Fentanyl User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• KAM...
• March 30, 2008

Fentanyl for Pain "This medication has completely changed my life. I was on 45 mg MS Contin and 10 mg Percocets for breakthroughs and was breaking through every day, multiple times a day. Then my doctor put me on Fentanyl patches (generic Duragesic), 25 mcg/hr, changed every 3 days. Literally, my life changed overnight. Pain is now down to 'noise' level-yeah, I'm not 100% pain-free, but no pain med can do that. Now, I breakthrough maybe once over the 3-day period."

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2008

Fentanyl for Breakthrough Pain "I have sinus cancer (twice), and I am left with recurring 'ice cream headaches.' The relief from Actiq has been virtually miraculous. It takes effect within minutes, and it doesn't make me feel as medicated as I did with Vicodin. One of the best things about Actiq is that I can regulate the amount of medication to match my breakthrough pain level. I don't have to take a pill, wait 45 minutes, then realize that it isn't working. Take yet another pill, and (another) 45 minutes later realize that I am over-medicated relative to my pain. When my doctor asked me how I was getting on with the Actiq, my answer was, 'Actiq gave me my life back.'"

• bel...
• November 24, 2011

Fentanyl for Pain "My doctor recently put me on the Duragesic patches. For years, I have tried many other medications with nothing positive to say about them, until now. I tried the patch and automatically thought it was great. I put the patch on, and it seemed like even though it says 72 hours, it really only helped for 48. I made my doctor aware of these concerns, and he instructed me to replace the patch every 48 hours and placed me on a breakthrough medication. Since then, I have actually been comfortable for the first time since my accident. I think the patch is great!"

• wm0...
• November 21, 2013

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I have been on the 75 mcg Fentanyl patch for about four years now. I've had problems finding pharmacies that carry my patches, so I hope they aren't taking them off the market. But they have helped me a lot with my back before and after surgery. I switch them every 48 hrs, otherwise, I start going through withdrawal."

• Bos...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 25, 2015

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "They have been good and bad for myself, mostly good. I was in an accident that messed up my back, and surgery hasn't been an option at this point. I started out probably like everyone, taking way too many Vicodin to Percocet to OxyContin, it got to be a fistful of pills every day. Made me feel like a junkie. I can honestly say I would probably be dead if it weren't for the patches. I change them every 48 hours, and I've been on the same dose for about 8 years. My biggest worry/complaint is that I'm physically dependent on them and vivid dreaming, it's kinda freaky, and being sleepy sometimes, but the pain is tolerable. I'm on the PAP program (Patient Assistance Program) for low income, so it doesn't cost anything. They are very expensive."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2010

Fentanyl for Pain "I have been in pain management for almost a year now, before, I was just being treated by a variety of different doctors: primary, neurologist, nerve experts, and so on. Finally, I asked for a referral to pain management for injection therapy. I have been on every pain medicine out there. I have a bulging disc between C4 and C5, occipital neuralgia, and severe right sciatic neuropathy in my right leg below my knee. Now, I am on 50 mg of Fentanyl every 48 hours and was told by the doctor to leave the old patch on when I put on the new one at bedtime and remove the old one in the morning because it takes about 8-12 hours before the medicines from the patch are fully in your system. I have to use Tegaderm films to keep the patch on, but it seems to work okay. I have Vicodin for breakthrough."

• pod...
• October 12, 2011

Fentanyl for Breakthrough Pain "I have MS, and one of my symptoms is severe pain with muscle spasms. It gets so bad as to completely debilitate me, where I am unable to stand, sit for long periods of time, and walk up or down stairs. This medication is life-saving for me. It has allowed me to return my functioning so that I am mobile again. I can walk up stairs, work out for short periods of time, and live a fairly functional life where I can go to the store, walk around, and attend family functions."

• B1a...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 12, 2013

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "'Duragesic' is an excellent chronic pain medication: no euphoric issues following the first couple of weeks of use and initial body adjustment, etc., steady pain relief with minimal 'ups and downs' in effectiveness (i.e., breakthrough pain). However, myself, as with many users, find that it is necessary to change the patch every 48 hours, vs. the potential 72 hours (i.e., obviously this is with your doctor's approval). Also, putting the patch on takes a degree of practice and again, as with many, find it necessary to cover it with an approved '3M Tegaderm Cover' to prevent premature loss of adhesion."

