Hi all,
I've lurked on here for about a year looking for good information about the meds I'm on. I didn't (and don't) take any drugs recreationally but I do take a lot of narcotics for pain. I don't really mind the mental side effects though in full disclosure.
I'm 46 and was very healthy until about 6 years ago I hurt my back and it's been a downhill ride ever since. The docs started me on really light meds after a year or so, but I've had to steadily ramp up to keep up with the pain.
I've had 3 back surgeries, the last one to implant a spinal cord stimulator. I'm currently on about 200mg morphine equivalent per day. That's four 15mg oxycodone and was also on 20mg per day of extended release hydromorphone per day. I've taken up to six of the oxies on many occasions.
Pain management switched my long acting med to 50mcg fentanyl three weeks ago. The fentanyl is working better, but I messed up the first patch trying to put it on. I tried putting my last patch over a two-year old tattoo, which the pharmacist said should be fine... It wasn't. I'm going through withdrawal now and just switched it back to my other shoulder with a lot of tape. The tattoo is very color saturated, so maybe that's why it didn't work? Anyone know?
My main question is now that I've messed up two patches, what can I do? I get my refills in five days. I saved all of my old patches, but not in any special way just not folded. I don't imagine I can reuse them, but I was wondering about chewing on one that was used for three days? Yeah, gross, but better than withdrawal... I have one unused patch left. Last point is that I was chewing the ER hydromorphone for quite awhile because that was the only way to get any relief.
I've lurked on here for about a year looking for good information about the meds I'm on. I didn't (and don't) take any drugs recreationally but I do take a lot of narcotics for pain. I don't really mind the mental side effects though in full disclosure.
I'm 46 and was very healthy until about 6 years ago I hurt my back and it's been a downhill ride ever since. The docs started me on really light meds after a year or so, but I've had to steadily ramp up to keep up with the pain.
I've had 3 back surgeries, the last one to implant a spinal cord stimulator. I'm currently on about 200mg morphine equivalent per day. That's four 15mg oxycodone and was also on 20mg per day of extended release hydromorphone per day. I've taken up to six of the oxies on many occasions.
Pain management switched my long acting med to 50mcg fentanyl three weeks ago. The fentanyl is working better, but I messed up the first patch trying to put it on. I tried putting my last patch over a two-year old tattoo, which the pharmacist said should be fine... It wasn't. I'm going through withdrawal now and just switched it back to my other shoulder with a lot of tape. The tattoo is very color saturated, so maybe that's why it didn't work? Anyone know?
My main question is now that I've messed up two patches, what can I do? I get my refills in five days. I saved all of my old patches, but not in any special way just not folded. I don't imagine I can reuse them, but I was wondering about chewing on one that was used for three days? Yeah, gross, but better than withdrawal... I have one unused patch left. Last point is that I was chewing the ER hydromorphone for quite awhile because that was the only way to get any relief.
