Anyone ever use the fentanyl patch??

Hi Nasalady...

Unfortunately, I've been on every med known to man :) My current long-lasting medication is morphine, but I'm also on oral fentanyl for breakthrough right now. But I've been on fentanyl patches several times before. While the fentanyl worked great for my pain issues, I couldn't deal with the side effects of the patch itself. I have very, very fair skin. I also run a low-grade temp at all time. So, to even keep the patch on - I'd have to use a tegaderm patch (it's a tape patch, found at the pharmacy...like the thing they put over an IV in the hospital). All of the tape would leave horrible rashes and marks anyplace that I'd put the patch. Then, because of my heat issues - I was absorbing the medication much faster than I should have been. My doctor even let me switch the patch every 48 hours; even then, the patch would be bone dry when I would change it.

Those were just my experience re: the actual patch itself... but, for me, personally - fentanyl is the best pain reliever out there.

Now, regarding the "scary" things you read :) (and I do understand your concern...and admire your quest for information...I'm the same way!).... Is Fentanyl strong? Yes, it is. But the thing is, your doctor will start you off at a low dose (hopefully) and titrate it (if necessary) from there. There's side effects that can come with any of these medications; hopefully, though, you won't experience any. Re: being addictive... again, I guess you could say that any of these medications come with the chance of addiction. But, from my own experiences and reading here, I haven't seen any major "more" problems with fentanyl than any of the other opiods.

So, again just my experience - I think it's a great pain reliever. It is strong; and I would suggest making sure your doctor starts you at a low starting point (which I guess would be the 25mcgs, or maybe even 50mcgs....I know I'm not a doc, just an experienced patient!)... let your doctor know of any problems you have with it... and go from there. But I wouldn't overly worry about the things that you are reading.

I really, really hope this helps your pain. Let us know what you decide to do. Or, if you have any other questions - let me know!

Take care, Tina

No problem, JoAnn... I sure hope the patches work for you and reduce your pain.

Just remember it can take a day or so to get in your system...

The one nice thing about the patch is that you always have medication being released into your system; not as many "highs and lows" that the oral meds can brings. Just remember, though... that towards the 72 hour mark, IF you feel a huge increase in pain or "withdraw" symptoms...you can always talk to your doctor about changing the patch earlier. Hopefully, that won't happen... but just something to remember.

I'll be curious to hear what you think about it once you get it on and it starts working. I sure hope it works for you!!
Talk to you soon,
Tina

Hi,

I also had the patches a couple of times, but this particular med doesn't seem to have any effect on me at all. I never notice anything except a skin reaction at the site of the patch. Naturally everyone is different and it may be perfect for you.

Unlike many here on the CP forum, I don't have a high tollerence to meds. I've tried most of them at some time or other and have "reactions" to most, but my doses are very small compared to many of our members. It's not because the pain is less, but because I metabolize the meds differently. A really good PM Dr will check to see how your body breaks down the meds in addition to monitoring the pain level you reach with the dose given.

I wish you all the best!

Nasalady ~
I am currrently on Fentanyl patches and have been on them for over four years. For me personally - they help tremendously! They also provide continuous pain relief without any of the usual highs and lows with oral meds. Everyone reacts differently to meds, so I wish you the very best and please keep us posted!
Best of luck Hun ~ Huggggsss!

i have been on 50mcg fent patch for about 8-10 months. I change my patch every 48 hours instead of every 72. I have a higher temp thean most people so i think it runs out faster for me. Please be careful when using a heat sorce such as a shower, hot tub bath etc. if the patch gets hotter than it should it can release meds faster and you can get really sick/ or pass out. So dont apply heat to it. I have a tape allergy and my patch gets a little red, but it goes away.

I thought for a long time the patch wasnt working, but I fell asleep with out one and woke up like the tin man, unable to move. they do work. but I do not feel high, or messed up ever. So that made me understand that they do work.

I still take oxycodone 3x a day for breakthru pain so you may need some thing for that still, but I hope you dont.

ALso rotate where you put the patch, I use my chest,

good luck,
melissa

 Nasalady,

DON'T GET ON IT!!!!! It took a year of my life a way, I never got out of pain, just wanted more drugs. I don't remeber must from that year I was on the patch. My mind is still foggy. I truely hope that you can find a better route to go, the Fentanyl patch system should be the very last thing. If I can be of help just get a hold of me!

Later

ACE

I agree if you can avoid the patch then do it.

Ihave been on 75mcg/hr every 48 hours since July last year and am desperate to get off it.

I am also on 15mls of Oxynorm 4 times a day for breakthrough pain.

It is true you start low but your body soon becomes used to that level and you just need higher and higher doses.

I am very drowsy all the time and am no longer allowed to drive which is hard living out in the sticks.

I suffer from terrible hot and cold sweats which are awful and my body temp is aways either too hot or too cold never just normal.

Getting off the patches is not easy and the withdrawal affects are terrible even with gradual reduction.

I wish I never started on them.

I am on the Fentanyl patch, and it is prescribed by my neurologist....who seems to want to have nothing to do with it but prescribe it. I have horrible neuropathic pain and I am going to the Mayo next week for a consult. I called her office yesterday and left a message with her secretary. I am sweating profusely and I am hot and cold...also I cannot sleep. I thought she would call me back. Her secretary called me back and said "she said it might be withdrawal" and to go see your primary. My primary, first of all, wants nothing to do with narcotics. What can he do? Could I be in withdrawal? I was started at 25mcg and now on 50mcg. It is changed every two days. I hate being on this...I still have quite a bit of pain. I have lost my appetite and I am getting very thin..112 pounds. I don't know if this is the right place to post this.

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