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gina5234	Jun-18-03, 04:32 PM (CMT)
"Fentnyl Lollipops?"
I have recently started going to a new pain doctor. He is making some suggestions to my internist as to what to do for pain relief. One of the suggestions he is making is giving me something called Fentnyl lollipops for when a big attack hits and nothing else will take it away. Has anyone ever used this or heard of these? It is something new to me. I am trying to get info so when I go into my internist, I have some ideas on what I would like to try. I have tried the Fentnyl patches before, but have never heard of this medicine as a fast acting medicine to get rid of a migraine fast.
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Table of contents

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, thetsarisa, Jun-18-03, (1)

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, gina5234, Jun-18-03, (2)

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, mishkyn, Jun-19-03, (3)

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, Norma, Jun-19-03, (4)

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, Richard, Jun-19-03, (5)

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, GinaSioux, Jun-22-03, (6)

RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?, gina5234, Jun-24-03, (7)

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thetsarisa Jun-18-03, 07:29 PM (CMT)

1. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

I think it was mentioned before - but I don't remember 'who and when', just that somebody said it's frightening idea because of the children who might think it is a real lollipop..
something like that..
Risa

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gina5234 Jun-18-03, 07:36 PM (CMT)

2. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

Risa--Thank you for your response. That thought did occur to me when the pain doctor brought that up because I do have a six year old child. That is scary.
I'm really starting to actually lose faith in these pain doctors because I haven't had very good experiences. When this guy walked in, he instantly had decided he knew what was wrong with me. He is trying to say my headaches are mixed and caused by Ibuprofen (which I take very rarely) and my triptans. When I told him my neurologist (whom I have had for a long time and has done a lot of tests) had a different diagnosis, he said, "Well, maybe he is right. Every doctor can have a different diagnosis."
I was kind of angry because I wasn't there to see him for a diagnosis, but for a consult on how to best control my pain. A diagnosis had already been made by my regular doctors.
Sorry, I guess I am rambling, but I am very stressed and confused by this entire situation right now.

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mishkyn Jun-19-03, 05:08 AM (CMT)

3. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

Dear Gina~
Fentnyl is the same ingredient in the pain patches that people wear. The lollipop was designed especially for cancer patients who cannot keep other meds down and are having breakthrough pain between shots.
You might want to go to the manufacturer's site to do some research on it.
I do have a friend who uses only the lollipops for pain control. She has daily migraine and oral meds won't stay down.
I think it is rather short acting, and it surprises me a dr would recommend it unless all other options were explored and had failed.
But this friend swears by them and they have given her her life back. Everyone is different.
Good luck,
Mishkyn

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Norma Jun-19-03, 09:03 AM (CMT)

4. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

Hi Gina--I am basically just reiterating what mishkyn just said. Fentanyl is a very powerful narcotic, and the suckers are a delivery method designed to give maximum pain relief very quickly since the drug is absorbed rapidly through the oral mucosa.
It is an excellent method of pain relief for a few very limited situations. Because it works instantly and wears off quickly it will result in severe rebound headache in susceptible individuals.
It can be very impairing, and the suckers are given to children partly because as soon as they get enough in their system to relieve their pain, they will get sleepy and put the sucker down, so there is less risk of overdose than with a med that is swallowed all at once, or injected.
As I said, it is a great pain reliever, but usually a "last resort" type thing. Whether or not it is right for you is dependent on all the particulars of your individual situation.
Norma

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Richard Jun-19-03, 08:14 PM (CMT)

5. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

Ditto to the above. A relative of ours has a tumor on his spine. He has two 100 msl Duragesic patches and is using fentanyl lollipops for breakthrough pain. Can you imagine his pain, poor guy.
I found fentanyl to be a powerful pain reliever in the lowest dose patch form ... I can only guess at the oral delivery sensation.
With a 6 year old at home I would sure invest in a $10 padlock ... though Norma's words calm fears of overdosing somewhat. I would have lots of questions regarding my child for my pharmacist ans still get a good lock box.
Good luck to you.
Hang In There! Tieni Duro! Non Mollare! Tiens Bon! Ne Laches Pas!
Richard

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GinaSioux Jun-22-03, 09:13 AM (CMT)

6. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

Hello Gina, I am new to the group and as I see you are "Gina" I may ask the moderator to let me switch to "Marajome". But that is neither here nor there...
I have as my headache medicine, fentanyl lollipops, due to some peculiarities with me. I canNOT keep any oral meds down, the fentanyl patch has given me a nasty rash. And most of the meds that are available rectally have not worked one way or the other (morphine, for example makes me so sad, I just want to curl up in a ball and cry for hours), so 2 years ago we tried Actiq, the fentanyl lollipop. It has saved my life, BUT there are things to know...
It is VERY expensive..about $20 a sucker! My insurance is paying for it as it has kept me out of the ER, The hospital as an in patient and trying other pain clinics, so they told me it's cheap in the long run with me, but not all insurance will neccessarily look at it that way.
Very few pharmacies will stock it..it comes in boxes of 24 and ea box has a dimension of about 5x5x2 inches. Schedule II narcotics MUST by law be kept in a triple lock up, so it's a nuisance that way and as so few people are prescribed the med and it being so expensive-if it doesn't get prescribed by the time it expires, it's a BIG fiscal loss to the pharmacy.
I live in North Dakota and-honest to God there is NO pharmacy in Noprth Dakota that will order it or keep it in stock--I have to special order it out of University of Minnesota 400 miles away.
The company who makes it gives ea new patient a "Welcome Kit" that has a book for kids about medicines that may look like candy but can poison you, a video, a fanny pack, and a lock with keys to lock up your fanny pack all to thwart theft and in particular, children getting into it. The plastic envelopes they are packed in need to be opened by a VERY sharp knife or set of scissors-there is NO way a kid could tear into it as it is SERIOUSLY reinforced.
Only one other negative-the sugar in the lollipop can and has been noted by others to be a big source of tooth decay. You are sitting there with this sucker dissolving between your cheek and teeth and of course you are NOT gonna brush your teeth right after finishing a sucker-you'd wash away a good portion of the med-but there is this sugary residue which as I said can lead to dental caries. Just be careful with your oral hygeine.
All that said--Actiq has given me my life!!! I finally can do what other mommies can do-play with my kids, go to the park, take a class at the University, go out with my husband, think about a parttime job what with the kids in school all day. I am gardening, cooking, cleaning, last year I was the classroom Mom for my oldest daughter-I was assistant director of the 3rde grades' production of Titanic, put together their Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and end of Year parties!
I was so sick and tired of spending year after year in a darkened room where my 4 kids would bring in cold compresses, buckets to be sick in, where my 4 kids knew they HAD to be quiet, so many plans went down the tubes 'cause Mom was sick-AGAIN!
For a few people Actiq is a wonder and I bet for a few more than that it will work as a terrific med to crush a migraine without going to the hell the ER so often can be.
Just write me and ask if you have any other ?'s on the subject, happy to help!

Top

gina5234 Jun-24-03, 01:08 AM (CMT)

7. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"

Thanks everyone for all the replies and information. I did not realize how expensive this medicine is. That is definately something that makes a great deal of difference to me.
From all I have read here and from my doctors knowing what situation I am in financially and medically, I really do not understand why this guy is trying to get me to use these lollipops. I don't have problems holding down medication or anything.

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thetsarisa	Jun-18-03, 07:29 PM (CMT)
1. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
I think it was mentioned before - but I don't remember 'who and when', just that somebody said it's frightening idea because of the children who might think it is a real lollipop.. something like that.. Risa
	Top


	gina5234	Jun-18-03, 07:36 PM (CMT)
	2. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
	Risa--Thank you for your response. That thought did occur to me when the pain doctor brought that up because I do have a six year old child. That is scary. I'm really starting to actually lose faith in these pain doctors because I haven't had very good experiences. When this guy walked in, he instantly had decided he knew what was wrong with me. He is trying to say my headaches are mixed and caused by Ibuprofen (which I take very rarely) and my triptans. When I told him my neurologist (whom I have had for a long time and has done a lot of tests) had a different diagnosis, he said, "Well, maybe he is right. Every doctor can have a different diagnosis." I was kind of angry because I wasn't there to see him for a diagnosis, but for a consult on how to best control my pain. A diagnosis had already been made by my regular doctors. Sorry, I guess I am rambling, but I am very stressed and confused by this entire situation right now.
		Top


	mishkyn	Jun-19-03, 05:08 AM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
	Dear Gina~ Fentnyl is the same ingredient in the pain patches that people wear. The lollipop was designed especially for cancer patients who cannot keep other meds down and are having breakthrough pain between shots. You might want to go to the manufacturer's site to do some research on it. I do have a friend who uses only the lollipops for pain control. She has daily migraine and oral meds won't stay down. I think it is rather short acting, and it surprises me a dr would recommend it unless all other options were explored and had failed. But this friend swears by them and they have given her her life back. Everyone is different. Good luck, Mishkyn
		Top


