Another question: Fentanyl users, please!

Hi Kathryn I'm also on the 50mcg fentanyl patch. I also take 5mg oxycodone twice a day if needed for breakthrough pain. I would advise you not to ask for a certain medication because the doctor may get the wrong idea, and think that you're asking for the wrong reason. I advise that you go in and explain that the fentanyl patch isn't covering your pain very well, and see if he/she will prescribe you an additional med for the breakthrough pain.

I wish you the best with getting your pain under control.

hugs
Loretta

Hello Kathryn!

Im just into my 2nd month of the Fentanyl patch, and so far not getting decent results. Were trying different brand names first, but I have a feeling the Fentanyl itself is not working or not a big enough dosage. That being said, it makes my BT med's seem like they are not effective either.

I think one needs to make sure their baseline med's are dosed correctly first, ….and one way to check that process is to see if your taking your BT med's on a regular schedule. I'm a firm believer that if you are doing this, and not using them as true BT med's then you will be chasing a black cat in a pitch dark room.

I use Percocet as my current BT med..7.5mg, ..and my patch strength is 25mcg.

Good luck in your visit with your PM/PCD

SE

Kathryn, there really is no way to compare your meds to anyones because every one reacts differently to medications. What dose may help me may not have any effect on your pain at all. Some people take oxycodone or percocet for BT pain, but again this is going to be whatever your dr decides because there are a lot of different meds used for BT.

Chronic pain and depression go hand in hand. I did not know until a few months ago that not all pain meds and antidepressants mix together. My pain mgt dr had to take me off what my PCP had me on because it did not mix well with my pain medication.

You may want to make a list of what pain meds you have taken in the past and how well it did or did not help your pain and include your current pain meds.

Take care.....Susie

Kathryn, I have not used the patches yet (new to pain management and they gave me a choice of Morphine ER or patches and I chose the former). But I can tell you, you need not take so much Tylenol. Though the maximum daily dosage is 4000mg (after that, liver damage is likely occurring) the use of Tylenol in such abundance over time can cause damage. I don't mean it to scare you. I mean it to tell you that you do need to seek another alternative. Ibuprofen can cause issues as well, but I think you get the point. I had to be scared for my liver to decide to choose a long acting medication and use the one I was taking before as a breakthrough medication (it contained 325mg of Tylenol per dose). I fear I haven't helped you much but please tell the doctor you feel strongly about other options. Not just for pain control but for the health of your liver. God bless.

Kels

I agree with Jane. Fentanyl has been a lifesaver for me. It truly is the best pain med out there. You aren't gonna get any euphoria from it which is why some people don't like it. I defiantly am NOT referring to anyone who posted here in this thread. I read a lot of bad forums before I found this great place here! Anyways so I am glad I gave it a chance but since it's not working for you not sure what your doctor will suggest since fentanyl is about as strong as it gets. But like everyone else said, what works for someone may not work for someone else. I am on 200mcg but that's not really a normal dosage for most people. 100mcg seems to be the norm. Good luck and please give it a try. I almost let the bad stories I read about the patch on other forums stop be from trying it.

Post Edited (iloveoliver) : 6/18/2012 4:18:29 PM (GMT-6)