Aa
the unknowns of fentanyl
That is an apt title. I have been thru HCV and successful treatment. I have CLL, but my oncologist practually swears
that my condition is unrelated to my ongoing fatigue. My gastroenterologist states the same. I do not have cirrhosis
and all blood tests come back as near normal. My problem is fatigue that is close to being incapacitating. This has
been hounding me for 12 to 14 yrs. I have been using the fenfanyl patch for for over 10 yrs., and as high as 50 units
a day. Having eliminated practically all other possible causes, I can only conclude that the fentanyl is the most likely
cause of my lethargy. I don't believe I need the pain mgt. and keep applying and/or chewing the patch to keep from
becoming ill. I want to stop using if only to find if it is the cause of my fatigue.My question is ,have others experienced
similar problems w/fentanyl. If this is the case, please respond. I know I have the ability to stop using the patch,but
could use responses to solidify my approach.Please, no suggestions about Dr's or religion.Thank you much.
that my condition is unrelated to my ongoing fatigue. My gastroenterologist states the same. I do not have cirrhosis
and all blood tests come back as near normal. My problem is fatigue that is close to being incapacitating. This has
been hounding me for 12 to 14 yrs. I have been using the fenfanyl patch for for over 10 yrs., and as high as 50 units
a day. Having eliminated practically all other possible causes, I can only conclude that the fentanyl is the most likely
cause of my lethargy. I don't believe I need the pain mgt. and keep applying and/or chewing the patch to keep from
becoming ill. I want to stop using if only to find if it is the cause of my fatigue.My question is ,have others experienced
similar problems w/fentanyl. If this is the case, please respond. I know I have the ability to stop using the patch,but
could use responses to solidify my approach.Please, no suggestions about Dr's or religion.Thank you much.
Hi Randolpho. :)
How are you doing? Glad to hear from you again. :)
........ Sherry :)
How are you doing? Glad to hear from you again. :)
........ Sherry :)
Thanks for the reply. I have heard so much about the dangers of chewing
the patch. I'm not not proud of it, but have been doing it for quit awhile and
have never had problems. Now I'm at a point in titrating down, that I am
doing very little, and have no worries. I also like to have a drink or two, and
have discovered that the combination can cause problems. My primary
concern is this dreadful fatigue. If you have followed the above posts, that
is my main problem. Very long story. So my ambition now is to wean my
use of fent down to zero. I'm well on my way, and can only hope that ending
the use of fent will return me to normal health.I don't really need it, so best
to get away from it. I never had the same symptoms you had w/fent(i.e.
falling asleep standing up), just a total lack of energy. Jezzie, thanks for your
input, and I wish you the best , and hope that weaning goes as well for me
as apparently it did for you,cheers,Dolph
the patch. I'm not not proud of it, but have been doing it for quit awhile and
have never had problems. Now I'm at a point in titrating down, that I am
doing very little, and have no worries. I also like to have a drink or two, and
have discovered that the combination can cause problems. My primary
concern is this dreadful fatigue. If you have followed the above posts, that
is my main problem. Very long story. So my ambition now is to wean my
use of fent down to zero. I'm well on my way, and can only hope that ending
the use of fent will return me to normal health.I don't really need it, so best
to get away from it. I never had the same symptoms you had w/fent(i.e.
falling asleep standing up), just a total lack of energy. Jezzie, thanks for your
input, and I wish you the best , and hope that weaning goes as well for me
as apparently it did for you,cheers,Dolph
1 Comments
hello all. sorry to have gone missing
Most definitely does the fentanyl cause fatigue and lethargy. I did have fatigue issue prior to beginning the patch but not this severe until I began. I can now fall asleep standing up, sitting up on my bed and even driving. It became very scary so my dr started me on Nuvigil. It is considered a shift workers medication. It has been a lifesaver. I still at times feel very tired but nothing compared to before
It is very possible to ween off the patch. You dr can definitely prescribe another med that will ease the withdrawal effects and make the transition much easier. Being that you have been on the patch for so long, i think it would be in your best interest to do so under the care of your dr, not by yourself.
One thing that I noticed the most in your post was the fact that your chewing your patch. Are you aware of the possible outcome of doing so? 3 weeks ago, one of my Drs patients actually died from chewing patch. If this is something you feel you must do, I would definitely reconsider. But if that is not an option, please be cautious of what the outcome could be. Take care
It is very possible to ween off the patch. You dr can definitely prescribe another med that will ease the withdrawal effects and make the transition much easier. Being that you have been on the patch for so long, i think it would be in your best interest to do so under the care of your dr, not by yourself.
One thing that I noticed the most in your post was the fact that your chewing your patch. Are you aware of the possible outcome of doing so? 3 weeks ago, one of my Drs patients actually died from chewing patch. If this is something you feel you must do, I would definitely reconsider. But if that is not an option, please be cautious of what the outcome could be. Take care
Dolph, hang in there and remember it doesn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion. I know you'll check out all the test results that remar suggested. She knows what she's talking about. :)
DON'T GIVE UP HOPE! U will find your answers. We'll be here for you.
............ Sherry :)
DON'T GIVE UP HOPE! U will find your answers. We'll be here for you.
............ Sherry :)
I use to love Absolute Vodka - second only to Jose Cuervo - who Was a Fiend of Mine!
~Tuck
~Tuck
as I said I plan on seeeing my Dr. soon. I will inquire about the type of testing being done. I nave read and continue to read about fentanyl. There ae many opinions, but one that stands out is consuming alcohol with fent. Many strong
opinions about this, none are positive as might be expected. Many people
have problems with fent alone. I am lowering my usage of it to the point that
I may be approaching a point that I may be able to stop using altogether.I do
enjoy vodka and will be backing off its use to some degree also. I'm in a bit
of a state of shock, thinking my thyroid was the cause of my fatigue. Have
some work in front of me, but will do anything to rid myself of this fatigue.
Thanks and will certainly keep you informed, Dolph
opinions about this, none are positive as might be expected. Many people
have problems with fent alone. I am lowering my usage of it to the point that
I may be approaching a point that I may be able to stop using altogether.I do
enjoy vodka and will be backing off its use to some degree also. I'm in a bit
of a state of shock, thinking my thyroid was the cause of my fatigue. Have
some work in front of me, but will do anything to rid myself of this fatigue.
Thanks and will certainly keep you informed, Dolph
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Just wanted to let you know that I share your problem in dealing with combined pain and deep fatigue. I have decompensated ESLD, due to a chronic liver disease, as well as other systemic diseases. Everyday is like having a bad flu that doesn't go away, it's there 24/7. When I collapse in bed, it is literally that, the fatigue is truly amazing, and I used to be a very active, competitive athlete - not anymore.
I've tried just about everything but I finally had to accept my body's new limitations. So I make sure I get plenty of rest (naps are a requirement) and limit myself to only one or two tasks a day.
We're all different of course, so I hope you're able to work something out. I've found that my pain, if left unchecked, will make my fatigue far worse. So I have a PM routine, with the help of my doctor, that reduces the pain in half and this seems like a manageable solution.
Good luck and hope things come together for you soon.