Fentanyl Fatigue?????

[Jinxie_W]

I have been on 50 mcg Fentanyl (change 48hrs) for about 4 or 5 months and I have such fatigue with it I cannot stand it anymore.  It does help a little with the pain (not so many ups and downs, trying to catch up to the pain in the morning, etc), but I may as well be in pain because I have been in bed for 2 months.  do not even have the energy for a shower.   I do take one, but it takes everything I have and I rush to fall into bed before I can even get dressed.  I have talked to the dr about this, but she insists it cannot be the patch.  Has anyone else had this reaction from the patch???

I also take up to 3 1 mg xanax and up to 4 percocet for bt pain a day (10/325)
I do not take the xanax during the day unless I feel my heart start beating strangely.  

I have a very high tolerance to opiate medication and I get tolerant pretty quickly, but I REFUSE to up the dose of the patch. Is there another long acting opiate medication I could take instead of the patch??  If so, will I suffer wd's if I am taking something else to replace it???

[Randolpho]

I plan on staying active. My condition (to me) seems a bit confusing since
there are so many variables. I will most likely find out much about my
problems this upcoming week as I had much blood drawn, and urine.
Primarily, I'm trying to find the cause of my neverending fatigue. Like I've
stated before, I'm hoplng that the cause is too much, and too long use of
fentanyl. At this point it seems plausible, but nothing definite. Will certainly
post when and if a cause is determined. Until then, be well, and thanks.

[Tuckamore]

Absolutely No problem. You are learning about MedHelp.

Sadly most ppl don't stay active very long. They post a questions and they are gone. Often we don't even know if they even read our responses - which is unfortunate - as I know some of us spend a lot of time making sure our facts are correct - and our suggestions are as helpful as possible.

If the thread is over a few months old it's a good guess that person isn't active. However you can always try sending them a message or note as long as they've selected to receive a notice (email or otherwise) when a note or message appears on MH they may respond.

I check their activity on their Profile Page. If they have current posts than Wonderful - they are still active.

I hope that helps. :0)

[luvdolphins58]

Hi  just go top of page where it says post a question  thats how you start a new thread. Have great day

[Randolpho]

How many times have I selected an old thread. I can see that some are
quit old. Would you suggest to stay w/threads from say 2015. This is
relatively new to me, so I'm sort of feeling my way thru and trying to find as many useful forums that may be helpful. I'm just really anxious to find as
much useful info related to my conditions. I am curious as to why threads
so old still remain. I'm starting to get a feel for it. Thanks for heads-up.

[Tuckamore]

Sorry. Once again you've selected an old thread. Sadly Stormydays is no longer active on MedHelp.

I'm sorry to read about your challenges. We really want to hear from you. Your responses, questions or concerns on these old threads are not getting the visibility and response you may obtain by beginning your own thread. We'd like to hear from you - please- begin a new thread ie: question .

If you need help please just ask.

Thanks
~Tuck

[Randolpho]

fentanyl is the one that will put you on you back. I am trying to cut back on
fentanyl, but the time it takes is very fustrating. Im in the 2nd week of
weaning and have noticed no difference,(i.e.still exausted constantly) Starting
to wonder if there a light at the end. Does a time come when when you need
to just go cold turk and hope for the best. Can anyone say for certain that
eventually the symptoms will dissipate and then vanish. I will admit that my
usage has evolved into recreational usage, but like all others want desparately to put an end to this. The mfg's should be held responsible for
all the pain and suffering they have created w/o even small print warnings.I
have studied their literature,no mention of sides or w/d.

[philnoir]

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). These medications can be very sedating. Have you noticed this decrease in energy since starting the nortriptyline?

If so, ask your doc to discontinue the TCA.

[Jinxie_W]

thank you all for your responses.  I have been on opiates for several years and usually I do get a boost of energy, but since being on this patch it has been the opposite. I would expect as my tolerance increases, the 'boost' would decrease, but it is as if an elephant is sitting on me.  I started an anti depressant nortriptylin about 2 months ago and it has not helped at all.
I have had my thyroid checked because I also have been losing a lot of hair.  to the point i hate to wash it because the tub will be full of hair and that scares me.  my dr said my thyroid is fine.  I also cannot gain weight for anything.  I try to take in at least 3000 calories a day. I drink 3 boost extra protein with a pack of carnation instant breakfast mixed in it along with regular meals and I usually lose a few pounds when I go back to the dr.  at 6'1" I weigh 122 lbs with clothes on.  
I sure don't burn a lot of calories laying in bed day and night.  
I think I will ask my dr to change me to any other extended release medicine to get me off of this patch and see what happens from there.  the hair and weight issues were happening before I started the patch so that is a totally different issue.

[djoyg]

There is a long acting hydromorphone available, I think it's called something like exalgo. My insurance wouldn't cover it, at $600 a month I had to take a pass. I vaguely recall that a generic will becoming available soon, don't know what it will be called. I think there is also a long acting morphine, maybe it's called ms contin? I read an article about an upcoming long acting hydrocodone, I think called Zohydro, don't know if it's available yet.
So, as I understand you, the fentanyl hasn't controlled your pain and you are disabled with fatigue since taking it? I would venture to say it doesn't appear to be a success for you. Perhaps a serious heart to heart with your dr is warranted. Seems odd that she seems odd that she won't value your opinion that it is the cause of the fatigue.

[marycarmel]

I found when I was on Fentanyl that as long as I kept moving I was ok.  The problem was when, I stopped, I would drop off to sleep.  If I sat down to dinner, sitting at a red light or sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office, off to sleep I would go.  It was one of many reasons I came off it.

[stormy_days]

I don't know if the patch is causing your fatigue or not but everybody is different but with you being in the bed for 2 months I can most definitely relate.  

Pain itself, along with depression, stress and anxiety can be causing the fatigue even with you taking the pain meds and the  Xanax. Normally, the pain meds will usually give you the perk you need to get up, but I would look at the stress and your eating habits as well.  Also, could be a hormone thing going on with your age.  I would definitely speak with your doctor again if it continues.

There are many types of opiates, Demerol, Dilaudid, Oxycotin, Oxycodone, and Vicodine are some just to name a few.  I'm not sure if you would suffer from withdraw's but usually not if medication is being changed within the same family with similar dosage, but everyone is different.  Speak with your doctor about it and they should inform you of any risk and pro's and con's of each medication.

Good Luck!