Considering fentenyl patch for pain associated w/ chronic pancreatitis. Pros and cons of this approach?

Pancreatitis
#1

Up until last October, I have been somewhat successful combatting the everyday pain of my pancreatitis with the use of a Medtronics intrathecal morphine pump. After a weight loss program where I lost about 100 pounds I began to become poisoned by the drugs in my pump and then suffered horrible withdrawal pains at the same time when my doctors began a very gradual reduction of the medications in the pump. (Too little, Too late!) I was hospitalized 5 times in 3 months and finally went through an inpatient detox program to get off the high dose of pain medications I had been taking for over a decade. I am now on Suboxone, which has helped only a small amount with the pain. I need a new direction, though I am nervous to go back on a heavy narcotic. I am interested in how fentenyl patches work with Pancreatitis pain.

AG in RI

#2

I am grateful for the Fentanyl pain patches. They give a consistent level of pain medicine. I MUCH prefer Mylan Fentanyl patches to any other I’ve tried. It is the only one that does not irritate my skin. They normally are changed every 3 days. I can tell when mine is nearly up and if I forget to get that patch changed ontime, I really feel the difference. So, I know how much relief I am getting from it. I highly recommend this type of pain medication. I also have Lortabs 7.5 to supplement, and Gabapentin for nerve pain. In addition, I take Creon, Ursodiol, Nexium, Reglan, & thyroid meds. I think I counted 23 pills a day so having the patch instead of more pills is a blessing.

#3

Hi

I also have years of pancrase pain. In my state you can legally use marijana. This works well for pain and nausia. If you are having issues with withdrawl, marijana will make that much easier. I also recommend meditation. I also do day care for grand kids simply to have something to think about besides me. Nothing works exactly right. May God bless you.

#4

I belong to another pancreatitis forum and know several people on that forum that use the fentanyl patch. I haven't heard too many bad things except maybe itching where the patch is applied. There is a way around that but can't remember at the moment what it is.

Vonnie

#5

Hi Arnie,


The advantage to a Fentanyl patch is that you have less fluctuations in circulating blood levels of the pain medication. Please keep in mind that Fentanyl is one of the strongest narcotics out there. I have used the lollipop version from time to time called “Actiq”. Out of all the medications I’ve had to use … this one scared me the most … in that I “felt the withdrawal” effects of stopping it. In light of your last experience one would hope your doctors would be monitoring you a little more closely.

It might certainly be worth a try, and you might find that you don’t need as much to control the pain.

Hang in there, Arnie!
#6

My heart goes out to each of you who continue to endure the often overwhelming pain...11 years has taught me well to be afraid of it. Does anyone in the forum do anything in harmony with their body to soften/lessen/alleviate the pain? I haven't had any of the surgical procedures that are spoken of for which I feel blessed. I've only just discovered that a half of a Vicadine (at 75 lbs that's enough) eases the agony. I've avoided chemicals so far, because I have IBS w/constipationadded to my list, and the pain formulas present the whole other side of agonizing pain. I also have clinical depression, diverticulitis, no thyroid, and osteoporosis...a handful of pesty challenges.

I've kept going for 11 years, without missing work or daily life, by sheer will power and determination to live with Mr Pancreas, as gently as possible. I have had a yoga routine for 40 years which gives me great understanding of where pain radiates from, and partial success at imaging and massaging the pain, and much success at meditating into the pain, making it not such a overwhelming foreign feeling. I've discovered physical training, weight training, which is slow and calculated, as is yoga, and remarkable in strengthening the muscles that support Mr Pancreas. I've learned what this body can eat, that it doesn't do well with many social occasions..it likes quiet and peace and exercise and gentle thoughts and conversations. It knows the position to lie in to ease the agony of pain, and that it's better to then get up and persue the day with all that self knowledge. I'm only here, being transported in this body once....there is too much to learn here, to take along when the body passes into the next venture.

Somehow, we need to only share the time here with the challenge of Mr Pancreas, it cannot be allowed to steal all the time...

Diet, exercise, self knowledge, help with pain management, prayer, faith and deep seated interior happiness... we CAN survive and be HERE, happily... not victims but rather fighters and survivors...

I'm happy to share my philosophy and what tricks my particular body likes..

Be strong....love yourself..

Cate