Fentanyl Transdermal System User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Lov...
• April 19, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I started at the 12.5 mcg/hr but had to increase to 25 mcg/hr. I was amazed at how well they worked, the pain was almost gone 80-90% of the time. I have found that already the pain is creeping back, I'm not sure if it's because I need a stronger patch or because they fall off so easily. I have even tried heating it with my blow dryer to get it hot enough to stick again, it worked only once. I'm going to have my Dr. read your comments, he doesn't believe that they don't stick the full 3 days. I have to go the 3rd day without a patch so it coincides with my scripts. What do you do when you swim in the summer, take it off while in the pool? Thank all of you for your reviews, I appreciate them."

• b0y...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I have been using the 50 now for 4 months. I do regularly wake up, and the bed is soaked in sweat. The patches never work for 3 days, and on the 3rd day, I am back on my Norco. I have found that if I shower 1-1.5 hours prior to a new patch and hold it in place, they stick much better. The pain relief is much better than the Norco, but I recently noticed a wheezing cough that is getting worse. It could be allergies, but I am wondering if others have had the massive sweats. I still work, and sometimes, if in a position I know that would be painful without the patch."

• Jud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I've had neck surgery, both shoulder surgeries, and chronic low back (disc) problems for the past 14 years. Oral medications somewhat helped: OxyContin, then Oxycodone and morphine sulfate. Even ibuprofen 800 for inflammation in my muscles and sciatic nerve on my left leg. But recently, my doctor put me on a Fentanyl patch 25 mcg/72 hours. It was amazing, I was pain-free!! But at a cost. I couldn't tolerate the side effects. For me, it affected my torso and abdomen area, felt numb like Novocain. It weakened my back and leg muscles, all within the first 16 days. I removed the sixth patch, then was hospitalized and had an MRI of my brain to rule out a stroke. Almost complete loss of balance, using a cane. Started therapy to regain strength. No longer on the patch."

• Gun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2015

For Chronic Pain "I've had back problems for about 5 years now. I'm scheduled to undergo my 3rd surgery in a month. I've taken every pain medication on the market. My last concoction was 60 mg OxyContin twice a day and 30 mg Roxicodone 6 times a day as needed for breakthrough pain. I also took 10 mg Valium every night. About 2 months ago, my neurosurgeon recommended the Fentanyl patch. I was a little skeptical, but I trust my doctor, so I agreed. My initial dose was one 50 mcg/hr patch every 72 hours. I experienced some relief, but still needed my breakthrough medication at least twice a day. After 2 weeks, my dose was increased to one 75 mcg/hr patch every 48-72 hours depending on my pain. I now have my life back and rarely need my breakthrough medication."

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2013

For Chronic Pain "Spinal fusion pain is often severe while usually moderate. My doctor prescribed 100 mcgs for the usual 72 hrs., but after about 6 weeks of use, I entered into painful, often agonizing withdrawal symptoms during the night and had to replace my lost, misplaced patch. Pain relief is satisfactory, but I find the transdermal system's adhesion properties unreliable at best. Tegaderm adhesive film is essential for extra security while holding the patch to the skin. Unfortunately, my fentanyl patches are vulnerable to moisture and prematurely weaken, even with the added film."

• Sno...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I was on 25 mcg/72 hours (then every 48 hours) for RSD/CRPS along with Norco for breakthrough pain. This medicine worked great for about the first month or two, then stopped. For some reason, my body stopped processing it properly, and it quit helping me at all. And the side effects were awful (namely weight gain and horrible sweating!). Also, getting the patches to stay on, even with the overlays (sent free from Mylan - the brand my pharmacy stocked - just call Mylan to get them) was difficult, especially with all the sweating. Happy to be getting off this. Hoping to find something else that will work without the side effects of Fentanyl."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2011

For Pain "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."

• Eug...
• September 14, 2015

For Chronic Pain "Was on Vicodin for years and was taking 8 a day. Doctors recommended Fentanyl. I got immediate relief. I have to apply 1 every 72 hrs. 100 mcg. For me, it works but doesn't last 72 hrs. Should be able to overlap. My breakthrough med is morphine codone. Wish I could find a breakthrough med that works for me. Chronic pain for 15-20 yrs."

• Las...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I have Crohn's disease, 30-degree scoliosis, 14 reconstructive surgeries on my pelvis, among many other issues. I was mainly put on it because a Crohn's patient does not absorb oral meds very well. The Mylan brand is the only one that works (change every 48 hrs), but I sweat profusely! The doctor will not switch me. It does work for pain, yes, but getting them to stick while constantly sweating is another story."

• TMD...
• June 29, 2009

For Pain "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."

• Pai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 23, 2020

For Chronic Pain "I have complex regional syndrome in my left arm, shoulder, and hand. I've been on the patches for 20 years. The only side effect is sometimes I get a rash under the area where the patch is applied. I'm on 50 mg."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

For Pain "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."

