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Chronic pain from Hydrocodone to Duragesic patch

Due to chronic pain I was put on Hydrocodone (Loritab 750)  I  was prescribed 2 a day 500mg to start then 2 a day 750 up to 3 a day all in a 2 year period.  Just recently because of my drs concern for the tylenol affect to my liver I now use the Duragesic Patch 50 mg which has been such a relief...I am able to do almost anything without worrying about the pain I will feel tomorrow.  The dr was happy to give me the patch and I am happy to have it.  What is this doing to me physically...he even remarked that my dosage would be upped as my tolerance needed it. I expect to be on medically supervised narcotic pain relievers for the rest of my life.  Having no side affects now and  several people have commented 'if you are in chronic pain the medication goes to the pain and not to form an addiction' this doesn't sound possible to me...appreciate your opinion on this.  Thank you
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Avatar universal
You are so very young to be so troubled but you aren't letting stop you. I also was just in Mt late 20's when I had my first back surgery. I'm now at 3 cervical fishing and two lower back surgeries. 7 hand surgeries for osteoarthritis due to a Lyme's infection. Weaning yourself slowly is so very wise. But grad school says you have the mind to make it through. Good luck to you. I got off fentanyl and am day 6 off norco 10/325's. Still ***** but think I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
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Avatar universal
I am still going through withdrawl.  Norco and Fentanyl patches. I am in my second week I find taking hot baths with epsom salts gives me some relief.  Other than that, make sure to eat and drink.   I drink a lot of gatoraide..


Hope you feel better
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Avatar universal
My doc put me on duragesic. Rapid tolerance build up and lots of breakthrough pain. Upped the patches then had me leave on old patch and put on new ones in 2 days. What a slippery slope! I weaned myself off of them. Try yoga. A gentle series to work your back and strengthen your bore. It does help the pain.
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11635177 tn?1420022782
My insurance covers my fentanyl 50mcg/h transdermal system patches at the cost of only $2.50 for 2 packs of 5. If you are having a issue with coverage then try silverscript. I have medicare/medicade and that is all I pay monthly. I have been on just about every pain medication under the sun and the patches feel as if they were sent with the grace of god. They are by far the best most effective pain med I have ever used and I don't have 2 worry about the organ damage from the pain pills. I had 2 back surgeries & a neck surgery and I have been suffering with pain for almost decade until they put me on these. "thank u jesus". No more pills; Yeah! and they work way better.
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5682326 tn?1372283123
Trying to research the pros and cons of Fentanyl patch.  I have read thru most of these comments and still don't know if I am ready to go on this patch thing.  I've been on Hydrocodone 10/325 @ 5 a day, for about 5 months now.  Had back surgery, rotator cuff with 4 tears, hysterectomy, thumb ligament tear repair, so...pain is with me every day.  The rotator cuff was what finalized my need for daily pain meds.  My new PC doc wants me to go on the patch.  I'm not so sure I want to do that.  He's worried about my liver, but I've not been on Hydro long enough to be doing major damage yet.  Just unsure that the patch will relieve the pain for me.  
Mail Lady...rural type
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Avatar universal
I would love to know what everyones causes are for the pain.  Mine is forty years of fibromyalgia.  Just got my first lyrica pill yesterday and it seems to be helping some but is it addictive
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Avatar universal
Saw your post from 2010 re fentanyl, back fracture and fusion, ms--and it could hv been written by me. We were even diagnosed w/MS the same year (89). My burst fracture of L 1 and emergency fusion was may 2012.

