There are 120 ratings for the drug: DURAGESIC in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for duragesic: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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5	severe fibromyalgia, rheumatoid art	constipation, sweating, weight gain-I take 100 mg every three days. Take tylenol, ibuprofen for breakthrough, it's not that bad.	Gave me a life back. Battled pain from severe fibromyalgia, rheumaoid arthritis, 3 herniated discs, lups-I had just about had it with doctors and medications prescribed. I was in so much pain, my quality of life was nil. This gave me my life back, yes, with a few changes, but all I could handle. I did end up having all my teeth extracted and was told the patch was a factor in that but hey, I got dentures and all is well. If you take this drug as directed it is a life save. If you mess with it, it can kill you. A	F	59	4 years 100 mg 1X O		6/16/2010 Email
4	Back pain, rib cage nerve damage	Slightly spacey feeling on 100mcg patch,but just about cut all my pain. Cut back to 75mcg and I think clearly now but some pain has returned.	I was on morphine sulfate for a couple of years, total of 90mg a day. This did little to help, made me a little nauseous. Doc switch me to duragesic patch starting at 50 mcg for 6 days then to 100mcg. The 100mcg along with 15mg morphine sulfate for break through pain. This got rid of 80% of pain and did not even need morphine. Two weeks ago I cut back to 75mcg patch, I could not think clearly. Ok on 75mcg although I'm getting about 50% reduction in pain.	M	59	3 months 1X O		5/4/2010
5	Chronic pain from nerve damage	A little tiredness and I have noticed my memory is not as sharp as it was sometimes-these side effects are NOTHING compared to other narcotic meds I have tried through the yrs and I have tried them all!!	This medicine has been a miracle for me and I am amazed that it is not prescribed more often for people who have severe and chronic pain. It is so amazing not to deal w/ the constant withdrawal/ups and downs of oxycontin,vicodin,and other more commonly presribed meds. Morphine gave me terrible migraines and restless legs as it would wear off and it made me sooo tired. These patches give a steady stream of med. that if used properly,prevent you from ever having to deal with all that agony. It also gives me better pain relief than any other med w/o any real side effects besides a little memory issue which could have more to do w/ my insomnia which is unrelated to this med.I have also only had to up my dose once in 4 yrs and that was because my condition worsened not because the drug became less effective. So, talk to your dr. if you have chronic pain....people who have died or od'ed from Fentanyl have misused it - people don't die from using it correctly.	F	46	4 years 50mg 1X O		4/6/2010
2	nerve damage, bulging disc,multi	patch crinckles and tried to peel off..fixed that...a little sleepy first day.....no effects at all now, 69 hours later.	I have had lumbar epidural's, physical therapy,tenz unit and more for severe muscle spasms in back, severe pain in right leg for 8 months after minor surgery. Been on Loritab 10 mg x4, Lyrica,75mg x3 Demerol 50 mg x4, Norco 10mg x 4,and now Percedan 4.35x6 and tinazidine 4mg x9 and now the 25mg patch. So far its only been 72 hours but I feel 0 relief from the patch. It's on my forarm and I keep it in place with bandages in an X over the patch. I am hoping my doctor will bump me up to 50mg tomorrow....I am sooooo sick of the pain. My quality of life sucks. I was working full time and walking 3 miles a day before this happened. It was supposed to be a simple surgery and back to work the next day.....that was in August 09. Do the 50's work without doping you up? I have a 10yr old to take care of. As for that person drinking the medicine...good luck and God be with you cause one of these times you are not gonna come out of it. This stuff is no game. Can anyone tell me what happens if I change the patch a few hours shy of 72 hours?	F	44	3 days 25 mcg 1X O		3/29/2010 Email
5	chronic pain, spinal tumors	mild constipation, skin irritation from patch adhesive, mood swings	This medication is a lifesaver, literally. I was ready to commit suicide because I could not stop the pain I was having from tumors on my spine and severe fibromyalgia. I was first given it after a car accident, and within an hour after the patch was put on, I felt something I hadn't felt in YEARS: Pain-Free. It's not a perfect drug--it does cause constipation, the adhesive is a skin irritant, and my moods tend to swing up as the medicine gets absorbed and down as the dose runs out--and if you stop taking it suddenly, you WILL go into opiate withdrawal, no question. But if you're a chronic pain sufferer who can't get relief no matter how many high-dose narcotic pills you take, ask your doctor about the fentanyl 3-day patch (the generic name for Duragesic). One patch can change your life...at least, it did for me.	F	47	2 years 50 mcg 1X O		3/7/2010 Email
5	Fibro, herniated discs, neuralgias	mild constipation, skin irritation with Duragesic brand when worn above waist	This medicine literally saved my life. Before it I was in such severe, constant pain that I was actually seriously considering suicide. I had zero quality of life. This medication allowed me to be functional again and although I am far from being pain-free, my quality of life is pretty good. I am on disability but am able to have a life now. I would highly recommend this medication to anyone with long-term, severe chronic pain not getting relief from other pain meds. I change my patch every 48 hours because on the third day it seemed like the drug was wearing off and I was needing lots of breakthrough pain meds. (Many Medicare Part D plans pay for up to 15 or 16 patches a month so ask your insurance carrier if you have the same issue). I am now on minimal breakthrough pain meds. I have been at the same dose for 6 1/2 years and have been able to avoid increasing the dosage by using alternative therapies along with the patch. I have found that the Mylan brand, being a smaller patch, causes less skin irritation than Duragesic, especially when worn on the very lower back/top of buttock area where less pulling occurs with movement. Although the manufacturer tells you that you should wear it above the waist, this is only because they only studied it there, but I had no decrease in effectiveness wearing it on my lower back or upper buttock area. The patches also stay on much better for me there, with no need for tape or overlays.	F	34	7 years 75 mcg 1X O		2/26/2010 Email
1	Disc and nerve pain	Tried this drug as was in horrendous pain and was stepping down from morphine following flare up with back apin and nerve pain. Vivid nasty nightmares, couldn't sleep, was then tired in the day, felt really sick. Slowly dropped dose to discontinus as couldn't tolerate side effects any longer and felt tearful and suicidal, was so depressed could hardly function. Tokk 2 attempts to stop this drug.	It doesn't suit everyone and I am one of those !!!	F	35	3 weeks		1/27/2010
5	spinal pain		I forgot to add something on my previous post. I use the Mylan patches. Get "Tegaderm" covers. Nothing can get these off with the Tegaderm. It works 100% in holding them on and intact. 100 showers and they wouldn't come off.	F	62	2 months		1/26/2010 Email
5	C6- C7 T1 spine pain	some nausea when first changing and putting on new patches.	This has also been a literal lifesaver for me. I also was about at the stage of suicide from intractable pain, ( back, and chest ) for 5 months. If you can imagine how horrible and disconserting it is to have chest pain 24/7 for months, and literally not be able to do for yourself. Oral opiates just were awful, made me sick, didn't last, or just didn't work. At first I was very leery of starting the patch, ( I am an RN ) but it got to a point where I was desperate for relief. Best thing I ever did. It gave me back my life. I have also just had my second cervical epidural with some relief but not enough, unfortunately.	F	62	2 months		1/26/2010 Email
4	DDD, L5, perm nerve dmg in one leg	Nausea, constipation, tiredness	I have been on 50 mcg for at least 5 yrs. Without it I'd be on disability. Drug enables me to work and have a life most of the time. Some patch change days I am very nauseous to the point of having to stay in bed all day. Next day I'm fine. I have 5 mg oxycodone for breakthrough but seldom use. Also taking Lyrica, helps w/ the nerve pain in the leg & arm but gained too much weight! I lost weight on Duragesic. The Mylan generic is best, the name brand or the other generic increase the nausea. I can swim, but have to watch exposure to sun & heat or too much medicine will be released @ one time. This medicine made me able to walk on my own w/o using a cane constantly. (Bc of nerve dmg in leg/foot still have to look down & walk carefully). All in all a good drug, if one must be on an opioid.	F	50	5 years		9/15/2009
