Well, I have had an unexpected twist. I put the patch on Wed. evening and took two oxycodones four hours apart which enabled me to get some fluids in. Thursday morning I woke up sooo thirsty. The pain was better, though, so I immediately drank 12 oz. water. 15 minutes later I started throwing up. After about thirty minutes of that I had my husband take me to the ER as I knew I wouldn't be able to stay hydrated. Plus throwing up made the right side of my neck and my right ear really hurt (opposite side from surgery). Two liters of IV fluids and six hours later things seemed to be settling down, so they were going to send me home. I got up to get ready to go and promptly threw up again. So they admitted me instead. Also took off the fentanyl in case that is causing this. They still aren't sure if I picked up a bug or am allergic to fentanyl. They have me on IV fluids and IV pain med, and let me eat full liq. today. The hospitalist also consulted infectious disease, and GI. They are talking about a possible endoscopy to see if I could have a yeast or herpes infection of the esophagus which is causing so much pain. This is all definitely more than I bargainned for!