Fentanyl 50 Mcg/hour Transdermal Patch (Page 4)

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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I have major back issues,mi have no insurance, so I can't afford the MRI I need. My DR has prescribed me percocets 10/325 every 4-6 hours along with flexeral 10mgs 1 or 2/day, my DR has recently prescribed 300mgs a day of neurontin and 500mgs of naproxen 2x's/day. None of it helps.
Does anybody have any suggestions I could take to my DR of what could help. I'm in constant pain, can hardly sleep and the muscle spasms occurring more often elevating my pain level. Any suggestions would be of great help, thanks everybody!

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Sorry everyone, for whatever reason my entire post did not show up. Does anyone know or think a fentanyl patch would help? And again any other suggestions are very much welcomed, thanks you all!

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I read that taking fentynal and ativan wasn't a good idea do the fact that both slow your respiratory system down which could stop your breathing. I'm on ativan and it's the only reason why I haven't asked my doctor for fentynal patches. Also we are on these anti-depressants because pain medications cause anxiety, so if you are already have a problem with anxiety taking the opiates are just making it worst which is my case. It sucks but we have to make decisions either be in pain that we can't enjoy our kids or have a pez dispenser filled with pain medication.

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Fentanyl patch -- even @ its lowest dose -- made me projectile vomit. (I was trying to use it as a "rescue drug" when I had a killer migraine, & lighter duty meds failed -- including opiates. 😠I do NOT recommend it, tho I have a patient who swears by the patches.

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Hello

I was on 30 mcg buprenorphine patch (1 10 and 1 20) Doc put me on fentanyl temporarily to resolve insurance issue. I find the fentanyl works better but cannot use the Subutex for break-through pain because buprenorphine pushes the fentanyl out of the receptors...it has a very high affinity for certain receptors. Even Web MD counsels against mixing buprenorphine with other opiod meds.

BTW-Heroin and cocaine are not naturally occuring drugs like marijuana. Those two substanes have to be formulated from a base sustance. However, I have heard that heroin is a very effective painkiller, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Fentanyl was first described as synthetic heroin but its use has shown that it does not mimic the qualitative effects of heroin, only the quantitative effects. It does seem rather stupid to outlaw it for pain mitigation...heroin is a "boogey man" at the DEA.

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For what it's worth, I'm going to add my two cents worth. I've been on lortab 10/50 for years for chronic neck problems. I moved so had to find a new doc and he took me off the pills and put me on 50mg fentenyl with nothing for breakthrough till the patches got in my system. He wouldn't even discuss anything else. I hated everything about the patch including how hard they were to detox from. I wouldn't recomend these to anyone. I have sleep apena and since being on the patches I haven't been able to use my breathing machine (which isn't good)This doctor is an a$$hole and I do not like him. Well, today he finally called me back after I complained to his nurse about the breathing problems I was having and the fact that I was doing just fine on the lortab and he said he wanted to put me on morphine! I told her to cancel me altogether. I decided to just go to rehab and detox off all of this sh _ _ and just start over. This may be a little extreme but I've been on pain meds so long that I don't even know what my pain level is.....But I would NOT recomend the pain patch to anyone.

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Your post caught my attention. I am on the Fentanyl pain patch 50mcg along with Klonopin, Ambien CR 12.5 Norco 10/325 and seizure meds which cause drowsiness. I have sleep apnea and asthma along with chronic bronchitis (I was a preemie so a lot of respritory problems) this patch has been the first thing that has given me any relief with my back and neck pain. I'm aware of how hard it is to get off of it...but I also realize a life with pain that is tolerable is soooo worth it! Hope my 2cents helps! God bless.

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I suggest getting your prescription changed from Perc 5's to either Perc 30's or Oxycontin, you're obviously tolerant to the Perc 5's and frankly if you're in that much pain you should be on a higher dose of pain regimen. Having constant pain effects all the body systems, and if you don't keep the pain at bay the effects are much worse, including
a high level of stress which affects your BP. I suggest increasing your pill dose and getting rid of the pain patch, to help lessen drug interactions.

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how do you get around on these drugs? I am now on many and wonder if we are legal to drive? It sure changes your life but seems you dont have any choice unless you live with terrible pain!

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I think I've just gotten used to being sluggish. I drive but not long distances. I'm on Fentanyl 50mcg, Norco 10/325, Ambien CR 12.5, Klonopin, Ativan, Benedryl and thyroid medicine which makes me sleepy. I have some pain relief...thats a blessing. I'm out of my hoveround and only use my cane sometimes. Are we legal to drive? LOL. Good question, I would hate to hurt someone.

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My story is somewhat the same. I'm 61 yrs old & have been dealing with cervical problems for about 9ish years. I've had 27 epidural's. Have been to at least 7 neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, etc. All but one said surgery but never once the same procedure was recommended. One surgeon said too much was wrong with my neck that surgery wasn't an option. This is heritary & not from an accident. I am on permanent diability & became addicted to pain killers. BUT, agree that when you find a physician that is everything that's 50%+ of the battle. No one believed my pain was as bad as I said it was. Only until my wonderful sister went with me to all these doctor's did my boyfriend, family & friends believe me. I was on oxycotin & oxycodone (not taking as directed due to the pain) switched to two 100mg patches every 48 hrs! went down to 25mg every 3 days and went off them. Fortunately, no withdrawals. This took about 2 months. Unfortunately, the pain has returned and I am back on oxycodone but the quantity is much much less as before. I've tried accupuncture, accupressure, physical therapy, massage & everything but surgery. I too will never be pain free and have a minus100% pain threshold. Don't give up, pray as you say & for all you out there be proactive in your healthcare.