5	Severe spinal pain after car crash	Addictive. Constipation. Difficulty reading (weird eye strain feeling). Mild insomnia. Get help with the withdrawal when/if you discontinue use. Except for the withdrawal issues all the side effects while using were totally manageable.	This drug was a miracle for me. After a bad car accident I tried to avoid spine surgery for 3 years. The patch was life saving for me. My pain was so bad I was suicidal and none of the "traditional" painkillers worked for me. I had to change the patch after 48 hours -- I could not go for 3 days as it would wear off too quickly and the third day was agony. Tell your doctor if you think this is happening to you. When I did finally stop using the patch I went off cold turkey, on my own, and I do not recommend that. The withdrawal was awful and like torture so I highly recommend asking for your doctor's help. The best part about the Duragesic patch was that it doesn't make you feel high. You can function and think and have emotions, etc... And at the correct dose, it will take away your pain to a manageable level. I'm very petite and could never tolerate more than 50 mcg so I needed to take other meds for break through pain -- but so what? The patch, while I needed it, gave me back my life.	F	34	3 years		3/19/2009
2	Chronic Pain L4-5 surgery, DDD, OA	Somewhat severe constipation. Anxiousness that at a higher dose became unbearable. Uneven release of the drug from the patch.	I've been on this drug two different times. The first time we went up to 75mg and that is where I experienced the horrible anxiety. The second time, a different MD due to a temporary move, prescribed it incorrectly and I finally asked him to take me off of it. At that time I found that the generic patch stayed on better and the drug released more evenly. I never, either time, could go three days with one patch, always only two. I also found that certain conditions such as warmer weather, physical exertion, caused the drug to release faster. Like most of this type of drug you really should decrease slowly but I found it difficult to go from 25mg to nothing without feeling quite sick. The first time I was on this drug was for 9 months. The second time was less than 2 months. The second time the MD incorrectly prescribed it along with MS Contin and as he increased it I had depressed breathing and heavy sleepiness and I KNEW something was very wrong.	F	51	2 times		2/8/2009
2	L5-S1 spondylolisthesis,thor scoli	Did not work when used as substitute for methadone when doc went out of town and ER RXed 10.0 patch in place + my normal breakthru meds. would have began withdrawing from methadone if i hadn't had a few extra to take every day to barely prevent withdrawl til doctor returned eight days later.	i am writing here to ask long time users about this drug. has anyone been on methadone and switched to the patch? what mg of methadone were they on and what mg of duragesic did they switch to? what brand? i have spoken to another friend on the patch and she tried methadone and found it much more efficient at relieving pain. my doctor did not even mention the duragesic patch as an option for pain relieve and when i commented on it, he said that it is very addictive since the mdication is in your blood at all times. my other question is about side effects. when switch from pills such as methadone, oxy, or morphine, how does the patch compare to constipation and upset stomach? i have been on pills for many years and my digestive track is a mess, my disabiliy is permanent, so im hoping to find treatment that is easier on the guts. please, anyone with any information, please contact me at pekinghouse_972@hotmail.com. I also have a degree in biological psychology and studied psychone	F	27	1 weeks		12/9/2008 Email
1	Chronic abdominal pain	After 6 surgeries and many pain meds, I ended up on Fentanyl Patch. 75mcg/hr down to 12.5mcg all had horrible side effects - on me. I missed weeks of my life, seizures, possible unconscious at times, slurred speech, unable to walk, constantly falling and getting hurt/cut, unable to sit-up at times, stayed awake for 2-3 days then slept for same, very vivid dreams/nightmares, and even severe cigarette burns everywhere (including on my body) which I dont remember.	Not even after all my surgeries was I given Fentanyl. Being a "widower" and living alone, I do not feel that this drug is safe, at least for me, to use without having someone around. For me and my body it was just a horrible, horrible drug and I will never use it again unless it is in the hospital under the direct supervision of a physician and/or nurse to monitor me!	M	45	8 months		11/10/2008 Email
5	Disc pain and rotatory scoliosis	None that I've noticed. I used it a few years ago when I was obese, and it made me sleep a lot. But now it doesn't.	I used it years ago and started again recently. I believe this is the best long-acting pain reliever that exists. It was one of three options offered to me: Morphine, Oxycontin or Fentanyl. I tried the first two and didn't like them. Fentanyl is wonderful. There's no "high" like oxycontin. No side-effects like morphine. My breakthrough pain med use has gone down remarkably. I have to change patches every 48 hours, as the 72 hour schedule didn't give me enough pain relief or consistent relief. ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO LET YOU TRY THIS. It is WONDERFUL! However, when you go off it you may have to use the Suboxone program. I did years ago and it worked to get me off the 75 mcg. dose I was on at the time. I'm only on 25 mcg now, but I weigh half as much as I did then so I figure that's why less works now.	M		4 years		10/16/2008
4	Fibromyalgia	Constipation, insomnia on first day of applying patch	Duragesic has been a God send for me. I was on Lorcet 10/650 4x a day and Ultram 50 4x a day, but it caused a lot of stomach upset and wore off too soon and it seemed I was constantly popping pills. With Duragesic I get constant pain relief. I've been on 50mcg for 4 years. There is no 'high' feeling, just relief from my chronic pain for 3 days without having to worry about having pills with me at all times. I do occasionally still get breakthrough pain(usually on the 3rd day) which I take Ultram 50 up to 4x a day to help control. I take a fiber supplement to help control the constipation, which works as long as I am consistant in taking it. I tried the generic patches for a couple months but they only lasted 2 days for me. The first day I felt 'high' on them, then, not much pain relief and sort of a'withdrawal feeling' on the 3rd day. So I went back to the brand, this medicine has given me more freedom in my daily life; I don't know how I ever existed without it.	F	34	4 days		9/5/2008
5	HepC related Perip. Neuropathy	none! I don't even have withdrawal syndrome anymore	I am on 4 100mcg patches every three days. I used to take MEGA doses of morphine (6000mgs +). I had edema in my legs, I lost my cough reflex and got double pneumonia, I collapsed one day and almost didn't wake up due to CNS collapse. I suffered supremely coming off all that morphine, but I would do it again in a heart beat. I am aware of my surroundings again, I can remember going to the movies with my wife, I can do little things around the house. I have my life back! thanks to Patches and suckers.	M	56	8 years		8/17/2008 Email
3	pain	none		F	63	15 days		7/23/2008
2	Spinal Disorders	Sweating, Nervousness, Anxiety	I started on the 12 mcg patch a month ago and cannot tolerate it. I think it can be helpful to a great many people but I am very hypersensitive to meds. The biggest complaint I have was the non stop sweating which was supposed to abate and didn't. I also absorbed it very quickly so by the 72 hour mark I was in withdrawals. I did try to go to 48 hours but it knocked me for a loop. And the most pain relief I had was probably for one MAYBE two days. I just don't see the point of cycling like this and STILL having to take BT meds.		51	1 months		5/8/2008
1	MS	TERRIBLE SWEATING! The slightest activity caused me to sweat completley through my clothing. SO embarassing!	I had trouble getting the patch to stick with all the sweating. Itching occured underneath the patch. Without the feeling that pain meds give, I never felt that it was working. Even at a high dosage.	F	31	8 months		5/2/2008
