I had 2 fusion surgeries, one in march 2016 and the last Sept. 2016. I am having a third fusion in May 2017. I am in extreme pain in my back and right leg and foot with numbness and feels like fire due to perminant nerve damage. Ive been on all kinds of opiods for 2 years. I became tolerant to them so my pain Doc prescribed Fentanyl 50mcg but my Medicaid insurance needs prior approval. I wish the insurance companies would stop playing doctor.

I’ve had 2 spinal surgeries due to injuries occurred at work. Along with some budged disks in my back and neck….tumor in my spine…ect. I’m currently on percocet, Zanaflex, nurotin, and fentanyl 25mg patches. I rarely take the nurotin because it makes my head foggy. I am bipolar so I think it interacts with my bipolar medication. I refuse to go higher on my meds and have weaned myself to 25mg..3 times a month. I know it doesn’t sound like it would give a withdrawl. However, I’ve felt this withdrawl before. After my second spine surgery the patches were prescribed to me without any warning of how mean they really were. I had six on at once. I pulled them all off at once. Within a few hours I felt like anxious death! I should’ve researched and educated myself. On my appt last week I was concerned about my new symptoms. I guess he didn’t like the idea of someone who had questions to be answered and didn’t want a higher mg of medication. He chose to cut me off completely off my patches without telling me. I called the office to see why they weren’t at the pharmacy and she says he wasn’t going to write anymore. I’m wondering if that is even legal? I have 5 children to care for. I hide pain from them as much as possible. However, you can’t hide a withdrawl.

‘@Brandon my heart breaks for you & your family. I’ve been on Fentanyl patch 50 mcg/h for 6 years now following a cervical fusion at C6-7 with resulting neuropathy at C7 in my left arm. I was previously on 100mcg/h in 2009 for about a year when I decided to wean off them with the assistance of my Doctor (primary care). I’m shocked her Pain Management Doctor told her she could just stop the patch cold turkey. I can’t imagine the hell your mother went through with withdrawal. It had to be severe. After 15 years, she would’ve developed a physical dependence on the drug. Thus weaning off the patch by dropping mcg would’ve been called for. I had weaned off 100mcg slowly. We dropped to 75mcg for a month then 50, 25, 12.5 then 2 mcg. This took 5 months. Dropping from 2 to nothing was hellish for me. I suffered withdrawal when my doctor finally decided to put me on Vicodin to wean down. This worked. If your mother was told to just take it off and she was done then her provider is an idiot and personally I think he’s grossly negligent for her death ~ barring any other diagnoses. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. @All other posters. I’ve read each post and I’m mortified that some of you & your love ones were prescribed Fentanyl without any prior history of prolonged opiate use. Both times I’ve been prescribed Fentanyl patches, which work best for me, I had been taking OxyContin & Norco for upwards of a year before we switched. The first time I was prescribed Fentanyl I was referred to a pain management Doctor. He slowly increased my dosage until I reached 100mcg. My personal experience with this provider left a very sour taste in my mouth. He wouldn’t listen to me when I was having side effects from the “cocktail” of medication he prescribed. I immediately went to my PCP and she was mortified when she saw the severe swelling I had in my ankles. I’m highly allergic to all anti-inflammatories ~ such a fun way to find out. I asked that she take over my treatment and help me wean down. Unfortunately, I exacerbated my chronic neck pain and my nerve damage started up again. My treatment is provided by my PCP. Once again we went through the gamut of opiates (OxyContin & Norco) to build up my tolerance so he could put me back on the patch. I’ve never just been prescribed the patch as the first thing out of the gate. I’ve been on 50mcg for 6 years. I’ve decided I want off the patch. There are long-term affects from being on Fentanyl as long as I have. My personality and drive is no longer there. My friends & family have noticed it and I want to be me again. Plus I have no idea what my baseline for pain is and whether or not opiates are the answer for me. I guess I’ll find out. I cut down to 25mcg tomorrow. My fear is more psychological in that I know what withdrawal feels like even though I’ve always taken my medication as directed and my doctor oversees my weaning off the patch. I’m a firm believer that Fentanyl is a medication that should be prescribed to those who have severe chronic pain and for palliative care in cancer patients. This medication gives quality of life back to some chronic severe pain patients. Unless, you’ve experienced pain that so bad you feel like you’re dying and it has completely decimated your personal & social life then I don’t think that it should be taken away from those who were prescribed it correctly through the proper routes. Every medication I’ve been prescribed I research prior to taking it and I always talk to my pharmacist regarding interactions and side effects. They will always know more about the drugs we’re prescribed than your doctor as they specialize in the medication not treatment. To those who lost loved ones or went through a terrifying experience with the use of Fentanyl my heart goes out to you. A very big reason I’m weaning off is because after long term use there is a possibility that I can stop breathing and never wake up. That to me far outweighs my pain but each person’s diagnosis is different. If I’m lucky once I’m off Fentanyl perhaps I’ll be able to wean off my Norco for break through pain.

