Fentanyl for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• Str...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 11, 2017

"I've been using fentanyl 50 every other day for 9 years. (Tramadol for breakthrough) My pain is controlled, and it has saved me from the pills. Using Percocet prior, I would take more pills than I should, and now just patch and forget. Problem - new drug laws are keeping people who need the meds from getting them. To keep patches on without tape, be sure to rub the area with a dry towel before applying, then hold on the skin for 30 seconds. I haven't lost a patch in 8 years. Biggest worry is having to find a pain management center that will let me keep the patch. I played the pill game for years. The new laws are lowering the quality of my life. I am not an addict because I use pain meds."

• Joe...
• March 5, 2014

Fentanyl "Been using the fentanyl patch for about 6 years now, using 2 100mcg patches every 48 hours. Using 72 hours, the pain would come back with withdrawal symptoms. The major problem was getting it to stay on, but covering it with a Tegaderm took care of most of that issue. It works for pain better than oral medicines and you don't have to go through the trouble of swallowing pills all the time, just apply and forget it for a couple of days. I would recommend this as a good alternative to pills."

• GEA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2012

Fentanyl "Hands-down THE most effective pain relief I've ever had!! I've been wearing 25mcg for 2 months now. 1st month, I wore Actavis clear gel-filled. This month I'm wearing Apotex band-aid type patch. I'm not certain which I prefer. Gel-filled was great, but I was always paranoid with it buckling. On the downside, my lips are raw due to my mouth being so dry. I also itch like crazy!! The fact that the pain relief is so phenomenal, I don't see me changing meds. I take no breakthrough meds except occasional Advil. Pills were a problem for me as I would always take too much. Another reason that the Fentanyl patch is a Godsend!"

• Noo...
• February 4, 2019

Fentanyl "I have MFP (chronic peritonitis). I have severe abdominal issues. I have had 9 surgeries from 1978 to 1998. In 1997, I had gastroparesis. I was put on hyperalimentation for 8 years. I was put on fentanyl then for pain. I have been on 75 mcg for 20 years. I have continued to work and function. 2 years ago, I had to have surgery. I asked for them to decrease my fentanyl to 50 mcg. I also take oxycodone. Recently, I was told that the FDA has guidelines that you can only have 90 equivalents in your system, mine was well over that. Now they have decreased to 37.5, and they started that. Still too high, they have decreased my oxycodone from 10 to now 5 mg three times a day, and they have tried cannabis, so now I have been pushed back to 40 years ago. I also have pancreatitis, Crohn's, and ulcerative colitis on top of all that, plus a few more illnesses that cause pain. I am also facing going back on hyperal because of all this. Fentanyl worked well, and I had 12 years of somewhat good health from 1999 to 2011."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2014

Fentanyl "I have severe low back pain, spinal stenosis, and a bulging disc. I was on my feet a lot because of my job, which caused my pain to become worse. I was taking Norco alone, which I couldn't take while working, plus the pills would not last long. Many times, I was in tears. Finally, my doctor put me on Fentanyl 25, then increased to 37, then finally increased to 50. It was a godsend because the pain decreased tremendously. I have the sweats and chills at times, but that's a small price to pay for the relief I have received. At first, I had severe itching, but my doctor gave me Cortizone. I put it on and applied the patch about 30 minutes later, and no more itching. I am now retired, and my patch was decreased to 25."

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

Fentanyl "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
• October 22, 2012

Fentanyl "I have been on the patch now for 10 years, about started at 100 mcg x 72 hours and am at 200 mcg x 48 hours due to chronic pain from a 90-foot fall from a radio tower. I have been placed on every medicine, literally, for pain management, and this medicine gave me my life back."

• new...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 31, 2013

Fentanyl "I've been on the 50 mcg fentanyl patches for approximately 10 years. I've found that using the Mylan brand covered with a Tuff Strip extra-large size Band-Aid (cloth or waterproof type) stays in place for the 3-day period very well. The patch is the same size as the cotton square on the Band-Aids."