	Norma	Jun-19-03, 09:03 AM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
	Hi Gina--I am basically just reiterating what mishkyn just said. Fentanyl is a very powerful narcotic, and the suckers are a delivery method designed to give maximum pain relief very quickly since the drug is absorbed rapidly through the oral mucosa. It is an excellent method of pain relief for a few very limited situations. Because it works instantly and wears off quickly it will result in severe rebound headache in susceptible individuals. It can be very impairing, and the suckers are given to children partly because as soon as they get enough in their system to relieve their pain, they will get sleepy and put the sucker down, so there is less risk of overdose than with a med that is swallowed all at once, or injected. As I said, it is a great pain reliever, but usually a "last resort" type thing. Whether or not it is right for you is dependent on all the particulars of your individual situation. Norma
		Top


	Richard	Jun-19-03, 08:14 PM (CMT)
	5. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
	Ditto to the above. A relative of ours has a tumor on his spine. He has two 100 msl Duragesic patches and is using fentanyl lollipops for breakthrough pain. Can you imagine his pain, poor guy. I found fentanyl to be a powerful pain reliever in the lowest dose patch form ... I can only guess at the oral delivery sensation. With a 6 year old at home I would sure invest in a $10 padlock ... though Norma's words calm fears of overdosing somewhat. I would have lots of questions regarding my child for my pharmacist ans still get a good lock box. Good luck to you. Hang In There! Tieni Duro! Non Mollare! Tiens Bon! Ne Laches Pas! Richard
		Top

GinaSioux	Jun-22-03, 09:13 AM (CMT)
6. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
Hello Gina, I am new to the group and as I see you are "Gina" I may ask the moderator to let me switch to "Marajome". But that is neither here nor there... I have as my headache medicine, fentanyl lollipops, due to some peculiarities with me. I canNOT keep any oral meds down, the fentanyl patch has given me a nasty rash. And most of the meds that are available rectally have not worked one way or the other (morphine, for example makes me so sad, I just want to curl up in a ball and cry for hours), so 2 years ago we tried Actiq, the fentanyl lollipop. It has saved my life, BUT there are things to know... It is VERY expensive..about $20 a sucker! My insurance is paying for it as it has kept me out of the ER, The hospital as an in patient and trying other pain clinics, so they told me it's cheap in the long run with me, but not all insurance will neccessarily look at it that way. Very few pharmacies will stock it..it comes in boxes of 24 and ea box has a dimension of about 5x5x2 inches. Schedule II narcotics MUST by law be kept in a triple lock up, so it's a nuisance that way and as so few people are prescribed the med and it being so expensive-if it doesn't get prescribed by the time it expires, it's a BIG fiscal loss to the pharmacy. I live in North Dakota and-honest to God there is NO pharmacy in Noprth Dakota that will order it or keep it in stock--I have to special order it out of University of Minnesota 400 miles away. The company who makes it gives ea new patient a "Welcome Kit" that has a book for kids about medicines that may look like candy but can poison you, a video, a fanny pack, and a lock with keys to lock up your fanny pack all to thwart theft and in particular, children getting into it. The plastic envelopes they are packed in need to be opened by a VERY sharp knife or set of scissors-there is NO way a kid could tear into it as it is SERIOUSLY reinforced. Only one other negative-the sugar in the lollipop can and has been noted by others to be a big source of tooth decay. You are sitting there with this sucker dissolving between your cheek and teeth and of course you are NOT gonna brush your teeth right after finishing a sucker-you'd wash away a good portion of the med-but there is this sugary residue which as I said can lead to dental caries. Just be careful with your oral hygeine. All that said--Actiq has given me my life!!! I finally can do what other mommies can do-play with my kids, go to the park, take a class at the University, go out with my husband, think about a parttime job what with the kids in school all day. I am gardening, cooking, cleaning, last year I was the classroom Mom for my oldest daughter-I was assistant director of the 3rde grades' production of Titanic, put together their Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and end of Year parties! I was so sick and tired of spending year after year in a darkened room where my 4 kids would bring in cold compresses, buckets to be sick in, where my 4 kids knew they HAD to be quiet, so many plans went down the tubes 'cause Mom was sick-AGAIN! For a few people Actiq is a wonder and I bet for a few more than that it will work as a terrific med to crush a migraine without going to the hell the ER so often can be. Just write me and ask if you have any other ?'s on the subject, happy to help!
	Top

gina5234	Jun-24-03, 01:08 AM (CMT)
7. "RE: Fentnyl Lollipops?"
Thanks everyone for all the replies and information. I did not realize how expensive this medicine is. That is definately something that makes a great deal of difference to me. From all I have read here and from my doctors knowing what situation I am in financially and medically, I really do not understand why this guy is trying to get me to use these lollipops. I don't have problems holding down medication or anything.
	Top

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