My mother was on the patch for roughly 15 years. After retiring last February she decided she wanted to get off the damn thing a year later. Though she had been taking a high dose for years (im not sure how high) the pain doc said she was good to stop taking it. 2 maybe 3 weeks later she suffered a massive stroke. Shes relatively young at 67 and was in hood health but i cant help but think its related… Anyone else have/hear of anything similar? I’ve picked these patches up for her every month since high school and to hear that they have caused so much pain for so many people is truely sobering… My heart goes out to you all…

I have had both the good and bad from Fentanyl patches and the lollipops. Related to pain relief, nothing compares. I suffer from chronic, severe spinal pain D/T nerve and bone damage. The 100 mcg patches and 1200 & 1400 mcg lollipops for break through pain made it possible for me to get out of bed and eventually able to walk again. The down side, yes there were occasional falls but I believe if you are taking any powerful pain medication that will be a possibility. Yes, as with a lot of other people, I have lost ALL of my teeth and had to spend thousands of dollars on dental work. I traded that for a better quality of life fentanyl gave me. The problem I am having is, with all the changes in medical coverages and especially INSURANCE, as of 1/1/2015 I was NO longer able to recieve fentanyl patches or lollipops through my insurance because they were far far too expensive! There are programs that will provide your Fentanyl free of charge but the requirement for ALL 28 programs is that you absolutely No insurance coverage (which we all know is illegal!) another problem I have is, I took Fentanyl in one form or another for 14 years. Now, no other pain medication provides the type of pain relief that Fentanyl did. If I had known that after taking Fentanyl that #1 I wouldn’t be able to afford it and #2 that I would never achieve adequate pain relief from anything else….. I would have never taken it in the first place

Hi everyone. First I want to express my dearest sympathy to those who have lost a love one because of fentanyl. I myself started with morphine pills for my pain before ever starting the patch. Sta

It was completely the other way around. fentanyl 50mch/hr for spinal stenosis I was able to walk again. No side effects. While on fentanyl i had major cancer surgery and was taking 5 4mg dulided day for 5 months along with fentanyl. I lived for 5 years on the couch. I can now do things I only dreamed about, I still hurt but I can now handle the pain. Before the fentanyl I sat on the couch with tears almost every day because of the pain. The one drug that should be outlawed is verside. Never again will I let them give me that drug.

My pain doctor prescribed fentanyl patch at a dose level of 25 mcg. I did not notice any help for my pain but within a week I lost normal use of my legs. This has put me in a wheelchair. I was walking without any aid before I used the patch. I have not had any more nerve damage after I quit using the patch There was no other change in other medications during this time.

I have suffered with chronic pancreatisis from the fentanyl patch I have had surgery from this ihave been hospital over and over with this I have pernious anemia with this cannot get the proper care for this I am loosing my teeth from this and I have several medical promblems from this I cannot hold up to typing all of this

My mother just passed away on March 16 from a 100 mg. Fentanyl patch. I have no words for the pain I am feeling and the outrage of this drug being prescribed. She had cancer and suffered from back pain. They started with a 25 mg patch 4 months ago. A month later, 50 mg. A month after that, 75mg and then in March, 100 mg. This shouldn’t even be on the market and mark my words, I am going to warn everyone of the dangers and hopefully lives can be saved. I am so sorry for all of your loses. My family and I mourn with you and pray justice will be served.

