The only side effect Barry experienced from the Duragesic patch was (the first few days) very vivid dreams/nightmares -- this is mentioned as a side effect which goes away after a few days, which it did. It never made him sleepy or dysfunctional, whereas the Oxycodone made him feel "out of it." He also had bowel issues with the latter but not with the Duragesic, which may have been because he was only on a 25 mcg dose,

It was a god-send. Insist that John get a chance to try it, and also, give it a few days to kick in. I cannot imagine trying to get through this treatment on the "baby" pain-killer John's being given; bluntly, your doctor is failing his patient -- adequate pain relief is a *patient right* and should not have to be fought for!

Be aggressive and go to "patient rights" person at the hospital if you are being blown off...

Gail