Fentanyl Transdermal System for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anita...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 29, 2012

"I also have to change my patches, 100mcg, every 48 hours. It seems that the research of the patches lasting 72 hours may be faulty! I have been on the patches since 2003, starting at 100 mcg, and having to increase after a surgery to fuse cervical discs, and increased pain from Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc in lower back, cysts on kidneys & ovaries, and uterine fibroids. I never have problems with my patches falling off, even with the excessive sweating. I use Mylan brand."

• dpowell
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 14, 2012

"I had spinal fusion (L4-S2) and my doctor is stating I need to possibly have L2-L3 fused. My doctor had me on Norco and this did little and then while he was out of the office one day another doctor in his office saw me and put me on Fentanyl. At first it was great, I had the same problem everyone else had with patches only lasting 48 hours and it was impossible to find some place they would stay on. But later it was hard to regulate my body temperature, I would get burning hot and then cold and it wasn't because the patch was old or not on. This medication helps my pain more than anything else."

• Loggy
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 17, 2016

"Have Osteoarthritis, stenosis and poor lumbar discs. Medical retirement with Back at age 59, am 75 and have been on 75 or 100 mcg/hr Fentanyl Patches for 15 years. I take Hydrocodone/Acet. 10/325 mg. 2-4 times most days to supplement my up or down daily pain ride. Mylan patches best to adher and change EVERY 48 hrs. as prescribed. Take 2 to 4 1 mg. Alprazolams per day for anxiety. This recipe has given me a solid life for years. Only side effects ever have been a 'whoever' would fail to refill Alprazs. on time, then anxiety withdrawals are rough. Bottom Line: Fetanyl Patches are Life Savers."

• Bonne...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2016

"Years ago I was on the older formula of Fentanyl and it worked wonders with minimal dosage & breakthrough meds. After the companies reformulated the drug it isn't nearly as good as it used to be &has many more side effects, brand depending. Mylan works best for me as far as fewer side effects but none work for the 72 hours they are supposed to. Originally, my max dose was 75mcg for 1.5 years prior to surgery. This time I am up to 125mcg w/in the first year + 10/325 Norco 4x daily +muscle relaxers for auto fusion of L3-S1. Pain level on day 1 is @7, day 2 is @4, day 3 is @8. I have to put my new patches on before taking the old off or life is hell. Thanks to drug addicts, illegal activity & government interference Doc can no longer help."

• Martyh
• July 2, 2013

"This is a life saver for me and I have tried just about every type of Opioid out there. Sweating was the only issue but that went away after my first week of taking the medication. I would highly recommend it to any one with chronic pain."

• Blood...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2014

"Have been using Fentanyl for over 3 years now, and wonder what kind of shape I would be in if I hadn't been offered this medicine. It is definitely working for me and I am so glad I was a candidate for it."

• Texas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2014

"I have epilepsy and first ruptured a disc during a seizure about 4 years ago. I was on Norco, I think, until my Neuro saw how bad the imaging looked and put me on 50 mcg of fentanyl/72 hrs. Totally took care of my pain until I had surgery. About a year ago the pain came back worse than ever and after a bunch of tests I was referred to a PM doc. He started me on Vicodin until he could do an injection, but it barely touched my pain. Switched me to Oxycodone 10 mg/6 hrs. I was still hurting BAD and had a patch still, which I used. He put me on fentanyl. I needed a fusion, which I had 3 months ago. Pain still bad, on fentanyl 75/48 hrs and oxy. Tried Opana, didn't like it. Worst is sweats and weight gain, plus keeping patch on. Still, let's me live."

• jodyg...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 2, 2013

"I had C-4,5,6,7 fusion that went awry when they accidentally hit my spinal cord. I was originally put on 75's but my feet would hurt so bad in the morning. I read that it was due to too much in my system so I had them lower my dose to 25mg. But I put a new one on every 48 hrs. (leave them in place for 72) so I am basically putting a patch on every other day. I wear them on my chest area so they don't get rubbed a lot and tend to stay in place."

• b0ynsea
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2013

"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 could be allergies, but 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. "

• johndog
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2012

"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 30hrs, 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. "

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

"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 left leg. But, recently my Dr. put me on Fentanyl patch 25mcg/72 hour. It was amazing, I was pain free!! But, at a cost. I couldn't tolorate the side effects. For me? It affected my torso and abdomen area felt numb like Novacaine. It weakened my back and leg muscles. All within the first 16 days. I removed the (6th) patch then hospitalized, had a MRI of my brain to rule out Stroke. Almost complete loss of balance, using a cane. Started therapy to regain strength. No longer on the patch."

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

"I was on 25mcg/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."

• wm05
• November 21, 2013

"I have been on the 75 mcg Fentanyl patch for about four years now. I've have 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/after surgery I switch them every 48 hrs otherwise I start going through withdrawal."

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

"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."

• SuzLeik
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2014

"This medicine was covered for me by Worker's 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."

• agent...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 27, 2018

"Been taking Fentanyl for about 6 years now. Was on hydrocodone before this for about 10 years. At first it was great. 50mcg every 3 days. then to 75 then to 100mcg. I work very hard sometimes in 110f degree weather. The withdrawals are the worst thing I have ever experienced. No joke I just can't take it if my patch sweats away to fast. If you can do without it then do without it. The people that know what it feels like will agree it's absolutely horrific. Ever hear the phrase "pooping bricks". The people who tested this made that up that phrase - it is just like a brick. Lost weight and wish I would have never used it. Gets rid of 70% of my pain. Pain or withdrawals and side effects? I choose pain."

• Love...
• April 19, 2013

"I started at the 12.5mcg/hr but had to increase to 25mcg/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. "

• Eugene
• September 14, 2015

"Was on vicodin for years and was taking 8 a day. Doctors recommended Fentanyl. I got immediately relief. I have to apply 1 every 72 hrs. 100mcg. For me it works but doesn't last 72 hrs. Should be able to overlap. My breakthrough med is morphine codone. Wish I could find a breakthrough med that works for me. Chronic pain for 15-20 yrs."

• Gunman
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2015

"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 60mg OxiContin twice a day and 30 mg Roxicodone 6 times a day as needed for breakthrough pain. I also took 10mg Valium every night. About 2 months ago, my neurosurgeon recommended the Fentanyl patch. I was a little sceptical 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."

• Lasardo
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2014

"I have Crohn's Disease, 30 degree scoliosis, 14 reconstructive surgeries on my pelvis. Among many other issues. I was mainly put on it because a Crohn's patient does not absorb oral meds very well. The Mylan brand is the only one that works (change 48 hrs) but I sweat profusely! The doctor will not switch me. It does work for pain, yes, but getting them to stick while constantly sweating is another story."

• mnonl...
• August 22, 2013

"Made me itch to no end, itch all night itch all day. Lots of dry mouth, it did relieve pain and I liked the pain relief. As we all know they do not stay on for 3 days, after about 50 some hours it stop relieving pain."

• adrian...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2014

"I've had a spinal fusion on L3 L4 almost two years ago. I'm now on the wait for a disography because of my severe back pain which is getting worse over time I've been on fentanyl 100mcg for almost 4 years, the patches are having very little effect and am waiting to see my doctor to increase the dose. It has helped me reading about what other people are going through and that I'm not on my own with symptoms like profuse sweating and a dry mouth. I have no quality of life at the minute and hope by increasing my dosage I will be able to move around a bit more. I'm 44 years old, also has anybody else suffered with frequent bruising on the scar area of the operation. I'm topping my fentanyl up with tramadol."

• mare...
• March 23, 2015

"After L3,4,5s1 fusions,have been on 75 fentanyl every 72 hours,I would prefer every 48 but insurance gives a hard time.this drug let's me live a normal life, I use Norco for break through am so happy I have this fentanyl weaned off one time.lasted two weeks my pain Management doctor put me back on,immediate relief!!!"

• tsstorm
• October 9, 2014

"Having chronic pain in my whole spine they gave me the Fentanyl patch they started low dosage then they moved me up to 75mg. At this time in my life I was also had hot flashes. I seen no warnings nothing about that. Long story short after the second day I started withdrawing and that people is not a pretty site. I had no idea what was going on. So I never went back on it. There should be a warning to all doctors and pharmacies. I had to pull it off the internet to show my pharmacy."

• DB2017
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2017

"Was put on this medicine for lower back pain and was the biggest mistake of my life. Made me feel and look like a zombie. Got very skinny and pale in less then a month so I stopped using and got the worst detox of my life. Will never go back I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. It is mainly used for people that have cancer or terminally ill to tolerate the pain. Stay away unless you are on your deathbed. Not worth it. Trust me."