Fentanyl Dose...Is This Normal? - Pain Management Message Board

IZZY'SMOM · 12-27-2006, 11:50 AM

Hello to all~
Im a newbie, and due to a rollover auto accident a few years ago, I suffer from extreme neck and shoulder pain.
I have a wonderful GP, as I am 12 hours from any pain management docs, and he has been my doc now for about a year, since I have relocated here.
I started on Vicoprofen 7.5 after trying many different things, and in order for my pain to be treated, i was having to take at least 8-10 a day. HE started me on the patch a few weeks ago. First 25's, then 50, then 75. The 75 were way too strong, so i was only on them a week or so.
I started the 50s over the Christmas holiday, but i have found that they only last 48 hours as well, and just lke the 75's they make me feel kind of jittery, teeny chest tightening, ect. only for the first day. But not nearly as bad as the 75's. I hate the way the patch makes me feel. I hate to sound like a whiner, but I have three young children, and Im constantly chasing around or cleaning up the house, ect.
I have 28 vicoprofens to last me a little longer than a week, every week. And i need to use them at the last of the suration of my patch, NOT my first or second day!
Has anyone had any withdrawl symptoms going down a dose on the patch? I dont want to use more than my normal allotment of b/t meds for the week while this is going on. Any advice? The wd symptoms start the afternoon of the first day and last all day until i take a dose of the vicoprofen, and still are crappy.My doc doesnt want to prescribe anything stronger for b/t pain. I can see why, hes just a smal town GP, and im greatful for his help, so I dont want to push the issue.

Will this even out? It feels like a roller coaster.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, and if i left anything out, please feel free to ask.
xoxoxox
IZZY'SMOM

scrapper1 · 12-27-2006, 07:53 PM

I am currently on 50 mcg of Fentanyl. I don't have the same problem as you as I was taking 30 mg of morphine 2X a day prior to switching over. Maybe you should try 25 mcg of Fentenyl with breakthrough medication. I don't know about conversions but there are some people on this site that do...Shoreline, Director. Maybe address a post to them and they will help you out. I wish for you the best...where do you go from here? Will you just be on pain meds the rest of your life or do you have a plan to eventually get off them sometime down the road? If you are going to be on these the rest of your life then you might want to slow down...it's an awful big jump to go from vics to 75 mcg of Fentanyl.

I hope you are pain free soon!!!

IZZY'SMOM · 12-27-2006, 09:22 PM

Oh Scrapper~
Thank you so much for your post. I have to get kiddies to bed, but will write in the morning, and try to include more history, ect. Thank you again to all of you who have taken the time to read my post, even if you didnt have any immediated info to give me. I am so amazed by the members here, and feel such a sense of comfort from any or all posts that i recieve. More tomorrow, and thank you again~

xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM

IZZY'SMOM · 12-27-2006, 09:30 PM

Thanks fo much for the info Pharm~

I have had such a problem with the patches sticking as well, and Im sure that has a HUGE effect as well. I can apply one, and ovenite, or while sleeping, it will fall off. This has been going on for the whole duration since i started tha patches. Im sure it has a huge effect as well, but my doc only has 3 pts that are on the patch, and only one other has problems with the patches staying on. AS per my last post, Ill write more tomorrow, and THANK YOU so much for the reply. You all have made my evening and I will sleep more soundly because you took time to jot down a few lines for me. Again, thank you so much to all of you, it makes a world of difference...
xoxoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM

IZZY'SMOM · 12-28-2006, 11:39 AM

Thank you again for all of your advice and help~ This is so nice to be in the company of such fine people. Im beginning to feel better, and it will just take some time. The patches help me maintain a 4-5 and Im greatful for the relief. Happy New Year to Everyone!~

xoxoxoxo
IZZY'SMOM