My old high school chum Frank of Manic Viking fame has a regular feature on his blog called What I am Drinking Right Now. Frank is quite knowledgeable in the area of alcoholic beverages, and he often shares with his readers a favorite mixed drink recipe, or a quick critique of a brand of scotch or beer that he enjoys.
Being quite unimaginative myself, I have decided to steal the idea and write about what narcotic I am taking for pain right now. Before I do, I would like to say that I am under a doctor’s care, and am monitored every month by my physician for chronic, acute pain. I have legal prescriptions for all the medications mentioned, and I take these medications as directed by my doctor. These medications can be very dangerous, and even deadly if not taken as prescribed. I do not in any way advocate the recreational use of any prescription or illicit drug.
Today I am wearing a 100 mcg/hr Fentanyl Transdermal Patch. Fentanyl has an analgesic potency about 80 to 100 times that of morphine, and was introduced into medical practice in the 1960s as an intravenous anesthetic. Now it is also used for chronic pain management, and has proven to be effective for people that suffer from acute, chronic pain, and are opiate tolerant. While Fentanyl is a great weapon to wield against monstrous pain, it can be bolstered by the periodic ingestion of Norco 10/325 (which essentially is double strength Vicodin,) for what is termed as “Break Through Pain”.
Before I started wearing the patch, I was taking Norco 10/325 anywhere from three to six times a day, and Soma, a muscle relaxer, two to three times a day. Lately the pain has increased to the point where Norco can no longer control it. I have still been able to work 40 hours a week, but the pain is so great that I am exhausted by the end of the day and go straight to bed when I get home. I have also been spending a greater number of my weekends in bed resting my spine and body so that I can continue to work each week.
The Norco routine can be pretty rough. I was only allowed so many each day, and it never really was enough to keep me pain free. I would start my day by taking a pill and waiting an hour before gaining any relief. I would enjoy maybe an hour with little pain, but then over the course of the third hour the pain would creep back, and by the forth hour would be at it’s full force again. After suffering through that hour, I would take another pill, and start the whole cycle all over again.
The Fentanyl patch has given me my life back. I have very little pain while wearing the patch, which works by continuously releasing the medication all day for up to three days. I am now able to carry on with all the normal tasks of everyday modern living that have been heretofore almost impossible. I can walk and sit longer, work better, and I look forward to going places with my wife again on the weekends. It's still early in the treatment, but I have suffered no side effects either.
Hopefully one day I won’t need any pain medication, and then I will finally be able to join Frank for one of his drinks.
UPDATE: When I finished writing this entry my doctor's nurse called and said my doctor wants to send me to a Pain Specialist. I though I was one of those already.
Posted by Jeff at March 23, 2005 1:20 PMJeff,
You are an absolute inspiration to me and in my opinion, a tribute to the human spirit. I think many people would not have the strength to go through what you are going through and still be able to work as you do. That amazes me.
Posted by: Bill at March 24, 2005 3:15 PMThanks Bill. As you are already aware, the feeling is mutual. However, I think out of the two of us you are the stronger person. The prejudice, ignorance, and just plain stupidity that you have to put up with just because you are you, and the grace, compassion, and intelligent way that you deal with those things after all these years of oppression, is a testament to the great person you are. Me? I have modern pharmacology at my disposal. You have Bill, and that’s a pretty damn good instrument from what I have seen so far.
As far as the drugs I am taking, I would like to add that I am a BIG advocate for the use of opiates for the use of controlling acute, chronic pain. Narcotics have such a negative stigma attached to them because of the drug culture, and the moral precept our society accepted against them so many years ago. Used properly, and under the guidance of the right doctor, they are a VERY effective tool. I have tried many different drugs and techniques in my struggle to keep my pain at a level that allows me to function as I wish, but so far narcotics have worked out the best. I really don’t even feel “high” a lot of the times. I take enough pain killing narcotics to drop a small horse, but my mind remains clear enough to perform all my daily tasks including driving. I know it sounds scary that someone like me is out there on the road, but believe me, my doctors would not allow it if I hadn’t proven to them that I am responsible as well as capable. Worse than them is my wife. She would be the first to take my keys if she thought I posed a danger to myself or anyone else on the road.
I am 32 & a stay at home mom. I have a beautiful 2yr old daughter. When she was 6months old I got shingles which turned into PHN a very painful nerve condition. I was sent to a wonderful pain specialist. He put me on percocet& many other meds. I have had about 8 nerve blocks with no relief. Last week I went to see him & I was in tears not only from the pain but also the frustration & the depression of dealing with chronic pain. He put me on the patch 25mg. I have had so much relief from it. It is like a prayer answered. I have my life back. I am a better Mother & wife. I feel like myself again. I was up to 10 percocets a day with almost no relief. Wearing the patch is like being free from the pills. You know what I mean.I am thankful that I have such a wonderful doctor who listens to me & understands. If you are living with chronic pain ask your Dr. for the patch it truly is a blessing to me & my family & friends lives because chronic pain affects eveyone in your life.
Posted by: Rhonda at December 15, 2005 1:18 PM