 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | And about Fentanyl patches. A pharmcist in our area recently committed suicide with an overdose of the patches. I would check with your doctor and pharmacist to find out safe dosing limits before increasing your dose rate.
It is generally not a good idea to quit suddenly when on long term opioid therapy. Discuss this with your doctor and pharmacist beforehand.
All of these drugs are usually safe and efficacious if used as directed and the patient is not allergic or have an inappropriate immunological response.
The benefits far outweigh the risk.
Managing pain is vital to a full recovery.
Gary Allsebrook
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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)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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