Fentanyl Patches Killing People! (Page 6)

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.

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Because for most of us, they are fantastic. Cars also kill people.

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Re: Kerry (# 10)

Your right, I had trouble with my family doctor for a couple of years, he would not listen to anything I said, he had it in his head that I was just after pain killers, I told him for a couple of years about he bleeding I had when using the washroom and the pain was unbearable, it turns out I have rectal cancer, he told me for a couple of years it is arthritis, he would not recommend me to get a CT scan or anything, it took a trip to the ER and the ER doctor getting me this CT scan, my family doctor also fired me , a year before I found out I had terminal cancer, it’s only terminal because he would not help me out sooner, and the Er doctor helped me because I was skin and bone, I was pretty much ready to die, I am suing this family doctor now, basically I’m on chemo which I’m lucky it’s working on keeping my tumor from spreading or growing bigger, my tumor has come out of the rectal wall and spread to the lymphcnodes outside there, I was finally given Hydromorphone for a couple of years then changed to 100 mcg fentanyl, I need this pain killer, people with chronic pain need a painkiller that works, I would also be dead of pain if it wasn’t for this Ned, yes I will die of this cancer, but at least I got my life back now, my pain is now manageable, thank god and thank for your post, I kinda thought I was the only person needing a pain reliever and was, was, feeling guilty, thank you

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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.

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Re: Diana (# 99)

I can't believe a doctor would have given you 100 mcg of Fentenal for Fybromalgia? I have 6 herniated disc's in my lower back and neck plus Fybro and many other autoimmune diseases and I had been on the 100 mcg Fentenal patches for almost 10 years, with 10 mg percocet for breakthrough pain. I had been switched to other things that didn't work and my doctor switched me back. I have never had to go higher ( don't want to). But I lost my most awesome doctor and now the doctor who took over for him is switching EVERYONE'S meds. Me included. He just put me on Opana ER 10mg twice a day and diluad 2 mg 4 a day for breakthrough pain.

This is what they tried me on before and it didn't work! I am praying for a miracle because 1st of all the less pills I have to swallow the better, I need up in the hospital January 2019 for 7 weeks due to a duodenum ulcer ( I didn't know that I had) because I was going to my Gastrointerolisist for years begging him to find out what was causing my stomach problems, nausea and vomiting and his answer was get off the pain medication and you will be ok???

Well because he wouldn't take me seriously. I ended up with an ulcer that accessed and perforated my stomach wall spewing out infection into my body! The pain was so bad I wanted to die! And that was while being on my Fentenal patch. They had to get the pain under control and IV antibiotics for 8 days before they could do anything else.

In the end I had to have abdominal surgery cut from my breast to my bellybutton and I went through horrible ordeal, still dealing with it.
Now I am going to have to be taking a bunch more pills when my patch worked great! I already have to take a handful (9)of pills and supplements each night for my other medical issues and that is why the patch was so awesome! And I tried to find another doctor and none available where I live. And this one I'm going to is a 5 to 6 hour day once a month. And I pay $200 cash each month.

What I would give to have my patches back. I haven't switched yet as it was just yesterday and my pharmacy has to order my new medication. If I could I would go off all of it but not an option! I tried it myself 8 years ago and I successfully detoxed myself by weaning off the patch but I couldn't handle the pain! I wanted to die if that was how I had to live. Couldn't get out of bed!

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OP: So sorry to hear about your son

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Re: Bengimom (# 104)

How can your doctor just take you off Fentanyl? You will have bad withdrawals! People claim it’s such a powerful opioid, I guess fentanyl is but 100 mcg spread out over 3 days is nothing, I know, that’s what I been on for a year now, I’d be scared to change pain meds, I’m stage 4 cancer, big tomour in my rectum, lots of pain, no operation because it went thru the rectal wall , I’m also on hydromorphone for breakthrough pain, it’s the hydromorphone I don’t like, I’m thinking of talking to my doctor and giving up these hydromorphone for mabe another 25 mcg of the fentanyl patch or the fentanyl lozenges for the breakthrough pain, this way it’s also less drugs to take, good luck to you talking to your doctor, I hope he listens to you, after all, it’s your body

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Re: Ralph (# 106)

I wish I could say my new doctor would have changed his mind but he didn't and he literally changed all my meds. Put me on the Opana ER 10 mg which is the weakest twice a day and the oxymorphone ( diluad) 2 mg for breakthrough pain. So now I have to swallow all these pills with my stomach issues!! And I totally agree with you about 100 mcg of Fentenal over 3 days not being to strong when your opioid tolerant. I hate when these doctor's won't listen to the patient ??