5	DDD Spine collapsing 3X Surg/fusion	First month diff slow breathing, but give it time. You get use to it and no longer notice these issues. Mild sleeplessness. Euphoric when tired. Black-outs when sleep deprived. Standing-sitting-driving. Its like sleep walking. Only if I have no had even near adequate sleep.	WOW! What a life changing drug. Tried every other narcotic on the market for years ending with oxycontin 80mg. I was gagging taking so many pills. Though the patches must be used at 2 day intervals. 3 is just an uphill battle fighting to get it back under control. Most will need Tegaderm or overlay from Jannsen. Takes a month or two to get used to but when you get at the right dose you can live virtually pain free. Don't come off it and don't run out by abusing them. Major withdrawl, near seizure-like on high doses. I am on 400mcg every 48hrs and have not seen anyone here even close. Read that the highest you can go was 300. Wrong! Had Dr tell me he had people on 600. I could easily go that high now after 7 years. I was in a wheelchair and could not stand straight upright. I have my life back. Driving, housework, standing on concrete floors. You name it. I can go 90% of the day pain free with Actiq as a breakthru. Had some issues with surgery anesthesia. I seem to	F	40	7 years		2/28/2008 Email
3	severe hip pain due to OA	extreme sleepiness, severe nausea/vomiting at higher dose.	I started on the 25 mcg patch for severe hip pain (I am getting hip replacement in June '08) and found it worked fairly well but I still needed 6-8 percocets (5mg) daily for BT pain. My doctor put me up to the 37.5 mcg patch (adding a 12.5 mcg to my 25 mcg) and within 30 hrs after application I developed a searing headache and intractable vomiting. I pulled thepatches off and started over the next day with the 25mcg. I tried the 37.5 two times, approximately 3 weeks apart, and had this same horrible result. Even with the 25mcg, I am so stoned when I sit down to relax that my eyes cross and I nod out. I can't read a book or watch tv b/c of this. Very annoying! I am seeing my PM doctor this week and will tell him I really can't take the 37.5 patch b/c of the N/V, and even wonder about the 25mcg making me impaired in general (I work in health care). I also have to say that the patch in general scares the bejeesus out of me - I worry I will go to bed and not wake up from the darn thing mis	F	49	2 months		1/12/2008
1	Crohn's Disease	Goose bumps, chills, large pupils,nausea, high blood pressure. basically all of the symptoms of withdrawl from opiates...	I do not understand these effects but they are real. Happened both times that I used this drug.	M	30	2 days		1/6/2008
2	Surgical Abortion	Taken with Versed... I'm not sure which caused this, but my skin is over sensitive now, half of the time numb to the touch, the other half of the time everything touching my skin anywhere on my body feels like sandpaper. Chills, goosebumps, heat-aggrivated...And it's been over 30 hours since my procedure. My docrot told me it was my hormone level. Bull Shit.		F	20	1 days		9/8/2007 Email
4	Crohn's Disease / Degenerative Disc	Weight Loss (20lbs in 4 months) Wears off in 2 1/2 days	This is the best thing I have been on so far. Have taken just about every pain med out there. Was on Avinzia (time released morphine) before this and it was like taking baby aspiran. Have Crohns / Degenerative Disc Disease / 4 Herniated Discs / Osteoperosis and I'm only 45. This has made life much easier than taken a dozen pills a day. With the Avinzia I was still taking 3 Percocet a day with it. Now I only take maybe 1 5/500 Vicoden a day, usually in the evening after work to give me a boost. Some days I don't take any. Now using 75 mcg patch. Started on 25mcg for a week and it did nothing. Then 50mcg for a month and now on 75mcg for the past 2 months. Only problem is it starts to weart off sometimes after 2 1/2 days and that starts the withdrawal symptoms. Restless legs and arms and chills. Take zanaflex and vicodene to help. Sometimes change the patch 8 hrs early. Have been trying to time it out by changing the patch every 66hrs. That way I only run out 1 day ahead o	M	45	4 months		9/5/2007
5	chronic back problems	None	I love this. Have major SI joint dysfunction, and without this patch, I wouldn't be able to stand or sit, let alone walk.	F	51	6 months		8/19/2007 Email
5	L-4,L-5 herniated degenerated discs	Any strenuious activity I sweat terribly,stomach distension,flatulance and mood swings. On the 2nd day of three is my best day,the third day Im exhausted. Constipation is chronic and Im a vegatarian.Best of all Opoids ever had in 17 years.	As a user of Duragesic 7.5 mcg for more than 6 years,It has totally changed my life for the better. I get Bioclisive Patchs to adhere over the Duragesic so theres no problem for adhedion. I havent gone to the pool since the patch but use a treadmill instead,the problem is mainly this drug makes me sweat terribly and Im fit.Generic sucks.	M	49	6 years		6/7/2007 Email
5	Rectal neuropathy, crohn's disease	drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness when doing lifting or any work.	great pain relaiver with out the narcotic drowsiness feeling of peaks and half life's and lows of taking pills for analgesic pain relife. Duragesic is pure pain killer 24-7 and for the 8 years i have added years to my life from /apap/tylenol toxicity that i was geting with other pain killers not to mention its 80X stronger than morphine what a medicine.	M	27	8 years		5/26/2007 Email
5	Rectal neuropathy, crohn's disease	drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness when doing lifting or any work.	great pain relaiver with out the narcotic drowsiness feeling of peaks and half life's and lows of taking pills for analgesic pain relife. Duragesic is pure pain killer 24-7 and for the 8 years i have added years to my life from /apap/tylenol toxicity that i was geting with other pain killers not to mention its 80X stronger than morphine what a medicine.	M	27	8 years		5/26/2007 Email
4	psoriatic Arthritis	constipation	For people having problems with the patch not sticking. Place patch on left and right of Sternum. Men and some women should shave this area if needed. Now here comes the part you might find weird. Clean the area with windex and let dry. I've never had one to fall off using this method.			2 years		5/10/2007 Email
5	fibromyalgia herniated discs	redness at patch site	I use 25mg works well for continuous relief. I have tried alot of other meds and none of them would work. i was suicidal with the fibro pain and this has helped me greatly	F	38	4 weeks		4/20/2007
2	Herniated Disk L4-L5	Constipation; Fatigue; irritability	My mood swings are horrible. I got pregnant and my doctor told me that it was safe to continue to use this drug while being pregnant. Well my irritability was so bad that I would have SEVERE screaming episodes where I'd get so mad at whoever happened to be in the room. I'd get to the point where I couldn't even breathe. I ended up losing our baby at 18 wks pregnant because of it. I couldn't just stop taking the drug b/c of withdrawls and I had NO control over my anger. I am still on the drug and I still have so much anger. I get so mad so easily and just scream and yell. I've never been like this before. The 3rd day is usually the worse while on this drug. The doctor really won't give me any advice on what to do. Does anyone else have this problem? If so please email me at ddifrancesco@huxcomm.net	F	36	6 months		3/30/2007 Email
1	Broken vertebrae, degenerative back	Extremely tired, kept falling asleep anytime I relaxed. Fell asleep at the wheel for a few seconds, fell asleep at stop lights waiting for them to change. Had to up the dosage becasue of withdrawal.	Be aware of this drug. I had been on the duragesic patch 25mcg (had to move up to 50mcg) for 2 and a half years along with Actiq suckers. I also changed this patch every 48 hours or the 3rd day was not good. This stuff will get you so addicted you will think you can never get off of it. It took three and a half months for me to work my way of this stuff by slowly dosing down. It was three and a half months of hell which I spent in my bedroom. Thank God I got off of it because when I switched insurance company's they just cut me off even with the doctor recommending I had to have it. I told them I was on it for two and a half years and just couldn't quit because of withdrawal. They told me "Oh well, just go to the hospital if you start withdrawal". Three month later, after many phone calls and paper work, they approved the drug for me. Thanks alot United Health Care. Fortunately I had enough to carry me through the withdrawal stage. My doctor gave me oxycodone to u	F	57	3 years		3/20/2007
4	fibromyalgia			F	30	1 days		3/19/2007
2	(5) failed Shoulder surgeries	Constipation and nausia.	Initially provided 48 hours of pain control. Stopped providing Pain control after 3 weeks. Seems to have lost its effectivness with me. Using the 50s	M	56	2 months		3/18/2007 Email
