Generic Name: Nucynta ER (tapentadol)
For Pain "I have been on pain meds for 8 years due to multiple problems, as well as 2 autoimmune diseases. I swear some of y'all gotta be paid reps for this drug Nucynta cause your so-called 'experiences' of amazingness is the exact complete opposite of what I have endured while on this BOGUS medicine. Either that, or y'all had been on Aleve or Motrin for pain, and your doc prescribed the Nucynta and it's now a wonder drug for you 'compared to an OTC pain med' cause this junk is just that a placebo that does NOT help anyone with legit pain, who also has a 'tolerance' to narcotic pain meds. There is absolutely no possible way this med is helping anyone except the pharmacy reps, doctors, and Big Pharma companies that are actually pushing this rubbish on legit pain patients. Y'all have lost your minds. You've been warned. It's horrible. For pain relief I give it ZERO stars out of 5."
For Pain "I suffered a compression fracture at L2, and I have had a failed posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4 and L5-S1. I am disabled and only want a life that is worth living. My new pain management physician started me early this week on Nucynta ER 100 mg every 12 hours, and for breakthrough pain to take oxycodone acetaminophen 10/325 four times daily. I'm not getting much relief from the Nucynta ER 100 mg. I am very disappointed. I will consult with my doctor to see what he feels I should do. I am so unhappy with our government, that is harassing people that are 10 times more educated than they are, on 'proper prescribing behavior' for the treatment of chronic pain. This is a disgrace to the USA!"
For Pain "I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 25. Over the years, it kept getting worse and worse. It was beginning to interfere with my life. I had a very poor quality of life. I finally, after suffering for over a year, I decided I needed real help. I had been on many other pain medications, but Nucynta ER was different. The day I got my prescription filled and took it that night, I woke up a changed person. I'm not sure exactly how long I'd suffered, but Nucynta ER has given me my life back. My depression and anxiety are non-existent. I feel awesome!"
For Pain "I fell off of a ladder at work and shattered my elbow and slicing my nerves. After 3 surgeries over a year period, I was still in a lot of pain. After going through the Norco dependence, I was finally referred to a pain management doc who first tried Opana to no avail. I was then put on an extended-release Fentanyl patch which worked but did not last near long enough between doses. The doc then put me on Nucynta ER titrated up to 250mg x2/day and it has been a godsend. It keeps my pain at bay and doesn't get me high. I will say that it seems to only last 8-10 hours, but I have Norco to fill the gap. Very happy with Nucynta, and I feel like I have my life back. Friends and family say that I am much better to be around as well. Good luck to you!"
For Pain "I had 17 surgeries on hands, arms, elbows, and shoulders, 11 on the right side, the rest on the left side. I have very chronic pain nerve damage on both hands, elbows, arms, and shoulders. I take 1 Nucynta and 2 Roxicodone every 6 hours, the pain is about a 10, really bad. When I take these meds, it goes down to around 5 or 6. It helps a lot. I would recommend this. I'm disabled, it helps me to function. I wish it would help more, but it doesn't have too many side effects. I've been taking them for a few years. You get some nausea, but I take Zofran for that. What I don't like is the government trying to tell us to cut down. I take 4 Nucyntas and 6 Roxicodone a day. That's the most I can cut down to because of my chronic pain. The people that are hurt are the ones that suffer."
For Pain "Since 2002, when I had a terrible car accident... Durango hit my Civic while I was 1st at a stoplight (stopped) at 50 mph. Been through 3 cervical fusions from the best docs in the USA. 2nd surgery was a failed fusion. Third surgery in 2013, I now have 7 levels fused from C2-T1 and a recent lumbar fusion from L3-L5. I am bionic, except for the agonizing pain I've endured for YEARS! Finally on disability, both because of spine, severe poly-neuropathy, and severe fibro all over. Nucynta is a HUGE blessing! No foggy head and dwindling down on Norco intake! I feel ALIVE! 200 mg ER x 2/day and down to 4 Norcos for breakthrough. It IS A GODSEND! I can once again be productive, happy, and damn nearly pain-free. I am blessed! No, it doesn't give you a high."
For Pain "I take Norco, Methocarbamol, Gabapentin, and Motrin. The pain was still so bad I couldn't take it anymore. I went to pain management and demanded surgery. I told her that I only had about 2 decent hours a day. She asked if I would try Nucynta ER. My mother was completely addicted to morphine before she died, so I am careful not to ever over-medicate. I started with 50mg ER - I was so relieved...it helped so much. No side effects, except maybe dry mouth, but I had that before the Nucynta. After about two years I had to increase dosage to 100mg ER. Still no side effects. At one point the pharmacy couldn't get Nucynta for over a month. I couldn't take any during that month, and I had no withdrawals. The pain came back of course, but that's it!"
