12th March 2008
I wanted to add something to the thread, but it's closed....I guess because it got off topic at some point (according to the post by the moderator).
Anyway, it seems that Conductor and I are on the same page. I just wanted to add that I understand that you're concerned about taking more meds, but I'm wondering that if you took the proper BT med, you may actually take less overall....Because the BT through med would work and you wouldn't need the repeat doses of the Lortab.
Re: Feel like I'm about to break
Dear Brian,
I wear a 75 mcg Sandoz fentanyl patch and use the 800 mcg generic Actiq for BT. Also, I am Rx'd 8 mg Dilaudid (generic) tablets for BT, as well. Sometimes, the Actiq works. However, the Dilaudid works better at other times. As Executor stated, I cannot imagine using a much weaker medication to help my BT pain.
For instance, the Actiq lifts the fentanyl level--I understand that one. Plus, the Dilaudid hits other portions of the pain receptors. That's why I use it when my pain is intense in my back. For whatever reason, the Dilaudid delivers better relief there. When the pain is particularly intense in my hips and knees, the Actiq works better.
Certainly, this is just my experience. Perhaps your physician could help you with a "stronger" Rx or something. Maybe it's worth looking into as a possibility. Please keep us updated!
Sincerely,
Jon (Conductor)
Re: Feel like I'm about to break
Hope things are improving for you Brian...I really do!
As I've posted before, I think one of your main problems is the Lortab. It's baby aspirin compared to the patch....Way too weak. You don't take something "weaker" for BT pain. Think about it this way....The patch, or fentanyl, establishes your baseline....A much weaker drug isn't going to deaden the break through pain that the patch doesn't filter out....You need either MORE fentanyl for BT, or a equally strong med, like Oxycodone. I have a close friend who is on the patch and uses Actiq for BT #1 and Oxyfast for BT#2. BT# 1 is the 1st attempt at dulling the pain....If it doesn't work, then she uses #2 which ALWAYS works. The problem is that it effectively ends her day...i.e has to lay down, sleep or whatever due to it's strength.
Hope all works out for you.
Ex
Brian, I really think that when you take the Lortabs for BT, because they are so much weaker as a comparison to your LT med, that it's like adding a little bit of water into a large bucket....Doesn't really make any kind of an impact.
Best of luck to you!
Ex
Anyway, it seems that Conductor and I are on the same page. I just wanted to add that I understand that you're concerned about taking more meds, but I'm wondering that if you took the proper BT med, you may actually take less overall....Because the BT through med would work and you wouldn't need the repeat doses of the Lortab.
Re: Feel like I'm about to break
Dear Brian,
I wear a 75 mcg Sandoz fentanyl patch and use the 800 mcg generic Actiq for BT. Also, I am Rx'd 8 mg Dilaudid (generic) tablets for BT, as well. Sometimes, the Actiq works. However, the Dilaudid works better at other times. As Executor stated, I cannot imagine using a much weaker medication to help my BT pain.
For instance, the Actiq lifts the fentanyl level--I understand that one. Plus, the Dilaudid hits other portions of the pain receptors. That's why I use it when my pain is intense in my back. For whatever reason, the Dilaudid delivers better relief there. When the pain is particularly intense in my hips and knees, the Actiq works better.
Certainly, this is just my experience. Perhaps your physician could help you with a "stronger" Rx or something. Maybe it's worth looking into as a possibility. Please keep us updated!
Sincerely,
Jon (Conductor)
Re: Feel like I'm about to break
Hope things are improving for you Brian...I really do!
As I've posted before, I think one of your main problems is the Lortab. It's baby aspirin compared to the patch....Way too weak. You don't take something "weaker" for BT pain. Think about it this way....The patch, or fentanyl, establishes your baseline....A much weaker drug isn't going to deaden the break through pain that the patch doesn't filter out....You need either MORE fentanyl for BT, or a equally strong med, like Oxycodone. I have a close friend who is on the patch and uses Actiq for BT #1 and Oxyfast for BT#2. BT# 1 is the 1st attempt at dulling the pain....If it doesn't work, then she uses #2 which ALWAYS works. The problem is that it effectively ends her day...i.e has to lay down, sleep or whatever due to it's strength.
Hope all works out for you.
Ex
Brian, I really think that when you take the Lortabs for BT, because they are so much weaker as a comparison to your LT med, that it's like adding a little bit of water into a large bucket....Doesn't really make any kind of an impact.
Best of luck to you!
Ex