3	Bone spurs C45 and herniated discs	Works great for the pain 75% of the time. But lose a patch, no adhesive, all kinds of things can go wrong then you're in trouble. I am on the 75 patch every other day. Every third day I cry uncontrollably for about 2 hours then I'm fine. The Mylan brand works much better than the Duragesic or the Sandoz. Sandoz do not stick. You have tape everywhere. I woudld try anything first before resorting to this medication. You are a prisoner to it. Very bad side effects if you try to come off on your own. I wish I had never started. However, if your pain is so bad you can't walk some days then you have to make a decision. It does consistently work well for pain.	Make sure on any good days that you are able to save a couple back for an emergency. I had a steroid shot and one got accidentally removed. Once the adhesive was not on there at all and it washed down the shower drain and once it just did not work. My crazy doctor's office told me to take it off and stick it to a piece of paper and get the pharmacy to swap it. What a joke? I was stupid and believed them. So, try to get a few ahead if you can and if you up the dosage save the old ones for these types of emergencies. Always have a backup plan and make your appointments for your return RX a few days before you will actually run out. I prefer the Mylan generic. It works much better is less messy and noticable than the other ones. Sticks better, too. I don't have to use any tape with the Mylan brand. Again, you had better try and have 4 or 5 extra (don't let them expire) on-hand just in case something happens to your patch. You will NOT get another and get very ill if you try t	M	45	4 months		3/8/2007 Email
4	pain	none	It should last longer than three days and it should kick in quicker,I had to deal with some methadone withdrawals til that thing kicked in.Oh well I guess nothings perfect.	M	28	3 days		2/9/2007
5	neuropathy	Some nausea at first, which gradually disappeared, Constipation, which I treat with stool softeners. Some dizziness when standing up.	I have nerve damage in the nerve roots leading from C5-C7 caused by a herniated disk between C3/C4 and multiple stinosis in that same area that was repaired by 6.5 hours of surgery. I also have nerve damage from a stretched brachial plexus branch behind my left shoulder that was caused by the same fall that ruptured the C3/C4 disk. My left ACL joint is compressed causing chronic bursitis as a result of the damaged nerves. I spent 18 months post-surgery trying to treat the pain and inflammation with hydrocodone, steroid shots, Neurontin and Cymbalta. My blood pressure was averaging 160/90 during this period. A cardiology intern mentioned Fentanyl and after trying Neurontin and Cymbalta with terrible side effects, I mentioned it to my GP who agreed that it would be worth a try. My physical functionality is returning and my pain level is now at 1-2 instead of 5-6. This drug has saved my life. I was afraid of the addiction possibilities, so I stopped it for three days to see what would hap	M	53	60 days		2/8/2007
1	Back Pain	My neighbor just died from a fentanyl overdose. Duragesic leaked pain medication into her overnight and she never woke up. I put a link to a site that is helping to educate people about this problem. I hear it happened in many batches of the fentanyl pain patch.		M	33	3 days		2/8/2007
5	DDD	None	I was on the 50s and now on the 100s. Completly pain free now. I've tried going with the Oxycontin and others but I abused them by taking them by my mood and not just by my pain.	M	52	4 months		10/10/2006
5	fibromyalgia, disc disease	loss of appetite and exhaustion	After 4 months on patch I am still in shock that this tiny patch could actually help my chronic horrific pain. Its like a new lease on life. I'm wondering if other people get extremely tired and have to nap too. I have also lost at least 10 pounds from the loss of appetite. Has anyone else had the same effect? I just wish I wasn't so tired however it is so much better to be tired then to be in constant unbearable pain that no pill aleviates.	F	36	4 months		9/27/2006
5	CRPS-Complex Regional Pain Syndrome	Diarrhea and headaches in beginning, difficulty seeing in dark, Skin irritation (Sandoz only- rough patch edges!), loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss.	Have tried the Mylan and Sandoz (Sandoz is made by the same company as the brand) generic patches. With morphine I had terrible nausea for the first 4-5 hours of the day, & mood changes. I can eat! Depression is lifting. I can sleep all night! It's amazing! This has changed my life! I did have some morphine withdrawal when starting, didn't know that you need to con't dose or 2 of morphine (depends)with the first patch. Patches seem to come off no matter what brand used. A cover helps, better than tape. I like OpSite FlexFix, it comes in 11 yard rolls in 2 in and 4 in rolls that can be cut to size needed. Save over $100 comparably on a roll over Bioclusive, & it is easier to put on (has this removable backing that makes it more stable, so it doesn't wrinkle up and get wasted). Many other companies make similar products to cover patches etc, but nothing else in rolls. I've found that using that a product like skin prep, or one like it (lots in the ostomy s	F	25	3 months		9/9/2006
5	CRPS-Complex Regional Pain Syndrome	Diarrhea and headaches in beginning, difficulty seeing in dark, Skin irritation (Sandoz only- rough patch edges!), loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss.	Con't from prev: Many other companies make similar products to cover patches etc, but nothing else in rolls. I've found that using that a product like skin prep, or one like it (lots in the ostomy supply section), has cut down on irritation from the constant use of adhesive, & it doesn't leave the icky grey stuff behind. Go to your local surgical supply store & go nuts! Also, I can't drive after dark due to the fact that I can't see as well in the dark. It's like my headlights aren't on. I've been on opiates >5 yr & never had this problem before. Had my eyes examined, no problems found.	F	25	3 months		9/9/2006
5	To get high/plus some back pain	Euphoria, being able to get to sleep at night, and I was more active in my daily life.	Wow, what can I say about this miraculous drug? I would drink the gel out of the patches and it felt like I was in heaven. Then I'd try the generic Mylan patches and it wasn't as good as the name brand, but it got me along pretty well. Whenever I'd have back pain or just want to get high, I'd put one in my mouth and things would get better. HOWEVER, withdrawal symptoms are the WORSE. It feels like you are practically dying and there's nothing to make you feel better.	F	17	3 years		8/10/2006
5	Post-Herpetic Neuralgia	Early: dizziness, nausea, sweating,constipation, difficulty starting urination. Now: Constipation, difficulty starting urination.	Duragesic (100 mcg) is wonderful! I have some breakthrough pain but, mostly, Duragesic helps tremendously. I take a stool softener and wait until my bladder is quite full and those side effects present no problems. I use the Bioclusive dressing to keep the patch on and it works brilliantly! Change patch every 72 hours...no problems. After over 2 years of unremitting pain, I was suicidal so Duragesic, literally, saved my life.	F	62	2 years		8/4/2006
5	neuropath pain,severe spasms,Fibrom	Initially for a few days I was tired, somewhat Skin irritation and minor constipation,& dry mouth, constipation. But all side effects go away after awhile.	Best med so far for me. On the 100 mg patch now.But for those of you who have problems with the patch sticking, You can use a cover patch and that keeps the patch from drying up. And you can get them FREE form Johnson and Johnson, and there is a program that will pay for your cost of the patch and it is Duragesic themselves. All you have to do is get your Doctor to fill out a form saying you need it, and for what reason, course they go by the income in the family and how many live in your home. But I'M sure just about anyone can get coverage. Now as far as the nausea goes, I take phenagan for other reason also, but you can take Atarax 25 or 50 mg for nausea and itching and it can help you sleep ask your Doc about this. I have been on the 100 mg for 4 years and we change my patch every 2 days and I do go through break through pain. Some days are better then others, but it just depends on the flair up I'M having. I do take break through medication, If you have question on these programs	F	39	5 years		8/2/2006 Email
5	Continue from above!	Initially for a few days I was tired, somewhat Skin irritation and minor constipation,& dry mouth. But all side effects does go away after awhile.	If you have question on these programs I mention please email me winternoel1@aol.com I would be glad to give the numbers to the programs on the coverage's on the cover patches and the drug program to help pay for your Duragesic. But I have realized that no drug can completely take your pain away when you live in severe pain daily. I rely on My Lord to get through those days, and everyday of my life. But this is the best pain relief have had even after 5 or more years. God Bless!	F	39	5 years		8/2/2006 Email