For Pain "I am currently on Opana ER, and tried the Nucynta ER to see if it would have any less side effects than those I had on the Opana (sweating was the absolute worst, and severe exhaustion, among others). I tried Nucynta ER for 4 days, and felt the best I have felt in years. While my dose needs to be increased a little, it made me feel so much better. I didn't have any of the negative side effects that I have on the Opana. On the Opana, I needed to nap throughout most of the afternoon because I was just that tired. On the Nucynta, I had energy throughout the entire day and just felt wonderful. I am excited to get on it permanently, and think it may be an awesome medication for me."
For Pain "Just started taking this, was on Oxycodone 10/325 4 times a day, was willing to give it a shot. It's horrible. I keep wanting to throw up all day long, it feels like I am going through withdrawals, foggy as heck, missing work. Never had these issues before. They are making the opioid issue so bad that people who really need the pain meds are having to take things like this. I have had 4 neck surgeries so far, the pain is ridiculous. Before I found the Oxy, I was barely able to move around, once I got on that regimen, I was able to work every day, function like normal. Now I'm back to just feeling sick every day, foggy as heck, not wanting to do anything, just cry. This sucks."
For Pain "Was on Opana ER 20 mg twice a day with Oxy 5 mg 1-3 times a day. Was doing well, not using the IR very much. Pain clinic doctor no longer issuing prescriptions for Opana. I was put on Nucynta 100 mg twice a day in place of Opana. The last five days have been very difficult. I can't sleep, literally. I have zero appetite and have to force myself to eat some crackers and cheese. The medication wears off after 8-9 hours with strong withdrawal symptoms. So I have to take breakthrough meds just to calm the withdrawal. My hands shake and I feel so weird. Like depression. I can't take this medication any longer. I believe our bodies all react differently to medications, and for me, this is not a good fit."
For Pain "I have been taking this medication for the better part of a year now in ever increasing doses until reaching the maximum dose of 250mg 2X daily. I have found it does a good job of controlling what I refer to as 'lesser' pains. I find general movement is easier, minor physical activities such as walking, driving, showering, etc. are less painful. However, it does not do as much for the more 'major' pains. More active physical activities such as gardening, house cleaning, etc. are still painful, however, the pain is 'masked' by the drug and I 'pay' for these things later. I have had chronic pain for over 30 years and I do not expect anything will ever make me 100% again, but this drug has made me able to enjoy a few hours a day of comfort."
For Pain "I could not deal with the side effects of OxyContin or hydrocodone. Too much dizziness and severe itching. Unable to get restful sleep. Nucynta ER 50, 2 times a day has been MUCH better for me. Very little side effects and only for the first couple of weeks. I sleep better too. Only objection is that it wears off after only about 5 hours. So I have to take hydrocodone occasionally."
For Pain "This medicine has been such a blessing for me. Felt as if my quality of life was completely lost from chronic pain. Multiple spinal issues and three surgeries later, I was left with terrible neuropathy and pain all down my right side. This did the trick. Now I have my life back!"
For Pain "I have 4 slipped discs and a self-fusing spine, and I'm only 36. I have terrible OA in my spine that's hereditary. I failed epidural injections. The nerve pain kept me in bed crying most days, and I couldn't be a wife or mom. I started on Norco, then moved to Oxycodone. They added Neurontin, and nothing took care of the burning, shooting pain that was at the base of my skull and down my left arm. I got intermittent relief for one year. I changed doctors, and they put me on Nucynta ER 250 mg once a day! I can honestly say I am pain-free. I only take this and an anti-inflammatory. I will say the consistent side effect is nausea, vomiting, and no appetite. I don't mind it, as I'm finally pain-free, and I just eat small meals!"
For Pain "This is a great, stable medication. I take it twice a day and have other medication for breakthrough pain. I had 2 back surgeries and 20-30 epidurals. I'm young (less than 40). It is not cheap, but I find it worth the price. I am a lawyer and need to be quick on my feet. This medication does not weigh me down mentally."
For Pain "In 2012, I was in an accident. As a result, I have had 4 surgeries to my right wrist. I then developed bilateral epicondylitis, trigger finger, and myofascial pain syndrome. I have taken a variety of meds without relief. I wasn't able to participate in life or carry out routine tasks. My pain specialist prescribed Nucynta ER 50 mg, 1 tab twice a day (morning & evening). I was also prescribed Nucynta IR 50 mg, 1-2 tabs up to 4 times per day. The Nucynta ER lowers my pain throughout the day. If I have housework, etc., I can take 1 to 2 Nucynta IR prior to starting the tasks. This gives me the extra relief I need to complete the work. If my pain spikes, I can also take the IR. Nucynta has given me my life back."
