Fentanyl Patches Killing People! (Page 5) (Top voted first)

I would like to know WHY the FDA has not taken the Fentanyl Patch off the market? This drug is being handed out like candy. Anyone who is not terminal or under Hospice care or in a hospital invironment should not be using this drug. Why would a person be prescribed a medication that is 80 times stronger than morphine for a backache. I do not believe patients know how powerful this medication is. The warning should be labled in RED. When are you FDA going to realize This medication is killing while relieving pain! I know because it killed my son.

REPLY

REPORT

Dear child of mine,I'm so sorry for your loss. My situation is exact except I lost my daughter to one moment of being overwhelmed by stress and 120 days clean. I am suicidal by guilt,I have other children but it doesn't make it better. I constantly live in extreme guilt. I cannot believe we are in the same exact tragic situation. May God grant us forgiveness for what we've done.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I've always used the Tegaderm dressing to cover mine. It's probably what you're referring to as "a clear, waterproof covering". You can use anything like a bandaid, as long as it's breathable.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm very sorry for your loss. Going from 25 mcg to 100 mcg in four months is absurd to me. I have chronic back pain and have been on 25 mcg for 3 years just to take the edge off so I could care for myself during the day while my husband is at work. It is also craziness to be prescribed 240 OxyContin per month for break through pain. It is doctors like this that we have all the regulations by the government. To others reading this, you must do what is best for you and do not take anything that your doctor prescribes without researching dosages and the drug's side effects prior to taking these drugs for pain. Take the bare minimum just so you can function. Pray each day to God to give you strength to face each day. I've been doing it this way for 8 years. God bless all of us who hurt every day.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Because it helps people live a normal life instead of being in constant pain. My husband has worn them for about 10 years now and we live a fairly normal life compared to before. Some pain cannot be taken care of with tylenol, nor can it be fixed surgically. What you apparently don't understand is dosing. The dose of a duragesic patch is so very tiny. 0.25 mcg is a common dose. I hope you never see the pain many live with if you can't understand why they would want to be able to be free of horrible chronic pain.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

No, you must never cut a patch. Tell your dr, a lower dose may work fine, but, you may have to endure pain. When you cut, you change the chemical makeup of the drug, it can be deadly please , please don't.Good luvk

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Can you refer your doctor information to me. I can't find a decent pain management doctor

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Kerry. This is several years later. I'm sorry! I am in a similar pain state as you. I'd live in bed or on the couch if not for Fentanyl, and take Morphine for break through pain.

I have a condition that results in my discs deteriorating and herniating in multiple levels of my spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar). This has resulted in my spinal cord being pinched by vertebrae and jabbed by spinal bone spurs. I have a lot of dizziness and nausea from TOLERATING severe pain, and trying to always go light on medication.

Forgive me if I laugh a little when folks complain about us using narcotics for a backache. You have no personal experience of this pain.

I have had 3 different Pain Management Doctors. Two of them are wonderful! They are Physiatrists
(Fizz-eye-uh-trist), which involves REHABILITATION as well as treatment of pain. I was never given the 3rd degree, or treated like a criminal. I have been referred to many helpful additional practitioners by these folks!

The 3rd Doctor was a Family Practitioner who decided he had empathy for the suffering, and transferred into Pain Management. He had no specialized training in the prescribing of narcotics OR rehab. Part of the time, he dispensed far too many narcotics too easily. Other times he would seem quite paranoid in his prescribing. He was very gestapo-esque in his conversation with patients.

My whole point is, get a properly trained specialist as a Pain Physician. That way you will receive safe, adequate, scientifically supported professional care!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Did you ever think that the yawn and gasping for air meant you had too much in your system ????? Then you increase it by changing it every 2.5 days instead of 3??? If you can't notice those signs as too much in your system then maybe you shouldn't be on them!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

you should not take more than every 3 days as prescribed, nor should you cut the patch. if your having problems you need to let your doctor know right away it may be to strong of a dose but your messing with your life if you cut or change the patch to soon. im on the patch and but i would not recommend changing it before 3 days is up. nor cutting. its states clearly on the side of the box do not cut or change it before its time. you could be over dosing yourself. before the 3 day time change. and cutting them will only give you less a dose but it will also cause other problems the patch medication might not be equally distributed on the patch. so..Please dont cut or change before your 3 day time frame and CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR A LESSER DOSE.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

first and foremost my condolences regarding your son. However, this medication is needed by some people who use it correctly there is nothing worse than living with chronic pain that makes your life miserable to the point that some find it not worth living.
This medication is very strong but used correctly it does help people.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

