Talking about Doctors

[Guest guest]

Amen ! I agree with everything you said there. That is how I look

at doctors as well. I hire them to treat me. I am their employer in a

sense and I do not have to take their crap and hatefullness and nonchalant

attitudes.

You are so right about the healthcare here. It is terrible.

The Duragesic patch is pretty good. I have been on it for a couple of years

now. The only downside is that you need to use a bioclusive cover in order

to keep the darn thing on. It will pop off without it. I don't know why

exactly. Maybe the adhesive isn't exactly the best or maybe the shape of

the patch isn't right for holding onto skin well. But, with the sheer

adhesive cover, it stays in place. The adhesive on the patch is sometimes

irritating to the skin but after a while, it goes away, at least mine has.

You go girl!

Sam

The trouble with making plans for the future, even when you can see the

future, is that fate has a way of intervening and upsetting the best laid

plans of mice and men.

- Burns 1785

Re: A very helpfull site for cronic back pain and doctors

treating patients adequately.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam:

I sure wish I could use the patch, but my doctor has a hissy if I even bring up

the subject. However, I plan to bring it up again next week when I go in for my

regular appt. Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about

all the acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look

terrible from having to process that stuff! With panhypopituitarism,

fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, heart valve disease, IBS and GERD, I would think

that he would at least give this issue some thought but he's afraid that the DEA

is going to come after him.

I've heard many folks say that they have trouble keeping the patch on and that

the only way to do it is to have the extra cover over it. I often have bad

reactions to adhesives so I don't know if this would be a problem for me with

Duragesic. However, if I could go even one day without feeling all this pain, I

would be feel so much better. I've been trying for two weeks to sew two throw

pillows for my family room sofa - two weeks! But I get in so much pain sitting

at the sewing machine that I get maybe one seam sewed and then I have to go lie

down and recuperate. This is not optimal living! By the time I get the darn

pillows finished, it will be time to retire the sofa! :-)

Take care!

wrote: <snipped>

The Duragesic patch is pretty good. I have been on it for a couple of years

now. The only downside is that you need to use a bioclusive cover in order

to keep the darn thing on.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam:

I sure wish I could use the patch, but my doctor has a hissy if I even bring up

the subject. However, I plan to bring it up again next week when I go in for my

regular appt. Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about

all the acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look

terrible from having to process that stuff! With panhypopituitarism,

fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, heart valve disease, IBS and GERD, I would think

that he would at least give this issue some thought but he's afraid that the DEA

is going to come after him.

I've heard many folks say that they have trouble keeping the patch on and that

the only way to do it is to have the extra cover over it. I often have bad

reactions to adhesives so I don't know if this would be a problem for me with

Duragesic. However, if I could go even one day without feeling all this pain, I

would be feel so much better. I've been trying for two weeks to sew two throw

pillows for my family room sofa - two weeks! But I get in so much pain sitting

at the sewing machine that I get maybe one seam sewed and then I have to go lie

down and recuperate. This is not optimal living! By the time I get the darn

pillows finished, it will be time to retire the sofa! :-)

Take care!

wrote: <snipped>

The Duragesic patch is pretty good. I have been on it for a couple of years

now. The only downside is that you need to use a bioclusive cover in order

to keep the darn thing on.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam:

I sure wish I could use the patch, but my doctor has a hissy if I even bring up

the subject. However, I plan to bring it up again next week when I go in for my

regular appt. Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about

all the acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look

terrible from having to process that stuff! With panhypopituitarism,

fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, heart valve disease, IBS and GERD, I would think

that he would at least give this issue some thought but he's afraid that the DEA

is going to come after him.

I've heard many folks say that they have trouble keeping the patch on and that

the only way to do it is to have the extra cover over it. I often have bad

reactions to adhesives so I don't know if this would be a problem for me with

Duragesic. However, if I could go even one day without feeling all this pain, I

would be feel so much better. I've been trying for two weeks to sew two throw

pillows for my family room sofa - two weeks! But I get in so much pain sitting

at the sewing machine that I get maybe one seam sewed and then I have to go lie

down and recuperate. This is not optimal living! By the time I get the darn

pillows finished, it will be time to retire the sofa! :-)

Take care!

wrote: <snipped>

The Duragesic patch is pretty good. I have been on it for a couple of years

now. The only downside is that you need to use a bioclusive cover in order

to keep the darn thing on.

[Guest guest]

:

I would demand that he at least try it and I would demand the drop the

Tylenol in your hydrocodone. You are probably on the 5/100 or 7.5/500 which

is the general dosing amount. Tell him you want the whatever/325 instead.

