Fentanyl Patch/3 day

[Thorazineme]

I am currently taking Opana ER 30mg /2 TID for long term spinal pain due to breaks and fusions.  I am going to try replacing that for a short time with a Fentanyl Patch to see if I have any improvement in Pain Mgmt.  I am just wondering what regimen I should use to safely do this.  For example.  Is it as easy as waiting 12 hrs. after my last Opana ER and then apply the patch (it's a 3 day patch) then take another ER once the 3 days has expired?  Please let me know as I am going to try this either way. Thank you.

[Thorazineme]

I've been on a series of prescription pain medications for over a decade and am fairly fluent in the basics of these treatments, including interactions and/or withdrawals and interactions with my accompanying benzodiazepines.  I have to be, considering these are all respiratory depressants and I suffer from severe sleep apnea (I use a BiPap).  I simply want to know a doctor/pharmacists opinion on the proper procedure when switching from this one medication to the other, and then switching back.

[Thorazineme]

Peekawho, I was posting here because I want to have something to tell my doctor as far as how well it works over the Opana.  Thumper,  do you know from experience if the withdrawals would be worse than anything other pain killer opiate?

[thumper52]

I was on Fentyl Duragesics for over 8 years. Let me tell you...There is NO WAY anyone should consider playing around with this and another medication without a Doctors' EDUCATED & current information on the medication interactions and your future withdrawl process.  
I took 12 monthes to slowly withdraw from 100mcg/q2days and it was no easy ride in the park. Despite the pain I still have, I prefer not going through patches every 2 days, and withdrawl symptoms when I would forget to reapply after a shower, etc. for a few hours.
I wish only improvements for you and less pain. Good luck.

[peekawho]

You should ask your prescribing physician how to switch and what times to take which meds.