Fentanyl Transdermal System for Pain User Reviews

• Joh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 6, 2019

"The 'FALSE' opioid hysteria will pass in a few years, but unfortunately, many people will suffer until that time, and some, unfortunately, will not survive their malady until the ten or twenty years pass, thus, living out their remaining years in unnecessary pain!"

• Lak...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 4, 2018

"I've had severe pain for the last 15 years after a T10 vertebrae fracture from an accident. I've had fentanyl patches for the last 12 years. It has provided the most pain relief and is the most constant pain relief that I've had. Now because of the opioid 'scare & abuse' they are tapering me off the patches altogether. I am scared to death about the amount of pain I'm going to be in. Right now my pain level is about 7.5. By the time the patches are gone, I'll be literally flopping around like a fish out of water. That's how bad the pain was to begin with! The doctor doesn't have an answer as to how to control the pain after that. I've just been told that opioids don't work for chronic pain, but I've found numerous articles stating that they DO work for some people's pain."

• Cor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2012

"The fentanyl transdermal system (Duragesic 75 mcg/hr) aids greatly in the relief of my lower back pain. The only downside to the fentanyl patch is that after two days or 48 hours of wearing the patch, it seems as though my pain resurfaces pretty badly upon the third day of wearing the system. I spoke with my primary physician about this issue and he suggested dispensing 15 patches each month so I could replace the system once every 48 hours or two days. Since I've been changing the patch every two days, my pain has reduced greatly and I haven't had to use my 'rescue' oxycodone 20 mg IR tablets as much. THANK YOU DURAGESIC."

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2012

"These have saved my life. I've been on the patch for 3 months, 25 mcg every 48 hours. I think maybe one more adjustment will do it. Keep in mind they are to be used with breakthrough medicine also. Well, since I've been on patches, I forgot about pills. Still have to take them, though. I have a 6-year-old boy I can play with again. That means the world to me. Give them time to work, it took 3 adjustments to get them right, it took 6 weeks, three 2-week trial periods. A word of warning: my doctor went on vacation during the trial period. I had only been taking them for a month, the withdrawals were very bad. As soon as he got back, I couldn't wait to start on them again. That says a lot. You have to plan ahead with these meds. Call 4 or 5 days before a refill."

• rus...
• April 29, 2009

"I sympathize with the anonymous user who has been on the patch for only one month (comments dated 4/24). I have been on this patch for 8-10 years now. Sadly... Long story short, I went through a lot in the beginning too. I am one of the small percentage of people who needed to change the patch every 48 hours instead of 72 because I was experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms (which is what you are describing) whenever I waited 72 hours. The 48 hours made a difference. However, it isn't a perfect system, there are problems, sweating it off during summer, no more pool, etc. It's not perfect, and breakthrough medicines are needed in my case. Long-term use gets tricky, be careful and good luck."

• but...
• January 28, 2012

"I have used Fentanyl patch for 8 years. I have oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I have bulging disc L4-L5, fibromyalgia, depression, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc and back disease, chronic pain, and fatigue. The side effects I have are constipation and sweats. When I have a really active day on the 3rd day, I do notice I hurt more and use the pain medicine. I try not to overuse them. I am monitored regularly. Still need an epidural or trigger point shots occasionally. I became disabled at age 39, now 50. That part is not good, but life is manageable now! I can live again!"

• Mer...
• December 23, 2009

"3 years ago I was prescribed one 12.5 mcg patch every 72 hours for unidentified pelvic pain. My doctor increased the dose until my pain was manageable with 100 mcg/72 hrs. I've found that the patches with gel reserves (i.e., Watson) won't stay on unless taped down. Also, by the 3rd day, my pain would spike, even with the additional oxycodone I took for breakthrough pain. Now, instead of putting on one 100 mcg patch at a time, I put on one 50 mcg patch and then another on the next day. On day 3, I don't put one on, and then replace the first patch on day 4. Ask your doctor to cut your dose in half but prescribe 2x the amount of patches (10, 50 mcg patches = 20, 25 mcg patches). And invest in medical tape! The patch has been a lifesaver."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2011

"I had shingles, and the bumps went away, but the pain didn't. It was so severe that I could barely work. People didn't understand or believe me because you could not see my pain. I went to several pain specialists, and I feel I was in the ER every other week. The pills they were giving me didn't help. I finally found the pain specialist who believed me. I am blessed that I found the right specialist, and I am now using the 100 mg Fentanyl patches along with other medicine. It has saved my life, and I am only in my 30s."