My 22 year old son just passed on 08/03/2014. He was prescribed Fentanyl 10mcg after being on a cocktail of oxycodone, dilaudid, percocet, norco, tramadol and flexeril, for extreme pain due to 3 crushed vertebrae. He had just go over osteomyelitis and had a picc line put in getting ready for a 6 wk antibiotic regiment prior to reconstructive surgery. his surgeon knew he was a documented heroin, meth and xanax addict, who was a high risk for abusing drugs. He was doing well on the cocktail. He had quit heroin and meth for almost 2 months when he was sent to pain management, who took him off everything and put him on Fentanyl. The dose was like taking vicodin, he said. He was in excruciating pain. He went to emergency a week later complaining of severe stomach pain, with fever and chill along with dizziness and nausea. they gave him a shot of dilaudid, did a blood panel and took a chest and stomach x ray before sending him home. they stated he had low red blood cells and hemoglobin and elevated white blood cells. Stating he was showing signs of infection, but wasn’t a candidate for SIR and no sepsis panel needed. X-rays showed nothing. His pain was so bad, he got a hold of vicodin and norco the next day, then went out that night with a friend and did heroin and meth through his picc line. His friends brought into ER the next morning at 11 AM. The ER was supposed to call police, cause it was a suspected OD and they didn’t. They waited 5 hrs before calling us. When I arrived, he still had the patch on. I mentioned it to the doctor, to no avail. He passed at 8:20 PM that night with the patch still on. The doctor said he had severe pneumonia, septic shock with multiple organ failure. (2 days prior his lungs were clear and he wasn’t coughing). The hospital was supposed to call the coroner, due to positive blood panel and they didn’t. I called the coroner the next morning. waiting for toxicology report, but we suspect Fentanyl overdose. He was hallucinating, had no muscle control, like he was paralyzed, fever and chills, yellowish skin and in and out of consciousness. Why they prescribed it to a known drug addict after he failed a drug test 5 min prior , by the doctor that prescribed it. Why didn’t the hospital recognized the symptoms 2 days prior to his death and why didn’t they ever remove the patch or call the police, or wait 5 hrs to call us or call the coroner? How many Fentanyl deaths are they getting that they are having to cover up my son’s death. There’s no amount of money in this world that will ever fill the empty void in my heart and sole. I think they should make doctors and hospitals more accountable, by making them pay out of pocket instead of hiding behind insurance companies and $250,000.00 payout cap. As well as make it illegal to prescribe to known high risk patients with a history of abuse. Also i think that med ads on TV and in magazines should be banned. I thought the whole idea of discovering a drug was to extend and improve quality of life, NOT THE F****** ALMIGHTY DOLLAR!!!! Our loved ones are dropping like flies due to the doctors, medical facilities and pharmaceutical companies being allowed to direct their ads aimed toward the consumer, who can’t just go out and buy it without a doctors note. So why are we subjected o it. Because we are weak and they’ve turned society into paranoid hypochondriacs who go o our doctors and tell them what’s wrong with us and what we want to cure it. Because of this, doctors are over run by pill seekers and no longer have time for real patients with real symptoms, so they gladly give patients what they ask for so as to get on to the next patient. We need to end this vicious circle from the lobbyists in washington all the way down to the stay at home mother with the medicine cabinet full of every drug, for every ailment you could imagine, cause after all, she has nothing better to do but learn of the new drug out there that’ll give her a better happier, freer life…After all, the TV said so, so it must be true…

I have stage 4 colon cancer. I was having severe upper right quadrant pain (Most likely my liver) and the doc prescribed fentanyl 2 mcg patch. What a God-send. I initially felt a tad dizzy, but adjusted quickly. It not only removed my pain, but also gave me back the strength I had lost due to Chemo therapy. I was shocked to see the experiences of other people. I guess the effects of this drug is very subjective to the individual. Outside of cancer, I’m healthy… I am careful NOT to over heat myself while patching, I never cover it with tape when it gets loose. I instead put a strip of tape along the outside perimeter of the patch. I make sure it can breath, so to speak. Read the instructions and ALL warnings. Be an informed user. Docs are human and sometimes they don’t look at the full picture. I thoroughly read everything and I believe it has kept me on the earth longer than my ‘lease’ specified. Good luck to all who need pain intervention.

i have been in the hospital now for a week due to the effects of accidental overdose caused by fentanyl 100Mcg patch, I almost died, I do not abuse it I do not abuse any of my medication, I am a chronic pain sufferer. since this happened its damaged my kidneys, one reason they wont let me out of the hospital now until my levels normalize

I have severe gi issues and do better on something that goes thru the skin and this patch has been the only thing that works for me (100mcg) plus 20-40mg oxycodone for b/t pain. The first 48 hours I hardly need any pills and that is awesome. The only thing is they don’t last 3 days. If people would just read the instructions….. No they should not be prescribed to anyone new to opiates. No they shoulđ not be prescribed unless the person is tolerant and needs around the clock relief. I know there have been some recalls and am sorry for everyone’s losses for the ones who got a bad batch or people who did not apply them correctly or use them correctly. The doctors need to explain that you cannot apply heat and that you have to wear only one patch at a time. The doctors are to blame not the patch. For some of us it is a life saver.

My mother was on the Fentanyle Patch for a few years. She did not have any health related issues to warrent the prescription of such a strong narcotic. She had diabetis/high blood pressure and suffered with Mental Illness. She claimed it was prescribed for aches and pains associated with a curve in her spine. She walked fine, took care of her personal needs and home on her own. She was well aware of the dangers associated with the patch. She had a history of abusing her medication this did nt include the patch. She would take several ativan when precribed and Ritalin which she was also prescribed…for what reason I have no idea. It seems my Mom was very smart when approaching medical team as she would oftern be handed prescriptions for medication she should not have been on. On several occasions I would contact the Dr and let them know she was abusing her meds, and question the rational for the prescriptions. I was speaking to def ears. My mom was a loving caring lady who thought the world of her kids and grandkids, she would helo anyone and was always laughing and smiling. She had lot to live for. Her medication had recently been placed into blister packs and was delivered to her ion 14 day routine…all EXCEPT the patch…they came a month supply all at once. She was found Jan 19.2014 in her apartment passed away. She had a atopsy and the results conclude she died from a leathal level of fenataol. Was ruled an accidentl death. I am so angry that she was even perscribed this dug in the first place. NOthing she was suffering from warrented this…we all loose out here my mom because she was 58 and full of life…and the family because she was taken too soon. Caution anyone who takes this drug or if you have a friend or family member who is. Far to many people die as a result of the medication.

