User Reviews for Actiq buccal

no problems can't tell Iam using it

Trouble with the medicine falling off of the plastic applicator

I HAVE BEEN ON THIS MEDICATION FOR YEARS. MY INSURANCE ONCE LONG AGO WAS COVERING IT,NOT ANY LONGER IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WASN'T SICK AND I FELT LIKE A KID.I WISH ONE DAY OUR INSURANCES WILL COVER EVERYTHING AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE AS LONG AS YOU ARE UNDER THE CARE OF A GOOD DOCTOR THAT WILL MONITOR YOUR HEALTH AND HE CAN PRESCRIBE AN RX THAT HE THINKS WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU.

i had actiq for chronic fms oesteoperosis endometriosis and chronic constant widespread pain all over 10/10 pain score i am currently on the duresic patch but am going back on actiq in conjunction with this as fentanly is the only drug to render me totally pain free it's an amazing feeling to not have the pain it also controls the receptors in my brain to ease the neurological symtoms caused by fms

I have had six back surgery's and have a spinal implant ANS. unit,along with that I take 2 80 mg. of oxy. every 8 hours along with 1200 mcg of the generic brand of Actiq every 4 hours for break through pain over the past 6 years until this month when it was denied by my ins. company. Like a lot of people it was the only combination that gave me a quality of life after 3 years of therapy & the meds. I was walking without crutches,braces , or a cane. Now I'm back in severe pain using my leg brace & cane to keep from falling! I guess when I fall & mess up my new implant that is a 10 year rechargeable the insurance company won't be happy when they have to pay for the surgery to replace it sooner.I have had my Dr. speak on my behalf in the stage one appeal and was denied because I don't have a history of cancer it is considered "off label" & my pain is a chronic nonmalignant. So even knowing it is the one thing that gave me some quality of life back since I don't have cancer then I can go back to sitting in front of the TV in pain & not sleeping again. I can do a stage 2 appeal but after reading all the other stories I don't think I will put myself through it again even though it states they must reply to the appeal within 72 hours they took 7 days . To sum it up I believe it is all about the cost of the Actiq that is the bottom line. Good luck to everyone I feel your pain.Read More Read Less

I have 4 herniated discs, Post Orthostatic Tachychardia Syndrome which causes extreme blood pressure changes and TERRIBLE headaches. I have taken the suckers for over 4 years and yes they work wonderfully for pain. The problem came in about 6 months ago when my insurance wouldn't pay for them and I had to come off of them, it was the most excruciating thing I've ever been through, I had to check into a detox facility to get off of them it was so bad. They also made all of of my teeth basically turn so soft they fell out!! I had to spend over $20,000 fixing them. If you have no other choice this medication does work great, but if you have another option the benefits do not outweigh the risks.Read More Read Less

Hello, I am asking if anyone has an insurance company that actually still pays for Actiq in non-cancer patients. It works extremely well for me, and I can no longer afford to pay for it out of my own pocket. Thank you to anyone for their help in this matter! Kim

I was diagnosed with RSD and 3 herniated discs due to a work injury 10 years ago. My doctors tried numerous procedures and physical therapy, and nearly every pain medicine known to man. Due to severe allergic reactions, or no relief, they finally put me on the Actiq suckers. They worked amazingly. However, workman's comp. refuses to pay because I don't have cancer (like it is a work-related illness(?). My regular insurance paid for it for a whole year, $7999 a month, then took it off their formulary. So now have appealed to numerous insurance companies to pay for it-but they are all worked up about the price, even though I can get it compounded by a pharmacy for only $900 a month-yet they still won't pay. Waiting for the new year of insurance formularies to see if any will now cover it for non-cancer patients. I've paid over $9000 out of pocket just this year and lost all my teeth but it is the only medicine that has worked for the past 10 years, so I can have a life outside of bedrest and severe, non-relenting pain. Again, I would like to see those insurance people who are denying coverage of this lifesaver drug to get the dsease themself-and try to live without helpful medicine. Heck, they will cover ERECTILE DYSFUNCTON- NOT a chronic pain condition, and they will cover AIDS patients that shoot up drugs and their medicines are very expensive-yet they won't cover pain medicine to people who just got hurt doing their job or living life-because it costs a lot of money. They want us all to get CANCER before they will cover it! It is ridiculous!Read More Read Less