Iam replying because you asked if others hv been on fentanyl as long. Since 2002 I've used it at various strengths for a string of injuries (klutzy and brittle bones)., currently like you I wear 2 100 mcg fen. 48 hrs like you. Oxycodone for breakthrough .  I worry the two make me hibernate too" much, not returning friends' call sd, just lazing with a book and. feeling guilty about it. I do not hv kids like you and sympathize. My pain control is fine and doc says he"d go along with me reducing or stopping the pills, but says the patches are not causing the lethargy.  
he started me on nuvigil today (actually tomorrow). Rt Maybe it will help get me back in the world. I know at least part or even most of my problem is MS fatigue. Do you hv ms fatigue rx orp know how nuvigil is? Hope you are doing better than when you posted. I joined this site just to get in touch with you so hope this will find you. luna
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Avatar universal
I have had lupus for about 30 years and it is destroying every joint, bone, and organ it can reach.  50+ surgeries and 20 pathological fractures in the last 2 yrs have left me nearly bed ridden, destroying my marriage (my husband left because he !!!! was miserable!!) and almost taking my life. Fentynal patches are my life saver.  After being on them for over 20 yrs I am at 175 mcg every 48 hrs.  My only insurance is medicare and I have hit their doughnut hole where you pay full price!!  It's been quite a delema for me.  The drugs or the death wish pain.  It is a miracle drug with some negative benefits!  I guess we all have to make that horrible decision. I worked in medical research for 20 +yr and stay involved.  If you have questions email me at ***@****
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Avatar universal
Dear Canuck, I am responding to your interests in pain relief. I have pretty severe Fibromyalgia, or to those who don't know this... Muscle tension disorder, which turns into daily migraines, puking, TMJ, etc. I have been chronic for over 10 years. Before they put me on vicodin, I did the battery of drug trails with huge side affects (doubling my weigh size in 6 months, high blood pressure, etc) the best thing i did was get into a pain clinic so I could not only learn how narcs work, but try natural meds, meditation, pool therapy, bio feed back, tens unit.  Some worked some didn't. After a long 3 weeks they put me on vicodin. Since then I am doing x4 a day 750/325. It's ok. I don't get "high anymore" it just is. The break thru is the hard part. Oxy wasn't good - took too long to work and major constipation. So now I just us ice, warm baths and dermipatches (for muscle relief - they are sooo great) Anyways, you will constantly be lectured on the narc issue, but I do believe it can work but know that there is more things out there and you can only know YOU. Best of luck. Thank you for protecting our country.


