Switching out of Duragesic Patch

[baby72006]

Hello again....I did get to my pain management Dr. this week and talked about the Duragesic Patch being partially responsible for this severe depression I am in.  Of course they don't have a crystal ball but discussed switching me into another medication and spoke of the conversion table they use to determine what dose to use.
My question is this....those of you out there who used the duragesic patch for long term pain management and was switched out to oral medication, what was your experience like?  Folks I have been on this stuff for 4 years (75 mcg/q48hrs), so I am sure the psychological dependency is extremely high.  The depression I experience is threatening my mere existance.  They can't find a antidepressant that helps yet (they have tried numerous ones).  I have no one to get me through this and no health insurance.  I have to make a decision on what I will do by the time my next Pain Management appt. comes around.  I am extremely afraid that by changing that the depression will worsen.  The clock is ticking, I need to find work again.  Time is running out.  Folks please don't misunderstand here, I am not looking for pity.  I am looking for insight and answers as thus far the medical community hasn't given me any.  If I knew what I know today about the effects of the duragesic patch, I honestly do not believe I would have agreed to use it.
on a different note, can someone advise me how navigate around this site to get my responses here?  also what is a tag?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Again,

You've asked some good questions and I understand your concerns. Let me assure you that no one thinks you are looking for pity. We are all in the same boat. We often vent, whine and complain here because we know we are "safe" .....everyone gets it because we've all been there and/or are here. So never fear you'll be looking at as a pity seeker. :o)

One of our long time members was recently weaned off most all of here meds, including the fentanyl patch. She reportedly had a tough month. Once she was weaned they prescribed OxyContin and she reports good pain relief when it hadn't been effective before.  

Obviously we all our different. How you will respond is unpredictable because we are all individuals.

I too have problems with antidepressants. I have not found one that I can tolerate the side effects. So I understand your problems with them.

I also agree that a pain therapist could be beneficial. In my state there are many counselling centers that payment is based on your ability to pay, ie monthly income.  So therapy for someone may be 10 dollars a session and someone else may pay 150 dollars a session. Please check with your local county social services department as they may be able to direct you to such facilities.

I've never completed understood tags either.....I'm ashamed to say. But I believe they "tag" your thread for key words and come up in searches. It's a very good question. I will find out a better answer and get back to you if I am in error.

Narcotics, any narcotic and chronic pain (CP) make us more susceptible to depression. While CP can induce situational depression....narcotics often enhance it. Successful treatment of Depression often requires medication as well as talk therapy.  I hope that you and your PMP are able to come up with a solution.

Please feel free to post again or ask additional questions. As I said, we do get it. I'll look forward to hearing from you again and wish you the best of luck at your next appointment.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[JadedSweetheart]

I was not on it for very long so I don't know how much help I can be.  At the time my insurance wouldn't cover it and it was too expensive.  I also had some absorbtion/adhesion problems with it.  
My doctor switched me to MSContin after a month or so of the patch and I did have some withdrawl/switching issues.  It wasn't as bad as full-out withdrawls, though, at all.  
I was on Paxil for a number of years and it was the only one that worked for me, but everyone really is different and it's really about finding the one that works for you.
I think I have heard that fentanyl can worsen depression, so hopefully switching will work for you.  It's great that your doctor utilizes the conversion chart.  I had one that didn't and it was awful.  
A lot of people here also see Pain Psychologists.  They say it really helps.  As it is I don't have good insurance and haven't been able to see one, but I'd like to eventually.

Usually if you go to "Watch list" under "My shortcuts" in the upper right, it will have all of the posts that you are watching.  When you post a new question it automatically watches it for you unless you uncheck it.  Then you click on the Title of the question to see your post and any responses.  
I'm not really sure how to describe a tag, except that it makes it easier to find your post in a search of the "tag words".  So if you tag "switching out of duragesic patch" and someone searches "Switching out of duragesic patch" your post will come up.  Although it may come up without the tags, too.  I'm not sure.
I hope that helps!