Pain relief

[AnneD62]

Can I ask anyone with Fibromyalgia prescribed Buprenorphine or Fentanyl patches for pain?

[tiredchicklet]

I have Fentanyl patches that last 72 hours dose of 25. When I was first prescribed them I tapered up to 100 which virtually killed the pain and got me up and about which was a joy.

Since my GP retired around 3/4 years ago my new GP has forced me to drop to 25 and totally stopped my Zopiclone so I am now, once again, bedridden but unable to sleep well and my life has returned to how it was. I have spoken to my GP numerous times and she refuses to budge in upping the dosage.

My father died from Covid in April 2020 which was very traumatic as I could not see, or even speak to him on the phone whilst he was in hospital and the guilt is overwhelming. The last time I spoke to him was whilst he was six days before he passed, in the ambulance being taken to hospital.

I think the guilt, grief and anxiety caused (what I thought at the time) a huge flare up, but has never gone! I spoke to my GP and still would not help. As a result I resorted to speaking to another GP who prescribed Codeine which helps, but not as good as the patches. So now I am taking two addictive medications when I needed only one. It does not make sense to me.

I have never had any side effects from the Fentanyl patches and to me it was like a miracle medicine. Codeine cause me to have non stop itching, for which I am now prescribed an anti histamine and awful constipation, so I swing from having upset tummy or constipation. Fibro is real fun I don't think my GP has any common sense what so ever.

So sorry for rambling on and I hope you get the relief I did from the patches.

[Bakery40]

Hi AnneD62 , I didn't hear about this patch/ medication until I had arthritis 1,5 years ago. I had fybro over 3 years. Maybe because is opioid ( buprenorphine) doctors don't like to prescribe it as it can be addicted . Sorry I couldn't help and I hope you find something to ease your pain.

Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 x.

[tottyanne]

Yes I'm on 25mg Fentanyl patch along with Tramadol and just recently put on Duloxetine 60mg twice a day I also take zopliclone at night,I've started with face and neck pain at first thought it was an hear infection by my ears are clear,also had checkup at the dentist but still in agony with the pain

[Wrecklesham]

So sorry for you my friend I have also had the big fight with doctors. I had been on 75 patch, plus Zapain 8 a day and Pregablin and Amitryptaline at night for 7 years and yes the patches are addictive as is Pregablin and Amitryptaline. Whilst on this medicine I was able to go sailing, climb small mountains, bike and live in my narrow boat.. This was all prescribed by a consultant after the rheumatologist discovered I had spine problems as well. I went to see a doctor for another reason, she looked at my notes told me I could no longer take morphine and Zapain and stopped the Zapain and gave me nothing in its place, the pain was horrendous I had to give up all my sport and ended up paying £5000 for an Adjustamatic bed, which I must say is a life saver. After a few months like this I went to see another doctor in the practice but this time I took no tablets of any kind before seeing him. Whilst I was there my leg would come in spasms that made me have to stretch out in the chair and not be able to speak. He has put me back on the Zapain 8 a day. I am much easier than before but sadly the damage has been done and at 79 I don't think I will ever get back to where I was. You have to show them how much pain you are in probably because it has only been recognised as a sever illness within the last 10 years