Re: FENTANYL PATCH

September 15, 2005

Wow Carole - good for you! After being on the patch for one year, my doctors told me under no circumstances could I just stop cold turkey. They had me use oxycontin to wean off of it. I always thought it sounded pretty fishy! When I asked what would happen if I just quit, I was told "well, you could have a heart attack or respiratory problems". Give me a break!!!

~~

September 15, 2005

,

Thank you for your response! I've been on the patch for a long time. I will say I am fairly "dragged out", but nothing untoward. And, my PCP is VERY up on drugs, etc. I'm sorry that your doc saw it differently! I was frightened starting out, but feeling pretty good about it right now.

Again, thank you!

Carole M.

October 2, 2006

Dawn,

I would like to comment on you note and provide some feed back about the

Fentanyl patch. I am currently wearing 2 (100 mcg patches) and have been for

about 1 year now. I also take numerous other drugs: 60 mg percocet/day, 120

mg oxycontin/day, 12-16 mg zanaflex (muscle relaxer), 3600 mg Neurontin

(nerve pain) and 400 mg Provigil (helps with sedative effects of the

narcotics).

Anyway you mention the chills and sweats associated with the patch. If you

are changing the patch every 3 days (72 hours) as recommended you are

running out of medication early. I have had to start changing the patch

after every 48 hours just for this reason. It is a very common problem and

is exaggerated as you dose increases. Other problems I had with the generic

patches is that they seemed to release the medication inconsistently and

also caused more medication to be absorbed into my body at elevated temps

(~101-102 degrees), like a bath or hot tub with the temp turned down. The

pamphlet allows exposure to temps up to 104. Anyway, consider getting your

prescription changed to have your patch switched every 48 hours. This will

help eliminated the sweats and chills.

Regarding the covering, Duragesic will provide the " Bioclusive " covering

free of charge if you are prescribed their brand name drug. I now have my

prescription written for brand name so I get a supply every three months.

The size is 4in x 5 in so it covers one patch fine. I have to put 2 of these

covering on when I need them, mostly during the summer months. You will

however notice that if you switch to changing the patch every 48 hours, you

won't need to use these coverings as often. I also have found that using the

3 inch self sticking cloth bandaging material works well. One of the

problems I have with the " Bioclusive " covering is that it sometimes pulls of

skin making in painful. Using the bandage wrap, this doesn't occur. In fact,

I bought some colored stuff at the pet store in the horse section for a

fraction of the price.

Lastly, the panic attack and other side effects (nightmares for me) are

common the first few weeks. I also had anxiety/panic attacks for a period of

time but it might have been from the terrible side effects I was having from

Methadose (generic methadone). I actually ended up in the hospital overnight

for observations because I had an inverted T-wave on my EKG and elevated

cardiac chemistry. Scary at 37 years old. That was 2 years ago.

I hope this information helps you some.

Fentanyl Patch

I have been on the 25 mcg's of Fentanyl, now for over three months. The

only reaction I get is when it wears off I get the sweats and chills. Until

I put a NEW one on, as I guess it is not getting the " DRUG " through my

system.

You can get more information, as I have called Mylan (Pharmaceutical Co.) as

I forgot I did have panic attack, the first time I had it on. But, as any

Narcotic, anxiety is always heightened.

But, if you have any questions, call Mylan, call for information at the

toll free number and they will get you to the area of the Company. They

now, call and send me papers, to see how things are going, as other than the

normal side affects (Skin irritation, but my Doc said to use rubbing alcohol

to get the patch off and to put on, so the skins oils are off the area of

putting on, as I had some that would fall off in certain areas, as I have

soft skin, that anything sticky, like the patch, falls off, and the rubbing

alcohol, is doing great, as the first aide tape, paper of plain, does not

stick on my skin, either, as they say to use it as a window arond the

patch!)

But, with the pain I am dealing with (L5, S1 Herniation, Radiculapthy, and

Back Spasms from getting hit by a car, last December, as I am STILL waiting

for surgery is approved by MY car insurance, PIP) it helps have the

Fentanyl, and I use either Hydrocodone or Percocet, as a back up. according

to the pain, that day! As, of yesterday, I was on the patch, and percocet

(5/325) as I was feeling so sick, either from the pain or the weather. I

feel like I am in my 80's with all my meds and Visiting Nurses, but I hope,

soon, my surgery can be done (Laminectomy and Discetomy) ASAP!

But, call the company, as they have all the info and MORE, as my Panic

Attack wasn't really a side affect, so they are keeping tract of others, to

see if they need to add it on the side affects! As you should call any Drug

Co., if you feel any other side affects, not listed, as they will ask you

the other meds, as mixing can make it worse!

Well, this is my two or ten cents of my thoughts and what I went through,

but you have to, as with any meds or life, weigh the pros and cons of the

medicine.

I wish you luck and let us know how you feel, soon!

Hugs~

October 2, 2006

hi, thanks for your response. i hope for you that you get to have your

surgery soon. marsha

In a message dated 10/2/2006 7:49:19 AM Eastern Standard Time,

JerseyAngelGirl@... writes: