On Duragesic 100"s

Does anyone have longterm experience on the Duragesic Patch?  I'd like to speak with any long time users.

[GoingToMakeIt]

This is the 'social side' of the forum. You will get much faster responses on the other side. Substance Abuse Addiction Community. Go to the link at the top of the page.

[cat9841]

I don't know if its the same kind of patch, but I was on the fentanyl patch for like 6 monts, been off 23 days. My dr gave me the 25 mg patch for pain due to a slipped disk in my spine, I went to the 50 mg patch for a few months. I had the surgery on Dec 20, only 2 months ago. I really liked the weight I was loosing and thought I'd stay on them longer, but the side effects were unbearable for me. I was sweating constantly and then my skin was so irritated that I couldn't stand it anymore. I took off the 50 mg patch one night and put on a 25 mg patch as I heard we had to taper down. I only left it on a day and a half. I pulled it off in the evening on thursday and friday morning when I woke up I was shaking really bad. for 8 days I had bad w/d. I called everyone and was very anixous and scard to death. my husband took a week off work. on day 4, I went to the dr and the dr wanted me to put on another patch, but it was day 4.  if it had been the first day I probably would have, but by day 4 I was afraid to start over.  he did give me valium and something for nausa.  but I really didn't take to much of it. its over now and I feel so much better to be free of that w/d stuff. It was the worse thing. I never did drugs, never thought I'd have to go through that, but I did and I hope and pray I never have to go back on that drug or go through that again, it was a nightmare, I also had panic attacks till very recently, they seem to be going away.
don't take these patches if you can in anyway avoid them. and if you do and when you stop, taper down under a drs care, for me, I really thought it wasn't going to happen to me, but I got a wake up call.
CAT

[blondee68]

Hi, I have been on the Duragesic patch twice.  The first time was for severe migraine headaches, and I started at 25mcg, then went to 50mcg, then at some point I was on 75mcg, but I lost a bunch of weight so we went back to the 50's.  I thought all in all it was a good drug since you don't feel high on it, so it's not a craving type of thing, and it did help with my pain.  I eventually got off of it, by taking pills like Lortab, and Ultram and stuff, and for what I remember it wasn't too difficult. But, then I got prescribed it again for the bad car accident I had in August, of 07.  The new doctor tried pain pills and stuff, and eventually put me back on the patch at 25mcg, and then 50mcg.  I only stayed on it for like 2-4 months, because I really wanted to be off of the pills and the patch.  You know get back to normal. This was hard and it was just around Christmas, and I took off a 50mcg, and felt fine for the first 2 days, and on day 3, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE!!  I was at my very new job, and had to call someone to go to the house and pick up the patch and bring it to me.  I felt so weak, shaky, and like I was going to pass out most of that day.  I had the "feverish" feeling and just felt like I needed to go to bed forever.  I had the patch brought to me, put it on, and about 2 hours later I felt a good bit better.  So, I found a doctor where I just moved to, to help me taper off of the drug.  Obviously I couldn't do it cold turkey.  Don't do that!  She backed me to 25, then 12.5 and then off over like 6 weeks I think.  I feel pretty much back to normal now.  But I did suffer some w/d symptoms like the feverish feelings, and some pain too, but I made it, and for that I am so happy.

Like I said it was a good drug to be on, especially since you didn't feel messed up all the time, and it worked, but coming off was not fun!  I wish you luck, and feel free to email me if you want.  I am not sure if I answered your question or not.  
Take care and good luck!
Blondee68

[suppdawg]

I was on duragesic for 9 months for back pain. I can tell you I would never consider using duragesic again unless I was terminally ill. Quitting this medication was horrible.  I was shivering, vommiting, diaphrea and compleate malaise for a week or two.