Fentanyl 50 Mcg/hour Transdermal Patch (Page 11)

I WAS PRESCRIBED THE 50 MCG/HR FENTANYL PATCH FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN & DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE. I WAS GIVEN THE PRESCRIPTION SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. I JUST GOT IT FILLED 2 DAYS AGO BECAUSE I'M AFRIAD TO USE IT. I HAVE READ ALL THE PATIENT INFO, RESEARCHED IT ON THE NET & TALKED TO SEVERAL PHARMACISTS AS WELL AS MY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. ALL OF THE PHYSICIANS & PHARMACISTS TELL ME THAT THE PATCH WILL HELP ME WITH THE DAILY PAIN. THEY SAY THAT THE PATCH SHOULD NOT CAUSE ME ANY HARM BUT THE ONE TING THAT'S STOPPING ME FROM USING IT IS THE RESPIRATORY SIDE EFFECTS & POSSIBLE OVERDOSE. I'M SEEKING SOME ADVISE FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE USED THIS DRUG BEFORE WHETHER IT WAS A GOOD OR BAD OUTCOME. I AM OPOID TOLERANT BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PAIN FOR THE LAST 5-6 YEARS. WHEN I HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH OF PAIN & HAVE TO SEEK EMERGENCY TREATMENT OTHER PAIN MEDS GIVEN (IV OR IM) DON'T WORK ANYMORE. ER'S HAVE GIVEN ME MORPHINE & IT DOESN'T EVEN TAKE THE EDGE OFF THE PAIN. DILAUDID DOESN'T WORK UNLESS I'M GIVEN MORE THAN 3MG'S & THAT WEARS OFF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR IF IT LASTS THAT LONG. WHEN I'M IN SEVERE PAIN MY PRESSURE RISES. I'M AFRAID OF THE PATCH B/C I DON'T WANT TO FAINT OR PASS OUT FROM A DROP IN MY PRESSURE. I'M CURRENTLY TAKING VICODIN 7.5/500 EVERY 4 HOURS. I HAVE NOW BUILT A TOLERANCE FOR THE VICODIN AND IT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO PERCOCET 5/325 & SOMETIMES I CAN TAKE UP TO 3 OF THEM EVERY 4 HOURS. I'M ALSO ON OTHER MEDS THAT I BELIEVE WILL INTERACT WITH THE FENTANYL. I TAKE LEXAPRO, ATIVAN, CLONIDINE DAILY. I NEED SERIOUS HELP!!!

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REPORT

Katie, You can report a pharmacist here: pharmacy.ca.gov/consumers/complaint_info.shtml if you live in California. If you live in a different state just google "report pharmacist" and your state's name and you should get plenty of help there.

As for getting shorted on meds I'm well aware I'm not the only one that has happened to. It's just frustrating as hell when it keeps happening. I wasn't sure who you were referring to about that. The thread doesn't list responses where it's obvious that they belong. For me the folks at CVS are the culprit and I have never had trouble with The Medicine Shoppe (my "go to" for mail order scripts).

You'd think that with EVERYTHING on computers that the pharmacist would be the person who is keeping track of possible reactions, side effects, or anything else a little hinky… I kid you not, a few weeks ago when I needed some antibiotics… the doctor AND the pharmacist both dropped the ball and ordered and filled the exact medication I'm allergic to. Not once, but TWICE!!! And using 2 different kinds of meds. I had to tell them, on both the scripts, that I was allergic to that medicine.

There should be alarm bells going off in the pharmacy or something when that happens.

Don't get me started.

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I know your post is 4 years old, and I hope you have found some relief by now. I understand you had a fusion surgery, but I was wondering if you have tried the surgery where they insert cement in your vertebrae? My mother had it done, as an outpatient, day surgery, due to a fracture caused by cancer. The results were amazing, and she uses the Fentonyl 50 mcg patches for pain relief from the cancer metastasis only.

