Fentanyl 50 Mcg/hour Transdermal Patch (Page 9)

I WAS PRESCRIBED THE 50 MCG/HR FENTANYL PATCH FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN & DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE. I WAS GIVEN THE PRESCRIPTION SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. I JUST GOT IT FILLED 2 DAYS AGO BECAUSE I'M AFRIAD TO USE IT. I HAVE READ ALL THE PATIENT INFO, RESEARCHED IT ON THE NET & TALKED TO SEVERAL PHARMACISTS AS WELL AS MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. ALL OF THE PHYSICIANS & PHARMACISTS TELL ME THAT THE PATCH WILL HELP ME WITH THE DAILY PAIN. THEY SAY THAT THE PATCH SHOULD NOT CAUSE ME ANY HARM BUT THE ONE TING THAT'S STOPPING ME FROM USING IT IS THE RESPIRATORY SIDE EFFECTS & POSSIBLE OVERDOSE. I'M SEEKING SOME ADVISE FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE USED THIS DRUG BEFORE WHETHER IT WAS A GOOD OR BAD OUTCOME. I AM OPOID TOLERANT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PAIN FOR THE LAST 5-6 YEARS. WHEN I HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH OF PAIN & HAVE TO SEEK EMERGENCY TREATMENT OTHER PAIN MEDS GIVEN (IV OR IM) DON'T WORK ANYMORE. ER'S HAVE GIVEN ME MORPHINE & IT DOESN'T EVEN TAKE THE EDGE OFF THE PAIN. DILAUDID DOESN'T WORK UNLESS I'M GIVEN MORE THAN 3MG'S & THAT WEARS OFF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IF IT LASTS THAT LONG. WHEN I'M IN SEVERE PAIN MY PRESSURE RISES. I'M AFRAID OF THE PATCH B/C I DON'T WANT TO FAINT OR PASS OUT FROM A DROP IN MY PRESSURE. I'M CURRENTLY TAKING VICODIN 7.5/500 EVERY 4 HOURS. I HAVE NOW BUILT A TOLERANCE FOR THE VICODIN AND IT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO PERCOCET 5/325 & SOMETIMES I CAN TAKE UP TO 3 OF THEM EVERY 4 HOURS. I'M ALSO ON OTHER MEDS THAT I BELIEVE WILL INTERACT WITH THE FENTANYL. I TAKE LEXAPRO, ATIVAN, CLONIDINE DAILY. I NEED SERIOUS HELP!!!

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Greetings,
1st why the clonidine? That drastically lowers blood pressure, plus any narcotic will lower an slow everthing down. Get on a blood pressure pill if your BP is High.
I have been on the Mylan brand of Fentanyl. It works great and I change mine every 72 hours. They are perfecly safe unless some hyped out drug addict looking to try and extract the drug to abuse it. Thats way people die from it. I am never drowsie but I do have a lake of energy in which I take all kinds of supliments. I take ginsiga and its excellent for natural energy. I do have to take a breakthrough when my patch is read to be changed an sometimes at various other times. Its weird but you keep them on hand in case. Just don't be in direct heat for long periods, if your sweating profusly, do some to cool off. I wear tegaderm tape have your pharm oder them, I have never had problems with them sticking at all. I have gotton them wet by accident while in the shower. Did not bother the Patch at all, but im still careful. That's the key, if you have a low tolerence make sure doc knows. He will adjust. No alcohol which was easy for me, since I dont touch the stuff. Anyway keep on the right side of things and everything will work. I'm keeping a breakthur pain journal since I just go on the 50mcg patch, I have had breakthrough mosly aroud time my patches are a day away from being changed. Get a good breakthrough, I know oxy IR are strong but you tolerance will go sky high and it makes your just a dummy with a chain around your neck, they are the worst to detox an just kick up your tolerence up off the charts. You know I'm not afraid to be proactive in my decsions with the doctors expertise. If that makes then leary or indignant, just kindly explain your well aware of their knowledgeable and you are more than willing to follow. Unless you have a concern, we dont have to be some stupid sheep and just let them practice on us. We may have had the medicine they want us ti take we bad results. Or no results. Well God be with you and I hope I have help ease your mind, I was thesame way, very reluctant also. But so far so good.

