Fentanyl patch not lasting 3 days

Posted by bearmom @bearmom, Jun 30, 2025

Does anyone use fentanyl patches and find that they do not control pain for the full 72 hours? I feel like they may last 48 to 60 hours at the most.

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Profile picture for dairyfairy9293 @dairyfairy9293

@ellesea01
My doctor changed me to every 2 days and it’s been a game changer. I too have Osteoarthritis, chronic back pain from L4/5 fusion and nerve damage in my right foot and leg that has had me screaming in pain. My neck is awful was going to have (surgery to “clean it up “ but my Breast Cancer and the surgeries took precedence. Doc put implants in wrong and pulled them off my muscles which I still get a terrible muscle spasms in.
I’ve been a terrible doctor picker, really I was limited by insurance where I could go. I had bilateral knee replacements at the same time and recovery was months and needed a cane for over 2 years. My left knee was so unstable and I found a great doctor who said he could fix it and he did! But I still get terrible pain that wakes me up. I take plenty of meds to live and I’ve tried everything, chiropractor he helps my neck, cupping, acupuncture, wellness clinics, diet.
So every 48 hours helped greatly because I was always on the couch or bed on day 3. I never knew a body could hurt like this. This is just the highlights. Good luck and May God Bless you.

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@dairyfairy9293

That's sure is a lot on your plate. When doctors can help us it's so appreciated. Your sense of humor is intact which is a huge benefit during these "highlights" times. Good for you. ♡☆♡. I'm glad you're here & appreciate your honesty sharing info. Good luck with doctors, procedures & meds. May you be due for a hat trick of goodness. All the best.

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I have recently started using "magnesium cream" to sooth the nerve pain in my back, legs and feet. It seems to help a little. When ou're desperate you'll try anything. I kept seeing an ad for it so I bought some and it really does help. You can buy it on Amazon.

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I know this is an older discussion, but I have a similar problem. Obviously gaining weight would be the ideal solution (I am working on that), but due to my health problems, I’ve gone from a healthy 125lb to 95lbs over the last 4 years. I became bedridden for several years and have muscle wasting. I’m basically just skin and bones at this point. I am no longer bedridden, but I have been having trouble gaining weight (some of my issue is that I had gastric bypass surgery in 2016 and ever since have had a problem gaining weight despite wanting to and trying). I’ve been working on building muscle again and trying to eat more, but in the meantime, I wanted to ask what are some of the alternative locations that some of you tried that seem to help the patch absorb better? Please let me know!

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I 100% agree. When I was in the patch by the end of the second day I was feeling like I was having withdrawals!!
The doctor told me that that happened to most people but he could only prescribe them for every 3 days. He told me to save some of my breakthrough meds for that day until I could change my patch...

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