Guest guest Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 Lady, Duragesic is a drug called Fentynal. It is a synthetic drug similar to morphine but much more powerful. I seem to remember being told it is 1000 times more powerful than morphine. I used Duragesic prior to my surgery and found it to give me headaches but many have received much relief. It sometimes will not work for the full three days and can be adjusted to use every two days. A good pain management doctor will already know this and adjust it accordingly. Since everyone is different - I would give it a couple of weeks and then tell your doctor what your side effects are. Naturally itching is a side effect of most morphine like drugs. I took the 50MCG version for almost one year. If you would like more info - you can write me personally at conz11@ comcast.net. Thanks, -Jeff Lin wrote: > Can any one here explain to me in plane simple english what type of drug > Duragesic is and how potent it is in comparison to Morphine Sul 30 > milligrams which is what I originally was on prior to my second spinal > operation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2004 Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 Hi again Lin Owen, I have and have used duragesic patches from time to time. It is Fentanyl, which is not morphine, it's about 80-100 times stronger. Fentanyl is what docs give during an operation, and often prescribe it for cancer pain, back surgery pain, or other post- operative pain where vomiting may be a risk, but extreme pain relief is needed. It takes up to 24 hours to feel the full effect, and after 3 days you change the patch. If your pain is not controlled by one patch you can add a second patch on the third day, then on the fourth day take off the first patch so there's only one day you're getting twice as much Fentanyl, but just for an added boost. It does have some crazy side effects, and they're different for everyone. For me, it just made me really sleepy, and pretty dizzy, but that's it. When my mom was dying from cancer she was on 2 at a time every day and it made her sort of hallucinogenic at times, and so sleepy she could hardly move. I don't know if mania is a side effect of the duragesic, I would guess no, because of it's sedative effects, but it could be I guess. I would think it's more from coming off your other pain meds. See if it subsides, and if so it was probably withdrawals. It should definitely take care of your pain, and if it doesn't I don't know of any other medication options you have, besides increasing the dosage, because to my best knowledge, it's the absolute most potent thing used today. I'm so sorry you're in so much pain you need those patches. I've been having aweful back pain for a week now, (not uncommon) and my doc gives me lidoderm patches, (I also take bextra, darvocet, soma, enbrel) and the lidoderm patches help to take the edge off, but I've been contemplating putting on a patch because it's just not getting better. I'm hoping to not go through any back surgeries, because most of the people I know who have had back surgery are still in severe pain afterwards, some the same pain, some have new pain, just as severe or more severe. Best wishes to you, I hope you can find all the info you're looking for, and I hope this was helpful to you, jules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2004 Report Share Posted November 21, 2004 Hi Lin, I wanted to write to you because I've been on the patch for a long time. You are itching because it's a narcotic. Narcotics are famous for that reaction. If it goes on and on it could be that you can't use this med. There is a formula for the doctor to change you over from your previous medication to the trans dermal patch. The medication in the patch is Fentyl which is close to morphine or demerol. Same class of medication. I hope this helps. You may have already received this information. Also if you have trouble keeping the patch on call Jasen and they will send you an overlay that is indestructible! I use it over the patch. Kathleen in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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