5	Herniated Disk L4-L5	In the beginning, none. 4 years later, I occasionally experience withdrawal effects about twice a month. The effect is a terrible cramping feeling in my arm and/or leg muscles which keeps you from sitting still. On those days, I supplement with a muscle relaxer which helps the problem within an hour or two. I also occasionally feel higher levels of pain due to weather changes and on those days, I supplement with percocet which again, works within an hours or so. I'll be honest, the withdrawals and increase in pain are difficult to deal with for the few hours they exist but, they are short-lived and much easier to deal with than some of the side effects I've dealt with from pills. The worst side effect I have is memory loss; however, you just have to work a little harder to remember things and it can be somewhat combated. (i.e. employ some memory tricks such as repeating someone's name aloud a few times when you first meet them.)	First, Although I started out taking Duragesic, I am now actually on the generic form of the fentanyl patch by Mylan pharmaceuticals. It is 10 times better than Duragesic. It's much smaller, making it less noticable and works the same. I am on the 2.5 mg dose. Second, the reason I rated it a five is that although I do have some side effects, they are only occasional and overall, my pain is reduced greatly and constantly. Unlike taking pills for pain, there are few ups and downs. You generally get a constant flow of pain medication for 3 days. On pills, the best I got was 4 hours of relief, 2 hours of pain, 4 more of relief, 2 more of pain, etc, etc. Even when I was out of pain while on pills, I was dealing with stomach pains, etc. This has given me my life back for the most part and, along with exercise, allowed me to avoid surgery for now. Don't get me wrong, I am not pain free, but I am damn close to it. Lastly, regarding my comments on the side effects, my doctor told me its common	F	37	4 years		8/2/2006
5	Herniated Disk L4-L5	In the beginning, none. 4 years later, I occasionally experience withdrawal effects about twice a month. The effect is a terrible cramping feeling in my arm and/or leg muscles which keeps you from sitting still. On those days, I supplement with a muscle relaxer which helps the problem within an hour or two. I also occasionally feel higher levels of pain due to weather changes and on those days, I supplement with percocet which again, works within an hours or so. I'll be honest, the withdrawals and increase in pain are difficult to deal with for the few hours they exist but, they are short-lived and much easier to deal with than some of the side effects I've dealt with from pills. The worst side effect I have is memory loss; however, you just have to work a little harder to remember things and it can be somewhat combated. (i.e. employ some memory tricks such as repeating someone's name aloud a few times when you first meet them.)	First, Although I started out taking Duragesic, I am now actually on the generic form of the fentanyl patch by Mylan pharmaceuticals. It is 10 times better than Duragesic. It's much smaller, making it less noticable and works the same. I am on the 2.5 mg dose. Second, the reason I rated it a five is that although I do have some side effects, they are only occasional and overall, my pain is reduced greatly and constantly. Unlike taking pills for pain, there are few ups and downs. You generally get a constant flow of pain medication for 3 days. On pills, the best I got was 4 hours of relief, 2 hours of pain, 4 more of relief, 2 more of pain, etc, etc. Even when I was out of pain while on pills, I was dealing with stomach pains, etc. This has given me my life back for the most part and, along with exercise, allowed me to avoid surgery for now. Don't get me wrong, I am not pain free, but I am damn close to it. Lastly, regarding my comments on the side effects, my doctor told me its common	F	37	4 years		8/2/2006
5	Herniated Disk L4-L5	Continued...	Lastly, regarding my comments on the side effects, my doctor told me its common for patients to experience the muscular withdrawal effects because over time, your body becomes tolerant of the drug and it doesn't last as long. He also mentioned that increasing the dosage wouldn't make a difference, I would still experience the third-day problems. My overall opinion is that if I get 28 great days a month and two bad days (which only consist of a few bad hours), that far outweighs any pill I have ever tried. I absolutely recommend this med for my condition. It really changed my life for the better. Prior to it, I was suffering a considerable amount of pain that went all the way down my leg, I became depressed and very inactive. Now, I am happy and active again and I almost never feel pain in my leg (maybe 3 times a year) which is a huge plus. One more thing - a warning - at one time I was prescribed the next higher dosage and it made me violently ill. I must have vomited about ten times i	F	37	4 years		8/2/2006
5	degenerative disk disease/ lumbar 5	little bit of stomach upset and dry mouth.this is far better than taking 120 mgs of oxycontin and percocet for breakthroughs like i was for the past 2yrs. now im on the 50mg patch and only have to take a percocet 2 times a day as compared to sometimes 6-8 of them	i recomend this patch if you want pain relief instead of having to take tons of pills.	M	45	2 weeks		5/8/2006
5	low back pain	Very Severe Nausea, Itching, Hiccups, dizziness, sleepiness, anxiety	I only rate this a "5" so most people will read this. The way this site works, viewers only read the good stuff at the top. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS POWERFUL AND DANGEROUS DRUG. All you have to do is see the number of class action law suits against the makers of this patch to realize many people have had severe trouble and even died because these patches are well known to deliver the full 3 days of powereful drug into your system in 12-24 hours. I had widely varying symptoms, even after I thought I was fully acommodated to the drug. A Board Certified Pain Management Physiatrist told me to "TAKE THAT PATCH OFF!!!" based on experience with the poor delivery system and my symptoms. Also apparently the withdrawal effects can be very bad. I switched to Kadian and have MUCH BETTER PAIN RELIEF WITH LESS DRUG, and none of the bad side effects. I think Fentanyl is potentially dangerous and you shouls be suspect of its use. You are in control of your meds, ask your	M	50	3 months		4/23/2006
2	Lupus, Fibromyalgia, arthritis	Nausia, fatigue	I was given the patches for breakthrough pain, this was to be taken along with my oxycontin. I just didnt feel like it worked at all. I had the 75mcg patches and was actually told to change them every 48 hours so that the 'medicine' would be more potent. I didnt feel anything except more tired than normal, and had to take more nausea meds than normal. I was very dissapointed.	F	27	2 weeks		2/1/2006
5	Fibromyalgia--chronic pain	Initially for a few days I was tired, somewhat nauseous, which subsided when lying down. After a few days all side-effects were gone, and I was left with feeling normal for the first time in years.	The patch has been fantastic. There are no ups and downs like with oxycontin; morphine; etc., just steady pain relief. Also, no stomach issues as it passes through the skin. Nice not to have to take pills every x number of hours. I would probably be dead without the patch as it has improved my life immensely.	M	41	2 years		1/29/2006
5	Fibromyalgia--chronic pain	Initially for a few days I was tired, somewhat nauseous, which subsided when lying down. After a few days all side-effects were gone, and I was left with feeling normal for the first time in years.	The patch has been fantastic. There are no ups and downs like with oxycontin; morphine; etc., just steady pain relief. Also, no stomach issues as it passes through the skin. Nice not to have to take pills every x number of hours. I would probably be dead without the patch as it has improved my life immensely.	M	41	2 years		1/29/2006
4	Ankylosing Spondilitis	Bouts of sweating, irritation at patch site if left on longer than 48 hrs.	Works very well at keeping the pain manageable as the AS has caused a central canal stenosis at C4 and C5 (currently inoperable with existing medical technology but I keep hoping). I use this medication for a couple of years and then switch to methadone for a couple of years (have done this for roughly 8 years now). This time I have been using the Mylan generic which seems to be much less irritating to my skin than the brand name Duragesic (and much cheaper too). Note: length of time at the right is for this current use of the med. I have successfully used it twice before for roughly 2 and a half years each time (this med is also much easier for me to wean off of than the methadone but everybody is different). I also get this med prescribed for every 48 hrs. rather than every 72 hrs. due to irritation at the patch site.	M	38	8 months		1/10/2006 Email