• Pat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I am a retired dentist and have been prescribed fentanyl for over 10 years. Starting with Actiq, then Duragesic, and now compounded transmucosal fentanyl lozenges. I have CRPS (chronic regional pain syndrome) for 20 years. My dosage slowly increased over time, minimizing the side effects. Currently, the only side effect is decreased testosterone from the long-term use. All other symptoms can be attributed to my condition. While it doesn't completely treat the pain, in most cases, it lowers it 2 to 3 steps on the McGill pain index (which is better than all other narcotics used). It was most effective when used with an intrathecal pump, but I no longer use one. Currently, I am taking it by pen pain and it is well tolerated. There is no altered mental state, drowsiness, or constipation. The lack of constipation is due to IBS. The main issue is the cost since chronic pain is not a primary indication and insurance uses that to deny payment (currently $5,500.00/month)."

• rsd...
• June 2, 2010

Fentanyl for Breakthrough Pain "I'm in the same situation, my insurance stopped paying for Fentora. Their response is that Fentora is used only for cancer patients. If there are more people in this situation, please write. RSD is a terrible illness, in my opinion."

• 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."

• joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2012

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I was on the Fentanyl patches for approx. 3 months. The 1st month was good, though no patch ever lasted 3 days. My doc updated my script to changing them every 48 hrs. By the third month, no patch was lasting more than 30 hrs, and I was going through withdrawals so bad on the 2nd day that I have been switched to methadone pills for pain. I also had trouble with the patches staying on during showers."

• ser...
• July 30, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I shattered my L1 in 1997, they put me on OxyContin 40, 150 a month, but I was always running out. Then the doctor put me on methadone as well, but I was on the nod all the time and sleeping. Then I went to a pain management doctor for prolo injections, and he took me off the meds I was on and put me on the 100 patch, but it was not enough, so he put me on 200 ml every 48 hours. If it wasn't for the doctor and the fentanyl, my mother, who is 78, would still be outside shoveling the driveway in the winter. I have a life now because of the patch."

• Lov...
• April 19, 2013

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I started at the 12.5 mcg/hr but had to increase to 25 mcg/hr. I was amazed at how well they worked, the pain was almost gone 80-90% of the time. I have found that already the pain is creeping back, I'm not sure if it's because I need a stronger patch or because they fall off so easily. I have even tried heating it with my blow dryer to get it hot enough to stick again, it worked only once. I'm going to have my Dr. read your comments, he doesn't believe that they don't stick the full 3 days. I have to go the 3rd day without a patch so it coincides with my scripts. What do you do when you swim in the summer, take it off while in the pool? Thank all of you for your reviews, I appreciate them."

• Suz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2014

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "This medicine was covered for me by Workers' Compensation when I was taking it, but they decided that they would not pay for it any longer. This decision was made and introduced statewide, and doctors were instructed to prescribe something else for their patients. It has been a terrible decision because pills are not nearly as effective as the patches, and sadly I am not financially capable of paying for the patches myself. I would love to have the patches back, they are an excellent product."

• b0y...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2013

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I have been using the 50 now for 4 months. I do regularly wake up, and the bed is soaked in sweat. The patches never work for 3 days, and on the 3rd day, I am back on my Norco. I have found that if I shower 1-1.5 hours prior to a new patch and hold it in place, they stick much better. The pain relief is much better than the Norco, but I recently noticed a wheezing cough that is getting worse. It could be allergies, but I am wondering if others have had the massive sweats. I still work, and sometimes, if in a position I know that would be painful without the patch."

• 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."

• REI...
• November 21, 2013

For Pain "I was first prescribed oxycodone 5 mg/2 tabs/twice daily, as required. Then put on the 25 mg/mgh fentanyl patches. They were a godsend. The only problem I had was that every 50 hours (on average), they would stop working. I had to have someone from Mylan send me a letter to show to my doctor in order to change to every 48 hours."