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Ha! I only wish I could have gone to the hospital to get off my patch. I was forced to stop because I could not afford them anymore. Had no healthcare and no money. After ten days I was really jittery and went to ER. They only gave me a script for 10 sleep aids and sent me home. Of course, telling me once I was off the meds my pain would probably go away. What an arse! Eventually, my doctor changed me to morphine tablets—much more affordable—then once I got some help with health care coverage I was able to get back on the Duragesic. I had been on the patch for 10 years for severe back and neck pain due to disc disease and fibromyalgia. Diverted to the morphine for 2 years, then have been back to my normal fentanyl dose for almost 2 years now.

For those who like to judge and complain… I take NO breakthrough meds except NSAIDs and I have NEVER HAD AN INCREASE IN OPIATE DOSAGE.

Sorry to say all that right off the bat, but after reading a few posts I just wanted to let you all know.

BTW, just in responds to the original thread, I did have some respiratory issues when I first started taking this medication. I was keeping myself awake doing anything I could so I didn't fall asleep and possibly stop breathing. It subsided after a few weeks. No wonder I have sleep problems now, right? I also had skin irritations and have just found the right places to put the darn thing so, not so much anymore. I have a HUGE problem keeping those patches on though. I use mefix or other similar product to help keep it in place, but it still manages to come off, especially if I take a bath or shower. Last week I had one come off and stick to my shorts within a half hour of application! Yes, I have tried making sure to clean my skin first. I've tried all sorts of combinations and timing between bathing and application. I use hand sanitizer on my skin first too. That helps. I mostly have the sticking issues with the Fentanyl manufactured by Mylan. Okay, I always have trouble with theirs, but sometimes have trouble with the others. My coverage does not let me get the name brand. When my pharmacist bothers to read my preferences in the computer right in from of him when he fills my script I get the Sandoz brand (officially covered under my plan) and those are exactly the same as the name brand Duragesic.

Good luck to those navigating the bloody waters of pain control.

Oh yeah, DONT EVER CHEW A TRANSDERMAL PATCH!!! It won't make you feel high, just dead.

: )
m

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Hi,
I responded earlier but didn't take. First I must say Nyman are they are flat no gel and I find lot of peeps have problems with the gels. I also have never ever had problems with them sticking .once they are on don't try an move them around . Wear them the way they are supposed to, you. . I also take Cymbalta, lisinaprel, morphine 15mg I imm. Ambian when I'm up too long. But mainly just Fent 50mcg. Relax you Wii be fine.

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Boy, do I get this !!

I have DDD too. What a f***er! I made it till my kids were grown, then I felt like I had enough. I keep asking them if they'd mind if I weren't around. Not often though.

Since I don't have anything for breakthrough pain I think I'm gonna try MJ edibles.

: )

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Omg I know I know, and if you try and be proactive with what they want to pump inside you, then they get all indignant. I ask for the patches at this clinic and I ask for what kind of breakthrough medication and what strength. No bull, what grounds are they going dismiss me, so I do my homework. This last appt, I told her I didn't want oxycodone anymore because it rasied my tolerence and the vicious cycle begins. I'm on these 15 IMM morphine tabs...so far they are working if I take 2 or 3, which is not what I want to do. So if we change the breakthrough right.Maybe I can try somethinhg or nothing for that matter. All these pain docs want to do now is do IV's that cost 2500 a pop. So who knows whats going happen to us all who are dependent on these meds. Chonic pain, anxity, depression. ?....gezzz. I only have insurance if not for disability whick took me 6 years of torment to get. Medical professtion are way over worked and the are newly out of technology colleges for what a nurse should be doing. Worlds a mess and we are in it. God help us all. I wish you all the best, believe me I know been through it too.
get

