switching from oxycontin to fentanyl patches

[Guest guest]

Hi guys,

The oxycontin I have been taking is giving me migraines and is really not

working. My pain doc has mentioned switching me to the fentnyl patches. How is

the relief with that? Will I go through withdrawals from the oxycontin during

the switch or should I ask for some to take while I am switching over? Or

should I just use the oxycodone for breakthrough and will I go through

withdrawals

if I am just using that and switching to the patch? How has the patch worked

for those of you who have tried it? What kind of side effects have you

experienced? The oxycontin is giving me migraines after she upped my dose to 40

mg.

twice a day and I am still not getting relief from the attacks.

I had a really bad attack this weekend. I knew it was coming after the

stress this week. My lipase was even up which is very unusual. It has only gone

up

3 times in 3 years. So the ER doc suggessted I switch my pain drugs to get

something more effective.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Angie,

Before I answer your questions about the patches, I wanted to tell you

how thrilled I was to hear about your dad's recovery. I've been

offline for several days, and hearing that news as soon as I got back

online was so encouraging! I'm sure you are so much relieved, and

know how much the power of prayer can do. Your dad's miraculous and

rapid recovery is such a blessing, and I hope his health continues

with such promise.

About the patches - I went directly from 40 mgs. Oxycontin twice daily

to the Duragesic patch, using oxycodone for breakthrough, without any

withdrawal symptoms or problems. Although literature says that there

may be an adjustment period of 2-3 days before the patch is effective,

I didn't notice any lapse in pain relief, but I had the oxycodone just

in case there was.

The most significant side effect I noticed when first using the patch

was drowsiness, but I was also taking Neurontin at the same time, and

drowsiness is one of Neurontin's major side effects, so I was getting

a double whammy. When I first started on the Duragesic patch a year

prior to this, I noticed some drowsiness for the first week, and then

none after that. Then after my DKA and burn out, I was off all of the

pain meds entirely for a few months. After going back on it the

second time, my body seemed to be more acclimated to the side effects.

My physician insisted on starting me on the manufacturer's

recommended dosage, (25 mcgs.), even though I'd had considerable prior

opioid experience.

It may have been that this conservative, yet sensible, dose, is what

prevented me from being affected by any severe drowsiness. I used the

25 mcg. patches for two weeks before graduating to a higher dose. I

have used both the fentanyl patch and the brand Duragesic patch, and

much prefer the Duragesic above the generic fentanyl, (Mylan) version.

Hopefully your physician will start you gradually, with graduation to

a higher dose if needed. Since our reactions to meds vary greatly

from person to person, you should make sure that keep close contact

with your doctor, and that he or she is aware of any unusual side effects.

I've been using the Duragesic patch successfully for three years,

after trying Oxycontin, MS Contin, Morphine, Percocet and Hydrocodone,

though not in that order....lol! The Duragesic patch is the ONLY

long acting med that I've ever had success with.

I hope this answers your questions.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

hhessgriffeth@...

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.