I started fentanyl patches 25 mil today at 1 pm i have been on percocet for 6 yrs now at 10 mil x5 a day was working but lately it wasnt as effective. I have fybromyalgia as well as arthritis in hands neck lower back have spinal twisting and also disc issues i also suffer from migraines that last weeks. So it is now day one 6 hrs after first dose and i am getting no relief just took 10 of percocet first time today am weary tho of taking both although doc says i can is anyone else on a similar regimen? and how long does it take for pain to go away and will the patch keep opiad withdrawel away? thanks for help debbie:confused.

It takes a few days for the fentanyl to reach "steady state" metabolic dynamics.

You should see a difference within 5 days or so.

No way does the patch takes away withdrawel symptoms. I have been on all everything that they make. Fentanyl patches are nothing but what I call a street drug. It will mess with your head and not taking the medication that you have been on for a long time is not good. I had to have an implanted pain pump. They tried every drug out them in the pump. Nothing would take away my pain so They tried me on Prialt (venom from a sea snail). I have what they call a brain overdose from where my body rejected the venom. I hear music, hear people talking, see shadow people. I am scared. I can't remember things and have head rushes. It feel like someone just gave me a strong shot. I am so tired but if I lay down the spams, pain and music, talking gets worse. If you have a disc that is anyway pressing a nerve. have it fixed right away. No PT, spinal blocks burning of the nerves, steriods. GET IT FIXED. BECAUSE IT WILL GET WORSE< NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU> Take it from someone that knows. I am fused from my neck to my tail bone.Of you need to talk.

Hello Debbie. How are you doing now? I guess this post came out before I was a member here. I just started on the Fentynal patch 25 mcg myself a few days ago along with percocet for bt pain. So far, so good. It is NOT feeling very strong to me right now. It is helping me out to deal with some pain better tho. Its just sorta making my back pain from Spinal Stenosis and Bulging Discs more manageable. I am grateful for it so far. I do not feel like its as strong as some others have been for me, however. Its just really important to me to just be outta pain enough to manage my life, and not to at all feel high. I may ask my pain dr. to increase my dose the next time i see him tho. I ws wondering, since you wrote this post, has anything gotten better at all for you yet? Whats your current pain regimen now? Mykinzie

i have been on fent for 10 years or more fibro arthritis bad disk spynal stenoses or however its spelled and lots more it helps to have the area shaved very clean and slap and rub the area a few like a druggie does then if emergency i use my wifes diabetic needle shooter but that taks away from how many days it works you might want to increase to 50 25 is low and dont do crap for me

Altering a fentanyl patch in any way for use, is dangerous. I don't suggest anyone try needling one to make more drug come out at a time. That is foolhardy.

mrs D's comment is most important but let me add that if your doc finds out you have violated your sched.II contract and breached trust in such a dangerous and foolish manner, you will be dropped like a red headed step child. Pardon the Southern expression. I understand desperate pain. Most of us do but we must think beyond the mind boggling episodes. I have had several unexplained severe episodes where I would wake up in the morning, unable to get off the bed with help to get to the toilett or a bedside comode. I couldn't get up on a bed pan so the family could only slip chux under neath me to take care of that issue. THAT is desperate pain and calling the squad was the only sensible answer. If you go into the ER with that sort of presentation and a frightened family, they take you seriously and deal with it.

Mrs D is CORRECT about messing with the patch. Also, .25 is a very low dose of the patch. I would ask the doc if he could increase the dosage to .50 or even .75 given that you're used to a higher dosage of percocet during the day.

The patches do work -- it does take awhile for it to get into the body and to take effect. I hope it does work for you. Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee

Hi Debbie,

You're very welcome to our site and the support here is fantastic and is always here if and when you need it. You certainly sound like your body is putting you through the wars.

I'm on similar medication to you 75 mcg of the patch with some Oxynorm and OxyContin with some other bits. I find that it definitely takes a few days for the full effects to kick in. It's not a drug to be messed so take it as your Dr prescribes and dont change it in any way. If you're not sure about anything or it's making you feel very I'll you should speak to your doctor, your other meds might need to be altered now your taking the Fentynal.

Please remember that everybody reacts to medication like this in a different way so it might effect you or differently to someone else, I find taking oral medication with some food a good idea. I remember feeling extremely tired when I first took it but that was it. Your body may also eventually get used to the drug and your Dr may change your dosage, that's what happened to me. At this stage try not to worry too much about the addiction, your Dr will bring you down safely and in stages so you won't go cold turkey.

If your worried I'd like to say again, speak to your Dr and remember that everyone reacts differently to their medication.

I hope this helps, best of luck and please keep in touch.

Sinéad

please help there are so many other meds you cant take with the patch .... can you take tramadol with the patch ..... I was on 25 mg and dr upped to 50 and I started having terrible reaction... is this normal.......