I am having my first experience with the Duragesic patch also. I had to take an antianxiety pill (Zanax) to offset the effects. My throat is doing the same thing but I suspect it's the radiation and chemo rather than the patch. It does keep the pain threshold down. I was prescribed 15mg morphine sulphate tabs for the pain breakthroughs. Where is Ron at in his treatment? I use a Waterpik a lot to cut the thick mucous and it helps. I had a lot of problems this morning (I have 16 radiation treatments left).