Hello Everyone!

I'm glo from Mass. , and I have chronic pain issues with my neck, right shoulder blade, right shoulder, right arm & hand, and top right half of my back. I have a congenital fusion in my neck with only a remnant of a disc. The discs above and below this level are herniated. I have DDD, and 2 herniated discs in the T-spine. I also have some arthritis and other fun stuff going on in there. I have tried the injections and rhizotomy/denervation route for the last 4 years without consistent pain relief. I am very disappointed that I am not a surgical candidate.
I was wondering how many people in here are on the Fentanyl patch, and how have your experiences been? It would be very helpful if you were willing to share your experiences. I can tell you that I just started at the Pain mgt. center about 4 months ago. I am on the Fentanyl 25 patch. This has given me the best and most consistent pain relief that I have ever had. The only issue that I had in terms of break through pain was on the 3rd day- change patch day. I am very thankful that the dr. listened to me and changed me to a 48 hour schedule. I am not increasing the strength - just getting a fresh patch sooner. For some reason, the patch was quite ineffective on day 3 and I was going from a 2 for pain to a 9-10 pain level. It took me & my family a few weeks to notice the pattern.
I also wanted to know how long you have lasted without having to increase the strength. I am very worried about that. I honestly don't want to be on any pain meds, but I also don't want to be stuck in bed crying any more. I finally gave in and accepted that I needed to move more and that it has taken pain relief to do so.

Are you able to take baths with the patch? Is there a trick to that? Are you able to go in pools or the ocean at all? Can you remove the patch for a hot bath & reapply the same one? Did you have to sign a pain mgt. contact? How are you managing without driving anymore?

Thank you for the wonderful greetings to Neuro Talk!
Thank you for reading, and any input would be greatly appreciated!

glo