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You know alot of ppl say they are afraid of the fentyl patch I live it cause it kills the cancer pain I have just one thing about it is I can't find a way to payfor it cause it is expensive I have to go without food half the month to be able to get it filled.If anyone knows some way to get help to pay for it I live on a fixed income and it is between getting my meds and my food I am so afraid that I am between a rock anda hard place.Iget medicaide but the way the dr wants me to put them on and to keep the cancer pain down so I can get a little out of life with my grandkids the pain is in the bones breast and lyng where the cancer is please help answer please help me if anyone has a

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Honey I was dignosed with breast cancer and chrohns disease later part of 2013 and into 2014 but can not get any answers for these ?and do not know what to do so if anyone has an answer for the breast pain afterI had it took off in 2013 & the chrohns since about 5years surly they can go in do something so I do not s*** all over myself and with my breast was taken off in 2013.The pain in my intestines and in my breast so please help any doctors please answr my ?

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Hi! I also use fentanyl patch 100ulu.when beginning to use this medicine,ask your Dr to start you on the25mg patch and work your way up as needed.If the lower dose helps,stay with it.When. first applying,it takes 12-24hr for the medicine to actually begin to work.
YOU MUST ALREADY BE OPIOID TOLERANT ;for the very reason you're afraid to use it.respiratory issues.
THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPIOID TOLERANT VS OPIOID DEPENDENT.

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Teresa, you are telling my story! I was mugged in November 2010 and have been in crippling, agonizing back pain since then. I tried acupuncture & expensive PT with no relief. Every pain management & neurosurgery clinic wanted to cut me, but l refused. From the start, I have been getting weekly deep tissue massages, and bi-weekly chiro visits & continue to do so. I own every physio ball, pillow wedge, TENS unit on the market as well as an inversion table. My pain was finally managed well (by my long-term PCP) on a 50 MCG fentanyl patch every 48* with 8 mg dilaudid. Then l moved to another state for my husband's job 2 years ago & had to start all over. The only problem was that no doctor would accept an out of state new patient on Fentanyl. I traveled back to my PCP every 3 months for my meds until l was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer last year at age 43. My oncologist is a doll and got me accepted into pain management. The only problem is that my new doc treats me like a drug seeker, lectures me on my high doses of med (and says that l shouldn't NEED that much) & has been trying to wean me off my meds. When l begged her not to wean me because of the bone pain from my chemotherapy, she actually said "l'm not treating you for cancer pain". We did go down to 37 mcg for 6 months, then 25 mcg. My 8 mg dilaudid for break thru pain up to 4 times a day is now reduced to 2 mg twice a day. It does nothing. I am trying to lose weight from the chemo and regain my strength, but the pain is awful. She is pretty much telling me that l won't be on Fentanyl too much longer because she wants to burn the nerves in my lumbar spine and SI joints. I feel so badly for your suffering at such a young age. I'm on disability too but my kids are 22 & on their own. I can't imagine having to care for a little one too. God bless. JAC

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They seem to work for a while but just like anything else they stops working after time. They also gave me headaches. Reason I decided to get off of them was because of the fact that my headaches were getting worse and worse. I've gotten to the point myself that every time I go to the hospital nothing works and they start looking at me like I am some type of junkie. I can tell you the one thing that has helped me for the last year or two is opanas. Now I am up to the highest dose 40mg. Two in the morning and two after lunch. I don't you what kind of Insurance you have because there not cheep. But I believe there are now generics. I also believe that if you write the maker they will send you a card that will greatly discount the medicine

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Try opanas. All the aspirin and are acetaminophen is going to kill your kidneys

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Can someone tell me what fentanyl patches are made of? I have been told different things & I'm needing to know. Please someone help me.

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Morphine

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Fentanyl is a very strong pain killer, described as being between 8 to 10 times stronger than morphine. I'm not sure what your question is asking. I have been on 3 different brands of Fentanyl patches & Mylan is by far the best. I hope this helps.

