Fentanyl Patch Wearing Out (Page 3)
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Hello. I am on the fentanyl patch, 125mcg every 72 hours. And ever since starting the patch I have been able to once again be more active. I exercise for an hour every morning and walk in the evening. My dr said the patch will last me 72 hours but by 48 and sometimes less, my pain begins to return and I start feeling withdrawl symptoms I use to feel on oxy or percs. I've tried telling my dr that I need to change every 2 days but he insists that this does not happen to anyone else. Does anyone here have the same issues? And are you feeling better results from different brands of the patch?

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I've been on the butrans patch for years and my doc let me take every 5 instead of 7 days wouldn't work for 7. Now I'm on the fentanyl and find it only lasts 2 days I thought I was the only one.

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Jessica, I was told 100 mcg/hr was strongest. I try to keep two on until the "older" one should be removed. Often I rash or sweat it off before the 72 hours. I don't know how long it takes for a "new" patch to start being absorbed so the doctor said it was safe to wear the two for the remaining time. I have heard of patients wearing a 100 mcg patch in addition to a 25 mcg patch for severe pain. Maybe that's what the other person means.

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Yes and your doctor knows. I always changed every 48 hrs because I couldn't keep it on longer, it would fall off. Also After 2 days I would start to get a rash. You can try using either or both to see if Dr. will change it to 48 hours.

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Jessica, I have used Fentanyl duragesic 75 mcg for several years. A few years ago I noticed that at 48-60 hours the patch was no longer effective. I spoke to my pain management doctor and he said that I had probably developed a tolerance for the medication. I began applying a patch every 48 hours (I try to hold out up to 60 hours) with Vicodin for breakthrough pain. My doctor's solution has kept me from increasing the dosage which would have been the alternative. Talk to your doctor. If you have insurance he/she can prescribe 15 rather than 10 per month. Honestly I am not as physically active as you are but in the hot weather I know the medication is absorbed more quickly than during cooler seasons. Hope this information is helpful. Good luck.

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I agree with you totally. I am on 100 mcg every 48 hours I convinced my Dr since I've been on the patch 7 years it wasn't working as well. Thank God I have a Dr that listens to me. Do you wear 2 patches? I thought 100 mcg was the highest. Good Luck

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Hi Jessica, I had the same problem the patch never worked 72 hours for me either, my doctor changed it to every 48 hours. It allowed me to be able to function again. If your doctor won't change it ask him to try you on a different time release medication. I hope that helps you.

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Unfortunately most Doctors have not been on the medications they prescribe and are clueless as to the issues because they prefer to listen to the drug reps rather than their patients. The fentanyl patch does not last for three days as prescribed. I know several people on the patch and hear the same complaint from each of them. This reminds me of when Teva started producing and distributing OxyContin. The formula was so seak many people including me went I to opiate withdrawal. We have two big issues to deal with regarding drugs. The first is as I previously stated is the Doctor's lack of real knowledge on how these drugs affect patients as the Doctors have not taken them. Secondly, the drug reps over sell the benefits of the drug they are selling for a commission and rarely adequately explain the adverse affects and withdrawals. Your Doctor is not a God so you should let him know he is uninformed.

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Hi Jessica. I was having the exact problem you are, where the patch worked well for two days but then I started having pain. Incidentally I have two crushed vertebrae in my lower back. Also crushed my pelvis and the sciatic and femoral nerve. But back to the story. When I told the Pain Clinic doctor what was happening he said almost 25 percent of the population have this issue and immediately changed me to a patch every two days. Proven much more successful. Good luck!

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Hello, Jessica! How are you?

Your morning exercising may be causing the problem. There are actually warnings with the Fentanyl patch that tell you that anything you get hot, sweaty or overheated, it causes it to release more of the medication, which in some cases has resulted in overdose. Thus, you may be absorbing more then, until your body cools back down, so it is unable to last you for the full 3 days.

The FDA classifies this medication as a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

You may want to speak to your doctor and ask him to research it.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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