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Avatar universal
I had Cervical Spine Fusion C-2-3. 3-4, 5-6 a year ago, I have very limited range of motion in my neck, severe muscular pain in my neck, lower skull and shoulders, and muscle/pain spasms.  This has also had a negitive effect on my severe degenerative disk in my lumbare spine, because I must twist my body at the waist to see to the right or left.  I also work 40+ hours a week and am on my feet most of the day.  I have had PT, use a tens unit nightly, and been on Norco 10/325 for a year.  I do not get over 4-5 hours sleep due to pain.  My Dr. now wants me to try the Fentanyl Patches, and I'm very apprehensive.  After ready these post, I'm more concerned than ever!  Should I follow my gut instict and live with the pain?
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2045301 tn?1330064582
I Have been a SEVERE car crash in 85' broke Neck,Back & partially tore off Rt Arm @Shoulder. Then in 05',06' & 2011 is was Rearend ea time while I was stopped @ light. & took Shrapnel in Rt arm in Desert Storm so I have my share of PAIN. I was started off on Darvocet then moved quickly to Morphone 15 mg x 4day for near 8yrs,now I am tollerant to morphine as it does nothing to help. So I was put on (240) 10mg/325 Hydrocodone (L-Tab) monthly as well as (240) 10mg Oxycodone monthly for break through pain for near 8 years. I also had a ANS SPINAL STIMULATOR IMPLANT & do to it did not help & the risks of it on my spine were to great so Dctrs agreed to remove it. Im in Chronic pain that until recently my pain level was say a 5 every day but now im @  9 or 10  out of 1 to 10 Daily. Docs tried 40mg Oxycotin x 3day and felt no relief of pain so then tried a Stronger (class 2) EXALGO 16mg x3day which is designed for people thats tollerant to meds & it was total waste for it done nothing, now Doc said there is nothing else made thats any stronger other than the Fentanyl patch. I start next week @ a low dose of 12mg for 3days then increase it pending its results. Im waiting for Neuro surgeon to see about severing lower nerves @ L3,L4, L5 & S1 for temp relief of a yr or less. But I have been on everything almost for 27 years & this Girl is at her wits end. Is this Fentanyl patch im going on going to help being I been on Strong Meds 4 so long. I hope so cause I been bed ridden for 4months since accident & even 6 Vacet injections then 8 Epiderals in 1 treatment next month & felt No relief from either. Doctr said Im rare where im tollerant to everything in pill form & may have to just deal with the pain 4rest of my life. Anyone have ideas or opinion. God bless all you guys that hurt like me. Nikki  :-)
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Avatar universal
Been on Endocet for almost four years after pneumothorax and chronic nerve pain. Doctor has been very hard to deal with and more concerned about himslef and the addiction angle than the management of my pain. I would advise anyone who has a Doctor such as this take charge and find the right help early in the game. Four years in and I still live with pain and a Doctor who does not understand that it is not an addiction to drugs he istreating but rather the management of pain.When you have chronic nerve pain, addiction is the leat of your worries. Take charge of your well being and raise hell until you get your pain under control.
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1759334 tn?1312922663
This is my first post here and wanted to share my experience with the "Patch"! Almost 12 yrs ago I was hit by a car while walking in a parking lot to go into a bank and pay my mortgage. Basically, I was taken into the ER. My upper thighs and legs were bruised and my back hurt like hell. (lower back). The ER put me on ES Vicodin and muscle relaxers. A year goes by and I'm put on every pain med. out there. None seemed to help with the pain in my lower back. Another year goes by and the pain is unbearable! So my doctor at the time tries me on Fentanyl 25mcg. every 3 days needed to be changed. WOW!! This medicine gave me my life back! I was in disbelief! About 5-6 months go by, the patch isn't working like it used to, so I'm bumped up to the 50mcg. This continues within the next year until I'm put up to the 100mcg, plus instead of changing them every 3 days, I change them every 2 days. A few more months go by, and they put me on the brand patch named "Duragesic". YES! These brand patches worked wonderful! That was 10 years ago and as of today, 08/09/11 I'm still on the Duragesic 100 mcg patch and still change them every 2 days. Along with the patches, I'm on generic Percocet 10/325mg. The Percocet 10/325 I've been on for 5 years now, same dosage. About 7 years ago my Pain Management Doctor tried to take me off the 100mcg duraesic and put me on Opana ER 30mg. He swore to me that I would not have any withdrawal symptoms from the duragesic whatsoever! Well, I took my last patch off and it happened to be a Friday night. About 8 hours later I started to feel like somebody threw my entire body off a 5 story building, and instead of dying, lived through all that pain, if I were in fact dropped from a building and survived. The pain was excruciating! And then to top it off, my entire body felt like my skin was actually crawling. Then the restless legs started, and that was so intense I couldn't quite screaming. I remember laying upstairs in bed so I wouldn't scare my kids to death and my husband was there with me. The next thing I knew, I'm waking in an ambulance. They brought me to the ER and for 4 hours straight I was tied down to a bed, not given anything medication wise, and all I could do was scream out loud because my legs were running in place and the pain in my body was so bad. The hospital finally contacted my pain doctor. They did not tell him I had seizures or anything that I was going though, so my dr told them to keep me on opana. The ER wrote a script for some pills that kept me sleeping for 3 days straight, enough to get over the withdrawals. Finally, I woke 3 days later and my back felt like it was literally broken. I tried to take the opana er for two days to see if it would help any of my pain just a little, and nothing! So I called my dr's office, explained to them everything that went on the Friday night before. They asked my if I could go up to the office and see my pain doctor as soon as possible. My doctor was furious because the hospital didn't tell him what exactly happened. I went 6 days off the Duragesic patch and used only the Opana ER plus whatever the hospital gave me to sleep for 3 days straight. So fortunately, I had to be put back on the 100mcg Duragesic patch and Percocet 10/325. We went and got my scripts filled. I put one patch on in the bathroom at Walgreen's and took a percocet when I got in our truck. Within 30-40 minutes, all my pain, the jitters I had and the over all ****** feeling I had were gone!!! Now, that was about 7 yrs ago and as of today, I am still on the same exact medications. The Duragesic 100mcg and the Percocet 10/325 for breakthrough pain. My pain issues are still here, and getting worse. I had a 45 minute CT Scan about 5 months ago, and it shows that my condition is getting a lot worse! I now see a new pain doctor as of a month ago because my old pain doctor wouldn't up my medications. So this Friday I have an appt. with my new pain doctor and I hope and pray he'll up my meds. for me in hopes that it will help having a higher dosage. I was told my my primary care physician that with chronic pain, the highest dosage of Duragesic one can go up to is the 100mcg. unless one has cancer or another life threatening disease they claim a patient can go up to 400mcg if need be. Now, what scares the hell out of me is, if this 100 mcg if the highest does I can go up to, then why in the hell did the all these physicians bring me up to the 100mcg within a 1 yr. period?  Every since I've been on the percocet 10/325 I've been given 120 a month which is 4 a day. Why not raise the percocet to 6 a day or 8 a day? I get my liver checked every few months and my liver is in good condition. I'm only 41, and over the next 5-10 years what am I going to do for pain relief if nobody is willing to raise the Duragesic patch anymore than 100mcg that I've been on for 10 yrs now? So, the reason for my post is to let everyone out there in chronic pain know for one, what has happened to me can happen to you, and secondly, the Duragesic/Fentanyl patches are a wonderful medication for pain, but after 10 yrs of being on this medication and up to the 100mcg dosage, what is there for us next to use for pain relief? If your considering using the patches for pain, please talk to your doctor about how high a dose you can go up to. Just please be careful please!  Be safe, get all the facts and information you can get before starting and stopping the Duragesic/Fentanyl patches, and don't let any physician tell you that a pill will take the place of the patch and give you know withdrawls or side effects. Take it from me, I went through pure hell when mine tried to switch me from Duragesic 100mcg to Opana ER 30mg. Just the restless legs were enough to make me want to end my life, and this is not a joke! Again, be careful, and if you want/need to get off Fentanyl/Duragesic, taper please!

