hope you're still alive to get this message...hope "chewing on a patch" hasn't already killed you because it most certainly can depress your respiratory system even when used correctly...when used incorrectly its suicide
So sorry to read your post and hear what you have gone through.
I have a pain history for years and was prescribed the Fentanyl patch by my family doctor as a last resort. He was trying anything he could to get me out of pain and added Vicodin as a break through medication. Each person is different when it comes to pain medication.
The Fentanyl has a slow effect working on the system. It is hard to know it is working when you are in pain. Eventually it kicked in and all I did was sleep. It killed my apatite, left me listless and I lost so much weight over time, I went down to 108lbs NO KNOWING it was the fentanyl doing this. One day I looked in the mirror and saw the horror of what this stuff was doing to me. I was on 50mcg every three days. After seeing what this stuff was doing to me and then I started experiencing abdominal pain related to pancreatic problems, I stopped this medication cold turkey. Yes, it was rough for a few days but I have been through withdrawal before and knew I could kick this stuff.
I finally did and still trying to put back the weight I lost but my body does not want to respond. I have gained some weight but not the healthy weight I had. It has been over a year since I kicked and still trying to balance out my system for the weight I lost.
I am off all the pain medication now. I have seen what this stuff does and how it almost killed me.
Sorry to hear of what you went through with your spouse. Thee drug DULL the mind and you have no idea of what is happening to your body under control of these drugs.
I know it is fearful to go to a doctor, but remember, they are offering advise. If you do not feel comfortable with this doctor, seek another. Explain your fears and what you have gone through. This may better help in understanding what can be done for you related to any medical condition you have. Trust yourself and learn about the medications you are prescribed. You can be as educated as the doctor when you learn more about your health and what is being prescribed for you.
Please don't eat, heat up or do anything other than apply the patches as prescribed. I understand your pain isn't being relieved. Call your doctor and let him/her know that the patches aren't working. The doctor might increase the dosage of the patch, add another medication to take with the patch, change medications altogether. Whatever happens you simply have to take it as prescribed. Doing anything else jeopardises your health, and maybe even your life. It also may lead to the doctor red flagging you and then you will have a terrible time getting pain relief then. Please don't go down that road. Take care,
sean
Call your doctor and see if the dose can be increased.
Be careful with those things....they started my spouce last month on the 25s and upped it to 50 this month and the 2nd patch was put on the night of the 12/28 and he died in his sleep that night...he wa on other meds to but I think the patches caused a bad combo...He had been on the other meds for months and no problems but when that d--- patch was added he lived on 5 weeks...Fould him blue and cold 3 days after Christmas and having a really rough time dealing with this...Has on been 4 days now and I can't eat or sleepa and I have major medical issues myself... We were not told any warnings at the Dr and a P.A. srote the prescription....plus renewed all his other pain meds and muscle relaxers... Afraid to go to dr. myself now...so be carful with those things....Gayle