Do you take Narcotics on top of Fentanyl Patch?

[A.K.]

My 50mg Mylan is not suppressing the pain very well after only a week and I want to know whether it's best to talk to my doctor about adding my Norco back in for breakthrough or increasing the patch to 75 mg. Thanks. I always appreciate everyones help.

2nd nerve block tomorrow. Nervous but praying. A.K.

[Tbackpain1]

I take additional medication to control pain with the Fentanyl patch. I have the option to take Norco when I have breakthrough pain, and I take Skelaxin to control muscle spasms in my back.

Good luck with your appt.

Theresa

[sandi1016]

I am on a higher dose patch and I still have my breakthrough meds to help on the days that the patch just doesn't cover it all well.
It's a good combination for me, so far anyway. In fact, it's the best as far as pain control that I have had as of now.
You might need to have your breakthrough meds added back in, if what you are experiencing is actually breakthrough pain. If the patch just isn't covering your "normal" pain levels, then you need an increase in the patch. Another 12.5 mcg might be enough to get decent base line pain coverage, without having to go up another 25 mcg.
Sandi

[Maggie]

I take breakthrough lortab above my 75 mcgm patch. I occasionally take it twice a day but more often I only take once a day.

Maggie

[Pharmacist.steve]

My 50mg Mylan is not suppressing the pain very well after only a week and I want to know whether it's best to talk to my doctor about adding my Norco back in for breakthrough or increasing the patch to 75 mg. Thanks. I always appreciate everyones help.

2nd nerve block tomorrow. Nervous but praying. A.K.

It may take another week to get a steady state blood levels with a Fentanyl patch. For some reason... some people the patch seems to only last ~60 hrs +/- making it necessary to change the patch every 48 hrs.. to get adequate pain management.

If your doc allows... using a short acting opiate during this transition should help.

Remember .. while your pain is constant ... the intensity of your pain will vary from minute to minute .... hour to hour ... day to day ...

[Kira]

My long-acting, base med is fentanyl patches. I also have oxycodone tablets for breakthrough pain if I need them.

I would talk to your pain doctor about it. Let them know how your pain is after starting the patches, and ask what they want to do about your remaining pain. They might want to wait a little longer to see how the 50 mcg/hr patch ends up working for you... they might want to increase it... or they might want to add another med (breakthrough, adjunct, etc)... or whatever else they come up with.

Hang in there... there is a lot of trial-and-error sometimes with these pain meds, to find the right treatment plan. Hopefully, with time and a little tweaking, you'll find a regimen that works for you.

[Mark N]

AK, I just wanted to wish you well with your nerve block today. I hope it helps pull your pain level down so that you can function better.

[Nana4&cntn]

AK, I am hoping you are home resting after your nerve block today. Please let us know how you are doing!

Take care,
Kathy:)