actiq for pain

You could also continue to use oxycodone for BT pain (just in case) or the fentanyl Actiq lollipops. I also use oxycodone for BT pain; however, since switching from Morphine to Opana as my extended release med, I have only need 1 dose of oxycodone for BT pain versus 3 or 4 doses. I know you can't take ER meds so Opana IR with oxycodone/Actiq for BT might work better for you. I hope you are able to get some relief from your pain soon.

See your Pain Dr for alternatives that may work as you will have on going pain. I have just come of Actiq and Fentanyl patch and understand your situation. I have decided not to opt for opiates except iv morphine if required for severe pain in hospital only for life threatening situation e.g. complete obstruction of the bowel. I have looked to alternative ways of pain management. It will not take the pain away only manage it.

Hi I am really sorry for your sisters pain. Yes, the doctor is correct. Many many doctors prescribed actiq when they knew it was only meant for cancer patients. When it first came out Medicare paid for it, then around 2007 Medicare decided it would no longer pay unless the person had cancer, many insurance companies followed suit Now unless the doctor is a pain doctor they are not allowed to prescribe such high dose pain meds Can your sister ask for a fentanyl patch?

ve been on Fentanyl 50 patch and sublingual fentanyl 600micg ( A bit like the Actiq Lollys)10 times a day for 3 years for pain as a result of Cancer and treatment. I now want to come off it by reducing the sublingual fentanyl(Actiq Lollys) first. I am now down to 4 a day over 3 weeks but have suffered sweats ,diarrhoea and anxiety in the process. My Drs supporting me but am I going too quickly ? if I go slower will there be less side effects or will I get the withdrawal symptoms any way?

I was a nurse for years. I have been on opana and actiq for a few years now. I have passed every test for 3 years on my bi-monthly urine screen. All of a sudden I am showing positive for oxycontin and I have NEVER taken this med. Now I know that actiq,opana,stadol,and oxycontin are synthentic oipioids. Now I have taken a blood test for oxycontin only to make sure this is negative and a true false positive because I do not take this pain med.

i have been without the actiq for 7 days now, only used the kadian sporadically to try and keep withdrawls and bay until i figure out what step is best next. i have had friends giving me roxicodone 30 mg 1 a day in these 7 days and another friend gave me 4 20 mg oxycontin. my pcp told me i was over the worst part when out of knowwhere last night i became sick as a dog. now i am doubting i can do this. can someone please give me some insight as to what to expect or what i should do.

However, the new doctor is not registered with TIRF REMS to be able to prescribe Actiq that I have been taking for 9 years. I am post stage 3 breast cancer, double mastectomy, peripheral neuropathy and lymphedema to name a few of my issues not to mention I have tried every opiod on the market and I'm also opiod tolerant. He stated that he is not willing to register and that I need to find a new Doctor who is.

I see my Pain Management doctor tomorrow. After taking Actiq for management of bi-weekly migraines and daily headaches for SIX YEARS, my insurance will no longer cover it. It would cost me $2400 per month which is insane and I cannot afford. What can I talk w/ my doctor about as an alternative to the Actiq to help me tolerate the headaches that I have had for almost 25 years. I am scared to death and very depressed with this pain. It almost makes life not worth living.

Am new to this site, but really would love some guidance. Have been on pain meds for 7 years. Have weaned off all my meds. by myself, this year, excluding Actiq 400. Can I go cold turkey? What is the best way to do this? If I go cold turkey, what kind of side effects can I expect? I do work full time. Am not addicted to these, just want to live without pain meds. Is the pain still there, absolutey. What will I do, haven't gotten there yet.

Abstral is for breakthrough pain and is the sublingual form of fentanyl. I take this as I cannot absorb morphine or other pain medications due to surgery on my bowel as a result of cancer treatment. Has anyone been on this and successfully managed to get of it as I am finding it very difficult. I would rather suffer the pain than be on this long term. I wish I was never on it.

m sorry to hear that your pain meds are not working for you.To some,20 mg Oxycontin may seem a sufficient dose.I am currently on 60 mg 3 times per day with 30 mg Oxycodone 3 times per day for breakthrough.I also have 4 mg Dilaudid and 200 mg Actiq pops for severe episodes.Oxycontin is a wonderful long term drug but the most important thing is to get the dosage correct.We build up a tolerance to the meds and the doctors must allow for that.Norco has absolutely no affect on my pain level.