For Pain "I have OA in my knees and muscular joint pain. I took Oxycodone for several years. I have a T11/12 herniation and two lumbar bulges. The spinal issues cause my feet to burn after lying in bed for a couple of hours, which led to many sleepless nights. I was prescribed Gabapentin. It was 90% efficient in blocking the neuropathy but caused horrible cognitive side effects. I asked the doctor to let me try Nucynta. Not only did it work better than the oxy on my OA and such, it was nearly as effective as the Gabapentin for nerve pain. I take Nucynta ER 50 twice daily and Nucynta IR 50 once daily if needed. The Nucynta causes no euphoria as with the Oxycodone. I sleep eight hours a night and have no burning sensation in my feet."
For Pain "Take it for back pain as needed. 100 mg dose. It works, but it makes you tired. No pain. Some days I can't even get up because of my back pain. Only problem is when I don't take it (I try not to use pain meds too much) I get really sick. Maybe it's withdrawal. That part isn't fun. But after 3 days or so of not taking it, I'm back to normal."
For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I have tried several medications and was either allergic to them, they didn't work, or I did not like the way I felt. Nucynta has worked wonderfully with the severe neuropathy pain that I have on a daily basis. Prior to Nucynta, I had a difficult time just walking to another room, much less a grocery store. I have found that Nucynta has cut my downtime due to pain at least 50%! I do not feel dopey or high, it does not inhibit or interfere with my speech, thought, or action. In fact, I told my husband I am ready to start going bike riding again because I feel safe enough to do so and the pain is not stopping me anymore. This is my experience with Nucynta: works wonders!"
For Pain "I have fibromyalgia and severe neuropathy in both feet with burning pain all the way up to my knees. My local pain clinic prescribed Nucynta (for short-term pain), and it completely took my pain away. I did get extremely lightheaded and a feeling like I was high. Since it isn't safe for your liver for long-term use, they switched me to Nucynta ER 100 mg to start. It took 2 weeks to fully kick in, and after a month, I formed a tolerance to it. I've been on 200 mg for about 5 weeks now, and I've already built a tolerance to it as well. This prescription has been a godsend, but I can only go up to 250 mg twice per day. What will happen to me if I build a tolerance to that? I'm very concerned."
For Pain "I have rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and had a knee replacement recently. I was having a lot of pain, and the short-term medicines were not helping. I switched to this on the advice of my physician, and it is the difference between night and day. One pill in the morning and one at night keep me from derailing. I am able to do my physical therapy, go to work, and have energy for the first time in a month."
For Pain "I've had chronic back/hip pain for over 10 years. I've recently come off fentanyl patches and needed something to keep the pain at bay. I started on 50 mg Nucynta 2x a day and was miserable. After much begging, the pain management center agreed to see me after a week. They switched me to Nucynta ER 100 mg, and life is MUCH better. I still have breakthrough pains 1 to 2x a day, and I HOPE to address this when I return to PM in July. However, this is working as well as fentanyl did. Grateful for the 'coupon' provided by the manufacturer, otherwise, this would be an expensive treatment."
For Pain "Pain Clinic prescribed these to take in addition to Hydrocodone acetominophen 10/325. There is absolutely no relief to be had with these Nucynta, wish I could afford to actually have a capsule tested to see what all is NOT in them. I believe Excedrin or any OTC pain relief would be better, this med is a joke if you have chronic pain!!"
For Pain "I have been on Nucynta ER since around 2013. Had a bad car accident in 2011 and the opiates alone were not enough. My lower back discs L2-S1 is bad along with my facet joints, spine and nerve damage in left leg and other issues. My Dr started me on 250 mg which helped. The pain was better and still stayed on my Hydrocodone 10mg 2-3x a day. After a couple years I felt I wanted to go off this drug. I did not like the foggy feeling . I went down to 150mg. It took my body 1 year to adjust to 200mg's a day! The first 2 weeks was horrible! this medicine will not make you 'high' like percosets or oxy's. It just made my body crawl and could not sleep. It gives me hot flashes, makes me tired and affects my memory. I am still on the 150 mg and searching for another opioid to replace it with. Just do not want to go on something that will give me the same side effects."
For Pain "I just started 150 mg Nucynta ER. I have been on almost every pain medicine in existence. Aside from the cost of $375 for 60 pills, I believe it is working quite well. I have been on long-term pain management for 12 years. Since this medicine is new, there is not much information about it online. I am hoping to hear more success stories and other people's opinions soon."
