Chronic pain from Hydrocodone to Duragesic patch

[Hippiealways]

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

[Lunamaya]

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

[thespiritmom]

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 ***@****

[hollywood01]

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.

[Grammaof5]

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?

[ladynickie]

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  :-)

[JR23JR]

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.