• Epi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 24, 2023

For Chronic Pain "I spent 18 years in critical care and 15 years in forensic medicine. I use a fentanyl patch to control relentless pain. When the pharmacy said they were forced to change to the Mylan brand, I noticed a severe decrease in pain relief. Not wanting to speak ill or falsely accuse the manufacturer, I tried a different box. Still, I found a severe decrease in pain relief. I thought maybe it could just be that the Mylan patches had a less effective delivery system, or that their smaller size (less surface area exposure) resulted in a lesser degree of absorption. I do know that the Mylan brand patches are EXTENSIVELY less effective than the Mallinckrodt brand patches I was used to."

• adr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I've had a spinal fusion on L3 L4 almost two years ago. I'm now on the wait for a discography because of my severe back pain, which is getting worse over time. I've been on fentanyl 100 mcg for almost 4 years, the patches are having very little effect, and I am waiting to see my doctor to increase the dose. It has helped me reading about what other people are going through and that I'm not on my own with symptoms like profuse sweating and a dry mouth. I have no quality of life at the minute and hope that by increasing my dosage, I will be able to move around a bit more. I'm 44 years old, also, has anybody else suffered from frequent bruising on the scar area of the operation? I'm topping my fentanyl up with tramadol."

• mar...
• March 23, 2015

For Chronic Pain "After L3, 4, 5, S1 fusions, have been on 75 fentanyl every 72 hours. I would prefer every 48, but insurance gives a hard time. This drug lets me live a normal life. I use Norco for breakthrough. Am so happy I have this fentanyl. Weaned off one time. Lasted two weeks. My pain management doctor put me back on, immediate relief!!!"

• age...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 27, 2018

For Chronic Pain "Been taking Fentanyl for about 6 years now. Was on hydrocodone before this for about 10 years. At first, it was great. 50 mcg every 3 days, then to 75, then to 100 mcg. I work very hard sometimes in 110°F degree weather. The withdrawals are the worst thing I have ever experienced. No joke, I just can't take it if my patch sweats away too fast. If you can do without it, then do without it. The people that know what it feels like will agree it's absolutely horrific. Ever hear the phrase 'pooping bricks'? The people who tested this made up that phrase - it is just like a brick. Lost weight and wish I would have never used it. Gets rid of 70% of my pain. Pain or withdrawals and side effects? I choose pain."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2010

For Pain "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."

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

For Pain "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."

• mno...
• August 22, 2013

For Chronic Pain "Made me itch to no end, itch all night, itch all day. Lots of dry mouth. It did relieve pain, and I liked the pain relief. As we all know, they do not stay on for 3 days, after about 50-some hours, it stopped relieving pain."

• Jen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2023

For Chronic Pain "I have been on fentanyl 100 mcg patches for about 10 years. I started at a lower dose, but it has been increased several times. I do not know what I would do if I could not use these. I could not get out of bed most days and went from a constant 10+ pain level to 4 or 5. I also prefer Mallinckrodt, and my pharmacy is having problems getting them."

• Sba...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 27, 2016

For Chronic Pain "Only pain med that has worked consistently for a long period of time, but you must be careful. If being outside in the sun, it must be covered to prevent overdose because heat will increase output. Worked best for me with a low dose and using methadone for breakthrough, but most doctors won't prescribe methadone because of the stigma associated with its normal use, but had my pain level to around 3. Roxicodone can only get me to 6 at best."

• Occ...
• September 19, 2010

For Pain "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."

• BBB...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I have had bad back, neck, and shoulder pain for 12 plus years. My doctor's tried several times doing guided steroid injections, and for several hours after the injections, I would feel pain-free. Once the numbing agent wears off, the pain returns to normal. They tried transdermal compounded creams as well as NSAIDs and oral medications. Some of the oral medications worked but not long enough. I would take one at bedtime, and 5 to 6 hours later, I would wake up in pain and couldn't go back to sleep. I was only allowed to take 3 a day, so if I used one at bedtime and one near morning, I had nothing through the day. The patches worked well, but they tend to roll up and fall off. I am told not to put tape over them. Not sure what to do about that."

• Kat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2016

For Chronic Pain "The brand that you get makes a huge difference. I can only find the Apotex brand at the pharmacies within a 70-mile range (25 mcg/hr). Sometimes these patches have very little or no effect on my pain. I am sure it is the lack of consistent medication on some of the patches because I have actually suffered through about 24 hours of no relief, then took the patch off and tried a new patch, my pain was better 5 minutes later. By each patch being so inconsistent, it cannot possibly control my pain consistently. My friend uses the Pac brand, which she has her pharmacy order, and says they work fine. I will check reviews on different brands and try to have them ordered."

• 24 ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 10, 2017

For Chronic Pain "I broke my back in 2002, 3 years later found out the break did not fuse, and after 13 doctors finally found one that would do the operation (as I was cutting my own spinal cord with the broken bones in my back). My surgery was only supposed to be 5 hours, but because of all the damage I did, it turned into 15 hours. I was cut open from pubic bone over left hip right to spine. Now I have 2 rods, 4 plates, and so many screws they lost count. No bad side effects for me, but I wouldn't have a bowel movement for 10 days or so, was my only problem. I was on 150 mcg/h."