| Drugs
- Fentanyl by Rosalie Floyd, BC, Canada For over a month, I've been using an analgesic patch. It is called Fentanyl. It is a narcotic used for cancer patients. It is new and is gaining wide acceptance in my hospital. I get a new patch every third day. I sleep well. The worst edge is off the pain. If my hips and sacrojoint play up, my physiotherapist still gives me help, but her skills are enhanced bu the "patch." All my other CMT pain is eased and I'm easier to get along with. I was feeling that I couldn't handle the pain any longer. The head nurse recommended this medication and I told my doctor that I wanted to try it. He reminded me of my history of not being able to take pain killers including narcotics because of side effects and no pain relief. I told him that I wasn't afraid of addiction and he said neither was he. I said I felt we had no alternative but to try. The staff of my facility are stressed out with my pain and so am I. He prescribed it and I got the patch a few hours later. Within two hours, I got some itching which the pharmacist said was too soon to be the drug. I have had no other side effects from the patch except for a bit of constipation. I believe this drug is one that I'll be able to continue with. I feel no "crawling" of the muscles under the skin of my "quads" which I used to experience with neuro-toxic drugs. I was at the point of feeling so ill with the pain and the irritation from sound, light, people in my room, that I was prepared to activate my ‘withdraw all care and food, liquid, etc.' plan of action...not necessary now, I'm happy to say. My English chum since girlhood who has a PhD in pharmacy urged me to try the Fentanyl, so it is known in the United Kingdom.
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