Fentanyl

[carol1964]

Has anyone tried fentanyl patches? Worried about side effects!

[Bananas5]

Hello carole1964

David has been using them for about 8 years now with no side effects.

He got a little whoosy for a couple of days when they were increased but nothing more.

He also gets a small rash from the adhesive but that's sorted with hydrocautizone cream rubbed in before applying patch.

Of course Fentanyl is a manufactured opiode so different properties to that from the natural plant one.

Hope this helps

Pat x

[carol1964 in reply to Bananas5]

Thanks for your helpful advice x

[talgarth]

No adverse effects from the medication itself but terrible rash from adhesive to the degree that I had to resort to taking oral meds again. Unfortunate I guess too have an allergy to the specific sticky stuff... Certainly a better way to control your meds and worth a try.. best of luck.

[DISC]

I've used them for years and couldn't do without them. They take the edge off the pain which is a godsend. I have never had any side effects.

[onamission]

I have them but they do make me feel sick

[dillydally1]

the only side effects I had, (I was on 50) was excess sweating, this made my patch come off sometimes, and redness and itching were the patch was. hope it works for you x

[hurtingforyears]

Yes. The patch helps. Constipation is my only side affect.

[Essie49]

I was on a high dose of Fentanyl patches for around 5 years. They were prescribed by the pain clinic at the National Hospital for Neurological Diseases in London. They have now changed their policies on prescribing the patches and those who are put on a much smaller dose are having to sign contracts. There are many reasons, eg one becomes tolerant after a certain period of time and they don't work, it is psychological, they are bad for ones immune system, some people have reported less pain on coming off the patches. As a result of this they are withdrawing people like myself off the patches which I have just spent the last 7 months doing. I was supported by a psychologist, physiotherapist and psychiatrist. I am now relieved to be patch free. When I first went on them the pain was so bad a small dose didn't work and they just kept on upping the quantity. I'm sorry this probably isn't the reply you were expecting but I felt,I had to be honest. There is a lot written about Fentanyl on this site. As for side effects I suffered from memory loss, lack of concentration, my balance was impaired, I suffered from sickness and constipation. My hair became thinner. I suffered from depression and mood swings.i was tired most of the time and at the beginning had to pull into the side of the road when driving. Like everything after a while your body becomes used to them. I know they can be helpful,if taken in a small dose for a short period of time. Every doctor will have their own take on the subject. Whatever you choose I hope it works for you and you get some relief from pain.

[RibvanRey]

I used Fentanyl with great success for many years. As with any opiate over a lifetime treatment the body will gradually become used to the drug and the strength of the medication will need to increase or the opiate type changed. I started on 25μg and ended up with 100μg every three days. Once these ceased to give enough pain assistance I was moved to 100mg Zomorph twice daily. These are a slow release morphine sulfate capsule, often referred to as MST. As others have mentioned a strict bowel regime needs to be worked out as all opiates will cause some degree of constipation.

Regards Rib

[Bananas5 in reply to RibvanRey]

Rib did you have to b 'weaned' off the patches before starting on MST?

Pat x

[RibvanRey in reply to Bananas5]

No. Zomorph is a direct replacement for Fentanyl. Rib