My husband, Ron, recently tried the Duragesic patch both the 25mcg and 50mcg. He appeared to be "seeing things, hearing things" that weren't there. We reduced the patch to 25mcg but he still was affected this way. We removed the patch last night and although he's still "fishing" or moving his arms and hands while sleeping, it's a lot better without the patch. Anyone know if that is a side effect of the patch?
He's been having a lot of swelling with pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder and back. Been taking oxycodone, the patch and recently a little morphine. Then all of the sudden he was pain free as of this AM!! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled for him!! But isn't this a bit on the strange side??
He's been saying for days that something is "changing" in his throat. He has less swelling now in his cheeks more at his jawline and underneath including his adam's apple area. The fluid appears to be moving downward. Is this the lymph fluid finding new channels? The saliva is very thick; he's constantly trying to clear his throat. He's afraid to sleep because he feels like he'll not be able to breath. He throat has constricted so much these last two weeks that he became dehydrated and had to be hospitalized. They ended up putting a PEG tube in (had to use a pediatric scope due to the narrow throat) last week. He has great difficulty swallowing.
But it's so weird that now he's pain free. Anyone have strangeness like this? Any comments on the feeling he has of not being able to breath? As always, thanks to everyone!
Kathy

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).

Hi Gary. Ron had a bilaterial neck done last August, and 37 rounds of radiation which he finished last mid November. We just returned for the ER. He can't clear the mucous; they say he has forgotten how to cough and speech therapy will have to retrain him. Meanwhile they sent us home with a nebulizer and suction machine. They showed me how to go through his nose and down into his throat to try to suction the mucous out. Man, something about all this doesn't seem right. His pain returned again tonight. He's on liquid morphine tonight. No more patches for him.