Anyone Experience this on the Fentanyl Patch - Pain Management Message Board

galpster · 11-26-2008, 12:32 PM

I just started the Fentanyl patch on Monday and I am having all kinds of problems with it. For one it's not helping my pain, for 2 it doesn't stick to my skin worth 2 cents so I finally bought the special tape for it, and 3. I am really wired and jittery on it I have trouble sleeping - it makes me feel awful. Anyone else feel like this?

A little background I used to be on oxycontin 3x's a day for years but my tolerance was getting high and this was not helping the pain like it used to so my doctor and I figured the best course of treatment would be to go through detox and get off all meds and try suboxone and see if that worked for my pain which it didn't. So now I'm on the patch but that's now working either and I'm having these horrrible side affects - I'm so sick of this off the chart pain this has been going on for well over a month now...grrrr...

I have been through 7 surgeries in the past four years, 4 of those have been back surgeries 2 of them being fusions which failed, I now have permanent nerve damage down the left leg and scar tissue wrapped around my nerve so I'm in constant back and leg pain, I was also diagnosed with fibromyaliga, inflammatory arthiritus and possible lupus.

brianpain33 · 11-26-2008, 10:42 PM

Hello,
The side effects that you are having are fairly normal. It can make you feel nervous and jittery. You won't really know the full effect of the patch for about a week or so. One the 3rd day of taking it, the level will be the highest so be extra careful and pay attention today as to what kind of effects you are having and whether it is helping the pain. The level of fentanyl will continue to fluctuate and level off after approx. 19 days. However, you should know after 1 week whether it is helping the pain or not.

Are you taking any other medications specifically for nerve pain, like Neurontin, Lyrica, Cymbalta, amitryptiline, etc? I have chronic nerve pain and I take a variety of different medications including the fentanyl patch. Unfortunately it is trial and error to figure out which medications and dosages will help.

Keep in mind that you could also be experiencing withdrawal from the other medications that you have stopped recently like the Suboxone or the Oxycontin. Keep us posted and ask any other questions you may have. Nerve pain is one of the most difficult to get under control and I can definitely empathize with you.

brian

brodyg47 · 12-01-2008, 09:20 AM

Sorry to hear about your situation regarding the patch . I had a lumbar laminectomy on April 4, 2008 , and I had the highest expectations of this stopping all of my back , and entire leg pain . Unfortunately my surgery did not stop my pain , and my pain is much more severe than previous to my surgery . I am on Gabapentin 300 mgm three times a day to start , and on Dec. 12 , 2008 I go back to my Neurosurgeon for a follow up . He had mentioned last month that he would evaluate , and possibly prescribe a higher dosage , and talk to me once again about pain management . I had the pain management twice previously .

Once or my neck prior to having a Anterior Cervical Discectomy with hardware and fusion C3-C4 , C4-C5 , C5-C6 . I had two injections that did absolutely nothing to alleviate my pain. Surgery was performed and Wallah ! no more pain . Went back to pain management doc. before back surgery. Had Three injections , blocks , and nothing .

Had back surgery from same Neurosurgeon , had same expectations , but OUCH , this surgery did not stop my pain , and has only worsened my pain . I am afraid to go back to the pain management doc , but my Neurosurgeon said that they do much more than injections ?? Help me out here please , I am looking for pain relief , not temporary relief , but RELIEF . I perhaps am wrong , but my Neurosurgeon does not feel my pain ! Over 60 months of this , ans still no relief ,

CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCS IF NOT INJECTIONS ??

lifeaftr40 · 12-02-2008, 06:36 AM

They do prescribe narcotics and other pain meds. The have massage therapy, psychology, as well as injections if needed.

brodyg47 · 12-04-2008, 09:32 AM

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question regarding Pain Management Doctors .

I just had my fill with injections that did absolutely nothing for me except make me sore for acouple of days .

The pain management doc. that I went to really seemed to care especially since I told him that I was not getting pain relief from the injections. I did not go back to him since my recent lumbar laminectomy that I was hoping to correct my back , and leg pain . I will try once again , BUT no more injections . I understand Nerve Pain is quite difficult to treat , I would be extremely grateful just for the pain to stop . Will keep you informed after seeing my Neurosurgeon again On Dec. 12, 2008.

Have A Great Holiday Season if I do not get in to see the pain management doc. immediately.