Fentanyl for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 5)

• 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."

• CRP...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2020

"I have been on the name brand Duragesic 72-hour transdermal patch (75 mcg) for years for my chronic pain from systemic CRPS, fibromyalgia, failed back syndrome, and a few other things. It has worked great for me, but I just talked with Jansen Pharma that makes it and was told the reason my pharmacist has had a hard time getting any is because they (Jansen) have stopped making it! The generics are still out there, but they didn’t come close to touching my pain. Anyone have thoughts about what I can try now? I am very worried."

• pau...
• November 9, 2013

"I have been on fentanyl for more than three years now with great success, no major problems or side effects. Although about three months ago, I started having some real bad side effects from the drug. After about 24-36 hours of putting on the patch, I would start to get pain, agitation, sick feeling all over my body, fatigue, restlessness, very tired, neck and back muscular pain, and bad headaches, as well as confusion and the sweats, etc. All the classic symptoms of the patch not working properly. I am in the process of talking with my doctor about rectifying the problem with my dosage and time frame on how often to change the patch. If I knew how bad the feeling was to withdraw from this drug was, I would have never taken it."

• Tva...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2016

Fentanyl "Fentora gave me my life back! But it is very hard to get it covered. They do, however, offer a coupon program for those who can't. Our cost out of pocket was going to be just about $5,000 per month. Insane! Thankfully, my pharmacist told me about the coupon program. This brought our co-pay to $5 per month! I have been on Fentora for years now. Probably 5-7 years. I've been through 3 insurance companies. I've always gotten my Fentora after long battles. The only negatives to Fentora are: 1) if your mouth is too wet, it will dissolve almost instantly, and it won't give you the same help, so I try to dry my mouth out first. 2) if you put them in the same spot, you will get sores. 3) hard to cut in half; they disintegrate. Otherwise, miracle med."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• Nan...
• November 17, 2016

"I have severe DJD, bulging discs, and spinal stenosis. I have tried everything, was on Opana ER and oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I would still wake up at 4 am in misery and would take more medicine and end up running out of pain meds. So after this yo-yo with oral meds, I finally asked my doc about fentanyl patches. He started me on 50 every three days. I'm at the 48-hour mark and it is definitely helping. I actually slept through the night last night for the first time in months. I'll change it tomorrow, but so far it's really helping me. I have the Mylan brand, and the patches stay on very well."

• Liv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 21, 2016

"Have used a fentanyl or Duregesic patch for 11 years following spinal fusion from T-2 to the sacrum. Started on 50 mcg every 72 hours. After five years, stepped down to one 25 and one 12 every 48 hours. Then two years ago, stepped down to just one 25 every 72 hours. The patch works best for me if I wear it on my lower abdomen area, otherwise, I have problems with it coming off. Manufacturer also makes a difference. Sandoz brand is the best, but I have found it hard to find. Most pharmacies use different manufacturers. Mylan brand is the worst. They will not absorb into my body, and I go through withdrawal. All the other manufacturers work just okay, but again, not as good as Sandoz brand."

• bet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2018

"Three levels of the lumbar spine have been fused, and I've had a spinal stimulator for about 6 months. I was on fentanyl patches, and given all of the political controversy surrounding the drug, I decided to come off of it and use hydrocodone for pain control. The supply in drug stores was being rationed by their distributors, and I couldn't count on my required dosage always being available. The drug has become a political football in the state where I live. I came off of fentanyl in stages, dropping the dose each time by 50%--and at each transition experienced withdrawal symptoms. In retrospect, fentanyl was very effective in pain control. The alternatives at this point are meditation, exercise, injections, RF probes, and lesser drugs--all of which I'm familiar with. Interestingly, when I inquired of my physician as to the use of cannabis-based approaches, I was advised that I would be dropped from his care after two months if I chose to pursue this alternative."