• jam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 24, 2019

"Fentanyl works fine, it's the manufacturers of the patches you have to watch. The best manufacturer being Mylan and the worst is Apotex. I've been using fentanyl for about 29 years on and off. I was using as high as 200 mcg every 3 days to 25 mcg every 3 days. Now I'm on 37.5 mcg, and only Mylan makes them. Mallinckrodt is okay, Walgreens uses them. They are about 3.5 stars, whereas Apotex isn't even a 1 star, the stuff doesn't work. Mylan is hard to get because of cost. It is the most expensive fentanyl, but it works best!"

• STE...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2014

Fentanyl "I have three damaged discs in my lower back. Doctors wanted to remove. I refused and started out on 120 Lortabs per month. That was increased by the additional 120 tabs of 15 mg oxycodone per month. My life was consumed by pain so bad I could hardly get out of bed or walk. Six months later I was prescribed an additional 60 30 mg of morphine. Needless to say, I am no longer in any pain, I was nodding out everywhere. I took morphine for a year. Detox wasn't fun, and it's worst if you are a weak junkie. I took oxycodone for another year. My doctor suggested Fentanyl. It changed my life."

• cal...
• March 10, 2014

Fentanyl "I have been using fentanyl on and off for about 4 years. I had spinal fusion done on L2-L5, also, out of the 8 screws in my back, the doctors left one of the screws with the sharp point on it, so it jabs into my back muscle. I have tried every pain medicine on the market and have to say fentanyl works the best. I no longer wake up from pain. It is, in my opinion, the best pain medication available on the market. I used to have to get it off the streets because no doctor believed I was in pain (I am in my 30s), now I finally found a doctor who prescribes it to me, God bless him for it. I'm using 50 mcg every 48 hrs. I still get a little pain after any activity that stresses my back, so I might ask to try 75 mcg, but I am glad I have these patches."

• Ani...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2012

Fentanyl "I also have to change my patches, 100 mcg, every 48 hours. It seems that the research on the patches lasting 72 hours may be faulty! I have been on the patches since 2003, starting at 100 mcg, and having to increase after a surgery to fuse cervical discs, and increased pain from fibromyalgia, degenerative disc in lower back, cysts on kidneys and ovaries, and uterine fibroids. I never have problems with my patches falling off, even with the excessive sweating. I use Mylan brand."

• Inv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2020

Fentanyl "Sharky, who wrote about Mallinckrodt, switched to Aposto manufacturing. I could have written that exactly as you described... what I did & what I fear. Had to get another Rx from the doctor, but got Mallinckrodt. One week and already improved pain level. FYI: I have tried a number of brands, including Mylan. The only one effective for me is Mallinckrodt. A Post has the same packaging graphics and colors as Mallinckrodt. I didn't notice the change, but my body knew. Med person: 'It's the same stuff.' No, it isn't! My fear: Mallinckrodt is being sued, and rumors on the street are facing bankruptcy. Without that brand, I'm disabled. If they are out, I'm out. What do I do? Trying to be proactive. Thanks. Inventing joy."

• Log...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 17, 2016

Fentanyl "Have osteoarthritis, stenosis, and poor lumbar discs. Medical retirement with back at age 59, am 75 and have been on 75 or 100 mcg/hr Fentanyl patches for 15 years. I take hydrocodone/acet. 10/325 mg, 2-4 times most days to supplement my up or down daily pain ride. Mylan patches best to adhere and change EVERY 48 hrs. as prescribed. Take 2 to 4 1 mg alprazolams per day for anxiety. This recipe has given me a solid life for years. Only side effects ever have been a 'whoever' would fail to refill alprazs. on time, then anxiety withdrawals are rough. Bottom line: Fentanyl patches are life savers."

