Fentanyl and Anxiety: What Users Say

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

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "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."

• isa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 1, 2016

For Chronic Pain "This drug works great for me, it takes for me 16 hours to fully seem to get into my system. In the past, I took Vicoprofen (hydrocodone & ibuprofen) 7.5 mg. I started out with a 12.5 patch, after 1 1/2 years, it was changed to applying every 48 hours. After 2 years, my dose is now a 25 patch. Your body does get used to it, if after a year or so you become nervous, nauseated, have headaches, or feel dizzy and sick with headache, nausea, and pain, it's no doubt time to change your patch application time or dose. I didn't know why I was getting too sick, the ER doctor explained to me it was withdrawal symptoms. I didn't like to hear that, but being we are dependent on them for pain (rather than being an addict), it can happen. IMPORTANT: start taking a stool softener."

• Mag...
• January 31, 2009

For Pain "I have been on fentanyl patches for a number of years for numerous back issues: scoliosis, spinal stenosis, several blown discs, S/I joint issues, and more. I started out on the 25 mcg patch. My body became adjusted to the dosage, and my pain management doctor increased my dosage to 50 mcg, eventually with a 2 mg Dilaudid for breakthrough pain. It has been a life-changing drug. I probably would be bed-ridden without it. However, it does have significant side effects. One - if you misuse it, you may stop breathing. Some days I don't use any and become agitated, nervous, and hyperactive. I'm not sure if that's due to needing to change the patch every two days rather than three. It is a good drug, but you need to take care."

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2010

Fentanyl for Pain "I have partial seizures and take medication for that. The first 24 hours were frightening. I almost went to the emergency room. After 3 days of tremors and high anxiety, the pain was back. A week later, I began having seizures day and night, every day. My hormones went crazy with hard, swollen breasts and facial breakouts. My entire chin was covered in blisters and painful acne. After a month, I couldn't function with the seizures and my veins were bulging and bright blue on my chest, neck, and face. It has been so scary, and the withdrawals are just as bad. I've taken Soma and Lortab for chronic fibromyalgia for 8 years. I am disabled by the pain and very disappointed by all the medications I have tried."

• joe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2016

For Chronic Pain "I guess I must have a very, very strong constitution as I have been on the 50 mcg patch for about 6 months now. I started reading about the side effects from withdrawal and it scared the crap out of me, so I decided to make an appointment with my pain doc. It's for 4/27. As of right now, it is Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. I was supposed to change out the patch on this past Sunday. I haven't changed it yet, I still have the one on from the last time, which was 4/13/16. The only thing I noticed last night is I was jittery, and after taking my sleep meds, temazepam, and 1 mg of generic Xanax, I was tossing and turning and feeling slight muscle spasms. A lack of sleep isn't that bad. I do feel quick-tempered but will smoke a little tonight, and that will help with sleep."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2020

For Pain "I didn't want to be sedated. I checked in for a procedure with local anesthetic and no sedation. Told anesthesiologists I only wanted minimal drugs. He asked me if he could give me fentanyl to relax me. I knew fentanyl was an opioid, so I said yes for pain. Of course, he used it to sedate me, knowing I didn't want to be sedated. Pumped this drug into me for the whole 1 1/2 hr procedure. Anxiety, hallucinations, scrambled my thought processes and memory. Still having these problems, and it's 2 weeks after the procedure. I will do everything in my power to never put this drug into my body ever again!"

• mar...
• May 25, 2014

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "Very helpful, but feel anxious at times."