Ok...not sure about the Fentenyl Patch, the more I read......

Ok, I have my RX for the Patch 25mg. I was give 10 patches changing out every 3 days.  From a brand that starts with a V. I don't have them in front of me.  I have to admit I am scared to death at trying something else, and getting physically addicted to them to the point of needing more to get pain releive.  The  w/d symptoms from the patch when I decide I don't want to or need to be on them sounds like death.  And I don't even want to go there.  I am already physically dependent on the Vicodin, which I am taking 6 sometime 8 per day at 7.5 ES.  They do still work, but of course the more I take the better it works for my pain. I think that is too many so does my Doc. My RX is for 4 only per day and I have expressed to him I am having to take more.  So thats when the Patch subject came up to try.I have also been on Liquid Lortab for better absorbtion due to my anatomy maybe not absorbing all the Vicodin like it should.  But that made me sweat and fee a short drunkness, in and out of my system.  Didn't care for it.  And because it's liquid it was much easier to take a little more of it if wanted to.  Also not good.  Norcos work but again high Hydrocone and less tylenol.  I didn't seem to get good pain relief for very long, the combo if the Vicodin is better and last longer.  But more danger with the Tylenol.  When I don't have my Vicodin, or run out early. I take Tramadol, which is nothing better than Advil.  And I have been without anything and do experience some withdrawal symptoms that scare me to death.  It's really hard to physically be dependent on pills.  The patch, seeme so potent and strong, comming off of them seems to scaring to the point of not want to try them. My Doctor wants to do complete knee replacement, which is that is going to take me out of my pain. BUT I am only 38 which means I am looking at another Knee replacement in about 10-15 years..I have a 2 and 11 year old I try to be very active with. Recovering from surgery does not sound like what I mentally prepared for. Dependent on pills is not what I want either. But It's what happening and I dont' know what to do.  I can afford to loose some weight, which I'd done once in my life with a 165lbs weight loss,,, yeah me.  But since my 2 year old I have put on 60 lbs over the pregnancy and 2 years.  It is defenitaly hereditary for me...weight is always an issue and is a whole other subject which I plan on addressing here on this site for support.  This site is great and I am now addicted to it and all of it's information...Everyone seems very real and honest.  My family is not completely aware how dependent I am on the pills and hate the idea that I brought the patches home.  I currently stay with my Mom Dad and my 2 girls to help my parents out for a while. Which I love to do. But My Mom, is like" that is heroin".  Why would you were those patches.   For those of you who watch intervention, there was a girl on 2 nights ago addicted to cocaine, meth, and many other drugs.  Overdosed several times.  Her Mom helped her keep drugs in her system so she wouldn't w/d.  Once on the show when her daughter didn't have her Meth or Cocaine, Her mom went out brought back The Fentenyl Patch to help her daughter out. WOW...I really didn't need my Mom to see that episode and know that I have these same patches.  Also they are put away in a very safe place.. I DO NOT want my 2 year old to get curious which is a worry of mine also with the Patches in the house....Any advice is always appreciated.  

Happpy Wednesday to everyone...
Sonya

[designgyrl]

Hi Sonya,

Thanks for posting your thoughts.  First I want to tell you I have never dealt with fentenyl patches or anything that strong so I completely understand why you are scared of them.  I definitely would be scared too.  You've been very upfront and honest about your vicodin use and taking more than was prescribed, etc... Did you tell your doctor about feeling, it sounds as though you may think that you possibly could be addicted to them?  Is that what you are saying?  I also can understand being scared at letting your family know about the medication.  My family is definitely not supportive of me having a pain management doctor and my prescription is tramadol 120 per month and vicodin 7.5 120 per month.  My issues are my neck, back, kidneys, etc... and I've also had five surgeries on my left knee so I totally understand knee pain.  I'm glad you did tell your doctor that you felt you were needing more, it seems a lot of people don't tell their doctor and then run out early and are scrambling until their next prescription can be filled.  I've been pretty lucky to be able to switch between the tramadol and the vicodin.  My best friend was taking Opana, and dilaudid which are two types of morphine.  I'm 100% convinced that she was addicted.  She made a comment one day in the passenger seat of my car-- she tossed the pain bottle up in the air and quoted "yeah, morphine and it's legal" at that point I knew it was a bad situation.  She is now off the morphine but on all different types of medications.  I feel very sorry for her.  

