duragesic pain patch

I was just wondering if anyone has used duragesic pain patches. My oncologist is recommending I use these patches from ongoing pain from tumors. I am a little nervous about using the patches but I am also over the pain. The pain has restricted my lifestyle. Going to go the grocery store or running errands has become difficult and I am no longer able to go to the gym. Has anyone had problems with these patches? If you used the patches, how long did you use them? Julie

[Angie1992]

Hello, I hope you find relief from the pain.  You should not have to suffer with all your going through. I used the patches for about 6 mths at the first half of last year when a chemo I was on caused my fistula great pain.  I started out on the lowest patch and worked my way up to the highest patch because nothing would touch the pain.  I was also taking Oxy drops (which are immediate relief), oxy in pill form, and ibuprofin (all together at different times).  It helped me sleep and when I tried to go without the patch, I discovered it did help take the edge off, but nothing took the pain away completely when it was at its worst.  The pain stopped soon after the chemo did.   One thing I will caution, slowly take yourself off anything for pain with the assistance from you doctor.  I couldn't wait to stop those drugs and when the pain subsided, I went off everything at once (yes, dumb) I suffered a few days from withdraw and then started taking the oxy pills again and weened myself off them for about two weeks.  I don't recall anything adverse about the patches, but with all that medication, I made sure I had a lot for constipation.  Sending prayers for relief, Angie

[Tybear]

I tried the Fentanyl patches as well for about a month or a little more. I did find them helpful but like Angie said, they really only helped take the edge off not get rid of the pain completely. I went off of them only because I was admitted to the hospital and they found it difficult to give me IV pain meds with the patch on.
I'm actually thinking about trying them again...I feel the same way you do. Grocery shopping has become such an effort...heck, taking a shower almost knocks me down! I did two loads of laundry today and was done - it doesn't take much.
All I know is that living with pain is no fun - life is too short.
Best of luck,
Becky

[westajul]

Thanks for the information and advice. I am thinking if holding off on trying the patch for a few days. I had chemo today and I am a little nasaeus(sp?) and because of hydrocodone I am already dealing with constipation. I want to disucss some things with my oncologists first...Make sure taking Miralax and colace are ok while using the patches and also discuss how the patches and hydrocodone will affect my liver ( that is where one of the tumors is located) . Julie