Fentanyl and Constipation: What Users Say

• CJa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2018

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I am on 150mcg Fentanyl transdermal patch and have been for ten years. It adequately treats my degenerative disc disease when many other meds, including morphine, did not. I was treated at a Hospital in Boston, at their Pain Clinic and was lucky. I am lucky but it is not easy street, there are the side effects of constipation, and memory loss, etc. But I don't have many choices, at least the patches take care of my pain for about 90 percent of the time. Different medications affect us all differently. Luckily for me my MDs were able to treat me. We must learn that we don't have to beat ourselves or allow others to beat us up for our illnesses. We wouldn't deny cancer patients their pain meds but we have different views for people and patients with other chronic pain illnesses. A UK study, around 2008, claimed that more than ¾ of pain patients were not being adequately treated for pain."

• Reb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 25, 2015

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "My husband has been on the 25mcg Fentanyl patch for almost 5 years, and it has been a lifesaver for him. The main problem for him is the constipation, which if he drinks his Smooth Move senna tea daily, it relieves the constipation. Also, for people who say the patch comes off, first use skin prep wipes by Smith & Nephew, apply the patch, and then apply a Tegaderm Film cover over the patch. If you use products like this, your patch won't come off, and it's waterproof too. Even when you get the 'sweats,' the patch will stay on. Most of these products you can get at medical supply stores or eBay."

• but...
• January 28, 2012

Fentanyl for Pain "I have used Fentanyl patch for 8 years. I have oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I have bulging disc L4-L5, fibromyalgia, depression, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc and back disease, chronic pain, and fatigue. The side effects I have are constipation and sweats. When I have a really active day on the 3rd day, I do notice I hurt more and use the pain medicine. I try not to overuse them. I am monitored regularly. Still need an epidural or trigger point shots occasionally. I became disabled at age 39, now 50. That part is not good, but life is manageable now! I can live again!"

• Car...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 4, 2013

For Pain "I went through the myriad of short-acting oral analgesics and just couldn't stand the constant ups and downs and always felt like I was only comfortable for half of the life of the pill. I asked my doctor to take me off OxyContin (40 mg), he offered Duragesic as an alternative. I use 100 mcg every 3 days with no problem. Side effects are constipation and short-term memory loss. I'll happily trade that for effective pain relief. A huge plus is not developing a tolerance for it, so I don't have to have it constantly increased over the years. I don't use 'breakthrough' meds, but I use Lyrica (about 6 years now) to help with pain from nerve damage. The combination works great for me."

• pat...
• May 20, 2008

Fentanyl for Pain "I have been on the Duragesic patches, 100 mcg, every 2 days for a little over 3 years for chronic pain due to a failed lumbar fusion surgery. Before going on the patch, I was taking 10-15 Loritab's a day, which tore my gastrointestinal system apart. These patches were a Godsend, with Norco as a breakthrough med. I usually only have to take it if I get a little overactive. The only reason I didn't rate a 10 was a few side effects: sweats and constipation being the worst. Gains beat that easy."

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

For Chronic Pain "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."

• Dav...
• December 17, 2010

Fentanyl for Pain "I have a severe back condition which has resulted in chronic lower back pain for more than 25 years. I was using oxycodone (OxyContin) and other pain-related drugs until I developed a very severe allergic reaction. I started on the Duragesic 50 mcg patch, which I have tolerated with only the very minor side effect of mild constipation about once every 2 - 3 months. I have moved to the Duragesic 100 mcg patch for the past 4 - 5 years, this medicine is a true wonder. I am able to adjust my dosage from between 50 to 100 mcg as required, and the most important thing is that I can lead a normal life, mostly pain-free. The patch lasts between 48 to 72 hours dependent upon my activity, if I sweat, the patch only lasts 48 hours."

• MRS...
• October 30, 2011

Fentanyl for Pain "Scoliosis and multiple herniated discs in both my neck and lower back have required quite a few spinal surgeries but left me in chronic pain. Over the years, it has increased to the point where nothing was helping my pain. My pain doctor started me on Fentanyl 100 and slowly raised it to 150 over the course of a few years. Currently, I am able to control my pain to about a '4' out of 10 by adding OxyContin for breakthrough pain. Drowsiness and constipation are the most annoying side effects, but it's worth it to get my life back to semi-normal."

• jim...
• June 25, 2011

For Pain "My son took every pain pill there is for his chronic pain. Then a doctor tried the 25 size patch on him. It was not enough. We went to the 50 size, and it did the job. He was a world of better on the patches. He felt better all the time and was not getting constipated as he did on the pills. He never feels euphoric on the patch. The only complaint was that the patches wear off after the second day. I called Mylan Laboratories and discussed the patches with the information person. She said that a lot of patients absorb the medicine quicker than others, and those patients change the patch every other day. We are now using a 25 size and changing it every other day."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2011

Fentanyl for Pain "I was given 100 micrograms every hour, plus 50 micrograms every 30 minutes as a push button in a drip for cancer pain, and it worked great. After the morphine dose was above 20 mg every 4 hours, I was given the drip. It worked great for pain and had very little side effects, only constipation, but that was because I was on it for 30 days. I would strongly suggest for any type of severe pain and/or cancer pain if morphine or Dilaudid isn't working or isn't tolerable."

• Blu...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 9, 2017

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "Constipation and sedation, but great pain relief."

• val...
• April 4, 2012

For Pain "This medicine works great for me. The only problem I have is they only last 2 days. I have to tape it on, and they cause constipation."

• die...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2012

Fentanyl for Postoperative Pain "I have been given this a lot after surgery. It is great for post-surgical pain because it kills the pain, but it doesn't give you nausea and constipation like others do."