I have Chronic Pancreatitis, and am on the Fentanyl 25mcg patch. I found at first it made me very tired first two weeks of starting it, that was two years ago, also I tend to bruise easily. However after being on it for a while now I find that it only last me about 10 hours of relief, and that is if Im not in a state of more acute pancreatitis, or eat very little. My doctor uped it to change every 48 hours, and it helps, but my break thru pain is intolerable even with 15 mg oxycodone. I am only prescribe 4 per day, which unfortunately doesnt help for nightime pain, and if my pain is severe, which it is most of the time. I would like to say that when the Fentanyl does work it’s my lifesaver, as noting else has come close to giving me a rest from the agony. I just dont understand howcome it only last me a short time..when it’s suppose to last longer? For me I do not fear the death from this patch as I am desperate for the pain relief it does provide. I feel that it should be reserved for those in severe pain, as they need pain relief, even at the risk of side effects. Saying, that it would be worse to suffer from inadequate pain relief like I do every other day. On the other hand it should be prescribed wtih much caution for those with pain that can be relieved with less potency. I feel bad for those who have passed away on this drug, but I have to say that I couldnt live without it’s help.

Admittedly my dad was unwell. Before he passed, he was the best I’ve seen him in months, maybe years. My dad was eating, talking etc. I strongly believe, the drug the dr who you and your family trust have now prescribed a fentanyl patch to my dad, which I strongly believe was enough to tip him over the edge and kill him. I was directed by the dr to administer the patch every 72 hours. Within 72 hours of administering the patch, my beloved dad had passed away. The only thing I’m grateful for, it was where he wanted to be and that was at home, in his own bed. I ADVISE ANYONE WHO IS PRESCRiBED FETANYL, WHETHER IT BE A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND, PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION. THIS MEDICATION CAN BE FATAL. Drs have a lot to answer for when prescribing this extremely strong medication. This medication is as deadly as . Being an opiate, the smallest amount will kill you if your body has never been introduced to it.

On April 10th my Mother fell and broke her shoulder.! She was taken to her Primary Care Doctor for a follow up.! He Prescribed her the 50mg Patch.! And just before Midnight she was Non-Responsive and taken to the ER.! The patch had BURST and tried to wipe it off her skin and when this was done on the site where the Patch was her skin came off.! The Doctors classified it as a Second Degree Burn on the site where the Patch was.! Have any other People out there have had any Serious problems like a Second Degree Burn with the Patch.? The ER Doctor also told us she was Overdosing and had to give her a shot of Narcan to bring her out of it.!!!

My sister died as a result of this patch I talk to her on Friday and she died on sat. My family tried to sue Johnson& Johnson only to have the Supreme Court decide that their not responsible because they didn’t manufacturer the patch Novitis did. But she was a mother, a sister, an aunt and a beautiful person who is no longer here and nothing I mean nothing has been done to acknowledge the lost of my dear sister. I want to start an advocate group to overturn this decision or if anyone know what I can do to help please contact me. My heart and prayers to all whom have suffer because of this terrible patch. A sister who misses her sister!!!!

I was given the 50 mcg Fentanyl patch for arthritis pain. I have never been on a regular dose of any opiate. I had been given a few tablets of hydrocodone several years ago for dental work. I installed the patch at 3:45 pm and by bed time did not feel well. The next morning, I became increasingly ill, with vomiting, dry mouth, headache, difficulty swallowing, itching, confusion, very weak and feeling that I might pass out. There were other symptoms as well. My wife took me to the hospital before noon and I was in the ER until late that evening. They, among other things, gave me a drug to reverse the Fentanyl effects, I went into severe uncontrollable shaking for an extended period of time, running a very high fever, etc. The second Doctor (I live in a very small town and have only a few doctors) finally told me I had pneumonia and needed to stay in the hospital for a few days. The official diagnosis was “allergic reaction to the Fentanyl” when in fact I had been overdosed by my doctors lack of knowledge of prescribing this patch. When I returned to the prescribing MD after 4 days in the hospital (he works for the hospital, there are no doctors here in private practice) he had done a compete 180 and said he needed to teach me to tolerate a high level of pain and all pain meds were bad. He had obviously been “dressed down” by the hospital administrator and was very nervous the entire visit. I was sold down the river by my doctor and hospital.

I also lost my mother to the Fentenyl patch. I put it on her back and she went to bed and never woke up. She was 62. I cant tell you how it feels to be the one to put the patch on her back.

