So my Mom (her name is Freida) was prescribed 25 mcg fentanyl, morphine and neurotonin yesterday. It's awesome shes not in pain and sleeping a lot but she is a zombie now!!! I dont think its from the fentanyl bc shes on such a low dose at the moment and it doesnt really start working till late day 2/day 3. It has to be the morphine. Will she adjust to this or can I expect her always be sleeping now?

Emily,

Pain management is just that, management. We have to remember to be our own best advocates as patients, and when we are not entirely able to do that for ourselves, we have to rely on our caregivers to take on that role.

I think as you move forward you both will find dosages that work in a balanced way, but it's great to see you on top of the issue. Your Mom raised a great kid.

Em,

Actually it only takes about 24 hours for the fentanyl to work through the skin and into the blood stream. "Only" 25mcg is still a lot of opiate pain medication when you consider that Fentanyl is about 100x stronger then morphine. Fentanyl will cause confusion and fatigue as it directly affects the central nervous system.

Neurontin will also cause fatigue, a funny "quirk" about that drug though is that they've found that with certain dosages it actually makes users overly social and talkative and has been used recreationally as kind of a "party drug". By no means do I suggest that you crank up your mom's dosage to get her to talk more though It is rather effective on nerve pain though.

Pain management is a fine wire to walk, I did it for almost 2 years using fentanyl for most of that time. I was glad to be out of pain but sad that I couldn't be active.

Hang in there

Eric

The patch should start to kick in at about the 24hr mark. The morphine is probably for break thru pain.

Glad she was given neurontin. Very interesting info about it being a 'party drug'. I havent noticed any difference but I also take only 6ml 2x per day. It helps my jaw muscles so they dont hurt. Im sure it will help your mom. Glad she finally has some relief.

Well I have noticed shes a little more 'perky' after taking it.


We applied the patch monday at 4:30...should we switch it today or tomorrow?

The patch should be changed on Thursday.As for the sleeping,she should become used to the medication and sleep less as her body adjusts. At one time Rob was on 300mcg Fentanyl and 240mg Morphine for breakthrough pain,and he functioned more or less ok and certainly had his wits about him.The medication he took for nerve pain in his trigeminal nerve actually made him more drowsy.It may take a little while but she should even out.