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Having Trouble on the Fentanyl patch

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Posted 11/5/2013 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
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.
Posted 11/5/2013 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I do not know how long you have been on Fentanyl if it has been a while possibly yes. When did you put the last patch on? I do not understand why you were put on it if the dr does not want to prescribe it, this makes no sense. I would contact my PCP and make an appt, to get help if in fact you are having withdrawal symptoms. There are other medications your PCP can prescribe to help you. If the PCP will not help then cll the dr that gives you the patches & tell them you need help with the withdrawals.

Take care....Susie
Posted 11/6/2013 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, a difficult situation for you. Fentanyl is an extremely strong pain killer, and a patient needs to be properly opiate tolerant, as a rule, before ever being put on it. Were you on some other opiate prior to the fentanyl?

The fact that you are changing every 48 hours instead the more norm 72 hours would usually indicate a severe pain condition. I was not able to have proper pain control at 72 hours, so my oncologist quickly changed me 48 hours. Been on fentanyl for perhaps 2 years now.

Also odd that the prescribing doctor wants nothing to do with it? Can you explain this attitude, as it would be odd for a doctor to prescribe anything that strong with the potential of lethal side effects that didn't really be looking out in the best interest of the patient.

To come off of fentanyl long term, is also a serious thing, and one needs to be weaned over a fairly long period of time to do it safely with the least amount of strong withdrawal issues.

David
Posted 11/6/2013 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Could it maybe be that the dose is too strong for you. Fentanyl is a very strong pain med but is not necessarily the right one to treat neuropathic pain

I am on fentanyl but I am also on lyrica for the neuropathic pain. Together they do a reasonable job o keeping me comfortable. I knw my mother in law was having similar symptoms to you and they said it was opioid toxicity, when she reduced the dose, the symptoms got better but the pain wasn't any worse.

You need to see a doctor. I am in the uk so I know things are different for you but from what I have learned here a pain management doctor would be the best person to prescribe and take care of your pain issues.

Hope you get help and feel better soon.

Jane
Posted 11/6/2013 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
What exact meds and doses were you on before you switched to fentanyl, also what brand of fentanyl do you use, alot of generics suck bad, i ONLY use watson gel patches. You may have wd because you might not be on high enough dose.
Posted 11/6/2013 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Yes you might be able to get some info here from other F users

Glad you did NOT just stop using the patch

Please note the period of time between applying the patch & the sweating & other symptoms
As well as answers to other questions above

Sounds like you need a pain doctor - your prescribibg dr attitude is, IMHO, unethical at the very least !!

This is such a powerful drug - it has given me a quality of life that means I can participate in my family again, which means so very much to me. But I have read a great deal about it & powerful can also = dangerous.

I too sometimes have lack of appetite & low energy

I also use only Watson.. other brand dumped med into me too fast plus irritated skin severely.

Do other hw think pharmacist would be a good consultant ?? I am concerned that a well meaning but ignorant - (yes bias may = ignorance !!) Pharmacist Might refuse to fill future scrip & leave 'treehealing' stranded & in unsupervised withdrawal.

Keep checking back here..

Blessings & prayers
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