Precious 17 year old granddaughter had reconstructive jaw surgery, with over night observation. Fentanyl 25 mcg patch was applied to her @ 10 am, prior to her discharge @ 1030 am. She was alert & doing well all day & evening of her discharge, & texts were noted @ 220 am. At 730 am I attempted to awaken her, she was unresponsive. I performed CPR, EMT’s arrived & after 30 min of resuscitation efforts she expired. I am heartbroken & devastated over the senseless loss of a beautiful child due to the negligent acts of her healthcare providers. The FDA should ban the use of Fentanyl patches, except for cancer patients. There are far too many deaths due to Fentanyl toxicity to justify its continued use. I feel that my granddaughter was murdered by the prescribing practitioner & medical facility.

didn\’t kno no packages 2 2 months ago after coming off of a hundred and 40 milligrams of methadone they put me on the fientalyl patch 2 100. Ask I\’ve read be in the S I love going to the beac tanning in the tanning bed and spending ti with grandkids outsid now I\’m afrai if I get too hot the medicine will rel and I will overdose has any on anyone had any problems by being outside in the sun.on the 2 nd day I\’m fine by earily am on 3 rd day 8 to 12 hrs I start getting sick.I\’m missing the summer days time with my self & family 7 s

My Doctor disapeared. I am in ned of a doctor who will perscribe Fetnyal patches and am having troble finding a doctor in Ct who will perscribe due to D.E.A clampin down on pain percsriptions. i have been on patches for years with great help with my pain any information will greatly help.

For all of you people claiming you OD’d right after putting the patch on & how quickly it worked… the lawyers won’t work with you because they know, just like I know, that you’re liars. The patch takes several 6-10 hours to kick in. You didn’t just put it on & Bam! Greedy people will lie about anything to get money they don’t deserve. Get a job and stop trying to steal from society. No one owe you anything. You’re lazy. GET A JOB!

was on pain patch fentanyl 50mg for 3 months lost about 10 pounds lost my will to eat. Felt like throwing up all the time.Lost control of dieabetes.Last day on patch I thought I was DYING.Went to doctor for emergency.First thing I was ask med. taking said fentanyl patch .She didn;t let me finish talking said it was patch.Still couldn’t take it off till I seen pain doctor.Took 2 weeks to feel better but still feeling it.memory is bad will post more soon

WOW I told my sister-in-law AS God is my witness I promise I will make sure that Fentanyl Pain Patch drug company AND of course my deceased husband (he died 6/26/11) Pain Mgmt DR here in SouthCarolina are help totally responsible and make them PAY for taking my husband her brother my father-in-laws son and my husband 2 sons away from us! In the year my husband was on these insanely dangerous drug as well as others xanax and hydocodone ALL at the same time as these deadly patches. his kidney’s shut down 2x and he woke up in the hospital 2x as well after i found him passed out unable to wake him. the 3rd and sadly the final time i could wake him the 5 EMT’s couldn’t and @ the hospital he was pronounced dead @ 2pm sunday 6/26/11!!!!!! This drug and Pain Mgmt dr’s should all be held responsible!!! I have my husbands ashes in an urn and I will bring them to court and make sure the drug company pain mgmt dr and the court judge is aware how angry i am I want my husband with me standing and alive not in an urn!!!!! I do already have a lawyer for this case thank you!!

My partner Dr. David DiCiommo died April 3, 2007 from apparent fentanyl toxicity, at least that is what his autopsy said. He had been taking that medication for some time, then one night he went to sleep and didn’t wake up. He was brilliant, both an MD and a PhD. Great guy, what a loss. There was a great feature story on him in the Toronto Star found at http://www.thestar.com/news/article/203450 What is happening with the class action suit? How do I get involved?

There is a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT for FENTANYL PAIN PATCHES!On my brother’s death certificate it says cause of death ” fentynal overdose”. Contact the Merchant Law Group to make the drug companies responsible and save a life!

I just received the autopsy report from my sisters death in July of 2011. She had lethal levels of fentanyl in her body. I blame her doctor, knowing the risks and the problems why would any doctor do this? We go to doctors to make us better, not kill us! I am near Toronto, Ontario Canada is there a class action suit ongoing..as there should be. We need to protect our parents, sisters and brothers

i have been on Fentanyl patches for lil more then 2yrs..i started having problems with them at the first of the year,i was going through hot /cold stages,aniexty.moodness,depression,rapid heart beat( my heart beats sometimes so hard i cant even sleep i have to take ativan to get some rest)..i stay so tired ,my testosterone level droppped very low,and at times my sex drive would go off the chartes (this startted before the testosterone shot) and then i would not have one at all, i have been goin through a living hell all this year.. Thanks

