I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. I have no experience with buprenorphine patches, but a quick google clearly suggests they'll take a day or more to start working.

Yes, doctors are stingy with the opioids now. I understand it, but sometimes it’s really the only thing that works and it's better than living in chronic pain. I’d be scouting out a more liberal doctor, if mine wasn’t helping manage my pain adequately. They’re out there.

Good for you, Chisue, you are being cautious and thoughtful about your meds. I hope the patch works. Thinking of you and hoping that you get good relief from pain.

Jay -- Look to Big Pharma for the culprits here. Remember, always follow the money.

By liberal I didn’t mean politically liberal, I meant more liberal in prescribing necessary medications.

I'm sorry you've been in pain, Chisue. No surprise you were asking about ready to eat meals. Planning and cooking for DH if I don't feel well is one of the last things on my mind. I have no experience with them, but it looks like patience may be required at least the first day - with your tylenol possibly still used while waiting.

NIH.gov: If the patch is used, the time to minimum therapeutic concentration is 21 hours. After the placement of a transdermal patch additional analgesics should be available as needed for 24–48 hours for treatment of breakthrough pain, because plasma levels of buprenorphine rise slowly after patch application.

Hope this helps with your pain.

If you have to use a pain reliever to get back to normal use of your hip, then do that. It's okay. It may be better to have an end goal in sight before you start though. Just a suggestion.

So sorry to see that you're suffering chisue. Here's hoping you get some relief.

FWIW, managing pain isn't the same as eliminating it. Years ago, a Dr. told me that pain can help us avoid causing further damage, so completely quelling it might not always be the best course of action.

M younger siste has suffered chronic pain for decades. She has replaced both shoulders, hips, and knees. Chronic arthritis is also part of it. Finally, she turned to a pain doctor, as she calls her. When she has had her major surgeries, the doctors have consulted for the recovery treatment. See if you can find a local pain specialist. They know about medications and treatments that others mat not have in their little black bags.

I'm sorry you're in pain and hope the patches help you. If not, I would agree with others and find a pain specialist.

When I went to my follow-up appointment this past Tuesday (hernia surgery), I tried to give back the bottle of strong pain meds the surgeon prescribed. I had taken four over the course of the first two days after surgery, then transitioned to Tylenol. Also had an old bottle of Ibuprofen. The hospital said they don't accept old meds, never had a protocol in place to do so.

Had no idea. In the past I've taken them to the local Fire Dept. for disposal, but since I was going to the hospital I just decided to take them along with me.

I do take an Aleve most every morning for the arthritis pain in my ankle.

schoolhouse, I complained to my provider, and they set up a system, because they had a dispensary. If they issue prescriptions, they should be able to take them back. They still won't take sharps, or inhalers, but the police department a block away does. I feel like it's the wave of the future!

" Those good ole' liberal doctors, getting the elderly hooked on opiods, getting the young to chop off their own genitalia. "

Baloney.

Hmm, so if Dr.s are people, then what runs big pharma companies, populates their boards of directors and lobbies on their behalf?

@chisue, I hope you find some relief.

@chisue i SO feel your pain, literally!!! i had 2 rounds of steroid injections in my back, the first one lasted 1 day, the second one lasted about a week and i was back to debilitating lower back pain. the doctor who was treating me (a neurologist) died Christmas Eve day very suddenly and unexpectedly so the practice moved me to another neuro. i saw him on friday. he pulled up my MRI and showed me the several issues with my back (some curvature of the spine and tons of arthritis) and told me that there really are no good solutions. i was sent home with a back brace and some exercises aimed at strengthening my back. most of those were the same ones i tried during p/t and they only made the pain worse.

i think my next step will be finding a pain specialist as suggested here. i have a Rx for tramadol but only take it on really bad days. it barely makes a dent in the pain. the last time i had it refilled, insurance allowed only 7 days worth. the pharmacist told me it was because of the opioid epidemic and that after that 7 days, i could get the rest of it filled. makes ZERO sense to me.

i have to be careful what meds i take because i have high blood pressure. i doubt i'd be able to use the patches.

on a happier note, my artificial hips are 24 years old this year and have not given me a single problem. but this back pain is seriously limiting my activity and i am in tears most days because of it.

i hope the patches give you lots of relief!

Chisue and Nina, i am so sorry you are having pain. I hope you find relief.

thank you, ded. for now, it is what it is. hopefully, a pain management dr. will have some ideas.

Chronic pain is sooo exhausting. All I can offer is if these work stay on top of it. With pain catch up is a challenge!

Sorry you are in so much pain. I am hoping to read an update from you that you have gotten some relief. Nina, as well, and to all who are in such discomfort.

I'm sorry you have this pain and I hope it goes away sooner than later!

I'm sorry you're in pain,Chisue, I don't know anything about the patches you're using, but I hope they can give you some relief. I have chronic pain from arthritis and spine issues, and Arcy is right, it is extremely exhausting. I put off asking for a strong pain med for years because I didn't want to get addicted. I've been on one for years now, and discovered I'm not addicted at all. I've had to do without my med for days because of shortages, and my pharmacy not being able to get it and it wasn't fun, but I did okay.

I knew better than to start some new med on a Sunday. Fortunately you KT friends were here to offer comfort. Thank you. It really does make a big difference!

These patches were prescribed by the pain clinic at the hospital where I get my infusions for multiple myeloma -- a blood cancer similar to leukemia that I was diagnosed with over five years ago.

IDK how much of my pain is due to the MM and how much to simply aging. I'll be 83 next month. Looking back, I'd say the 'aging out' began in earnest at about 75.

(I plan to put that in my projected "Manual for the Elderly Woman". That's a booklet that is missing in a world of delusions. I don't expect such views to be welcomed, but I sure could have used some realistic, medical/actuarial facts. )

By noon on Sunday I was close to tears. I called our pharmacy. I was mistaken about using the patch *instead of* Tylenol4. Rescued! I could take the T4 along with the patch. Now, Monday, I've heard from the pain clinic and understand that my minimum-dose patch is only an introduction, and that I'm to continue as usual with the T4 while the patch dose is raised until I don't need the T4. I can also continue to use the 4% lidocaine patch at night, although this pain generally eases once I'm on my back and muscles have relaxed.

Nina -- You need help! I'd keep pushing for more relief. IDK why I am able to get the T4 without question. Maybe because I have a limited future anyway due to the MM? That MD has always said that he's OK with it as I've taken the same amount daily for five years now -- not 'addicted'. You shouldn't have to be on a measured mile of longevity to get pain relief just because some people have become addicts.

You know what? Even if you did become 'an addict', who cares if that's the only way you can be able to live without debilitating pain? How old do you have to be for 'society' to make that decision 'in your best interests'?