Sincerely,
Fran from Virginia
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Avatar universal
DON'T START. If you have started, get of them by tapering of them now.
I ended up taking 200 mg every 72 hours, then every 60 hours,eventually my body needed the patch every 24 hours. I realized that there was no way I could take enough to satisfy my craving for it and checked into a rehab center.
I detoxed from fentynl, vicodin, xanax  and another med that I can't recall; it was an absolute hell to detox. I do not think I could survive another event like this one again. Please stay away from them, I implore you,    
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Avatar universal
I have been using the 100 MCG Fentanyl/Duragesic patch changing every 48 hours for 8 years now, with Dilaudid or Norco for break through pain...I was changed from the Dilaudid to the Norco when I felt my pain relief was not sufficient.  I have an L5-S1 fusion after the S1 vertebrae snapped off of my spinal column at the facets.  the vertebrae was completely broken off suspended by ligaments.  The surgery was the most horrible pain I have ever been through in my life! Prior to that I had several fusions in my cervical spine for badly herniated disks.  I have to be very careful for anything I do because the facets, the bones that link the vertebrae, have fractures throughout my spine, and believe me I don't want to break any vertebrae again.  I was pushing a parent type grocery cart, where both of my kids were sitting on it and I had several 25 packs of diet pepsi in the cart - well, I heard a loud crack and the pain was so bad I went down to the floor.  I was 36 then.  Several months after the trauma and surgery, the multiple sclerosis I was diagnosed with in 1989 came out of remission, which has made things worse for me because there is a lot of pain with having MS. I also have fibromyalgia, degenerative spine disease and osteoarthritis.  I go to a pain clinic for my pain therapy and medication for the entire time now.  I read a lot about people in this forum using the Duragesic patch and I would like to know if there is anyone out there who has been using the patch as long as I have and how they are doing on it.  It doesn't get rid of my pain completely because I have a lot of nerve damage in back as a result of broken vertebrae.  With the medication I take, I get relief at about a 4 or 5 out of 10, where 10 means the worst pain ever.  I recently found out that I have a lot of damage at the C2 level, in my cervical spine, which is causing a tremendous amount of pain, despite pain medications.  I would appreciate any one sharing their experiences who have been on pain medications long term, especially with the Fentanyl patch, and also, how people cope with severe pain that keeps them up at night (in my neck) even though I am on a strong dose of pain medication.  Bless  You All and Thank You So Much!
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Avatar universal
Anyone ever use Humira for pain associated with back surgery with rod placement.  My hands are swollen, tingling and hurt like no body's buisness.
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Avatar universal
I just read your last post. I'm really afraid... I'm currently using 75mcg patches every 48 hours. I start to withdraw on these at around 40 hours. I hate duragesic for all of the reasons you describe. I must have a strong family as I wouldn't put up with someone as labile as I am. I've used these patches for 2 years and originally loved them.
I reluctantly started duragesic after my doctor and others told me they wouldn't be like Oxycontin. That's another story...

My doctor at that time prescribed what was considered maximum dosage Oxycontin for RSD and Body pain. He then literally disappeared. Left town……None of the other docs in that group would continue my treatment and I locked myself at home and began cold turkey. I almost died.

Now I'm seeing all of these horror stories and I don't know if I can do this again. My doc thinks I'm whining about the duragesic. I'd really like to be human again. I used to be considered a high energy, type A kind of person. Now I don't want anyone else to see me like this.

