Karen

Thank you for the great information on the patch system for pain medicine.

Last winter I had went through a rough pain time and had to go through several med changes & alterations to finally get the proper dosage.

I had asked a couple of time, through my frustration of months of high pain levels for the Patch.

My PM doc had declined and said that I just was not to the point of requireing the patch and she wanted to go slowly through the oral alternatives before we went to a patch.   After reading your article, it makes me very happy that she is in charge of these decisions.

I think when you've dealt wis excessive high pain levels for several months to years, with only occaisional relief, makes me understand that the pain patient should bring a close family member/caregiver in while making these decision.

I rely quite a bit on my daily hot salz baths as a treatment option at home to reduce the all over ache and pain from FM, I cannot imagine having to quit taking them.

 I also use a heating pad every morning to help my stiffness and don't know that it would be very good to have to quit that home treatment right now.

Thank you!  Hope your xmas went well

Betty