• Gun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2015

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I've had back problems for about 5 years now. I'm scheduled to undergo my 3rd surgery in a month. I've taken every pain medication on the market. My last concoction was 60 mg OxyContin twice a day and 30 mg Roxicodone 6 times a day as needed for breakthrough pain. I also took 10 mg Valium every night. About 2 months ago, my neurosurgeon recommended the Fentanyl patch. I was a little skeptical, but I trust my doctor, so I agreed. My initial dose was one 50 mcg/hr patch every 72 hours. I experienced some relief, but still needed my breakthrough medication at least twice a day. After 2 weeks, my dose was increased to one 75 mcg/hr patch every 48-72 hours depending on my pain. I now have my life back and rarely need my breakthrough medication."

• GBS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I have a Pars defect and spondylolisthesis at L5-S1, and also a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare autoimmune form of peripheral neuropathy). I had been taking 120 mg/day of MS-Contin and 60 mg/day of oxycodone (along with gabapentin and a muscle relaxer). Switching to the patch (75 mcg changed every 48 hrs) has made a big difference - I actually have mornings where I wake up not in awful pain! I've been able to be more mobile, more independent, and have even been able to lower my daily oxycodone intake to 50 mg. It was kind of tricky at first to find the best places to put the patch. Also, I learned Mylan (maker of the generic patch I use) will send covers so you don't have to buy the Tegaderm ones; just contact them through their website."

• LA8...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2016

For Chronic Pain "My experience with the patches is that they work amazingly if you get the right dose and the correct brand. The matrix patches are junk, you are lucky if they stay on after 24 hours if you take a shower and happen to have oily skin. Now the gel patches work extremely well - the adhesive for some reason is way better. I read over some comments also about what classifies 48 hours to 72 hours, and that would be your physician. Also, if you really read the papers that come in your boxes of fentanyl, you will notice that the pharmacokinetics of the patch over the 72 hours, the first 24 are okay, then from 24 to 48 is peak working condition, then they start to taper off, and this is what you need to explain to your physician. Show paperwork & pain diary. Hope that helped."

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2013

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "Spinal fusion pain is often severe while usually moderate. My doctor prescribed 100 mcgs for the usual 72 hrs., but after about 6 weeks of use, I entered into painful, often agonizing withdrawal symptoms during the night and had to replace my lost, misplaced patch. Pain relief is satisfactory, but I find the transdermal system's adhesion properties unreliable at best. Tegaderm adhesive film is essential for extra security while holding the patch to the skin. Unfortunately, my fentanyl patches are vulnerable to moisture and prematurely weaken, even with the added film."

• Sno...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2014

Fentanyl for Chronic Pain "I was on 25 mcg/72 hours (then every 48 hours) for RSD/CRPS along with Norco for breakthrough pain. This medicine worked great for about the first month or two, then stopped. For some reason, my body stopped processing it properly, and it quit helping me at all. And the side effects were awful (namely weight gain and horrible sweating!). Also, getting the patches to stay on, even with the overlays (sent free from Mylan - the brand my pharmacy stocked - just call Mylan to get them) was difficult, especially with all the sweating. Happy to be getting off this. Hoping to find something else that will work without the side effects of Fentanyl."

• Mag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 30, 2019

For Chronic Pain "I have been using fentanyl for the past 7 years for chronic pain. By far, it has been the most effective against my pain. Before using it, I was on all other strong medications, none of them worked for me. I use a transparent adhesive to help hold it in place, and it works. Because of people misusing opioids, my pain management doctor felt it was better to have me change it one day sooner instead of increasing my dose. I’m currently using 50 mcg every 48 hours."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2011

Fentanyl for Pain "The pain patch works well for me, as I am disabled and don't work. I do have a problem with excessive sweating and keeping the patch on for 48 hours. The best thing I have used for keeping the patches on is benzoin tincture. This works great for me when nothing else worked. My doctor recommended I try it, and boy, I'm glad I did! Can be found in any pharmacy for around $5.00."