WHAT do you'll think?? Lortab or Fentynal patch??

Question

I am acute/chronic patient in pain management. Here is history: severe scoliosis which resulted in 2 major back surgeries, lumber was finally fused. I had a 45degree curve which had me leaning WWAAYY to the right, after surgery i could stand straight but this affected my hip. Just had knee surgery in Nov. 2006 and a total hip replacement 4 weeks ago. My question is: I am now on 120 Lortabs, 90 somas, 30 xanex and ambeim CR for sleep. This was not enough bc the hospital had me on 2 Norcos every 4 hrs so my tolerance was built up BIG time. SO my pain dr. ordered Fentynal 25 microgram patches. I put one on last night and slept like a baby and i'm still not in pain!!!!!!!!! They are suppose to last 72 hrs,. so should i change to the patches or stay on all the pills? I am going to always have pain from my scoliosis. I have a bulging disc on my right side now that is all swollen. I am in physical therapy 3 times a week and don't miss a day!!! My hip is great, it's my back STILL?!?!?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The patch is better. It can relieve more greater pain, if necessary, and doesn't have Tylenol,as does Lortab, which is hell on the liver.
As well, you change the patch every 72 hours. With Lortab, it needs to be taken every 4-6 hours.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duragesic
http://www.medicinenet.com/fentanyl-tran…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I think the patch is good but they both have their pros and cons...............??? but thanks anyway..................................

Answer 2

I WOULD GO FOR THE FENTYNAL PATCH BECAUSE THATS WHAT WE USE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR PATIENTS FOR PAIN IT SEEMS TO WORK GOOD.

Answer 3

I've always preferred ingesting my pain medicine, it seems to work better. Lortab is a fine drug to take.

Answer 4

Read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.

Answer 5

I think that the patches allow for a much more 'normal' life, as long as you don't get a skin problem from them. The problem with oral opiates is how quickly they process... so when pain breaks through you have to over-medicate to get it down again. It's much better & safer to keep the dose constant. If you prefer orals, I would talk to your doctor about trying methadone (yes... I said methadone) instead. Because it has a 1/2 life of about 30 hours.