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fentenyl patch

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Posted 10/27/2011 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
pm doc wants me to try the patch now that its cooling off here in AZ so when i go in on the 1st i guess we'll discuss.  i'm a bit nervous.  how strong is it?  right now i'm on 15 mg oxycodone 6 times a day...is the patch stronger than that?
Posted 10/27/2011 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on the 25 mcg patch for a month now, and can report no problems or side effects. I use it in conjunction with Loratabs. I swtich the patch from one shoulder to the next (that is where my oncologist said was a good place) every 72 hours on schedule. I don't "feel" anything from the patch per say, other than the relief it provides.

Good luck if you go on it.

David in SC
Posted 10/27/2011 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
I wore a patch for several years w/ oxycodone...patch does not get you "high", altho still make you dependent. it helped w/ my pain but got too expensive. Just be prudent adjusting dosage...shoulder is best spot, forget upper arm.

Good luck
Maggie
Posted 10/27/2011 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I use this table to look up equivalent dosages:

www.globalrph.com/narcotic.htm

The math for fentanyl is particularly complicated. 20 mg of oxycodone is equal to 100 micrograms of fentanyl. The patch is 25 micrograms per hour, or 600 micrograms a day. So the patch is equivalent to about 120 mg of oxycodone and you take 90 mg a day right now. So it is slightly stronger. However, these equivalency tables aren't perfect, and often people need a slightly higher dose when they switch to get the same relief.

The big advantage of the patch is it is time released, so you don't have to worry about taking meds 6x a day.
Posted 10/27/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
I tried them but unfortunately they didn't mix well with the codeine I need to take to slow bowel down. They weree ok until I increased up to the 25mg patch and then all went bit wrong. Felt really drunk all the time and couldn't function so we gave up on those and am now on 10-15mg oxycodone every 4 hours and 200-300mg of gabapentin 3 times a day and 30mg of amitriptyline every night.
Posted 10/27/2011 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Mtg the patch generally does work very effectively for most people with few side effects except the ones that were heated related for me. You will most likely be started out on the 12.5mcg which is the lowest dose. You will also still need something for any potential BT pain.

I suggest that you make a log of what is going on with your pain once you start the patch. Some people have to change it every 48 hours instead of 72. It can be scripted this way by your dr too. Let us know how you do if you change over to them.
Posted 10/27/2011 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I always thought 25 mcg was the lowest dosage. Thanks straydog. It seems like it will replace some of your existing meds, but not be stronger than what you are currently taking.
Posted 10/27/2011 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I started on 12.5mg and that was fine in that had no side effects but wasn't enough pain relief. It was only when I increased them up to 25mg that I had problems with it not mixing well with the codeine. The idea of the patch did make it easier as didn't have to contend with my digestive system and the fact that I process pain meds too quickly.
Posted 10/28/2011 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have the Fentanyl 100mcg patch prescribed every two days. I started with the 25mcg patch, but it wasn't enough for the pain. I am a hairy beast, hahaha, so I had a difficult time making the patch stick. I put it on my chest and besides shaving the area I also use Tegaderm film, which is a clear tape commonly used to hold an IV in place. I order it from my Pharmacy for about $12.00 for a box of 20.

Keep in mind that as you increase the dosage the size of the patch also increases. I found that I am allergic to all but the Mylan brand. Also, I suffer incredible memory loss and from time to time I forget to change my patch and suffer withdrawal symptoms rather quickly until I figure it out and make the change. My CP is extreme and unfortunately I'm taking a buffet of pain meds that cause my memory loss and rediculuos constipation! This is one of the main reasons why I am currently looking into a Drug Pump. The pump is implanted inside the body and delivers a fraction of the pain meds directly to the spinal cord/brain, which eliminates the majority of side effects caused by oral pain meds. Certainly hope your pain is not near my level, but if it is perhaps the Drug Pump is worth investigating.

Good luck...stay in touch with us regarding your experiences/ progress.

Charles
Posted 11/25/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh the fentanyl patch is a pain in the butt. I was 100mcg/72hrs. I had a terrible time getting them to stick, I had to also tape them on with surgical tape. then the intense itching drove me nuts. You where screwed if they fell off. You got enough for a month and if they fell off too soon, too bad they would not give you any more. I also could only use the Mylan brand. The best place I found them to stick was my lower abdomen either side just under my belly button. They did okay for pain and you didn't really have to remember to take them like pills. I would put the date on the tape so I would remember what day and time they needed to be changed. I also had withdrawals between changes so I would put the new one on 6 hours before the old one was to come off to prevent the withdrawals. I was taking 15mg of oxycodone 3x day for breakthru pain. I got off of them because finding the Mylan brand became almost impossible to find. All in all it was pretty good coverage as long as they stuck.
Good luck to those who use it
Cheryl
Posted 11/25/2011 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have to agree with Luli...I did not care for the patch at all for all the reasons Luli mentioned. I am on morph sulf. 90mg twice a day with the need for very little break thru meds. I guess what works for one may not for others. You used what is best for one self. Take care all.....


Amy




Chronic pain(nerve), fibro, mild depression
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