Is this normal?

[ouch]

Hey I just yesterday switched to the fent patch, 50mcg/h for pain and I'm having some problems. I switched to this drug from 100mg of oxycontin daily(4 20s) because even when taking a 20 at night I was always waking up in pain. Now, pain wise I am actually pretty decent, but even though i'm not really "sick" I still feel "half sick" and i think its from the lack of oxy. I know it doesn't really make much sense because it should be taking care of all my withdrawl symptoms shouldn't it? I am still taking 6 oxyIR's 5mg daily and I still feel sick. But like I said pain wise I am decent so I know that the fent patch is a decent amount and should hold me. Ive looked at the conversion tables and I know my doctor swtiched me over pretty accurately.

Also I should mention that about 4 hours after putting on the patch yesterday, I was feeling very sick but not so much dope sick or "too much dope" sick but just.... not right. I ended up having the shits really badly which makes no sense to me because as we all know I haven't shit well in years(from the dose im on, not because you should just know. I dont post much.....)

So anyway I guess I am just wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences when switching over? I'm sure I will get used to it eventually but I'm glad its the weekend because its 4:44am and I cannot sleep. Also its very possible that I am just sick or something. Could have picked up something somewhere. And yes I still have oxycontin left but I am trying to get off it so I am not taking it. Thank you for reading and responding.

[StaffWriter]

Maybe you are just having side effects from the fentanyl itself. For some people, they tend to feel nauseated or overly sedated when switching to the patch. Or it could be that your body is getting adjusted to not having oxycodone constantly flowing through. Like an incomplete cross-tolerance issue between fentanyl and oxycodone. I'd give it another day and, if you still don't feel well, call your doctor and explain your symptoms to him. Good luck! :)

[Princess]

If this is your first time ever using the patches, you need to give it a good 24-48 hours. I have had w/d symptoms after putting a fresh patch on because it takes a while to get to the proper levels in your system.

Like ^^ said, give it a couple days and if you still feel crappy, let the doctor know.

Good luck, it will work out for you. It is a great pain reliever!

[upstate_007]

If this is your first time ever using the patches, you need to give it a good 24-48 hours. I have had w/d symptoms after putting a fresh patch on because it takes a while to get to the proper levels in your system.



I never knew that. Good info PTO.

[God_Albino]

yeah it should just be a matter of time before your body adjusts (up to a day or two to feel totally normal), if not, try to get a bigger patch or a few extra oxys asap

[Nate]

Yep PTO Mom is right, it is going to take at least 24 hours before your body starts building up stable levels of fent in your body. The patch is slowly being released through the skin, so it takes a bit to start taking effect. But once it does and you keep changing the patches as directed, you should get great pain relief as the fent will be stablized at your dose.

See how your doing 24 - 48 hours after the patch is on, if need be you can add some heat to the patch and it will release more fent, but see how you feel after that time peroid to see if its needed. But heat will speed up the release of fent. See how you feel and take it slow, you should find fent is a better pain reliever then the oxycontin, at least most people do.

Just remeber the fent has to make it's way through the skin, so the patch that is on right now won't start taking effect till the next day, so each time it is replaced, the fent you are feeling is from the previous patch.

[ouch]

Hey thanks for the responses everyone. You all have made some very interesting points. The funny thing though is that I found out that I WAS actually sick with something... Some kind of 6-12 hour virus.. I found out that my friend I was with yesterday also had the same sickness briefly. I went to the hospital yesterday with him and obviously must have picked something up there.

I feel MUCH better today though. These patches seem like a godsend I'm feeling less pain now than I ever was on the oxycontin. I still have the IR's though which actually work pretty well for me so I'll probably stay on them. I'm really excited guys this patch is GREAT! This could really change my life!

Thank you everyone!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nate]

Hey thanks for the responses everyone. You all have made some very interesting points. The funny thing though is that I found out that I WAS actually sick with something... Some kind of 6-12 hour virus.. I found out that my friend I was with yesterday also had the same sickness briefly. I went to the hospital yesterday with him and obviously must have picked something up there.

I feel MUCH better today though. These patches seem like a godsend I'm feeling less pain now than I ever was on the oxycontin. I still have the IR's though which actually work pretty well for me so I'll probably stay on them. I'm really excited guys this patch is GREAT! This could really change my life!

Thank you everyone!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear they are working for you! Can't ask for anymore then that!! :)

[norseman]

Hey thanks for the responses everyone. You all have made some very interesting points. The funny thing though is that I found out that I WAS actually sick with something... Some kind of 6-12 hour virus.. I found out that my friend I was with yesterday also had the same sickness briefly. I went to the hospital yesterday with him and obviously must have picked something up there.

I feel MUCH better today though. These patches seem like a godsend I'm feeling less pain now than I ever was on the oxycontin. I still have the IR's though which actually work pretty well for me so I'll probably stay on them. I'm really excited guys this patch is GREAT! This could really change my life!

Thank you everyone!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was going to suggest it was a bug too, until you just confirmed it. I noticed you live in Ontario too, thats why I thought for sure it was a bug. I know 4 people that came down with it including my sister. There is definitely something going around right now.

Anyways, glad to hear the fent is doing the trick. I would like to enjoy me some fent one of these days!

Take Care

[Young Professor]

The prescribing information contained in the box of your patches has graph that details the blood plasma level over time. Your BPL will actually continue to rise through the first several patch applications. It takes a good week to 10 days for your body to stabilize.

Your minor WD is occurring because the Oxy and Fent both appeal to different receptors. Thus, the receptors that enjoyed the Oxy are going through WD. This is also why most research shows that mixing narcotics is a better way to fight pain, rather than loading up on one type. Thus, most good pain Docs will use one med for the long acting (such as the patch), and another for BT (such as percs). If Docs use OC for long acting, then Hydro is a good compliment.

Hope this helps and good luck.

YP