If anyone has had experience with fentenyl patches, I'm having a terrible reaction to the thing.

I put it on Saturday morning and - sorry to share so much info here - started vomiting about the 24 hour mark, along with vivid, harsh dreams, and a pretty shaky mental state. I took the patch off after this first day; it was to be a three day patch at 25mg.

It's now Monday afternoon, and I still feel awful - still nauseous/vomiting, mentally a wreck.

Any suggestions or similar experiences?

-- Dennis

What did you mix with it in the way of medications? Or alcohol? Does your doctor know of this problem?

Billye

I have been using these patches for over 7 years and have had no problems whatsoever. They've been terrific in controlling my pain.

The only thing I can think of is: Maybe there is a conflict with the patches and some other medication your taking - or - maybe your simply allergic to the ingredient in the patch which is fentanyl...the pain relieving agent in the patches. Some people have reported being "allergic" to the adhesive on the tape.

I'm using two patches - one 100 strength patch and one 25 strength patch and changing them every 48 hours. The 25 strength patch your using is the minimum dose available so I just don't know what caused your severe reaction. Is it possible it's not even related to the patch? But, allergies are peculiar and it could very well be that. Guess you will need to discuss this with your doctor.

If you have not been on oral opiates first..and rather high
doses, adjusting to fentanyl is very difficult.

Also some people have a problem metabolizing this drug.
Typically it can take 3-4 days to get up to speed with its blood level.

Do not apply heat or sun exposure to the patch..the drug will
be absorbed more quickly then.

There is a 12.5mcg size...perhaps that would be best to start with.

There are patients who experience dysphoria on narcotics.
If you are one of those, you may not do well with this drug.

I had a bad reaction to fentanyl patches (can't remember the dose) mostly to do with mood. No improvement in pain control after about three weeks, so gave it up.

Your doctor's office? Phone call is cheap.
Also web up prescribing information for this med.... look very closely at the 'side effects' and 'rare side effects' aspects of this fine print!
Each of us is different in our reactions, and you mite be having a mild to severe reaction... Call. As I said It's cheap to call and ask!
Pain relief isn't worth the hassle at times. Been there myself.
Let us all know how you are doing - j

I've not been on any oral opiates before, and, as you say and I've found out, adjusting to fentenyl is indeed very difficult. My doctor got the message to me through his office, and that next time we should start with the 12.5. And the pharmacist at my CVS was rather knowlegable on opiates and fentenyl.

I've taken an anti-nausea script from my doctor (which I've left in the car and can't recall the name), along with periodic lorazepam.

Still a little shaky, but better than yesterday.

-- Dennis

Wow, Dennis. Fentanyl carries a warning clearly now for doctors.

NOT to use in opiate naive patients!

It always amazes me that doctors don't read the letters sent to them by the FDA regarding safety issues!

It may be then, that fentanyl is not a good choice for you, Dennis, at this time.

Please be careful. If you choose to try the 12.5 version, and become ill, quickly remove the patch. Fentanyl can depress the respiratory center in the brain.

I really was serious and didn't mean to be offensive when I asked what other drugs (even aspirin is a drug) you were taking with the patch. Also even one to 3 sips of wine is too much for someone who has certain conditions and isn't used to either the wine or the patch. My heart speeds up under these conditions. Medications affect each of us differently.

You don't know me, I've been absent for awhile due to certain events in my life, but the old group knows me well and knows I didn't mean to insult. I was trying to help. I have a lot of knowledge about medications and neuropathy related to Sjogrens Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis and now RSD. So I truly was trying to help.

I'm glad you are feeling better and I hope it continues.

Billye

[QUOTE=Silverlady;515903]I really was serious and didn't mean to be offensive when I asked what other drugs (even aspirin is a drug) you were taking with the patch. Also even one to 3 sips of wine is too much for someone who has certain conditions and isn't used to either the wine or the patch. My heart speeds up under these conditions. Medications affect each of us differently.

You don't know me, I've been absent for awhile due to certain events in my life, but the old group knows me well and knows I didn't mean to insult. I was trying to help. I have a lot of knowledge about medications and neuropathy related to Sjogrens Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis and now RSD. So I truly was trying to help.


I had to go back and read all the other posts to see who was offended. It certainly wasn't me - I never said anything about it.

I was happy to receive your reply...

-- Dennis
I'm glad you are feeling better and I hope it continues.