fentanyl patch and oxycodone

[OAK2008]

my father is on the Fentanyl patch and oxycodone and is experiencing the side effects
of not eating, sweating; weakness- he is wasting away. His legs are numb from knees down and has
extreme pain in his hands from neopathy.  Is there any help out there?

[Mollyrae]

I take both the Fentanyl 75mcg and the Oxy 5mg. I could not take them both when I was first introduced to the Fentanyl. I had been taking the Oxycodone for years along with Oxycontin 10mg, 3x a day until they quit working on the pain. I was introduced to the Fentanyl in March and after applying the first patch I could not take the Oxycodone with it. My body had to adjust to the Fentanyl first because it was too strong for me. After about the 4th wk. my body had adapted enough to where I could take both. In my opinion, you really have to be careful with the combination. If you look up the warning signs of Fentanyl overdosing it will list prolonged sweating, excessive sleepiness and shallow breathing just to name a few. In the long run, Fentanyl has worked wonders for my pain. I now have round the clock pain control and am taking very few Oxycodone for breakthrough pain. Good luck. Mollyrae

[brownie6366]

I used to have the fentanyl patches as well.  They did make me dizzy and lightheaded until my body got used to it.  I am suprised they are giving him oxycodone with the patch.  Those patches are time released and if he takes to oxycodone it may be to much pain medication at the same time.  I would check into that with the Dr.  I personally cannot take oxycodone because it gives me bad headaches.  I did try a study once with Buprenmorphine patches and it didn't work as good as the Fentanyl patches.  

The Oxycodone will tear up the stomach if you don't eat with it.  Make sure he eats something before taking the pills.  How does he do with just the patches?  Is his pain so bad that he needs the pills and patch together?

[Mollyrae]

I made a mistake in the amount of time. It took a total of 6 wks. for the sides to stop.          Sorry.

[Mollyrae]

Hi Oak, In reading your post I am wondering how long he has been taking the Fentanyl and Oxy? I too had some of the simular side effects and told my Dr. He said that in time they would subside and they did. It took about 4 wks. for the major sides like the sweating, dizziness and nausae to stop and 6 wks. or so to feel human like again. I'm sure this will pass. Please have him discuss these sides with his pain provider. Take care, Mollyrae

[sandee1818]

Unfortunately the sweating is a side effect of the meds but there is another med he can take for the sweating. As far as weakness it is most likely due to his not eating and this is not good for him as you know. When you don't eat and take medications the meds will eat the lining of your stomach in some cases so it is Best to always eat at least a few crackers. Has he talked to his Dr about this? His legs being numb can be caused from poor circulation or if he has disc trouble in his back. Is he on the patch and oxycodone because of his hand pain? I don't really know what he is diagnosed with so its hard to say what other treatments would possibly help him. He really needs to eat to get his strength back up though, try and get him to have some broth or some soup. Is there something he really enjoys to eat that you can entice him with, his favorite dish? I wish I could help you more but I need more information like what he is being treated for and is he having alot of nausea from the meds causing him not to eat.
If you would like you can PM me with the info if your not comfortable posting it here and I will do everything I can to help you. My Dad went through a time when he was not eating and I just had to keep on pushing different food to him until he started eating again. I know your support and help will help him and if you will just keep giving him small things to eat he will eventually eat some if just to get you to stop:) This is what I had to do with my Dad. He was taking alot of different meds at the time and he just wasn't hungry but I made myself a nuisance until he started eating again. Make him understand he HAS to eat a little something and he will only get weaker and weaker and end up having feeding tubes if he doesn't.