robin0430I'm currently using 100 mcg Fentanyl every 48 hours along with 10mg/325mg Hydrocodone/Apap tabs @ 1 per 6 hrs. This is for long-term chronic pain associated with lupus/rheum arthritis and degenerative disk disease. I've been using patches for about 3 years. Thanks to Medicare's 'gap' I can no longer afford to pay for Fentanyl patches. Even generic ranges from $385 to $872. I need to know which drugs are less in price, but are comparable to Fentanyl in order to transition with "hopefully" very little withdrawal. That scares me tremendously. I had an opportunity once to experience a Fentanyl withdrawal for only about 12 hours. That was more than I needed. Any ideas? Thanks so much.
:confused:
What drug is comparable to the Fentanyl patch?
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Answers (6)
Robert_32521 Jun 2008
robin0430 . . . I would only suggest you consider this as your situation seems like a permanent problem. One of the least expensive and most effective longterm pain meds is methadone. Methadone should be a last resort, final decision for you if you do it. It's not for everyone. Are you seeing a pain dr? If not your rheumatologist should okay it depending on your other meds for RA, Lupus and deg disk disease, he can take care of this. The transition from fentanyl to methadone can be made without bad w/ds. Good luck.
13 Jul 2008
Robert_325, thanks for your reply. Yes, I have a dr. who has been working on pain management with me for about 4 years. I see her every 3 months and I was between appts. when I wrote my question. I saw her yesterday and we discussed methadone. Price-wise it's a good choice. We're exploring that now. Thanks again. I appreciate your assistance. Take care. ;)
19 Jul 2008
most doctors are happy to help when you explain you simply can't afford their 'first choice' of medication--just talk to your doctor and explain that you can't afford it, thats what hes there for, to help you. he's not helping you with your pain if you're in withdrawal... good luck
nettieschildren62
29 Oct 2010
My doc put me on Loritab 10/500 and Methadone 40mg per day. So, the methadone made me too drowsy in afternoon so we changed to Fentanyl 25 mcg/h patch. I have been going through w/d for 3 days now, today being the hardest. What is happening?? Brain stactic, anxiety, depression, stomach.
Methadone seems to work the best but is hell trying to get off. Hate it.
People, please be sure of what ur doing if you decide to go on or to go off.
Im not familiar with Fentanyl, does it work? Need to talk. I hate to cry or have anxt. bb
VAHNHOLES
17 Nov 2010
My fiance has pancreatic cancer his oncologyst prescribed him 12. 5mcg we r hoping maine care will pay?
cpizza22 Mar 2011
Request an appeal -expidited through your medicare drug coverage. I had the same problem with the patches. I am on 100 and 12 e/oday. So I know about temp. withdrawal, and side with you. If your doctor and you are willing to do the paperwork and phone calls you can win your prescription. Isn't wonderful, that someone who may have a high school education and no medical training, or has never met you can know what drugs you may or may not need; they don't - remember that.
jstillmank13 Oct 2011
I too have suffered from severe chronic pain for the past 12 years. I too have degenerative disk disease and severe arthritis throughout may entire back verified by a bone scan in 2002. The more tests I take. the more is found. It is scary. I lost my insurance coverage this year thanks to a divorce. For the past decade I had been taking Oxycontin 160 mg & Vicoprofin for breakthrough pain daily for many, many years. Oxycontin at 160 mg runs around $1000.00 a month. Well, I switched to morphine Extended Release as medicare did not cover Oxycontin. Side effects FOR ME were too much & now I'm on Fentanyl.
I know the feeling of withdrawals & would not wish them on my estranged husband. I also know the anxiety that begins as strong opioids are so regulated. I could write a dissertation on how money, poverty, narcotics, the government, addiction etc make life HARDER for those of us who suffer every minute of every day from chronic pain. However, I will not.
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Don't ever consider methadone unless you read the horror stories of what it takes to get off of it and the incredible side effects as a trade off for removing chronic pain - Believe me it is not worth the temporary relief it may offer It took a year of horrible pain before I was better no one warned me... when I continually took it I developed horrible pain in my feet and what seemed a bladder infection that until this day has never left that was 3 years ago
I've been on 120mg methadone daily for years. The worst side effect I hate the most is hot flashes and at the same time sweats. I have to change clothes. Along with the methadone I take five tablets of oxycodone 10/325 daily. I've been thinking of fentanyl patches to possibly avoid the flashes/sweats. I grow very tired of meds and lowered my dose way down to see if I could. The flashes/sweats quit but I couldn't walk for the pain. I still barely walk in the am until I take oxycodone tablets. 80mg a day didn't cause the sweats but wasn't enough. I'd recommend methadone, why worry about withdrawal when you are a chronic pain patient? I didn't have withdrawal problems.
Sumpain is right. When you are in chronic, debilitating pain for years, withdrawal is not the issue. Staying ahead of the pain is. I'm currently switching to Fentayl 50mg patches in order to lessen my use of Norco/Percocet. I am attempting to give my liver a break. Hang in there Robin!