And then tell him you want to try the Duragesic patch and don't take no for

an answer. Tell him straight out that by God you are hurting and it is HIS

job to find a way to keep the pain at a minimum. The patch by itself will

not relieve all the pain and you will still need, most likely anyhow, need

breakthrough meds but he needs to give you a choice to try it. I went

rounds with my neurologist who also is supposedly a pain management doctor

and he and I argued for over 30 minutes because I wanted the oxycontin pill

and he was pushing the patch. His reasoning was " bad press on CNN " I asked

him just who in the hell was treating me, him or CNN. It pissed him off

rather badly. I ended up on the patch anyhow. I know I will have a visit

in the future to that doctors' firm building for a check up and when I do, I

am going to go to the internist who actually seems to give a damn and get

him to change from the patch to the pill. He is the one that wrote for my

breakthrough meds while my other doctor, the rhuemy and the neurologist were

out of the country on vacation. I told them both screw them. I needed the

breakthrough meds. The patch alone wasn't working. I have, in about 4

years now, been upped from the 25 mcg/x3 days to the 100 mcg x3 days. It is

under very good control but doens't stop it completely but it does make it

tolerable. My GP is the one that increased the patch because it wasn't

working well on the lower dosing. He knew I had never had a bp problem and

he had all my records from my previous doctor who had passed away which is

why I changed to the GP I have now. Once he increased my patch in

increments of 25 mcg, we got to the 100 mcg over a couple of years, my bp

came down. It was the pain that was causing my bp to me high to begin with

because I had always had a low bp. He also added in a few other medications

to help me through the day and night which is something the rheumy would not

do. The rheumy thought I could live on just an anti-depressant and that was

it. He was so full of you-know-what.

As for the patch itself, here is my experience with it. In the beginning, I

did have a terrible time with the patch spot being sore. This appears to be

because I had tender skin to begin with. My doctor, my GP, suggested that I

use cortisone on the patch area where the current patch was coming off and a

new one was going on but going onto a different spot. Over time, my skin

got tougher and I really don't have any sore places anymore. It also helps

if you do get the little red sores or dry crusty skin red marks from the

patch itself's glue that you put Neosporin with pain relief on the spot and

keep it there until you rotate back around to that application spot. Don't

even try putting it on the side of your leg/hip area. It is too low on the

body for you to get any real relief. Stay above the waistline but away from

your breasts - this goes for men to who are on the patch and of course, ones

without hair on their chest or light hair. I am sure a man with heavy

chest hair wouldn't use it on the chest area in the growing chest hair

spots. You can put it on your back, upper and lower but may need help, I do

because my arms hurt when I try to put them on there. I wear mine on my

lower abdomen. This is a less likely area where I am going to be twisting.

The twisting movement I think is what causes the patch to pull and be

painful. The cover, it is a bioclusive cover, is like the ones that they

put over IVs in hospitals. I have never had a problem with those at all.

It was always the patch itself. I also think the early months of my using

the patch part of the reason it sored up my skin is that I wasn't making

sure it was flush against my skin. You have to be real sure it is flush or

it will move about and make sore places. You can put it on your upper chest

area too. Another problem I had was the hot flashes and cold sweats. I

would sweat my

patch off.

When you place the patch on, if you can get on it, put it on by starting

with one side then sliding your hand over the patch toward the other side

and pressing it down firmly for about 30 seconds. The sliding your hand

over applying the patch helps make sure you have a good seal and it is flush

against the skin. This is important with the covers as well. After a while

of using the cortisone and the Neosporin with pain relief if you need it, it

will get better. The first time you use it, you may find that the first day

you are a bit sleepy but it is usually a few hours after the patch has gone

on. After that, over the first few weeks on change day, you might get a bit

drowsy but after the second day, it goes away. After a month or so on the

patch, you are not sleepy even on that first patch day or change patch day.

I hope this helps

Sam

wrote:

> I sure wish I could use the patch, but my doctor has a

> hissy if I even bring up the subject.

[Guest guest]

<<< Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about all the

acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look terrible

from having to process that stuff! >>>

Kathy,

Next time you go to your doctor ask him if you can take some Milk Thistle

for you liver. It is an herb that helps detoxify the liver and helps with

people who take meds that are tough on the liver and it has also helped to

improve the liver of alcoholics. I take it(with my docs approval) and my

liver has never shown any signs of damage on test.

Good luck,

Ann

[Guest guest]

really it works im going to get some .how long have you used it it

maqkes me nervis too.