Anyway, I'm sorry I don't know more about the patch, but wanted to tell you there is a substance abuse place on here too that if you have any feelings like that you can always browse through that area and see what you think.  I don't have that issue, but am also on the gastro sight.  

Please keep posting so people can respond.  It's interesting to hear what everyone opinion is and how much each one of us can help.  I post quite a bit and I know it makes me feel so much better.

Have a great day!

Sunshine

[namnam46]

Hi Sonya, again.  :)

I wish that you would have told us more the other day on your other post about your knee surgery.

What is wrong with your knee. Is it arthritis? Or and injury? If you don't mind answering what it will help with my answer.

Thanks...Sherry

[sonya923]

Yes I have severe Ostioarthritis in both knees.  Mostly caused from being overweight most of my life.  When I was at my lowest weight the pain was very manageable. Know with all the extra weight. It is really effecting my daily life.  I have been on Vicodin on and off for maybe a 1.5 years.  Also tramadol, which is the Orthopedic doc will give me.  He does not give out narcotic pain meds, due to the addictiveness and in case surgery comes up, then he would be able to give you a narcotic for pain.  So I do see a PM Dr.  He has no problem with me being on Vicodin, but now that I have expressed I am taking more that what is prescribed most day, he immediately suggested the patch,for absorbtion reason and the tolerance to the opiates.  I told I was not comfortable with switching to something stronger.  But he wants me to try it and start  at 25mg and mentioned I may need stronger.  But I hate to become dependent on something stronger than the Vicodine. Taking sometime 6-8 per day of Vic ES, is more than he wants me to take.  I will be seeing the Ortho doc soon and try an injection again to help with pain..

Thank Sherry

[Sarajmt]

Hi Sonya:  I used the fentanyl patch for about 2 years.  It ended up not working out for me and I switched meds.  Now, that's just me.  We all react to medications differently.  You might do very well on it.  There are a lot of people on this forum who do.

Go over all your concerns with your doctor.  She can probably put your mind at ease.  Or you could just give it a try.  If you don't like it, tell your doctor you need something else.

I pulled myself off the patch.  Long story but I wanted off the patch and switched doctors.  The withdrawals are certainly not pleasant but it didn't take that long.  About a week before I was normal.  Only the first few days weren't so great.  They're not something to look forward to but don't get too scared of the withdrawal.  Your doctor probably wouldn't pull you off all at once.  Just taper you down.

Good luck and talk to your doctor.

Sara

[namnam46]

OK, Thanks for giving me this info. I was assuming that you had Osteoarthritis like I do. First of all I am on the Fentanyl patch. I love it!! It DOES NOT give you any drugged feeling at all. The most that I ever felt was a little sleepy the first couple of days. NO NAUSEA nothing like that at all. Yes It is a VERY strong med., about 80 times stronger than Morphine. But it is NOT Morphine.

Now that I've said that. As a fellow Osteoarthritis patient I must tell you if it were me I wouldn't hesitate to get my knees replaced. The Dr.s think that my arthritis started when I was about 15 years old. I had my first hip implant when I was 35 years old. It lasted for 26 years!!!!  The best part of it is that when I awoke from the anesthetic the ARTHRITIC PAIN WAS GONE!!!! You are not too young for this procedure. I learned that because I waited to have my hip implant done (it needed it when I was 28 years old) but the Dr.'s had me put it off because the IMPLANT back then (in the middle 1970's) wasn't perfected enough. They had just come out with it. So I waited for 6 years and because of the way that I had to walk (favoring my other hip) it did irreparable damage to my spine. I now have SEVERE DDD. And the severity was caused by the surgery being put off for all those years.

