Fentanyl 50 Mcg/hour Transdermal Patch (Page 7)

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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Im not sure about any interactions with meds youve listed like clonidine,etc.....You shouldnt have to worry about the patch overdosing you because its time released over a 3 day period....If you were chewin on the patch as some people do or removing the layer with the small holes in it,then there would be a greater chance for overdose.....50 mcgrams is only = to 5mg of fentanyl so its not an extremly high dose....You are also opiate tolerent according to what youve said in your post,so that also helps lessen your worries....Fentanyl will usually let you know if youve had too much,cause youll be throwing up b4 you overdose.....Take what Ive stated as advice,but also take it as my personal opinion based on
my body and experience.....were all different when it comes to taking pills.....PEACE

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Absolutely agree... at times my headaches are really bad, from cyst on pituitary gland, the patches, Vicodin so yes you are right...

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I have had back surgery and has fibromialgia diabetes chronic back pain migraines and now hep c from a blood transfusion years ago and my right side I'd causing me pain I've took darvacet for years and now have been taking 1000 mgs of hydro and dr prescribed fenytl patch and I'm scared to use it its 15 mg wear for 3 days and I'm really scared but in pain any thoughts on this please would help

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Dee you say its 15mg patch correct???Does it say 150 mcg on the package too???These patches arent as bad as people think they are or rather theyre not as strong as people think they are....I say this because the inside layer of the patch,after you peel the backing off,has tiny tiny holes that the fentanyl absorbs thru over a 3 day period,very slow release form....I dont find these patches work for me when I use as directed,but the way I use them offers me greater relief than any opiate based meds Ive ever used, but you wouldnt wanna use them as I do because my way releases the gel instantly rather than slowly

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Don't use it. Been on it for 10 years, finally realized it has caused my chronic fatigue. I feel constantly tired. Have trouble functioning like a normal human. I cant get up in the morning, want to stay in bed and personality changes. At 100mcg every 48 hours, I still have break through pain. I experienced withdrawal one time and it was one of the top 3 worst experiences of my life. Rocking, writhing, muscle cramps, vomiting and diaherra. I actually defecated on myself and didn't know it. I am currently being weaned off of them and getting my life back. Honestly nerve burning, steroids, whatever you have to use, don't use this drug. It's mainly for terminally ill cancer patients.

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Yeah you should have been prescribed something else if it caused those type of issues....Guess since every individual reacts differently,you never really know whether it works or not until you try it....Im curious why you chose to stay on it for 10 long years if it was harming your body like that???Good luck with future meds....And yes it does cause severe withdrawals when u stop taking it,but all opiates have that problem

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Its good to hear you are getting pain reilief, it takes time for you to not feel sleepy. I have been on Fentanyl 50MG for about 3.5 years, I also take Oxycodine, 8hour tabs , 2x day. I hate being on Opiods, but unless folks have the level of CP we have, they have NO IDEA! I wish I could take an Ibuprofen but my polyneuropathy and neck pain and diffuse pain are so bad, I want to die, to me it’s about QUALITY OF LIFE vs longevity and besides what is longevity if it’s TORTURE! but also I’ve read many studies that Opiads if monitored and not abused do NOT effect how long we live. I have always been responsbie and take only as needed and have learend to rest when pain is coming on really strong. I wish you well, God bless you, Vee, Co woman with CP

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I dont think thats a very high dose of percocet for pain. It takes me at least 15 to 20mg of oxy to control my pain, with the patch. Doctor can prescribe it without the acetaminophen, so you will be gentler on liver. The patch isnt as scary as it seems as long as you follow directions. Im always nervous trying a new med so I understand. Hope your pain is being well controlled now.

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I am dealing with the exact issue , the only difference with me is I am on 15 mg oxycodone, and 10 mg methadone , diazepam, ( Valium ). So I just got the patch and am scared as well I do have a lot of back problems to I have had two fusions and right now dealing with a run over foot so any help would help, I also have severe depression and heart anxiety. Anything would help and get the pain minamized so I hope they work just scared as well

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Dont worry itl be fine as long as youre opiate tolerent....The fentanyl patch releases the medicine very,very slowly thru those tiny holes....They are the best thing Ive used for pain,and Ive had it all.....I alter the patches to instantly release the medicine or else they dont work for me....However you should use them as directed and not alter them in any way....My way just works for me better....Dont be scared to at least try em to see what kinda relief you get

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been on oxycodone 15mg every 4hrs up to 5x a day 100 mg fentanyl patch change every third day and 50mg soma 3x aday all for l3 l4 l5 s1 degenerated and torn disc finally got my spinal fusion done to correct this terrible pain well it didnt work i am in more pain then before the surgery.so not having a shower for a week after surgey took a hot shower and it felt great dryed off my sister put patch on right away and me not thinking so well being all meded up od standing with my walker. thank god tha ambulance crew got there in 5 min because i was dead.they said they had to hit me 3xs with a drug called narcam to bring me back to life,i knew not to put patch on after showering but she didnt and i was meded up.fentanyl is a very powerful drug that can kill you if directions are not followed.i am in severe pain still today but refuse fentanyl,another thing the withdraw off of it was 3 weeks of pure hell.currently starting in july with a new pain management and will ask for the 15mg oxycodone and soma no fentanyl your tolerance for years of pain meds makes it so hard for the lpwer doses to continue to be effective, just wish i can find a good surgeon to fix this misery.