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There is food banks out there, you can contact the local churches as well. Some of the food banks require proof of income which if you're on a fixed one just bring your proof and if they charge anything I don't think it's more than 20-50 for a huge box of food. I'm going through similar issues myself I'm 31 and have allot of medical issues and always have. Been in and out of pain management had several surgeries have another major one coming up quickly and a surgery at 9 am tomorrow. But there is help out there. I hate to see people struggle if I could help I would but this is the best I can do is offer you information. There are lots of food programs out there for people in need. I've been there myself and without it I may not have eaten at all. I unfortunately don't have med ins, I just applied for medical here in California and the process takes a month or two but once I get the ins I'll be good to go and back in treatment. I'll keep you in my prayers and god bless

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What will happen is your body continues to get used to the pain meds. I have the same back issues along with tears and edplate issues. I was on 90mg morphine and 5mg immediate release oxycodone. Because my body has gotten used to the meds(on since 2007) they want me to use fentanyl patch. My issue is fear of the pain, I recall how bad it was prior now changing and dropping meds that worked worries me.
If you put on the patch make sure your not alone,keep a eye on pressure and if need be go to ER. But dont try alone.

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I'm in no place to give any advice.I'm in pain,my physician won't listen,even though my medicine has worked fine,a new issue of sciatic pain that isn't being addressed.I think I'm losing heart to believe doctors can ignore a patient and do whatever with no compassion or consideration.As my new physician has removed my medicine because she doesn't believe in it.I attempted to acquire a new physician,I w told I have no justification to ask;yet,if I don't trust this physician with something as this,how can I trust to put my life in her hands??

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Just get on the lowest dose, with breakthru meds wear as directed. They work great, if your no stupid they will be your savior, beside Jesus of coarse. Just do the right thing the right way. You will have an easier life if you let God direct you and pray for a good pain mgmt doctor.

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i belive in your case percocet and another pain med alternating should work well the fent does work well for pain i would not suggest using the cloniden at the same time it has serious effects on your breathing have you tried oxycodone ir it works well for breakthrough also you should be on 10mg of percocet not just 5 you have had alot of surgerys correct? methadone also works well for breakthrough either way you need a med to take in the morning and then mid noon and lunch then dinner and break through meds in between

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I can talk aboutFentanyl patch. It is long acting ,doesn't work on immediate pain thus sometimes you need breakthrough meds for exertion that causes extra pain. it takes 12-18 hrs to begin working and lasts 72 hrs or 3 days; however, once again the lull in which you have to wait for the new patch to work, I've used this patch successfully; I would ask the pharmacist for the insert that comes in the box.it is technical but there's enough you can grasp. It helps long acting but it wont help immediate or new pain.
I JUST SAID I HAD NOTHING TO CONTRIBUTE BUT I AM AWAREHAVING
USED THE PATCH IT IS WORKABLE,YOU PROBABLY SHOULD START LOW AND WORK UP BECAUSE IT IS MANY TIMES STRONGER THAN STRAIGHT MORPHEINE PLEASE DO DON'T CUT NOR CHEW THIS MED.IT CAN KILL YOU.TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN DISPOSING ;FOLD TOSS IN TOILET,WASH HANDS.

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It does take the patch awhile to get into your bloodstream to take effect and yes anyone who has pain needs breakthrogh meds till it gets started.I can say that I know about the patch cause I use it for cancer pain of breast lung cancer and two failed back surgeries.I would try it and if it does not eork then youcan always change medications.

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Hello, my husband is on the 50MCg Fentanyl Patch, which he changes every 3 days. He also takes Hydrocodone. He is tired all of the time, cannot keep his eyes open. Would the Fentanyl cause this tiredness? Also, is Fentanyl responsible for breathing problems? He does not seem short of breath, but he tires out easily. Needless to say, I am worried. He has had two back surgeries, two rotator cuff surgeries, two hips replaced, knee surgery, and a hernia operation. Thank you.

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Jac,
I can really empathize because I'm a veteran,and the Veterans system is attempting to block all narcotic pain medication from being prescribed even for chronic pain patients/legitimate.a priest even commented that all veterans were either addicted or alcoholics.so we do have an uphill battle.I can't tell anyone how t ride a bicycle unless I've done it,so how can anyone tell a patient in pain what they feel and expect them to just deal with it.I will keep you in prayer,I do a lot more now

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