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So as other users have pointed out you are taking too many perc's. Up to 3 every 4 hrs? Thats up to 18 tablets a day at 325 mgs of acetomenophine per tablet you're taking almost double the max daily amount allowed. You will fry your liver. Heres my advice, take the fent. It will not harm you as long as you take it as directed. Definetly decrease your perc intake no more than 5-6 a day MAX! After getting stabalized on the fent you should then be able to use the perc's PRN or as needed for breakthrough pain. Your other meds will not cause a problem with the fent as long as you're taking them as directed. My main concern is that you're taking too much oxycodone and you've become dependent on that amount. It scares me because not only are you taking too much APAP that will fry your liver but you're also takink a up to 90mgs of oxy which isnt the worse but you gotta be careful with the fent. Decrease the oxy! If you cant do that or arent willing to do that then do not start the fent. Believe me, if you can decrease your short acting narcs and get on the fent it will be extreamly beneficial to your pain and overall health. I too am on fent and i also was taking vics for the past 6 yrs for my pain. I was up to 8 tabs of 10/325 a day and that was very bad because I'd always run short. The fent has been a life saver for me. I'm pissed that my doc took so long before putting me on a long acting med. I couldve avoided years of taking too many vics. Anyway theres my advice. Good luck bro

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Oh hey Im sorry. I'm always sure when I did go to rehab to have lots of benzos. Now its pretty much a pain thing. And omg to not to have the money to get them, I would have lost my mind. Would of got some H but they have crap here, I'm not kidding.its all that darn crack. I am sorry ...you had to experience that. When the docs give us these drugs no matter how nice they may have been this whole time they will drop ya like a hot potato. You know if you got.money every thing will be taken care of once the money is gone same as a dealer.. they can't help you. No more. Then off to collectios, its crazy and adds a lot stress. Blessings for you

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Hi
I was hesitant too about the Fent, but there I was blacking out on OPANnA before all the gel an filliers Per the C I A..The Secret Code for the pills with gels and fillers is KILL a JUNKY.They rather kill someone then let anyone else do. Another one yes another one bits the dust. Anyway my point was don't worry about the patch, get the best tape out three tegaderm. Can put it right ove patch it lets it breath. Please do not chew them or rplay with theses just change them when you Dr. Say and don't overheath. I wear 50mcg and they work like a charm. YHeh but I was straight blacking out on those OPaNaS I railed them before the gel and all that stuff and my face always ended up in whatever I was trying to eat. My dog would wait for me to nod and steal my food. I thought I was eating it

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Thankfully, when I could no longer work, my doctor started charging me less and arranged for me to pay only $5 a month (I'm still paying) plus he was a HUGE help for my recent disability claim. It took four years, but I won! Yay! I've read the judge's transcript and my doctor's statement is what clinched it.

However, my doc is very old and even ten years ago was in semi-retirement. I'm not looking forward to his complete retirement.

While I couldn't get the fentanyl, for about 2 years, he prescribed me 30mgs Morphine IR 3X/day. That's the equivalent to fentanyl's 50 mikes. Way less expensive, but not the same for sure. My doc will never prescribe the actual recommended number of pills/day, so I've got to live with that. Only thing that sucked while off the fentanyl was I gained a bunch of weight. I had some other meds that helped with that too. I'm just now starting to lose the weight again and I've been back on the fentanyl for almost 2 years. When I first started taking it I lost 100lbs as it made me throw up a lot!

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Gosssh I so get what you saying and feeling, I can't seem to get on a decent breakthrough med.Oxys work but I'm not getting caught up in that mess over and over. I just need something strong enough to knock out the breakthrough. But if I even suggest what works its well I'm not giving you that! So I get something that don't work, and have to take twice as many, then they seem befuddled why I'm short. Gezzzz this has been going on and on and on for over 11yrs. I'm tired, like I'm sure most everyone on here is. I guess so days are just better than others. Anyway Happy Thanksgiving Everyone. We will make it guys. One day at a time. Blessing.

