I started on the fentanyl pain patch 25mcg on August 29th. I was on it for 15 days and thought I was feeling ok with it. I did have a bout of dizziness but felt that was from flying to NC at 37,000 feet. I felt dizzy upon leaving the plane and thought maybe it was fluid but just in case, got an antibiotic from doc for possible ear infection. When I got back home the doc gave me 50 mcg of the patch since we thought i handled the 25 mcg ok. I was on that for five days when we got the ct scan showing how much damage was done to my back so doc increased dosage to 75 mgc. On day 6 of the 50 mcg I was feeling a bit dizzy but thought it was fluid on ear (I have had this problem in the past and was dx with positional vertigo). anyway, put on the new patch (75 mcg) on Thursday. On Friday I was a little itchy and dizzy and also unaware to myself, very loopy and out of my head. I took a benadryl for the itching and noticed my breathing was shallow. But before I got to concerned about it the benadryl knocked me out. The next morning i woke up and again noticed my breathing was shallow. I looked up side affect to the patch and shallow breathing was one of them. So i took of the 75 and put on the 50 hoping it would help. I got up and did housework to try not to think about it but that didn't work so I went grocery shopping. by the time i got home for the store i was gasping for air so called my dr who said to get to ER immediately. Went to ER and by this time I was shakiing so bad i thought i was having convulsions. My blood pressure was through the roof. They took me straight back to a room and dr came in almost immediately. By this time I was also very nasious and feeling like I was going to throw up. The doctor had them give me xanax 1 mg and reglan (not sure how much) and he cut my patch in half and told me i would have to be weened off it because i had been on it for a month now. He gave me a scrip for 25 mcg and also xanax 3 times a day and reglan as needed. He also told me to call my doctor first thing monday morning. My doctor has me still on the 25 mcg because we have to take me off it slowly and I am not allowed to go back to work or do anything. I am to just stay calm and stay on the xanax. I guess I could have died and didn't even know it because I was so stoned on this stuff. So I see the doctor again tomorrow and we'll go from there. He did say he doesn't know what to give me for pain now as I am basically allergic to everything we've ever tried. I am so tired, upset, feeling defeated and almost don't want to go on with my life (no I am not suicidal but just tired). Going off the patch means the pain comes back full force and no sleep, etc. Prayers are needed.