Re: Fentanyl Patches and Actiq - Some questions

From: Karynn (keltic@cox.net)
Fri Jul 11 19:45:21 2008


Caryn, I hear ya! I only wish I could take the narcotics too but alas I have the same problems with everything slowing down and even shutting down. I, too am a veteran adhesion sufferer and have had this disease almost from birth (surgery at 6 weeks, complications soon there after) till now at 40. I am going through a good period right now and I only hope it lasts! When I hurt I soak in hot bath with the shower beating on me and it provides some relief, I also take Nyquil about three days a month and I have a wonderful husband who rubs my back. I'll do just about anything to avoid the narcotics but sometimes it's instant pain relief or insanity but they do affect me the same way they do you. For some people, they can be an ugly ride with short lived relief and long term suffering. Sadly, we are those people. I just wanted you to know you're not alone in your reactions to narcotics. Good luck and bless you! Sincerely, Karynn (yep...maybe it's the 'y' in our names?) carynlruzich@comcast.net wrote: > With an ileostomy AND adhesions AND a motility disorder, the
> intestional tract can easily be sedated by narcotics. Narcotics
> affect the function of the GI tract, even for people without
> adhesions. That's why they usually won't let people leave the
> hospital before they have a bowel movement. Anesthetics and narcotics
> have similar affects on the body; they slow everything down.
>
> So, for me, narcotics will shut down my digestive track in a matter of
> days. And to set the record straight, once and for all, I never said
> narcotics were bad. What I said was, for me, and many like me, they
> cause more problems than they help. I have tried many narcotics over
> the years and they all have this affect on ME. I can and do use them
> post-op with great relief, but am not able to tolerate them for more
> than a week without problems. I did a fentyl patch a few months back
> and I thought I was going to die within two days.
>
> If they work for you, that's wonderful. I am not anti-drug. If
> something helps you, use it. All I know is that it is common for
> narcotics to require higher and higher doses the longer you are on
> them. If you don't experience the slowing down of the GI tract,
> you're one of the lucky ones.
>
> I have suffered from adhesions for over 30 years, so I am a seasoned
> veteran and I know the hell they cause. The ileostomy, which I have
> had for 30 years is my lifeline. And living with an ileostomy comes
> with a price. Some medications aren't even properly adsorbed; they
> actually come out in my pouch in the same form they went down my throat.
>
> If you can manage your pain with narcotics you are one of the lucky
> ones. Also, a lot of doctors, especially in the metro detroit area
> will not prescribe narcotics for long term use. Even the pain clinics
> won't.
>
> My only hope is that they find an effective treatment for this hideous
> disorder in my lifetime. And may God Bless all of us who suffer.
>
> Caryn

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