Morphine patches. Pain relief but no sleep. Will it get better?

[Brigga]

I’ve been trying bunov 5mcg patches. They’re are the only thing that has really made a difference to my pain. My lower back pain and stiffness is so much better. My knee pain has improved but I absolutely cannot sleep. Also constipation that hasn’t improved no matter how much fruit and veg and fibrogel I have. They are patches that I change once a week. I’m on week 2 of 4 week trial before my next GP appointment. Last week I was so desperate for sleep that I ripped off the patch in the middle of the night. The next day my pain and stiffness returned full force and I could barely walk again. Do I have to choose between pain relief or sleep? I’m so desperate for some decent sleep that I’m thinking of removing the patch again. Anyone else have this problem?

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello , sorry too read about the lack of sleep and the horrid pain that can go with Fibro, without my sleep I’m a grizzly bear for sure😞 so 2 weeks before you see your GP with this trial, I notice the difference if I do not soak in my bath every night before bed, it’s getting my muscles too relax down and try and get comfortable for the evening,I have been using some extra strong hemp cream on my knee lower back etc l I have found this helps during the day. (. Cannabi relief Hemp cream ) if the patches are irritating your skin perhaps have a word with the doctor about using something like this(always see doctor /pharmacist before you try anything especially on meds etc) dark chocolate works for me keeping my bowels open . Take care.

[Brigga in reply to Yassytina]

Thanks. I just had a bath with Epsom salts. I’m going to stick with the patches for now. I put on hydrocortisone cream two hours before putting on the patch and that has stopped the irritation. Before I found out that tip the itching drove me crazy.

[Wilson16]

I am using Butec patches 5mcg and have found they are helping my pain. I have also been prescribed Amitryptaline 10mg at night. I’ve been taking this for a few years. They have really helped with sleep. Both getting to sleep and staying asleep. They do make you feel hung over in the morning so I now take it at 7pm. I do wake up stiff and in a bit of pain. Probably because I haven’t moved much in the night. I do find though it goes when I’ve got up and moved around. I also suffered from constipation for a long time. I’ve now been prescribed Laxido of which I take one satchel at night with a bit of squash to flavour it. I take after I have finished eating. I hope the reply helps you in some way xx

[Brigga in reply to Wilson16]

Thanks. I’m going to stick it out a while longer.

[Lovecoffee]

I can’t sleep at night but want nod of in the day I have to feel tired all the time, I have osoarthrites fibromyalgia, winter be coming my worst pain much worse my arms. Getting more painful

[Noodlenan]

Hi

I was prescribed the patches and like you they make a difference to the majority of the pain (unfortunately for me they don’t help with my back pain 😔). However the sleep issue my gp prescribed antihistamines to take at night - now it still takes me til 2-3 to get to sleep and I still wake up every few hours BUT the sleep I do get is much improved! Maybe ask your gp about that. She also prescribed mebervine for my IBS and that has made a settling difference too!

Talk to your gp and I hope things improve! It’s a lottery finding what works with this devil inside us! Good luck xx

[Brigga in reply to Noodlenan]

Thanks. When it got to 6 am this morning and I had not been able to get any sleep at all I decided to give up on the patches. By that time I was in a lot of pain anyway. I think good sleep is more important and I don’t want to take even more pills. I hate this stupid illness xx

[Jaynefox]

hi I was on them but had to stop due to side affects.headaches sick falling asleep in the day.so I can’t walk so I No how you feel.I’m on a better pain patch No side affects.you wear for 12 hours then 12 hours off. I have osteoarthritis on back hips spine.just had a injection to in hip.very painful now.got more injections on 18 october hope I can’t get my life back.