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Exactly how it is with me, I have severe CP from a neck injury that left me with debilitating neck and lower spine pain. Some people dont understand why some of us have to be on pain meds. Meds are meds!!
I still have a lot of pain but not near as badly or as often.

I have been on Fentanyl for about 4 years. I also take Oxycodene for break through pain but not every day.

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why do you choose to wear 2/25 mg instead of 50mg I am on the 50 too. I have been on these for about 6 yrs and dont see them as anything but a medication and am responsble. And I know the Lord knows my heart and that I do the best I can and he takes care of me. Blessings, V

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Yes the Lord will take care of us, and thank you because its good to know that these last that long. He allows things to work where others may not understand why maybe something is not working for them. I am on 50mcg several bulging disc an degenerative problems, and the patch sticks with the tegaderm and works very well. He knows our heart's. I personally have to be careful about breakthrough meds, so I ask my doctor to take me off oxys. I do need something that will kick that pain that breaks thru out. Blessing Continued and have a restful joyous Thanksgiving.

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Hey I am on 200 MCG of fentanyl patch and it works great every two days I change it .no breathing issue or anything at all that way .
I'm also on gabapentin 3600 mg a day
Then for break throw I am using oxceytin
And every Three mths I go for cortizon shots in my back .
This all works for me but on wet days I have pain .
Mud you I have to remind myself to drink loads of liquid in the day as I forget to in the winter summer I drink all day long water in or juice but for get to in winter.
Well I can say the has helped me out lot and its been 15 years now for these pills I breath okay and have No issue at all I had forgotten to say I'm in Canada and not sure were you is but here things are okay

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JustBelieve, I have the same trouble. I haven't asked for anything else for the breakthrough because I don't want that label of a "drug seeker". I have asked for lunesta and lyrica, but I'm not covered for that. Sometimes I'm short at the end of the month too, but not too terribly short. For those days I just live without. This month I actually lost all the medicine that was left, a few days worth, while on a trip. It happened to coincide with needing a renewal. Boy, did one pharmacist have a fit over that!! Like I'm a criminal. I was told to pick up my soma the next day, even though I could have just switched the insurance on it and could have picked it up that night. When I go to get it in the afternoon the next day, there's a pharmacist "covering" for the regular guy and won't let me have it. Told me I had to wait til the next day. So that's TWO extra days I had to wait. I should have just gone the night I requested it. Geez. Plus, they switched the insurer. I think because it came in as a new script, but I have in their computers to use a certain one because it's cheaper than the other medicine. I've got two different scripts of the same class of meds so my regular insurance (which is free) doesn't cover them both and I've got to pay for at least one of them. I don't have a car and my roommate has to pick up for me and she's already had to go three times for these two meds. And I'm not even done filling my scripts for the month. I hate it. I've moved in the last year and I KNOW if I had lost my meds when I was getting my scripts from my other pharmacy that they would have at least given me a few days worth until they cleared through insurance. God, really?? I have NEVER lost my meds before. It's not like I have a history of coming up with excuses to get my medicine early. I got the "it's a controlled substance" speech and "you can't get them early by law." Geez, what a lie. Last month I got them five days early. And the month before that and the month before that too!! I use the stupid app to do my refills and the app says I can refill something, I push the button and refill it. Then I get a call the next day saying I can't do that. Just when I'd gotten all my meds to get filled on the same day AND figured out which meds can renew 3 days early and which can get 5 days early (depending on the insurance). They go and change their minds!! Most of the stuff they say is too early is OTC meds that I can get any freaking time I want!

Sorry to rant, but really, I have been on the EXACT SAME MEDS with NO INCREASE in strength for the last 14 years!! I haven't asked for an increase even though I've told my doctor I'm not getting pain relief. I recently started having migraines 2 or 3 times a week and my doctor asked if the fentanyl was taking care of that pain. No, it's not taking care of it!! It's awful! It's horrible!! I got crickets—total silence on that one. Nothing new added to help out with the hard days. Really, no one cares.