You need to ask yourself a really hard question. I'm not saying this to be mean at all!! I'm trying to help you.  Do you want to put off the surgery because of the fear of it OR do you want to put it off  because you are afraid you won't be able to get anymore pain pills and would have to wean off of them?

We are all here for you all the time. Please know that!! Anytime you want to vent or complain or give advice or ask for advice we are ALWAYS here!!!....Sherry

[sonya923]

Well, I am not offended at all by your questions.  Being asked really does put my thoughts into perspective.  I posted and asked for advice.  I feel like you know me well..ha haa..Well asking myself that questions, I would say 50/50.  I have already had a few big surgeries, and c-sections.  I don't think I am afraid of the actual surgery itself. Partly due to the demand in my job is why I keep putting off.  My kids, and I can make hundreds of other excuses. And yes, I am afraid of any type of w/d from the opiates.  I have gone a week or so at a time and I am fine ( when I run out early) or think I am just not going to take them again.  Then the pain gets really bad and I do feel myself crave them at about that point.  Along with controlling my pain, taking the pain meds also makes me very calm.  I do have a hectic household and along with being busy with my kids activies, baths cleaning.  ect ect...The pain pills keep most of my pain away and feel very calm. Along with all there is to think about, I feel so close  what you have going through and what I am now going through.  Along babying one knee at a time the other starts to hurst worse.  Just recently, my whole calf is getting numb into my foot while I drive.  And sitting at work in a chair is causing a numbing feeling up to my hip, I am sure all caused from the kneee pain.  These are all new symptoms.  Reading your story makes me feel,  I really need to consider surgery.  Then hopefully I wouldn't have to worry about the patch and hopefully no pills.  According to my Ortho Doc.  He hates to give the narcotics, because he uses them only for after surgery pain meds.  Says he has too many patients who become addicted after surgery and want to stay on them while recovering and beyond recovery due to pain still. So, I was referred to PM for medication only.  A lot to think about.  I am glad you feel ok to speak your mind and give your advice.  That is what I am here for.   Thanks Sherry

[namnam46]

I'm glad that I didn't offend because I truly am only trying to help. Remember one thing also, until BOTH knees have been done you would still have some pain. So you would still be getting help for that. I'd be willing to bet that after BOTH knees have been done and you are thru with your recovery that you may not have as much of a withdrawal as you may think that you will. I was very concerned about that, as "DRUGS" were very prevalent back in the 70's (hippies) and early 80's. I had my surgery in 1981. My Dr. told me not to worry, I was on Tylenol 8 pills a day, prescribed for the pain, for years just so that I could walk, (with a cane) and she told me that when the pain was gone I wouldn't need them and I would have NO withdrawal. I fully trusted what she said, and she was correct. I had absolutely NO problem stopping them. I just quit when the pain subsided and I had  almost a full prescription left that I threw away after about 2 months when I was sure there wasn't going to ba anymore pain. Wore  4" spike heels and the whole works for several y ears until my back started to give me problems.  :)

So don't worry that you wouldn't have anything for your other knee because you would still have you PM for that.

Thank you for being so honest as it really helps to be able to try to help you....Sherry

[sonya923]

Thanks again Sherry, I am gald I joined this site.  I have decided not to try to the fentenyl patches.  I have an appointment with my Ortho Doc and will maybe try a new injection once that wears off, I will let him know that surgery is what we will be looking into.  I will see how long the injection last, and try to wean down the amount of Vicodin I take.  I will need to contact my PM doc and let them know what I am doing, they do have lots of rules to go by.  Have a great Holiday Weekend

[namnam46]

We're all so glad that you joined this site also!!!!

The injection sounds like a FANTASTIC fit for you!! I hope that is lasts you a long time.  Yes, be sure that you contact your PM Dr. As you know we definitely have to cross ALL the T's and dot ALL the i's.

Best of luck and am looking forward to ALL of your updates.....Sherry