FENTANYL - Adverse Reaction.

[HADES]

Following recent press reports regarding FENTANYL, readers may be interested to hear of my experience of this prescription. I attach a copy of the email text sent to my Pain Clinic Consultant:-

"Following 48hrs of 25mcg/hr FENTANYL patch, I have been obliged to remove it at 0800 this morning.

I started to get acute headache and extreme drowsiness after the first 6 hours followed by nausea and dizziness. The usual FMS aches and pains remained.

The effects progressed yesterday - by bed timeI was getting extreme throat irritation causing continuous bouts of coughing. This developed into a sore, aching throat. Sleep was impossible - I felt weak and disorientated accompanied by muscle twitching and spasms. By morning, feeling breathless and sweating, I felt that I could not tolerate these symptoms any longer so at 0800 I removed the patch. In compensation at 0830 I took 30mg of ZOMORPH ( my previous 6 hrly prescription] - whatever its shortcomings experienced previously, it is far more preferable to this volatile FENATYL."

For the record, this missive failed to elicit a reply. I remain on 6 hrly ZOMORPH.

[spider555]

I think they are withdrawing those patches anyway. Thought it was because of the cost but obviously people are having issues.

[BlueMermaid3]

Hello HADES

I am sorry to hear you had such a bad reaction from these patches.

That is the main reason why I will not "recommend" any medications to anyone.

Pregabalin made me so bad it's a wonder I am still here, but I know many of our other members take it very successfully.

I genuinely hope you start feeling better in yourself soon.

Be kind to yourself

Lu xx

[Dionne0208]

I used to be on fentanyl and found them good, didn't have any side effects, changed to morphine tablets as had trouble keeping the patch on, but apart from that all ok xx

[Shazzzy]

Hi Hades, reading what was said in the email it appears you used the patches for 48 hours, continually. I have used them for years and was told at the beginning and read on the leaflet within pack only to use for up to twelve hous at a time with a 12 hour break between usage. I think this was due to the strength of them, I was told I could get very ill if I did not follow these instructions. Where you given any such advice when prescribed the patches ?

[nadine111]

i have been taking fentanyl patches for many years with no side effects at all. i'll never forget the day the doctor put the first patch on. relief oh my such relief. obviously it doesn't work as well after all these years but they help. the patches try to keep the pain level even so you aren't going up and down all day and night in screaming pain. i'm so sorry you had such a horrible reaction and to such a small dosage. wonder if it was an interaction with another medication? there is so much information and misinformation regarding fentanyl. the fetanyl that is stronger than heroin isn't the same as the patches we use. every time someone says fentanyl is stronger than heroin and so many people are dying is doing a disservice to all of us. those of us who live on our normal not adaulterated patch are now frightened that the hysteria will cause the patches to be taken off the market. in the meantime the people who take the altered will be treated as an addict not someone who needs mental help. please please be careful what you say . do your research. i feel terrible for hades. what she went through was awful. i know i've tried a vast number of meds that left me with the same reaction hades experienced. we now keep an epi pen in the house for whenever i try a new med. sorry to sound so angry but some of us are truly frightened that we will lose the one med that helps.