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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on December 7, 2001, at 19:23:55
My pain specialist has prescribed Actiq, a form of fentanyl to help with pain. Apparently it only lasts a few hours. I was curious if anyone was familiar with it, or used it before. Thank you- judy
Posted by paxvox on December 7, 2001, at 20:45:29
In reply to Elizabeth/shelliR,anyone- Actiq, posted by judy1 on December 7, 2001, at 19:23:55
Actiq is a VERY potent pure opioid agonist used as an orally absorbed med for severe pain, such as terminal cancer. As a matter of fact, the PDR suggests that Actiq is generally used for "breakthrough cancer pain" in already opioid tolerant people. I'm interested to know what kind of pain you are suffering (if not cancer) that would cause your "pain specialist" to suggest this particular med. There are many other less-potent opiates for pain control that may be what you really need (e.g. Oxycontin for sustained release pain med). I would be cautious.
PAX
Posted by Elizabeth on December 8, 2001, at 0:38:59
In reply to Elizabeth/shelliR,anyone- Actiq, posted by judy1 on December 7, 2001, at 19:23:55
Judy --
Actiq is just a fentanyl lozenge. You dissolve it slowly in your mouth, just like a cough drop, and it's absorbed by the mucosal membranes in your mouth. You're supposed to dissolve it over about a 15-minute period. It begins to work very rapidly, and I would expect it to be very short-acting.
-elizabeth
Posted by judy1 on December 8, 2001, at 3:26:11
In reply to Re: Actiq » judy1, posted by Elizabeth on December 8, 2001, at 0:38:59
Thank you. I suspect because of my pregnancy he wanted something short acting that I could use in emergencies. Thank you- judy
Posted by judy1 on December 8, 2001, at 3:37:01
In reply to Re: Elizabeth/shelliR,anyone- Actiq » judy1, posted by paxvox on December 7, 2001, at 20:45:29
Hi,
I already am extremely opioid tolerant, I have been on Duragesic for 6 months but because of pregnancy tapered off. I have cervical herniated discs, most of c2-c7 and have been on every other opiate. The added benefit to all of this was treatment of my bipolar depression because AD's only caused me to become manic and worsen rapid-cycling. This is the second time I've tapered off a very strong med (ms contin) and surprisingly except for a rebound (?) depression and anxiety, it went very smoothly. Take care- judy
Posted by paxvox on December 8, 2001, at 21:11:46
In reply to Re: Elizabeth/shelliR,anyone- Actiq » paxvox, posted by judy1 on December 8, 2001, at 3:37:01
I don't know your medical history, but aren't you concerned about having a baby that will be opiate addicted? I'm sorry if that sounds calous, I don't mean it to be. Have you looked into the possibilty of a spinal nerve-block during your pregnancy, at least the first and last trimesters?
Like I say, I don't know your history, but that seems like one viable option for the short run.PAX
Posted by judy1 on December 9, 2001, at 17:00:55
In reply to Re: Elizabeth/shelliR,anyone- Actiq » judy1, posted by paxvox on December 8, 2001, at 21:11:46
I don't think you sound callous at all- this is why I'm tapering off of Duragesic (fentanyl patches)- and am almost totally off. The Actiq is for emergency use and is short acting. My drs. and I would never put my baby at risk. Thank you for your concern- judy
Posted by CMF on December 22, 2003, at 14:48:22
In reply to Elizabeth/shelliR,anyone- Actiq, posted by judy1 on December 7, 2001, at 19:23:55
> My pain specialist has prescribed Actiq, a form of fentanyl to help with pain. Apparently it only lasts a few hours. I was curious if anyone was familiar with it, or used it before. Thank you- judy
Judy,
Would you please contact me at my Email address as follows: cmferrara2000@yahoo.com as I would like to communicate with you regarding the use of Actiq and would perfer a more "private" means of communication, such as Email. Thanks. Chris.
This is the end of the thread.
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