Duragesic Patch

[Stiggy]

I`m looking for an answer on this asap so if someone can help me out I would appreciate it.
i found a doctor that wants to put me on a Duragesic patch/fentanyl,and im concerned the side affects of this patch.i understand doctors prescribe it for chronic pain!I did some checking and I see there are risk in taking this kind of medicine. Stiggy

[betheny]

My friend has used this. She has a really high tolerance, her only complaint was it kind of wore off before she needed it to. It should be the usual narc side effects-constipation, drowsiness, bone breaking withdrawals (or maybe that's just me?) If I were you, I'd give it a shot. Betheny

[alan]

It made me very nauseous, and gave me terrible headaches. We couldn't find a way to control these effects, so I couldn't use the patch.

Other people have no problem, and love them.

[whiterabbit11]

Stiggy,
I've been on a duragesic patch for about 2 years starting with 75mcgs and I've had it bumped up to 200mcgs with the last one just Yesterday from 125. I haven't had side effects except those mentioned by Betheny-constipation and drowsiness and as she said they don't last the 72 hrs they're supposed to. They do help some and I'm still working. I'd say try it.

[Dann21]

Be prepared to get really messed up.

I wore it for about two weeks, and I ended up ripping it off one night when I was trying to go to sleep I couldn't take it anymore. I have incredible amounts of bad pain. But seriously think about it before you want to go on it. If people on this web site support it, and it works for them find that's great. But as far as me I couldn't take it. It's like tripping nonstop until you take it off. And even after you take it off it takes hours to go away.

But don't go by what I have to say.

Go about how you feel.

[SarahRN]

I am actually a cancer nurse by trade.. caregiver for an SCI in my "spare" time.. we use duragesic patches in our patients all the time with good results.. but dosing can be tricky.. you should be starting with 25mcg every 3 to 4 days.... different folks respond to drugs differently but don't rule it out completely till you try..
On a different thread 1FineRN check your private topics - I'd like your opinion.. hope things work out ok - Sarah aka presbynurse

[Stiggy]

Dann what do you mean by tripping,Was it Bad experience for you because I took a pain med that took me on a bad trip as well! Stiggy

[krajaxa]

Hubby's experience w/the patch wasn't good either. He had it only for about a week and had several very bad anxiety attacks. I definetely could tell he was a completely different person (not a nice one either) while on it.

So good luck to you!!!

krajaxa
http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[duramater]

Stiggy,

You are getting good response to your questions about fentanyl patches. I am always alarmed when I read the lists of possible side effects of any drug I take or read about. It is true that the side-effects vary from person to person. There is no real way to know ahead of time is there? How are you doing thus far?

Mary

...and she lived happily ever after...

[whiterabbit11]

Stiggy,
Mary is right. You can become paranoid reading about the POSSIBLE side effects of any drugs, especially pain-killers. I got a baclofen pump and read the horrible possibilities in my "owner's manual" and laid awake the 1st 3 nights ready to hit 911 if I farted wrong.My pain Dr. (a neurologist)recently told me he'd feel safer increasing my fentanyl dose to 200mcgs than to increase my Darvocet. The only bad thing I find with it is trying to manage an even dose. The pain reappears before you figure out it's time to change the patch.If I let it go 72 hrs. I hurt like hell.It is powerful stuff though so be careful especially till you get to know it.WR

[alan]

I wish my system would let me use the patch, but it and I don't get along at all.

[Stiggy]

My Doctor is pushing me to try the Duragesic patch and I keep telling him I have college and a Family to take care of.It seems there are alot of people that are having problems with the patch..anger,tripping,anxiety attacks,drowiness.So I`m really scared to give it a shot because I will have no control over how much is going into my system.I hear its far worse then Morphine and I had a bad trip on that drug!I`m coming to believe with the kind of pain I have there is no pain killer thats not going to make me feel like I`m all buzzed up.I`m in a Wc I grant you that but I still like who I am and I want to enjoy life to the fullest.I have many nights that I dont sleep but I still give it 110% everyday.Thank you for all your input and God Speed...Stiggy