I am having my first experience with the Duragesic patch also. I had to take an antianxiety pill (Zanax) to offset the effects. My throat is doing the same thing but I suspect it's the radiation and chemo rather than the patch. It does keep the pain threshold down. I was prescribed 15mg morphine sulphate tabs for the pain breakthroughs. Where is Ron at in his treatment? I use a Waterpik a lot to cut the thick mucous and it helps. I had a lot of problems this morning (I have 16 radiation treatments left).


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)