Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen to Fentanyl, good idea?

Question

I have 2 herniated disks in my spine which contributes to 24/7 pain and I am hesitant about having surgery on my spine at the moment. I am a bariatric patient so when I take a medicine it does not stay in my system as long as a non-bariatric patient, it cuts off about 2 hours sooner. At first I was put on Vicodin 5/500 (1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours) for the first month and I had to take more of the 5/500 tabs for it alleviate the pain and have a theraputic effect on me. I was then moved up to Vicodin 7.5/750 (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours) and it didn't do much for me so my doctor put me on Norco 10/325 tabs (1-2 tabs every 4 hours) it helped but then eventually it stopped working and now I am taking 8+ Norcos in a 24 hour period. My doctor has prescribed Fentanyl 25 MCG/HR and I hear that it is about as strong as morphine and it leaves you feeling drowsy, etc. My question is will I be able to do things like go to school, etc. once I start taking Fentanyl? Since I take 80+mgs of hydrocodone a day should I wait until the vicodin is out of my system before I start using the patch or will I be okay to start it immeadiately? I am really nervous about taking it but it's been almost a month since I have been able to sleep in my own bed. Thanks for the help ahead of time.

Answer 1

I'm so sorry that you've had this injury.  I have had two back surgeries and one neck surgery because of herniated discs.  These were done only after exhausting every type of non-surgical treatment/therapy and taking meds for years.  If you have nerve inpingement that can be corrected by disc fusion by a neurosurgeon then I would strongly recommend going that route.  It's much better than getting hooked on drugs and having them turn you in to a zombie and running your life.

Answer 2

Those are both very strong pain medications. However, you seem to be thinking with a very level head about this medicine. If it were me, I would cut back on the Hydro, wait about 4 hours after putting anything in your system, then use the patch. Use any of the hydro you have left  as a breakthrough medication, BUT, only take 1 or possibly 2 of the Norco while on the patch- 1 will probably do it. You do have to be careful of addiction on both. If you are really concerned and none of these answers help you then ask your pharmacist or your doctor. Hope you get to feeling better and enjoy a good night's sleep in your bed. Good luck.

Answer 3

I have fibromyalgia and had a very bad flare up with it about three weeks ago. I was taking tramadol with hydrocodone for the break through pain but there was never a time that I was not without pain. I always hurt but just not as much. I never realized how much I did hurt until my doctor decided to try me on the duragesic (fentanyl)patch. I use to have to wake up thirty minutes prior to even trying to walk in the morning and take my medication. I don't have to do that now. I have a steady stream of medication going through my body and I don't have any adverse reactions. Tramadol made me hyper and there was no way I could take them after 6pm at night if I wanted to sleep. If the pain got bad during the night then I would take a hydrocodone. But then one night my legs hurt so bad it truly felt like my stomach muscles did when i was having contractions during childbirth. I was crying they hurt so bad. The very next day I saw my physician and she started me on the fentanyl patch. I can not believe how much better I feel and no I do not feel drugged out. I can actually function like a normal human being, I can wash the clothes and clean the house and walk around the block. Things that some people take for granted but if you suffer from a severe case of fibromyalgia these are some of the things that you can't do if you have an advanced case. I would recommend you try them at least. What do you have to lose. And no I did not wait until my other medication was out of my system. That makes no difference. Alot of doctors that I have worked with sometimes give patients hydrocodone or morphine for breakthrough pain when the patient is using the patch. (mostly cancer patients). I wish you luck. Trust me, life is far too short to live it hurting the way I did. I wasted so many years thinking I was tough and I could beat this disease. I couldn't beat it but I can sure knock those symptoms out.