• Chu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2017

"Yo, fellow pain endurers ~ 34 yrs. suffering severe chronic pain from 10 hr. preventive surgery & 5 disc fusion re: rare diastematomyelia, tethered cord & resulting scoliosis. Tried every known therapy/treatment. Avoided ALL meds for 29 mind-bending yrs. 'til I was @ life's end. Enter pain management: 7 various spinal blocks + gabapentin/prednisone/tramadol/butrans/oxy/methadone ~ ONLY relief came from high morphine IM/MS Contin & fentanyl IM/patch. I HATE meds BUT they have SAVED MY LIFE. Literally. (y'all know what I mean) Thank God!!! Peace out. Matt"

• Gyp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2017

"I currently wear a 50 mcg/72 h patch. I have been on this same dose for 1 year. The prior year, I began with 100 mcg, then 75 mcg, then 50 mcg. The last few months, my left knee down to my foot swells ENORMOUSLY. I went to the E.R. a couple of months back, and they weren't able to give me a definitive answer. The only relief from this swelling is to take the patch off. The problem in doing that is my pain comes back with a vengeance! This patch literally changed my life for the better. Simple tasks used to be impossible. Now, I may have to give it up! Anyone else with this issue? Suggestions?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2012

Fentanyl "This medication is the best for taking the severe pain out of my head. I was told I get cluster headaches, and I'm glad to get this medication to help with the intense pain. My insurance company will not help cover this, so I have to pay all out of pocket. My last employer's insurance company paid most of it, with me paying $40.00 out of pocket."

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

Fentanyl "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

Fentanyl "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."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2017

"I've been on Fentanyl patches for over a year. Even at 100 mcg, I'm still in pain. I was on Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) for breakthrough pain, but it did not help because I was tolerant to it. I currently take Opana (Oxymorphone) instead, which does help some. I do not believe my pain can ever be fully managed, since I am in severe pain in over eight areas. They say they have me on the two strongest medications, so they can't do anything more. I've been told to switch doctors since most of the people at the office quit, but I'm afraid the next one will be worse. A problem with Fentanyl is on the third day I went through withdrawal symptoms because the medicine only lasted two days for me. Another problem is the strong chemical smell when you sweat."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• Den...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 19, 2024

"I have used numerous pain medications since my first back pain 42 years ago. Since then, I've had 2 more back surgeries, culminating with a botched fusion. As time passed, I needed stronger pain relief. I'm now using 50 mcg Fentanyl patches with 5 mg Oxycodone for breakthrough pain. The patch allows for around-the-clock relief, but I still need about 20 mg of Oxycodone to get through a day. It's not perfect, but it doesn't have as much of a constipation side effect."

• MeK...
• October 20, 2016

Fentanyl "I've been on opiates for 29 years. I lead a successful and happy life because I've always treated painkillers with respect. They are addictive, but they can give you back your life if you use them properly. Two years ago, my pain doctor switched out my breakthrough meds from 6x 30mg oxycodone to 4x 800mcg Subsys. I also take 3x 80mg OxyContin for steady pain control. Tonight, I will use my last Subsys, tomorrow, I was to receive my next 30-day supply. However, Linden Care calls me today and tells me they are not sending it. No 30-day supply, no warning. My insurance company called them to okay it, but Linden Care told them since I don't have cancer, I'm not getting it anymore. My pain doctor tried talking to them, still nothing."

• seg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2012

"I found that my patch was never staying on for the whole 72 hours, and sometimes it would not last 20 minutes on my upper body. I now use the patch on my lower legs and the front, and the patch sticks, no problem. As for the effectiveness of the patch, it's hard to say as everyone is different, but for me, it works. As soon as my 72 hours are nearly up, I do feel a lot more pain, and it's quite clear it's new patch day. I have central hypersensitivity syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and too many other problems to list."