This is in response to all the patients who have had this medication taken away so uncaringly by insurance companys. I use it & have Medicaid alone. I've been warned that if I go on Disability or Medicare, or get extra insurance assistance, It will be taken away. I've gone without the help a Disability payment would help me & my family & that I deserve just so I could continue to receive the help that Actiq has given me. All I can suggest is that if possible, try to apply for Medicaid & maybe the patients who need Actiq can get it. I wish I could help with a suggestion that would definately work. Good Luck & I will pray that all those who need help getting any medication needed that is being withheld from them for chronic pain.Read More Read Less

I've been on Actiq for apporx. 10 yrs. for Lymphedems, cellulitis(severe sores that weep on both lower legs),fibromyalgia, migraines,& a few other medical conditions that all combined are sometimes unbearable. I use 800mcg.(every 2 hrs) & 1600mcg.(every 4 hrs) for breakthrough pain which has been a lifesaver. Of course, I don't have to use it that often, but it is nice to have if needed for those really bad days. The major drawback is that is devastating to your teeth. I had beautiful healthy teeth & within probably 6 months to a yr, they just began to rot from the inside out & just break off. I now have 3 teeth left. Please be aggressive about tooth care if you choose this medication. Also, please keep out of the possible reach of children because it does taste & smell exactly like candy & a child could mistake it for candy which could be very dangerous. Good Luck with anything that helps all the people who suffer from chronic pain. Thank you for listening.Read More Read Less

this drug has been a lifesaver for me and now out of the blue my insurance company has cancelled it. do you appeal or will this help or just make things worse for you mentally and physically.

It effectively lessens the pain promptly.

Like many of you, I have multiple problems due to a MVA. I've been on the Fentanyl Patch for years now (high dose) but, still needed something for breakthrough pain. My Dr. gave me Actiq & it worked fairly well for additinal pain relief. However, listen to the remarks regarding YOUR TEETH!! This medicine will without a doubt - ruin your teeth! I've lost 4 teeth so far, & the front ones are the first to be affected (that's right were the Lollipop goes - behind your front teeth). I thought maybe it was just a coincidence because it's was a while since my last visit but, my Dentist said he has seen more than a few patients loose their teeth because of this medicine. I can't imagine in this day & age, with all of the artifical sweetners out there, they would make a medicine that helps your pain but, destroys your teeth! In closing, my sister was also placed on this Rx and she now has only 20 of her teeth left! Heed The Warnings!!!Read More Read Less

I am truly allergic - hives, can't breathe, intense dizziness for 5 days after last experience, etc. to all narcotics, incl. synthetic Ultram. An allergy specialist recommended fentanyl because it has the least "mast cell." I have chronic pain, spinal stenosis, and pay out of pocket because insurance will only cover cancer patients. I always use lowest dose I can and one to two a day. Now I fear my neurologist will stop writing prescrips due to FDA. I will have NO OTHER OPTIONS. I even had an allergic reaction to my allergy shots! What are folks like us to do? This gives me my life, and I have never felt high, only relief. Prior to Actiq, I tried muscle relaxants, Cymbalta, Lyrica, spinal injections, PT, yoga, biofeedback, acupuncture, chiropractic and now do Pilates. EVERYTHING alternative (and not covered by insurance. These, I can suck a few minutes and get on my way. I do also take Topamax. Allergists won't test me for less expensive narcotic options for fear of the risk.What will I do?! I beg that the FDA allow for cases where people are allergic and opiod tolerant and responsible. I tried the patches, but prefer the sticks so I can only use as needed.Read More Read Less