Comments on: FDA concerned about Fentora problems with wider use http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/ Saiontz & Kirk personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:04:45 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Sam http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/comment-page-1/#comment-81760 Sam Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:48:12 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/#comment-81760 The FDA needs to please pass Cephalon's request for the fentora so people other than cancer patients can use this medication. I have a severe case of MS with cervical spine lesions that cause me total body pain all day and yes that means I have breakthrough pain all day everyday despite the oxycontin and morphine I take every 4 hours. I have to live in bed because United Healthcare, Caremark, or the company I am on LTD with Bristol Myers Squibb cut me down from 12 fentora a day to 4 fentora a day almost killing me because they are playing doctor or God so it seems, and now have taken it away completely, when I was already taking it for years. The 4 pills a day is useless because I need two 800mcg fentora at a time to help me through the worst times throughout my short day because I have to try to sleep as much as possible to avoid my pain since I don't have enough fentora and can't afford it myself. I am living on disability so I am broke and will be going deeper and deeper into debt every month because for me to just lay in bed and stay alive I need at the least 6 boxes of fentora 28 pills in each box so for 30 days this gives me almost 6 pills a day when to have a life outside of laying in bed I would need to have 12 boxes a month or more which was what I was getting before everything started being taken away from me obviously for monetary reasons but of course they say because I don't have cancer.Another fact people may want to know is that 80% of the people taking fentora for their breakthrough pain do not have cancer. This is so obvious that the FDA needs to let it be used for anyone with severe breakthrough pain. I am sure this has happened to many people and I truly know how you feel and I am sorry for that. How can I be expected to want to live now without any pain management at all and since this all started in 2001 I have tried every pain medication, anti-seizure meds, anti depressants, etc...and every other class of drugs that they claim may help with pain, also acupuncture made me have an exacerbation so my MS didn't like that at all, so all there is that helps me is fentora and now I believe Caremark and BMS have killed me because when my savings runs out soon I will have to get into so much debt it's not worth fighting this disease anymore, especially since I am now getting no help from anyone to fill the prescription for the only breakthrough pain medicattion that has ever helped me. The FDA needs to please pass Cephalon’s request for the fentora so people other than cancer patients can use this medication. I have a severe case of MS with cervical spine lesions that cause me total body pain all day and yes that means I have breakthrough pain all day everyday despite the oxycontin and morphine I take every 4 hours. I have to live in bed because United Healthcare, Caremark, or the company I am on LTD with Bristol Myers Squibb cut me down from 12 fentora a day to 4 fentora a day almost killing me because they are playing doctor or God so it seems, and now have taken it away completely, when I was already taking it for years. The 4 pills a day is useless because I need two 800mcg fentora at a time to help me through the worst times throughout my short day because I have to try to sleep as much as possible to avoid my pain since I don’t have enough fentora and can’t afford it myself. I am living on disability so I am broke and will be going deeper and deeper into debt every month because for me to just lay in bed and stay alive I need at the least 6 boxes of fentora 28 pills in each box so for 30 days this gives me almost 6 pills a day when to have a life outside of laying in bed I would need to have 12 boxes a month or more which was what I was getting before everything started being taken away from me obviously for monetary reasons but of course they say because I don’t have cancer.Another fact people may want to know is that 80% of the people taking fentora for their breakthrough pain do not have cancer. This is so obvious that the FDA needs to let it be used for anyone with severe breakthrough pain. I am sure this has happened to many people and I truly know how you feel and I am sorry for that. How can I be expected to want to live now without any pain management at all and since this all started in 2001 I have tried every pain medication, anti-seizure meds, anti depressants, etc…and every other class of drugs that they claim may help with pain, also acupuncture made me have an exacerbation so my MS didn’t like that at all, so all there is that helps me is fentora and now I believe Caremark and BMS have killed me because when my savings runs out soon I will have to get into so much debt it’s not worth fighting this disease anymore, especially since I am now getting no help from anyone to fill the prescription for the only breakthrough pain medicattion that has ever helped me.

]]> By: Ed H http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/comment-page-1/#comment-68648 Ed H Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:11:34 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/#comment-68648 I too am a RSD sufferer, and have also been prescribed the fentanyl patch since 6/03. I was using Fentora, but my insurance company determined that after 10 months of Fentora use, that they would no longer cover it's use for non cancer pain sufferers.... go figure.... It worked so well, and I would jump at the chance to get it back. However, at the cost of $2800 a month, I cannot afford it, without my health insurance covering it's cost. I too am a RSD sufferer, and have also been prescribed the fentanyl patch since 6/03. I was using Fentora, but my insurance company determined that after 10 months of Fentora use, that they would no longer cover it’s use for non cancer pain sufferers…. go figure…. It worked so well, and I would jump at the chance to get it back. However, at the cost of $2800 a month, I cannot afford it, without my health insurance covering it’s cost.

]]> By: thematrix777 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/comment-page-1/#comment-63763 thematrix777 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:46:06 +0000 http://www.youhavealawyer.com/blog/2008/05/05/fda-concerns-fentora-problems-overdose/#comment-63763 I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and if you look it up on the McGill Pain chart it shows higher than cancer pain levels. So you can see what I deal with daily. RSD is a neurological, chronic, progressive condition and has no cure. I have used Fenanyl patches for 5 yrs now. I never had problems except 1 time I was given a "gel" type patch. They are very bad. I had my doctor switch them immediately. You have to make sure the pharmacy knows NOT to give you gel patches. I also changed pharmacies. Anyway, I have also used Actiq lollipop and Fedora. They were both fine. Just too expensive so I stopped using them. Some common sense by patients have to be used! Patients are in control of these things. If you follow directions correctly you will not have problems. Patients Beware! I am homebound, in a wheelchair, no use of hands, arms or legs. Dependent on daily care, 24/7. I do depend on "non-cancer" drugs because my pain is so great. Would you really deprive someone like me the comfort I require? I have Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and if you look it up on the McGill Pain chart it shows higher than cancer pain levels. So you can see what I deal with daily.

RSD is a neurological, chronic, progressive condition and has no cure.

I have used Fenanyl patches for 5 yrs now. I never had problems except 1 time I was given a “gel” type patch. They are very bad. I had my doctor switch them immediately. You have to make sure the pharmacy knows NOT to give you gel patches. I also changed pharmacies.

Anyway, I have also used Actiq lollipop and Fedora. They were both fine. Just too expensive so I stopped using them. Some common sense by patients have to be used! Patients are in control of these things. If you follow directions correctly you will not have problems. Patients Beware!

I am homebound, in a wheelchair, no use of hands, arms or legs. Dependent on daily care, 24/7. I do depend on “non-cancer” drugs because my pain is so great. Would you really deprive someone like me the comfort I require?

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