Percocet to Fentanyl Patch

[sassylibra]

I have been taking up to 12 percocets a day (sciatica) and now I've been given Fentanyl Patch (16.5 for a nominal in vivo delivery of 100 mcg/h fentanyl for 72hrs) and don't know what to expect, I'm alittle scared to put it on. Could someone tell me how they feel, I have 9yr old twins and don't want to be too zonked out. Thanks so much for any info, I'm so happy I found this site.

[worried878]

Sciatica can often be all but resolved by a good chirpopractor..I know many are scared on chiropractors...even tho there is not need to be if they are a reputable one..to me going on a narcotic of that strength is much much scarier

[worried878]

ask him about it seriously..and your pharmacist too..often a pharmacist knows more about mesds than a doctor does...alternative pain control methods are out there...the patch is scary to me and i know if i ever resorted to that it would be for life.....be safe

[nursegirl6572]

I agree very strongly with all of the posters thus far!  That is QUITE a big jump.  Not only just from Percocets to the Duragesic patch....but also the dose is quite high.  Common starting doses are 25 mcg, 50 mcg.  There is always room to go UP.

Have you tried other routes?  I would really suggest getting a second opinion.  Even for the way the sciatica is being treated.  Long term opiate use is not always the best route...for very obvious reasons.....namely tolerance and dependence.  Sciatica can often be very successfully maintained on meds like Neurontin, along with massage therapy, physical therapy, etc.

PLEASE do some thinking before taking this step.  Naturally the Percocets have become less effective for your pain because you have built up a tolerance to them.  In the VERY least...if you decide to continue with opiate therapy....ask the doc about stepping up gradually....to an oxycontin regimen perhaps, even introducing an NSAID like Motrin alternating with the opiate.  Anything you can do to lessen the need for the narcotics, the better.  Oxycontin will carry the same risks as the other opiates...but this way you're not going up to something so extreme.

Bottom line.....going from 12 Percocets a day to a 100 mcg patch is a HUGE jump.  There has to be a middle ground somewhere.  PLEASE be cautious.

[ochooked]

Fentanyl is one of the strongest Opiates out there ---- Yes, they will probably relieve your pain but OMG, at what price???  Hell hath no furry like a Fentanyl Addiction.   The transdermal method of delivery does slow down the rate it goes into the body but it is still VERY strong.   When medical people get addicted the most common DOC is Fentanyl (usually the injectable).  Many Doctors, nurses, and especially pharmacists have fallen to this one --- it is very difficult to withdraw from.  Well, do your research -- Like the above poster said, I assume the doctor has tried everything else first.  All the best.

[mom2676]

I was on the Fentanyl patches, highest dose patch for some time. I didn't know how dangerouse they were until I did some research online about them. They are very dangerouse. The bad thing is the Dr.'s don't tell you these things. The best thing you could do for yourself at this point is to research it and get all the info you can so you will know what your getting yourself into. mjaxo24 left some good info for you and everything he says is absolutely right. When I started asking my Doc questions I found out that my body was running like a 90 yr. old woman, I stopped using them that week. I did however let my Dr. know what I was doing and was under medical supervision while coming off of the patches. This is a big time WARNING to question your Dr.!!! Take care.
                                 mom2676

[mjax024]

you were moved from percocet to fentynal? thats a huge jump...the meds in those patches are up to 40 x stronger than morphine.  in the long termit could be a nasty addiction, in the short term fentynal is accused of lowering respirations, raising body temp, irritation at the patch site, and in some instances causing moderate to extreme mood swings. if you must take them, take them the way the package says, no more than that. i would ask why the doctor thinks the jump to fentynal is needed, did you try and fail other pain killers? how many yrs have you been on the percs? keep us posted.
                                   -mjax024