Fentanyl and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Jud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2017

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I've had neck surgery, both shoulder surgeries, and chronic low back (disc) problems for the past 14 years. Oral medications somewhat helped: OxyContin, then Oxycodone and morphine sulfate. Even ibuprofen 800 for inflammation in my muscles and sciatic nerve on my left leg. But recently, my doctor put me on a Fentanyl patch 25 mcg/72 hours. It was amazing, I was pain-free!! But at a cost. I couldn't tolerate the side effects. For me, it affected my torso and abdomen area, felt numb like Novocain. It weakened my back and leg muscles, all within the first 16 days. I removed the sixth patch, then was hospitalized and had an MRI of my brain to rule out a stroke. Almost complete loss of balance, using a cane. Started therapy to regain strength. No longer on the patch."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2010

Fentanyl for Pain "I broke my back 8T when I was 29. The pain got worse as I aged. This past year, I thought my life of suffering would destroy me. My doctor placed me on the patch. It made me feel so much better. A lifesaver. Considering I have a curved spine and fibromyalgia too, I have to wear 2 x 25 mg and change every 48 hours. My only complaint is sweating and some dizziness."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2012

For Pain "I was put on Duragesic (fentanyl) for severe back and migraine pain. OxyContin and Percocet didn't touch it. I am allergic to codeine and hydrocodone. At first, the patches were a godsend. The first 24 hours were hell (vomiting, dizziness, heart racing), but it got better when my body got used to the medicine. Unfortunately, about 6 months later, I would lose track of hours of time. People said that I would 'zone out' during conversations and just stare at the wall. Next came spasms. I would have horrible cramps in my legs. My toes would curl up, my legs would start to shake. I had to step down off the patch 25 MGs at a time. Once out of my system, the spasms stopped."

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

For Chronic Pain "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."

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

For Chronic Pain "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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2022

For Anesthesia "This was given to me in ambulatory surgery. I felt absolutely nothing from it, no sleepiness, dizziness, or altered consciousness. It was as if the doctors injected saline, which I suspect might have been the case. There really isn't any reason to complain other than the bill for one dose was over $1,000."