‘@Bill I was on a similar pain management regimen as your friend. 30mg Immediate release Oxycodone every 4-6 hours and 100mcg generic Fentanyl patch for over 3 months. This was due to a very severe surgery I underwent and then a very slow and agonizing healing time. Depending on your friend’s tolerance and cause of pain, that dosage could be safe for him. On a side note, Fentanyl patches (Duragesic, etc.) are not notated by milligrams (mg) which you wrote, they are dosed as micro milligrams (mcg) per hour (mcg/h). So for example, in one 75mcg/h patch there is 7.5mg of actual Fentanyl in the patch. It’s a common mistake, but I just wanted to clear it up. Also, Fentanyl is about 100 times more potent than morphine. 10mg of IV Morphine = 100mcg of IV Fentanyl As far as my experience with Fentanyl patches, I have had no issues other than the fact that I have trouble getting them to stick to my body consistently. They fall off all too easily. I have been on Opana ER, MS Contin, Oxycontin, and the Fentanyl patch has so far been the most convenient for me because I don’t have to worry about anything except for changing the patch every 3 days. Opposed to having to remember to take yet another pill every 6 hours or so.

i have a friend thats taking 5 pills aday 30 mg oxycotin plus fentanyl patch 100mg every 72 hours for pain.how could this possibly be safe?has anyone ever heard of this much pain meds at once?please someone give me some answers

I was on Mylan Fentanyl patches for over 5 years. I stayed at 50mcg, and with flair ups or additional surgery they would increase the dosage to 75mcg by 48 hours. I was then increased again to 100mcg, I was having crazy side effects and begged my doctor to reduce me down to 75 the next month then down to 50, and I wanted to take two months and go off completely. I asked to have pain pills instead and try to reduce them through 2 months to 2 or 3 per day of hydrocodone 10mg. My doctor refused and basically forced me to stay on the 100mcg for 4 more months. I continued cutting down the patch to reduce the amount in my system. When I went back to the doc and let them know I was down to 1/3 of the 100mcg every 4 – 5 days she was angry. I was then put on Opana ER. The side effect from Opana ER was that I was AWAKE all the time. I got 3 to 4 hours sleep a night. I cut them back on my own to 1 pill every 14 hours, then to one a day. Again the doctor was mad and refused to allow me to take only pain pills. She refused to give me more than 2 pain pills a day and told me if I was to be treated for pain I was to go back on the fentanyl 50mcg by 72 hours. What is wrong with these doctors when a patient wants to get off the high opiate? I am now having gall bladder and pancreas pain and severe diarrhea again that I suffered with during the first 4 years I was on the patch and no doctor put these meds and my symptoms together. I am making plans for a second opinion, I have my PC doc, my gastro doc and my psychiatrist on my side, as the pain management doctor told me to tell them to increase my sleep meds and anxiety meds for the side effects from the opana ER. This is a nightmare. I will write a letter to the medical board and to my health care provider about the lack of concern for my health. I had problems with the Sandoz brand and had to remove that patch for a very close overdose 5 times, and I did have 3 defective Mylan patches that looked all bubbly make me sick within two hours, yet they stated they found nothing wrong even when I sent them the defective patches. I want off these strong opiates, with severe flair ups and gall bladder attacks that put me in the hospital I want to tell you they treat chronic pain patients like drug seekers. I was treated so terrible I still have nightmares. There is little respect for some of these pain management doctors. They want to perform profitable tests, injections, and out patient surgeries to keep their practice running. I happen to know they know when they have patients that doctor hop and sell their pills. Yet they won’t support a patient that wants to reduce the heavy meds and try to survive on a few pain pills. Logically it would be better because if there is a flair up or another surgery there are more options to be treated.

I have been on 100mcg and have not suffered any side effects. I do not use gel patches due to leakage can happen causing bad reactions

Due to severe pain issues I have been on Mylans Fentanyl patch 75mcg/hr for a year now, no issues, no side effects, only pain relief. READ THE DIRECTIONS AND CAUTIONS THAT COME WITH YOUR PAIN MEDS! HEAT WILL CAUSE TOO MUCH OF THE DRUG TO BE DISPENSED AND IT SAYS THAT CLEAR AS DAY IN THE INSERT!

I have numerous and serious injuries which have caused severe, chronic pain. My doc suggested the patch. I have experienced all the side effects listed. The most serious is a breathing problem. I do not recommend anyone who has not taken opiate pain meds on a long term basis to use the patch unless death is at your door. Symptoms include; constipation, sweats, headaches, nightmares, chills, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of breath, heart palpitations, and skin problems, etc.

i hsve been taking threm sence 2004 whithout knowing that it would cause damage to my breathing and in my case it has and severly damageing my lungs and in reasults of me taking it and i am now using abutirol,xeopenx inhaler im taking advair that i was not taking i am very short of brath my life style has changed i almost felt adicted do to reasults of my ingeres such as a fused neck, a total knee replacment, and a buldging disc and i would be more than glad to be apart of the class action suit , and setlment

Hi, Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllllllllpppppppppppppppp.. Please. Does anyone have any information connecting pain patch, with dental problema, Im 47 y.o no history of dental problems in my family. my teeth are falling out, braking away the inside looks like sand, is like they are desinigrating, please if you have andy infotmation, let me know. Thanks in advance for your helpé Regards, Yvonne Nanaimo, BC Canada

MY DAUGHTER DIED ON OCTOBER 19, 2007. SHE WAS TAKING FENTANYL PATCH 75MG AND FENTHANYL LOLLIPOP 600MG. SHE WAS ALSO USING HER ELECTRIC HEATING PAD ON A DAILY BASES. WHICH I BELIEVE HAD A GREAT IMPACT ON HER DEATH AND THE AMOUNT OF MEDICINE SHE WAS PRESCRIBED FOR HER HEIGHT AND WEIGHT.