>

> <<< Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about

all the

> acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look

terrible

> from having to process that stuff! >>>

>

> Kathy,

> Next time you go to your doctor ask him if you can take some Milk

Thistle

> for you liver. It is an herb that helps detoxify the liver and

helps with

> people who take meds that are tough on the liver and it has also

helped to

> improve the liver of alcoholics. I take it(with my docs approval)

and my

> liver has never shown any signs of damage on test.

> Good luck,

> Ann

[Guest guest]

really it works im going to get some .how long have you used it it

maqkes me nervis too.

>

> <<< Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about

all the

> acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look

terrible

> from having to process that stuff! >>>

>

> Kathy,

> Next time you go to your doctor ask him if you can take some Milk

Thistle

> for you liver. It is an herb that helps detoxify the liver and

helps with

> people who take meds that are tough on the liver and it has also

helped to

> improve the liver of alcoholics. I take it(with my docs approval)

and my

> liver has never shown any signs of damage on test.

> Good luck,

> Ann

[Guest guest]

really it works im going to get some .how long have you used it it

maqkes me nervis too.

>

> <<< Right now, I'm taking hydrocodone and I'm really nervous about

all the

> acetaminophen that's in this medication. My poor liver must look

terrible

> from having to process that stuff! >>>

>

> Kathy,

> Next time you go to your doctor ask him if you can take some Milk

Thistle

> for you liver. It is an herb that helps detoxify the liver and

helps with

> people who take meds that are tough on the liver and it has also

helped to

> improve the liver of alcoholics. I take it(with my docs approval)

and my

> liver has never shown any signs of damage on test.

> Good luck,

> Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam:

I'll bet you're sitting in your jacuzzi right now, all relaxed and everything!

:-) I did see the doc today and he said that the next time I come in to see him

we will discuss what to do re the pain meds. But right now, he wants me to get

blood work done to see how my liver is and also some other things that haven't

been tested in awhile. I think he is relieved that I will be seeing my

neuroendocrinologist at the end of April because he (my regular doc) knows my

pituitary hormones are a mess and doesn't know a thing about the pituitary. He

did mention oxycodone but didn't go into it at any length. I really hate to

have to take any of these meds because, truthfully, it's a giant pain to have to

remember what to take when. It isn't really difficult to remember to take pain

meds because a person knows when to take those because of the AGONIZING PAIN

that is attacking the body. It's all the other stuff that I have trouble

remembering. My sister who is a nurse sent me a pill-dispensing thing (plastic

case with little individual compartments for each day of the week) but

unfortunately I have so many pills to take each day that they didn't fit into

each of the little compartments. And then I misplaced the pill dispenser and

haven't found it yet.

I always have some sort of reaction to adhesives on bandages and things. I have

to wear an estrogen patch and that leaves a red, itchy square place wherever it

was placed. When I had my hysterectomy, I had lots of bandages on the lower

part of my stomach and when those came off I realized I might have a bit of a

problem with adhesives. Thanks for explaining how to put the patch on so that

it makes a firm adherence to the skin because I think that may be the key to the

maximum effectiveness of these patches.

Don't stay in that jacuzzi too long or you'll get " pruny. " :-) I must be

envious - sure, who wouldn't be! How many can get in there at one time?

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam:

I'll bet you're sitting in your jacuzzi right now, all relaxed and everything!

:-) I did see the doc today and he said that the next time I come in to see him

we will discuss what to do re the pain meds. But right now, he wants me to get

blood work done to see how my liver is and also some other things that haven't

been tested in awhile. I think he is relieved that I will be seeing my

neuroendocrinologist at the end of April because he (my regular doc) knows my

pituitary hormones are a mess and doesn't know a thing about the pituitary. He

did mention oxycodone but didn't go into it at any length. I really hate to

have to take any of these meds because, truthfully, it's a giant pain to have to

remember what to take when. It isn't really difficult to remember to take pain

meds because a person knows when to take those because of the AGONIZING PAIN

that is attacking the body. It's all the other stuff that I have trouble

remembering. My sister who is a nurse sent me a pill-dispensing thing (plastic

case with little individual compartments for each day of the week) but

unfortunately I have so many pills to take each day that they didn't fit into

each of the little compartments. And then I misplaced the pill dispenser and

haven't found it yet.

I always have some sort of reaction to adhesives on bandages and things. I have

to wear an estrogen patch and that leaves a red, itchy square place wherever it

was placed. When I had my hysterectomy, I had lots of bandages on the lower

part of my stomach and when those came off I realized I might have a bit of a

problem with adhesives. Thanks for explaining how to put the patch on so that

it makes a firm adherence to the skin because I think that may be the key to the

maximum effectiveness of these patches.

Don't stay in that jacuzzi too long or you'll get " pruny. " :-) I must be

envious - sure, who wouldn't be! How many can get in there at one time?