3	Low Back Pain/ Fusion Surgey	The last 2 months I have been having some chest pains and notice some sort of withdrawls like sweating, heart feels like it's racing and very flushed or hot feeling. I am on the 25 mg. and have been on the patches for 3.5 years now. I want to really try to quit the patch but I'm scared to quit because of the pain. Can anyone tell me what the withdrawls are like. My doctor told me I won't have withdrawls but I know he's full of it. I had a bad reaction when I went from the 50mg to the 75 mg. patch which scared me so bad that I weined off to the 25 mg.Do I need to be concerned about chest pain? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!	Worked better for me at 50 mg. have suffered a little on the 25 mg.	F	42	3.5 years		1/5/2006 Email
5	Chronic back pain and severe spasms	Skin irritation and minor constipation	The best pain relief on the market. I have suffered since 1990. With a 50mg patch I'm good for at least 36 hours and supplement with perc. 10/325 on the last day. Does anyone know how to deal with the withdrawals during run out periods? If so I'd appreciate the advice.	M	34	4 months		12/26/2005 Email
5	neuropathic pain	dry mouth, constipation. Also on morphine sulfate, neurontin...so the mix probably does this. Can't sleep at night but feel tired.	Best med so far for me. On the 100mcg patch now. They do not stick as well as I'd like but will stay longer if you hold them on your skin and press for 60+ sec on application	M	42	2 years		12/15/2005 Email
2	chronic pain	psychotic episodes	My grandmother was prescribed this medicine for pain. She is elderly but her mind has always been very sharp. Shortly after taking this her speech was slurred and she forgot who and where she was. She said very strange things and became very scared. It was scary for all of us. It was obviously the medicine that did this to her. The only way I know to describe it is she had psychotic outbursts.	F	86	2 weeks		11/18/2005 Email
4	lower back pain	first 72 hours no side effects. after applying the second patch the pain in all my muscles was very intense for 8 hours. they seemed to be fighting with other for how much pain they could inflict on me	anyone that has had this experience or knows what to do or what caused it please email at panzaldi@earthlink.net	M	51	4 days		11/4/2005 Email
4	Rheumatoid Arthritis, Back Pain	none except for skin irritation		F	47	7 months		11/1/2005 Email
5	Osteo Athritis, Fibromyglia	mild constipation, occasional mild sedation and or mild insomnia when patch is on for the 1st day.	As a chronic pain sufferer I am grateful to have awesome pain relief that has given me my life back. You name the drug, clinic,specialists-been there-tried that!! Do not abruptly stop this med- follow all directions and keep your MD well informed.	F	37	7 years		9/21/2005 Email
1	FMS, cancer, f**ked up neck, shldr	Dizziness, trouble breathing. We reduced the dose, but then it didn't help my pain. Some narcotics work for me, some don't. This one's going in the	The generic Mylan patch won't stick worth a fart. Tegaderm helps, but the patch still works loose under the Tegaderm. And who can afford to buy Tegaderm to use on a daily basis? Duct tape does pretty well, but YOW!!	F	41	1 months		8/6/2005
5	degenerative disc disease	sometimes it is hard to sleep; i wake up every hour; but this I can handle, the severe pain I cannot.	I thank God for this med--nothing else worked--I have severe pain all the time, and I mean all the time. Before using this, I was walking with a cane. The only place the patch will stick is on my upper arm. I'm allergic to bioclusive, so I use tape that you would use to secure gauze. I tape all 4 sides. Make sure not to get the patch wet. I take baths and wipe my arm with a wet washcloth. Do not swim either. I wear shirts that cover the patch so the sun does effect the patch. I'm on 75's..been on them for 1 year. I take Roxycodone 15 mg for breakthru pain. This product limits what you can do, but it's much better than severe pain. I can move now without pain.	F	41	1 years		8/2/2005 Email
3		BACK PAIN		M	64	30 days		8/2/2005 Email
3	Degenerative Spinal Disese	Constipation, dry mouth, loss of appetite, sleeplessness All I can deal with because of the moderate pain relief I am currently getting. Wondering if I could get more with higher does?	I have had 5 spinal surgeries, and one neck surgery over the past 2 years (02-04). Have been playing with pain control since 2004. Pain has/is still way out of control 9+. It seems as if we are simply playing with medication for the breakthrough pain. I have taken Morphine Im-Rel; Morphine Sulfate; Methadone; Avenza; Kadain, Panlor C. MS Contin; Oxycodone Hydrocloride, Loratab. I have also had a dorssal Spinal Stimulator implanted for the left and Right sides. I also have dropped foot on the left side.	M	58	6 months		6/12/2005 Email
1	Chronic Pain from PN	Wheezing, Uticaria, Constitpation, Anxiety Attacks	This med was suggested in order to try something that would not upset my stomach. I experienced W/D like symptoms. Also had trouble breathing and Rash. This med was horrible and gave very little pain control. Only use this if nothing else has worked.	M	33	7 days		5/24/2005 Email
5	Chronic Back pain	Alittle drowsiness, Very addicting! If you run out of this med. the withdraws are hell! Seek medical attention ASAP! Do not miss any doses of this med. and make sure refills are filled before your last patch expires/runs out!	full of energy the first 24hrs. Am currently on the 50mcg patch and it seems to only last 24hrs. for pain. Have been on the 50's patches for 4 months and they seem to not be working as well as they did at first. Going to Dr. next week and will most likely be put on the 75mcg and hope it last for more than 4 months!	F	35	4 months		4/29/2005
5	Chronic Back pain	READ IF PATCHES DO NOT STICK!!!!	If your on the Duragesic/Fentanyl patches, you will need this info!!! This is for the actual name brand duragesic only, not the Mylan, generic patches. Janessen Pharmaceutica will send you free boxes of covers to make these patches stick! Call 1800-526-7736 you will need the Duragesic box and will have to give them a ID number off your box, plus you'll have to give your name/address/phone number to them via phone. These covers work for 72hrs plus! They are wonderful and do not fall off in shower/pool/sweeting/ect. They are free so call now and pass this info on to anyone you know that uses Duragesic/fentanyl!	F	35	4 months		4/29/2005 Email
4	Chronic pain w/ 10 abdominal surger	Nausea and dizziness similar to being	I've had 10 major abdominal surgeries and had to have a total gastrectomy (my entire stomach removed). The pain from scar tissue has been unbearable and all the experts in the field tell me that I will not get better, because removing the scar tissue creates more.This drug helps me go to work, without it, I would not be able to. So when I weigh the side effects, although I feel nauseaous and dizzy, at least I can work. It is very expensive. If you don't have any insurance and truly cannot afford to buy them, Janssen has a terrific	F	55	6 months		3/26/2005 Email
5	Back Pain- chronic	Some dizziness when I first woke up.	Make sure to tell your doctor BEFORE you stop using the patches even if they cause skin irritation. I only used for 2 months and the withdrawl symptoms were HORRIBLE. Duragesic worked best in pain management for me, too bad my skin couldn't handle the adhesive.	F	31	2 months		3/23/2005
5	severe peripheral neuropathy	None		M	50	2.5 years		3/7/2005