BIGMAC, Unfortunately, you are the only one displaying ignorance. Indeed, it is how people use this drug, you lack of empathy is to me sub human. Try understanding how the loss of ones child could alter someones opinion and perspective no need for you to demean anyone for their feelings!!!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I know the pain of losing your child- My 18 year old died in 2008, not from Fentanyl but a combination of illness and opiate medication (West Nile Encephalitis diagnosed the previous day as a sinus infection; and Vicodin prescribed for his headache) so I understand your frustration and feel your pain. There are those that say the patches should only be used in the terminally I'll etc.. The people/person that is responsible for your son's death is whomever he got it from. I've just started using the patches again 2 weeks ago and if I didn't have them I would not be able to move... It makes me angry that ppl are given prescriptions and they sell or trade them.. Some get stolen as well but if that happens it should only be 1x. My medication is behind 2 cipher locks- 1 on my bedroom door and another with different code on my closet where my medications are locked 24/7. Again, I am sorry for your loss but the advocacy needs to be aimed at education of the public to the dangers of using these recreationally & Pain Dr.'s ensuring their patients are using all medications appropriately thru extensive drug level evaluations and random or even monthly medication counts.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Goody212- Who do you use for Pain Management now that you're here in SC?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I sympathize with your loss but I currently use this medication and it is the only way that I can function and not be in constant pain

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Comment on your post. This is an excellent post and States clearly what it means to be in critical pain. You don't have to have cancer to be in paralysis from pain. I too have trouble getting my medications that are so regulted by my physicians to assure I maintain the safest way possible to have a small form of life. I also have a son with disabilities it's hard enough caring for his daily needs and I sure wouldn't be able to do this without my pain management.

Please note that I have tried every form of pain management from burning nerve endings to the implant of a Nero stiullator. I was in the trial stage of the Nero stimulator. I'm four days of having this device inserted in my back I developed an infection and when they placed me in the hospital this infection turned into MRSA a life threatening disease. It managed to begin shutting each organ in my body down. After being in the hospital for 5 & 1/2 weeks after having my gall bladder removed,to the point of needing dialysis, had to have a liver procedure so maintain my liver function, my stomach became paralyzed ( gastroparysis), and going into congestive heart failure. All this without pain medication. It has taken me 8 years to recover from non medication pain management!!! Efforts need to be put in place to assure opioids are used correctly and maintain preventative drugs to help with an accidental overdose as no medication is risk free. Without my medication I would still be in bed and there are still days I cannot get out of bed. I obey my physicians orders and make sure all my many specialist are on the same page. No medication is given to me without all my physicians knowing it. As well as my medical history is maintained in my pharmacy as well. I never have regained the use of my stomach. As if my pain isn't enough I now deal with the fact that my stomach doesn't work me basically love on a type of formula and supplements to keep me going. All of these problems occurred when I rejected using my pain medications and if O had it to do over I would stay away from any device that is placed on the spinal cord where there was once a tumor imbedded in my spine. Can we is not the only condition or disease that creates imcreable pain that prevents any type of life. Can I have complications? Sure bit O feel strangely that I keep in close contact t with all my physicians. I have to applaud your post as you said it so well. I too wish to send my deepest sympathy with you loss as any loss of life is horrible but don't make my life intolerable because that is what you are doing by lumping us all in the same category. I have spent the last 8 years regaining my strength back and this is due to me being able to maintain my pain under close supervision of pain management. I have my emergency medication with me at all times, I follow through with all my physicians especially my pain managements doctor. I keep all my medications in my phone as an emergency app, and assure all my family are educated on signs of trouble as the more informed we all are the healthier I will be. I cannot stress this enough please don't make those who truly need this medication. We all walk a fine line and must take extra steps to assure our safety. To the person who lost their son please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son as indeed that is a pain that no one can take away of any type of medication. I do urge you to join grief counseling groups as I have learned from having a son with disabilities that many others who are walking in my shoes helps get me through difficult issues and in my groups we deal with death of our children simply from things like our children eating the wrong things. I'm sure you have reached out to groups much like the one I am connected with and if not please contact one as it does help as unfortunately their are others who have walked in your shoes. May God bless you but please don't condemn us.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Dear Child of Mine, I don't know if you will get this message but know I FEEL your pain.. I had been prescribed several different drugs through VA pain management and found out my son was taking 1 or 2 here and there.., I called the police...He was also using them recreationally with his friends.. He was in a year long treatment program and everything looked bright. He got sick ..we thought it was the altitude change because he had visited FL the summer of 08. He was diagnosed with severe sinus infection.. He told how bad his head hurt but then downplayed it. He started feeling sick Friday, felt horrible on Saturday and Sunday he said it was better. We went out he wanted to stay home and sleep... During that time someone brought him Morphine of some type.. We found him the next morning gone in his chair. He had viral encephalitis, viral pneumonia, and morphine toxicity that all contributed to his death.. I have felt quilty, suicidal, deranged and depressed ..you name it.. If I had not have needed the drugs would he have taken them????? I don't have that answer.. Do I blame the friend ..yes but Even though Zach was not thinking straight he made that choice.... I miss him so much he was truly the love of my life.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Nana (# 82)

