[Swatgen27]

Hello everyone,
For the last two years I have been on the fentanyl patch for pain management. My dose has been 37mcg per hour and it has really worked put well in giving me the ability to be mobile.
The patch brands that I have been using the past two years are the Watsons (25mcg) and the sandoz brand (12mcg).
Two weeks ago I went to refill my patches I was given the mylan brand in the 12 size. The mylan brand was extremely ineffective and my pain levels went to such high levels I couldn't stand it. I did some research and found the sandoz brand delivered 2.1mg over 72 hours and the Mylan deliver 1.28mg over 72 hours so I found quanitive evidence as far as an explanation for how badly I felt. This issue just seems so bizarre to me... Has anyone else that is or has been on the patch had a simular issue? I ended up having to increase my dose to 48mcg per hour while on the mylan brand. I don't understand how the pharmacy can say that the two brands are the same when the medication vary's so much. This whole ordeal has made me feel very vunerable as I couldnt function without the sandoz brand as my pain levels were that high. Any thoughts on this complexing issue will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah

[kathy d]

Hi Sarah,
I was just recently on Fentanyl patch for 5 years and went cold turkey back in Sept 2010(Dr. Schwartzman's protocol haha) and it nearly killed me (lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks). Never want to go back there again. Since Feb 3rd I am completely off all opiods as they were messing up my teeth real bad and they will destroy your body over time (I guess ya gotta go some time haha). Fentanyl works great though and I do know I could use it again and have much less pain and burning than I've had but after what I went through I won't put myself back there.

I had the switching of brands last year and it was a mess. I went from one to the other and the new one never worked and I had to go back to the old one. You will find which brand is best for you but since the strength is totally different and no one told you (amazes me) you need to contact your prescribing physician and let them know immediately. You are doubling them up and will run out in half the time...then you will be hurting. Our bodies are sooo sensitive so any increase or decrease in anything esp meds will make a difference in our lives. Call your doc asap since it will probably takes a bit to get another script written for you to pickup. Plus, due to state laws your doc may have to write a different brand as some states will not let you get additional pain meds within a 30 day period. Best of luck to you and hang in there. Hope I helped you a bit!
kathy d

[Swatgen27]

Kathy,

It amazes me that the patch brands vary so much in medication. I was so sick for over ten days because of the differences, I had a not so friendly reminder of how terrible the pain can get.
No worry's on the med change, as my dr is the one who recommended the change. I wont even take OTC meds without asking my dr first..
I just can't get over the difference in brands. As soon as the sandoz are available again (there is an issue w/ the manufacturers of the size 12 and the Mylans are the only ones available) I plan on going back to the 37mcg dosage. I wish I could get off this med and be functional.
Sarah

[lorigood243]

Hi Sarah

First, i am so sorry you are dealing with this disorder too! I have been using the patch for 9 months. I started on 50mcg, and last month my dr boosted it up to 75mcg because my pain was up and wasnt coming down. I hadnt took notice of whether or not brands were more or less effective. But then i changed stores a few months ago and noticed that my new brand did not have the medicine visible in the pouch...it was a flat piece of adhesive mylar. So i didnt think it was as effective but then i thought maybe it was in my head. So i dont know. Sorry i am of no help. just wanted you to know someone was thinking about your question.
Hugs
Lori

Originally Posted by Swatgen27

Hello everyone,
For the last two years I have been on the fentanyl patch for pain management. My dose has been 37mcg per hour and it has really worked put well in giving me the ability to be mobile.
The patch brands that I have been using the past two years are the Watsons (25mcg) and the sandoz brand (12mcg).
Two weeks ago I went to refill my patches I was given the mylan brand in the 12 size. The mylan brand was extremely ineffective and my pain levels went to such high levels I couldn't stand it. I did some research and found the sandoz brand delivered 2.1mg over 72 hours and the Mylan deliver 1.28mg over 72 hours so I found quanitive evidence as far as an explanation for how badly I felt. This issue just seems so bizarre to me... Has anyone else that is or has been on the patch had a simular issue? I ended up having to increase my dose to 48mcg per hour while on the mylan brand. I don't understand how the pharmacy can say that the two brands are the same when the medication vary's so much. This whole ordeal has made me feel very vunerable as I couldnt function without the sandoz brand as my pain levels were that high. Any thoughts on this complexing issue will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah

