Dr. Chong

[lyerhc]

DR. Chong,

I have been on Fentenyl Patches every 48 hours and MSIR 60mg for breakthrough pain.  It is working well for me, I feel like a complete human being without it I am in so much pain I just want to stay in bed and not get out. with the meds,, I work have a family a live a normal life, I also suffer from severe anxiety attacks again with medication I feel like a normal person living a normal life, do you have any suggestions for me  thanks lyerhc

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

I don't know a 'Dr. Chong'-- and I'm not sure of your question.  I would be concerned about eventual tolerance;  I suggest you make a decision that the current dose will NEVER change, no matter what.  If you start to push the dose higher as tolerance develops, things eventually turn sour.

[lyerhc]

My question is as long as I am taking the medication as prescribed under a doctors care, and my life is 100% better than what it was when the pain was not under control, i.e. not leaving the house not being able to move because the pain was so severe even doing the most mondane things caused me to cry and not be able to function on any level, in your opinion is  taking the medication a way to go as long as you said not upping the dose under any condition. An example of this 3 weeks ago I suffered a compound fracture of my distal radius that required surgery they asked me when I was discharged if I needed pain meds and I said my pain doctor is already taken care of my pain control. So the bottom line as lone as I don't up the meds and am able to live a normal life than I am on the right track?