I also hate that I lost my BEST DOCTOR EVER! I trusted him with my life, and I have not been able to say that about many doctor's I have for all the medical issues. Plus I had to wait for the doctor to do some pre authorization thing, which I never had that issue before either! So I haven't even gotten it yet.

What really makes me mad is the DEA is already up all the Pm doctors asses with a microscope so why change things around to alert them to look at things more? Its so wrong that the government and big pharma have NO COMPASSION for those of us who have REAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS, and not seeking to get high! Those are the ones who ruined it for everyone who truly needs this to be able to live. I have NO QUALITY OF LIFE WITHOUT THE RIGHT MEDICATION!

I'M so sorry for what you are going through. People don't understand unless they have been there, and they judge!! Not that I care! It's my body and only I know what kind of pain I have to deal with. What sucks is that I finally had a medication combo that allowed me to have a life and now I am back to who knows what because I haven't started yet!

Thanks for writing back!

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Re: Bengimom (# 107)

You got a new Doctor, but I must say, you better look for a new doctor again, this one is playing with people’s lives. Your doctor sounds like he or she is trying to make a name for his self, he’s wanting to be a hero on his patients pain, I know how it feels, what I would do for now is go to the ER and explain your situation, good luck

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Re: Shell Thomas (# 87)

Yes, your appsolutly right, take it as prescribed, the problem is the people who abuse the system, the druggy, the person who ends up in the hospital for overdose and who bought it off the street, now the government gets involved and they think there doing the right thing by making it hard for the honest person who needs it, to get it, they should start charging these people who overdosed on something there not sopose to take, eh

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Re: Bengimom (# 103)

Hey Ben, what is a DNA?? and how can that tell what pain med you need, strange? As far as hydromorphone, it’s simular or probably the same thing as OxyContin, just stronger, meaning 4 mgs is the same as 20 mgs of OxyContin, strange how a pain specialist would change your opioids, after all, they are all the same thing, according to my doctor, plus they all come off the same poppy plant, hmm

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Re: Ralph (# 110)

That was exactly my thinking when I have researched all the different medications is that they all come from the poppy plant?? My doctor (a new doctor) just did this to me. Switched me from a 100 mcg every 3 days fentenal patch that I have been on for over 8 years and put me on Opana 10mg Er. Plus took away my 10 mg percocet and put me on diluad 2 mg. And now I have had to wait 5 days because my insurance company didn't want to pre authorize it! They were not going to accept it and the doctor fought it on appeal??

Again I don't understand all this, why change something that works to a drug that my former doctor (whom was the one who did the swab test) tried on me and it was horrible. So I was switched back. Well I lost him as a doctor, he's no longer in the field ( which they are trying to do anyway). Now I have to start something I know doesn't work or I'm screwed and have nothing. There are no doctor's that I can find in my area! They have either all quit or the ones ( 2) I heard about are not taking new patients. At least at this time.

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I was on 275mcg of Fentanyl for Lyme Disease pain, which was horrific.. and after 12 yrs of fighting lyme and recovering as best as I could. I started trimming the patch back to see how I could easily come off.. and realize now the patch was causing me more pain than I was actually in. So I agree, I think it does more harm than good, it also left blisters on my skin.

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Be clear about this. Drugs don't kill people, mis-use of them, or drugs not being what they are sold to be does. Fentanyl patch is a VERY safe route of delivery if people READ THE LEAFLETS and ASK QUESTIONS, and don't do stupid things like apply over broken skin or lotions, or use with alcohol. ANYONE taking any opioid should have a suboxone injection available always, and pay attention to their breathing. Many people use fentanyl transdermal because there is no other option that works (as is my case). If the FDA banned every medication a few people didn't like there would be no medications for anyone. There is nobody forcing anyone to take anything they don't want to take.

