Pain meds

I had bypass surgery on 6/03/03. I have chronic knee pain. I was wondering if anyone on here has ever been to a gastro doctor to get put on a duragesic(fentalyn) patch due to not being able to stomach pills. My ortho doc does not agree with my suggestion. But I am tired of experimenting with different medications that dont help or upset my stomach. It also gets expensive wasting money on pills that I eventually throw away.

I don't know that a gastro doc will prescribe something for your knee pain.  Maybe you need a 2nd opinion with another ortho doc?  Or maybe discuss with your PCP?

-TS

I doublt that a gastro doc would put you on a duragesic patch.  Have you been to a pain management doc?  I have severe osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.  Before my surgery (66 lbs. ago!) my back and left knee had me near invalid status.  My right knee was replaced two years ago.  Since DS surgery, my pain has subsided SUBSTANTIALLY!  However, in the height of things I was in horrid pain, especially my back.  My pain management doc had me on numerous pain meds and a duragesic patch.  He turned out to be a quack and I was in la la land with all those meds.  Keep in mind that the duragesic patch is a narcotic and can alter your thinking and body!!  It is a very powerful drug.  If you really think that is the answer see a pain management doc but shop around and make sure you are getting one who is balanced.  They range from the pill pusher I had to ones who are sadistic and don't want to give you anything.  Good luck.  By the way, I think the best ortho doc in the Atlanta area is Raj Pandya.  He has offices in uptown and Stockbridge.  I never asked him for a patch, but he is very concerned and never took my concerns lightly.  He has done surgery on both of my shoulders, one ankle, and both knees, one of them three times!

I am on the duragesic patch through my pain management doctor... and guess what??  It upsets the stomach same as lortab but worse!

You shouldn't be taking any anti inflammatory medications orally but you can take lortab... take 1/2 a pill and 45m ins later take the other half that way you will get the full effect of the drug without so much of the stomach upset.

Hello,

I see a pain management doc.  They have me on Lortab and Soma.  If the Lortab pills upset your pouch, ask about the liquid.  I found that worked better then the pill.

Erica