First Fentanyl gel patch experience - In severe pain while waiting for effects

[Lauriel500]

I applied my first Fentanyl 100mcg gell patch 4+ hours ago.  Would it be safe to take 30 mgs Oxy IR while waiting the 8 to 24 hours I read here that it can take for the Fent to begin to help?

Many thanks,  Lauriel

[alanconn000]

I am also fortunate to have a very caring doctor.  When I came to him, I was coming out of being in a nursing home and physical therapy situation.  I showed him the list of all medications that I was prescribed while in the nursing home.  He did not make me jump through any hoops to continue to get my medications.  He did mention that in 38 years of practicing medicine, he had never written a script that was nearly that high.  But he sort of backed down some when I said that I requested that one of the medicines be discontinued due to redundancy.  However, I am afraid to ask him for what I think will help me now.  Currently I am on 45 mg of oxycodone every 4 hours.  I was on 45 mg oxy every 3 hours and 50 mg OxyContin and a benzo to help me sleep.  He treats me so well, I don't want to rock the boat by asking.  I think I need my benzo because I can't sleep and I also would benefit by being on the Fentanyl patch...  What should I do???

[dunny0210]

I am on 100g fentynal gel patches but I use dyhdrocodine for the immediate pain, for me they both work together great I think fentynal are great for pain but you do need fall back

[worried_wife_pa]

I'm writing this for my husband. He has been on pain medication since August of 96. We were in a car accident where 3 people were killed. We have been dealing with doctor's that tell him it is all in his head and or saying he is just there for the drugs. For many years after the accident, he was telling them how much pain he was having in his lower back and legs, well after many months they sent him to a specialist and he found out that he had a broken back in 3 different places which was never diagnosed. Then just about 2 months ago he found out that he has a really severe infection in his right femur. They have to treat it like it is a very aggressive tumor. Which means some pretty extensive surgery. They also said there is a good possibility he might loose his right leg. He was started on the fentanyl patch 50mcg/h then his Dr upped it to 75mcg/h and dropped his percocet 5/325 down to only 2 a day. It ain't even touching theppain. He has never gotten a high off his pain meds and he has been on a lot of different types of pain meds through the years. He is at the point now that he doesn't want to keep going through this amount of pain for the rest of his life. He is only 37 years old and has been dealing with this since he was 21. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to comment. Thanks

[Lauriel500]

I was so nervous about my first patch...Like I was just waiting stop breathing at any minute!  Also, I have been waiting for any sign of relief.  I really can't tell.  Normally I take 8 oxy per day, then I had this terrible attack and was taking it every hour all day along with 100 mgs of morphine and just in agony.  I have been given 180 oxys to last 1 month or there about.  So, YES 200 for 10 days is a lot, but really not too much if you are in agony.  That is only 10 per day.  When you hurt this much the hours seem to only crawl by soooo slowly.  Why would your ins. co stop paying for you to see a doctor you obviously need to see?  What kind of ins. do you have?  I actually have a d!vision of Medical and EVERY SINGLE THING I NEED IS COVERED! No matter what.  It's amazing.

Well, I will continue to watch for your posts - I'd like to know how ramping up the patches gives you relief.

Oh, and out of curiosity, what put you into your pain in the first place?  If that's private - don't answer and I won't get my feelings hurt.  :)

[railroaded]

You know, you are right, I am really fortunate to have such a doctor, and I always get a return call when needed! The same day! Since writing have put on 2 patches, and am waiting to see how it goes! I think I will be alright, My dose of oxy was so high, I think, well, actually I don't know what to think! I am supposed to just watch for respiration problems, but this pain management dr. would NOT be happy knowing I am easing into them! I really can't imagine my meds are much cheaper than what I HAD been on for years! Someone posted a place to check, so you have info. on your meds costs. It helps to be informed, especially because I am dealing with a know it all! Let you know tomorrow wfternoon if i can feel anything...otherwise, I will wait until I notice some relief! It is funny how the INSURANCE company okayed 4 100mg. patches all at once, swicthing at least every 3 days. THEY must have thought it was safe! (if nobody else has!)I mean, he gave me over 200 30mg. oxycodone for breakthrough pain for the next 10 days, on top of the Fentanyl. I am really afraid I will get sleepy, and I canNOT! The pharmacist said she thought I definatly would, but when i mentioned my concern to the prescribing doctor he said, "Don't you have someone to help with him?" "HE" is my 9 yr. old grandson who I have sole responsibility for, so I told him "NO!" He didn't even give it another thought.My real hope, this is an interim doctor, and I will finally just go back to my regular doctor. (I still see him every 4 weeks, but am afraid the insurance company will try to put an end to paying for him)I see him thursday so will know more. There are good caring doctors out there.