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This might have been your own reaction (allergic) to the combo. My husband is on 50mcg Fentanyl patch plus mg Klonopin daily and I am on 50 mcg Fentanyl patch plus 4 mg Klonopin daily and 5 mg diazepam daily and we both do well.
I think everyone needs to take things slowly when they are prescribed new meds because you never know how your body will react to the meds or combos.
Sorry you had such a bad experience!

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I have been on 50mg of Fentanyl for 5 years and glad it has not had to be increased. I have tried to be off of PM’s but my nerve pain is too much. I also take Vicodin for breaktrhough pain but that’s not a lot. I also take Flexeril for breakthrough pain.
** DOES ANYONE KNOW, HOW LONG CAN I BE ON THIS DOSAGE OF 50MG? WILL i eventually need it raised? is this a low dose? An “average dose� ANY INFO appreci. Just wonder if I am average patient on PM’s

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I honestly suggest not going up in dose if you can handle what you're on now. I just recently got off of Fentanyl and it's a nightmare. I was on 100mcg/hr every 48hrs for a year after a horrible flare up from RA, 2 bulging discs and degenerative disc disease. Now that I feel the worst of my RA has been calmed with other medicines, I know longer need the strong narcotic and stick to lower doses on safer medicines. But this is just a suggestion. Stay as LOW as you can. I believe that you're relatively lucky to only need the 50mcg/hr for the course of 5 years! But just know, that if you would like to come off of it, you'll need to taper slowly and be ready. Hope that I've helped somewhat :)

Also, I see that you have nerve pain. Have you tried a medicine like Lyrica or Gabapentin like Nuerontin? This may help you in your quest to get off the narcotic pain meds :)

Avaritia

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50MCG is pretty low. I started at 25, moved up alowly to a therapeutic level. I'm on 100MCG and also take Norco (vicodin) 10/325 for break through pain. Along with Zanaflex for muscle spasms and Clonapin. 25MCG is the lowest you can go on Fentanyl so it would be great if you could stay on that low of a dosage. I rarely see people NOT have to increase their dose eventually. Blessings!

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Well it sounds like you tried to be off med’s, that is my goal one day, but for now, the pain is too permeating and I cry! I don’t every wnt to raise my dosage (been on 50mg for 4 yrs with Vic/break through) and I feel odd as my dose is low and it keeps working. I still get pain, but I lay down to get it down, or take a flexerol. I have really bad neuropathic pain; dics bulging, fibromyalga, neck spams, lower body pain and my spine feels as if I am being impaled at times. I feel worried because at “only 50 yrs old†I worry what my pain future will be like. I wonder if it will ever go away and it’s been 6 years this month. I do believe some of us can get off of meds--but I also truly believe some of us addiction wont be an issue since the pain might or will always be there due to changes in the nervous system.
How areyou now? is your pain better?
Take care of yourself and blessings, v

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I get so SO WORN Out DAILY even after just a couple hours of any activity and dont know if it’s the med’s or the pain or the spinal cord misfiring muscle weakness, HOW DO WE EVER SORT THIS OUT when we have multiple issues. I tried NOT beiong on PM’s and the pain was so high I would literally want to die and cried and my psychology would change. I have never beena drinker, smoker, drug user, etc and am not addicted in the psychological sense, but I wonder will I always need PM’s and if always have neuropathic pain, will it matter if I am additcted?
it’s a hard life to be on PM’s and I pray that one day I can be well again. But for now,, I feel in my heart of hearts, this is the lesser of the 2 evils: PM’s or CP. AND it’s like chemotherapy: yes, CHEMO is poison, but cancer is worse! SOmetimes we have to take poison and it’s not easy and yet people judge

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I wonder with FIBROYMYALGA and Polyneuropathic pain, when we get super tired, and I GET SUPER TIRED, daily! I mean my body shuts down--my brain shuts down--and is it the PMâ€s or the condition or both? and instead of taking more PM’s when I get that tired, I SLEEP it off or rest it off and am so proud of myself or managing my own pain even if I can take a med.
I pray we all get better even if in tiny steps, it all helps
blessings

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Vie

I highly suggest that you ask your doctor about Lyrica or gabapentin for your nerve pain!

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I'm in the same boat. The patches help me a lot. I still get days with over whelming pain. One thing yo be careful with the patch don't get over heated, and take only as prescribed. It is addictive but chronic pain strips you of taking part in life and this has helped me. Consult your doctor with your concerns. I'm only a patient not a doctor, and I'm going by what has taken the edge off so that I get fewer days with debilitating pain which helps me to be active more then before fentenyl. I do my best when I'm up and moving around on my feet. As soon as I sit or worst lay in bed at night the pain is sometimes hard to bear. So ice the most severe area, this will numb the pain and lay on your stomach( I know that's hard) this will unload your spine in take the pressure off. My best to you.
Someone that understands

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