Went tru..HELL detoxing from the Fentanyl 75mg patch. after numerous hospitalizations and still trying to recover after 1 month from taking patch off because a defective patch. contacted manufacturer, FDA, but attorneys are not interested…unless you die from this shit they wont take the case?

It’s the same here. My mother had pancreatic cancer. I took her to the ER on one occaision the week before she died. The ER doctor said she was higher than a kite. Her exact words were “they overdosed her”. Mom had the same symptoms as described.disoriented, hallucinating, shortness of breath, confusion, yellowish skin. She fell into a deep coma and never woke up. She died a few days later. October 21 2008.

In my country many deaths occurred but nobody is performing autopsy. Medics use durogesic much more in small countries because are well paid by manufacturers. In pulmonary malignant despute everyone has a patch even without pain. It is used like cough suppressor instead of codeine methadone or others

AS A CHRONIC BACK PAIN SUFFERER DUE TO SEVERAL BACK INJURIES AND SURGERY, I WAS PRESCRIBED THE DURAGESIC FENTANYL PAIN PATCH BY MY DOCTOR. ON THE FIRST NIGHT I CAREFULLY PLACED THE PATCH DIRECTLY ON THE SCAR FROM MY SURGERY ON THE SMALL OF MY BACK (L-4/L-5). I LEFT THE BATHROOM AND SAT IN A RECLINER IN THE LIVING ROOM IN FRONT OF THE TV TO WAIT FOR THE MEDICINE IN THE PATCHES TO KICK IN, BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS BEGINNING TO BE UNBEARABLE. WITHIN MINUTES I COULD FEEL THE MEDICINE IN THE PATCH WORKING AS MY PAIN SLOWLY DIMINISHED. A FEW MINUTES LATER MY PAIN WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I WAS AMAZED, EVEN THE NARCOTIC PILLS I TOOK DID NOT ELIMINATE MY PAIN ENTIRELY, BUT THE PATCH DID. BUT, MOMENTS AFTER, I NOTICED MY HEART WAS A BIT RACEY. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST I USED THE PATCH, SO I DISMISSED IT. YET, THE NEXT MOMENT, MY HEART BEAT BECAME FASTER THAN BEFORE. I BECAME ALARMED, SO I STOOD UP AND WHEN I DID, IT SEEM TO MAKE MY HEART BEAT FASTER. I ALSO HAD TO CATCH MY BREATH WHEN I STOOD UP, MY BREATHING BECAME SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT. AFRAID NOW, I DECIDED TO GO BACK TO THE BATHROOM. ON MY WAY I BEGAN TO STUMBLE, HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY BALANCE. SO I STUCK MY LEFT HAND OUT AGAINST THE WALL TO STABILIZE MY BODY AS I WENT DOWN THE HALL. WHEN I GOT TO THE BATHROOM I LOOKED INTO THE MIRROR. MY FACE WAS COVERED IN SWEAT, I WAS SWEATING PROFUSELY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I FELT COLD. MY HEART WAS BEATING MUCH FASTER NOW, WITHOUT WARNING I FELT A SHARP PAIN HIT ME IN THE CENTER OF MY CHEST. I GRABBED MY CHEST WITH MY RIGHT HAND OUT OF REFLEX. MY DIZZINESS BECAME WORSE AS MY VISION BECAME SLIGHTLY BLURRED AND MY BREATHING GOT WORSE AS WELL. IT WAS THEN I KNEW I WAS HAVING AN OVERDOSE, SO I REACH AROUND MY BACK AND PULL THE PATCH OFF, THINKING IT WOULD REVERSE THESE SYMPTONS, BUT IT DID NOT. I KNEW IT WAS TIME TO CALL AN AMBULANCE. SO TOOK ONE STEP TOWARD THE DOOR, WITH THE SECOND STEP, I DID NOT MAKE IT. I HAD TO GRAB THE FRAME OF THE BATHROOM DOOR TO KEEP FROM FALLING. I KNEW I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE LIVING ROOM WHERE THE PHONE WAS. BY NOW, EVERYTHING I WAS FEELING BECAME INTENSIFIED, MY HEART FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE, I WAS SWEATING LIKE A PIG FEELING SO COLD, I COULD BARELY SEE AND MY HEAD WAS SPINNING. I KNEW THAT I WAS ABOUT TO DIE AND I SAID TO GOD, “PLEASE, GOD DON’T LET ME DIE LIKE THIS, PLEASE”. SUDDENLY A THOUGHT POPPED IN MY HEAD. I TAKE MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MY HEART, SO WITHOUT HESITATION, I OPENED THE MEDICINE CABINET AND REACHED FOR THE MEDICATION, FRANTICALLY KNOCKING THINGS INTO THE SINK. AS I DESPERATELY OPENED THE PILL BOTTLE, I SPILLED THE MAJORITY OF THEM. THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT LEFT IN MY HAND, THERE WERE CALLED ATENOLOL, AT 100 MGMS A PIECE. I HAD 800 MGMS OF ATENOLOL IN MY HAND. I QUICKLY TOSSED THEM DOWN MY THROAT, SWALLOWING THEM WITHOUT WATER. WITHOUT WARNING, I FELT MYSELF FALLING AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. SO, I THREW OUT MY RIGHT ARM IN FRONT OF ME AND THE NEXT THING EVERYTHING WHEN BLACK!……… I DON’T KNOW HOW LONG AFTER I AWOKE TO FIND MYSELF ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR, LOOKING UP, REALIZING THAT MY HEAD WAS A COUPLE INCHES FROM THE COMMODE. MY SHIRT WAS SATURATED WITH SWEAT AND I WAS COLD. I DON’T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS GOD OR THE PILLS THAT SAVED MY LIFE, MAYBE IT WAS BOTH. I WILL NEVER FORGET AS LONG AS I LIVE. MY DOCTOR NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY DANGERS INVOLVING THE PATCHES, NO ONE EVER TOLD MY DOCTOR ABOUT ANY DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PATCHES. THIS HAPPENED ONE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER 2004. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE FLAW IN THE PATCHES AND THE RECALL JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN ATTORNEY BUT, NO ONE WILL HELP REPRESENT ME, I DON’T UNDERSTAND.

