Fentanyl

[jennywren444]

Hi, has anyone used or does anyone use fentanyl patches? I'm changing from mst tablets to the patches and feel a little worried as it seems slightly worse ( stigma and dependence wise) to be on fentanyl than morphine. I'm changing due to problems with side effects and breakthrough pain wearing me down. Any info would be really appreciated. X

[steadilymovingforward]

Found this on Livestrong.com?:-

Fentanyl Patch Vs. Morphine

Mar 28, 2011 | By Lisabetta DiVita

The fentanyl patch and morphine are both used to treat moderate to severe pain. Fentanyl is available as a patch while morphine is available as an extended-release tablet or liquid, says Drugs.com.

Features

Drugs.com indicates that both fentanyl and morphine are narcotic pain relievers (analgesics). They work to reduce your body's perception of pain.

Side Effects

Both fentanyl and morphine's common side effects include constipation, nausea, dizziness, a headache and anxiety. However, fentanyl can also lead to pain, irritation, redness and swelling at the patch application site.

Overdose

Drugs.com indicates that overdose symptoms for fentanyl includes nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, seizures, unresponsiveness and even coma. Physical manifestations of a morphine overdose include confusion, fainting and respiratory arrest.

Warning

Fentanyl and morphine are both medications not meant for chronic use. These drugs are habit-forming and can easily lead to psychological and physical addiction.

Use

You should apply the fentanyl patch onto a dry area of skin. Drugs.com says that it typically remains on your skin for 72 hours. You will replace this patch as your doctor instructs. Morphine is available as a liquid or tablet and you will typically take it as your doctor recommends.

Read more: livestrong.com/article/7246...

[Tigerlily4]

Yes, I have Jenny and this is the only drug apart from cortico-steroids that ever worked for me for pain relief. You may be OK on Fentanyl if you can tolerate morphine well but the side effects of both in my case are too much to bear. I wonder if you know about a relatively-new drug to the market called "Tapentadol". Few GPs or Rheumatologists are aware of its existence as it can presently only be prescribed via Pain Clinics. It's morphine based and comes in tabs. Much easier to manage than patches, which are quite life-invasive. Very expensive though at around US$15 per tab so your GP will have to be feeling extremely generous to allow you to have it! Might be worth your while to enquire before settling for Fentanyl as the dose can be adjusted up or down or skipped on occasion, as needs dictate. Of course, none of these drugs have any of the all-important anti-inflammatory properties we lupies also require so you'll probably have to top up with a NSAID of some sort. Hope that helps and good luck! x

[Dawnfybro82 in reply to Tigerlily4]

Just noticed this post is 5 years old but I hope u get this. I'm on fentanyl patches and to be honest I don't get anything from them not even side effects and I've got a good knowledge of drugs as I use to be a vet nurse but I only heard about tapentadol recently and tried a 250mg tablet from my friend and omg for the first time I had very little pain for most of the day and I was able to function but when I told my gp he went nuts and refused to entertain it and instead just lectured me on how it's illegal to take other ppls meds well I'm pretty sure anyone who has suffered pain that's so bad it makes u suicidal doesn't care about whether it's legal and will take anything that is gonna help with the pain. But is it true only the pain clinic can give u tapentadol cos they are not as strong as fentanyl yet my Dr gives me that?

[Tigerlily4 in reply to Dawnfybro82]

How typical (and unhelpful) Dawn! My GPs are much the same. When I tried tapentadol it was prescribed by a Pain Clinic - my rheumatology dept hadn't heard of it. In fact my rheumatologist told me certain pain meds can only be prescribed by pain clinics and was only too happy to refer me to see what drugs might be available. Tapentadol was one of them. Don't know whether that's still the case with this drug but if it works well for you is a much better option than fentanyl. If your GP can't or won't help you obtain a prescription then I suggest you write to your rheumatologist and explain and/or ask for a pain clinic referral. Hope you get what you need soon. Hugs x

[Dawnfybro82 in reply to Tigerlily4]

Thank u for your response, I don't have a rheumatologist I was never referred to anyone after my Dr diagnosed me with fybromyalgia and the only referral I've had with regards to my severe pain in my muscles and joints is a physiotherapist. I didn't even no there was a test for fybromyalgia but someone else on here sent me a link to a document that determines if u have it so it has infuriated me cos i feel like im getting no support. I'm on the waiting list for the pain clinic but they are so over stretched I don't no when I'll see them and it's crazy that a Dr will just ignore my pain when its gotten so bad I cant even stand up for more than a minute without being in agony. Xx

[Tigerlily4 in reply to Dawnfybro82]

Oh, I see. Diagnoses you himself, provides fentanyl but won't give you tapentadol (which is cheaper than fentanyl). How typical! Unfortunately we have to battle really hard for the treatment we need. Sounds like you will have to wait for the Pain Clinic. You could always try calling the hospital and see if they can give you an appointment if someone cancels. Always worth asking. Good luck! x

[Hidden]

Hi there. The only problem I had with patches was skin irritation which became so severe I had to go back to morphine tabs. I think it was the adhesive but it brought me out in a type of psoriasis rash at the site of the patch. Itched like mad. Hope you have better luck.

[Dutch]

I had the patches during and after chemo for Leukaemia and I also have Lupus. Much preffered them to morphine as you just pop the patch on every three days as opposed to having a dose of morphine every four hours. No reaction to the patch and no dependency issues when I was taken off them.

[jennywren444]

Thank you so much for your responses. I've (stupidly) read some horror stories on the internet and it's good to hear a different opinion. I've got my first patch on now so fingers crossed it works. Just a question, what dose have other people found that works? Take care and thanks again x

[Byfergie]

Please please all be careful of fentanyl it's a synthetic opioid and I developed fentanyl induced hyperalgesia ,withdrawing from drug had to happen quickly and I suffered a breakdown as well ,if you don't know what the condition is wekiapedia it but it's a real dangerous drug as condition is rare and fentanyl there is no support .come April end of I will have been off it 2 years it comprimised everything brain , muscles seized up neuropathic pathway failed similar to ms and stroke was evaluation.

If anyone has had similar experience of this patch and pain amplification please reply

[Dawnfybro82]

I'm on fentanyl patches and I have to take other tablets for breakthrough pain. Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine but morphine is semi synthetic as it's comes partly from a plant where as fentanyl is synthetic as it's made in a lab so if u have a massive tolerance to morphine then u might find something like fentanyl will work for u as it seems to react slightly differently than the semi synthetic opiates. Good luck