My pain management doctor wanted to put me on Fent patches from day one. Yep, it's THAT BAD, with the question being more of...How the HELL have you existed without anything for pain? I had only found minimal relief with Darvocet for decades, because I had (have) to keep a sharp mind in my work.
I delayed the trial of Fentanyl until Morphine and Oxycodone failed me. I tried the Mallinkroft (sic) patches for 6 weeks before stopping. They provided NO RELIEF whatsoever. The night sweats were soaking and sick, preventing sleep. My days were spent in a comatose haze.
I'm sorry you're not sleeping. I hope things get better for you, with or without the Fentanyl. It caused such reverse effects for me that my doctor did genetic testing for metabolism. It seems (YAY...not) I have not only absorption failure, but also do not metabolize the codone meds properly. Morphone types are suggested as alternatives. However, I CANNOT function if sedated.
What's a CP patient to do?