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"This drug is being handed out like candy." Not to me it isn't. Nobody will prescribe any effective pain relief to me and I'm gradually concluding life is not worth living like this.

If your son died from a fentanyl patch, it was not because it was a "fentanyl patch". Something else was going on. I would wage an enormous sum on neither of you reading the package insert and following the instructions exactly. If properly made fentanyl transdermal patches were properly applied to every person in the US, the number of deaths would be tiny,and then only because of allergic responses or other drug interactions. Patches are the safest way to take that medication.

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You deserve another response. 80 times more potent than morphine is called a "morphine equivalence". It IS much stronger,but that's why the patch is formulated to deliver 75-100 micro-grams per hour, which is an appropriate dose. The patch does not "kill people". poorly manufactured/QA'd patches do,and more often than not, patients who don't care enough to READ AND UNDERSTAND THE PACKAGE INSERT wind up killing themselves. The FDAdoes not work for you, they work for Big Pharma. This is what "we" voted for, and we got it, so we have only ourselves to blame.

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Re: sc3dacity (# 113)

I totally agree with you, I have been on 100 micrograms of Fentenal patch every 72 hours and percocet 10 mg every 6 hours for 9 years now and I have lost my wonderful pm doctor and the doctor who took over for him is switching EVERYONE'S meds! He's just put me on Opana ER 10mg twice a day and 2 mg diluad every 6 hours for breakthrough pain. My other doctor tried this once after having me to a swab test and I was in so much pain and sick to. That he put me back on Fentenal patch.

Now I was just switched and my insurance would not authorize it so this doctor ( I don't like but try finding one) thanks to the DEA?? So this doctor actually appealed it. Took me an extra week to get it. Thank God I still had patches left or I would have been sick! Its still the same result too.

I go back in less than 2 weeks and hopefully he will have mercy on me, or at least up my dosage of the new medication. But the Fentenal patch has gotten a bad rap! People should not take it unless they are oxy tolerate. And most people who have overdosed have gotten it from the streets which are bootleg from China or Mexico.

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Because it helps a lot of people just to be able to function and get out of bed and have some sort of life.

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I realize this post is super old but everything you said is still relevant today. I have asked the same question many times. Fentanyl is deadly on the streets and drug dealers add it to already dangerous drugs and it's guaranteed to end lives. So many people in my parish and other surrounding parishes have overdosed due to Fentanyl. It shouldn't be so easily accessible. It should be reserved for terminally ill patients under the care of hospice or on their death bed in a hospital setting only.

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sorry about your loss. was your son prescribed this medicine. when taken properly it can and is a great tool for chronic pain patients to live a somewhat functional life. a dr should have been monitoring his levels of tolerance. With that being said ALLLLL medication can be abused and makes it hard for legit pain patients to get the help we need and frustrates me when the medicine is blamed and not the person abusing it, it's called personal accountability something you don't see much of nowadays. Prayers that your family can find some comfort and I truly am sorry for your loss ?????

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Re: Jean (# 2)

A lot of chronic pain patients use them. What a lot of us have is a permanent condition but not a terminal illness. They have cut back giving pain medication to Chronic pain patients and patients on hospice. It just isn't given out willy nilly. We chronic pain patients lots of us have lots are medication bc the CDC and there opiods epidemic and people are still dying. It's not chronic pain patients - it's people buying it from people and using street drugs! Yes some chronic pain patients have addictions but most of us take our medication as prescribed. So I don't think it needs to be only for terminal patients as you think. I have had CRPS stage 2&3 from my toes to my shoulder blades for 18 yrs. It's miserable. If I didn't have my meds I don't know what I would do. I have known many people who took their meds as directed and still lost their prescriptions. Got to the point that they took their own life. Just like Veterans can't get there's either. It's not fair or right. Yes I know life's not fair!

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