5	Multi Level Lumbar Discogenic Pain	Sedation, very mild constipation, dizziness, minor short term memory problems, dry mouth	I'm 23 and have had constant lower back pain for over 2 years. When I say "constant" I do mean "constant". I don't think I can stress that enough. I don't mean "constant" as in "it hurts only sometimes, but it hurts everyday." I mean that once it started, it never stopped or let up. Not one hour, not one minute, not one second, not one instant. I was not able to stay in school or hold a job. Everyday I wanted to kill myself.   I spent a little over a year going to doctors: 2 GP's, an internist, 2 orthopedic surgeons, 2 rheumatologists(one at the University of Alabama Medical Center at Birmingham),  and I’ve been to 2 pain clinics (including Johns Hopkins in Baltimore).  Because of my age and the lack of any identifiable damage to my lower back, I was never prescribed anything stronger than Ultram.   About 8 months into this long quest, I changed my family doctor due to insurance reasons. This doctor wrote me a scrip for 45 hydrocodone 10/500’s. This was the first time I was able to get ANY relief and any meaningful sleep. Almost as importantly, I felt like someone finally believed me.   That Dr. moved me to 7.5’s after about 2 weeks of the 5’s being ineffective, and he changed the quantity to 60 per month. About that time he referred me to a pain clinic. I went there and went through numerous tests. More X-rays of course, another CT scan, a Bone Scan, several steroid and other injections to test for facet joint problems and such things. Throughout all this my pain doctor was still only writing the 60 7.5/500 hydros that my GP had. Then I had a discogram. After that, my pain doctor informed me that he had gotten a pain response in each of the 3 discs tested. He said this basically meant (based on all the other tests ruling everything else out) that my pain was caused by nerves giving pain signals for no real reason. Further, there was no surgical option or any procedure to fix the problem, and it probably would never go away. He then put me on 50mg Kadian (SR Morphine).   I stayed on this for probably 6 months or so. It gave me about 30-40% relief. I changed pain doctors, again for insurance reasons, and also was referred to Johns Hopkins. Based on all my records and my severe constipation, they recommended that my Dr. put me on Duragesic.   I started on the 75ug/hr patches. The pain relief on the 2nd day was breathtaking. I had entered a new world, a new life. However, the side effects were terrible: severe sedation, almost passing out when I closed my eyes, not being able to focus my eyes. So the following day I had my Dr. move me down to the 50ug/hr patches.   It has been 15 days since then; I went in to get my refill today and asked to move back to the 75’s, as the pain relief with the 50’s was not quite what I’d hoped. It’s now	M	24	28 days		3/2/2005 Email
1	back/neck pain	My side effects were severe and frightening. I had blackouts and only vaguely recall the times I had the patch on. I did strange things, said strange things. It was a nightmare		F	32	1 weeks		1/29/2005
4	back pain	blistering....but this is from the Tegaderm cover itself that I need to use over the patch to keep it in place. The patch itself does not cause my blisters	Does not last a full 72 hrs. Usually will have increased pain felt around 60 hr mark. I use the 100mcg.	F	40	2 years		1/23/2005
5	complete degeneration of lumbar spi	constipation		M	51	2 years		1/17/2005
4	atypical facial pain	vomiting when starting or going to a higher dose.used visteral with good results.severe sweating and had 20lb weight loss after 4 mos.	Medication does seem to wear off after 2 days and I have to take Vicodin for the breakthru pain which doesn't help much. But at least I'm not damaging my liver as I was with the Vicodin/Tylenol that I was taking every 3-4 hrs. The patch does not stick well at all and it should for the price we have to pay. I put the patch on then spread tincture of benzoin around the patch with a q-tip then apply tegaderm to cover it all. Just an old nurse's trick. Works very well but the tegaderm is also very expensive. I still am very happy to have good pain relief.	F	63	4 days		1/12/2005 Email
4	Chronic back pain, herniated disc	Nausea, tiredness, loss of appitite	I have had chronic pain for the past 4 years. This is teh first thing that has helped me. If anyone knows what can overcome some of the nausea I woudl greatly appriciate your help.	F	25	10 days		1/10/2005 Email
5	numerous orthopedic injuries	constipation,easily remedied,no other effects	I had a delay in getting a refill because insurance would no longer pay,the physical withdrawals were real nasty.But I guess that is true with all narcotic meds.	M	48	3 months		1/6/2005
4	FMS, CFS	None unless I FORGET to change the patch on time and start going into withdrawals.	Has worked great for me for the past 4 years. I would love to be able to go off it, but different doctors tell me it would be so hard on my body (withdrawels) it would trigger a severe relapse.	F	49	4 years		12/30/2004
4	Ruptured/disc/tumors/spinal/column	Constipation; but preventable by taking stool softner with mild laxative	I have had the pain since '95 and worked until I couldn't anymore (had other issues too) I went thru the mill taking narcotics that made me a walking zombie and it was great to get releif w/o the side effects of being a zombie; at first I didn't need anything else; but after time I had to add 10mg percocet 1-2 every 6 hours; but the script was for only 60 a month. I'm in extreme pain now; the right side of my neck; right shoulder cape; and right arm; I have to hold my right arm in place across my chest; this has been going on for over 2 months; I'm to see doctor tomorrow about increase of percocet or adding something else or changing to something else. I've been sitting in my recliner with my cordless mouse and keyboard looking for what to suggest. If anyone knows what to suggest I would appreciate a email lakebum0318@carolina.rr.com Thanks	M		2001 years		12/13/2004 Email
3	Chronic back pain	Slight nausea the first week (only two days). Some constipation but not enough to worry about	I started on 25mg. every 72 hours but it just did not do much. I am now on 50mg. It seems to be a little better but I still have a lot of lower back pain. I am seeing the doctor again on Friday, so I guess I'll see what happens then.	F	54	3 days		11/30/2004
4	migraines	sleepiness, constipation	Has given me my life back, only drug I can take besides needles due to extreme nausea, can't keep any pills down. The sleepiness is hard to deal with, but had no life with pain. I like that there are no ups and downs like with pills or IM meds. Am on 50ucg every 72 hours, less pain relief on the third day, supplement with 10/325 mg percocet every 4 hours on third day.	F	25	3 months		11/15/2004
4				M	48	10 months		11/15/2004
5	Sugery	None.	Used in sugery.	M	23	1 days		11/5/2004 Email
5	Chonic LBP from HNP x 3 x 8 years	Only N&V at high doses. A little skin irritation.	This is a very potent opiate. The fatal dose is 1.036 mg for a 150 pound person. The patches have between 2.5 and 10.0 mg - many times a fatal dose. It's wise to recognize that you're wearing enough fentanyl to kill several people. So DON'T PLAY WITH THIS DRUG. It's analogs are even more potent, some of them thousands of times more potent, so don't try to alter the gel in any way or allow the patch to get too hot or too cold. If you play around with this drug, you might alter it and turn it into something that will kill you before you even know you're in trouble. At 20ng/mL, someone could crack your chest open and you wouldn't feel it. This was originally used as a surgical anesthetic. Just don't play with it. That said, this is the most effective narcotic I've ever taken (and I've taken just about all of them). It can be very frustrating, trying to get them to stick well, getting them fouled up and ruined. They can't be reapplied once they come off unless you have Tegaderm or Bioclusive. Janssen will ship you either one if you ask. Both of these are adhesives that cover the whole patch. Ask for the Tegaderm. Bioclusive is VERY STICKY and will take off skin when you remove it. The Tegaderm is easier to work with and that makes it less likely you'll get the patch folded up and stuck to itself. Cut the Tegaderm and just cover the edges of the patch. The Duragesic seems to be less effective when it's covered. There are no reinforcing side effects with transdermal fentanyl, so it might not be obvious to you that it's doing anything. There's no euphoria at any dose and no anxiolysis or feeling of relaxation. So be patient and just focus on your pain and whether or not it's better. If it's not, tell your doctor. A higher dose if preferable to changing to something else, in my experience, because I've found nothing that works as well. And I didn't realize how effective the fentanyl was until I changed it to something else. And realizing my mistake, I went back to fentanyl, got frustrated with it again, and changed to something else again. But the pain's back and I'll be changing back to fentanyl next week, God willing. If you have any intellectual curiosity (which by itself means you're smarter than our President) about the history of Duragesic - it's development and clinical trials, read: http://www.vtd.uscourts.gov/Supporting%20Files/Cases/02cv20.pdf Facinating reading.	M	40	5 months		11/4/2004