• mlb...
• October 23, 2008

"Thank God for this medication. It has allowed me to have a life. Initially there was some nausea, but after a couple of days it subsided. Before I was honestly suicidal because I could not get relief from my back/hip pain. Now, most of the time, I'm able to function like a normal person."

• Mau...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 15, 2020

"A thousand words or less, I guess. I started taking fentanyl patches, 25 mg, about 10 years ago. I have chronic pain, my back has been fused. Don't let the fentanyl scare you, but don't keep going up on the dose. If you go up, you have to keep going up. It does help take off the deep pain, but you need to learn how to cope and just suck up some of the pain. Talk with your doctor and see if he can add a little bit of Norco, muscle relaxers, or Valium, something like that, to kind of help. The pain will come back around when you are really stressed out, so try to keep yourself calm. Off insurance, fentanyl is about $75 a month, make sure you use any discount vouchers."

• kol...
• May 4, 2010

"I have been on Fentanyl 50 mcg patches for 3 years. I tried the name brand Duragesic, which worked best, while Mylan stuck best with less relief. Watson and Sandoz generics worked similarly, but Sandoz does not stick as well. Watson seems to work best in the first 24 hours, while Sandoz lasts longer. To keep the patches from falling off, I use a 3M Tegaderm film transparent dressing. The 4-inch by 4 and 3/4 inch size works best for 50 mcg size patches. Tegaderm patches are usually available from the pharmacy counter - no prescription needed. I put it over the patch when I first apply it - you will survive hot showers, etc. Menopause and hot flashes are another story, as the perspiration is under the patch, which inhibits its ability to osmose the medicine. It is best to change every 48-60 hours for the best pain relief."

• Kan...
• December 18, 2011

"I have fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease in my lumbar region and neck, my tailbone is broken in two places and has been for over two years, sciatica on both sides, degenerative disease in both hips, and chondromalacia in my knees. I finally got to go to a pain management specialist this last year. Oxycodone was horrible - worked minimally for an hour or two and then nothing. Lortab was okay, but nowhere near strong enough. Demerol wasn't strong enough and caused me to have seizures. Butrans made me suicidal and had such horrible withdrawal symptoms. If you ever hear that name coming from your doctor, run. Then, we tried Fentanyl 62 mcgs and I'm finally getting somewhere. Needs to go up, but no side effects except sweating."

• Ste...
• February 25, 2010

"I have used the fentanyl patch in times past with very good success for the treatment of severe (7-9) range pain due to spinal injuries and deterioration. From my broad experience over the last ten years, I believe this to be the most effective medication. I got off it during a period of some symptom improvement and have been using methadone and Percocet instead. I am now at a point that I am needing to resume the fentanyl. It is a very serious medication, and I strongly suggest you don't use it if you can get along with anything else. More than most others, it requires a highly personalized approach to the amount and timing of dosage, so counsel with your pharmacist and doctor. Do NOT try to get off of this med without your doctor's help."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2010

"I have been in pain management for almost a year now, before, I was just being treated by a variety of different doctors: primary, neurologist, nerve experts, and so on. Finally, I asked for a referral to pain management for injection therapy. I have been on every pain medicine out there. I have a bulging disc between C4 and C5, occipital neuralgia, and severe right sciatic neuropathy in my right leg below my knee. Now, I am on 50 mg of Fentanyl every 48 hours and was told by the doctor to leave the old patch on when I put on the new one at bedtime and remove the old one in the morning because it takes about 8-12 hours before the medicines from the patch are fully in your system. I have to use Tegaderm films to keep the patch on, but it seems to work okay. I have Vicodin for breakthrough."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2011

"The pain patch works well for me, as I am disabled and don't work. I do have a problem with excessive sweating and keeping the patch on for 48 hours. The best thing I have used for keeping the patches on is benzoin tincture. This works great for me when nothing else worked. My doctor recommended I try it, and boy, I'm glad I did! Can be found in any pharmacy for around $5.00."

• TMD...
• June 29, 2009

"I have been on Fentanyl for about 3 years due to spinal fractures. This is the only medication that has given me any relief. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate my pain at a 2-3 now, whereas before it was a 7. I am currently on 37 mcg/hr (1 x 25 mcg patch and 1 x 12 mcg patch). I have only two issues with the medication. First is that occasionally it causes extreme nausea (this usually occurs the day after applying a new patch) and blisters on my back where I applied the patches. However, this is probably due to sensitivity to the adhesive and not the medication. Even with these issues, the positives far outweigh the negatives with me."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

"This medication is supposed to be continual pain relief, but on day one it gives mediocre results, day two somewhat okay results although my pain is still at a 4. Then on day three, watch out. Pain level back to a level 8 to 10. I then go through the sweats on day three, and the chills and nausea the entire day. I have only been on this patch 1 month."

• Hea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 20, 2023

"I was switched from the Mallinckrodt 75 mcg patch to the Mylan 75 mcg patch, and ever since then, I have been in constant pain. With the Mallinckrodt patches, I could sometimes run out of my Percocet 10 mg a few days early without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, as long as I had my Mallinckrodt patches. I never ran out of patches. Now, with the Mylan patches, I can't tell any difference in pain relief from Day 1 to Day 3. I am always in pain. When I was using the Mallinckrodt patches, I would only experience pain on Day 3. It's worth mentioning that my insurance coverage has changed, and I now have state-provided insurance, which may be a factor in the difference in patch effectiveness. If anyone else has experienced this problem or has any information or insights to share, please let me know. I'm desperate for any helpful input."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2010

"I broke my back 8T when I was 29. The pain got worse as I aged. This past year, I thought my life of suffering would destroy me. My doctor placed me on the patch. It made me feel so much better. A lifesaver. Considering I have a curved spine and fibromyalgia too, I have to wear 2 x 25 mg and change every 48 hours. My only complaint is sweating and some dizziness."

• Occ...
• September 19, 2010

"I have been using the Fentanyl patch for a year now. I started with the smallest dose and now am using 100 mcg, replacing every 2-3 days. After 10 years with a chronic headache, I have tried almost everything out there, as well as alternative forms of pain relief (acupuncture, biofeedback, etc.). I've come to realize that the best relief for me seems to be the strongest pain medicines, like methadone tabs, morphine tabs, and fentanyl patches. Unfortunately, every one of the strongest also causes edema for me. Not right away, but after months of use. It's frustrating. I'm not sure what my doctor will do, but I sincerely hope the step-down from 100 mcg to no longer using the patch won't be an insane withdrawal experience."

• Ban...
• October 9, 2016

"I recently began Fentanyl patches. I am on 37.5 Mylan, with a piggyback or b/t medication of only Norco 5/325 twice daily. I'm sorry, but if this is supposed to be the strongest we have out there, I am disappointed. I at one time was on or taking all Vicodin, meaning 7.5 as well as 10 mg, then Percocet. Percocet, a joke. My body, per saliva swab test, I don't recall the name, indicates my body metabolizes quickly. How long shall I wait to tell the Nurse Practitioner or pain specialist this isn't working? Sure, lightheadedness, all Narcotics begin that way. However, pain still 7-8. What do I need to do? I have only been on this dose for the second day. I was on 25 mg, she increased."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2021

"I put my first one on. After three hours, I was still in severe pain, so bad. So I took the patch off. And I didn't really feel right, so I checked my blood pressure, it was 141/104, heart rate 104. And I also checked my blood sugar, it was down to 95. I don't have high blood pressure, and I am not a diabetic. I just had surgery, so I made sure I was checking my vitals. But the patch caused that."

• Chi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2020

"I have Dercum's disease, which is extremely painful. I have been on every narcotic. The Fentanyl patch, 100 units, relieved all pain. I have had numerous surgeries to remove painful lipomas. I became concerned about possible addiction and sought help in a hospital in NYC. The pain specialist advised a DRG implant, as well as proposed cessation of all narcotics."

• B4U...
• November 10, 2011

"Although the pain relief was good, the side effects were horrible. Rashes from adhesive. Disorientation, brain fog, hyper-anxiety. Ended up in the ER after using for 8 days."

• mou...
• March 16, 2010

"I have struggled with my pain for 7 years. This is the only medication that has helped me so much consistently. I've tried everything."