Nicki...it's not uncommon that someone on a high doseage of opiate pain medications lays in bed all day. Understand how those drugs work and what they do to the body. Fentanyl is the strongest opiate pain med they will give to a human being (carbofentanyl is stronger but they reserve that for larger animals). It is roughly 100x stronger then "heroine" and works by depressing the central nervous system...slowing breathing and heart rate which makes physical activity tough and energy levels low. 50mcg/hr is a relatively high dosage when you consider how strong that drug is...then add the hydro/tylenol to it (norco) and he is further depressing the system.

I had a special relationship with fentanyl and oxycodone and I was very much confined to my bed for about 18 months because of them. That patch system serves its purpose by negating pain but those drugs have side effects of their own and are debilitating in their own way. They will affect his moods, outlook, physical abilities as they do the job of keeping his pain at bay. The issue I have with these drugs is that usually the medical professionals do not have a plan to get you off of them and if he's become dependant on them he will likely not push for it himself. I know how that one goes.

My heart goes out to your dad..I've been there and it's not fun. Thankfully I had OCF then helping me find my way back from lala land.

Keep your chin up

Eric