Thanks for letting me rant. I have no one to talk to that understands

Mark F

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Avatar universal
I finally weaned off Duragesic patches after being a zombie for 6 years. Until I went from 75 to 50 to 25mcgs I didnt even realize it was this drug making me so inert that all I did was lay in bed. I have fibromyalgia and other problems. After I myself decided to wean, I stupidly assumed Id still get my 4 vicodin a day which I have taken for 8 years. dumb me, I was left with horrible withdrawals beyond belief, thinking my only relief would be death. I tried some weird drug called Savella which is just a prozac but the FDA approves it for fibro, not narcotics, which is the only thing that helps this debilitating pain. Someday if enough people kill themselves maybe the FDA will finally approve narcotics for fibro. I relented big time today and got a 10mg Kadian scrip. I hate myself. But Duragesic withdrawal is worse than words can say. Im glad its over. I feel like ME again. I just hurt, never sleep and lost 10lbs. Until narcotics are not abused by druggies those of us who need them will contemplate suicide when our doctors refuse to prescribe real relief. I live in a rural area anyway I hope in 2 years I will relocate to a normal city and get away from doctors who accuse suffering souls of being drug addicts. But I would never take Duragesic again withdrawals are still going on and I took off the last 12mcg patch 10 days ago.
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Avatar universal
Long story short:

Torn rotator cuff - Botched Shoulder surgery - Norcos, Oxycodone, Soma, Xanax, etc...

I am still trying to wean off of these...

When I have a level 10/10 or higher in pain I take just 1 Toradol and the pain is gone within 30 minutes.

The amazing thing is Toradol is not a narcotic but is the most amazing pain reliever I have ever taken!

Toradol is the way to go but be carefull it is very hard on the stomach if taken daily causing ulcers in some cases.

Good luck, I know how hard it is to battle the pain every day, sometimes I just want it to end...
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Avatar universal
The comment of the patch coming off of the skin has happened alot to me. Because I am active and it is hard to keep on. I wish now I would have never started the patch because I feel it will be hard to get my body off of it. I am going to ask my Dr. on Friday to start lowering my dosage. The patch helped my pain at first now it doesn't. I am so scared and afraid I will have to go to rehab because I will become really sick. I know my Dr. will try to work with me. Has anyone ever had to go to a rehab center to get off this patch. I also take 6 500mg lortab usually daily. I want to get off of that too. I will take any suggestions anyone has for me. Please!!
God Bless everyone!!
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870151 tn?1239677917
I was on Oxycontin and when that became not as effective my dr. put me on the Fentanyl patch. They were wonderful at first but if you are in anyway active, I have a warning for you. One patch is supposed to last 3 days. If you move around alot or sweat it will come loose. If you lose the patch from your skin, you lose 3 days of medicine. This was a problem for me. I am not warning you off of them, I am just warning you of what can happen if you are in anyway an active person. Good luck
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Avatar universal
I am currently taking fentanyl patch 75mg. every 48 hours and lortab 500mg. around 6 a day. I still have awful back pain and am going to tell my Dr. I want to be taken off both of them or weaned off. I am a different person on the medications especially the patch it makes me very lethagic and tired and I still have back pain!!! I am so frustrated I want to live a normal drug free life. Does anyone have any advice for me?
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401095 tn?1351391770
nor sure about that one...i am a chronic pain patient...Did the narcotics go to my pain or did the do a left turn and go to my addiction...did a left turn on me...i dont think anything is so cut and dry...some chronic painers are addicts...some non-chronic painers are addicts...it is a fuxzz uup in the receptors of ur brain and i dont think jusr because u have an accident and have chronic pain for life or just because u develop degenerative disc disease, make that addiction marker go away...

so what we are is unfortunate..to have chronic pain and an addict....most painers treated by doctors are not addicts,,,we think almost everyone is cos we are but the turth is most take pain medication without abuse nor crave the high..some do not even like the high/altho all have the postential to become physically addicted but not as easily as we do/it is just not in their genetic make up
..if u do like the high and find urself using even when the pain is not too bad..using to feel good that day and get more done then the questions need to be asked to urself...it is not true that a chronic painer can not be an addict..cos i am one
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Avatar universal
Listen my husband was addicted to herion for years and the only thing that ever helphim was suboxone  it is a drug that stops your body from going through with drawls from herion you use it on a program to get clean but i feel that maybe it will help some of you it has a blocker unlike methadone that you can still get high off of while on. It blocks the high you get from pain pills and allows you tomove on with your life just a quick message look into it at your local drug rehab clinics, its  for those who are ready to quit b ut can deal with the withdfrawls
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