In more positive news… I shot a 10k run for USC last weekend. It's for a chronic pain management and research program and they always have reps there from companies developing the newest approaches to pain management. I've been wanting to try one which is an embedded morphine pump which uses a significantly lower dose than is needed for oral medications. This year there was a company there who had a stimulation device which places leads into your spine and a receiver unit into your fatty muscle on the upper buttocks and you carry around a remote control which controls the amount of stimulation you get to your nerves/spinal column. Their goal is to reduce pain by at least 50%. They also let you try the unit FOR FREE for about a week by placing the leads thru an epidural and leaving the receiver unit outside your body strapped to your abdomen. Then you can decide if it works for you or not before you commit to the surgical implantation.

Has anyone heard of this??? I want to try it, but I don't know anyone who has done it and the brochure is very vague. The rep explained it to me very well though. I wish my insurance would cover that! I also wish I could just get it done while I'm already going to be under anesthesia sometime this month for another problem. Surgery just makes all the rest of the pain way worse! Not looking forward to that.

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I am currently using 200mcg of fentanyl and it has stopped my chronic pain due to a motorbike injury. Once you start make sure you never run out the pain seems worse when the drug is being depleted from the body. Other than trouble sleeping I had no other side effects. I tried to stop it once using only my will power and the withdrawal lasted a month, mostly I felt weak and could not sleep. If you plan to quit cold turkey get some good sleeping pills and quick acting pain killers like oxycontin to see you through the first few weeks then try percocet until you feel better.

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Hey thanks for responding, but seems like your on a lot of stuff, I sometimes fall back into waiting a lot of different stuffnd still sometimes too, like I tried so hard to just to ware the Patch,


I'm already on xanax, I have a faster then
normal pulse. And I get super anxious. I suffer with depression, my Dad did pluse he was as alcoholic. And I am by no means a hypochondriac! So The cymbalta helps a lot lot, I a really happy, positive lover of life and Ill be ok the name...out of FreakN blue, man I wake up and know I have fallen in that hole...the cymbalta helps but probably keeps me from fallen deeper. So I am on all this stuff anyway And now I'm back on oxys . And short already because the taking the Oxycodon, I
Just 15ml but still. Here I am again, I told ya...I don't want the oxys every month so I can at least keep my tolerance down. I try and take inventory of everthing I'm taking, if I don't really need something.

Then I'm going thru the Hep C thing, since this is my First time with high enzymes, where now I have to get a sonagram. Then a liver biopsy, but God loves even me, If it be His Will and Jesus did not die in vain, I asking God to heal my Liver. He so Good and wise its in His hands.

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Agree

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I am on fentanyl 50mcg and yes you do build up a tolerance for it and I have to take perocet for breakthrough pain.My pain comes from having 2failed back surgeries and back fusion with screws and plates holding me together then I have lung cancer and half my lung taken our plus this year I had half my breast taken off due to breast cancer and the patches lasts me about2days and I have taken morphine before the patch but how do you get yoyr doctor to understand the pain you are in.Where I live if you have nothing wrong wirh you the er and drs will helo them faster than me so if anyone has a way for me to tell my doctor the pain I am in please let me know thanks.

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Geez!! All that hassle and then I go to divvy up all my meds into daily containers a week later and 20 OR MORE PILLS ARE MISSING! Probably more like 30, but I'm trying to be conservative and give the freaking pharmacy a teensy bit of credit. I don't pick up my own meds most of the time, so it's really easy for them to say it wasn't them. Despite the fact that when I get my script the bag is sealed. Obvious that no one else has touched them and the meds were missing before anyone picked them up.

Told my doc and he agreed with me that I will now have to insist they count out all the pills right in front of me before I take ownership of the filled script. So glad he understood, because I hate the way it looks, especially after I lost meds. Thank goodness I've been with my doctor for ten years and he has no reason to suspect me of anything (his words). But I'm still out all those meds.

This has happened before at the same pharmacy chain, but at a different location. I was lucky that time that I checked the bottle before leaving because while my script is for 90 pills, the bottle only had ELEVEN pills inside.

You can't trust anybody. Grrrrr.

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