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Cycling caused by pain meds

ayla67
ayla67
I am on a pain patch which has the narcotic fentanyl in it, it was just added back to my medicine regimen July 20th. The only problem with it is, the first day of the three days I wear each patch, I am manic enough that I don't sleep and a little hypomanic. (like tonight). Normally I don't really mind, I get a lot done, and get to play catch up on laundry, correspondence, goals, etc. The pain patch is a necessary treatment for tumors in my gut which cannot be removed.

The thing is, it just isn't normal.

Any feedback?

In the am, I will still be awake and perky, and will go about my normal day, and sleep normally tomorrow night. Just this first of the three nights on the patch is the hypomania.

Ayla
minitaro
minitaro
I've heard of numerous people who have had manic episodes triggered by pain meds and anesthesia. I would consult the doctor who prescribed the patches and pdoc.
got2breal
got2breal
Any Change in meds can cause problems. Hope you feel better soon.
spacepony
spacepony
If you're feeling good from the patch, maybe that's ok... If your mood isn't destabilized long term. When I take hydrocodiene I feel 'good'. But I don't get into trouble by shopping etc.
gramybear
gramybear
I too wear the Fentynl Patch, 50 mcg. The only problem I find with it is that when I first put it on, it doesn't help my pain, until the next day. Then by the second day and a half, my pain is back. It's the only pain medication that keeps my depression away like the Norco did to me. I I went through horrible depression with the Norco but not with the patch. I would talk to your doctor about it. Could your dosage be too high? Try taking an Epsom Salt bath with Lavender and some Chamomile Tea before bet time. Also, Benedryl helps with sleep as well. Hugs GB
oldcper
oldcper
For some people this has nothing to do with BiPolar, narcotics just jack them up instead of making them sleepy. When you wear a Fentanyl or Duragesic Patch you get a slightly higher dose the first day and it can cause the extra energy for some. It may have nothing to do with the BiPolar.

I've been on daily narcotics for almost 10 years now and they completely jack me up. I sleep maybe 4 hours a day if i'm lucky sometimes it's more like 3. My body has adjusted to it. Med changes don't cause any changes to my BiPolar or BP Cocktail, it's just the way my body reacts to narcotics.
spacekat
spacekat
I take narcotics every two months for 5 days after a routine procedure that I have under general anesthesia. I've found they definitely affect my head - I'm a little loopy and slightly dizzy, not solid on my feet. But I don't notice them affecting my mood/delusions/hallucinations. I just sleep for the most part.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
If it's making you manic and you're not sleeping that could end up being a problem in the long term I would think... You could discuss trying something else out for pain if you wanted to?... Gentle hug...xo
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
Sorry I think I missed what you were saying... This just happens one night and then you're okay??... Is that right?

If it is and it helps you then I would go with it.... Meds do have side effects.. all of them unfortunately.....x
ayla67
ayla67
Since I last posted on this I have gotten a little more stable. I think I can handle the meds now, A little tweaking was done, and I think it is going to turn out ok.

I am in a situation where it doesn't matter if I am up all or most of the first of the three nights of the cycle. I don't work and have plenty of opportunities to nap or rest if I need to. Last night was "patch night and I never got manic, just a little wound up. I got a lot of reading done. I did some workbook activities and some personal enrichment activities and actually quite enjoyed my time. I was pretty calm all night. I think if I can tune up the fine points of the cycle this week, I will be okay.

Someone mentioned Benadryl I choose not to take benadryl, I used to take too much of it. My pharmacist says benadryl and other medicines containing it are widely abused, and that in her opinion, it should require a prescription, like it did back in the late seventies. In fact, Infant Benadryl drops were taken off the market because too man people were drugging their babies! I take valerian at night to go to sleep, and my doctors think this is a much better option for me than the benadryl. Plus, with the valerian, I have no rapid heart rate and no drug hangover in the morning. I am glad I don't need a prescription sleeping pill, I have enough prescriptions already.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments.
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