Fentanyl for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• joe...
• June 26, 2016

"I injured my back in '99, and since, I have been on everything from morphine, oxy, Norco, dilaudid, and on and on, and never did I get good relief. I would still wake up feeling like an old man with awful pain in my back. I went on fentanyl 25 mcg, and the difference was amazing. It did take a bit, almost two days, for me to feel the full effect of the medication, but I had breakthrough pain meds that took care of it. It is amazing how great it is to wake up in the morning and NOT have to reach for the pain pill, first thing!!"

• Swe...
• June 18, 2017

"I was on 50 mg of the fentanyl patch for 12 years. Four months ago, I finally spoke up saying it just isn't working anymore, so my doctor switched me to OxyContin 40 mg. It has not touched my pain! I was getting more relief on the 50 mg patch than on OxyContin, so I'm going to ask to go back to the patch and have it upped to 75 mg. I am also on 8 mg of Dilaudid three times a day for breakthrough pain. I do hate that I have to buy the bioclusive tape to keep on the patch for me works much better. I never really have had any side effects from the patch, the only time I had side effects was when I first tried it 12 years ago. It made me loopy and very out of it, but that went away. The way they had me taking the patch was to put a new one on every 2 days."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• Eug...
• September 14, 2015

Fentanyl "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

Fentanyl "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."

• 7ye...
• April 28, 2016

"I started on 25 mg. After 6 months, I went to 50 mg, another year 75 mg, 2 years 100 mg. I have stayed at this level for about 4 years. Some weeks I need my pain pills for breakthrough pain every 6 hours, but most of the time I take it once a day. Before fentanyl, I would always wake up at night with horrible pain, then, after taking meds, it would take a couple of hours to get the pain back under control. It has been a lifesaver for me. As for the patch wearing off too soon, I have forgotten to switch my patch, and it is usually the 2nd day before I start hurting badly. The other thing is I never take pain pills unless my pain is above a level 4. This has always helped me not to crave them, and it may be why I am not as sensitive as those who try for a 0 pain level."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2017

"After a month of continuous surgery, I shifted to oxycodone 30 mg every four hours. It sedated me to the point of uselessness. My MD put me on the equivalence of fentanyl patches, and bam, no sedation, no euphoria, few side effects like nausea and mild insomnia. Very tolerable. The best part was great pain control without the baggage. I had to severely reduce Klonopin during all this due to interactions but still find that half the previous dose of Klonopin is still effective. Only real negative I've noted is interdose withdrawal symptoms prior to changing the patch. Always on the third day, so I'm going through patches a bit faster, though still close to 72 hours. Maybe I'm just a fast metabolizer?"

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

Fentanyl "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."

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

Fentanyl "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%."

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

Fentanyl "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."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• suf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 15, 2016

"Back surgery didn't go very well, so I was put on multiple drugs, both pain and nerve. Most of the pill forms made me extremely sick. So I was put on fentanyl patches, 25 mcg every 3 days, now up to 50 mcg. After the 1st of the year, I will be up to 75 mcg. Works well for me, just when I first put it on, I do suffer insomnia for 1 or 2 nights. Pain is still with me, but at times more tolerable. And the government wants doctors to cut way back on fentanyl because of abuse. Then gets cars locked up for speeding! I believe doctors will stop writing scripts because they are afraid of the DEA and med reviews, and people that surely need it will suffer. We will see what the future holds, and I wish everyone in these positions good luck. WE CAN ALL MOVE TO COLORADO."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2015

Fentanyl "I have extreme to severe chronic pain, level 8 to 9 due to multiple disc issues and a 2nd knee that needs replacing. Having been on MS Contin for years, I built up such a tolerance that it did nothing for the pain, so I stopped taking it. Last fall, my pain specialist had me try Subsys. Good news, it was the first time in years I actually had some relief from the chronic pain. Bad news, good old Hussain Obama Care changed some of the insurance company rules beginning January 1, 2015, meaning unless I had a cancer diagnosis, they would deny coverage as “off label.” After three months of relief followed by six months with zero relief, life is almost unbearable as I am unable to function day to day."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 16, 2025

"For 21 years, I was on 200 mcg per hour, changed every 48 hours. I have a genetic issue which makes lower doses of opioids ineffective. The government decided they knew better than my pain specialist. My pain was 2-4/10 before the reductions, now it is 9/10. I am ready to give up."

• mar...
• March 23, 2015

Fentanyl "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!!!"

• Lis...
• October 7, 2013

Fentanyl "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."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• cyb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 6, 2015

"I'd been on long-acting morphine and MSIR, but the pain was like a roller coaster. After sustaining a serious fracture, the orthopedic surgeon had me evaluated by a pain clinic. The doctor there did a thorough assessment and gave me my life back when she prescribed fentanyl. Since the fentanyl, I've had not one trip to the ER for a flare... in 8 years! I've never needed an increase, either."

• jop...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 2, 2015

"I was on fentanyl for 9 1/2 years, and four months ago, I decided I wanted off. Initially, it did wonders since I had been forced to work with a work injury. After about eight years, I started feeling withdrawal symptoms before my three days was up on each patch. I wanted to cut my time down due to the withdrawal, not pain. When I decided to wean off, it was one of the worst times of my life, but now that I only have a few more days of withdrawal after getting down to no patch, it is one of the best times of my life. The first step down, I started sleeping better. The next, I had more energy. And now, I even have less pain than when I was on the patch. If you can make it with other pain management, please do it. Withdrawal is not fun!!"

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2017

"I was on 12.5 mcg, but I started metabolizing it too fast. I was in withdrawal after 48 hrs. I moved up to 25 mcg, but after just a couple of months, back in withdrawal in 48 hrs instead of 72 hrs. My insurance refused to pay for 48 hr changes and only wanted to continue to have the doc increase from 25 mcg. It helps great for pain, but at what cost?! Don't become dependent on this drug. It's not worth it. The withdrawal trying to come off this cold turkey or even with clonidine is inhumane. I had to check into detox to help get off after just 9 months. Please don't take this unless you're in end-of-life care. Doctors don't explain what it's like to get off this medicine. Once I got off this and Percocet, over-the-counter meds work again."

• Kit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2016

Fentanyl "I live with chronic pain from many different health issues. I have 3 types of migraines, liver disease, Crohn's disease, gastroparesis, IBD, IBS, GERD, ulcerative colitis, pseudotumor cerebri, too many things to list. However, I stay in pain. I have been on every drug known to man, and this is a fast-acting medication that helps the pain, and you don't feel like you're on cloud 90. My insurance has been great, and now they don't want to cover it but want to pay for a drug that costs more than this medication that will do nothing but make me in more pain because we get to play the guess game until we find the dose that will work, if we do find one, and then pay for more ER trips. Not happy. Subsys gave me my hubby and kids back somewhat again."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• mno...
• August 22, 2013

Fentanyl "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."

• Suk...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 11, 2015

"Four major decompression surgeries in the last 15 years, just 28 when started, now 44. Have 4 lumbar discs that have degenerated severely, risking my nerves/spinal cord being compressed. Surgeries an attempt to give the nerve root room to reduce pressure, irritation, and severe chronic pain. I have been through nearly every pain medication available, going to stronger ones as the pain had increased (Tylenol, tramadol, diazepam, amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin, OxyContin, etc.). Fentanyl not offered due to cost. It's changed my life. Pain under control, no more pills to carry, a few challenges getting them to stick and high dose 250 micrograms per hr due to tolerance. If you take OxyContin or tramadol, look at patches - real life changer. Happy for questions."