Aa
My Doctor has changed my medication!
Hi! :) I see a doctor for pain management (chronic back pain) for the past year he was giving me 240 hydrocodoien narcos, but when I went to get my injections in my back on 3/12 he changed my prescription from 240 to 90 and gavve me a morphin patch which you change every 3 days. I really didnt want the morphin patch at all, but I understand how the tylenol in in the hydrocodien is eating up my liver...Well my question is, Am I going to be able to go from taking 8 pain pills a day to only 3 without withdrawls, or even being in lots of pain? So far the patch has not done anything to help me and all I have done is HURT more. I also have Rhuematoid Arthitis, and my pain managment dr nor my family dr has yet referred me to a Rhuematologist, I just know I hurt alot with the meds, what is it going to be like without? Can my doctor even do that many at one time? I would have thought he would have winged me off or something. Please help and let me know if what did is okay, I am scared to death to have this patch on.
Did your doctor discuss this with you, or was this a unilateral decision on his part?
I completely agree with tuck & I am thinking that your dr prob started you on the lowest dose so if you are not getting adequate relief after having the patch on for 24 hours, I would def tell your dr. I'm sure he/she will increase your dose. Because this med is very potent, they have to start you out at a low dose & go from there. Once you reach a point where you are getting relief, you prob won't need the hydros except for breakthrough pain now & again. I had the fentanyl patch for a while off & on & my dr started me at 25mg & eventually bumped me up to 150mg.
Wishing you the best of luck.
Jen
Wishing you the best of luck.
Jen
Hello TX,
Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I understand your fear and concern.
I don't hear about a lot about the usage of the Morphine Patch. The Fentanyl Patch appears to be more commonly prescribed which is not morphine. It is 100 times more potent than Morphine.
In my opinion I would certainly give them a try. The Morphine should cover for the former amount of Hydrocodone you were taking. Indeed it should be more effective. Physicians look kinder upon patients that are compliant with their wishes. If after a ten days or so it is not managing your pain please discuss this with the prescribing physician. Hopefully he will work with you to adjust your pain medications to achieve a better comfort level. It may take some trial and error before the right, effective dosage is reached.
I doubt if any of my fellow Chronic Pain sufferers are ever pain free. The goal of pain management is to reduce your pain levels to the point you can tolerate your pain and function to the best of your ability.
I would be concerned if I had RA and had never been evaluated by a rheumatologist. They are the true specialist in treating this sometimes deforming and always painful disease. In my opinion some physicians are reluctant to send their patients to specialists because they feel they are able to treat the disease conditions effectively.
My PCP always refers me to a specialist, even if I am reluctant to go. Her words are, "I don't want to miss something....and you don't want something missed." I admire her for her humbleness. Regarding treatments she has said, "Just because I can do it doesn't mean I should." Her ego is large (which I mean as a compliment) in areas of her knowledge and within the scope of her practice. I want someone that is confident in their abilities....but when she feels she may be out of her realm of knowledge or experience she refers her patients to the appropriate specialists. In my opinion that is the sign of a great physician.
So I encourage you to request a referral for a consult to see a rheumatologist, if required. If a referral is not required than I would make my own appointment. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates. Best of luck to you.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I understand your fear and concern.
I don't hear about a lot about the usage of the Morphine Patch. The Fentanyl Patch appears to be more commonly prescribed which is not morphine. It is 100 times more potent than Morphine.
In my opinion I would certainly give them a try. The Morphine should cover for the former amount of Hydrocodone you were taking. Indeed it should be more effective. Physicians look kinder upon patients that are compliant with their wishes. If after a ten days or so it is not managing your pain please discuss this with the prescribing physician. Hopefully he will work with you to adjust your pain medications to achieve a better comfort level. It may take some trial and error before the right, effective dosage is reached.
I doubt if any of my fellow Chronic Pain sufferers are ever pain free. The goal of pain management is to reduce your pain levels to the point you can tolerate your pain and function to the best of your ability.
I would be concerned if I had RA and had never been evaluated by a rheumatologist. They are the true specialist in treating this sometimes deforming and always painful disease. In my opinion some physicians are reluctant to send their patients to specialists because they feel they are able to treat the disease conditions effectively.
My PCP always refers me to a specialist, even if I am reluctant to go. Her words are, "I don't want to miss something....and you don't want something missed." I admire her for her humbleness. Regarding treatments she has said, "Just because I can do it doesn't mean I should." Her ego is large (which I mean as a compliment) in areas of her knowledge and within the scope of her practice. I want someone that is confident in their abilities....but when she feels she may be out of her realm of knowledge or experience she refers her patients to the appropriate specialists. In my opinion that is the sign of a great physician.
So I encourage you to request a referral for a consult to see a rheumatologist, if required. If a referral is not required than I would make my own appointment. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates. Best of luck to you.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
