Re: Questions about Fentanyl Pain Patches

[Guest guest]

I'm also in pain 24x7 and on A LOT (see signature).

Because they tapered so slowly, the opioid dose never even came close to the

amount of pain.

Methadone is long acting but not extended release. It has a long half-life in

the blood. It is also very cheap. Methadone can be more effective than others

because it attaches to both the mu and Kappa receptors. Almost all opioids only

attach to mu receptors.

Please consider an intrathecal pump, took my pain from 8-10/10 to 2/10 with only

3mg of morphine PER DAY!!! There is a group dedicated to pumps that is great for

when you're just not 100% sure if you want a pump. It is a very comprehensive

group and VERY helpful.

Steve M in PA, age 21

Married with 3 year old daughter

Duragesic 300mcg/hr (q48hr)

Actiq-600 (4/day)

OxyIR 30mg (6/day)

Grade II DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma)

Fibromyalgia

Probable RSD

> in CA wrote:

> I am always in pain 24-7, the meds just get me to about a 7-8.

> Any ideas for other things to try?

[Guest guest]

I can tell you that Fentanyl patches are very hard to come off if you ever have

get off them. In my opinion these patches are the Devil. I have had 3 back

fusions, and like everyone here I'm in constant pain. Be going through this for

11 years, and all I can tell you is your body will constantly want more and

more. Eventually the patches, pills, pumps, etc will become less and less

effective. I now suffer from opioid addiction, I have never smoked, hardly ever

drink, no drugs, etc, and I feel that this was all brought on because of the

Fentanyl Patch. I now only take Subtex for my pain/addiction and way more

mentally balanced and able to maintain a decent pain level.

> in CA wrote:

> I am always in pain 24-7, the meds just get me to about a 7-8.

> Any ideas for other things to try?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your reply! I can so relate to the pain 24/7!!! I am in much worse

pain, just over the past 3 days.

I have my apointment with my pain doc Thursday, I hope he can give me something

that will work better. I don't want a pump, no more surgeries unless it is life

or death! That is what got me into this mess.

I would like to be off the Fentanyl altogether but I know what withdrawals are

like. I just want to have the pain go away and I would love to sleep through the

night! LOL

Hope you are coping well with your pain.

~ in CA

> M. wrote:

> I'm also in pain 24x7 and on A LOT (see signature).

[Guest guest]

I would LOVE to get off the Fentanyl because I worry that one day I won't be

able to get them. If a natural disaster hits or my insurance denies it and we

have to do all kinds of hoop jumping. I have been on them for over 5 years now

but I am afraid of withdrawals. I do not drink, smoke or take any illegal drugs.

Never have but sometimes I feel like a few drinks might help! LOL

I have an appointment Thursday to get my meds refilled so am looking for

options.

Thanks for your input.

~ in CA

> wrote:

> I can tell you that Fentanyl patches are very hard to come off if you ever

have get off them.

[Guest guest]

Fear of natural disasters and insurance denials is the exact reason I have a

stockpile of fentanyl patches. Things like changing patches every 54-60 hours

instead of every 48 hours (72 hour dosing landed me in ER). I've built-up a very

decent stockpile over the past 2 years.

If needed, I can very easily decrease my Duragesic to half in a week or two, but

I've never tried to go lower because half leaves me in a good bit of pain (no

not related to withdrawal)

Steve M in PA, age 21

Married with 3 year old daughter

Duragesic 300mcg/hr (q48hr)

Actiq-600 (4/day)

OxyIR 30mg (6/day)

Grade II DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma)

Fibromyalgia

Probable RSD

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't know how I can build a stockpile because every time I try to get my

refill even a few days early, they deny it. I have just enough until the fill

date. I change every 3 days, can they write it for more frequent changes? I am

hurting now more than ever so I will need something done on my next appt on

Thurs. it can't come soon enough!!!

Thanks for your input.

in CA

> wrote:

> I've built-up a very decent stockpile over the past 2 years.

[Guest guest]

,

Have you thought about a spinal cord stimulator? I had a fusion and have

several more herniated discs and was on 150mg fentanyl every 48 hrs. (Change it

ever 2 days) but after the stimulator, I am only on lyrica for fibro pain. The

withdrawal and constant hoops for the meds can be a pain in the rear, more so

than the pain themselves sometimes.

Good luck!!

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Have you thought about a spinal cord stimulator?

Hi ,

I did have a dorsal column stimulator put in, but it wasn't helping, so I had it

removed.

I am now off of the pain patches and my doctor put me on dilaudid. I will see

him in two weeks to see how it is working for me. So far, I seem to be ok. I

just never feel good no matter what I do. I don't even feel like getting out of

bed and I hate it!

I wish I felt like getting up and doing stuff but I don't. I am on two anti

depressants as well, but maybe I need to switch those too. I will see my doctor

at the end of the month and ask him what he thinks.

Thanks for the reply.

in CA

[Guest guest]

,

May I ask which two antidepressants you're on? What doses?

I found that Wellbutrin (I take XL 150mg) and Prozac (I take 20mg) work very

well together. Wellbutrin is nice because it counters a lot of the side effects

from SSRIs and it affects norepinephrine and dopamine. Together with an SSRI,

the three main neurotransmitters are covered, without the negative effects of

TCAs or MAOIs.

Wellbutrin can be combined with any SSRI, but I prefer Prozac because of its

long half-life, which reduced the risk if SSRI withdrawal when I forget a dose.

DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR!

Congratulations on being able to go off Duragesic patches, it can be

intense, you must have a great doctor and/or a the will and determination of a

superhero.

Steve M in PA, age 21

Married with 3 year old daughter

Duragesic 300mcg/hr (q48hr)

Actiq-600 (4/day)

OxyIR 30mg (6/day)

Grade II DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma)

Fibromyalgia

Probable RSD

> wrote:

> I wish I felt like getting up and doing stuff but I don't. I am on two

anti-depressants as well, but maybe I need to switch those too. I will see my

doctor at the end of the month and ask him what he thinks.