The more i research the more i dont want to change meds...
why is this still on the market, why r docs still perscribing it?

I think when the Fentanyl Patch came out it was intented for pain assoicated with cancer and the likes. Unfortunately doctors have percribed it incorrectly or for patients that will eventually have to get rid of the patch and that is when the problem comes in. I have known people to have a terrible time coming off this stuff, don't ever just take it off without a doctor knowing and being under his care. From what I have seen it's very hard.

I agree with you I don't know why they percribe so freely when it's so dangerous. These days I really watch what I take. Some of the medications have such weird side effects and some that can be harmful.

Thanks for the warning.

Gabbycakes

Doc says this one can be cut?
Im scared while making myself aware. All the literature is scary which makes ME personally scared to change opiods (Opana 4 yrs now) with the med reactions endured the last 12 years in the ER.

Dilauded, Meth and others too strong for me per doc.

Encouragement, being informed; awareness, others thoughts and experiences. Getting feedback from others here in a group a good thing
good or bad i would love to hear your thoughts

Dear Cyndy,
DO NOT CUT THE FENTANYL PATCHES AS IT CAN RESULT IN OVERDOSE!!!! I cannot believe a doctor told you to cut the patch. Idiot for sure. If you cut it you can cause to much or to little to be released in a certain area and if it is too much it can release a large amount directly onto your skin and it can cause you to overdose. I have used the patch for over five years and am now happy to report I am off it and all opiods as of Feb 2011. I would NEVER want to go through the withdrawls again and would rather die than do so. It was the worst experience and was under the doctor's care and he let me do it cold turkey. Almost killed me. I have heard of other people having surgery and the doctors prescribe Fentanyl patches and these people are not opiod tolerant at all. They do it so they won't have to keep coming back to their rooms to give them more pain meds but they don't realize it takes about 17 hours for full strength. Also, if you use the patch read the directions and never take a bath or use electric blanket or do anything where the sun or a heat source will increase your body temp or you could overdose.

Personally, after five years of using the patch I would not have gone on it. I would rather take oral opiods or another meds. That stuff is bad news. Not to mention it (along with the rsd) has destroyed my teeth too. But people have to do what they need to but please be careful and NEVER cut the patch. Please let your doctor know so he does not tell other patients to do so. Good luck
kathy d

Instead of cutting the patch, pinch it so that a portion of it is stuck together and not touching your skin. That's what I used to do when I was tapering down off the patches and it was a pretty effective way of reducing the dose without cutting the patches, which you're not supposed to do.

I was on Fentanyl for about 9-10 months. It made me extremely depressed, I cried all the time, and that was when I wasn't sleeping. I also lost a lot of weight. It was awful... When I started the 10 day ketamine treatments I had already tapered myself down to at least half or less of my original dose, and then I went on Suboxone to get off of the stuff completely. In spite of that, I was still sick from withdrawal for a really long time - I think at least a month. Maybe more. It was the pits!! NEVER AGAIN!! Unless I am dying....!! I swear that stuff is like poison, I would highly recommend you consider other meds before settling on Fentanyl. I am not even certain that it was all that effective on my nerve pain.

Good luck, Sandy

I wore the Fentanyl patch, in different strengths, for about 2 years. I had no problems, but I was told Lyrica was "THE RSD DRUG" to be on. I changed & Lyrica was HORRIBLE (FOR ME)!

I have found a great combination - MS CONTIN ( for Long Term Pain) and Klonopin twice daily. This appears to be working. I GAINED 70 POUNDS while on Lyrica. I have NEVER HAD A WEIGHT PROBLEM UNTIL NOW ---- and I can't lose the weight. The excessive weight has caused all types of secondary medical problems. I would NEVER TAKE LYRICA - even though it does help control the pain, there are too many BAD SIDE EFFECTS.
TAKE CARE.
yiisd

I agree, Lyrica is another med I tried that was horrific. That and Neurontin. ewwww... I have been on Topamax for a few years now, which is better for me because I suffer from RSD in my neck and my head (as well as other areas). Topamax is often written for migraines. It has the least amount of side effects for me so far out of all the seizure meds I've tried. I have a terrible time remembering things sometimes but I don't know if its the RSD or the meds. Topamax doesn't cause weight gain but it does make a lot of food taste funny and I've lost my taste for alcohol and soda. I used to enjoy an Amstel Lite after work but it just doesn't taste right any more...

I only made it for a week or so on Lyrica - I was walking into walls and doing other crazy stuff. When I took Neurontin I went up 2 dress sizes in less than a month. It was nuts. And I just felt awful.

So sorry about your weight gain. bummer. I hope that you can find a way to lose it since it has impacted your health. the best of luck to you....

XOXOX Sandy