I was put on fentanyl patches round the clock and Actiq for breakthrough pain. At the time my insurance company covered it. Shortly before an unrelated insurance company change I received notification that the medication would not be covered anymore. We changed companies and the new company did not cover it either. I am in the appeal process at this time. I just received a denial for the first appeal.

no other ideas?

Hi have done a taper programme for Actiq now down to 4 a day but bad cravings and withdrawal daily so I am going to stop them now. Has anyone been through this already and got any ideas for me to follow to make it easier. Its the craving that are the worst. Once I've done this the patch is next any ideas there too please?

You have to just spread out the time in between that you take them. I was also on the Fentanyl patch and was using the Actiq for breakthru pain. Is the Actiq the only thing you are taking? If it is you can ask your doc to switch you to the patch. Then they can go down on the MCG. (amount) on the patch to wean down. The doc cannot make you stay on your meds. That is ludicrous. I do understand them saying you still need the meds right now since you are still having surgeries.

A non-medication option for the pain aspect of RSD is a SCS implant. It masks pain signals on the way to your brain. It doesn't get rid of pain but replaces it with bubbly or tingly feelings. It also does not get rid of the other symptoms associated with RSD like swelling. However, if your interested you can read more about SCS implants at www.controlyourpain.com.

I thought he was crazy for having me on Subutex for 2 years straight and not having a PLAN for me but it sounds like your dr is just as weird.

Hi I have stopped actiq/abstral now day 17 and tapered a 50 patch down to 12mcg/hr and will not replace patch after 3 days. Any suggestions on how to cope. Withdrawals not too bad so far but still have cravings.

t a medication that should be used for chronic pain. I believe it should only be used for cancer pain and end of life pain. I know there are some people that Fentanyl works well but it seems I've read more stories where it turned out to be a nightmare. Gacjlm, I hope you're doing okay. It's definitely worth any discomfort to get off the Fentanyl.

How often do you have to see your doctor? Most states require every 30 days for a re-examination and prescription refill. If you can't find a doctor near you, is anything stopping you from making the trip back to your doctor until you CAN find one near you?

I am an intractable pain patient who has been on methadone (120 mg ) and actiq for break-thu. My doctor who was an intractable pain psychiatrist passed away unexpectedly and I was left without care. I have been going to a pain management ( spine and sports) since he passed away and have no quality of life as I had the past 10 years with my previous doctor.

Hi coming off Actiq and down to 4/ day and decided to stop. Patch to go next, but I will wait a little to see how I go My biggest problem is getting out my bed due to severe lethargy. I am taking vitamin and mineral supplements has anyone any other ideas I may benefit from. I just want my life back. I know I'll be restricted due to all my ill health problems resulting from cancer therapies, I just want more ooph, energy and motivation. Any suggestions please.

My dad has a brain tumor and has been on actiq and methadone for quite a while. His doctor who would prescribe it to him had him taking 20 methadone a day. Well how this doctor is not allowed to prescribe them and he is withdrawing bad, he knows he is addicted to it. He has cluster headaches and that is why he was on these medicines. He went to the e.r. last night and they gave him 60 which is only 3 days worth. What should he do? He is a successful accountant what should he do?

although had cluster headaches long before these fits. Today that happened again and headache was a 12 on the pain scale of 10. Diagnosed bipolar although not 100% sure about that. Docs had me on a laundry list of meds including Actiq which I tried to quit cold turkey which earned me my diagnosis. I take 150mg Lyrica daily and 50mg Seroquel. No other meds or OTCs except Excedrin and oxygen for headaches.

Common Questions and Answers about Actiq for pain

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