[Lauriel500]

I was happy to read your post too.  It was nice to see someone actually feeling good about the care they receive.  It also supported the post telling of multiple patch use.  To be honest,  I don't think I could really tell the difference between 1 patch and a placebo at this point.  But I am in horrible pain right now and have never, ever felt any euphoria with any pain meds.  I don't understand how/why anyone can misuse or abuse them.

[Lauriel500]

What is your best med for breakthrough pain while using hte Fentanyl gel patch (100 mcg)?

[Lauriel500]

I couldn't believe what you wrote - not any of it!  Your doc!  Seeing my Neuro is like visiting a jungle out-post in South America or something.  There are at least 25 patients waiting at 9 am and I wait for 5 hours to see him for about 3 minutes. I mentioned it to him once and he just said that it's because he is such a great doctor!

I am feeling just a bit better now that I've had the patch on for nearly 24 hours but had to take 5 oxy (30 mg) during the day.  I wondered today what do I do if 100 mcg Fentanyl isn't enough...But you answered that for me.  It is possible to use more than 1 at a time
.
It's hard to believe that some of us can have such a high tolerance and just touching a patch  for too long could possibly kill someone else.

Please keep posting - your info is so helpful!!

[railroaded]

This new pain management dr. has such a huge ego that whenever I mention anything, he takes the opposite view, he HAS to be right.  I did go to my regular Back dr, after getting my new prescriptions, because I did NOT get adequate instructions, or what to look for, or expect in case things didn't go like HE SAYS! My regular back dr. told me to start at 1/2 the dose, and since I had enough breakthrough meds, to make sure I didn't stop breathing before I worked up to the 4 100mg. patches, instead of slapping them all on at once, and hoping my residual oxycontin did not cause respiratory problems. I LOVE my regular dr. He truly looks out for me, and I tell him everything, so he is up on every health issue I have had for the past 14 yrs! He is compassionate, and has helped me whenever I needed it, even emotionally. I don't know why there seem to be so few drs. like this.  Well, I am ready to put my first 2 patches on, just got out of the shower.  The pharmacist was uncomfortable with the dose, and I explained to her would be gradually doing it, and she was so relieved. I made a joke about in case they don't see me again...she DIDN"T appreciate it!I will be careful, and on alert for changes in respiration, but it is really frustating that these discussions were NOT with the prescribing DOCTOR! He would be FURIOUS if he thought I didn't put them all on at once, and I am serious!  He TOLD ME TO DO IT! AH, these doctors put there pants on one leg at a time just like us! Will let you know tomorrow afternoon if I feel anything. By the way, I really TRIED to tell the new Dr. my health issues, but he was too busy being right to even care!

[Weathergirl21]

Please do not do anything based on what anyone here or anywhere online tells you...

You need to check with your Dr. before taking any other medication. If he has given you the Oxycodone to take as Breakthrough medication then there should also be instructions by the Dr. to take them when and what dosage.

I certainly hope you can call them soon to get answers...Good luck.

[railroaded]

I am going to take my first Fentanyl patches (he wants me to put 4 on at once and then wait for them to work, he said 20+ hrs.  He gave me a huge amount of 30mg. oxycodones because he said I would need them for breakthrough pain. I was supposed to start this LAST wednesday, but the pharmacy forgot to order them, even though they HAD my prescription! This is the insurance Dr. so he told me to take 2 30mg. every 3-4 hrs as needed. I don't think he expects the fentanyl to work on me, I tried it before and it didn't.  Now they cut me off from my reg. meds, so am forced to at least try.  I have had to take the 30 mg. oxycodones for days, and they don't work ! Everyone on this sight is fighting with the system, or a dr. and it is WRONG!  We aren't even getting high, at least I never have felt a tinge of anything!  All this headache, heartache, and worst of all the stress is literally a killer!