| | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 48 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 48 | Four weeks out from radiation and my wife thinks i should be getting off fentnayl patch. Its only 25 mgs. cuts the pain in my tongue i think. the pain isn't that bad but she feels if i get off the drugs my appetite might start. any feelings on this. the only other drugs i take are percocet lowest dose. I take that at night before bed as my tongue usually hurts a bit more. then i take adavan .5 mg as needed. about three times a day I feel they are all low doses and should keep them for now. maybe another month. any imput
dx mucoideperdermoid stage 1 .9cm tumor removed from
lower left tongue 5-3-11 rad 5-31-11 till 8-10-11 three weeks off in june 9 days in hospital healing mouth from radiation burns. 33 days of radiation.wife is caregiver
peg tube july 7-11 age 59 male.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Patrick,
As a patient that was on opiates for 23 months, fentanyl for a total of 18 months, I would tell you it's best to dial down from the opiate pain meds as soon as you are able.
As you may be aware, opiates have a host of side effects, from affecting sleep patterns, nausea, appetite, depression and then the longer term effects of constraining testosterone and hearing loss. It's best to dial down off of them under the direction of your Dr. Pain is the enemy when healing (it puts the body in distress)so start dialing down but make sure your pain is handled.
Best of luck
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 618 | Patrick,
Eric is right especialy about the supervision of your doctor. I quit the same dosage patch your on, on my own, and had a rough few days. My doc said he could have helped with that and to never go off a med without at least checking with him first.
A stayed on liquid codine for a few week after that but only for meals. All three meals at firts then just lunch and dinner and then just dinner. Then quit.
It was great to take a normal crap after that.
Kelly
Male
48, SCC (Soft Palet) Rt.,
Stage 1, T3n0m0,
Dx, 8-09, Start IMRT 35 9-2-09 end 10-21-09
04-20-10 NED
8-11 recurrence, node rt. neck N2b
10-11 33 IMRT w/chemo wkly
3-12-12 PET - residual cancer
4-12 5 treatments with Cyberknife & Erbitux
6-19-12 Pet scan CLEAR
12-3-12 PET - CLEAR
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | How about stepping it down to the 12.5 dose? See how you do with that before completely eliminating the fentanyl. Since it is such a strong medication, dont rush getting rid of it. I tried to too early and quickly found out that I still needed the patch.
Best wishes with your continued recovery!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | You just got a lot of good advice Patrick. I had a problem with alprazaolam. The VA lagged twice in refilling my scripts for it. My body had a negative reaction to be cut off all at once. Doing witrhout can put you in convulsions and a couple of other things which I didn't know. Take the advice and talk to your Dr. I'm sure he will wean you off of it. That is if he thinks you can do without it.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 48 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 48 | My ent today took me off the fentanyl(sp) so hopefully i'll start feeling better. thanks everyone for the great advice and support.
dx mucoideperdermoid stage 1 .9cm tumor removed from
lower left tongue 5-3-11 rad 5-31-11 till 8-10-11 three weeks off in june 9 days in hospital healing mouth from radiation burns. 33 days of radiation.wife is caregiver
peg tube july 7-11 age 59 male.
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