I've been living with chronic pain for about 18 years now and in all those years I have never heard of a doctor that would "EVER" prescribe those 2 medications together. They are simply too dangerous taken together, now if you take one or the other alone with some other lower class pain medication for the "breakthrough" pain that happens often with Oxycontin and the Fentanyl Patches, you would most likely have better success. It sounds like you are seeing a regular doctor instead of a Pain Management Doctor, I would search for a specialist in Pain Management and transfer all my care to him. That's what I did a few years ago, it took me over 10 years to find a Pain Management doctor that only deals with chronic pain patients, it was the best thing that I ever did. The level of care and treatment that I have had since is 100% improved, they know how to manage chronic pain patients effectively and are up to date on all the latest techniques and the medications that become available for pain relief. There are so many other medications that can be used in combination together that can help lesson a persons need for a lot of narcotics, they may still need some narcotics, but with the help of the other medications that they use, they can be limited. Also, I now have a Medtronics Spinal Implant that reduces my chronic pain down from a 9 to a level 3, it's like an internal TENS units that is always on. That also reduces ones need for the narcotics, so please try and find a Pain Management Specialist for your care and treatment. Using those 2 medications together, Oxycontin and the Fentanyl Patches are just too dangerous, I'm surprised your pharmacy even filled the prescriptions without questioning them. Good luck to you.

I asked for basically the same 'cocktail'. I was taking oxycodone for chronic lumbar back pain from disc herniations and DDD, and a friend told me about fentanyl patches because I still complained about constant pain. He has lumbar disc problems but I wouldn't consider his back problems too extreme. He told me his doctor (a pain specialist) has him on dullaudid, methadone, morphine, and fentanyl patches (75MG) all at one time. My mouth dropped open. Neverthe less, I asked for and got the patches to go with my oxy, but a week later my doctor took me off them saying she should not have prescribed them to me, there was a real fear of respiratory distress. I have a high tolerance for opiates and my relief with the patches at their normal dosages was minimal so I discontinued the patches. I don't know if this info helps at all, but it's what my experience is.  Good Luck!..Tommy

I have been dealing with a similar situation, and I was taking Norco 10/325's and MS contin.  My MS dose has gone up to 60 mgs 3x a day since March of this year when I started on 15mgs 3x a day.  My Norco's seem to help my syrong pain better, however my PM doc feels short-acting meds. can actually cause more pain, and I do agree.  Today he put me on Fentanyl 50mgs AND my normal morphine and Norco.  I have a very high tolerance when it comes to opiads for some reason, and even with increases, my pain stays at a 6-7 all the time.  I am NOT feeling "high" or anything like that, but feel good so far.  It's only been today, so I will keep you up to date, but as in the other answers about Dr's NEVER prescribing those meds. together, well, I personally am glad my doc is willing to try this combo.  He says everyone reacts different to meds. and that we need to keep trying until my pain is controlled.  I wish you the BEST of luck, but I would definatley give those meds. a try!!  I've heard of docs prescribing all kinds of crazy combo's and if your comfortable trying it out, just don't take more w/o asking the doc.  You may need even more...who knows but you.  GOOD LUCK and God bless...M.

i currently take both. i wear 100 mcg patch with a 50 mcg patch. breakthrough pain is managed with 30 mg roxicodone twice a day.  i have never over dosed so i don't know what everybody is complaining about. i've been at the same pain clinic for 8 years. hope this helps. God be with you