Use of the fentanyl dermal patch.

Posted by kenc @kenc, Sep 2 9:06am

Has anyone been prescribed the fentanyl dermal patch; and if so, is it effective in treating pain management?

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The doctor won’t increase the amount of fentanyl. We’ve gone to a medical marijuana dispensary, but the marijuana he was given doesn’t help his pain but just makes him drowsy. It is so discouraging not knowing what to do next. Of course he is on anti-depressants/anxiety but that hasn’t helped either. Which way to turn???

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Hopefully he was not taking the marijuana while taking the fentanyl without a doctor's ok. In any case, perhaps ask the doctor why he will not increase the strength of the medication, especially considering the current dosage is ineffective.

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Hello,
I’ve been using opioids consistently for the past 34 years as a result from quite severe and debilitating pain due to extreme cases of CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, FIBROMYALGIA and CHIARI MALFORMATION. I was totally bedridden and or home confined for over 20 years due to the severity of the pain and other debilitating symptoms I deal with 24 hours a day!
I never tried FENTANYL. I’ve utilized PERCOCET and DEMEROL. More recently, 180mg of OXYCODONE per 24 hour period of time. Even with my extremely well documented medical records with absolutely No abuse of any kind regarding my opioids, they continue to be a huge challenge to fill. My pain is so debilitating etc. I would not be able to continue living if I did not have access to my opioids. The pain can be at a 10+ and absolutely “TORTUROUS!” After 34 years, there is still no effective treatment or cure for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome! Unfortunately for me, I either have continued access to my opioids or it’s death by suicide! I will not try to survive a tortuous existence with absolutely no quality of life and be in excruciating, non stop pain in a completely debilitated state. I can assure you that this state of existence is far worse than death! As usual, our government continues to get it WRONG and needesy punishes the legitimate patriots TD who require this level of opioid therapy to survive and enjoy any kind of quality of life! It’s an absolute disgrace and complete failure by our medical community not to provide an effective alternative or continue to make opioids available to those of us who require them just to continue to survive.
Best wishes and good luck,
Phil

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There has been, albeit slight, willingness of doctors to prescribe opioids for the treatment of pain. The doctor who is treating my continuous and often severe pain, said that a doctor is required obtain, to the best of my understanding, training and obtain up to two licenses to prescribe opioids in any quantity.

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I have never used fentanyl in my 27 years of chronic back pain. I have used butrans pain patch (several manufacturers make it) with success. It’s an opioid pain patch which comes in 5,10,15 and 20mg being the highest dose. It worked great for me for 7 plus years but in 2020 after administration changed it wasn’t effective anymore. Overnight I had to go off of it. Painful but it worked well until 2020. I would try it before the fentanyl route. God bless,

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Seems to me that if there is pain then there should be a reason for it. If they could figure out what's causing it then there should be some sore of effective treatment.

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Often they rely on the diagnosis that the pain is neurological.

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I fell on my butt in March, 2020 from lightheadedness, heading to the rr using my walker (after being home only 2 weeks after cancer surgery and rehab hospitals - gone 4 months, lost 100#). EMT came to the house to help me up & ck for broken bones, because 36 yo son couldn't lift me. In 3 days I was in severe back pain and PCP sent me for a MRI. Discovered I had 3 lumbar compression fractures. I asked Dr for a DEXA scan. Seems I have OSTEOPENIA. One of the fractures went ahead and collapsed. Orthopedic surgeon to wasn't strong enough for back surgery - rod, brackets & screws. My PCP started me on Tylenol, then with codeine, then Lori tabs, then 50, 75 a d now 100 Fentanyl patches. Helping somewhat, but now experiencing colon pain and issues I had Morphine when I the hospital about a year ago (PCP partner Dr was covering that w/e). It seemed to do much better than Fentanyl patch, but my PCP wouldn't prescribe it.

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@tbrksweetyahoocom

I fell on my butt in March, 2020 from lightheadedness, heading to the rr using my walker (after being home only 2 weeks after cancer surgery and rehab hospitals - gone 4 months, lost 100#). EMT came to the house to help me up & ck for broken bones, because 36 yo son couldn't lift me. In 3 days I was in severe back pain and PCP sent me for a MRI. Discovered I had 3 lumbar compression fractures. I asked Dr for a DEXA scan. Seems I have OSTEOPENIA. One of the fractures went ahead and collapsed. Orthopedic surgeon to wasn't strong enough for back surgery - rod, brackets & screws. My PCP started me on Tylenol, then with codeine, then Lori tabs, then 50, 75 a d now 100 Fentanyl patches. Helping somewhat, but now experiencing colon pain and issues I had Morphine when I the hospital about a year ago (PCP partner Dr was covering that w/e). It seemed to do much better than Fentanyl patch, but my PCP wouldn't prescribe it.

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Talk to your doctor about the viability of increasing the strength of the patches you are using. There are higher dosages available. OTH, I have found very little long term relief from any of meds to reduce pain.

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@deb1997

I have never used fentanyl in my 27 years of chronic back pain. I have used butrans pain patch (several manufacturers make it) with success. It’s an opioid pain patch which comes in 5,10,15 and 20mg being the highest dose. It worked great for me for 7 plus years but in 2020 after administration changed it wasn’t effective anymore. Overnight I had to go off of it. Painful but it worked well until 2020. I would try it before the fentanyl route. God bless,

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@deb1997 You should be more careful when writing down medication doses for the public reading. Buprenorphine patch’s come in microgram (mcg) doses for the patch not milligram (mg) as you wrote. 15 or 20 mg of buprenorphine in a patch might stop your respiratory system? I was on 15mcg initially but bumped to 20mcg within a month and it is a great pain reliever. Here is some info for readers.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4675640/

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