, not candy and Easter eggs.

I second the motion........just call it anxious.....


Gerry

Hi, St George 2013!

At one point during my care I had to switch from a 50mcl Fentanyl patch to 60mg morphine b.i.d. and 4 mg hydromorphone (dillaudid) q.i.d. While the Fentanyl was pretty effective, I hated the loss of control it afforded, as I was always trying to cut-back on my meds and take the least amount necessary. The switch let me do that, and was nearly as effective as the Fentanyl. One bonus was that I discovered hydromorphone, which has been the best pain medicine I've ever taken. I've continued taking it for ten years. If you are like me then you might actually derive benefit from switching. I still refer to my year on the patch as my "lost year" because I barely remember any of it.

Best Wishes,
Idealist

Since you have not posted, I can have my mind wander down two different roads.

One, you are doing so much better with the increased dosage that you are busy doing some things that you were unable to do at the lower dosage.

OR..........

The higher dosage has not proven successful as of yet, "maybe too soon", and you are not feeling up to posting your response to the higher level of medication.

I will "TRY" to be more patient and wait until we hear from you before I post again.

Well, maybe. I may let my curiosity get the best of me and post again, in hopes that you are doing better, but you are waiting until you have had more time to assess the effect of the meds, before you let us know.

Y'all are crazy and made me laugh

Everyone here is just the greatest.......waiting for me to post how I am ? Priceless in my book dearest friends. You humble me.

The 30 mg is working ! Just hope I'm not in a 'honeymoon' phase as they say and I fall out in a week.

I was actually up and going on Saturday and Sunday...did way too much and had to stay in the bed yesterday. I hurt yesterday but was able to handle the pain as long as I stayed off my feet. On the 15 I was in bed and in horrible pain.

I know I've got to pace myself but I guess I was just so excited to be awake and not thinking I was dying from the pain.

You guys are just the best in the whole wide world !

Debi

Thanks so much for your message and nice to meet you

My daughter mentioned dillaudid to my PM dr and he just shook his head. I will keep that in mind for the future if needed.

So glad to hear you found something that works for you and have been on it for 10 years...that is awesome and what I'm looking for in treatment. To find something that works and stay the course.

Debi

Such wonderful news. Hooray !!! Wish I knew how to use those cute little icons, but I think I have to use the quote feature to have them available.

I am so thrilled to hear from you and have it be GOOD news.

Yes, don't forget to pace yourself. Just because your pain levels are lowered does not mean you can push it to the limits.

You have to keep in mind that this is not a "cure" for your SFN, it is only a way to help you live with your pain. It is to allow you those days when you are able to get out of bed and do a "few" things. You need to be able to "sprint", doing a little at a time and then rest, before you can run a "marathon" and push yourself beyond the abilities of the medication.

I know how ecstatic you must be to be able to leave the house and leave the bed, but you can't do it ALL.

I sure hope that you can pace yourself and keep the pain at tolerable levels with this new dosage. But you need to remember "moderation" is the key.

Thanks so much for sharing the good news. It was well worth the wait and anticipation.

Hi Debi,

It lightens my heart knowing you are doing well and have some quality of life. You go girl!

Cliffman

But I won't be pranking anyone today !

Just want to share something I've come up with for myself

I 'finally' had my hair colored yesterday. Haven't had it done since December

The lady I use, Sheri, is only a couple of houses down from mine. She has a little building in her backyard and made a very nice salon out of it. Perfect for 2 people. It's only you and her for the appointment which I love. I can go in my pj's if I want to !

I really, really didn't feel like going but had already cancelled once so I MADE myself go. So glad I did. As she washed and massaged my head/hair it was so relaxing. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed it. Same with hair drying.

So.....I've decided to go every week and let her wash and dry my hair !
I'm calling it HAIR THERAPY ! At $18 it's much cheaper than a therapist and I can actually get myself there.

Sheri is 'on board' with my hair therapy and said she will come up with a new style for me every week to try

I may only go for a few weeks...who knows but it will get me out of the house for an hour.

Just being able to make that decision for ME is so freeing.

The weather here is not good. Thunder storms rolling through every few days and my body knows it.

But I've been able to deal with the pain I have. My feet hurt all the time and feel swollen and tight. But it's a muted pain. I still get the zips and zaps but not the amount I was getting on the 15 mg.

I need a break from the decreasing and increasing of pain meds. As long as I stay like this I'm going to take a break for a few months before I decide whether to try anything else. I'm so tired. I know many of you totally get what I'm talking about.

Thanks my friends !

Debi