• T12...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 29, 2017

"I've been in chronic pain for over 10 years. Multiple neck, low back, and shoulder surgeries. I'm 64 years old, weight 250 lb. I do pool therapy as regularly as I can. I don't drink or smoke. I take tizanidine 4 mg at night, and currently, I'm prescribed a 50 mcg and a 12 mcg patch, or a total of 67 micrograms, Milan manufacture patch. All of a sudden, I stopped getting relief. At the 72-hour mark, I'll change the patch and its site, and all I can get is 2-4 hours of relief on a 72-hour patch. Then it's pure hell. What's going on? I mean, zero relief. Just muscle spasms for hours on end. I have been on all the rest, and fentanyl was the only pain medicine that worked without side effects, without any trouble. I'm devastated and just would like to know what happened."

• Sil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2015

"Condition: DDD L4-L5 S1 & muscle damage to left shoulder due to gunshot. Previous meds: MS 30mg x 2 PRN, Percocet 10/325 x 4 hrs PRN, & Duragesic 25mcg x 72 hrs. Fentanyl experience: excellent around-the-clock pain management. Side effects: light intermittent night sweats. Conclusion: excellent P/M management."

• IWG...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 8, 2017

"OA/DDD spine: Switched from OxyContin to fentanyl patches, >15 yrs, Watson gel patch: terrible irritation/rash & v. poor adhesion. Switched to Mylan brand, 25 mcg, then 50 mcg, Roxicet for bt pain. As many of you, I felt a lot of pain relief and was able to be physically active... gardening, bike riding, walking 4 mi. I switched to Mallinckrodt oxycodone 5 mg, (there is a difference in brands!). Inc in pain, yr ago tried 75 mcg, but didn't like: dizziness, headaches, incontinence. Quit fentanyl (5 weeks) tried gabapentin: vertigo, fell down stairs, etc!! Back to Mylan 37.5 mcg (1/1/17 inc $12 to 75) & oxycodone 5 mg. Not enough, will see pain management Dr., this wk. (seen him for years) INSIST ON PAIN MANAGEMENT SP."

• vlg...
• January 26, 2024

Fentanyl "I've been on the patches for severe nerve damage resulting from a relatively common pelvic surgery 24 years ago. It was so bad, I couldn't eat and could hardly stand up. The surgeon accused me of imagining things! I found help with some much better doctors at a well-known prestigious hospital. After some pain mapping surgery, a neuroma was found and removed from the pelvic floor. Lidocaine injections to the area helped, but not enough. I was referred to an excellent pain management facility where I was prescribed 100 mcg patch, which helped tremendously. I've since reduced the strength but noticed some issues from other commentary. I was told by my docs that when applying the patch, cover it with the palm of your hand and press for 1 min. The heat from your hand helps the adhesive stick better to the skin. (and try placement behind the hip) Next, NEVER cut a patch down thinking it's a way to reduce dosage or wean off of it. This brings a rush of fentanyl to your system causing overdose."

• 1wa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2016

"After years of various types of drug therapy, pain management was my last resort. I was declared permanently disabled. As a last resort, I chose pain management for a better quality of life. I have never gone above 50 mcgs. I alternate dosages during seasonal changes. I use 50 mcgs in winter time and 37 mcgs in summer. It does not remove all of my pain. I use over-the-counter pain medications for breakthrough pain. A higher dosage makes me too tired to function."

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

Fentanyl "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."

• Pen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2016

"I'd been on OxyContin for 10 yrs prior to Fentanyl Patch 50mg. After relocating to FL, I have found securing Oxy supply spotty. At best-never knowing from mo to mo whether it was going to be available-driving to 5-6 pharmacies (no info given via phone) & maybe only getting 1/2 my pills. Solution was to switch to Fentanyl, which isn't as effective-I now use much more hydrocodone for breakthrough pain, plus dispensing of Patch is erratic = first night of the 72 hrs I'm wide awake & by last 24 hrs relief is very weak. Constant problem in FL heat of patch staying adhered. Until FL lightens its restrictions on acquiring Oxy, the Patch will have to do (this is my 3rd yr with Fentanyl)."