Duragesic for Chronic Pain User Reviews

• Par...
• March 8, 2013

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and after trying different pain meds, I was finally put on Duragesic 25mcg every 72 hrs. The first day on a new patch is amazing. I could do nearly everything I used to. It even helped with the pain from bone deterioration due to a lifetime of taking high doses of Prednisone for my asthma. I will admit that the third day was the worst. About 5 years ago, my doctor upped my dosage to 50mcg every 48 hrs., which has made a huge difference. I still get Norco for breakthrough pain, but I try not to take them unless the pain is really bad. I'm not the kind of person who likes to take any sort of medication, but I know without it, my life would be awful."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2013

"I have had several surgeries to rebuild my shoulder muscles and have had one tendon reattached to the bone and covered with a plate, as well as arthritis in my spine. The pain is unbearable at times and sometimes I can't even walk. I was taking the extended-release OxyContin and Norco for breakthrough pain, which didn't help much. They seemed to last a few hours and that was that. Even then, I didn't do much because of pain. My doctor had me try the 75mcg patch for 72 hours and I was amazed. I can wake up in the morning and almost jump out of bed. We have changed to a patch every 48 hours as on the 3rd day it didn't seem to work. But now depending on what I do during the day, I am virtually pain-free. Highly recommend, get your life back."

• Lad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2012

"It kept my pain at bay very well. I wore a 50 mcg patch every two days. Occasionally, I would have breakthrough pain, but it was tolerable. The only downside to this medication is that it makes you moody and irritable."

• Sas...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 27, 2015

"It saved my life! I cannot, despite trying, take oral long-acting narcotics. The biggest issue is the perception and doctors' reaction, including pain management professionals, to this medication. Yes, you develop dependence. Addiction is different. It is when you abuse your medication and continue to do so despite negative problems coming from that. The two words are NOT interchangeable. I am on 112 mcg/hour and change every 48 hours rather than the normal 72-hour dosing. It has allowed me to do the things I need to do in my life. I was virtually bedridden before going on Duragesic. It covers my pain for the most part, unless I am doing things physically that make the pain flare into a breakthrough. I take Morphine 30 mg for BT pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 16, 2013

"Have been taking Duragesic for 10 years. It works great. I use a coupon that covers up to $50 out of pocket. My insurance copay is $35, therefore, I pay nothing for name brand. The generic does not work as effectively as name."

• Bos...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 25, 2015

"They have been good and bad for myself, mostly good. I was in an accident that messed up my back, and surgery hasn't been an option at this point. I started out probably like everyone, taking way too many Vicodin to Percocet to OxyContin, it got to be a fistful of pills every day. Made me feel like a junkie. I can honestly say I would probably be dead if it weren't for the patches. I change them every 48 hours, and I've been on the same dose for about 8 years. My biggest worry/complaint is that I'm physically dependent on them and vivid dreaming, it's kinda freaky, and being sleepy sometimes, but the pain is tolerable. I'm on the PAP program (Patient Assistance Program) for low income, so it doesn't cost anything. They are very expensive."

• B1a...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2013

"'Duragesic' is an excellent chronic pain medication: no euphoric issues following the first couple of weeks of use and initial body adjustment, etc., steady pain relief with minimal 'ups and downs' in effectiveness (i.e., breakthrough pain). However, myself, as with many users, find that it is necessary to change the patch every 48 hours, vs. the potential 72 hours (i.e., obviously this is with your doctor's approval). Also, putting the patch on takes a degree of practice and again, as with many, find it necessary to cover it with an approved '3M Tegaderm Cover' to prevent premature loss of adhesion."

• bra...
• January 3, 2017

"I have been on all different meds for CRPS that I got from a work-related injury 16 years ago. Tried just about all the extended-release options available, but they caused intolerable side effects. Even tried Neurontin, but only got side effects. This drug changed my life. I could function because the pain was tolerable for the first time in years. I do not know what I will do if it is ever unavailable to me. I still need something for breakthrough pain, but I can live an almost functional life now. I am at 125 mcg every 48 hours. I found that 72 hours was too long between changes, as the pain was intolerable on the 3rd day."

• Pai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 22, 2016

"Been taking this medication for over 13 years responsibly! It has helped tremendously to control my pain but not without side effects of not being able to sleep well ever and constant sweating 24/7. Much safer to use than oral meds and no stomach problems."

• Lil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 21, 2012

"My doctor put me on the patches about 8 months ago. I was taking Norco 10/325 and Lyrica 50 mg three times a day. I was still having pain at night and when I had to walk for any distance at all. This medicine has changed my life, I can sleep all night without waking up from pain, I can walk through the mall now and not limp as badly. I still take 6 Norco a day and my Lyrica 3X a day. But combined with the patch, I feel like I have a new lease on life. The only side effects I have had are a tendency to nod off if I sit down for long and a decrease in my appetite, which is good for helping me lose some weight."

• TJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2021

"I have dealt with chronic back pain for 15 years. After being on several different long-acting opioids. My new pain management doctor (well, he was new to me in 2017!) put me on Duragesic patches. Can’t say enough positive things about the quality of life I have now. Yes, I still have bouts of breakthrough pain, but no longer take it as often. Also nice not to have to worry about “Do I have my meds?” when leaving the house for work as one patch changes every 72 hours. Boom. Done. I do have auto shipment of Tegaderm (on a roll) delivered every couple of months, as no matter what brand the pharmacy prescribes - NONE of them are without coming loose at some point!"

• Dec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2014

"In 7 years of going through every painkiller known to man, my pain management doctor finally found a combination that works very well for me and gave back some of my life. My combination is Fentanyl 25 and Norco 10/325 for breakthrough pain. I have practically no side effects and it does very well at managing my pain 24/7. I can function up to 4 hours before the pain levels start to rise and I have to stop. My issues are severe lower back pain from degenerative and bulging discs L 3-6. Both hips are broken and I have severe osteoarthritis, the same for my right knee. My right Achilles tendon was torn up by a dog, resulting in every infection including MRSA and cellulitis. Multiple surgeries and 18 months to close. Now very painful and always a burning pain. This combination knocks out 90%."

• you...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2015

"I had a bad injury to my neck and back due to a head-on collision with a double-decker bus. For years, I was in severe pain. I was on gabapentin and morphine, then along came fentanyl patches. I started on 25 over 72 hours, then 50, then 125 over 48 hours. I could not believe the difference: just a dull ache. I could put up with the hot and cold flushes and slow running heart."

• MrE...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 14, 2017

"I have used several types of pain medication. I used fentanyl and was able to work for 5 extra years. The only problem that I had was my body absorbed it within 48 hours. My doctor didn't just increase the dosage, he has me changing every 48 hours."

• Lis...
• October 7, 2013

"I have had a positive experience with the patch. I also have to say that the patch has helped my neuropathy pain in my feet and hands, and that I have to say it has helped my restless leg syndrome. I have had more comfort with the patch with all three conditions. The maker of the patch should look into using it for neuropathy and restless leg syndrome also. I have tried other medications, but the patch has helped my pain relief and relief of other conditions."

• Enu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2016

"I have found that at least one out of each box of 5 has little or no medication on it. This has put me back in horrible pain and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. I was given the 25 mcg change every 72 hrs to take the place of my deactivated morphine pump that malfunctioned (overdosed & under dosed). Diagnosis: severe scoliosis, degenerative disk, etc."

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2017

"Fentanyl patch was more effective than MS Contin (three 30 mg pills daily). Doctor started me at 12, and I am now on 25. I'm sure in a few months I will be at 50, and by this time next year, 100 mcg's. That's what sucks about pain meds - you get tolerant of it over time, but so far, so good. Patch is so small and tiny! I thought the pouch was empty the first time I opened it! I was expecting a larger, white or flesh-colored patch."

• Bev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2015

"Although the 12 mcg/hour patch did help with my pain, it did not offer the relief I thought it might for 72 hours, which is the life of a single patch. I still had pain, just not as severe. Then I broke out in a rash on my chest, arms, thighs, and back. Along with the rash, a rise in blood pressure, which had previously been well within acceptable range for my age of 62. I was placed on a blood pressure medication but have not seen a satisfactory drop in numbers. After finding information that 1 person in 10 will experience either very high blood pressure or very low blood pressure, and given my history of hypersensitivity to drugs, I am thinking that I have no other alternative than to get off the fentanyl patch."

• Ken...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 9, 2018

"Best med in 24 years of chronic pain. I was on 75 mcg every 2 days. Florida heat diminishes medication. Only stopped when it went generic, as J&J stopped sending Bioclusive Dressing to keep it on my body at no cost, otherwise, would still be on it."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2013

"I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis last year, not so bad if you're 75, but I'm 26. I've had symptoms of this since about 14 or 15. After 10 years, my doctor finally believed me and accepted the fact that I was in real pain (this is finally after 2 well-known orthopedic surgeons discussed their diagnoses with him). He gave me Norco 7.5's, which didn't do much but introduce my liver to a lot of acetaminophen. He then added a fentanyl 50 mcg/hr patch 1 every 72 hrs."

• Gen...
• May 2, 2017

"The time-release system seems to be different with everyone. Cutting the patch into 16 strips allows one to better control this drug to their own need. Naturally, a doctor can't tell you this, but will agree if they know you well and trust your opinion."

• bil...
• December 14, 2014

"I broke my neck 2 years ago, 3 neck surgeries. 4th coming. This patch has been the only medicine that relieves pain. United Health will not cover it after December 31, 2014."

• kel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 25, 2017

"Very helpful. Able to function with pain and hold down the same highly demanding, professional managerial job. Couldn't do without Duragesic on multiple jobs prior to using this."

• Blu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 9, 2017

"Constipation and sedation, but great pain relief."

• kla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 11, 2014

"Helped okay, but had a lot of breakthrough pain."