5	severe fibromyalgia/CFIDS	slight constipation (control w/Colace), itching at patch site (control w/OTC cortisone spray and changing sites for each new patch), embarrassing	This drug keeps me from killing myself. I cannot be more blatant than that. Over 2 years I slowly titrated up to the 100 patch every 2 days and I have been there for more than a year (sometime in the next few months we'll probably go to 125), and I have Vicoprofen for breakthrough pain (up to 5 a day if I need to but usually I only take 1 or 2, some days none at all!). I love that I do not get the ups and downs in pain level as I do with oral medications, nor the severe constipation, nausea/vomiting, and mood swings. I changed over to this from methadone and the difference has been astounding. I am not pain free by a long shot but instead of lying in bed crying and considering suicide to escape the pain I have 4 hours up and around on an average day and another 4-6 hours I can read or use the Internet in bed with a laptop. It allows me to have something resembling a life and that life being worth living. I have been sick for 10 years and the last 3 have been better than the previous 7 were before that all put together! I am so grateful that I have Duragesic - and live in terror of losing my insurance, because a month's supply costs nearly a thousand dollars.	F	33	3.5 years		10/28/2004
4	Severe lower back pain	Nausea, but that was controlled with Compazine	Began with the 50ug/h about 11 months ago. Helped, but still had significant pain. Dr. increased doseage to 75ug/h about 6 months ago and now to 100ug/h two weeks ago. Still have pain and am taking 10/500 lortab 2 tablets 4 times per day for breakthrough pain. Duragesic is first medication that has helped with pain, and if the pain increases, then I will be able to increase patch strength.	M	55	1 years		10/25/2004 Email
5	Chromnic pain after multiple spine	The only side effect I have had is mild constipation which resolved itself once I added more fiber at breakfast.	The Duragesic Patches are truly worth their weight in gold IF the Doctor who puts you on it increases the dose until the pain is mostly resolved. I do on occasion take break-through pain medication,Dilaudid, which is inexpensive. The lower the doseage you can deal with on the patches the better off you are as the longer you are on them you do build up to a tolerance to the drug. I have been on Duragesic Patches for nine years and am still only at 150ugh. Three hundred is the maximun dose but you definitely want to save those higher doses for critical life threatening complications down the road, ie. cancer. Duragesic Patches did not work for pain control after surgery for me and methdone had to be used, then down-graded to morphine and finally the Fentinal after the severe pain had resolved. If you are not getting good coverage in the hospital after surgery because the nurses cut back on your meds without the Doctors approval when you still need heavy pain control call in the pain doctors who work at the hospital, some nurses are relentless at not caring about your comfort level. It's dufficult being a chronic pain patient physically. Keep your resolve strong, your mind focused, and strive for a better life in the future.	F	62	9 years		10/22/2004
5	Severe Spinal Pain/Fibromyalgia	See note below	The only comments I wanted to add regarding the Durgesic Patches are: 1. Duragesic Patches have given me the power to lead a somewhat normal life when my last three spine surgeries failed to give me any permanent relief and the pain became intolerable. 2. The ONLY MAJOR downside to the Duragesic Patches is the cost which is prohibitive when one does not have insurance coverage. This is tragic because some people who desperately need the Patches are totally out of luck. It is a drug that you can not just stop taking you must be weaned off of it and withdrawal is doable but very difficult. We chronic pain patients need to have to have some plan we can fall back on if we have lost jobs or insurance. No human deserves to suffer horribly just because they don't have the money to pay for this drug. PLEASE NOTE: If you are over 55 you can get a discount at K-Mart on the Patches which makes a huge difference. Remember it is not just the drug company which causess the price of the patches to be so high/	F	62	9 years		10/22/2004
4	back pain	sweating, dose lasting only 30 hrs, rashing & itching at application site,improved sex drive,	the dose need to be high enough to be effective	M	40	3 years		10/21/2004
4	Endometriosis	Very itchy, dizzy, queasy, loss of appetite, woozy, VERY SLEEPY	Really has helped me. I started on 25 mg but I guess became tolerant so now I'm taking 50 mg every 2 days. I do have breakthrough pain, but it's been much better than before. Only thing is, the itchign was driving me insane so I ripped off the 50 mg pain patch and went to sleep. The next morning my whole body was a wreck - it hurt to move, I was sick and confused and totally disoriented. Had to put on the patch again, go back to sleep for an entire 2 days. So be warned of serious withdrawl symptoms!!! No one warned me about that. Besides that, if used correctly, I found the drug to be good.	F	26	3 weeks		10/21/2004
3	Pelvic adhesions severe pain	Extreme nausea. I had to go on a high-carb (pancakes in the morning)diet to keep my stomach calm otherwise I would throw-up profusely!!! Also had itchiness and irritation on the site of the patch. No rashes though...	I didn't go through an awful withdrawal so that was a plus but I did notice now that this drug was recalled in April 2004. (No one advised me of that)!!!	F	39	3.5 months		10/6/2004
4	Migraines	Some bloating, almost like water retention. Also some anxiety when trying to go to sleep. During waking hours it really helps me a lot, I never have any pain anymore and find that I don't need to take hardly any other oral narcotic pain meds. Overall I feel that it works very well for the pain, I just had my doctor prescribe me an anti-anxiety medication to combat the anxiety I seem to feel when trying to fall asleep.	I do think it works well. I just get so much anxiety when falling asleep for some reason. But a good anti-anxiety medication helps with that. It has relieved all my pain. I'm on 25mgs right now, but have been on doses as high as the 75mg.	F	29	1 years		9/25/2004 Email
4	Chronic back/neck/knee/abdominal pa	Itching (not as bad as other opiates though), dry, bleeding nasal passages, and bloating. I also have noticed that bitter or sweet foods taste more bitter or sweet, particulary bitterness.	I think it works great for the first two 36-48 hours. After that I have to add Norco 10/325 to it. I've have noticed that when I remove the patch after 72 hours there's still some medication left in the reservoir. I've found that Ban-Aid brand Flexible Fabric, Extra-Large bandages work great on holding the patch on, even in the shower or when I sweat. They're just the right size to cover the patch completely	M	45	2 months		9/22/2004
4	Pseudo Tumor Cerebri	Little rash when I changed the patch, constipation, and the patch don't won't to stay for the 3 days	I have had a severe headache 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 9 months. I have been to 4 hospitals in Kentucky, and i was also sent to the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, which was a joke. I have probably been admitted 15 times in the last 7 months. The I.V pain meds. didn't help, or the ones they sent me home on. I've had 2 CSF leak repairs, and a Shunt placed in my head. Finally, I saw a Doctor that put me on the Duragesic patch, started with 25mg, then50mg, now I'm on 75mg , And I'm finally getting some relief.	F	31	2 months		9/14/2004
5	RSD	I have no side effects.	The Duragesic patches are wonderful. My dose is 150 ugh every 72 hours. I would like to thank Janssen Pharmaceutical for coming up with the pain patch. They are a little pricey the 100 ugh are $625.00 and the 50 ugh are $310.00 but it is well worth it.	M	49	2 years		9/2/2004
5	REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY	LOSS OF APPETITE. CONSTIPATION- CONTROLLED WITH SENNA PLUS.	IT IS THE ONLY MEDICATION THAT HAS EASED THE CONSTANT BURNING PAIN. HAVE HAD RSD FOR 14YEARS. WONDERFUL DOCTOR STARTED ME ON FENTANYL IV THEN CONVERTED TO DURAGESIC PATCH. CONTINOUS USE FOR 15 MONTHS NOW(75 UGH). WILL NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON NOW. THE RELIEF IS JUST GREAT.	M	58	15 months		8/28/2004
3	Osteonecrosis	The side-effects I've had are debilatating. Nausea, diarhhea (sp?), headaches, dizziness. The side-effects have made me miss more time at work than the condition for which I am taking them. (I am taking a 25mg patch.) BUT the pain for which I am taking Duragesic has been significantly reduced.	I have osteonecrosis, literally	F	49	5 days		8/13/2004

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Average rating for drug: 3.9. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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