I hurt my back and went in for anepaderal lower lumbar steoid injection and prescribed 50 mcg fentanyl patch.I was to change it every 3 days.I don’t remember much until the third day I was in bad pain and my wife removed the old patch and put on a new one. I remember about an hour after that,then went in a coma and woke up in the hospital 20 days later,still on breathing equipment,dizzy,can’t concentrate,forget what I’m talking about most of the time,I have severe pain all over my body especially my legs,arms,and hands. Dr has me on parkinsons medicine for the pain and shaking,even though he believes I have nerve damage from the overdose,it seems to help. He has since doubled the dose,and I take it 5 times a day instead of 3 now.And all the lawyers I have talked to said they would only take my case if I died.I am un able to work any more and had to let my business go.I don’t know why a lawyer won’t take the case ,but I was told that Texas has that law something about $250,000.00 is all the attorney can sue for in this state, so that isn’t enough for them to mess with. God bless all (even lawyers)

I put on a patch and it leaked through. I wiped it off and put another on and thought I was fine. A couple hours later I was rushed to the hospital where I was revived

I had cranial surgery almost 4 years ago and my pain worsened over time due to nerve damage. I was on the fetanyl patch for quite some time and experienced sever difficulty breathing ( I eventually had to have an inhaler constantly), was confused all the time, couldn’t hold a conversation and couldn’t walk on my own. I was also experiencing bouts of dizziness to the point I would pass out. I’ve been off the patch for months now and my symptoms have mostly gone. I can only assume the leftover symptoms are from being constantly overdosed by this drug. Even better, all the lawyers I spoke with won’t help me because I am alive. I have memory problems now, get confused pretty easily and find it difficult to concentrate, issues I never had before this.

My step-son died from a fentanyl overdose from the first 50mcg patch he was administered in 2006. He was 31 years old and had survived a tour in Iraq and was being treated for chronic pain from his injuries in Iraq. We were so happy that he was back with us and putting his life back together – this was a terrible terrible shock and we still are grieving his loss. We are suing the drug company and our attorneys say we have a very strong case. If you believe your loved one was killed or disabled by a fentanyl patch, I encourage you to contact an attorney who specializes in these cases.

My mother passed away in July of 2008 from a accidental Fentanyl overdose. I am so upset with the careless doctors that gave her this medicine she wasn’t on a regularly prescibed opiate and she was just diagnosed with kidney failure. She was disable from asthma and depression. She had back pain and had 1 surgery.

I have had chronic pancreatitis for over 9 yrs. I have been hospitalized too much to count. I have also been on every pain med. there is. Well about a yr. ans a half ago my dr. prescribed the Fentanyl patch, starting at 25, I am now on 75 every 3 days. I would like to comment that it keeps me out of the hospital most of the time . I usually get admitted for DKA and along with that comes pancreatitis which requires additional pain meds. for a few days. I do not like the way It makes me feel on the 2nd. night going into the 3rd day. I can’t sit still, I can’t sleep and my pancreas starts hurting real bad at times. Is there another form of pain meds. I can take for break-thur pain on theses days? These patches along with other narcotic meds. have both the good and bad. I have one question for any one to answer that knows about this. I have heard Fentanyl patches can cause Pancreatits. Any answers would be great.