[kathy d]

Lori,
Anything you or anyone can say to us is ALWAYS helpful. Just having each other to offer words of comfort and support is very powerful...especially when we are going through the rough times in life. Please don't ever think that you are not helpful because you (and everyone here) have always been helpful to me!! Have a good day.

Sarah,
I am glad to hear you and your doc are on the same wave length. I've done alot of changing doses and research on my own so much that even though I have a few doctors most of the time I feel as though I am doing it all on my own. I always question every med before I put it in my body. I want to be aware of what it is and what it does beforehand so I know if something doesn't work for me. You sound very functional to me. Keep up the great work.
Take care all,
kathy d

[Swatgen27]

Thank you for your help with my patch issue. It was very scary to ne to see how dependent I am on the patch. Without the correct amount of medicine I was 100% non functional. I couldn't sit, walk, sleep or eat because of the pain. It is really scary because my disease has progressed and the patch was covering up alot of the new issues. I also am nervous because I feel vulnerable as I know this can happen again in the future and I truly felt like I was dying..the pain was the worse I have ever felt. I guess there is no such thing as having a stable case with this disease. One day you are at your normal baseline and the next your pain is double your baseline. Why does that happen? I hate these meds (tried everything to get off of them) but without them Im bed ridden. With them I can walk, swim, wakeboard (although after wake boarding I can't walk for 24hrs but it's so worth it).

I definitly agree that this group is my salvation. It truly has helped me because Before I found this group I felt so alone and I don't like telling my family how bad it can get...I don't want to worry them or have this disease take over their lives too. With that being said, I'm sadden to know that there are others that suffer this unrlentless pain and I wish we all met under better circumstances. I truly have love for this group and wish I could do more than offer a couple of sentences during their time of need. It would be awesome if one day in the future we could all meet but I know how hard traveling is on us all but I still would love it. Thank you again everyone and I hope everyone is having a decent day.
Sarah

[lorigood243]

Dear Sarah

Amen, that the patch gives you some quality of life...we have a right for the pursuit of happiness in this country, even if it comes in the form of a patch.
your not an addict when there is a need. Its just like being diabetic, you need meds to control it, you need meds to control pain...nothing more, nothing less.

kathy D...
thank you for your kind words. you made my day...and im having a rough one.

Blessings
Lori

Originally Posted by Swatgen27

Thank you for your help with my patch issue. It was very scary to ne to see how dependent I am on the patch. Without the correct amount of medicine I was 100% non functional. I couldn't sit, walk, sleep or eat because of the pain. It is really scary because my disease has progressed and the patch was covering up alot of the new issues. I also am nervous because I feel vulnerable as I know this can happen again in the future and I truly felt like I was dying..the pain was the worse I have ever felt. I guess there is no such thing as having a stable case with this disease. One day you are at your normal baseline and the next your pain is double your baseline. Why does that happen? I hate these meds (tried everything to get off of them) but without them Im bed ridden. With them I can walk, swim, wakeboard (although after wake boarding I can't walk for 24hrs but it's so worth it).

I definitly agree that this group is my salvation. It truly has helped me because Before I found this group I felt so alone and I don't like telling my family how bad it can get...I don't want to worry them or have this disease take over their lives too. With that being said, I'm sadden to know that there are others that suffer this unrlentless pain and I wish we all met under better circumstances. I truly have love for this group and wish I could do more than offer a couple of sentences during their time of need. It would be awesome if one day in the future we could all meet but I know how hard traveling is on us all but I still would love it. Thank you again everyone and I hope everyone is having a decent day.
Sarah