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BuTrans 5mg patches

Posted , 3 users are following.

elained27
elained27

My doctor has recently changed one of my pain medications to BuTrans 5mg patches, as codeine was no longer keeping my pain levels under control. I am still taking naproxen, amitriptilene and paracetamol. The peaks and troughs in my pain levels have eased but I am still in constant pain (though not as bad as th peaks used to be). Is anyone using BuTrans patches at a higher dosage and if so how effective have you found them?

2 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Okapis
    Okapis elained27

    Posted

    I'm in my 6th week with 5mg Butrans patches. As a delivery method its great smooths out peaks and troughs of pill taking.

    If you go to a higher dose you will run out of options all the quicker. Have you tried a pain management clinic? Learning to manage pain might be an option you have not tried - very effective way of not relying on prescription painkillers.

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure elained27

    Posted

    I do pain mant. And receive a patch monthly. Also Physio in water helps. 

    I try to be mindful of the things I do and do them differently not to,aggrevate anything physically . Pain has become a part of my life for many years. Rest, exercise and remain active has helped me.

     

    • Okapis
      Okapis hope4cure

      Posted

      Good!  I found it surprising how much I could help myself into an upward spiral but once I learnt the basics life was better. Doesn't stop me from overdoing it now and again though. Good luck with getting on top of things
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Okapis

      Posted

      Same here new adjustments is all it takes to move foreward. 
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure elained27

    Posted

    Your right. It just takes time to relearn other ways of doing things. Little adjustments here and there is all it takes.

    hope you continue to move foreward and stay in a good place!

    • elained27
      elained27 hope4cure

      Posted

      Hi

      ​Thanks for your comments. I have had PsA for 31 years, so I have had plenty of time to learn all the little tricks to make life easier! My main concern is that I was moved to Butrans as the maximum possible dose of codeine was no longer effective, However, my baseline pain level has increased not decreased. I am a full time maths lecturer and I have to be able to move round a classroom to support students. This has been more problematical this last week. It is only 2 weeks to the end of term but I am concerned how I will cope with the demands of a new academic year in September. I was wondering if anyone has a high dose than 5mg from their patch and could tell me any pros or cons.

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure elained27

      Posted

      Hi Elained.

      A Math teacher can be a demanding job. Being in pain is also exhausting. Teaching is a wonderful & admirable opportunity to teach students to learn and to especially learning to their potential is always a challenge. 

      You have many challenges with PSA and teaching students, school responsibilities as well.

       Over the summer you might ask your rhumey about some of the new bio drugs that help stop the damage of PSA. And can help give you a better quality of life.Try them instead of pain meds. See if they ate right for you.

      I have tried many differ drugs over the years. Had PSA for several years and like you...have had time to adapt to differt ways of approaching the daily challenges we face with PSA. See the side bar for more info on bio drugs.

      I hope over the summer your able to find a bio drug that can help give you a break & a better quality of life.

      Thank you for teaching our children I appreciate all you do. We have many teacher in my family and it is a very challenging and rewarding career!

       

    • Okapis
      Okapis elained27

      Posted

      Aaah Elaine I now have a new perpsective on your original post! Wow 31 yrs of PsA! I can understand more clearly where youre coming from. I too have PsA, and was a lecturer although I'm now retired. It started when I was 29 - very mild form but got really going when I reached 50. Codeine in its various forms makes me vomit and I no longer tolerate NSAIDs - kidneys say no. Hence the Butrans a bit like you.

      I made a decision not to flog myself too hard when I was about 58 (I had other medical problems too) and dropped a working day, going "part- time". It paid off and I coped much better.

      Pushing yourself with an increased dose of Butrans will make you exhausted as although you wont feel the pain immediatly. Your body will react to overuse whilst inflammed and in all likelihood you'll feel as if you've been hit by the back of a bus.

      Are you taking any DMARDS ( Disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs) to stop the PsA inflammation and its progression? You dont list one. I've used several and had to move on as I either developed a side effect or they became ineffective. But they have cumulatively stopped most of the progression

       

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Okapis

      Posted

      Okapis I had a lot of side effects from DEMARDS. However that's is a great suggestion for ELAINED to try as well. Ask a rheumy about meds that can help slow down the progress and damage to joints from PSA. There are a few now. 

      Also your so right about increasing pain meds. It does catch up with us after time. Also injury can occur.

       

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