Hi Maggie,
Looks like your body has finally got used to the lower dose you get with
the generic, I'm glad at least the withdrawal symptoms have passed for you, sorry that your pain isn't being handled as well as it could be.
I actually felt like I was on a 50ugram duragesic when using the 75 generic.
That's about the amount of relief I was getting, if that.
You have a good thought there, maybe your doc will allow you to get a higher dose, since the generics don't work as well, and that will fix the insurance situation too. I'm glad you posted this, as it makes me feel like I'm not the only one going through this. Mostly my doctors, and pharmacy people say it must be in my head, when I know it is NOT. Thanks for the reality check!
I hope you get the proper dosage or brand thing taken care of so you can get the relief you need. There is nothing worse than having to be on these meds, and then they don't work as advertised!
I am interested in hearing about your experience with the pain relief you
had with the pump. I have been asking my doc about it, but he says, "your nowhere near that stage yet" I have heard good and bad, and a lot of talk about some plaque buildup of some sort at the catheter that can cause nerve damage if left unattended. If you would rather PM me than dicuss it on the forum, that would be appreciated also.
Thanks for your post
Peace
Rags

I had the pump in for nearly five years when the battery started running down. My experience with it was O.K. as far as the lumbar pain was concerned but I had other pain issues such as migraines, cervical pain, and it didn't help with that at all. We don't have a pain doctor locally and I was having to drive 2 hours to even see him. He didn't believe in breakthrough meds so I had to endure the other pain.

The other problem was having to go for refills and dosage adjustments. This was paid for by medicare but I had to pay the co-pay which was around $300.00 a month. The reason it was so high was because he wouldn't do the refill anywhere but in the hospital and they charged an arm and a leg.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors involving the pump that may not effect anyone else. Due to problems related to the doctor, I had four different ones during this time.
Check out all of those factors and possibly, you may have better experience than me.
Maggie

With all due respect there are several things to consider when "testing" the weight and so forth. Each individuals genetic makeup ,body temperture,placement of patch,meds,diet,exercise etc can make it almost impossible to measure how much a patch weighs or more importantly how much fentanyl is being introduced over a specific time.
The fact is that if you average it out it delivers 25,50,75 or in my case 100mch an hour over a 72 hr period, I will have to research this more though and get back with you. sincerely DTRB

I have read this thread with much interest...I started the generic fentanyl patch a month ago, and didn't have good results. Today, because of this conversation, I asked for the Duragesic..It is larger (nearly twice the size) for the same 25 patch. Also..the generic was a strip of plastic with adhesive...no "gel" that is how it came out of the sealed packets. Much to my surprise, the duragesic looks almost like a pouch...with gel visible inside! did i get a bad batch of the generic? or are they that much different? i would really like help on this, as my generics cost me about $90 and they are all the same.
Thanks!
Dave

There are 2 different types of generic. One is made by the Sandoz company, the other is made by the Mylan company.

I believe that the Sandoz generic is similar to the name brand - it has the gel pouch.... and the Mylan generic does not have the gel pouch, it is completely flat.

The name brand Duragesic, the Sandoz generic and the Mylan generic all contain the same medication (Fentanyl). So all of them are the same medication, they just have a different look/type of patch depending on whether you get the name brand Duragesic or the Sandoz generic or the Mylan generic.

Took sleep med. - 3 weeks ago. It was liquid chloral hydrate(3 tsp.) It triggered off burning pain in mputh ,toungue - got worse and spread to upper and lower stomach. Hospitalized to try IV morphine and other drugs - but couldn't get an IV line. I have severe allodynia and a very sensitive nervous system. They think drug triggered off pain in nerve endings. Now it spread to my teeth. Taking 75 mg.Fenatnyl Sandoz. Also, aciphex, . The pain in my teet is so severe - I can't brush them and can't use any toothpaste - even sensodyne.
Maybe I should ask for the non generic Fentanyl patch????????????
Got about 20 injections in my mouth, face, etc. to try to calm down the nerves. No help so far.
Stomach pain flares when I eat or drink.
Sydney

thanks for the post Wittesea.. i had the mylan generic, the one with no gel. It didn't work well at all for me. Maybe has someting to do with skin type, etc.? who knows. The Duragesic gave me a measure of relief within a half hour of putting it on, and lasts all 3 days like my doc said it would.
Thanks again,Dave

I have used both Generics and find the Mylan version to be better for me. This may not sound great but I know the Mylan gives me more medication than the Sandoz because when I'm on the Mylan I am constipated and when I'm on the Sandoz, I am not. That tells me the Mylan is directing more mediation, right?

I am being treated for severe chronic back pain as the result of several injuries and several surgeries since 1984. I have been medicated with the Duragesic Patch (brand name) 50 ugh per 48 hours. Several years ago my insurance company insisted on the generic version. I found both generic brands Sandoz and something else to be less effective for pain management, though the Sandoz worked slightly better than the other generic. My insurance company approved payment for the Brand name for years, but gave me notice that if I want to continue with the Duragesic brand I will have to pay almost $300 a month for the prescription beginning on the first of the new year 2008.
Rags, I am writing to tell you you are not imagining the differences. Not only did I find the medicating properties to be much less effective with pain control, I found the generic patch does not adhere to my skin. As soon as I perspire or take a shower I lost the patch.
I have been on the patch for about 7 years and even though it is a huge help with managing the back pain, I have found myself breathing slowly and shallow. I have tried to practice deep breathing, but I still wake myself up because for seconds I stopped breathing. I have been severely fatigued and I am sure the patch has a lot to do with the shallow breathing. I am seeing another spine specialist next week and I am praying he can make some changes. As much as I enjoy the relief from pain the patch provides, I am very anxious to get off it. I have already stretch the amount of time to 72 hours before applying a new patch, but the pain level becomes so intolerable I go back to 48 hours. My heartfelt prayers go out to anyone who must deal with chronic pain.
Peace & All Good,
Izadoglover

Check out www.duragesic.com

I prefer the name brand patch and just got a coupon inside my prescription. I checked out the website last night and there are coupons for $50 off each script out of pocket till 6/08...

Hope this helps!

Good Luck!

Heather