Honey....this was his fault for abusing and stealing your meds which are both illegal. It's not your fault for needing it.

I am so sorry for your lost but he went and found meds 2 separate ways. He was going to get it with or without you honey. Please PLEASE PLEASE do not blame you for his choice. He chose and he shouldn't have. I hate to say that. I don't mean to speak I'll of him. But this certainly wasn't your fault. My heart goes out to you. *huge hugs* tell your doc you're depressed as it makes your pain worse.

I wish I could help more.

But don't think it needs to be taken off the market. Because too many of us can't get out of bed. I'm on 37.5 and 10mg Percocet and still can't get out of bed most of the time. I have a ton of health issues causing pain and other problems and this helps. It's needed. Or I get very sick and can actually die bc the pain signals send my epilepsy into overload and it's not just joints deteriorating but a severe all over muscle spasms. And muscle relaxers don't work on me. Figures. So it's my only option. We tried everything else even non opiates. And I had no help from that. That's no bueno.

Your need is a need. Don't assume it's not. *major hugs for Nana*. I hope you find peace. Run after God. Callnout. He is near to the brokenhearted. Bless you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm so sorry about your son.. sir if you could look at it another way. I've had secondary progressive MS for 27 years now and the pain it has caused me I wouldn't put you in my shoes for 30 seconds or maybe I should. If I didn't have access to fentanyl I literally wouldn't be able to move from my bed to my chair to the shower and back to my chair.

In March of this year, I underwent brain surgery to have a deep brain stimulator installed. I'm sure you've seen the op on tv. They take the top of your head off and touch the brain while you're awake to find where the pain is generated. Then an electric probe is installed in that area that connects to a junction box mounted on my skull where all the probes connect then the cable comes around my neck into my chest into a battery/computer that runs the whole show and I can turn it up or down etc.

The reason I went through that was so I can hopefully stop all the drugs. While i was having all the mri's done they found the last three vertebrae in the lumbar area have basically eroded from being in a wheelchair. If I wasn't on fentanyl I'd be going out of my mind in pain you can't imagine. My medical history is complicated as everyone is different.

Here in Canada, we have to return the used patches to the pharmacy before they will give you your next script which I totally agree with. We are also talking about snap U/A inspections to see two things. One is the patient taking the meds as prescribed and the second is the metabolization of the drug(s) prescribed. If the person is slowly metabolizing the med we can look at reduction or titration and it shouldn't affect the patient with withdrawal and might actually help the pain better.

We know we have a problem, my question is why? Why are so many people that are unhappy with their lives turn away from it with drugs? I understand that but what do we do with the sadness? I hope for everyone's sake this will be a short-lived epidemic.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

sorry for your loss but hoe many more you want oww ou ss ....... yes newest users have not leaned yet just like car drirvers so when you are ready to outlaw all motorvehccle then its a thhought .... had patbatshe 15yr

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Kerry (# 10)

Hi Kerry, I have a question for you. I have been in pain Management since 2008 and I have been on Fentenal patch 100 every 72 hrs with percocet 10 for breakthrough pain for almost 10 years. I switched doctors because my doctor was always 2 hours late for her patients and it ended up being a 6 to 7 hour day every month.

So I got referred to another doctor. 1st he did some kind of DNA test that is supposed to tell what medication works best on a person and he switched me to something called oxymorphone (a lower dose to start) and I think Dilaudid for breakthrough pain. I was very sick, like I was in withdrawal and I called them and they said I would have to wait until the next appointment.

