Resolved question:
Been suffering severe back pain L5/S1 and been put on Norspan patches. Last Monday (week ago) I was put on 20mg, I felt high and didn't sleep, just dozed. On Friday I saw my normal Dr who lowered dose to 10mg. He also gave me Endone for breakthrough pain which I haven't taken yet.
My issue is its 2am here in Australia and it's been a week since I've had a good night sleep. Is there anything you suggest I can do? Being that there may still be higher dose of norspan in system will thi settle in a few days?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello.
Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
The norspan patch that you took initially was pretty high but may be because of the intensity of your pain it was prescribed to you.
The thing is that most patiets who use such patches or other similar opioid analgesics complain of too much sleep and drowsiness and then the doctors lower their dose accordingly. Only in very few cases, insomnia is seen. The good thing is the dose has already been lowered and hence once it clears up sleep cycle should be back to normal again.
If this persists though, the dose have to be lowered gradually, to avoid withdrawal symptoms and other alternative can be sought.
But as of now, you can wait for another day or two and hopefully the sleep cycle will be back to normal.
Regards.
Thank you for your answer, it makes me feel better.
My Dr also gave me Endone. To when in severe pain but as yet I haven't used it. I've read some also reviews on it on the internet. Do you suggest not using at the moment? (I should also add, I'm on Insulin for type 2 diabetes, endep (which I am taking which normally gets me to sleep within an hours. Am also taking a probiotic.
Also anything for this anxiety that I'm feeling? Not working for the next 2 days but then I will be and will need more sleep. I feel like a walking zombie. I'm also extremely anxious and hate being alone.
Thanks
Hello.
I am glad i could make you feel better.
You can use Endone, but use it only if its required. Because you have already started something as strong as the Norspan patches. Did the doctor as you to use both the medicines simultaneously? How is your pain after taking the Norspan patch?
You are already taking a lot of medicines and hence i won't suggest anything currently for anxiety. I feel once your sleep cycle settles down, your anxiety will be taken care off automatically. However if it persists you can get Alprazolam ( 0.5 mg ) once at bed time. But for this you will be needing a prescription from your doctor. Keep it as a last resort, if both the anxiety as well as sleep does not get better over the next few days.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.
Hello.
I am glad i could make you feel better.
You can use Endone, but use it only if its required. Because you have already started something as strong as the Norspan patches. Did the doctor ask you to use both the medicines simultaneously? How is your pain after taking the Norspan patch?
You are already taking a lot of medicines and hence i won't suggest anything currently for anxiety. I feel once your sleep cycle settles down, your anxiety will be taken care off automatically. However if it persists you can get Alprazolam ( 0.5 mg ) once at bed time. But for this you will be needing a prescription from your doctor. Keep it as a last resort, if both the anxiety as well as sleep does not get better over the next few days.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.