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Ive tried to NOT use Fentanyl, but the level of my neuropathic spine pain changes my psychology where I dont want to live in that level of pain.
Ive been on Fentanyl for about 7 years, I’ve been very responsible and if I am still in pain, I take a hot bath, tro to meditate with soft music and rest. Sometimes, nothing helps and it’s better not to take more
I see it as taking the edge off but not a cure.
PAYOFF: quality of life for now, and I compare it to chemo; yeah, it’s not good for me but it’s prolonging my quality of life now, it’s the lesser of the two evils.

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Completely agree with all you have said! You must go beyond meds. I am now preparing for a pain pump so I am coming off of my fentanyl. I was taking 150 MCG of fentanyl and I am now down to 25 MCG. No withdrawals. I do take zanaflex 8mg three times a day and klonapin and 30mg of oxy. But my pain is still extreme. A nap and biofeedback (relaxation) helps me survive!

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Since 07 till today I've had three fusions 2 in the cervical 1 in the lumbar and currently waiting for another in lumbar and nerve block in the cervical Area where I have 2 fusions.I've been on all meds.currently 40mg oxycontin 4xdaily plus all the other sleep muscle relaxers etc.oh I just got of of exalgo 32 mg/ day and nothing would work. Now today I was giving 50 McGee fentanyl patches and they do may drowsy for about 7 hrs and that's it but does give me about 30-40% pain relief .so use it or cut it in half and try it.any problems take it off and call doc.if ur really hurting u have no choice but to use it or have surgery. Good luck and may God be with u.

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I have been taking percecet for years..7/325 then 10/325. 180 to 200 every 30 days..I then took 15 oxycodone..percecet without the acetaminophen. .I wanted off pills..now I have a 50 fentynal patch and take no more then 1 or 2 ..10/325 percecets a day..I will probably be off pills in 30 days..the patch is great. .time released...I call it my action patch..I can do more physical labor and dont hurt like I did...OR...if I sit down for 5 minutes I doze off to sleep...there isnt anything to be scared of unless you have other medical conditions/medications that it may conflictI with...

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I Agree Gettinoffperc....its a wonderful opiate drug

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I've ben on the patch for about 7 years. The worst impact is that I am awake for the first 36 hours of a patch and then sleep or am sluggish for the next 36 hours. Well, after 23 years of marriage, my wife has pretty much reached the end of 17 years of my degenerative disc disease. My pain MD tried to move me to Nucenta ER. I have used Nucenta for breakthrough paid. Well, the Nucenta ER or withdrawal led to days of hot flashes and nausea so we're back to patches!! Anyone PLEASE have any clue about the insomnia after I put on a new patch? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

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i read that one of these people cut there patch DO NOT CUT THE PATCH.... the patch is time released and by cutting it you may have more of the drug going into your system. DO NOT CHEW ON PATCH...... 2 people did one died and the other overdosed if you use as prescribed you should have no problem. just remember never put it on when you have just showered your pours are open from the heat and too much medicine will be absorbed. if you can have your doctor give you plain oxycodone without the asprin it will be better on your stomach,kidneys & liver.

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Seriously its scarier than it seems, but 50 mcg isnt too high a dose. I was on 25 at first, and only really felt anyting the first couple weeks, side effects to getting use to drug were nausea, and fatigue, however it didnt really seem to help with the pain of chronic pancreatitis the way I had hoped. After two weeks I didnt feel any more side effects as mentioned before, but worse is that I didnt feel any pain relief to it at all, and had to rely on my break-through meds. Doc is talking about uping the dose to see if that helps and reducing my break-thrus. Im worried that bc I garden and am in the heat alot maybe its not stickign to my skin enought to be absorbed right. I dont think youll have to worry much about over dose tho. Just dont apply heat to it. But kinda warm it up in your hands with plastic protector on for about a min just to help it stick when you put it on, and if you call the drug manufacture that provides the patch. I 800 number will be on the insert in the box of patches. The will send you free patch tegaderm covers that will help keep your patch on. Without those they tend to fall off easy, but in meantime tegaderms can be purchased at some walgreens that carry medical supplys. Hope this helps.

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Did you call your insurance to see if they will let you have the 50mcg? Most do in the generic form.

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