So I went back to my former Pm doctor and she put me back on my Fentanyl. It is what works for me. I totally understand about how people would Rather die then have to live with this pain. I did detox myself years earlier because I had to move in with my parents in my 50's and they don't understand chronic pain so in their eyes I was a drug addict.

I weaned down successfully and was off over a month but the pain was so severe I had no life, couldn't work or barely function. One of my doctors I see for one of my autoimmune diseases told me to just go back on my medication and don't tell them because I have REAL ISSUES! So I did and was doing great on the Fentanyl and Percocet. Went back to work as a Hairdresser and my life was productive again.
Then I lost that doctor and there were only a handful 5 years ago to be referred to, she put me back to the doctor who had changed my meds but this time he kept me on the Fentanyl and Percocet.

We ended up having a great doctor/ patient relationship. He was an awesome doctor who I trusted with my life. I ran ALL my medical conditions by him. I had a duodenum ulcer abscess and perforated my stomach wall and I was in the hospital for 7 weeks, ended up having abdominal surgery. He helped me with great doctor's, and just knew a lot about all the issues I suffer with.

Well in January I was told he was out due to covid and another doctor took his place for that month. He immediately started messing with my medications, lowered my Fentanyl to 75 which I was willing to try. Then I got covid and because of the aching which was horrible I had to use some of my 100 mg had from when I was in the hospital. When I went back 2 weeks ago my doctor still was gone ( and I now know not coming back) So I told the new doctor that I had covid and I had to cut my patches to make them 100 because I was in so much pain.

He was ok with that but then he told me he was going to change my medication to the Hydromorphone and some other for breakthrough pain
He told me about the DNA test the other doctor had taken and that Fentanyl and Percocet are not the right combo for me. I tried to tell him that my doctor who is now gone tried that and I was in tears. He basically told me either I let him switch me or find another doctor.

So he said he would give me my medication this time but that was it. I tried to find another doctor but there are literally no pm doctors in my area. I had an appointment with one a few days ago and he said that the dose of medicine I was on was to high ( right after he told me that I have real issues). I was listening to all the people in the waiting room and he pushes pain pumps on everyone ( he has a whole set up there where he does everything, epidurals, injections, surgery). And they didn't take my insurance.

So after paying $300 up front of course he spent 5 minutes with me to tell me he COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME!! Because he would take away 75% of my medications. I left there literally in a panic attack! And I was freaking out about what was I going to do??

Thank God I got through to the other doctors office finally after 3 days abd the girls there all really like me, I have never had any trouble there so they kept me on my same appointment. I said all that to say this, I know he's going to want to change my medications.

What is in Hydromorphone and Dilaudid? And I still have some of my old medications left from being in the hospital, would they show up in a drug screen if I had to take an extra Percocet? I looked them up and they are still opioid I believe, so I don't understand why the need to switch anyway but looks like I will have no choice.

I'm so tired of all of this. I hate having to be on this but I can't take the pain.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been on fentanyl / Duragesic since 2005 when i was not longer able to take oral opioids as my stomach lining was ...

32 REPLIES

Hi I'm on 100 mcg I do know when they run but they don't seem to do much. What is better then this for osteo pai...

15 REPLIES

my husband started getting his stuff from drs then went to 2 or 3 drs and paid outta picket then they foumd out and cut ...

10 REPLIES

Hi All ~ Thanks for reading and possibly helping me out ! First a quick summery, 2 failed back surgery's, L3, L4, &a...

7 REPLIES

Hi I'm on 100 I do know when they run but they don't desalt seem to do much what is better then this for osteo p...

7 REPLIES

My father has recently started on these patches after a second full knee replacement and being on other pain killers for...

5 REPLIES

Hi I'm on 100 I do know when they run but they don't desalt seem to do much what is better then this for osteo p...

4 REPLIES

My husband ran out of his 50 mcg Fentanyl Patches on Monday. Today is Friday 12/11/09 and he is experiencing withdrawals...

3 REPLIES

Can someone please tell me where I can find a doctor who is not afraid to prescribe fentanyl patches and 10/325 hydrocod...

2 REPLIES

First let me start off by saying, I have definitely reduced my dosage from 3 100mcg to 2 100mcg patches. I am currently ...

1 REPLY