• Bon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2016

Fentanyl "Years ago, I was on the older formula of Fentanyl, and it worked wonders with minimal dosage and breakthrough meds. After the companies reformulated the drug, it isn't nearly as good as it used to be and has many more side effects, brand depending. Mylan works best for me as far as fewer side effects, but none work for the 72 hours they are supposed to. Originally, my max dose was 75 mcg for 1.5 years prior to surgery. This time I am up to 125 mcg within the first year, plus 10/325 Norco 4 times daily, plus muscle relaxers for aut fusion of L3-S1. Pain level on day 1 is at 7, day 2 is at 4, day 3 is at 8. I have to put my new patches on before taking the old off, or life is hell. Thanks to drug addicts, illegal activity, and government interference, the doctor can no longer help."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• MRH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2019

"So very curious, I've been out of the pain management game for a while. 5 years to be exact. Then I got hurt again, and here we are now. So I'm on fentanyl 75 mcg. I put one on yesterday at noon. It's now 7:30 pm following day. I then put another one on today at 3 pm.. it's now 7:30. I don't feel like it is working! I'm still hurting and definitely not feeling the way I used to on these things. It's a Mylan patch. Anyone else have an issue that the Mylan fentanyl patches don't seem to work?"

• Mar...
• July 2, 2013

Fentanyl "This is a lifesaver for me, and I have tried just about every type of opioid out there. Sweating was the only issue, but that went away after my first week of taking the medication. I would highly recommend it to anyone with chronic pain."

• dpo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 14, 2012

Fentanyl "I had spinal fusion (L4-S2), and my doctor is stating I need to possibly have L2-L3 fused. My doctor had me on Norco, and this did little, and then while he was out of the office one day, another doctor in his office saw me and put me on Fentanyl. At first, it was great, I had the same problem everyone else had with patches only lasting 48 hours, and it was impossible to find some place they would stay on. But later, it was hard to regulate my body temperature, I would get burning hot and then cold, and it wasn't because the patch was old or not on. This medication helps my pain more than anything else."

• Dep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2015

"I'm a 37-year-old male, 6'8'', about 250 lbs. I've worked in corrections for about 12 years. I've had 3 back surgeries in 18 months and have been on Lortabs, Percocet to Roxycodone, and it helped to some extent. I now have to have another surgery for 9 ruptured discs, along with epidural fibrosis and granulation of the S-1 nerve root. My family doctor recently put me on the Fentanyl 50 patch, and it's the best thing I have ever had. I can actually walk and sleep. I used to spend up to 70% of my day in bed due to the pain, now I can function to somewhat of my old self. Nothing will completely take away the pain, but man, these patches are awesome! No need for pills anymore. Don't let the fear of becoming addicted to these keep you from enjoying life."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2014

Fentanyl "Have been using Fentanyl for over 3 years now, and wonder what kind of shape I would be in if I hadn't been offered this medicine. It is definitely working for me, and I am so glad I was a candidate for it."

• Tex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2014

Fentanyl "I have epilepsy and first ruptured a disc during a seizure about 4 years ago. I was on Norco, I think, until my neuro saw how bad the imaging looked and put me on 50 mcg of fentanyl/72 hrs. Totally took care of my pain until I had surgery. About a year ago, the pain came back worse than ever, and after a bunch of tests, I was referred to a PM doc. He started me on Vicodin until he could do an injection, but it barely touched my pain. Switched me to Oxycodone 10 mg/6 hrs. I was still hurting bad and had a patch still, which I used. He put me on fentanyl. I needed a fusion, which I had 3 months ago. Pain still bad, on fentanyl 75/48 hrs and oxy. Tried Opana, didn't like it. Worst is sweats and weight gain, plus keeping the patch on. Still lets me live."

• ded...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2015

Fentanyl "I suffer from psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia. My pain doctor recommended this when I became opioid tolerant. This drug works fantastically and fast for pain. Please be aware, though, within six months, my doctor had to increase dosage several times for the same effect, and higher doses caused 'narcolepsy attacks' and severe panic/anxiety attacks. I ultimately decided the pain control was not worth the side effects. Getting off of it was a nightmare, withdrawal from hell, ended up needing assistance to get off of Subsys. For a terminal patient, I would recommend this medicine, for someone trying to function in a normal life, please think twice and tread carefully."

• jod...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 2, 2013

Fentanyl "I had C-4, 5, 6, 7 fusion that went awry when they accidentally hit my spinal cord. I was originally put on 75s, but my feet would hurt so bad in the morning. I read that it was due to too much in my system, so I had them lower my dose to 25 mg. But I put a new one on every 48 hrs. (leave them in place for 72), so I am basically putting a patch on every other day. I wear them on my chest area so they don't get rubbed a lot and tend to stay in place."