Prescribed fentanyl patches

[Nat8917]

Hey guys, first time posting here. Over the last few weeks I’ve had increasingly painful lower back , several drs visits and a morphine prescription later I was sent to a&E with suspected kidney stones and had a ct scan which was clear for stones but showed extensive degenerative back problems and then an mri confirmed a herniated disc . Pain was unbearable and I’ve been given fentanyl patches yesterday , it’s 36hrs since I applied patch one and while there is some relief I kind of expected better from how my dr spoke about the patch . Does anyone have experience with this med and could share their story on its success etc

[Bananas5]

Fentanyl is a very good but powerful pain med. Used it for 12 years very successfully.

What strength have you started on?

x

[Nat8917 in reply to Bananas5]

Hi it’s a 12micrigram an hour patch I’ve been prescribed

[Bananas5 in reply to Nat8917]

That's the lowest which is always the starters.

If you aren't getting any relief at all ask your GP for next one...25.

Are you on the one you have to change every72 hours?

x

[Nat8917 in reply to Bananas5]

Yeah 72hr change

[Bananas5 in reply to Nat8917]

Unfortunately they never last that long. Don't be tempted to change them early as you will use up your prescribed dose too quickly.

You can get additional meds for breakthrough pain.

x

[Nat8917 in reply to Bananas5]

Yeah I was told not to change it early , my gp said to take no other pain relief when on the patch ? So I’ve been suffering through but will speak to them about it at my appointment on Monday thank you for your replies

[RobbieT in reply to Nat8917]

I'm on the same. Have been on so many different meds I've lost track. I was on huge dose of tramal. It was ok until I could not take a step without suffering massive breathing probs. Dr was stumped on what to do next. My husband told him that his mate was on fentanyl so he put me on that, saying that he would put me on next dose if I still suffered any pain. I found it was ok as long as I still kept up with osteopanadol.

Then pain built up again. Next visit he said he would not increase the dose! I asked could I have at least a 50mg tramal with the fentanyl. He said if I was having break through pain I may as well just take only the 50mg tramal!!!! This made no sense at all. So confusing. I said I would never get out of bed if that's all I could take. So he left me on the lower dose fentanyl with 50mg tramal for breakthrough pain. Phew!

[Hidden]

Yes, I've been using them for 3 years along with Oramorph and Paracetamol. They vary from being mildly helpful to being rubbish. I use 25mcg and 12mcg together and I'll probably get told to ask for a higher dose. But I'm too scared of the consquences to do that. So I'll stay as I am thank you.

[Debbs73 in reply to Hidden]

Hiya yeah I take fentyal 75mcg, been told I can increase to 100mcg but I'm not too keen oon that. I take sevredol morphine tablets 20mg 4 x daily for break through pain, also take duloxetine, ammatriptaline, and lidocaine patches. I know people might think that's a lot of medication, which I agree but it's taken years of trying all different meds to get to this .

[johnsmith]

Try an Alexander Teacher. A better posture and better muscular coordination will reduce further damage.