My pain management Doc just prescribed me the lowest dose of the patch but I am reading all these horror stories not to use them running out of options because of severe pain any suggestions would be helpful thank you
New to fen patch a little scared to use it?
- Asked
- 24 Nov 2015 by Mama1970
- Updated
- 27 Nov 2015
- Topics
- pain, dosage, prescription, patch, pain management, severe pain, management
Responses (2)
I don't know why people are negative about it. After 7 years of use I was able to quit in 4 weeks with the help of my pain doctor. To make it even easier, do it in 5-6 weeks. Cold turkey withdrawal is unpleasant but giving up cigarettes is about 10 times worse. 12.5 microgram per hour will not give you a raging opiate habit AT ALL.
I too was nervous when my pain management doctor rx'ed me the Fentanyl patch, even though (like you) I was given the lowest dose @ 12.5 mcg/hr at first and was not opiate naive. Luckily, I had no adverse effects on the 12.5 mcg dose; however, my pain on that dosage was not relieved properly. My PM Doc, like yours, had said I would probably need to have the dosage upped pretty soon when he had given me the script for the 12.5 patches--this was def. true for me and evident fairly quickly... I was titrated upwards to 25 mcg, then 37.5 mcg, and have now been on the 50 mcg patch for over a year. I will say that for many, it seems, the generics differ greatly on this patch from person to person. For instance, my pharmacy orders the Sandoz brand generic for me each month as I have found it works best for me. It is a clear, thin 'matrix' type patch (like a see-through sticker with the med in the adhesive). However, the Watson brand are my next choice--they have the 'original' gel-type resovoir system (the original brand name Fentanyl patch, Duragesic, had this type of delivery as well) & are a little larger than the Sandoz brand.
Also, I definitely recommend purchasing covers for your patches to keep them from peeling, falling off, etc. Recommended are Tegaderm film dressings (3M & Nexcare makes these--you can find them on Amazon or ask your pharmacy). I hope this helps some! Best of luck to you!

Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
Similar Questions
Is Butrans (patch) acceptable for a patient in stage 3 kidney disease. only right kidney functions?
Posted 8 May 2015 • 2 answers
Fentanyl - I wear 50mg fentenaly patch Change it every 3 days and I am still In severe pain I?
Posted 3 Oct 2015 • 2 answers
Butran 5MCG patch how good is it?
Posted 8 Nov 2015 • 3 answers
Are law(s) changing on Fentanyl patch dosage?
Posted 2 Apr 2016 • 4 answers
My new Pain Management Dr. Is suggesting I only use Fentanyl 100mcg patch, and ween off all pills?
Posted 11 Oct 2016 • 1 answer
Thanks I feel more comfortable now he said he would probably have to up them but he just wanted to start me on the lowest dose first thanks so much!